Author Topic: Ħ's top 22 Dream Theater songs -------#1 REVEALED! (Read 10578 times)

GasparXR · « **Reply #35 on:** February 11, 2013, 12:00:34 AM »

What is the VROOOM part? I don't seem to recall a part that I can relate that automatopia to.

BlobVanDam · « **Reply #36 on:** February 11, 2013, 01:41:42 AM »

Quote from: GasparXR on February 11, 2013, 12:00:34 AM

What is the VROOOM part? I don't seem to recall a part that I can relate that automatopia to.

I think he means the badass bass slide Myung does leading into the second verse. I love that bit.

Cedar redaC · « **Reply #37 on:** February 12, 2013, 07:53:42 AM »

Yeah, probably that.

Ħ · « **Reply #38 on:** February 12, 2013, 03:18:10 PM »

Yup, exactly that.

Ħ · « **Reply #39 on:** February 12, 2013, 03:36:02 PM »

11. "Beyond This Life"
Surprised to see this one? You might be. People see it as the ugly counterpart to "Fatal Tragedy". I think that's a mistake. "Beyond This Life" is a funky rocker all the way through. It's just so...fun. You can't help but bob your body back and forth to the groove! Just skip to about 7:20 in the track. You feelin' the groove? Yeah? Not to mention, it has incredible technical contributions from everyone in the band - in particular, Petrucci and Rudess have quite a tasty shred-fest that sets the standard for a proper instrumental duel.

10. "Metropolis"
This is probably too low of a ranking for most people - that's okay; I'm prepared to give you nine songs that top it. Regardless, I still see "Metropolis" as one of Dream Theater's five "pillar" tracks. This beast represents a central part of Dream Theater's style - it's technical and precise, yet wacky and wild. Systematically chaotic is what this song is. And it just so happens to be my #2 LaBrie track...stay tuned for #1.

9. "Trial Of Tears"
Still awake
I continue to move along
Cultivating my own nonsense
Welcome to the wasteland
Where you'll find ashes
Nothing but ashes

John Myung is a mysterious man. He doesn't talk much. But when he does, his lyrical expressions are so passionate, so desperate, cutting. I connect with this song on a very deep level. To me, "Trial Of Tears" represents the disillusionment that one can experience when trying to make it in human society. America's standards are superficial - you can try and try and try, but you'll still be rejected. Your physical appearance is meaningless; it bears nothing to the truth of your character and value as a person - but others will still judge you for it. One response to this rejection is to fall into silent submission to the harsh reality of the situation. Accept that you're a nobody, that you just got a lousy draw; too bad for you. This is what I used to do, and it dragged me into deep depression and despair. A far better response, though, is to simply acknowledge society's standards are flawed and unjustified. Dismiss it. Fuhgettaboutit. Set your own values for your life that you think are right. Evaluate your character and your goals by those values that you deem true and good. But you must be proactive and assertive in finding true purpose or you'll be left with "nothing but ashes". Do or die.

BlobVanDam · « **Reply #40 on:** February 12, 2013, 11:03:31 PM »

Excellent choices!

I've always loved BTL, especially for the instrumental section that for some reason DTF doesn't seem to like. It's got one of the best keyboard solos and one of the best guitar solos, and it's complex, and wacky, and fun, and it's everything I want from DT.

And Metropolis and ToT are always great choices. ToT was actually one of the last songs I got into from FII, maybe because it builds slowly, but the payoff is worth it.

GasparXR · « **Reply #41 on:** February 12, 2013, 11:06:32 PM »

Quote from: Ħ on February 12, 2013, 03:36:02 PM

John Myung is a mysterious man. He doesn't talk much. But when he does, his lyrical expressions are so passionate, so desperate, cutting. I connect with this song on a very deep level. To me, "Trial Of Tears" represents the disillusionment that one can experiences when trying to make it in human society. America's standards are superficial - you can try and try and try, but you'll still be rejected. Your physical appearance is meaningless; it bears nothing to the truth of your character and value as a person - but others will still judge you for it. One response to this rejection is to fall into silent submission to the harsh reality of the situation. Accept that you're a nobody, that you just got a lousy draw; too bad for you. This is what I used to do, and it dragged me into deep depression and despair. A far better response, though, is to simply acknowledge society's standards are flawed and unjustified. Dismiss it. Fuhgettaboutit. Set your own values for your life that you think are right. Evaluate your character and your goals by those values that you deem true and good. But you must be proactive and assertive in finding true purpose or you'll be left with "nothing but ashes". Do or die.

