So Dream Theater have released their 15th studio album, "A View from the Top of the World". And … I think it's very good. I didn't like number 13, "The Astonishing" (although I was impressed that they tried something monumental and different from what they normally do). The next one, "Distance Over Time" was IMO very meh. Well written (the instrumental parts), well performed - boring.
But this one is different. It's still quite similar to what they've done after "Train of Thought", but it's more creative, melodies are stronger and Petrucci's guitar work is less like finger exercises. And James La Brie actually sings very well this time.
Here's "Sleepig Giant".
Some claim i'ts among their 5 best albums, which may be true. Time will tell, this is an album that requires some time to get into, in itself a sign of quality (I never got that feeling about "Distance over Time"). BTW. on progarchives.com it currently scores 3.98, which incidently is the fitfth highest score there.
pibbuR who looks forward to getting to know the album.
PS. Regarding the top 5, my favourite DT albums are "Scenes from a Memory" (surprise, surprise), "Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence", "Train of Thought" and "Systematic Chaos". So there is room for a number 5, but it has to compete with "A Dramatic Turn of Events" and (many DT fans will disagree with me) "Falling into Infinity". We'll see. DS.
PPS. Regarding James LaBrie. He is the weakest element in the band, especially during live performances where he sometimes is "slightly out of key". But the tone of his voice fits the band, and on this album, yes, he performs very well. DS.