Official DT Top 50 Thread (Riceball Up Now - starting Page 66)

[hefdaddy42]

Peruvian Skies # 3?  That's odd...

[Zydar]

Nice to see ITNoG in someone's 2nd spot.

[Jirpo]

Great choice! I love the lyrics aswell

[CrimsonE]

And now to finish out my list: 

1 Learning to Live: 
The definitive DT song, a true epic.  When you hear the opening keys, followed by the slightly off-tempo guitar riff you know you are in for something special.  Then a transition into a nicely building first verse and a glorious chorus.  Then the second verse is nothing like the first, with a bit more bite.  Of course, everyone mentions the F#, but to me, the high point of the song is near the end (10:15), with the smooth, yet building instrumental bit into a sing-along outro. And the lyrics are among the best, not only for this band, but of all time. 

[inoku]

  LTL 

[Jirpo]

I wouldn't place it that high, but a nice list overall

[Ħ]

I'll get to mine later today.

Nice job Crimson!

[jsem]

As a whole, it was a very good list.

[Kosmo]

BrotherH's number one pick is Take the Time, you heard it here first folks.

[Zydar]

LTL 

Awesome choice.

[Mladen]

Interesting top 10. 

[orcus116]

I'd have to agree with #1 for obvious reasons. Definitely one of the more interesting lists on here.

[RuRoRul]

2 In the Name of God:
This song manages to put together a sinister set of verses, with a glorious sounding chorus.  Just when you think it couldn't get any better, then you get the amazing breakdown bridge that leads into a furious instrumental section that features some of JP's most furious shredding ever, transitioning into a duet with JR's amazing keys.  And the lyrics here are as good as the band has ever written.   

Awesome. Definitely deserves to be up here on more lists.

[jonny108]

Great list!    Quite different but interesting 

[CrimsonE]

Thanks for the kind words.  This was a frustrating list to put together, because there were plenty of other songs that I would have liked to have included, and in fact had write-ups for before I finally said enough was enough.  Those included Dance of Eternity, Panic Attack, Misunderstood, Finally Free, Best of Times, and Dark Eternal Night.  But this was a fun exercise, especially when I re-listened to studio versions I haven't heard in years.

Next!

[Ħ]

50. This Dying Soul
Living on your own by twenty-one
Not a single care and having fun
Consuming all the life in front of you
Burning out the fuse and smoking the residue

So here we go.

I used to spam this song like crazy, back before Systematic Chaos came out.  It's one of DT's best balls-to-the-wall metal songs.   I know people always hate the wall-of-sound playing and mixing style, but it really works for this song.  It's got a great blend of fast/slow, heavy/quiet, too.

The first half is significantly better than the second half.  Otherwise it'd be much higher.

Favorite moments: 1:45-3:40, 6:39-6:46


49.  Sacrificed Sons (Score)
Who would wish on our people
And proclaim that His will be done?
Scriptures they heed have misled them
All praise their Sacrificed sons

Wow.  Such an incredibly emotional performance for both the band and the audience.  You can tell.  The one thing I don't like about the song is the intro, which is odd considering DT is usually at their best with their intros.  The chattering alongside the alien continuum work doesn't do it for me.  But once you hit JM's little spot at 4:15, the song really picks up. In some ways that instrumental section reminds me of TRoAE and ItPoE.  And don't forget the pirate's "EYAH!" at 7:59.


Favorite moments: 2:39-5:05, 6:19-7:08


48.  Take Away My Pain (Demo)
His final scene, the actor bows
And all those years are gone somehow
The crowd applauds, the curtain falls
There'll be no encore after all

This is seriously one of DT's most beautiful songs.  Hopefully everyone will agree with me that's it's fighty-eight times better than the studio version.  I really hope they bring back this version for future performances.  I really don't have much else to say other than everyone who hasn't listened to this needs to RIGHT NOW.

Favorite moments: everything minus the chorus


47.  6:00
So many ways to drown a man
So many ways to drag him down
Some are fast and some take years and years
Can't hear what he's saying when he's talking in his sleep
He's finally found a sound but he's in too deep

PlaysLikeMyüng is always raving about this song, and I hope my placement of it doesn't offend him, because I love it.  I just love everything else even more.  I literally have it as my alarm clock, and I purposely intentionally get up at six just to listen to it, although I usually go back to sleep.    I wish DT was this groovy more often.  Anyway, this is one of those songs that is begging to come outside.

The only weakness?  The song isn't exactly six minutes long.  

Favorite moments: 0:00-0:44, 4:13-4:38


46.  Raise the Knife (Score)
Reading through all of the digests you show me
I notice the way that you think you control me
Doubting my future, you don't even know me
But I never walked out on you

My favorite performance on Score--I prefer this version more the CotC version because James is more emotive and because the sound quality is much more resonant.  This is a really well-written song overall.  John Petrucci and James Labrie have this great back-and-forth thing going.  It's metal, but it's not too intrusive.  It's very crisp and articulate song with one of the most epic DT outros out there.  Not to mention my favorite lyrics from Portnoy.

Favorite moments: 0:00-0:18, 2:29-2:43, 3:24-3:58, 6:15-6:25, 10:28-11:43

[hefdaddy42]

So far, so good.  I definitely agree that the demo for Take Away My Pain is much better than the studio version.

