ADTOE is the best album since...

[BlobVanDam]

It's pretty funny that BC&SL is on the list considering there's no albums between it and ADTOE

It would just mean that you prefer BCASL to ADTOE. It does look weird seeing it presented like that, but it logically makes sense.

[Tis BOOLsheet]

New album is not better than BC&SL.

needless to say you are entitled to your own opinion. i just think its absolutely insane and absurd and could write 5 pages on why i disagree.

While I don't agree with him, I don't think it's at all insane or absurd. I'm not sure that any song on ADTOE is ranked higher than TCOT or ANTR for me.

count has a few great moments no doubt, but is ultimately marred by horrendous lyrics, bad background singing, and that black hole 10-11 min in. its also not petrucci's best riff work (not to say its not good); mediocre chorus too. i think every song on the new record is better than count minus tracks 2 and 4. obviously beneath the surface is not comparable given the type of song.

[Progmetty]

I still love TCOT lyrics.

[Tis BOOLsheet]

I still love TCOT lyrics.

to each his own. i think theyre DT's worst lyrics ever and im not exaggerating

[BlobVanDam]

New album is not better than BC&SL.

needless to say you are entitled to your own opinion. i just think its absolutely insane and absurd and could write 5 pages on why i disagree.

While I don't agree with him, I don't think it's at all insane or absurd. I'm not sure that any song on ADTOE is ranked higher than TCOT or ANTR for me.

count has a few great moments no doubt, but is ultimately marred by horrendous lyrics, bad background singing, and that black hole 10-11 min in. its also not petrucci's best riff work (not to say its not good); mediocre chorus too. i think every song on the new record is better than count minus tracks 2 and 4. obviously beneath the surface is not comparable given the type of song.

I like the lyrics. They're something different. I have no problem with the background singing (not everyone automatically hates vocals just because they're MP). And I love the atmospheric section in the middle. And I don't think any section on ADTOE is as good as the instrumental intro, or the amazing outro. I agree that the vocal sections of the first half are definitely the weaker parts, but to me the rest still makes up for it.
There are maybe a couple of songs from ADTOE I prefer overall, but none that can match the magic that I feel from many sections of TCOT.

[Progmetty]

I still love TCOT lyrics.

to each his own. i think theyre DT's worst lyrics ever and im not exaggerating

Now wait a minute man!

[InertSolo]

count has a few great moments no doubt, but is ultimately marred by horrendous lyrics, bad background singing, and that black hole 10-11 min in. its also not petrucci's best riff work (not to say its not good); mediocre chorus too. i think every song on the new record is better than count minus tracks 2 and 4. obviously beneath the surface is not comparable given the type of song.

Out of all the eye-rolling lyrical moments on pretty much every DT album ever you now choose to use it to hold it against TCOT?  The delivery might not have been the best but it was coherent for what it was.

Also, with the foundation JP laid with metal-riffing in ToT, he had a strong enough foundation to lay down some really consistent riffs in the entire album. And while there's always periods of instrumental outbreak, BC&SL saw them expanding their metal influences/territory into something that turned out really good. But with ADTOE we get a safe album of material that's pretty decent (with the kick ass BAI) but all it makes me want to do is listen to stuff like ACOS, I&W, and Awake.

[Tis BOOLsheet]

count has a few great moments no doubt, but is ultimately marred by horrendous lyrics, bad background singing, and that black hole 10-11 min in. its also not petrucci's best riff work (not to say its not good); mediocre chorus too. i think every song on the new record is better than count minus tracks 2 and 4. obviously beneath the surface is not comparable given the type of song.

Out of all the eye-rolling lyrical moments on pretty much every DT album ever you now choose to use it to hold it against TCOT?  The delivery might not have been the best but it was coherent for what it was.

Also, with the foundation JP laid with metal-riffing in ToT, he had a strong enough foundation to lay down some really consistent riffs in the entire album. And while there's always periods of instrumental outbreak, BC&SL saw them expanding their metal influences/territory into something that turned out really good. But with ADTOE we get a safe album of material that's pretty decent (with the kick ass BAI) but all it makes me want to do is listen to stuff like ACOS, I&W, and Awake.

im not saying there arent a lot of other eye rolling lyrical moments on pretty much every DT album. im simply saying count is the worst by far. im sorry but "distinguished gentleman...sucking on his pipe...all the finest wine" just to name a few in no particular order, do not belong ANYWHERE on a metal tune, a prog tune, or a prog metal tune. i dont think they expanded anything on black clouds. i think they contracted. nightmare is an extremely strong track, so maybe with respect to at that ONE song you have a point. the only other very strong moment is the best of times solo (the track as a whole is weak).

[SnakeEyes]

I think Count of Tuscany might have DT's worst lyrics ever.  In fact, I think those are some of the worst lyrics I've ever heard.  I mean, in any song.

