The Similitude Of A Dream (CD)

I pre-ordered my album directly from the music studio and received it just after the official release back in November 2016. I've lost track of how many times I've listened to this album, but this is beyond a shadow of a doubt the best album I've ever listened to. What an amazing, visceral experience! The writing and arrangements by Neal Morse, Bill Hubauer, Eric Gillette, Randy George, and Mike Portnoy are nothing short of amazing. Of course I have some favorite bits and pieces throughout, but there is no song that I can honestly listen to on its own because they are all part of the bigger package (and meant to be listened to as a whole, not in pieces). The music truly takes you on the spiritual journey of "The Pilgrim's Progress" (the novel by John Bunyan that was the inspiration for this double CD concept album). It builds, soars, falls back, and builds again. Just after you think you've hit the apex, confronting and battling with Apollyon, the finale, Broken Sky/Long Day just knocks it out of the ballpark. To say that the entire band 'brings it home' just doesn't do the music justice, but I find myself at a lack of words. I would be remiss however, if I failed to mention the impact that Eric's amazing guitar prowess has on this epic dénouement as he begins his solo. He truly makes his guitar sing and cry at the same time; and in doing so, the music combines with the vocals to slam you with an emotional wall of such magnitude that makes it impossible not to drown in an overwhelming flood of intense emotions. I am not ashamed to say that it moves me to tears almost every time I hear it. To paraphrase Monte Fowler (from his review of the band's live performance at The Arcada in St. Charles (Chicago), IL), experiencing this album, especially live, "is to truly witness the magical power that music has upon the human soul." To quote Mr. Fowler's review again, "The new album has been praised by critics and is at the top of nearly every list of the best rock albums of 2016. To say this album is a masterpiece is wholly inadequate. It represents everything that progressive rock aspires to be and resonates with a passion that is absent in most of modern music." And in saying that, I'm absolutely blown away that Walmart.com has this album only available at this time from a 3rd party vendor instead of being available within their own inventory... but what would be better is if the album was actually available in stores.