THE ALIEN

Honestly, I kind of don't think this track is very good. This sounds like they took a bunch of ok Dream Theater songs from throughout their career, and threw them in a blender. I really liked Distance Over Time because they didn't throw in random 17/32 fills between every single transition, rather there was more of an emphasis on good songwriting, nice melodies and riffs. I think this track is a little structurally all over the map, and the vocal melodies and main hook just aren't there whatsoever. The delivery especially during the verse comes off as awkward, he sounds like he's just singing words with very little melodic distinction. I think ADTOE struck a nice balance between good hooks and technical balls to the wall [%*!#]ery, this one just seems like some of the random technicalities take me out of it. The uplifting guitar solo that comes through in the beginning and end of the track just doesn't quite fit for me, and it's becoming somewhat of a Dream Theater-ism. Great drumming throughout, and mix wise, it's sounding like its on the better end of 2010s DT production, but I was really hoping it would sound a little less squeaky clean. Excited to see them in November, but I'm just very meh on this single.

This single sounds very promising. It's not a masterpiece in any way but it has a sense of dynamic that I definitely enjoy. The star is without a doubt Mangini, not only is his drum sound excellent but his fills are very creative and unexpected. John Petrucci has an amazing guitar tone and his stop-and-go solo was great. Jordan Rudess definitely delivered some good moments in his solo although I can't say what he did was unexpected. John Myung is way more noticable in the mix which makes me very happy! Although there were no particular basslines that stood out for me. That leaves us with James LaBrie, he has slightly less effects on his voice than in Distance Over Time, but his vocal melodies weren't too exciting to be fair. Although the chorus definitely stood out.

Four stars, solid single. Looking forward for the new album.