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

[Pirate]

MOD EDIT:

So that we don't end up with loads of Top 50 threads, this is now the official one. Pirate will finish his off, and once he does, other people can take turns. The list will be as follows:
- Pirate
- toro
- LieLowTheWantedMan
- PlaysLikeMyung
- moffatt
- Jarlaxle
- guysullavin - quit before the finish
- TTTSTA - didn't answer PM
- orcus116
- CrimsonE
- BrotherH
- TTTSTA
- RG93
- ReaperKK - gave up his spot
- jsem
- TheOutlawXanadu
- Riceball
- hefdaddy42
- wasteland
- Fran521
- BanksD - gave up his spot
-Jaffa - gave up his spot
-Jamesman
-alirocker08
-TheGreatPretender
-Elite
-FlyingBIZKIT
-IdoSC
-Ben_Jamin
-Panic Attacker
-MasterShakezula
-jonny108
-duncan3dc
-BlackInk
-theseoafs
-bss4life15
-senecadawg2
- Pols Voice
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Prepare for the standard-fare DT top 50 from your good friend Pirate.

50. Scene 2, Part One: Overture 1928 - Metropolis Part 2: Scenes From A Memory
I'll start off with what I think is DT's best Overture. What a great way to open an album (Regression can fuck off). Introducing some awesome riffs that see many reprisals in the awesome album to come. Also showcased are some nice solos by JR and JP. A fun fun track by any means, and among my favourite DT instrumentals.

49. Hollow Years - Falling Into Infinity
At the 49 spot, I chose one of my very favourite DT singles. A great tune with a sweet verse and chorus. Lest we forget the Live at Budokan version, with one of my all-time favourite JP solos. Plain epic.

48. Lifting Shadows Off A Dream - Awake
One of the few Myung-driven tracks. A good one, to boot. Lyrics aren't quite the most "normal" by any standards, but I guess to be original you gotta be abnormal. Anyway, the tune is charming with a beautiful bassline and chord progression. Lyrics are sung with grace by Labrie in his arguable high point. I also very much like the left-turn the song makes at about 3:33, just before the guitar solo. An oldie but goodie, LSOAD is.

47. One Last Time - Metropolis, Part 2: Scenes From A Memory
Another one from Scenes (boy, typing that title going to get old  ), One Last Time is a solid track comprised pretty much entirely of the central theme of the concept album. It's got the building verse and heavy chorus, not to mention some of Jordan's best piano-work for the band. One Last Time is the perfect setup for the album's climax.

46. The Mirror - Awake
The second sond on my list from Awake, The Mirror was a song that really got me into DT. After a lot of listens, the effect has worn off a bit, but I can't deny the amounts of win in this song. The driving metal riff from Puppies on Acid, Labrie's amazing vocals, and MP's awesome drum performance. Between The Mirror and Lie, The Mirror wins for me, with more comprehensible MP lyrics. I also think it covers more ground than Lie does, for some reason.

The next five are coming up soon.

[Mladen]

Will follow, I love these lists. 

[Zydar]

It's always interesting to see everyones thoughts about DT songs. Will follow.

[hefdaddy42]

Pirate's DT Top 50

Good show, man!

[PlaysLikeMyung]

I thought SkyDivingNinja had dibs on the next top 50

Oh well

[hefdaddy42]

I thought SkyDivingNinja had dibs on the next top 50

Oh well

I don't see anything stopping him.

[Pirate]

I thought SkyDivingNinja had dibs on the next top 50

Oh well

Well, you snooze you lose.

I'll cover the next five later, hopefully allowing ample intervals for discussion.

[Pirate]

45. The Silent Man - Awake
Yet another off Awake, The Silent Man is one of DT's few acoustic tracks. Listening to it, I wish DT would retread this ground, because the result is damned spectacular. JP's acoustic guitar work is phenomenal and the overall atmosphere the song carries complements the suite well as the ending. A lot of people overlook this one in AMBI, and I agree, Erotomania and Voices are better, but neither deserve a place in the Suite more than TSM. And the lyrics are good too.

44. The Great Debate - Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence
The first song from SDOIT is probably my least favourite on the album. Of course, that isn't to say it's not a totally awesome song. I don't really mind the Tool influences and the lyrics are passable. What makes this song a winner for me is the drumming. MP is spot on in this one. It's one of his best performances. In fact, all the instruments in The Great Debate work well.

43. The Shattered Fortress - Black Clouds And Silver Linings
The last movement of the AA Suite is a good one. In previous threads I have mentioned my thoughts on this one. As a song with no connection to a suite, I think it is all over the place and scrambled. But, if you haven't heard the rest of the suite, TSF brings some awesome riffs to the table as well as some of Labrie's best stuff in years. As part of the Suite, it's a good finale, but doesn't present much new. On it's own it's fun, heavy win with twists and turns all over the place.

