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

[Kosmo]

Good list, i sort of knew that Learning to Live Constant Motion would be either the second or number one.

[j]

We have the same top 2. They change places every once in awhile for me though.

-J

[TheOutlawXanadu]

Is this like a 1A-1B situation where 1B is "Learning to Live" and 1A is "Constant Motion" or...?

[hefdaddy42]

orcus, your top 2 are identical with mine. 

[Ħ]

A very good top 25!

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Good job, orc.

[Zantera]

Never really cared much for LtL, fun to see ACOS though. 

[jsem]

really good list mang. 

[CrimsonE]

Looks like I'm finally up, so here goes.  It looks as if I'll do five in the morning and five in the evening, so that the list should be completed by Saturday or Sunday at the latest.  

Based on the lists I've seen so far, it looks as if there will be a few deviations, particularly in some of the inclusions and exclusions--and even one or two whose exclusion may seem blasphemous to some.  But if everyone had the same tastes in DT songs, this would be a boring forum.  

So, enjoy everyone:

50 Rite of Passage:  
This song comes about as close to radio friendly as DT ever gets, with a nice, if somewhat generic main riff.  But what puts this song on the list when others have not made it is the insane instrumental breakdown after the second verse, kicked off by Petrucci's riffing and soloing, but is really highlighted by Jordan's keyboard work (which incidentally was killer to see live).  

49 Only a Matter of Time:  
From the majestic opening, you can tell this is one of the truly special songs on WDADU.  This has such a great prog rock sound, and is occasionally reminiscent of Styx in their heyday.  

48 Lie:
It's essentially a flip of a coin between this one and Mirror, but I went ahead and included this because it's solid throughout, whereas Mirror has a great beginning and a great closing, but the middle is a bit flat.  However, Lie is pretty consistent, with some great riff shifts.  But what makes the song especially powerful is the closing solo from JP.  

47 These Walls:
Although DT is known for its epics and intricate songs, it can also do some pretty straightforward songs as well, with this being one of the better efforts.  What puts this songs on the list is the strong lyrics.  

46 Wait for Sleep:
Pretty much an introduction to Learning to Live, this ranks among DT's most poetic pieces on its own.  

[orcus116]

I agree on the "Lie" solo and the song in general. It's odd how that and "The Mirror" are so different yet almost feel like they're cut from the same cloth.

Glad you guys enjoyed my list! Hope there weren't too many glaring omissions.

[j]

Some good picks already, CrimsonE.  I never thought A Rite of Passage was nearly as bad as everyone made it out to be when it was first released.  Not an excellent song, but I like the chorus and a good chunk of the solo section.  And the lyrics aren't of the "punch you in the mouth with their badness" quality, like some others on the album.

-J

[Riceball]

I'll throw my name on the list; should give me enough time to come up with a list I think. I've never objectively ranked DT songs before, so should be good fun. Hopefully I've built up enough "forum capital" to get a run

[The King in Crimson]

Awesome list Orcus. 

I don't agree with everything, but reading your list has made me want to listen to some DT (which I haven't done in months). Kudos!

[Ħ]

Only a Matter of Time is a song I would love to see live.

[Mladen]

Only a Matter of Time is a song I would love to see live.

Me too. 

[CrimsonE]

45 Wither:
Another truly beautiful piece, and one of the few where James comes across as truly emotional.  If this song has any faults, it in the production, where the amazing guitar solo is buried in the mix (and is all too brief).  If this were released in the late 80's, this might have been the song that helped DT break into the mainstream, but perhaps it's a bit too gentle to be the type of ballad that would have gotten major airplay in the hair metal era. 

44 Ministry of Lost Souls:
This is an interesting song that builds up very nicely.  However, where this song really excels is when it kicks into the uptempo mode at the 7:20 mark.  I love the driving riff in the center.  Unfortunately, this is a song that could have had a few minutes shaved off, perhaps not returning to the slower stomping groove. 

43 New Millennium:
Featuring some nifty JM basswork, this is a nice straightforward song from the band with a minimal amount of shifts in tone.  I love the way the main bass riff glides throughout most of the song. 


42 Honor Thy Father: 
When you hear the staccato riffs open up the song, you know you're in for something truly quirky.  You also get to hear James' singing approach rap at times, but with a very bitter tinge that matches the tone of the song.  I really get shivers when James spits out "Don't cross the crooked step," which shifts the song into an interesting off-tempo instrumental highlighted by spoken word bits that summarize the stress that families face before shifting into a more traditional instrumental, transitioning into the closing of the song. 

41 Status Seeker:
A very cool tune from the WDADU era, featuring Charlie's best vocal performance.  I love the mid-tempo aggression here. 

[Mladen]

The Ministry of lost souls just plain rules.

[Jirpo]

I still remember the day the song clicked with me, the last minutes of the outro hit me with a "holy shit".

This!

[bloop]

Nice choices CrimsonE.  

Except for maybe Status Seeker.

[orcus116]

Don't usually see much "Status Seeker" love. I'm not too crazy about it but it's interesting to see so high.

[hefdaddy42]

Don't usually see much "Status Seeker" love. I'm not too crazy about it but it's interesting to see so high.

No kidding.

[jsem]

It's not a bad song. Just happens to be the worst WDADU song.

[Ħ]

It's not a bad song. Just happens to be the worst Dream Theater song.