[Progmetty]

I think Count of Tuscany might have DT's worst lyrics ever.  In fact, I think those are some of the worst lyrics I've ever heard.  I mean, in any song.

That's not how it is!

[ResultsMayVary]

Best album since Six Degrees.

[Phantasmatron]

Best since Octavarium.

Although considering I've only had the album like a week and a half, it may still be too early.  But so far, it blows Systematic Chaos out of the water, beats out Black Clouds by a decent margin, but fails to best Octavarium's deliciousness.

[Tis BOOLsheet]

Best since Octavarium.

Although considering I've only had the album like a week and a half, it may still be too early.  But so far, it blows Systematic Chaos out of the water, beats out Black Clouds by a decent margin, but fails to best Octavarium's deliciousness.

prog metal < standard metal and rock songs, therefore dramatic turn of events > octavarium

[Phantasmatron]

Best since Octavarium.

Although considering I've only had the album like a week and a half, it may still be too early.  But so far, it blows Systematic Chaos out of the water, beats out Black Clouds by a decent margin, but fails to best Octavarium's deliciousness.

prog metal < standard metal and rock songs, therefore dramatic turn of events > octavarium

Hmm, you're right.  Root of All Evil, Panic Attack, Sacrificed Sons and Octavarium are all pretty standard rock songs.

[Tis BOOLsheet]

Best since Octavarium.

Although considering I've only had the album like a week and a half, it may still be too early.  But so far, it blows Systematic Chaos out of the water, beats out Black Clouds by a decent margin, but fails to best Octavarium's deliciousness.

prog metal < standard metal and rock songs, therefore dramatic turn of events > octavarium

Hmm, you're right.  Root of All Evil, Panic Attack, Sacrificed Sons and Octavarium are all pretty standard rock songs.

uh...root of all evil IS pretty much a standard metal song (not saying its not a good song). panic attack is by far the best song on the album. octavarium is decent. sac songs is poor. octavarium was one of DT's least prog albums. i walk beside you, the answer lies within were some of DTs worst moments. a dramatic turn of events is an amazing prog metal album minus like 1 song (build me up) and it marks a return to CONSISTENT quality song writing. octavarium has some great moments, as all DT albums do, but is inferior in practically every way to dramatic turn of events.

[Phantasmatron]

Okay then.

Anyway, I still think ADTOE is Dream Theater's best effort since 8VM.

[?]

It's pretty funny that BC&SL is on the list considering there's no albums between it and ADTOE

It would just mean that you prefer BCASL to ADTOE. It does look weird seeing it presented like that, but it logically makes sense.

Yeah, if someone prefers BC&SL, they'll vote for it. However, looks like most people agree that this is the best album they've done in quite some time. I can only guess what MP's reaction would be if he saw the results!

[Cranky]

For me, it's really hard to answer this...
Because, I really really love Black Clouds & Silver Linings, but I think that A Dramatic Turn of Events is far more superior than Systematic Chaos, Octavarium (Maybe except the title track) , Train of Thought, and Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence and Falling Into Infinity.

I chose Black Clouds & Silver Linings on the poll, because it seemed like it was the most logical choice, considering the fact that I loved that album, and A Dramatic Turn of Events was the album that follows it, chronologically.


But, say BC&SL was never written or recorded, then I would choose Scenes From A Memory, because, to me, SDOIT is their most over-rated album and one of my least favourites, in my opinion (in my opinion).

[Tis BOOLsheet]

For me, it's really hard to answer this...
Because, I really really love Black Clouds & Silver Linings, but I think that A Dramatic Turn of Events is far more superior than Systematic Chaos, Octavarium (Maybe except the title track) , Train of Thought, and Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence and Falling Into Infinity.

I chose Black Clouds & Silver Linings on the poll, because it seemed like it was the most logical choice, considering the fact that I loved that album, and A Dramatic Turn of Events was the album that follows it, chronologically.


But, say BC&SL was never written or recorded, then I would choose Scenes From A Memory, because, to me, SDOIT is their most over-rated album and one of my least favourites, in my opinion (in my opinion).

what exactly do you love about black clouds?

[BlobVanDam]

Mr BOOLsheet (I get it), you are perfectly entitled to your opinion, but for the past page you have basically been trolling anyone who does not agree with you, and actually prefers other modern DT albums to ADTOE. It's getting really annoying, and dragging the thread down. Now, I chose SDOIT, but if someone prefers BCASL to ADTOE, just deal with it instead of jumping all over them because you don't agree.

Sorry, but it had to be said.

[Tis BOOLsheet]

Mr BOOLsheet (I get it), you are perfectly entitled to your opinion, but for the past page you have basically been trolling anyone who does not agree with you, and actually prefers other modern DT albums to ADTOE. It's getting really annoying, and dragging the thread down. Now, I chose SDOIT, but if someone prefers BCASL to ADTOE, just deal with it instead of jumping all over them because you don't agree.

