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One might consider this album is somewhat "pretentious" with its story-telling kind of thing in the science-fiction territory. No harm with putting the main story to the album so that each song in the album contributes to the whole story. Having the story as the main idea for the album might inhibit full exploration of the music as it is limited by the chapters of the story - unless the whole story comprises radical ups and downs that allow the music flow wildly. Unfortunately, it does not happen here with this Ayreon because there is practically little varieties in style and mood from one song to another. I actually reach "boring" state at the later part of the first CD. There is basically no surprise and the music can predicted - no challenge at all. And also, the album title is hard to memorize (it's using "binary" numbers known by computers). However, as usual, Arjen Lucassen has gathered many musicians to contribute in this album.

A predictable stream of music . and boring riffs?

"Age of Shadows incl. We Are Forever" (10:47). It's a nice track which relies heavily on groove and beat as the music flows. There is nice part with acoustic guitar work which remarks the "We Are Forever" part. I like the ambient part with thin guitar solo during the female vocal portion. It's quite good to open the album and set the overall tone. The music comes back into upbeat style with good violin work. No more repression. "Comatose" (4:26) starts off with a sound of the sky followed with keyboard loop typical to Ayreon. No need to feel the pain, No need to feel betrayed, No need to feel inane, No need to feel afraid. flows nicely with only keyboard loop in spacey nuance backed with some guitar / violin effects. "Liquid Eternity " (8:10) opens with great guitar distortion followed with long sustain keyboard sound followed by music riffs. The keyboard loop still appears hear and seems like to be used in any other segment. The key attraction of this track is on violin solo performed by Ben Mathot in the middle of the track.

"Connect the Dots" (4:13) does not sound quite nice to my ears as it has weak intro part. The chorus part is quite OK. We are dying for tomorrow, we are living for today .. "Beneath the Waves" (8:26) flows in mellow style with keyboard loop and guitar fills accompany male vocal until female vocal enters, the drum starts to roll. Floydian guitar work is nice. This track comprises five parts. "Newborn Race" (7:49) starts with good combination of acoustic guitar and mandolin. It comprises six parts. "Ride the Comet" (3:29) has good percussion work. Disc one concludes beautifully with nice acoustic guitar and violin work accompanying female voice "Web of Lies" (2:50).

Disc Two kicks off with "The Fifth Extinction" (10:29) where the intro part is a spacey nuance created by long sustain keyboard and guitar fills. This opening track comprises five parts comprising soft parts and heavy ones with guitar riffs. The guitar solo in the middle of the track combined with keyboard solo are all stunning. "Waking Dreams" (6:31) is a mellow track with great guitar solo and melodic singing. "The Truth Is In Here" is a ballad (5:12). "Unnatural Selection" (7:15) opens with a very long spacey keyboard work followed with low register male voice and at approx minute 1:52 it moves to heavy riffs typical Ayreon. "River of Time" (4:24) starts with traditional acoustic guitar that reminds me to Ayreon's "Looser" of Human Equation album. "E=MC2" (5:50) is a nice track with typical Ayreon's riffs. The album concludes nicely with "The Sixth Extinction" (12:18) which comprises six parts. I like parts with growling style.

Overall, this is a good album with good composition typical Ayreon music. Unfortunately there are many similar riffs that tend to bore me if I listen to the whole CD in its entirety. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW (i-Rock! Music Community)