Train of Thought

Dream Theater | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 11, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Elektra
• ASIN: B0000CDLA7
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (813 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,685 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. As I Am

2. This Dying Soul

3. Endles Sacrifice

4. Honor Thy Father

5. Vacant

6. Stream Of Consciousness

7. In The Name Of God

Editorial Reviews

DREAM THEATER TRAIN OF THOUGHT

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dream Theater's heaviest album June 8, 2004

By Justin G. TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

I should probably preface this review by stating that Dream Theater is far and away my favorite band, so my review of their latest album might be a bit biased. Still, that doesn't change the fact that Train of Thought is one of the best albums I've heard in quite some time.

Clocking in at 7 tracks in just under 70 minutes, Train of Thought is a leaner offering than the band's previous release, the mammoth Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence. It's also heavier, more focused, more song-oriented, and more powerful overall than Six Degrees, which at times came across as a just a showcase for the band's considerable technical prowess. Train of Thought still has plenty of excellent instrumental passages (like the brilliant instrumental track "Stream of Consciousness"), and is still very much a progressive album; it's just that the instrumentals seem to merge better with the vocals to make each song more dynamic and effective. Each band member is clearly in top form on this release, and it's obvious that they all have continued to grow their talents over time. The band also seems to focus on the more metallic aspects of progressive metal with this album, which may be their heaviest release ever. Dream Theater had been performing covers of albums like Master of Puppets (Metallica) and The Number of the Beast (Iron Maiden) on some of their recent live shows, and you can hear that classic metal influence quite clearly in Train of Thought.

Overall I'm quite pleased with this album. It's heavy, progressive, powerful, and may just be Dream Theater's best album since Change of Seasons. I would particularly recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Images and Words and Awake, but might have been put off a bit by the highly technical and progressive nature of the band's last two releases.

NOTE ON THE KOREAN EDITION: This is just a heads-up to all of the die-hard Dream Theater fans. The bonus disc that comes with this Korean exclusive edition of Train of Thought is taken directly from Dream Theater's last live release - Live Scenes from New York. There is nothing in this edition that you haven't already heard. It does come in a pretty cool double jewel case with a slipcase, but fancy packaging is not nearly enough to make it worth the hefty price tag this edition carries. I found this out the hard way. By the way, I reviewed the regular edition of Train of Thought and gave it a full 5-star rating. This one is rated low because it seems like a rip-off.

205 of 242 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It's OK. No, It Stinks! No It's Good. No It's Great!!!! April 25, 2004

By Mr D.

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

My bemused friends. This is the 516th review of this album and of the previous 515 reviews none are truly helpful. Therfore, after reading numerous of these reviews, I am going to analyze their findings and make recommendations accordingly.

The reason for the wildly varying opinions of Train of Thought, is because with this CD, Dream Theater is entering a new phase on their musical evolution. They have prudently and rightly ascertained that to keep recording, what is basically the same material, is effectively a death sentence.

So, What do we have here? Well it looks like about 20 % of the reviewers (one and two stars) who professed to be die hard fans were shocked by the new Dream Theater and subsequently hated TOT. Obviously if you as a potential buyer are dogmatic and are looking for the same old (but still very good) sound, you shouldn't buy TOT.

The next group we have (Three stars) is the ones who don't know what to make of TOT. They don't seem to rushing to judgement (though they've written reviews) and are somewhat ambivalent. About 15% of our reviewers felt this way and I was one of these people at first but after multiple listens became a fan. That's right, I think TOT takes multiple listens to appreciate but let's face it isn't DT worth multiple listens. What else are we going to listen to, Beyonce? So if you are this kind of person, you should go ahead and buy TOT. Worse case, it won't grow on you and you end up with a mediocre album but the upside is worth it.

Next (four stars) at about 25% is the group that appreciates TOT and DT's latest endeavor and their need to experiment and grow and voice opinions that although TOT is not DT's best or second best or even third best album it is a very good album in it's own right. Again if I may be redundant, what are your options, Janet Jackson? OOPS!

Lastly of course we have the true die hard DT fans (five stars), about 40%, who think TOT is great, one of their best and can't for the life of them, understand how anyone could not love this album and say so in their reviews. I kinda side with them but I can understand where the other groups are coming from. I guess I'm in between groups three and four at about 4 1/2 stars.

SUMMARY:

If you like the old Dream Theater just fine, thank you, and do not wish to experiment on a newer and slightly heavier DT - PASS

If you are not as rigid but think you may like the old DT better - IT'S YOR CALL, it's still Dream Theater!

If you are flexible and open to new stuff, especially from DT - ABSOLUTELY!

If you are an extreme, die hard Dream Theater fan. You probably have it already.

MY BOTTOM LINE:

Dream Theater is the most visable, most revered and best known of all PROG ROCK/METAL bands. By being the number one progressive band in the world they have been anointed to carry the torch through the dark passages of mundane popular music. Though they are not my personal favorite Progressive band, I do love them and feel for them as they carry a heavy burden. Long Live Dream Theater. You may not like the alternative.

50 of 59 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Dream Theater Yet November 11, 2003

By SpikeMauler

Format:Audio CD

Let me start by saying I have every DT album and bootleg,and have seen them live numerous times.Most of the time it takes a few listens of the album to gauge it.After 20 or so listens(It's so good I can't stop listening)I've decided that this is their best work to date.Being a huge metal fan, I must say this is the album I've been waiting for since "AWAKE".This album has an in your face,take no prisoners vibe to it.From beginning to end it is a non stop roller coaster of brutal riffs,insane drums,keys and solos.The only breather here is the song "Vacant"which is a slow melodic track.There is no weak point on this album.So,if you like the metal side of DT most of you will love this.If not,don't rip them for being too heavy because it was DT's intent to produce a classic metal album,and that they have done,brilliantly.
"Don't Cross The Crooked Step"