Customer Ratings & Reviews

Wow.. the more you listen, the more you will say WOW ! I have been a fan since 1992, and still am. I have it on my MP3 player as I type this...

This is a great double album. James LaBrie is in great form vocally, shading eight characters, and is sounding stronger than he has since his vocal injury in 1995. The instrumentation is atypical, and the extended virtuosic solos DT is known for are largely absent. Jordan spends most of his time using a piano sound but to great effect. Structurally, The Astonishing is very reminiscent of a Broadway musical or operatic score with the recurring use of thematic material associated with certain characters. The band is as tight instrumentally as ever, and several songs have the prototypical Broadway "hook". The story of a dystopian future where music is made only by machines may be a thinly veiled reference to the electronic music of today or the rampant use of auto tuning to offset the lack of virtuosity of many current artists. This is an album that requires several complete listens to fully appreciate. I would recommend following along with the lyric book to make sure you can follow all of the character changes LaBrie voices and to follow the plot. The DT faithful should enjoy this as long as they know what to expect. If you were turned off to DT due to the extended solos, give this album a chance. It is a different sort of concept album than Scenes from a Memory was, but it is a worthy successor to DT's prior catalog. Put it on and turn the rock knob up to 11!

This double CD by my favorite band is an experience to listen to that any Dream Theater fan should not miss out on. Though definitely on the long side even for a DT fan, it does contain the most short songs of any album in their career. However, this epic concept album is, I believe, meant more to listen to as a whole (or at least 2 parts as there are 2 CDs, each considered an "ACT") in order to comprehend the story as a whole, both musically and lyrically. Considering all the orchestral elements included in this piece and the detailed storyline, this is by far the most ambitious effort for the band to date and that's saying a lot! Though it probably won't go down as my favorite selection ever by DT, it definitely will stay on my play list for occasions when I have long periods of time to listen to music by my favorite band. I will also see the band on its current tour when they will play the entire piece and nothing else that night (definitely for the hardcore fans!). So I would recommend this 2CD set to all dedicated DT fans as well as prog rock fans in general. For those that are not big fans of the band, I would not recommend it as an introduction to Dream Theater unless you're truly open to new things in music and are up for a musical listening experience that could open your eyes to a whole genre of music, of which Dream Theater is the best at creating. Then there's an entire back catalog of terrific DT music out there to explore and learn to love as well.

I was incredibly excited to buy this album and I didn't know too much about it before listening. I browsed through the booklet and when I realized how in depth it was, I said let's start listening and I'll pick it up on the way! The first listen through Act I I will say I was slightly confused. I understood that the album as a whole was a musical/storyline but I underestimated how much you need to take this into account. For the full effect and enjoyment, it is recommended to look at the characters first and then follow each song with the lyrics in order to understand which character is talking! If you take that extra step you will get the full effect of everything and be able to appreciate the direction Dream Theater took on this piece!

The Astonishing is a 2 hour, 2 disc, 34 track concept album from the most over indulgent, virtuoso musicians in existence, that do want they want because they can! That being said, this is a lot to take in, and to comprehend. They do the smart thing and keep the over indulgent playing to a minimum when needed and it makes this an enjoyable journey. Strong story, strong songs and the performance of a lifetime from singer James Labrie! Give this the time and effort required to grow on you and to hear it all, you will be glad you did! Petrucci and Rudess put their heart and soul into writing this epic! Side note-Mike Mangini may be a better drummer than Portnoy.

I've been a DT fan since WDADU. After the disappointing Disney Star Wars remake, I was very much looking forward to this release thinking I would get a cool sci-fi story and some awesome music. After one listen, I hated the album. After the second listen, I thought it pretty good. Then the third listen brought be back to thinking the album was mediocre. All the down sides have already been covered by others (boring songs, too many ballads, album is too long, John Myung non-existent, bad drum sound, etc.). I decided to salvage the album as best as I could by making a playlist of what I consider decent-to-good DT music. I cut out 2285 Entr'acte due to the Inspector Gadget theme being embedded in it and Heaven's Cove for containing the James Bond theme. Here is the result: Dystopian Overture The Gift of Music The Answer Lord Nafaryus A Savior In The Square When Your Time Has Come A Life Left Behind Ravenskill A New Beginning Moment of Betrayal Our New World If you're on the fence regarding this album, try the above playlist of 11 songs and see if you can at least tolerate it now. The aforementioned songs clock in around 53 minutes which is a reasonable length for an album. With that said, there is no one song that would make my DT top 10 list. I think Petrucci is where Portnoy was after BCASL...he was bored with the direction the band was going. Instead of quitting, however, he is smart enough to realize that he has a strong brand in DT so he made DT his side project. If this were a Petrucci side project, instead, I think it would have been more interesting to bring in eight guest singers plus a ninth to act as the narrator. James Labrie does a good job in many places of the album but having him play female characters and a child is a bit much.