42. New Millennium - Falling Into Infinity
New Millennium is not universally praised I think, but personally I like it. It's another sweet performance by MP. Derek does a good job on this one and so does JM on the Chapman Stick (I think). It's got a cool groove throughout that sets up the riffs and I think it does pretty well for what it is.

41. The Root Of All Evil - Octavarium
Another movement from the AA Suite, I think TROAE does better than The Shattered Fortress because it's more original. It's more of it's own song. The intro riff is heavy and driving (two adjectives that describe most songs in the suite, lol). The song doesn't drag and it's consistently exciting. The break at about 3:41 is also pretty epic and it calls back to the intro in TGP.

[KevShmev]

44. The Great Debate - Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence
The first song from SDOIT is probably my least favourite on the album.

And to think that you accused Quad of failing.

[robwebster]

I think he means the first song he addressed in ascending-list format.

Correct me if I'm wrong! (Also if it's a descending list. I can never remember which is which. Technically the numbers are getting lower, so I guess it's descending. I'm a tit.)

[PlaysLikeMyung]

44. The Great Debate - Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence
The first song from SDOIT is probably my least favourite on the album.

And to think that you accused Quad of failing.

I think he means the first song he addressed

Who fails now,  Kev?

[KevShmev]

"The first song from SDOIT is probably my least favourite on the album."

If that is what he meant, there would be no need to add, "is probably my least favorite..."; he would have said, "My first song from SDOIT..."  However, if he did mean what robwester thinks he meant, he worded it quite terribly.

[robwebster]

Just 'cause it's the first song he addressed doesn't mean it's his least favourite! Disappear could've been at 70. By saying it's his least favourite on the album, he's signposted that the entire work will appear in some shape or form. (Probably the form of blurbs on a list, come to think of it. Not sure why I said some "shape or form." The form is self-explanatory.)

(But I do agree that it was ambiguous. Oh diplomacy.)

[AwakeFromOctavarium]

Another Top 50. Don't mind it though.

Good to see The Great Debate and The Silent Man made it to Top 50, but then I think Lifting Shadows is too low .\

I hope this is another controversial list. A typical, predictable list is not fun to follow.

[Pirate]

"The first song from SDOIT is probably my least favourite on the album."

If that is what he meant, there would be no need to add, "is probably my least favorite..."; he would have said, "My first song from SDOIT..."  However, if he did mean what robwester thinks he meant, he worded it quite terribly.

Okay you got me. Still, it's not so much that Quad's wording fails. Plus, could you be any more specific with these obscure mistakes I'm making? I mean, honestly, isn't there something else you can criticize? No?

Another Top 50. Don't mind it though.

Good to see The Great Debate and The Silent Man made it to Top 50, but then I think Lifting Shadows is too low .\

I hope this is another controversial list. A typical, predictable list is not fun to follow.

Meh, good luck to you then.

[KevShmev]

It wasn't a criticism; it was a playful dig, hence the multiple emoticons in my original post.  Jeez.

[Pirate]

It wasn't a criticism; it was a playful dig, hence the multiple emoticons in my original post.  Jeez.

Well maybe I should put multiple emoticons in my playful digs so some people can understand them! 

[glaurung]

Maybe we should all just communicate in emoticons so it's impossible to offend anyone?

[Quadrochosis]

SDN was supposed to go next.. And you should have put it in my topic thats how we've done it in the past to avoid clutter, I coulda changed the topic title.

[KevShmev]

Maybe we should all just communicate in emoticons so it's impossible to offend anyone?

Now there's a good idea!

[robwebster]

Maybe we should all just communicate in emoticons so it's impossible to offend anyone?

SDN was supposed to go next.. And you should have put it in my topic thats how we've done it in the past to avoid clutter, I coulda changed the topic title.

As much as I really do love neurotically filing everything away (that's a lie, just so we're all aware), this side's kinda quiet right now. I don't think it'd do that much harm. It's not like there's fifty-thousand going on at once. Even if there are two going on at once, then hey! Great. Two people discussing the length and breadth of Dream Theater's discography. Nice to talk about Dream Theater. 'Citing. It's why I'm here.

[AwakeFromOctavarium]

 

[glaurung]

Maybe we should all just communicate in emoticons so it's impossible to offend anyone?

[PlaysLikeMyung]

[Pirate]

40. Scene Seven, Part 1: The Dance Of Eternity - Metropolis, Part 1: Scenes From A Memory
Yeah, I realize I forgot the "Scene ... " prefix for One Last Time, but oh well. Anyway, I love The Dance Of Eternity. It's total balls-to-the-wall DT wank featuring yet another amazing performance by MP. There are almost too many tongue-in-cheek awesome points in this song, including Jordan's amazing ragtime solo. JM even gets a hit on this track, which turns out to be incredible as well. The ony one that doesn't really have a specific place to shine is JP. All in all, this is a DT instrumental akin to Ytse Jam where it doesn't really go anywhere, rather than in Erotomania where that's what it's all about.

