Your opinion on Outcry

[Lucidity]

I used to love Outcry when ADTOE came out, but the more I listen to it (here comes the hate) the more I dislike it. Don't get me wrong, it's a good song overall, and I LOVE the intro. The John Williams-y feel to it and the epic chords and keyboard patches are fantastic. But from there it's downhill. The chorus is great, but the "the rebel in us all" part is pretty awful to me. I haven't listened to it in a while, but I think it's in 9/8, which feels very forced (and DT has done some great, natural 9/8 before). And don't get me started on the instrumental part...

It sounds very random. Playing fast doesn't mean playing well. Lots of random nonsense. I really hate it. I have to force myself to listen to it, although the part after the smooth jazz piano bass groove (which I do like) makes the rest of the song worth hearing. I think I'm probably the only one who feels this way, but please tell me there's someone out there who hates the middle section as much as I do.

I love DT, but the strong intro and chorus cannot make up for the showing off. We know you can play, DT. Play well ;.; This song had so much potential... Luckily, Breaking All Illusions is very straightforward and has none of the wankery that Outcry does. It does right everything Outcry did wrong. Anyone agree? (or can convince me otherwise?)

[bosk1]

Nope.  Disagree.  I love it.  It was my favorite, but BITS has probably taken the #1 spot now.  But it's close--probably just depends on what kind of mood you catch me in.  But in any case, great song.  I've been a fan since '92, so it's hard to beat the "classics" as far as I'm concerned, but this song is one of a handful that are in or close to top 10 all time.

[LCArenas]

I used to love Outcry when ADTOE came out, but the more I listen to it (here comes the hate) the more I dislike it. Don't get me wrong, it's a good song overall, and I LOVE the intro. The John Williams-y feel to it and the epic chords and keyboard patches are fantastic. But from there it's downhill. The chorus is great, but the "the rebel in us all" part is pretty awful to me.

You just summed up my exact opinion. The intro and the initial riff are mindblowing but then I kinda lost the interest in it as the song went by. And then the lyrics: "Oh look it's Prophets of War II". There are some good parts in the instrumental section and I kinda see the point in it since they wanted to do some DT-you-so-crazy stuff in the song a la TDoE, so... It's bearable if not actually enjoyable.

The ending part, however, is what brings the song to the meh tier. I don't like it at all. It just seems like trying to end the song in a coherent way but it just... Doesn't. It seems forced and the vocals don't really fit with the song and the melody. It sounds like they're attempting to end with an epic conclusion, but... It comes down to nothing memorable. Not even the gong surprised me: "BY THE WAY LOOK THE GONG IS BACK GUYS!". This song was the one that got me less excited in the concert. As with the first time I heard it the public and myself went crazy when it started, but then... Nothing.

[Adami]

Pretty cool song. I don't remember much about it sadly, even though I've listened to it a ton. But when I listen to it I really enjoy it.

[54_diplomats]

Yeah I'm pretty much like you TC. I loved it at first, but as I kept listening to it I didn't find it as good as I thought it was. I still like it though, pretty good song.

[Pols Voice]

It's really good. The all-out nutzo instrumental section really hits the spot. I find it well composed and interesting. Playing fast does not always automatically equal "wankery" (I hate that word). When musicians push themselves to their technical limits, it's wanking, but when Olympic athletes push themselves to their limits, they're some kind of hero to be admired by all. 'Splain that, Lucy.

[VioletS16]

It's a  song--as most DT songs are! The instrumental bit I find rather tedious, but it has a catchy chorus and James sounds lovely 
LNF is STILL the best of the album IMO. I used to like BITS a lot less but now I love it (besides the intro, which I *still* skip) and, on the opposite side of the spectrum, I don't like BAI as much anymore  Not that I don't enjoy it  

[KevShmev]

I think it is pretty great.  I think a stronger ending could have made it the best song on ADTOE and potentially a top 20 DT tune, but as is, it is still a solid ending; it is just a bit plodding compared to the rest of the song (although I get why they ended it that way). 

[Implode]

I really like it. It's either my 3rd or 4th favorite after BTS, BAI, and maybe OTBOA.

[Lucidity]

It's really good. The all-out nutzo instrumental section really hits the spot. I find it well composed and interesting. Playing fast does not always automatically equal "wankery" (I hate that word). When musicians push themselves to their technical limits, it's wanking, but when Olympic athletes push themselves to their limits, they're some kind of hero to be admired by all. 'Splain that, Lucy.

I have to compliment you on that comparison; I hadn't thought of it that way. I don't mind when they push their limits in terms of speed and technicality (for instance, the craziness in In the Name of God, which I love, or the entire Dance of Eternity). On many occasions, it's a real treat, and I love to hear how far they can push their boundaries.

However, I feel very different about the crazy instrumental in Outcry. It doesn't flow with the rest of the piece and feels very disjointed and jarring in and of itself. I can appreciate their sheer talent, but the section doesn't seek very *musical* to me. Although the main reason I don't like it is that it doesn't fit in withe song and seems very thrown together. Without that section, Outcry would've been very strong, maybe with a soulful solo in its place. I think the bits of it that *are* brilliant are smothered by the bits that aren't.

