Official DT Top 50 Thread Mark II (bss4life15 up now - starting page 79)

[MTZ183]

These Walls? It has strings. Or maybe I Walk Beside You.

[alirocker08]

Well, I am proud to say that a fair few of you were right about my number three, presenting...

3: Hollow Years
   Now, side note, these final three I wrote before the others. As in, months before, so they have a very different style. So, you get two different styles of write ups now! One pre exam season, one mid exam season, see if you can guess which is which!

   First- One of DT's most underrated songs from a frequently overlooked album, Hollow Years deserves more than a bit of love. Many have said that it's a very 'radio friendly' song, and I have to admit that it is, but that shouldn't take away from it's beauty. Many of the finest things in life are simple, and this song is one of them. There aren't a million notes per second, but there's a gorgeous, almost Spanish sounding guitar, the drums are simple and gentle, lower in the mix than usual and add a nice rhythm to the song, not overpowering the guitars and vocals at all. On the subject of vocals, I personally think that James sounds gorgeous, and those lyrics are incredibly beautiful, deep and meaningful. The Live at Budokan version adds extra levels of depth to the song, with one of DT's most memorable live guitar solos to date. Definitely one of my favourite songs of all time.

   Second- I'm going to get fucking crucified.

   Seriously, I'm packing my bags now, looking for a quick escape.

   Found one, peace out, less controversial option go go go...In tomorrow's episode of 'Alice tries to piss off the entire DTF so that she can get chased out and revise!'

[BlobVanDam]

Absolutely perfect write-up for the song.

While I wouldn't rank it 3rd, I do consider it a high caliber DT song that deserves the love. Simplicity is very underrated!

[Elite]

It's ridiculously high in my own top 50 too, so I don't really mind seeing it here.

[theseoafs]

Absolutely perfect write-up for the song.

While I wouldn't rank it 3rd, I do consider it a high caliber DT song that deserves the love. Simplicity is very underrated!

[Nekov]

It's a lovely song but I agree with Elite that it is way too high in the ranking. I'm guessing the first one is mid exam season but not sure...

[BlobVanDam]

It's a lovely song but I agree with Elite that it is way too high in the ranking. I'm guessing the first one is mid exam season but not sure...

I think you misread Elite's post (ps. so did I...)

[Mladen]

Yay, another ballad, why am I not surprised?   

[Ben_Jamin]

Nice, If it still had the extended pre-chorus with the extended solo, it's be top notch.

[Elite]

It's a lovely song but I agree with Elite that it is way too high in the ranking. I'm guessing the first one is mid exam season but not sure...

I think you misread Elite's post (ps. so did I...)

Well, the 'ridiculous' in my post was kind of an overstatement. While I really think it is a great song and I can understand why one would really love it, I wouldn't put this in my top 10 Dream Theater songs. (It's pretty far up though). Nevertheless, I don't mind seeing it here.

[Nekov]

It's a lovely song but I agree with Elite that it is way too high in the ranking. I'm guessing the first one is mid exam season but not sure...

I think you misread Elite's post (ps. so did I...)

yes, yes I did. I'm misreading a lot lately 

[Jaffa]

I've never been a huge fan of Hollow Years myself, but I can understand the appeal, and it's cool to see it ranked so high. 

[lyfeternl]

I've always loved Live at Budokan's version of Hollow Years. Every time I hear the album version, I get a little sad...

Otherwise, great song. I'd probably mark this song up high just simply due to the awesome live version available.

[BlackInk]

Hollow Years doesn't even make my rankings. I mean I actually don't even rank it because I don't like it at all.

[lumpy33]

i can't say that i don't like it, but if hollow years was a typical dt tune, there'd be no forum, cause they never would've gotten off the ground.  i didn't know it was possible for dt fans to like the band for their - gasp - non-progginess.  (pardon me as i make up words...)

[theseoafs]

Are you suggesting that prog-lovers are close-minded on, of all places, a prog forum?

[alirocker08]

i can't say that i don't like it, but if hollow years was a typical dt tune, there'd be no forum, cause they never would've gotten off the ground.  i didn't know it was possible for dt fans to like the band for their - gasp - non-progginess.  (pardon me as i make up words...)

I enjoy how diverse Dream Theater can be...All you'll need to do is look at my top 5 when I post it all, there is a fair bit of contrast between my number 5 and number 1

[senecadawg2]

Hollow Years L@B was the first DT song I ever heard, so it certainly holds a special place in my heart. I will always cherish it, but upon further self-examination it probably wouldn't be top 10 for me. Still an awesome song though.

