I've given it only one spin so far and here are my 2 cents.

Like with the previous record, much of its success rests with Matt Guillory's incredible grasp of melodic sound. To me, it was too light and pop and not heavy sounding enough (Static Impulse was, for that matter), but I would be lying if I said i didn't start nodding to the rhythms, and some of the melodies got stuck in my head right away. Still, I have this nugging feeling that structure-wise, and musically, too, the album is 2-3 songs being re-hashed over and over again, to me there were no songs that really stood out, it's all kind of smooth and alike-sounding. I kinda wish the instrumental parts and especially drums were more diverse. The vocals are amazing though, James's voice doesn't sound a least bit forced, and he's really giving it all. The screams and growls don't bother me at all on this one- I hardly noticed they're in there.

As much as I'm not used to the pop side of it, I'm definitely digging the album. It's gonna sit in my ipod for quite a while.

Looking at the cover artwork and tracklist structure, I'd expect the new album to be Dream's Theater's  own "The Dark Side Of The Moon". Incredibly excited

Here is the link to "Agony"...our first look into the new CD :

http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/exclusive-we-have-a-track-from-dream-theater-legend-james-labries-new-album-right-here/

it's effing awesome. It's Static Impluse meets Elements of Persuasion, and it sounds incredible. Love James's soft vocals on this one.

Those were back in the days before he had discovered conditioner

With or without conditioner, his hair looks adorable here

Cool! What a hilarious video^^ With such young and glamorous glam James Kevin 

Come on, he performs glam, not looks glam... thank God
If only the audio was live, too...

Lovely! And James still maintains this stage persona these days)

Marcos, thanks for the review and pictures! So happy you had a great time

MY TICKETS ARE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!! MY TICKETS CAME IN THE MAIL!!!!!!! HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I seriously cannot wait for 7/21 to arrive!!! I am so f***ing stoked!!!!!!

very happy for you, man! I'm sure you'll have a blast))
ps. The waiting is the best part (especially the day of the show), so... we all envy you in a good way)

A rock musician dies and goes to Heaven. He takes a stroll there, passing one of the clouds he hears Dio singing in there. John Bonham is playing a solo on another cloud. The musician walks over to a third cloud and hears... A Change of Seasons.
He then asks an angel:
"Wait, I thought Petrucci was alive?"
"He is. It's God himself - he just thinks he's John Petrucci."

That's awesome. Where did you hear that one?

I honestly tried to remember and have to admit I can't. I know quite a few music-related jokes, and had to share this one here, right?

A rock musician dies and goes to Heaven. He takes a stroll there, passing one of the clouds he hears Dio singing in there. John Bonham is playing a solo on another cloud. The musician walks over to a third cloud and hears... A Change of Seasons.
He then asks an angel:
"Wait, I thought Petrucci was alive?"
"He is. It's God himself - he just thinks he's John Petrucci."

Happy B-day, James! Here's to many more years of health, inspiration and raaaawk!
Warmest regards from Ukraine.

Lana Lane has an amazing crystal clear voice, but not necessarily her and James's voices would blend finely in a duet.

The only thing I loved about this video is how the words "act" out their meaning in the chorus - building and breaking and burning and shattering etc... otherwise it's plain boring imo.

What a wonderful news to start the new year with

This video proves once again James is in the best vocal shape he's ever been (*knocks on wood*) old days power and range + the best voice control he's ever had live. Fingers crossed it'll last for years