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| 01011001 | 
 enlarge | Artist: Ayreon
Label: Inside Out Music
Category: Music
List Price: $19.98
Buy New: $13.48
You Save: $6.50 (33%)
New (42) Used (8) from $11.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  22 reviews
Sales Rank: 38525
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 2
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 79682
UPC: 693723796826
EAN: 0693723796826
ASIN: B000YKOY1W
Release Date: January 29, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW Factory Sealed - Ready to be shipped within 24 hrs from California - Average 5 workdays delivery time - Excellent customer service - Buy with confidence!
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| Customer Reviews:
Journey on the Migrator Trail *Spoilers* February 1, 2008
5 out of 10 found this review helpful
This is a continuation of Arjen Lucassen's (Ayreon) sci-fi epic telling of an immortal alien race populated Earth to give meaning to their own existence.
Going into the album (which I call "the Y album", as 01011001 is binary for the letter Y in ACII), I thought that, judging by the mention of Forever on Wikipedia, it was going to be a sequel to Into the Electric Castle. Be forewarned: SPOILERS AHEAD.
It is not. It is in fact a prequel to my favorite of his sci-fi albums, Universal Migrator, a deeper telling of humanity's beginning and end told to us in tracks 2 and 3 of UM Disc 1. The "cheese" factor on 01011001 is minimal. Typical sci-fi, but told in a very interesting way.
The differentiation of the two discs, one being titled "Y" and the other "Earth" is really unnecessary unless one considers the subject of each disc. The humans individually (played by Arjen, Simone Simons, and others), have a very small role compared to that of many of the vocalists who play the "Forevers," as the story is really told from their point of view.
Surprisingly, Floor Jansen (After Forever) does not take center stage anywhere on the album. She goes into her famous operatic mode in choruses accompanied often by a death growl by one of the male vocalists. The combination is a very clever contrast, but she is sometimes overpowered and must be found by the effort of the listener. Anneke von Giersbergen, who played the Egyptian in Into the Electric Castle, flourishes here as the center female vocalist on the "Forever" point of view. My only problem in terms of vocalists is that there were male vocalists I would have liked to have seen return; I think Eric Clayton (from The Human Equation as Reason) might have made a good "Forever," but his vocal ability might have overtaken most of his accompanyists. None of the male vocalists are of even medium quality, only that two of them really sound too similar.
One vocalist of particular note is Arjen himself. One song, "The Truth is in Here," is simply brilliant, both musically and plotwise. The strange thing, however, is that it seems to be present-day and he is referred to not as the character Ayreon (who is a blind minstrel from the 6th century who receives messages transmitted from scientists in the 22nd; see The Final Experiment album), but himself.
One other problem I encountered is that there are no solos, and there isnt enough of the awesome electric guitar to be found on the track "Unnatural Selection," which is still pretty awesome.
On the whole, there are only two boring songs on the album, and both are very short. 94 of the 100 minutes of music on Ayreon's new album are total bliss.
However, those expecting another The Human Equation should know that if there ever was a second Human Equation, the universe would collapse, as it would be like two Chuck Norrises existing at the same time: That mass of awesome simply cannot exist on this physical plane.
 Another Masterpeice by Arjen Lucassen January 30, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Another amazing performance from the Dutch Rocker Arjen Lucassen. A well produced and recorded disc with a absolutely Stellar group of musicians coming along for the ride. Among Ayreons returning veterans are the amazing talents of Ed Warby (Drums), Joost Van Den Brock (Keys/Synth) the stunning vocals of Floor Jansen , Daniel Gildenlow and if that wasnt enough you have Simmone Simmons ( Epica, My god what a voice!!) & Thomas Bodin (Flower Kings/ Synth) coming on board and the list just keeps going. As for the music itself it is amazing from beginning to end. Ayreon fans will not be dissappointed.
You're in for a wild ride February 1, 2008
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
Ayreon's 01011001 is magnificent. I've been an Ayreon fan ever since I heard the song "Merlin's Will" years ago. Somehow Arjen manages to pull of music and lyrical stunts that were anyone else to try and do, I think they would be laughed offstage.
But Arjen gets it right, every single time, And 01011001 is no exception, but it is exceptional! ;)
For me this album fits into the musical void between Human Equation and Flight of the Migrator. One was mellow the other was heavy, and where one was lyrical the other was vauge.
The new album gives us a huge dose of metal, with beautiful breathers in between that will grab your breathless ears and drench them in a sonic orgasm of harmony. "Comatose" and "Waking Dreams" give me goose bumps.
"Age of Shadows", "Liquid Eternity", "The Earth Exintion" will have you headbanging in no time. My fingers got sore from throwing up the horns so many times! \m/
Be prepared too for the best "rocker" Arjen has written yet. "Connect the Dots" is a straight up chordy tune that any rock/pop band alive today would sacrafice their first born to lay claim to. I must say that the highlight of this song is the drums -- it's held together oh-so-tightly but with a lose kind of swager that this song will playing air drums all the way home.
Hansi from Blind Guardian really shines on this CD, and here come my only two critiques of the whole 2-CD album:
1) I want more Hansi!!! He gets his own song on "River of Time", but it seems like its never enough. You can hear his unearthly voice in most of the choruses and singing background on most of the songs, and when he does, WOW...its the only part of the song you hear... "In the world of tomorrow's dreams...OUR FUTURE LIES..." eternal goosebumps!
2) The last track. It is epic. It is awesome. It takes my breath away. BUT, it doesnt top "Day 20: Confrontation" from Human Equation. Granted, few songs by any band will ever top that song...its the coup de gra of all ending epic songs. I was really hoping that Arjen would out-do himself and perform the impossible by making a more epic ending to 01011001. It's a great song with several movements and a triumphant, fist pounding ending, but it doesnt compare to "Day 20".
Lastly, listen with headphones on! This album is a sonic supernova. Get it now!
By far the best January 30, 2008
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is by far my favorite by Ayreon. I discovered this by accident and did I get Lucky. To me the best cuts are, Connect the Dots, Walking the Dreams, The Truth is in Here, Unnatural Selection, River of Time, E=mc square. The more I hear it the better it gets.
Intense and melodic! February 23, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I'm greatly pleased with 01011001 because it flows perfectly. I've loved Arjen's previous works but for some reason the thematic consistency is so much more apparent on this album. Perhaps its the way he writes the songs or the way that the story develops, but I feel like I'm listening to a true concept album this time.
Also, the vocalists are amazing. As much as James Labrie is a great talent, the mix of artists on this album blows the Human Equation away. Any fans of Evergrey, Pain of Salvation, etc. should check it out.
Only Star One in my opinion is a better Arjen work than 01011001. So yes-- this gets my wholehearted 5 stars. Songs of note: Age of Shadows, Comatose, New Born Race and the Earth Extinction.
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