Well, here it is. Dream Theater's black sheep album. I believe that while other DT albums may have slightly different styles, this one is the odd ball out. While heavyness is nothing new to DT, in my opinion this album goes a little overboard in the heavyness department.Train of Thought has little variety at all. I heard Portnoy say once that they wanted a balls out metal album. In this regard, they succeeded, but ultimately I don't think TOT fits DreamTheater very well. Angry, mean Dream Theater is not really Dream Theater. Every song is heavy with the exception of Vacant. The musicianship is certainly present, the epic songs are definitely there. But what is also present is a feeling that I do not like. I physically don't feel good when I listen to the album. The album just has such a negative feel, tone, and look to it. The album is depressing, and it bothers me more than a little bit.

When I first saw the album cover before release, I felt that was where the album was headed. And as I read the track listing I further felt the album was going to be darker and heavier. On release day I bought the album and immediately did not like the way I felt when I started listening to it. One thing that bothered me a lot was the language in some of the songs. Call me old fashioned, but I really don't like swearing at all, let alone in the music I listen to. If I can turn it off in a video game, I will do so. Dream Theater had dropped a few minor words in some of their other songs, but the use of the f-bomb in this album annoyed me. It's only used a couple of times, but a couple of times is too many in my opinion. I personally think there are much better ways of getting a point across without swearing. After listening to the entire album, I actually returned it. I kind of felt like my favorite band had betrayed me. I ended up finding another copy cheap, so I bought it to be able to fully explore all of their music in preparation for these blogs/musings. I also have religious issues with a couple of songs on the album. Don't get me wrong, I am Christian, but the message in some of these songs conflicts with my personal beliefs.

I can't really get into some of these songs. In a way they just kind of seem a little uninspired. And while technical, many of the solos are kind of just blurry blah. I love superfast speedy solos, but only when they are done well and with taste. Sorry, Petrucci. I love ya, dude, but this album doesn't reflect your best very well.

There are some positives. If I put aside the issues I have there is some excellent heavy stuff here. As I Am has some rockin' riffs. This Dying Soul is a great continuation to The Glass Prison. I also really like the beginning of the song as it reflects back to The Mirror (wow, that was unintentional!) in lyric and in song. The opening solo is straight from The Mirror with some variation, and the recurring parts from The Glass Prison are cool. Honor Thy Father has some of the coolest riffs on the album, and probably would be my favorite if I didn't have other problems with it. Stream of Consciousness has some really cool parts as well, and is one of the better DT instrumentals. And Endless Sacrifice is a song written to Petrucci's wife to apologize and thank her for giving so much of herself (or giving up so much) for the life that he chose. Not my favorite song, but cool idea.

This is my least favorite Dream Theater album. The variety that I have come to expect and love and appreciate is absent. The slower (or even faster) uplifting songs are completely missing. I was let down quite a bit by Train of Thought andfelt this type of album would continue on subsequesnt releases. Fortunately, I was wrong.

Next: Octavarium