Jordan. His keyboard work puts it over the top. Octavarium alone. That intro + keyboard solo is like, some of DT's best keyboard work anywhere in their catalog imo.
The synth solo starting at 12:00-something is great. The intro (and particularly the continuum section) is one of the most painfully boring things in the catalog.
Agreed. I actually don’t mind it, but its just sort of contrived. Feels like someone (probably Portnoy lol) was like “okay, Jordan, I want a 4 minute Shine on You Crazy Diamond intro”. Ehhh.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Rudess but beyond some cool stuff on the title track, I’m REALLY not a fan of his solos on this album. Panic Attack and Sacrificed Sons solos are woof, and These Walls would instantly be a better song without all the synth. I kind of feel like the ToT/OCT period was a low point for JR, but he’s been magnificent so far in the Mangini era.