I love it! It's a great album, and while I still miss Portnoy, I still think it's a well composed album. Give it a listen..
I've listened to it and enjoyed it a lot but not as much their previous works, probably solely because I knew Portnoy didn't have to do anything with it!
Rudess is a great musician and-just quoting what i read somewhere a while back- he can probably create music even with a pile of trash but i really miss that "epic tone" that Portnoy used to give the songs.
nevertheless, they are still my favorite prog. rock/metal band.
anyway, listening to this right now : (Jordan Rudess plays the keyboard)
Steven Wilson
Grace for Drowning