[j]

Yep, good picks except for TDS, one of DT's worst songs.  I do, however, agree with this:

The first half is significantly better than the second half.

-J

[orcus116]

Most definitely. I can't wait to see the rest of this if only for the fact that it looks like a lot of effort is going into it.

[Ħ]

Yep, good picks except for TDS, one of DT's worst songs.

TDS is one I was a little unsure about including.  I mean, I like it, but it isn't as melodic and reserved as some other stuff.  And the second half is really not that great.  I honestly don't know what they were going for with the "ThEsE ToRmEnTeD GhOsTs oF YeStErDaY" part.

[inoku]

SS should be ranked a bit higher though..
but good list so far 

[Mladen]

This is gonna be interesting. The thing with favorite moments is pretty cool. 

[Jirpo]

Good list so far

[i am fabio]

Hey just want to pop in and say its really cool the way you are doing your list BrotherH! enjoying

[RuRoRul]

This Dying Soul should be much higher - otherwise pretty cool.

[Kosmo]

I love that you're including lyrics.

[Tomislav95]

Fuck Yea!Raise the knife 

[Ħ]

45.  In the Name of God
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored
He hath loosed the faithful lightning of His terrible swift sword
His truth is marching on

Probably one of the more controversial things I've done with my list.  Instinctively, this is a top 15 song for me.  But after thinking about it, it really isn't.  There's a lot of shining moments on ItNoG, and don't get me wrong, I love it--but there's a lot of baggage as well, mostly because of James, and that awful chorus.  I swear, this is THE worst chorus they've ever written.  This is a very driving headbanger, so I don't know why they slow it way the hell down.  Weaknesses aside, this is probably the most technically challenging DT song out there (as far as I can tell), and I respect that.  Not to mention JMX is as prominent as ever.

Anyway, this isn't the last you'll see of Train of Thought, so fret not!

Favorite moments: 0:00-1:23, 6:25-6:57, 10:03-10:23  .......and don't forget 7:15-7:18 =P


44.  Fatal Tragedy
As the Night went on
I started to find my way
I learned about a tragedy
A mystery still today

I think a couple people will be mad at me for this one, too.    I really do love this song though.  The latter part of the song is just so fun!  I would kill to see it live.  There are parts I don't dig too much.  But...the riffage!  The solos!  The proggy complication and syncopation!

Favorite moments: 2:17-2:51, 3:50-6:49


43.  The Silent Man
A question well served
Is silence like a fever
A voice never heard
Or a question with no reciever?

A very solid ballad with beautiful vocals and lyrics.  One interesting thing I learned about this song is that JP didn't do the backing vocals!  Did you know that?  It was someone else...I think the producer at the time?  I forget.  Still, a very unique DT song, even among their ballads.  But God I wish I never saw the music video.

Favorite moments: 1:15-1:52, 2:17-3:47


42.  Finally Free
This feeling inside me
Finally found my life I'm finally free
No longer torn in two
I learned about my life by living through you

If ItNoG didn't get get you upset, and FT didn't do it either, then I'm sure this will.  Honestly, I'm sure I don't need to tell you the good things about this song--it's the freaking closer to what is arguably DT's breakthrough album.  But I'll tell why I did end up putting it relatively low--the draaaggggg.  Honestly.  It's worse than Misunderstood. Drum solos are cool, but when they're so far back in the mix, accompanied by an extremely boring guitar riff...it just puts me to sleep.

Favorite moments: 2:18-2:49, 4:00-7:22


41.  Misunderstood
Playing a lion being led to a cage
I turn from surreal to seclusion
From love to disdain
From belief to delusion
From a thief to a beggar
From a god to God save me

Speaking of Misunderstood.   I agree with everyone that it does drag, but really guys...the rest is just so sick!  SDOIT was my first album, and this was the second DT song I spammed several times a day.  I loved it.  I still do love it, just not as much.  Something about it just grips you.  You know something big is coming...you expect it at about 2:20...but then it dies back down.  Something I've never seen DT do in any other song is at 2:51-2:59 with that extremely subtle bass progression...it's depressing, cynical, and ever-so-slightly angry.  Just love it--this is one of JMX's best licks, I swear.

By the way, does anyone hear a bit of PT from 6:10-6:36 or am I the only one?

One other funny thing about this song...at 8:48, I always hear JP's guitar saying "walk      the dogggggg."  Random, but still relevant.

Favorite moments: 0:00-4:32, 5:13-6:36

[Ħ]

I am not going to be able to update again until Tuesday, but hopefully it'll go on a day-by-day basis after that.

[Jirpo]

A lot of those songs are too low IMO, especially ITNOG. Nice comments though.
And I also feel as though Misunderstood is building towards something but never quite gets there.

[RuRoRul]

I swear, this is THE best chorus they've ever written.

Fixed

[Zydar]

I swear, this is THE best chorus they've ever written.

Fixed

Exactly. Epic chorus is epic.

[inoku]

I swear, this is THE best chorus they've ever written.

Fixed

 

[contest_sanity]

I swear, this is THE best chorus they've ever written.

Fixed

Exactly. Epic chorus is epic.

Definitely.  I don't have the WUT reaction very often, but I did at reading ITNOG's chorus was the worst they had ever written. 

But to each his own.

[Implode]

While I don't completely agree with your choices, I can definitely see where you are coming from. I guess those critiques just bother you more than me. I can't wait to see more.