Dream Theater

This album kick's ass serious ass!!!! And i have only listened to it once. So much better than SC & BC&SL imo. Welcome back boy's.

I would give Images & Words 10, even tho it's not perfect, but as close to perfect as an album can be (for me). Adtoe isn't as impressive in my opinion. Each album ever since Awake has felt rushed and for a good reason. I've listened I&W demos and am happy that they didn't went with those.

I'm just wondering what this album could've been if they composed it in a month and then recorded after two years.

Also, I'm not a big fan of the mixing or many of the Rudess samples (choirs, futuristic zapp sounds etc.) so I can't really give it a ten. It's eight. Getting there, hopefully. :)

Well I couldn't get the poll to work for some reason, but I was trying to give it a 9 out of 10. Honestly, the ONLY knock I have against it is that Mike Portnoy isn't on it. And truly, that's not a knock against MM. I LOVE his drumming on this album, it's just that I miss MP. That said, while I give it a 9, it's really a 10.If that makes sense?

I can't say it's my favorite DT album yet, as I've only had the chance to listen twice, but I was blown away by this album on first listen unlike any other since SFAM. I don't feel it's too hasty to say this album has a chance to reach the top spot, but I believe it will easily reach the top 3.

I'm really excited to listen again, and I'm really hoping we get a blu-ray out of this tour!

9 out of 10. I love the album, I gave a 9 only to save the 10 for some next album I might like more.

Solid 9 out of 10 for me, the best album since Octavarium for me (although I love SC and BC&SL), it's a definite grower. Like SilentFury, the thing I have against it is that Portnoy isn't on it, Mangini's a great fit for the band but I have a soft spot for Portnoy.
The other thing is the overabundance of ballads, 2 ballads on an album does fine for me, but 3 is pushing it a bit, but they aren't bad songs at all, I guess I'll like them better when I'm in the mood for it. Musically, this is the most diverse I've heard them since Octavarium. That being said, I have always enjoyed DT's heavier moments and with this album being obviously softer than the previous two, it takes away from the enjoyment a little bit, but just a teeny bit, I knew with Portnoy's departure this would be the direction taken so I've been prepared. Three nitpicks about the album and it's still a 9/10 for me :)

James in particular sounds renewed and invigorated, I hear a lot more dynamics in his voice and he is sounding a lot more organic.

I think this soundwise is one of the best DT albums ever. You can actually hear some of Myoung's bass in there (!), and I also love the really deep bass (synth?) , that was never before a part of the DT sound. Awesome!! The music is great as usual.
The mastering is a bit too loud as usual, but i's not so loud that is's tiresome, I find this album much more ear-friendly than some earlier releases.
Best regards from Norway!

I'm still listening to it. As usual, the more you hear, the better it gets each time. Wasn't much of a fan SC. So this is very nice to hear them get back to their roots.