Nekov's Top 50 Dream Theater songs - Top 10 is here

[?]

I'd say those are DT's two worst ballads right there.

[BlobVanDam]

You're gonna have to shake your fist more vigorously than that, Mr. Question Mark!

[wasteland]

I don't wanna be the party pooper, but I have no indication that the solo in BTS was ever played on an iPad. Whence the name, then?

[Nekov]

I don't wanna be the party pooper, but I have no indication that the solo in BTS was ever played on an iPad. Whence the name, then?

I'm pretty sure it was done with Morphwiz

[wasteland]

It doesn't sound like it at all to me. Maybe (and even then I'm not sure) it was performed with morphwiz, but through midi control of a remote synthetizer.

Still, if it was an iPad solo, why would he always play it on his Kronos on tour? It's not like he didn't have his iPad within hand's reach!

[Onno]

Great batch, love the 2 ballads and ITPOE is just epic!

[Prog Snob]

You're gonna have to shake your fist more vigorously than that, Mr. Question Mark!

I don't think they are fists.  Fists are usually connected to arms in some manner. 

[wasteland]

You're gonna have to shake your fist more vigorously than that, Mr. Question Mark!

I don't think they are fists.  Fists are usually connected to arms in some manner.

Did you ever play Rayman?

[GasparXR]

It doesn't sound like it at all to me. Maybe (and even then I'm not sure) it was performed with morphwiz, but through midi control of a remote synthetizer.

Still, if it was an iPad solo, why would he always play it on his Kronos on tour? It's not like he didn't have his iPad within hand's reach!

I'm fairly certain he either used his Kronos in studio or used an actual Moog synthesizer.

[Nekov]

38 - 6:00

Melody walks through the door and memory flies out the window - The drum intro sets the tone to what will come next, an amazing performance from MP backed up pretty well by the other guys. I find the break after the keyboard solo to be quite good as it gives you time to rest a little before coming back at you again. And speaking about that keyboard while not super flashy it fits the mood of the song like the ring in Frodo's finger.

37 - Lines in the Sand

Living comes much easier once we admit we're dying - There's so much to say about this song, it's a such a well constructed epic that goes through so many different parts very smoothly, has a chorus that is catchy, the musicianship from the guys is displayed but only in bits. JP's solo contains every aspect of his playing, whether it's going at full speed or being more mellow. And I especially love how before fully coming back into the song they just have some fun. I wish they did that a bit more

36 - Innocence Faded

Animation breathes a cloudless mind - Another song that I love because of it's contrasts. All throughout it has intensity and yet when the chorus comes it seems like all is happy and well. JP pulls some fun riffs and MP works the cymbals quite nicely. And the fact that JLB is so hard to understand and produced so many misheard lyrics just makes it even better

[BlobVanDam]

Nice picks.

[Scorpion]

6:00 and IF are two of the three Awake songs that I could just as well leave, but I still enjoy them when they come on. Lines in the Sand, on the other hand, is amazing throughout and far too low. I love how groovy and relaxed it is throughout, it's really one of a kind in DT's discography. Also, the solo may very well be my favourite Petrucci solo of all time.

[SomeoneLikeHim]

Love LITS and IF

[Lolzeez]

Love LITS and IF

This.

[Unlegit]

6:00 and Lines in the Sand are awesome.

[senecadawg2]

They're all great, but I'm surprised to see LitS so low.

[Nekov]

They're all great, but I'm surprised to see LitS so low.

There'll be more surprises along the line 

[wolfking]

38 - 6:00

Melody walks through the door and memory flies out the window - The drum intro sets the tone to what will come next, an amazing performance from MP backed up pretty well by the other guys. I find the break after the keyboard solo to be quite good as it gives you time to rest a little before coming back at you again. And speaking about that keyboard while not super flashy it fits the mood of the song like the ring in Frodo's finger.

37 - Lines in the Sand

Living comes much easier once we admit we're dying - There's so much to say about this song, it's a such a well constructed epic that goes through so many different parts very smoothly, has a chorus that is catchy, the musicianship from the guys is displayed but only in bits. JP's solo contains every aspect of his playing, whether it's going at full speed or being more mellow. And I especially love how before fully coming back into the song they just have some fun. I wish they did that a bit more

36 - Innocence Faded

Animation breathes a cloudless mind - Another song that I love because of it's contrasts. All throughout it has intensity and yet when the chorus comes it seems like all is happy and well. JP pulls some fun riffs and MP works the cymbals quite nicely. And the fact that JLB is so hard to understand and produced so many misheard lyrics just makes it even better

Fuck yeah.  This list is kicking all sorts of ass, nice selection.

