I received the new Dream Theater album in the mail yesterday, a full day before the official release date. Pre-ordering rulez.

The album, unfortunately, doesn't.

Don't get me wrong - it's oodles better than their last disappointing album. But it's nowhere near the album that came in between, let alone the old stuff.

It has its moments - the first track is quite good, and there are some nice instrumental bits - but for the most part, the songs just don't come together. The creepy electro-ballad is a pale imitation of "Space-Dye Vest", and the 40-minute epic on the second disc is just proof that Dream Theater can't pull off Spock's Beard-style songs.

So I am mildly disappointed. But the first track makes it worth my while, so I'm not crushed.