Excellent review, but I think the difference between your 3.5 and my 4 is the following: John Petrucci is actually the one who wrote the drum parts, which is a common thing when a new drummer joins a band. I'm not saying that Mangini has the power Portnoy had, but next album is gonna show off his skills a lot more. "This Is The Life" is the best ballad on the album IMO, and "Bridges In The Sky" took my heart when I saw them live in Montreal, Canada, a couple of months ago. It was simply mindblowing. And, on a last note, I&W can't be beaten.  |
