Images & Words (vs) Awake

[SnakeEyes]

Man, this is difficult, but I must give it to Awake, for a few reasons.  Firstly, the songwriting is stunning.  The lyrics, the atmosphere, the sonic aspects of the album.  It's briliant.  But, also because DT improved SO much between these two albums as far as songwriting is concerned that it's just.... like I said..... stunning. 

I like Images, but they went from writing [somewhat immature] fantasy lyrics about Remus and Romulus to songs like Voice and Innocence Faded.  That's HUGE. 

[reo73]

Awake by a slim margin.

[Mosh]

Awake. My first DT album. Love it!

[lithium112]

Man, I'm really surprised this poll is so close. For me I&W wins by a long shot. I've always found Images to be filled with considerably more interesting song-writing and more memorable melodies. Awake is a solid album, but none of the songs really stand out as masterpieces to me. I&W on the other hand has Metropolis, Learning to Live and Take the Time.

I appreciate and possibly agree with the opinion that Awake's songs form a more cohesive set than I&W, but the overall interest level in the songs for me is way lower.

[Heretic]

Definitely a close call. Both fantastic albums, both very atmospheric and powerful.

I'd probably go with I&W for Learning to Live and Surrounded, but it's a close one.

[toro]

Sorry I&W but I love Awake

[champbassist]

For me, the first 8 songs of Awake and I&W are absolutely equal but the last 3 songs on Awake pull it just ahead of I&W.

My average score for I&W: 8.3125. Awake: 8.409 (I actually calculated that )

[?]

Awake easily, despite I&W's greatness. Awake simply has better production, more mature songwriting, and top performances by each member.

[Zydar]

Definitely Images. It has always been my #1 DT album, and it's in my Top 10 of all time. Awake is a great one too, but not on the same level as Images IMHO.

[tri.ad]

Both albums are absolutely awesome, but Images And Words wins for me.

[Fran521]

IaW just has that magic touch to it, a brilliant mix of prog, metal, and heart.

This

[Tomislav95]

Both albums are absolutely awesome, but Awake wins for me.

Fix'd

[tedy]

For me, it is Images and Words,
one of the all time winners, a magical masterpiece 

[manticore999]

Definitely Images and Words.  Awake only had 2 songs on it I liked.

[CrimsonSunrise]

It's an extremely tough call....  I gave the nod to Awake just because it was my first   Marc... if ACOS was on I&W's...it would be a no brainer...

[Hal Incandenza]

Awake by a whisker.  There are times I'd reverse it, though.

[Kosmo]

Probably Awake.

[stryker]

i can't pick. they are two totally different albums, with totally different sounds. i love them both <3

This.  Nothing but lots of love for both of these albums!   

[vindrums]

I voted for I&W. I have been a fan since WDADU so I really can't explain how SHOCKED I was when I heard the production quality on I&W...then, that magical VOICE!!!!  I went from a casual fan of WDADU (someone gave me a copy on cassette because they knew I like Rush) to a HUGE fan.

Although I believe Awake is probably my favorite album now, I still feel that I have to vote for the album that had the greatest impact on me at the time.

[Dublagent66]

I voted I&W, but Awake is still awesome.  They are pretty close together in my top 5.

[Lowdz]

I&W
It blew me away totally. Awake left me disappointed initially but I've grown to love it. Some great songs but some not great too (CIAW,IF).

[MarkFitDT]

Images and Words every day of the week.


Pull Me Under - 9
Another Day - 8
Take the Time - 10
Surrounded - 10
Metropolis - 10
Under a Glass Moon - 9
Wait for Sleep - 10
Learning to Live - 10

Awake:
6:00 – 6
Caught in a Web – 6
Innocence Faded - 6
Erotomania - 8
Voices – 10
The Silent Man – 7
The Mirror - 9
Lie – 7
Lifting Shadows Off a Dream - 9.5
Scarred – 7
Space-Dye Vest  - 8.5

[King Postwhore]

Images is everything I love about DT.  Plain and simple.

[ZirconBlue]

Awake, but I&W is #2.

[Nefyn]

Awake. Ask me another day and it could be I&W though, they are both amazing albums.

[The Letter M]

Awake. Ask me another day and it could be I&W though, they are both amazing albums.

lolnuggetz



I just listened to Awake, actually, well, kind of - I was doing other things around the house, but the songs really do sound fresh to me after not having listened to DT in awhile. Now I'm listening to the NYC'93 show (again, I was last night), and I love this live bootleg album! It really shows how electric the IAW material came alive back then. I wish we had a decent Awake Tour bootleg show with "Scarred" on it.

-Marc.

[ariich]

I&W comfortably, although both are amazing.

[jsem]

EASILY Images and Words. Awake is one of my least favorite DT albums.

[ubit]

I&W by far.

Awake's popularity shocks me.  Outside of Voices and Space-Dye Vest, I don't listen to that album.

[Pols Voice]

Awake's their best album and I&W is their second best. Awake just has a great mood and all of the songs go together very well. The lyrics and production are very good, and James is at the top of his game.

[chrisbDTM]

love both. love awake a little more

[olliemedsy]

(well, PMU is less than amazing, but it sets the TOOONE)

ha, is that a reference to mike mangini on the spirit carries on doc?

[Pantherize]

Awake is not only my number 1 DT album but my favorite album of all time.     I&W is great but nowhere near the epic that is Awake.

[stryker]

I didn't really decide when I posted last time, but I ended up going with Awake.  On another day it might be I&W, but right now it's Awake!  I just fucking love it!  Oh and Scarred...that's all I have to say!

[Apricot]

Images and Words all the way.