[Elite]

I enjoy how diverse Dream Theater can be...All you'll need to do is look at my top 5 when I post it all, there is a fair bit of contrast between my number 5 and number 1

Number 1 is Through My Words, I'm calling it.
I mean, what more contrast can there be with Six Degrees?

[Pols Voice]

I'm guessing I Walk Beside You is number 1.

[Elite]

Yeah, well. That does seem more plausible.
In any way it won't be a song deserving of the #1 spot   

[Nekov]

I'm guessing I Walk Beside You is number 1.

That song is very overrated.

[senecadawg2]

Overrated? Yes, absolutely.

Number one? Not in my opinion, and it's not even close.

[BlobVanDam]

I'm guessing I Walk Beside You is number 1.

That song is very overrated.

What? I think a song has to be rated at all before it can be overrated!

[BlackInk]

I've always liked I Walk Beside You, I too think It'll be 1 or 2..

I'm trying to come up with one with alot of strings in it to guess too..

[Zydar]

I think she'll throw a curve ball with Constant Motion.

FOCUS HERE FOCUS THERE

[Ruba]

The top will be two of these four: Lines in the Sand, Pull Me Under, Another Day, Surrounded.

[Silver Tears]

Ah I love Hollow Years 

[Ruba]

Me too, though not that much.

[Silver Tears]

Oh yeah it goes without saying that things are far too high up in this list 

[alirocker08]

2: Finally Free
   So, whilst you guys were all busy predicting what I would choose for my top 3 using the basis of ballads and strings...You all forgot that I mentioned throughout the list (I think) that Scenes From a Memory is my favourite Dream Theater album

   Oh, and what's that? Oh yeah, strings, you guys overlooked this one, I'm absolutely astounded. So, what isn't there to like about this song? Well, it is the amazing conclusion to an incredible album, I don't think they could do another song like this. It reminds me a little bit of a combination between In The Presence of Enemies Part 2, and The Ministry of Lost Souls, almost as though the two had a secret love affair (before they became famous) and gave birth to this bastard child which turned out to be more successful and more incredible than the two of them put together. Kind of like William the Conqueror, who, you know, took over England in 1066.

   You know what his name was before he became King of England? William the Bastard. Yup.

   Anyway, during my incessant ramblings, guess what came on...Samples. Now, not necessarily the well picked samples chosen from popular culture that a lot of my favourite sample songs use...But specially made samples.

   One Last Time Reprise. It's bloody amazing.

   Now, if you'll excuse me...

   'AS THEIR BODIES LIE STILL. AND THE ENDING DRAWS NEEEEAR!'

   That's obviously me singing along. Oh god acoustic acoustic acoustic. I'm resisting the urge to sing along again. Oh it's wonderful. I'm hushing.

   Oh, and by the way, here's the first write up for you, enjoy me trying to be intelligent
-----------------------------------

   An epic conclusion to my favourite (and first) Dream Theater album. It's the final scene and does exactly what the final scene of any story should do, it ties up many of the loose ends, whilst leaving a cliff hanger, so that the listener has something to dwell on and take away from it. The song starts with a calming acoustic somewhat reminiscent of Regression, before the song slowly twists in mood into something darker as it progresses. James demonstrates perfectly how he can be both passionate and calm in the same song, Jordan's keyboards have the right level of intricacy to entertain whilst leaving the listener in awe of his skill. The guitars kick in, replacing the softer keyboards as the main carrier of the tune, the song takes a turn for the optimistic...until the mood twists again, the heavy chords come in, and the samples tell the rest of the gruesome story. Who can forget 'Open your Eyes Victoria'? One Last Time is reprised and fits perfectly with the rest of the song. The song sounds more uplifting again, and the guitars turn more acoustic and raw for the chorus, and then the whole band crashes in again with surprising elegance. That last note that James hits is intense as any...And then we cut to the night. Trumpets sound triumphantly, bringing the album to what we think is it's conclusion. Then comes one line, one line we can almost remember from earlier on, one line that concludes the album and reveals all.

"Open your eyes Nicholas"

[lyfeternl]

Great song and great write-up....even though you take the time (nuggetz) to down ole' William the Conqueror (my family lineage can be traced back to him).

[Elite]

Yeah, that's one of the best DT songs right there. And often overlooked indeed.

[BlobVanDam]

Great song, and a great way to end one of DT's very best albums. However, nothing on SFAM individually makes my top 20, except maybe TSCO. But a nice choice anyway.

[lyfeternl]

Great song, and a great way to end one of DT's very best albums. However, nothing on SFAM individually makes my top 20, except maybe TSCO. But a nice choice anyway.

FF > TSCO