I will eventually come back and make a lengthier post of my thoughts, but it's worth saying, since I've been a bit down on this record elsewhere on the forum:
My initial impressions of this album were quite negative. I really didn't like it at all and wound up neglecting it for a good while. I especially disliked Room 137, S2N and Pale Blue Dot.
Five or six listens in, and I'm finally starting to come around on it. I don't know where it's going to land, but at this point:
1. Fall into the Light (which I did not listen to prior to the album, honestly because Untethered Angel was such a disappointment at that time that I stopped paying attention) is maybe the best song here, particularly because of the instrumental break.
2. Still not crazy about S2N or R137, but I at least think they're decent songs. I do find it strange that S2N is such a favorite while Systematic Chaos is so hated. For all the claims that MP was trying to make DT into modern metal on SC and BCSL, R137 and S2N are WAY more modern metal than anything on either of those albums... yet they are generally liked while SC and BCSL aren't. Just something I find interesting.
3. I agree with those who say that At Wit's End should have been the album closer. The experimental outro is interesting, and in my opinion works quite well.
4. I do not like the production on this album. It is true that it is fairly clear, with each instrument being fairly distinguishable, but JR is too low in the mix, JP's guitar sound is too monotonically chunky (this is also true of DT12), and the thing is way, way too loud. I have to turn it a solid 10% below the volume I'd use for, say, the latest Neal Morse Band album. I wish they would stop with the heavy guitar sound and brickwalled production.