[theseoafs]

Great song, but ADTOE is such a strong album that it falls somewhere in the middle for me.

Yeah, the instrumental section is outrageous, but that doesn't necessarily make it bad.  It's a blast to listen to precisely because it's so over-the-top. 

[BlobVanDam]

I voted worst song on the album. It's the only song on the album I dislike. Nothing about it stands out for me, and it has no personality. And I think the instrumental section is just as overly long and unnecessary (actually I'd say more so) as any other recent instrumental section they've done.

[DebraKadabra]

Pretty great but not top tier.

[Lucidity]

I voted worst song on the album. It's the only song on the album I dislike. Nothing about it stands out for me, and it has no personality. And I think the instrumental section is just as overly long and unnecessary (actually I'd say more so) as any other recent instrumental section they've done.

Thank you! Very reassuring to see someone who feels similar to myself. Bridges, Breaking, This is the Life, and Lost Not Forgotten are infinitely better. I think This is the Life doesn't get nearly enough appreciation; for me it's third behind Breaking and Bridges. (No one seems to mind it, but I think Build Me Up Break Me Down is positively awful and one of DT's worst songs other than Constant Motion)

On a sidenote, I am a huge fan of yours and really respect you. Love your animations, and simply adore The Dark Nintendo Night :3

[Zydar]

It's somewhere in the middle for me (when I rank the ADTOE songs). It doesn't have anything that really stands out for me, but it's still a good tune.

[emblempride]

Instrumental section is my favorite part of the whole album, but overall, it's ADTOE's no. 3. Which is damn good last I checked. I like it more than half of SC and every song but 1 on 8VM and BC&SL respectively, for a point of reference. Probably my favorite Jordan song too, he shines.

[YtseCullen]

This is one song I can always go back to and it gives me goosebumps. From the moment I heard it I loved it, and when I took a few months off from Dream Theater to listen to other bands, this was the song that dragged me back into this band. I'm happy it did. I've been missing this beautiful music 

[Sycsa]

Absolutely love the song(2nd fav behind Breaking All Illusions) and it's the instrumental section that makes it for me, especially the keyboard buildup-resolution at 6:26 and the drum+bass break. Reminds me of some of my favorite classic prog, though more technical.

[Sketchy]

It's pretty cool.

[Woodworker1]

I love the instrumental section in Outcry; instrumental sections like this one is why I listen to DT.

[SeRoX]

The best song on ADTOE.

[Onno]

For me, it's about the second worst song on the album, but I still like it. The problem I have with the song is the lyrics. I don't mind the chorus and the first few lines, but things like "Freedom has a price, the cost is buried in the ground" and "You'll never rule me now, though you may stand upon my grave" are not my favourite lyrics. True, I like the meaning behind those lyrics, but I think the lyrics itself are too cheesy. That's about the only thing I don't like about this song, but it's enough to make it the second worst song on the album for me.

[Syzzle]

Best song on the album by far.

[wolfking]

One of the best on the album.

[?]

Great song like pretty much every ADTOE song but not in my top 3 on the album (BAI, BITS, BTS). The instrumental section feels carefully structured despite being so complex.

[krands85]

Awesome song, but not even in the top 3 on the album for me because of how strong ADTOE is.

Certainly took me a while longer to 'get' than other songs because of how crazy the instrumental section is. But since I got used to it, I love it.

[Nekov]

I'm not a fan of the instrumental section. The rest of the song is neat

[Jaq]

Great song, number 3 on ADTOE behind Breaking All Illusions and Bridges in the Sky. I remember hearing it the first time and thinking "man, they'd have to be NUTS to play this live" and then when I saw them they nailed it perfectly. 

[YtseJamittaja]

I voted worst song on the album. It's the only song on the album I dislike. Nothing about it stands out for me, and it has no personality. And I think the instrumental section is just as overly long and unnecessary (actually I'd say more so) as any other recent instrumental section they've done.

And again, I have to agree with Blob and the OP.

The intro is good (before the band enters) but I have disliked this song since the first time I heard it. The insrumental section is too meaninless and the other parts are too lazy.

[Ħ]

It's cool. Nothing compared to pre-TOT material (including TOT) but a very nice song.

[Jaffa]

One of those songs that I thoroughly enjoy whenever I listen to it but which I don't often really feel the need to go out of my way to listen to. 

I voted pretty great. 

[TJPNET]

The intro is awesome, but as soon as that's over, all I can think of is how terrible the lyrics are and that the verses seem to go forever. The instrumental is incredibly well-crafted, although it doesn't fit the song too well.

[nikatapi]

I love this song, its so good. Probably Mangini's best track along with LNF, the instrumental section is crazy and the calm section after the madness is great.

[tedy]

Great song!!!
Especially when you hear it LIVE!

[Lolzeez]

Best song on the album.