The Astonishing is an amazing piece of work. A progressive rock odyssey that takes you on a 2+ hour journey where music saves the day. Skillfully orchestrated, the story flows smoothly from beginning to end. The music is more in the vein of Black Clouds and Silver Linings so fans of the more recent releases should be very pleased with this two disc set. If you are looking for a little more of the Dream Theater hard rock from earlier releases this may be a little melodic for your tastes. Sample the tracks and let the journey tease your senses.

The Astonishing is a 34-track 2.5 hr concept album, with a sprawling sci-fi story as the background and a very different musical direction. This is about themes and movements and much less about extended prog-tastic jamming. Not many extended solos, very little impressive drum or bass contribution; instead there's a new focus on songwriting and feel. It sounds great and is wonderful to listen to. But it's nothing like A Dramatic Turn or Black Clouds, so know what you're in for before buying.

If you are a fan of concept albums (dark side of the moon, the wall, images and words, tommy, 2112, hand cannot erase, etc) this is a must have in your record collection... 2 discs running at 2.5 hours of epic and masterful story telling and song writing... The variety of music on this release is staggering almost overwhelming (in a good way), dream theater keeps the spirit of music and entertainment alive and then kicks it up a notch! 4.5 / 5

I have been a Dream theater fan for over 15 yrs, I have not been this impressed with an album in a long time. Lots of good music the story is great and of course the guitar work is Amazing. the album is a little long but if you'll take the time to listen and understand the story Wow. So go ahead and BUY the cd take it home and listen to it. you won't be sorry

I have to say that I love every Dream Theater album that has been recorded since Jordan had joined the band. Since Mike Portnoy left the band The only thing that's been lacking is the actual drum sound. The drums when Mike Portnoy was playing always sounded more realistic and live. The drums on the last few albums with the current drummer does not have a natural sound. The sound actually falls flat in comparison. Other than that everything else sounds amazing. I don't want to give away much about the actual songs. One thing is for certain it is definitely a concept album. These guys make awesome concept albums. Make sure you buy this.

The band is in top form on this album. The instrumentals are astounding. James LeBrie's singing is merely tolerable. This is a good concept album, but the story is hard to follow because James sings every character, including the females. I could do without the melodramatic ballads, but I recommend this album to all progressive rock fans.

For Dream Theater fans this album is yet another face on their many faced repertoire of progressive metal. Gigantic in scope and diverse in sound. Prog musicians will appreciate the complexity and writing throughout the album. Metal heads will be disappointed save for signature moments sprinkled throughout. One thing that can be said - Dream Theater is still very much alive and creative. They are pushing the envelope to yet another edge of the table. Let's hope they return to the dark side on the next album though; Train of Thought is fleeting too far into the rearview mirror of the metal fans.

I didn't find this album to be as great as their previous two offerings, but it is still great Dream Theater just the same. It can get a little frustrating as it truly is a concept album through and through; it is not as enjoyable in segments or out of order. Not for those who seek a single or a few songs here and there.

Unbelievable over 2 hours of new music If you're a fan you like this, if, checking them out for the 1st time try a previous single disc = Images & Words or their last self-titled release. Lot to handle for a first time listener. Only downside to new disc has lots orchestra I usually don't like it but it worked this time.

I'm a long time fan of this band. Album is very diverse. Some will love it, some will hate it. Time will tell if this is a masterpiece like 6 Degrees album. Or maybe they tried to do a musical theatre type concept that isn't their strength. Personally, I enjoy half the album and the rest is too long winded.

For those who love Dream Theater this would make a good addition to your collection. There is enough of their old sound that you feel right at home listening to the new tracks but it has it's own feel to it. When I say different I'm comparing it to the older disks like Live Scenes From New York and Awake.

First off let me start by saying that I am a huge Dream Theater fan. I have everything that they have put out as well as everything on the Ytse label bootleg series that they distribute themselves and have seen them live almost 40 times. That being said,coming away from this I can't help but feel disappointed. There is just too much going on here. Don't get me wrong. There are some truly brilliant moments on this record. They are just too far and between. I keep feeling like this should have been a John Petrucci/Jordan Rudess side project with different singers playing the parts and guest musicians, ala Avantasia. Dream Theater diehards will buy this regardless, but if you are just getting into this band, there are much better options from their back catalog to choose from. P.S. Friend recommendation is only if you are a diehard fan.

Dream Theater is my favorite band (so I'm biased), and with good reason. They outdo themselves with each album, and their latest is no different. Dream Theater isn't for everyone, but those who love this type of music (musicians), I highly recommend this album. Great band, great songs, and a great musicianship. As a concept album, in my opinion, this ranks right up their with their previous concept album in 1999, Scenes from a memory. Definitely want to read along with the lyrics in the booklet to get the whole story. Highly recommended.

This concept album is and is not what you would expect from this band. The music is not as intense and heavy as previous albums. This falls more into the progressive rock and metal sound that this band was know for in their earlier works. I find the drumming and bass parts to be excellent. I really like La Brie as a singer and find his singing just as entertaining as other albums. The guitar is there but not over shadowing the overall sound of this CD. I have listened to this almost every day and do not find myself growing tired of it,