FTFY

[BanksD]

It's not a bad song. Just happens to be the worst WDADU song.

It's actually one of the only WDADU songs I like, and of the few I like it's my favorite.

[CrimsonE]

40 6 AM:
From the outset, you can tell that this song is owned by MP's off-beat drumming.  Plus, the keys are awesome from the beginning to the end.  I'd have to say this is one of DT's quirkiest tunes, as it's neither prog, nor metal, but it certainly isn't a straightforward song either. 

39 In the Presence of Enemies:  Part 1 alone probably would have been higher, as it has a pretty cool instrumental introduction and a fun driving riff for the vocals.  However, the entire song combined doesn't really work, as Part 2 is a bit ridiculous in spots ("Dark master").

38 Scarred:
Opening with some nifty bass and guitar work, this proves to be one of DT's underrated epics.  But the song really kicks in at 2:10 with the heavy riff, and James' aggressive singing.  In fact, this song features some of James' most angry vocals, but it also features some of his delicate vocals, particularly in the bridge to the instrumental section. 

37 Overture 1928: 
A fun instrumental introduction to SFAM, I love how it builds at the beginning with the galloping riffs before kicking into the one of the main riffs. This is an exciting song that never lets you get comfortable, and yet it all fits into a unified whole that gives you a hint of the awesomeness that is the SFAM album.   

36 To Live Forever:
A truly fun song to listen to, this glides quite nicely, and I always thought it was a shame that it was never released on any of their albums, and was only a B-side until their GH album. 

[inoku]

Scarred that low?
WAT?

[Ħ]

Because the second half is terrible.

Nice to see some love for 3am PST!

[RG93]

CrimsonE up already? Looks like I'll have to rush my list. So far only top 10 done

[toro]

40 6 AM:
From the outset, you can tell that this song is owned by MP's off-beat drumming.  Plus, the keys are awesome from the beginning to the end.  I'd have to say this is one of DT's quirkiest tunes, as it's neither prog, nor metal, but it certainly isn't a straightforward song either. 

39 In the Presence of Enemies:  Part 1 alone probably would have been higher, as it has a pretty cool instrumental introduction and a fun driving riff for the vocals.  However, the entire song combined doesn't really work, as Part 2 is a bit ridiculous in spots ("Dark master").

38 Scarred:
Opening with some nifty bass and guitar work, this proves to be one of DT's underrated epics.  But the song really kicks in at 2:10 with the heavy riff, and James' aggressive singing.  In fact, this song features some of James' most angry vocals, but it also features some of his delicate vocals, particularly in the bridge to the instrumental section. 

37 Overture 1928: 
A fun instrumental introduction to SFAM, I love how it builds at the beginning with the galloping riffs before kicking into the one of the main riffs. This is an exciting song that never lets you get comfortable, and yet it all fits into a unified whole that gives you a hint of the awesomeness that is the SFAM album.   

36 To Live Forever:
A truly fun song to listen to, this glides quite nicely, and I always thought it was a shame that it was never released on any of their albums, and was only a B-side until their GH album. 

Scarred, O1928 and TLF are too low.

[CrimsonE]

Sorry I didn't post earlier, but the cable & internet went out at my place this morning, and this is the first opportunity I've had since to post.  So here is 35-31, and I'm guessing that more than one entry here will be controversial. 

35 Stream of Consciousness: 
Opening with a gentle riff, this song is truly owned by Jordan and is among the best DT instrumentals.  The only quibble I have is that the song could have been shaved by a few minutes, as it does get quite repetitive in spots. 

34 Afterlife: 
People slag WDADU because it's not JL on the mic, but there were some truly fine moments on this album, and moments that not even James could replicate, and this is one of them.  This is a fun, aggressive song that could have benefited from better production. 

33 Through Her Eyes:
  I'm surprised this song doesn't get more love, as it is one of the more beautiful pieces that DT has done to date.  Opening with a smooth female vocal over a layered keyboard and quiet guitar, this shifts nicely into a gentle piece that features some of James' most emotional singing to date. 

32 Prophets of War:
Another song that is undeservedly underrated, this has a fun dance feeling, and I love the chorus.  Yes, this is clearly influenced by Muse, but here the song works. 

31 Lines in the Sand: 
From the haunting introductory keyboard solo to the driving main riff, this song has a killer groove.  And then it shifts into a quiet mood piece featuring some of JP's smoothest soloing before shifting back into the heavy groove.  In fact, the only place this song falls short is in the backup vocals from Doug Pinick (Kings X) which sound out of place. 

[j]

More good picks.  Except PoW, of course.

And I'd have Scarred higher, but given that people tend to either worship the song or loathe it, it's interesting to see somebody give it a more moderate ranking.

-J

[jsem]

POW is the worst DT song.

[orcus116]

"Lines In The Sand" is a bit low and I noticed you mentioned the backing vocals like a lot of people. I don't seem to mind them at all, really.

[inoku]

"Lines In The Sand" is a bit low and I noticed you mentioned the backing vocals like a lot of people. I don't seem to mind them at all, really.

this.
i'm really surprised that you ranked LITS very low.
Doug Pinnick's vocal really doesn't bother me

[Birch Boy]

I really enjoy the backing vocals. In fact I like "Lines In The Sand" more than "Trial Of Tears".