That's a very great write-up there. I agree 100% but I'm still stuck in the phase of being scared of what others think about me. I love that paragraph so much I may have to use it somewhere.

Ħ · « **Reply #42 on:** February 12, 2013, 11:27:35 PM »

Haha, I'm honored you read the whole thing!

Destiny Of Chaos · « **Reply #43 on:** February 17, 2013, 02:14:07 PM »

And somehow, both top 50 lists that started after your top 22 list did have caught up or passed it.

Ħ · « **Reply #44 on:** February 17, 2013, 02:37:03 PM »

I commend your observational skills!

Ħ · « **Reply #45 on:** February 17, 2013, 03:00:20 PM »

8. "Surrounded"
Not only one of my favorite tracks from Images, but my #1 LaBrie song. The vocals are on fiyahhh from beginning to end, but particularly the development, where LaBrie soars far above anything I've ever heard from him. It's a one-of-a-kind Dream Theater song that shies away from technicality and heavy metal, opting for a more bright, simple, energetic sound. Plus, you've just got to love Petrucci's very tasteful riffs. Doooo DAT, doo-dah doo doo DAT. Love it.

7. "Learning To Live"
Probably, many people will think that #7 is too low a spot for what I consider to be the second of Dream Theater's five great Pillars. (The first was "Metropolis", if you remember.) It's a fantastic song, though, that captures Dream Theater's melodic side of, well, all of the musicians in the band. Even Myung has a good chunk of time in the spotlight. In fact, it is Myung's kickoff to that outro that makes the whole song just that much more incredible.

6. "Octavarium"
The third Pillar. I don't see too much rave about "Octavarium" compared to when I first joined the forum. No one really talks about it anymoer. Nevertheless, it always comes up to the top of the survivors and in individual rankings. That's because it's a beast. There's not much I can really say about it, other than that every bit is tasteful and well-executed.

Scorpion · « **Reply #46 on:** February 17, 2013, 03:02:02 PM »

Two good songs and one dud for me, though I would concede that they are all essential. Great to see some Surrounded appreciation, I haven't seen it in too many Top 50 threads.

mike099 · « **Reply #47 on:** February 17, 2013, 03:11:08 PM »

Great songs. I am fairly new to DT and could not get into Octavarium until I listened a few times. Loved LTL on the first listen.

Unlegit · « **Reply #48 on:** February 17, 2013, 03:53:48 PM »

Learning to Live and Octavarium are very deserving. Surrounded is great too, but dunno if I'd place it that high.

BlobVanDam · « **Reply #49 on:** February 17, 2013, 08:07:23 PM »

If anything, I'd say LTL is ranked way too high, not too low. Weakest song on IaW imo.
Surrounded is a great little song, although I don't know why suddenly everyone's ranking it so high lately (not that I'm really complaining, as I love seeing DT's simpler ballady side getting appreciated).
And Octavarium is great. It seems to be getting more and more hate here lately, so it's almost refreshing to actually see it ranked highly...

Ħ · « **Reply #50 on:** February 17, 2013, 10:24:51 PM »

Quote from: BlobVanDam on February 17, 2013, 08:07:23 PM

Surrounded is a great little song, although I don't know why suddenly everyone's ranking it so high lately (not that I'm really complaining, as I love seeing DT's simpler ballady side getting appreciated).

Surrounded is unique in the sense that it is one of DT's few uplifting songs. It's also got that charming 80's melodic vibe that is sadly absent post-Images. Also, you have the extraordinary extended version they played during the SC tour. Perhaps it is for these reasons that people have taken a liking to it.

BlobVanDam · « **Reply #51 on:** February 17, 2013, 11:41:24 PM »

Quote from: Ħ on February 17, 2013, 10:24:51 PM

Quote from: BlobVanDam on February 17, 2013, 08:07:23 PM
Surrounded is a great little song, although I don't know why suddenly everyone's ranking it so high lately (not that I'm really complaining, as I love seeing DT's simpler ballady side getting appreciated).
Surrounded is unique in the sense that it is one of DT's few uplifting songs. It's also got that charming 80's melodic vibe that is sadly absent post-Images. Also, you have the extraordinary extended version they played during the SC tour. Perhaps it is for these reasons that people have taken a liking to it.

