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

[SomeoneLikeHim]

Can you sign me up for this?

[Lolzeez]

no updates...

[Ben_Jamin]

I'll try and update, just came back from a trip.

[Ben_Jamin]

30. In The Name of God

  An outstanding song, and with how they wrote it in 2 weeks and stuff is amazing. Some amazing Bass work by JM, and nice piano by JR. What I really enjoy is the main riff. The arrangement is great with the rocking verses, and the epic chorus, into the instrumental break with JM doing a nice bass groove of the main riff. The music makes me feel the subject. Twisting Faith into violence. I really enjoy the harsh screams by JLB and the Battle Hymn at the end, the one part I wish they'd kept on Live at Budakon, if they did I couldn't hear it.

29. Metropolis pt. 1: The Miracle and The Sleeper

Yes, these 5 are the most controversial yet, especially this one. While I feel it is the essential DT song, its not my favorite. As with all of I&W, the triggered drums actually add to the overall feel of the songs. It begins with Sleigh Bells, and an awesome intro buildup..Again, showcasing some great JM work, and atmosphere from KM. The way it builds and builds into the instrumental is just great. I have yet to hear it live, although I did get the PMU/Metrop. medley on Gigantour, but I don't remember it as I wasn't into DT then. I thought it was instrumedley...haha. anyways, an epic song that put DT on the map in the prog world, more so than PMU...also, JM TAPPING SOLO!!!!!

28. A Change of Seasons

         I didn't back down and cheap out Blob, here is ACOS at 28.... As with all these they are all lovely so don't hate. Well, here is the one classic epic that has evolved quite well. From hearing the '93 version on the Ytsejam bootleg, then the studio the intro is one thing they vastly improved. DS's nice atmospheric intro, quite a song to make your recording debut with DT. As with everyone the best parts are Carpe Diem, and Another Won. One thing I wish they'd kept would be the way The Inevitable Summer started out. The epic ending always gets me because its one of the best ways to end one, uplifting the tale and telling the world, Seasons Change its not the end.

27. Bridges In The Sky

       I would have never guessed DT would write a song about a Shaman. When I first heard it, I knew it was going to kick ass live. and watching vids proved it. One of their finest concert intro songs thats not the first track on the album. A first since, FII. MM's drum work really complements the others. He blends in well, that I don't notice him at times, which might be why some think he's too low in the mix. As i've said before this is their heaviest song other than Raw Dog. The ending is a nice change, not an epic ending but a nice smooth hard end.

26. Surrounded

        The entire mood and atmosphere is just dreamy. I lay back with earphones put this song on, and I imagine a Repunzle-esque setting, told from the perspective of her and the prince. The patches KM used are perfect for this, as it just called for it, and why I despise the '07 version, it didn't need an extended wank section. Although JLB does a nice note for "but I will hold".

[Nekov]

5 fantastic songs right there. Great update!

[Pols Voice]

I like all of these. The placement of Metropolis and A Change of Seasons is questionable, but oh well.

[Lolzeez]

Great songs but ACOS would be 10 steps higher for me.

[TheGreatPretender]

Metropolis at 29? Wow. I'm either going to love your top 10, or I'm really going to hate it.

[Silver Tears]

Good batch 

[Lolzeez]

I hope Beyond This Life is very high.

[SomeoneLikeHim]

the best parts are Carpe Diem, and Another Won

lol

[BlobVanDam]

Great batch of songs, although I'd place several of them higher. But you knew this was a controversial batch for placement!

         I didn't back down and cheap out Blob, here is ACOS at 28....

You just made my day.

