I will be spamming this thread, editing as I post track by track as I am listening. Let's go!
The Alien - I think I already listened to this song a hundred times with at least one listen per day since its release. Definitely my favorite opener since The Root of All Evil. The ending section starting from "I am the alien" still gives me goosebumps. 8/10
Answering the Call - Wow, what a catchy tune. Vocals are really singable. The prechorus vocal melodies are especially cool. I found myself moving to the groove all throughout the song. I don't know why but it felt like an improved attempt at what they were aiming for in Paralyzed. The ending with Myung's bass and Mike's snare is topnotch. 9/10
Invisible Monster - Now I can definitely hear how this really sounds much better following the first two tracks. A nice breather. 7/10
Sleeping Giant - Woah, woah, woah. I think we just entered DT classic category here. I did not expect much with that main riff at the start but man did they build that up to go into interesting directions. It is like Systematic Chaos and The Astonishing had a child which turned out much greater than its parents. Jordan is amazing. The ending, what a great ending. Real goosebumps ending.10/10
Transcending Time - Damn it, my eyes are moist. It's just...beautiful. Apologies to Dream Theater, I never thought they could write a song like this. Best Rush song not done by Rush. This song deserves to be big. 10/10
Awaken The Master - This is not what I expected when I read JP will use an 8-string, it did not go the djenty route. Good riffs. Good vocal melody again. Mike Mangini is killer! Best single stroke cymbal playing in the planet. I really wish though that they were able to go back later in the song to the beautiful guitar and piano melody in the intro. 9/10.
A View From The Top Of The World - Now that is a brave epic. They could easily have gone the JP playing guitar at the top of the mountain route like Illumination Theory and Octavarium but they didn't. I can see where the earlier A Change Of Seasons comparison is coming from structurally. I feel so tense right now, I have not felt so tense listening to a Dream Theater song. There are so many rests! DT not going the fill as many notes a second route, putting in rests in unexpected places. If they make a timing mistake live, everybody will hear it. LOL. I think I need a week to get my head around this song. At least 9/10, I need to process this...