Sorry, but it had to be said.

im not trolling anyone. im expressing my opinion respectfully like everyone else here. if you dont like my opinion thats fine. you can tell me you dont like it although you should say why, or you can not respond to my posts or you can even block me. oh, and as for my last post about black clouds, there was no sarcasm in that. i was actually curious.

[Cranky]

For me, it's really hard to answer this...
Because, I really really love Black Clouds & Silver Linings, but I think that A Dramatic Turn of Events is far more superior than Systematic Chaos, Octavarium (Maybe except the title track) , Train of Thought, and Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence and Falling Into Infinity.

I chose Black Clouds & Silver Linings on the poll, because it seemed like it was the most logical choice, considering the fact that I loved that album, and A Dramatic Turn of Events was the album that follows it, chronologically.


But, say BC&SL was never written or recorded, then I would choose Scenes From A Memory, because, to me, SDOIT is their most over-rated album and one of my least favourites, in my opinion (in my opinion).

what exactly do you love about black clouds?

I am not quite sure, just the over all tone of the album is just really great, really solid for me.
With 6 great songs on the record, it doesn't really feel like it ever drags on or is too dense.
I do enjoy ADTOE a bit more than BC&SL, but it's just a tough decision..
But, with the newest record, which has 9 songs, it has more of a chance/ room to kind of drag on, and it does VERY rarely, for me, it's Outcry (The only song I am not too fond of) and some small sections, but the record does stay very fresh and breaths a lot.


But, I just say that it's the strongest album since BC&SL because, I really loved that album. But, they are both very much even for me in most aspects. I enjoy the heavier side they have been showing from these two albums, and I hope they can elaborate on it more.
If that album didn't exist though, it's the strongest album since SFAM.

[TioJorge]

Best since 6DOIT, which is my favourite.

[Jaffa]

I can only guess what MP's reaction would be if he saw the results!

He's one of the ten people who voted for BC&SL.

[vulcandj]

I'd have to say since SFAM. While SDOIT is great, it was the CD that started having songs that I would skip over. I really like the heaviness of ToT, but there is a skip-over song on that for me. On 8VM, I'm not a big fan of the ballads. And while I love the title track, I have to be in the right mood to listen to it. As for the SC and BCaSL, theres plenty on those that I skip over, although I think they both have great songs on them. As for the new one, I really haven't found what I refer to as a "snoozer" on it. And that's the way I see it......

[RedKlouD72]

This is VERY tough.   because I'm still wrestling with the question of "Do I like it more than Black Clouds?"

I regard Black Clouds pretty highly. I like it more than WDADU, FII, ToT, 8VM, and SC and maybe even, I think... yes... Awake as well.

I've listened to ADTOE 3 times now, some songs 4.  It is missing some of the power that The Shattered Fortress and The Count of Tuscany brought to the table.  TCOT is my favorite song. And it is hard for an album to stack up against the one with your favorite song on it.

But DT is so good at making awesome albums that I can say at least 3 of their albums are better than BC&SL (the one with my favorite song on it)

What ADTOE does have though is consistency...   oh maann.     decisions decisions.   I cannot vote yet.

[FlyingBIZKIT]

It's easily their best album since Six Degrees, for me.

[IronEarthTheater]

I'd have to say since SFAM. While SDOIT is great, it was the CD that started having songs that I would skip over. I really like the heaviness of ToT, but there is a skip-over song on that for me. On 8VM, I'm not a big fan of the ballads. And while I love the title track, I have to be in the right mood to listen to it. As for the SC and BCaSL, theres plenty on those that I skip over, although I think they both have great songs on them. As for the new one, I really haven't found what I refer to as a "snoozer" on it. And that's the way I see it......

This exactly nails it for me.  ADTOE doesn't quite have the highs of some of the other albums (TCOT, SDOIT), but it is just so darn consistent.  First album since SFAM that I listen to the whole way and enjoy EVERY single song.  And while there may not be a 10/10 song on there, there's about 4 9.5/10 songs.  Great album that flows really well.

[ddtonfire]

I voted Train of Thought, though ADTOE has potential to surpass it if it keeps growing on me. It's definitely behind SDOIT though and it will stay that way.

This.

And great idea for a thread, BTW!

[i am fabio]

My favorite has always been 6 Degrees...until this one. Trust me I didnt think it was possible. I love every one of their albums though.

[wolfking]

New album is not better than BC&SL.

I agree with this 100%.

[perfey]

Like the majority of people here, I voted for Six Degrees.

[champbassist]

Octavarium.

[Psy]

I think this album just about nudges SDoIT from my personal 3rd favourite to 4th place.

[JimmyJava]

It's definitely the best since Train of Thought which is one of my favorite DT albums. The non-stop "let's kick some ass" attitude truly works and Vacant is a nice pace of change. The 3 albums that followed have been very inconsistent with Octavarium being the stinker. SL and BCSL were both good but seemed to lack some direction which is where ADTOE succeeds.