I got the Special Edition for $14.99 at Best Buy just now.

I just wish someone would mute the mic when Portnoy is doing vocals. He needs to stick to the drums.

I too am one of the ones waiting for the special edition to show up from fye.com... got an email that it shipped this past friday but didn't arrive today (dammit)... also hoping I'll get the signed lithograph or cd booklet that the first 500 got...

Mine arrived late today(5:30 ish). The FYE page said the litho would ship at a later date.

Sounds good so far. Only listened to the first 5 tracks though.

Well I stopped by Best Buy, and the SE was ringing up at regular price of 19.99. I told the guy it was supposed to be $14.99, he checked the display and the weekly flyer then told me only regular edition was on sale. For some reason he didn't know who you were either.

I left empty handed.

I checked the best buy website and they list the CD & DVD version at 14.99 but no price on the single version. Unfortunately it shows the wrong cover so I'm not sure how that will work. I guess what I'll do in-store pickup and then get them to give me the correct version if they pull the wrong one.

I printed the web page and took it to the store to price-match. That's how I did it.

I guess I should have elaborated, but I was in a hurry when I posted.

what's on the special edition?

a 5.1 mix of the entire album and a 90 minute doc on the making of the album shot and directed by Portnoy

This may be my second favorite dt album (behind 'scenes')

A cardboard slipcover.

I was a little disappointed that the inside cover wasn't different because now I can't toss the slip cover

Managed to grab this after lunch today. Didn't even have to hassle the guys behind the desk to get the correct version.

FIXED

I never toss the slipcovers. Hell, sometimes I don't even remove the shrink-wrap. I just slice the edge open.

Yes. They'll make it unlistenable by compressing it all to h***. See The Loudness War or check out the Steve Hoffman Forums if you don't know what I'm talking about.

thank you is it Hi Rez audio or DD5.1? how does DT sound in 5.1 anyway? i can't wait to get my hands on this version.

I meant the inside cover wasn't different from the regular edition.

On another note the spindle for the DVD on my copy was nicely cracked and the DVD doesn't stay in at all. Not sure if I'm going to take it back but it's damn annoying.

its regular old 5.1. They seemgly put the keys in the back speakers, but i havent' had the time to fully blast this yet (i got it yesterday and i work during the night)

This is easily their heaviest album to date.

I disagree with this. I'd nominate Train of Thought or Awake for that title.

but agree to an extent with this...

I think it is their best since SFAM. Haven't given it enough listens to rank it among their catalog though.

Track 5 is slow and boring. I find myself skipping it.

5.1 mixes of all the records would be cool, but outside of When Dream and Day Unite which needs remixing and remastering, I think the records all sound pretty good even today.

Here are some video interviews courtesy of Roadrunner Records:

Mike Portnoy

James LaBrie (2 parts)

I also picked up the special edition at BB over the weekend for $14.99. I just had to make the CSM look up the price on the web site, and they matched it.

On the inside sleeve album cover art:
I think the two covers ARE different, aren't they?? The SE has the stop light in front of the scene of the multiple highways (at least mine does). I didn't think the standard edition did, based on the cover photos on amazon. I can't remember what it looked like in the store. I knew that I wanted the SE, and didn't pay attention to the non-SE.

I noticed that as well, but didn't think twice about it. Just figured the general artwork changed before pressing.

Still waiting for mine to arrive in the mail.

das

I usually like DT's new material (last 3 to 4 albums), but then I make the mistake of throwing on "Awake" and my perspective completely changes. Yes, their musicianship is incredible and I enjoy certain aspects of that, but lately they seem to be taking the instrumental sections of their songs into self-parody. Also, while Jordan is great keyboard player, I still havea difficult time getting into his choice of keyboard tones. I like most of this overall, but don't see myself revisiting it too often. And, I hate to say it, but Mike Portnoy should never be allowed near a microphone to contribute a vocal track to any song by any artist again. Ever.

I don't understand this. You like their newer material, but their old stuff is a mistake because lately they are into self-parody?