[Ben_Jamin]

25. Prophets of War

The most controversial of DT. Love JR's synths and JLB's calm vocals. The piano and the "wheewws" combining make a great sound atmosphere, a thing muse does. When the full band kicks in it gives the song a lot more energy. Sadly, it was not presented well without MP doing the background vocals. The subject matter at hand is why I enjoy the song. It's like the precursor of Outcry. Love how it transitions into JLB's finest moments on SC. I do agree the rapping/spoken word was not needed, I instead block it out and just listen to the background music, it would've been best as instrumental, it would've been like These Walls. It amazes me that this song doesn't get more love, its one of their best simple songs alongside These Walls. "Time...For....Change"

24. Scene Six: Home

      What are those weird sounds in the beginning? a hypnotizing intro by JP, with JR adding the sitar added the cherry to the hindu Ambiance, Karma Sutra. Nanny nanny nanny poo poo, I won't hear that the same ever since I watched the Live Scenes commentary. The first DT song I heard, besides Pull Me Under. The Metropolis reprises really make the song, to me it's the same idea as The Shattered Fortress, but they added instead of reconstructing. I also, like how it switches PoV's after each chorus. JM's bass tone is great in this song, has a nice grittiness to add to the dirty nature of the affair. The way they emphasize 'Home' shows what is the Home? comfort? The middle section doesn't bother me at all, because its showing while he's off gambling his love, she is losing her will and gives in to comfort, in which it builds and builds as Nicholas is led out of his session as he describes the scene.

23. The Best of Times

          This song really showcases some emotion. It begins with The clock ticking(representing his life ticking down in the hospital), and a sad piano intro, as you fly through pictures. Lovely acoustics by JP. Then it gets happy, as you enter and relive some of those precious moments. MP's dad liked Rush, I believe, so he showcased that with the "The Spirit of Radio" influence, while he remembers all the memories they shared together. The sad part hits when you read that he died during the recording of BC&SL, so when "But then came the call, our lives changed forevermore" you can feel that uneasiness in the music. The overuse of days bugs a bit, but the emotion is still there. As it seems these lyrics were put together fast, the end that is. Then it gets uplifting however sad it gets. One day this song will be played live.

22. Innocence Faded

          Adding to the bleak nature of Awake is this song. It's a weird song for me in I love it as is why it's in top 50, but then I don't feel for it. When I do feel it, it hits me good. The lyrics and the vibe the song gives reminds me of a female persona whose lost her innocence, a metaphor for how innocence has faded from humanity. JLB has amazing vocal work, along with the great tone of JP. This song really represents the time of innocenece for me, as it has that 90's feel to it. It helps that I grew up in the 90's.

21. Octavarium

             I don't want to write a big write up for this song as I know I would. Instead i'll summarize it into a great grand finale to a grand theme. This song is one big tribute song, laced with nuggety goodness. The long intro I enjoy, at times. Medicate is one of the beautiful things they've done, it has the same hospital vibe that ANTR has in the Beautiful Agony section. The next part is cool how MP fused the references together like he did. This part represents how musicians tend to always come back to their influences, conscious and subconsciously. Intervals is among the best thing I've seen a band do. Reveal the grand theme of each song, Trapped Inside This Octavarium. Razors edge, is a great way to end as it reprises the 8vm theme found in the lap steel intro.

[Scorpion]

These songs are all good (yes, even POW), but to place any of them above ACOS and Metropolis is just plain wrong.

[TheGreatPretender]

These songs are all good (yes, even POW), but to place any of them above ACOS and Metropolis is just plain wrong.

+1

[Ben_Jamin]

At least I didnt leave them off completely

[IdoSC]

Getting rid of Metropolis, ACOS and Octavarium before the top 20 is highly unusual. I'm very excited to see the rest of the songs

[SomeoneLikeHim]

Octavarium and Home are both top 10 songs, still good to see them. Especially Home.

[Pols Voice]

Innocence Faded is the best of that group.

[senecadawg2]

29-26 all deserve to be about 20 spots higher IMO.

[Nekov]

I don't like POW that much but the other 4 are really good. 8Vm could be higher in the list

[Zydar]

Great description of The Best Of Times, this hugely underappreciated song.

[Unlegit]

Nice list. I don't agree with the placement of Prophets of War, but I like the other songs. Top ten will certainly be interesting!

[BlobVanDam]

The only one I consider worth sticking higher is Octavarium.

