This is my review of cd 1. I have about 20 listens of it. I tried to be honest with my feelings. Overall, I like it more than before but it is certainly the album that is taking me the longest time to enjoy it. It has nothing to do by the fact that it is a concept album. For instance, when Marillion released Misplaced childhood in 1986, it was a fantastic album right from the start and basically perfect from A to Z after a few listens. For me, even with my best attempt of liking that album, I don't find great melodies in an amount of number that can surpass some of the previous album of DT. Just for example, ADTOE has way much more quality harmonies than TA. But that's my opinion and I know there is a large amount of guys who do not agree. So here is what I think of cd 1 which by the way looks like a much better one that cd 2.
Descent of the Nomacs Digital intro
Dystopian overture Themes of the album, good stuff
The gift of music Good rock tune.
The answer short ballad, good
A better life ballad, good
Lord Nafaryus Old fashioned Queenish rock song
A savior in the square Beautiful harmony on the chorus
When your time has come Hollow years type of song, nice
Act of Faythe A Disney theme ballad
Three days Portnoy would have loved to sing on that one
The hovering sojourn Digital stuff
Brother can you hear me? ballad, a military anthem, nice one
A life left behind beautiful ballad
Ravenskill I don't get this one
Chosen ballad, sounds like repeating the previous ones
A tempting offer don't like it
Digital discord digital stuff again
The x aspect ballad with a beginning sounding like Days of our lives theme
Anew beginning good rock song with Kansas influence. the guitar solo at the end is boring and too long. Reminds me of the one at the end of Genesis's Abacab.
The road to revolution A ballad, a pop rock, a hard rock and a operarock in the same song.
So there are good parts and some beautiful harmonies. I can't deny that it is good. I am not hooked that much. Only the songs or parts that I have noted Beautiful are great moment for me on cd 1.