I got the impression that most people weren't too thrilled about the SC extended version.
Don't get me wrong, I love the song, and I definitely see what the appeal is, it just seems that all of a sudden it's gone from an average IaW track (a very high average, so I don't say that with any negative connotation at all), to one that everyone seems to rank super high all of a sudden.
As I said, I'm not complaining, it's just interesting. I'm enjoying seeing the lighter stuff get some appreciation, because I think DT does it really well.

wasteland · « **Reply #52 on:** February 18, 2013, 01:34:52 AM »

Quote from: BlobVanDam on February 17, 2013, 08:07:23 PM

Surrounded is a great little song, although I don't know why suddenly everyone's ranking it so high lately (not that I'm really complaining, as

I would say it's due to the aftershocks of the ADTOE tour. At least, that's the reason for me.

BlobVanDam · « **Reply #53 on:** February 18, 2013, 01:37:31 AM »

Quote from: wasteland on February 18, 2013, 01:34:52 AM

Quote from: BlobVanDam on February 17, 2013, 08:07:23 PM
Surrounded is a great little song, although I don't know why suddenly everyone's ranking it so high lately (not that I'm really complaining, as

I would say it's due to the aftershocks of the ADTOE tour. At least, that's the reason for me.

I don't believe that's the reason, unless everyone who's ranking it higher happened to see them on this tour and they played that song at every one. It's not like the song's been out for over 20 years or anything.

wasteland · « **Reply #54 on:** February 18, 2013, 01:39:58 AM »

Well, after seeing the perfect performance at LP my Surrounded jumped upwards by a number a steps that I won't disclose. Of course I can't speak for the others, but I've never found the live performances of the song after 1993 to be particularly enthralling. Until this year.

? · « **Reply #55 on:** February 18, 2013, 01:49:00 AM »

It may also be a matter of new members (who love Surrounded) joining and old ones (who don't praise it as much) not hanging around here anymore, and those who have stayed here longer may have started to love it more (this is the case with me). I think the same has happened to the title-track of Octavarium in reverse: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=3364.0 - I remember that around the time I joined it seemed to get overwhelming praise, and as you can see, it won the DT survivor a couple of times, but in 2010 it finished at #4, and recently I've heard more critical comments on it than before.

Ħ · « **Reply #56 on:** February 18, 2013, 10:16:55 AM »

5. "Fatal Tragedy"
The crown of Scenes From A Memory. This is Dream Theater's technical prog side at it's best. I think this song is just incredible. It sweeps you off your feet. The polyrhythmic flurry of notes can easily go over your head, but if you tune your ear just right, bam! It clicks.

Interestingly, it's one of those songs that has no structure. It just moves from point A to point B. No recapitulation, no recurring themes, nothing. It's just a wild ride.

Guesses for top 4?

BlobVanDam · « **Reply #57 on:** February 18, 2013, 10:19:18 AM »

I love Fatal Tragedy. The "Inspector Gadget" riff makes the verses awesome, it's got the neat vocal harmonies throughout, and then there's that instrumental section!

Top 4-

4. You Not Me
3. Burning My Soul
2. Prophets of War
1. The pregap track between Panic Attack and Never Enough

Octavaripolis · « **Reply #58 on:** February 18, 2013, 10:55:51 AM »

Quote from: Ħ on February 18, 2013, 10:16:55 AM

5. "Fatal Tragedy"
The crown of Scenes From A Memory. This is Dream Theater's technical prog side at it's best. I think this song is just incredible. It sweeps you off your feet. The polyrhythmic flurry of notes can easily go over your head, but if you tune your ear just right, bam! It clicks.

Interestingly, it's one of those songs that has no structure. It just moves from point A to point B. No recapitulation, no recurring themes, nothing. It's just a wild ride.

I praise you sir
Excellent placement

Guesses for top 4?

Ħ · « **Reply #59 on:** February 18, 2013, 12:03:51 PM »

What is the Inspector Gadget riff?

Lolzeez · « **Reply #60 on:** February 18, 2013, 02:10:17 PM »

Quote from: BlobVanDam on February 18, 2013, 10:19:18 AM

1. The pregap track between Panic Attack and Never Enough

Anyways,awesome choice.