[Nekov]

 

35 - Fatal Tragedy

Without faith, without hope there can be no piece of mind - This song is one of the cornerstones in SFAM as it sets up what will be the rest, here is where we get the first peek at the story of Victoria. On it's own it is just fantastic, starting with Jordan demonstrating his skills with normal piano and then of course the instrumental which is just top notch. The guys show their great skills and it seems like the song is always going somewhere and not just drifting into over playing.

34 - Trial of Tears

Welcome to the wasteland where you'll find ashes nothing but ashes - The melodies are what make this song so amazing to begin with but I must say that MP and JMX do a hell of a job providing the foundations for that to work. And then there's the instrumental section which is one of the best demonstrations of how to do great prog without being uber technical

33 - The Ones Who Help to Set the Sun

Had I come back to life or did I ever leave at all - The intro might be a little too long but as soon as it ends comes the powerful bass line followed by a metal riff by JP which really make up for that wait. After that it's just some classic WDADU stuff with KM providing great background keys while the rest of the guys are throwing prog riffs all over the place. My favorite part is the chorus where I think Charlie does some of his best work on this album. I should also mention that the instrumental is quite fun.

[?]

Great picks, especially one of them!

[Ruba]

Trial of Tears is excellent and The Ones is hugely underrated, not sure if it makes my top 50 though.

[BlobVanDam]

Two great choices, but The Whatevers Who Help to Something the Doohicky is terrible. One of the throwaways.

After that it's just some classic WDADU stuff....

ಠ_ಠ

I just don't understand.

I just don't understand.

[Onno]

Both FT and ToT are too low, and TOWHTSTS is not in my top 50 at all 

[Nekov]

 

There needs to be at least some controversy or otherwise this wouldn't be a good top 50

[Onno]

There needs to be at least some controversy or otherwise this wouldn't be a good top 50

Precisely. More controversy is better 

[wasteland]

I expected Nekov to me extremely controversial (not as much as Bolb, but he's from another league), and here comes the first controversial pick! You know what I'm referring to 

[Lolzeez]

I expected Nekov to me extremely controversial (not as much as Bolb, but he's from another league), and here comes the first controversial pick! You know what I'm referring to 

Fatal Tragedy being that low? I know,right?!

[Nekov]

 

I've got a couple other surprises for you. I'll also give something special to anyone that can guess 5 out of the top 10

[Lolzeez]

I've got a couple other surprises for you. I'll also give something special to anyone that can guess 5 out of the top 10

LIKE ICE CREAM!? 

[Nekov]

Maybe

[Nekov]

More fun

32 - Under a Glass Moon

Nervous flashlights scan my dreams liquid shadows silence their screams - This song would be a lot higher in the list if it wasn't for the chorus which really brings it down. Besides that the rest of the song is fantastic with some of the best instrumentals DT can pull off in which they show their creativity without going overly technical and of course JP displaying all his skills during that marvelous solo. My favorite part is the one that follows the little instrumental after the first chorus, where JP goes soft and they create some beautiful melody.

31 - The way it used to be

I can't stand the crowds or the smell that surrounds me - I'm probably tiring you with this already but I freaking love when DT goes soft and this song is a perfect example of how good they are at doing non metal songs. JPs soft riffs mixed with MPs cymbal play make a perfect combination. The instrumental section is also really nice and JPs sweet solo fits perfectly.

30 - The Count of Tuscany

Could this be the end? Is this the way I die? Sitting here alone no one by my side - I still remember the first time I listened to this song and thinking WOW, DT still has some magic left. After some disappointing albums it was this song that made me re-gain my confidence in the band. The intro is just superb and all the way before the middle instrumental is also great. I'm not a fan of the instrumental itself but the ending is also pretty nice.

[Lolzeez]

30 - The County of Tuscany

[Onno]

30 - The County of Tuscany

Anyway, cool choices!

[Nekov]

 

Fixed

[GasparXR]

Trial of Tears should be WAAYYY fucking higher. Like #1 Great pick though!

I'm not sure if TOWHTSTS would make my top 50, but if it did it would be because of the intro. Such a beautiful Rush-sounding keyboard and bass melody. The rest of the song is good but it pales in comparison to the intro.

All of the other songs aren't controversial to me at all, but I can't say I've listened to TWIUTB enough to properly place it.