TRAIN OF THOUGHT

So, another addittion to teh 1,000,000,000,000 other reviews of this album. This was my second encounter with the band, now my favorite next to the Beatles. I had first tried out the incredible "A Change of Seasons" and now decided to check out more DT work. I picked this album mainly because the cover art was more impressive than the only other DT album in the store, Six Degrees, and I had recognized it from an add in a magazine. (Shamefull, isn't it?) I was at this point only a casual metal fan and wrote off TOT as to heavy and shred-oriented. However, after a few devoted listens (essential for any prog album) the intracate songwriting, blindingly fast solos, and catchy melodies popped out at me. Is the ablum as good as Scenes? Definately not. Is it a bad album? That depends entirely on the listeners. Prog heads view it as too metal, that is fine. Remember that DT has struggled to find their niche between the prog community and metal communtity. I would argue that this album is still progressive but in a different sense to other works. The most important aspect however is that Dream Theater are evolving. The worst thing a group could do is release the same album over and over again and Dream Theater are tryning to branch out and create THEIR sound. They aren't trying to please prog audiences or metal audiences but rather make a good solid album. And that is what they have managed to do. If metal is your cup of tea, this won't dissapoint. From the straightforward headbangers "As I Am" and "Honour Thy Father" to the instrumental "Stream of Conscioiusness" (How is that not prog?) and the Epic "In the name of God" ream Theater establish themselves as the reigning prog metal band once more. If metal is not your thing, so be it, but to the opened minded prog fan, give it a chance (or a second chance if you already have). Love it or Leave it. It's your call.