Unlegit · « **Reply #61 on:** February 18, 2013, 06:20:10 PM »

Always thought that Fatal Tragedy was overrated. The instrumental section is awesome, but everything else is just not really doing it for me.

Ħ · « **Reply #62 on:** February 18, 2013, 06:36:44 PM »

4. "New Millennium"
"New Millennium" is fantastic. It took a long time to really get it, but once I did, I couldn't believe how few people recognized it as a great song, even as a decent song. But I get it. It flies under that radar as just another mediocre song from Dream Theater's most mediocre album. Let me tell you that it is about to grab your jewels. It'll happen the day you least expect it.

Anyway, what is so great about NM? First, it's got the catchiest bass riff over the catchiest rhythmic meter in all of Dream Theaterdom. Onetwothreefourfivesix, onetwothreefourfivesix, onetwo, onetwo, onetwothreefourfivesix, etc etc etc. Second, it's got an extraordinary performance from LaBrie, who really digs his nails into the music and makes it personal. Third, you've got that wicked drum beat, that groovy Petrucci solo, and some very well-suited and well-selected keyboard patches that just put icing on the cake.

A groovy song full of attitude and spunk.

hefdaddy42 · « **Reply #63 on:** February 18, 2013, 06:45:16 PM »

You have a few songs in different places than I would, but overall, fantastic song choices.

theseoafs · « **Reply #64 on:** February 18, 2013, 06:52:01 PM »

Quote from: Ħ on February 18, 2013, 06:36:44 PM

4. "New Millennium"
Onetwothreefourfivesix, onetwothreefourfivesix, onetwo, onetwo, onetwothreefourfivesix, etc etc etc

This is just 4/4, but I agree that it's a catchy time signature.

Ħ · « **Reply #65 on:** February 18, 2013, 06:57:08 PM »

Wait, for real?!

I fail at music.

theseoafs · « **Reply #66 on:** February 18, 2013, 07:00:27 PM »

Yep, 4/4. That's a very popular rhythm that you hear a lot in popular music, and in quite a few of DT's songs (Panic Attack comes to mind).

Lucidity · « **Reply #67 on:** February 18, 2013, 07:54:29 PM »

Quote from: Ħ on February 18, 2013, 06:36:44 PM

4. "New Millennium"
"New Millennium" is fantastic. It took a long time to really get it, but once I did, I couldn't believe how few people recognized it as a great song, even as a decent song. But I get it. It flies under that radar as just another mediocre song from Dream Theater's most mediocre album. Let me tell you that it is about to grab your jewels. It'll happen the day you least expect it.

Anyway, what is so great about NM? First, it's got the catchiest bass riff over the catchiest rhythmic meter in all of Dream Theaterdom. Onetwothreefourfivesix, onetwothreefourfivesix, onetwo, onetwo, onetwothreefourfivesix, etc etc etc. Second, it's got an extraordinary performance from LaBrie, who really digs his nails into the music and makes it personal. Third, you've got that wicked drum beat, that groovy Petrucci solo, and some very well-suited and well-selected keyboard patches that just put icing on the cake.

A groovy song full of attitude and spunk.

Glad someone else loves New Millennium <3

BlobVanDam · « **Reply #68 on:** February 18, 2013, 08:54:54 PM »

Quote from: Ħ on February 18, 2013, 12:03:51 PM

What is the Inspector Gadget riff?

The riff that comes behind the verse at the start just before "I shut the door".

Interesting choice with New Millennium. Haters gonna hate, but I think it's a great song, and I've loved it ever since properly listening to the Budokan version.

Ħ · « **Reply #69 on:** February 18, 2013, 09:08:34 PM »

22. Endless Sacrifice
21. Overture 1928
20. Blind Faith
19. The Dance Of Eternity
18. Pull Me Under
17. Hell's Kitchen
16. On The Backs Of Angels
15. Honor Thy Father
14. Take The Time
13. As I Am
12. Strange Deja-Vu
11. Beyond This Life
10. Metropolis
9. Trial Of Tears
8. Surrounded
7. Learning To Live
6. Octavarium
5. Fatal Tragedy
4. New Millennium
3.

2.

1.

Any guesses for top 3?

News: Video of online chat between fans and members of Dream Theater: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx8cLlXnHpA&feature=youtu.be (*no chickens were harmed during the filming of this chat)

Author Topic: Ħ's top 22 Dream Theater songs -------#1 REVEALED! (Read 10578 times)