Finishing up disc 2 now. Seems like it just picks up where disc 1 left off, lots of ideas and repeated themes all mashed together, with little in the way of SONGS. The Path That Divides is nice and heavy and thrashy, very needed refreshment especially if listening to the entire album in one sitting. Heaven's Cove is cool too, with the choir sounds it reminds me of really old Disney movies like Bambi. Hymn Of A Thousand Voices is probably the best ballad on the album, and would stick out more if the album wasn't loaded with so many more ballads. Our New World is the best song on disc 2, imo, with it's anthem feel and catchy melody. The closing title track feels underwhelming, it could have done more, I mean, there is still room on the second disc... but even then, I feel like I've heard all the themes more than enough before disc 2 even starts.
Overall the shorter run time helps the 2nd disc, but a majority of the stronger material is on disc 1. However, I feel like even the best tunes on this album could have used more work, more time to settle. I really think this is a 50 minute album stretched out to over 2 hours, too. I mean, I love Neal Morse, and he reprises themes a lot in his albums, but even he doesn't bash the listener over the head with the main themes of his albums like Petrucci, Rudess, and the rest of Dream Theater do in The Astonishing. I'll resort to my 50-something minute playlist of the best of TA from here on out.