[Scorpion]

Hello?

[Ben_Jamin]

Sorry again, been lazy this week contemplating things. I'll post the next batch in a bit.

[Ben_Jamin]

20. These Walls

     One of their simple songs, it has a cool intro with the pick scrapes, reminds me of the end of Misunderstood. It hits you in the face, like you've ran into a wall. The keyboards are nice and simple too, no overuse of notes. JLB's vocals are something different than what i've heard, might be because of the key. I love the whole section of "watch me, fading I'm losing" everything fits in this part and the way the instruments follow "all my instincts". The end is a nice ending as well.  I'd love to see this song live followed by Raw Dog as it would be a cool transition.

19. Speak to Me

     I enjoy the somber and calm atmosphere this song creates. With the subject matter, the music is great in showing that emptiness. I feel this is a true B-side song, it's really good, but I don't know where'd I'd place it on the cd. The simplicity of this song is what I really enjoy about this piece, it's a song to show the people that bash DT as wanky.

18. Take Away My Pain

     the original TBOT...jk....It is a nice song about JP's fathers death. I enjoy the imagery in the lyrics, using  different perspectives. The demo is where its at, and what I'm using to base my love for this. I have no idea why they let the producers touch this. The last verse that changed had more impact with the lyrics "and say goodbye to jesus, the world he left will never be the same" The inclusion of the trumpet is a nice nod to Another Day, being that is also about his father its a musical allusion.

17. Outcry

    The successor of Prophets of War. It's a real good song that drives to bring the message. Makes you want to fight for what you believe. I have noticed how its the same structure as Metropolits pt. 1, but its drawn out more. Good to see DT using I&W as a backplate to further improve their sound, better than using Muse...lol. This message speaks to me, because of the place and times we live in. The ending Heys are what make it cool, I can see people tearing shit up during this part.

16. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence

   This suite is great, it's got a classical orchestral arrangement, with the overture and the catchy 2nd part. Then it really gets going with WIMH and TTTSTA. Goodnight Kiss, like many of DT's soft songs, gets a lot more hate than it deserves. It's beautifully sad, then it has one of JP's finest guitar solo's reminiscent of David Gilmour in feel. Solitary Shell, is so bi-polar. Happy yet, sad story. Almost like the subject is still happy even though he can't express himself. The whole ending is great as well. Nothing more I can say about this song without turning it into a book.



the next batch will be the last of the 5 groups then i'll go 3-2-1.

[SomeoneLikeHim]

Only song to reach my top 50 is six degrees, and I place that one much higher.

[Scorpion]

Good stuff, but SDOIT is extremely overrated.

[FlyingBIZKIT]

Good stuff, but SDOIT is extremely underrated.

[iamtheeviltwin]

All good songs that I have in my top 50 as well. 

Take Away My Pain is one of the most emotional Dream Theater songs and it holds a special place in my heart after the deaths of several close friends in a short period of time.

[Ben_Jamin]

All good songs that I have in my top 50 as well. 

Take Away My Pain is one of the most emotional Dream Theater songs and it holds a special place in my heart after the deaths of several close friends in a short period of time.

That and many other reasons are why I chose the songs I chose for my top 50.

[SomeoneLikeHim]

Good stuff, but SDOIT is extremely underrated.

[BlobVanDam]

Good stuff, but SDOIT is extremely underrated.

Don't know how anyone could consider it overrated, given the number of times people only bother to rank "SDOIT disc 1" and exclude disc 2.

SDOIT and These Walls are both worthy top 20 songs. The rest rank among the very bottom for me. Don't like 'em at all.

[KevShmev]

Good stuff, but SDOIT is extremely overrated.

Agreed.  I like SDOIT a lot, especially as a suite, but as a single song, I wouldn't put it in their top 30.

And while I wouldn't put them that high, it is great to see some love for Speak to Me and Take Away My Pain.  And Outcry sounds like vintage DT, so what's not to like?  Not a fan of These Walls, but I like 4 of the last 5 a lot, so that ain't bad.