ITNOG's Pain Of Salvation Top 30I must admit. I've had an very difficult time narrowing this list down to the Top 30 songs. And with a band like this, there's bound to be a handful of songs left out that some people might feel
definitely belong in this list. But please hear me out when I say, i've gone over every single song and album in PoS's discography, and i've left a certain song out because it hasn't hit me on the same level that the following list has. Some fan favourites arn't even on this list at all. So bare that in mind.
Granted, some perhaps
do belong there. We could even argue some are
better than the ones i'm about to list. But as this is personal choice, and not a 'greatest songs of all time' list, i'm sure you'll forgive me. Just know that music is much more than something you hear. Certain songs take us places, or hit us on an emotional level. Other songs just leave us wondering how the fuck someone can be so gifted and write such brilliant music. Music is, simply put: what you make of it.
Unlike other threads where people expect little in the way of critisism and debate, I
encourage people to debate not only my list, but the band itself. Tell me i'm wrong, throw out a few insults, etc. If you hate PoS, feel free to tell us all why. It's all good fun.
Before I begin. (I know you are all
dying with anticipation) Here are the songs that not only missed my list, they were the
very last choices that were taken out at the end.
We'll call these the 'Unfortunate Gemstones':
Ashes -
The Perfect Element, Part I (2000)
You know my list is going to be somewhat controversial when the bands most popular song and hit-single doesn't even make the Top 30. Still, Ashes deserves high praise for being 4 and half minutes of pure orgasmic progressive pleasure. From the most memorable opening melody (which continues throughout most of the song), Ashes carries itself well. For 3 and a half minutes it builds up with Daniel's trademark dark lyrics, bringing life to the song until the last 60 seconds, which is where the song truly shines and leaves its mark. We are blessed with a beautiful guitar solo that John Petrucci himself would be proud of. This fades out towards the closing lyrics; but this time Daniel opts to speak rather than sing, something you will find so frequent in a PoS song. The closing lyrics are simple, but sum up the context of the song perfectly:
Memorable Lyrics -
"This pain will never end. These scars will never mend."Disco Queen -
Scarsick (2007)
Words cannot explain the look on my face when I first heard Disco Queen. This is coming from a guy who had just listened to Remedy Lane for the first time, and had fallen deeply in awe with The Perfect Element. Which, by the way, are 2 of the best albums ever made. Indeed, Scarsick had a lot to live up to. And Disco Queen, at the time, most certainly was not it. But as with all great music, sometimes it just takes a little time. I started putting Disco Queen on when I was in a funny mood. It cheered me up. It was different. But as ridiculous as it may sound, it's actually a brilliant song. A very brave effort indeed. At 8 and a half minutes long, it's a rollercoaster ride of varied vocals and silly sounds. But for the way the song is structured, it's nothing short of pure genius. The lyrics are - as to be expected - wierd. But Daniel's stunning vocals give them character, and the music starts to take itself more seriously as the song reaches its climax. The last minute and a half gets heavy and the drumming starts to pickup, until BANG. We're back to the beginning and Disco Queen carries on into infinity and beyond. It's crazy and highly enjoyable, but only if you got into it with the right frame of mind.
Memorable Lyrics -
"A moment's silence and you're filled up, yet emptier than before"Morning On Earth -
The Perfect Element, Part I (2000)
This truly is a beautiful song. Much more beautiful than a handful of songs on my Top 30 list. But i've left it out for good reason. On most albums this would no doubt be one of the better songs to select, but not for The Perfect Element. This album is just too good for that. I figure rather than make my list a Remedy Lane/TPE love-fest, I would offer a bit more in the way of balance and give the other great songs a chance. And I believe keeping it outside the Top 30 is still a fair position. The songs opening melody is beautiful and is in comparison to Ashes. It is therefore used again a few minutes later in another exceptional song as the album progresses. At 4 and a half minutes long it's a nice opening to this next track that's a lot more technical, and harder to follow. The lyrics are once again golden, with both top-notch singing and pure words of wisdom:
Memorable Lyrics -
"We talk but we do not speak. Together only in our incapability to leave this fallen playground"Undertow -
Remedy Lane (2002)
Undertow used to be one of my favourite PoS songs. Arguably it still is. I love Remedy Lane in its
entirety. But after countless listens to the album, i've grown slightly more fond of the other shorter PoS songs. Still, I take nothing away from this 5 minute epic, as it's definitely one of the bands most popular songs. It begins with a catchy guitar rhythm, with softer vocals and simple lyrics. But as the song progresses, it descends into something more meaningful, and the lyrics suddenly become more important to the song. Daniel brings out his more high-pitched vocals this time, and shouts out hopeless words of despair. But the final line of lyrics creates hope and closes the song beautifully:
Memeorable Lyrics -
"Let me out. Let me fade into that pitch-black velvet night"Where It Hurts -
Road Salt One (2010)
I will be honest and admit that Where It Hurts and RS1 is still growing on me. But I think i've listened to it more than enough to gauge an opinion on this fantastic song and album. It begins with a dark keyboard melody and even darker lyrics, until it kicks into 5th gear with some of the most harsh vocals you will ever hear in a PoS song. Daniel shows once again that his vocal range is even greater than we previously expected. The song stays dark and grimey with that 70's guitar style, and the drumming increases towards what you'd expect to be the end of the song. But with a minute and a half remaining, we hear the opening melody once more, and you realise the song is about to get even more mental. Daniel goes one step further this time, and starts to scream out the words of 'Touch me where it hurts' at ultra high-pitch, but even still manages to hold that raw/gritty sound in his voice. If anyone had any doubts as to this mans vocal talents, I suggest you go and listen to this song immediately. He's just too good.
Memorable Lyrics -
"Everyone I know seem to be broken inside. Everybody hurting just from being alive."As you can see, I have tried not to go into detail regarding the story each song may portray. I believe PoS songs can be interpreted in different ways and can mean different things to different people. It would also be very difficult given the fact that every album is a Concept album, and never a simple one at that. To this day, I still don't really understand what Be is all about, but that never seems to take away that feeling of raw emotuon behind their music.
The Top 30 begins tomorrow. Feel free to talk about PoS in this thread also, and perhaps give a mention to your favourite songs too.