39. Scene Two, Part 2: Strange Deja Vu - Metropolis, Part 2: Scenes From A Memory
This song is very similar to Overture 1928 in that it showcases a lot of riffs and themes that see reprisals in the rest of the album. However, the song is quite unique on it's own, with a groovy bass-inspired riff that is just plain badass (stuck right in the middle). It's a good reason why Scenes is such a beastly album, in it's marriage of original themes and gems from Part 1.

38. A Nightmare to Remember - Black Clouds and Silver Linings
The opener on DTX is a straight-forward heavy metal song - for the most part. I like the heavy stuff very much, the intro, the verse, the solo trade-offs, but what really does it for me is the soft section in the middle. I remember hearing a preview of it on Eddie Trunk or whatever (I heard it on YouTube) and it was what I was most anticipating. It's calm, then hopeful, then calm then lifting. It's beautiful. Um, I don't like MP's vocals. There, I said it.

37. The Ministry of Lost Souls - Systematic Chaos
TMOLS is the first song on my list from SC. I really don't have much to say about this song. I really really like some of the parts, but as mentioned by everyone they just don't go that well together. Oh and Darkes7, I'm sorry but the ending solo does nothing for me. TMOLS is exciting to listen to, but upon examination it doesn't always work for me.

36. Misunderstood - Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Misunderstood is one of the reasons why people say SDOIT is DT's most experimental album. It just treads so much ground and covers so many themes and styles. It's a miraculous song that just drags a bit. The chorus is great, the lyrics work, but there's something wrong with the length, especially the riff at the end. Still, a great song featuring some great work from some great instrumentalists. Great.

[AwakeFromOctavarium]

Good list. Misunderstood totally deserves that.

[MetalManiac666]

Much more agreeable list so far compared to Quad's.

[Marvellous G]

Misunderstood should be higher, but still nice to see it there.

[Mladen]

Wow, a fantastic list so far, less surprising choices but they make a lot of sense to me. 

[Silver Tears]

I have no issues with this list so far 

[Dark Master Of Sin]

I really like this list so far

[Pirate]

35. Ytse Jam - When Dream And Day Unite
Like The Dance Of Eternity, Ytse Jam (or the Ytse Jam) is mostly DT wank. Which is good in some cases, and stale in others. In the case of most DT instrumentals, wank is what makes it most exciting and entertaining. Ytse Jam does wank better than TDOE for a few reasons. It has a few catchy main riffs, like the intro, the verse, and the bridge. They carry the song along well without many hiccups. As for the actual wank, it's some of my favourite young-DT playing. One of JM's best bass solos for sure. Ytse Jam is a song that will excite you and surprise you, and possibly butt rape you but who cares about that? It's a great one, my second-favourite from the album.

34. Blind Faith - Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence
Another song from SDOIT, Blind Faith is another great song that came after Scenes. It's got a great melody, a fantastic drum part from MP, and some incredible solos from JP and especially JR. There isn't too much to say about this song other than what I have, and otherwise I guess it's just the lyrics. They're okay but I don't really care.

33. Scene Four: Beyond This Life - Metropolis, Part 2: Scenes From A Memory
Originally, I didn't like Beyond This Life. I could never finish the song because every time Jordan's organ came in on the opening riff, I'd cringe and turn it off. Needless to say, one day I got through it and discovered a song of magical proportions. The song is badass, with a heavy metal main riff, an experimental verse, a Zappa-inspired section, a bluesy section, and some great solos from JP and JR. All concluded with a calm and beautiful chorus. Don't even get me started on the LaB version. Anyway, you can't ask for much from this song.

32. Another Day - Images And Words
The first song on my list from IaW, Another Day is a single. As far as DT singles go, I'd say this is the one of the best, if not the best (does PMU count?). Another Day features another beautiful melody with a lifting chorus. James is spot on here, and let's not forget about Jay Beckenstein (I think)! He's the man! He delivers two beautiful sax solos for a beautiful song. Did I mention it was beautiful? Yeah, well so is JP's solo!

31. Under A Glass Moon - Images And Words
The second song from IaW in a row. I never really got UAGM. I don't think it's that good, but obviously it's good enough to make it up here. Another Day and UAGM are nearly tied for least favourite from IAW. Granted, that doesn't say much. Anyway, UAGM features one of my favourite JP solos of all time. That's it. Oh and the lyrics are bullshit. WTF?

[Mladen]

Good ones, although Ytse Jam wouldn't make my top 50. Neither would Blind faith...

[glaurung]

I would put Blind Faith much higher than that.

[AcidLameLTE]

Again, it's nice to see Under a Glass Moon so high on someone's list.