Opinions of When Dream and Day Unite

[bosk1]

Afterlife took a little while to connect, but I think it is actually quite good, and is nowhere near the bottom.  Quick ranking:

1.  The Killing Hand:  stellar
2.  Light Fuse And Get Away:  Despite a couple of clunky transitions, the song is quite good.  Some clever wordplay.
3.  Only A Matter Of Time:  The song suffers from some problematic lyric writing where Moore simply tries to cram too much in.  Otherwise, pretty good song.
4.  A Fortune In Lies:  Also pretty good.
5.  Status Seeker:  Could have done well as a single if it had gotten out there.  A fine, accessible little tune.
6.  Ytse Jam:  Not bad.  I don't love it, but I don't dislike it either.
7.  Afterlife:  This is where there is a serious dropoff for me.  Don't care for it.  But it isn't quite the bottom.
8.  The Ones Who Help To Set The Sun:  Sorry, do not like.

[Madman Shepherd]

No, it isn't.

You need to really think about what you're saying...and then agree with me. 

[bosk1]

No.

[Dublagent66]

Somewhat decent album with bad production.  Sounds more like a demo.  I rank it last but that's not to say it's terrible.  Some parts of it are actually pretty good. 

[XB0BX]

Great musical ideas, terrible transitions, bad vocals, bad production.

[wolfking]

Great album.

[mirko_metal_88]

Definitely one of my favorite albums of all times! Of course it's not "complex" as their following ones, but i really LOVE Dominici's voice and that kinda prog/aor sound.

My ranking would be:

1.  The Killing Hand
2.  A Fortune In Lies
3.  Status Seeker
4.  Only A Matter Of Time
5.  Ytse Jam
6.  Afterlife
7.  Light Fuse And Get Away
8.  The Ones Who Help To Set The Sun

I can understand why many DT fans don't appreciate this record, it totally different from their usual style (but it's more DT than ToT, IMHO)....the thing that i really can't understand it's how many people could like "When Dream And Day Reunite"...LaBrie is quite terrible on that live (btw he's great on live at the marquee and other gigs in those early years)

[Cruithne]

Charlie's a perfectly good singer but a bad fit for the band. The production is typical of Terry Date productions of that era - cheap and nasty. The songs are hit and miss.

It's a traditional debut album from young guys really: embryonic.

[James Mypetgiress]

No, it isn't.

Agreed!

[mikeyd23]

Interesting to see all the varied opinions on this album.  I'd definitely say it's my least favorite DT album overall.  As many others have said, the vocals and production leave something to be desired.  Some of the vocal melodies and lyrics make it tough to deliver though, that's just a sign of immaturity as song writers at that point. 

My favorite thing about this album is hearing those glimpses of greatness that hint to the next album the band creates.  You can hear them developing as players and writers and listening back to it now, you can hear they are on the verge of greatness with WDADU and they soon realize that greatness with I&W.

[Dream Team]

WDADU is great, and I wish JP and JM would go back to writing riffs like those.

[SuperTaco]

I absolutely love this album! I rank it as #4 in the discography. Some of Dream Theater's best moments are on this album.

This, except it's my #1 album. I've spoken time and time again about WDADU but I never get tired of sharing my connection. This album has a sense of atmosphere and a certain mood that nothing else has come close to. They use sounds and styles on that album that either completely went away with I&W, or were greatly reduced. I miss how JP used to sometimes track clean guitars with his riffs/solos to give it an extra inflection. I miss how Kevin Moore's dreamy, orchestral sounding patches would enhance the guitars and make everything sound so special. I could go on and on... but I won't because I have before

[ytserush]

Still a top three album for me.  Unrivaled passion.

[mirko_metal_88]

I absolutely love this album! I rank it as #4 in the discography. Some of Dream Theater's best moments are on this album.

This, except it's my #1 album. I've spoken time and time again about WDADU but I never get tired of sharing my connection. This album has a sense of atmosphere and a certain mood that nothing else has come close to. They use sounds and styles on that album that either completely went away with I&W, or were greatly reduced. I miss how JP used to sometimes track clean guitars with his riffs/solos to give it an extra inflection. I miss how Kevin Moore's dreamy, orchestral sounding patches would enhance the guitars and make everything sound so special. I could go on and on... but I won't because I have before

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