At this point, it feels like Distance over Time is similar to A Dramatic Turn of Events, for my tastes, in this way:
-Tracks 1 and 2 on both albums are all solid tunes, but none are essential, and I never seek out any of them on their own.
-Both have two really, really good songs that I would say don't quite make my DT top 25, but are good enough to be called modern day DT classics (Bridges in the Sky, Breaking All Illusions, Fall into the Light, At Wit's End).
-My 3rd favorite song on each album is a slower song (ballad or whatever) that is pretty damn good (This Is the Life and Out of Reach).
-Both have a couple of highly technical songs that I like, but don't love (Lost Not Forgotten, Outcry, S2N, Pale Blue Dot).
-I have minor issues with the sound of both (ADTOE is a bit too dry and muddy, DoT is a bit too hot).