Jarlaxle's Greatest DT Hit (...and 49 Other Pretty Cool Songs)

[iamtheeviltwin]

34. Only A Matter of Time

That intro! That is epic, and fantastic, and just everything. Like all of WDADU, this song shows the immaturity of the young guys, and the lyrics aren't great (mostly the melodies, they are a mouthful), but the intro and intrumental section are awesome.

You know, I was just thinking about this the other day, I watched the OAMOT performance at Budokan (and I think what I am about to say now can be applied to at least half of WDADU when performed live), they are obviously enjoying the song, and they're playing it, and James is singing it, more or less with enthusiasm (and he even does a bit of headbanging in the instrumental breaks even though the song is less Iron Maiden and more Rush, if you know what I mean).
But then, during some lines I think "you know, this melody really could have been less ridiculous/they should have went easier on Charlie" and then I look at James and the way he pauses a bit on stage and I feel like that's totally what he's feeling in those moments too

There are some things I like about WDADU and I even think CD gets a bad rep about his singing on the album (in fact if the band wanted to maintain a sound closer to RUSH then they should have kept CD).  However, it is painfully obvious that it a vocalist had almost nothing to do with writing the vocal melodies.  The phrasing is terrible and even though James is the superior vocalist he still can't save the songs where the writing is the worst.  Even as beloved as Images and Words is, there are still some questionable selections of vocal phrasing and melody...I could only imagine what it would have sounded like without any input from James.  Awake is the first album where the vocals are well treated and it is obvious they had a singer with them during the whole of the writing and recording process.

[aprilethereal]

There are some things I like about WDADU and I even think CD gets a bad rep about his singing on the album (in fact if the band wanted to maintain a sound closer to RUSH then they should have kept CD).  However, it is painfully obvious that it a vocalist had almost nothing to do with writing the vocal melodies.  The phrasing is terrible and even though James is the superior vocalist he still can't save the songs where the writing is the worst.  Even as beloved as Images and Words is, there are still some questionable selections of vocal phrasing and melody...I could only imagine what it would have sounded like without any input from James.  Awake is the first album where the vocals are well treated and it is obvious they had a singer with them during the whole of the writing and recording process.

That's a prefect description. 

[Jarlaxle]

30. Endless Sacrifice

Great beginning, great instrumental section (though it doesn't fit perfectly with the rest of the song, but I like it anyways), and a great ending. This song is weird because it starts of so somber, yet it has so much energy, and it worked really well live. Real solid song, deserving of it's place.

Favorite Moment:
8:06

29. Misunderstood

I love the beginning of this song, same with the lyrics, and the chorus is one of DT's best. I love this song to bits, but the ending seems to drag a little bit too much for my liking, I feel like it would be a lot better if it was a little more concise, but I get over it.

Favorite Moment:
The chorus

28. Vacant

These lyrics are by James, right? I'm too lazy to go look them up, but I'm pretty sure they are, and as always he perfectly portrays the emotions of the song, so I can almost feel like I am right there experiencing it. Great piano work by Jordan, and the violin is an amazing touch. Dream Theater does a very good job at these type of songs.

Favorite Moments:
1) The violin
2) "Am I losing you?"

27. Another Won

OH YEAH! Fantastic song, I am speaking of the Score version, but it has so much energy. Like all/most of DT's song of that era it shows the immaturity of the guys, but it works REALLY well. They didn't absolutely butcher the vocal phrasings (see: WDADU), and it is just a fun song. I love the solo, the whole setup and emotion of it, great work. Oh, and John Myung rocks.

Favorite Moment:
The guitar solo.

26. Repentance

I don't see many people rank this song so high, mostly because they say it drags too much, but I really like the flow of this song. It is simple, something you don't see from DT too often, but they almost always nail it, like they do here. They create and maintain the emotion of the song effectively, and the second half is the best half IMO, including the spoken word sections by the other musicians. A nice break in the craziness of the AA saga too, all in a all, a good song.

Favorite Moment:
7:08-the end

[aprilethereal]

Great choices with ES, Vacant and Repentance!

[iamtheeviltwin]

All good songs, Another Won was a song I had never heard until Score.  After going back through their early works, it really stands out from the others.   James really treats the song well on Score and it held up against their newer works on the disc.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

Is this still happening?

[Jarlaxle]

Sure. Forgot about it because nobody had commented on it.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

Sure. Forgot about it because nobody had commented on it.

You forgot about your own list?

If you don't want to finish your list please let me know so that we can get the next person started. If you do want to finish then please continue.

[Sycsa]

Sure. Forgot about it because nobody had commented on it.

Sounds like your feelings are hurt. 

[iamtheeviltwin]

Sure. Forgot about it because nobody had commented on it.

What am I chopped Liver? 

[Big Hath]

no, you are his evil twin.  He was trying to defeat you by ignoring you.

[Jarlaxle]

Sorry guys, I don't spend much time on here and when I didn't see the thread near the top it must have slipped my mind. Update coming shortly.

[Jarlaxle]

Since I've been AWOL lately, I'll throw 10 at ya right now, then maybe 5 more later on tonight. Shorter write ups coming right up.

25. This Dying Soul

Pretty metal  Pretty similar to A Nightmare to Remember, in the sense that the first half is absolutely mind blowing, and then the second half derails the song a bit. The chorus is amazing, as are the little guitar solos that follow it. Also, I love JMX's bass line underneath JP's solo at the end of the song, reminds me of a clown walking into a room.

24. Honor Thy Father

Another off of Train of Thought. The drum into is alright, but the riffage that follows is fantastic. Great energy throughout, but I'm a little unsure of the amount of hate and butt-hurtness  that Mike pours into the lyrics.

23. Home

Another SFAM song that works well on it's own. The intro has an "Egyptian" feel or something, but it is cool, as is the bass line that drive the song. Not sold on the talking and the orgasm, but whatever, the rest is really cool, although I think I prefer the Greatest Hits edited version more than the SFAM version.

22. Another Day

Really happy, that is what this song makes me feel. The saxophone, James' voice, JP's playing, everything. That is all that can be said about this song. I'm happy now.

21. This Is The Life

When ADTOE first came out I ranked this the best song on the album. I thought it was utterly amazing, and while I still think it is, other songs have simply passed it. I like the simplicity of it, the feel of it, and the grandoise sound of the ending (which I think could have worked as a closing the the album). Anyways, nice lyrics JP, great piano work JR, and as always, awesome voice by James.

20. I Walk Beside You

This will probably draw some criticism, but I like it. Sure it is poppy and not really a DT sounding song, but it is catchy and cool. The lyrics are amazing, the playing is simple, and the chorus packs a punch. I especially love the aah's after the second chorus, one of my favorite DT moments. I would love for this song to be my wedding song, now to only find someone to think the same.

19. Overture 1928

If you want energy, look no further than this gem. Great way to start off an album, I only wished it didn't bleed into Strange Deja Vu, not because it doesn't sound good, but because I would like this song to stand on it's own. Carry on.

18. Learning To Live

I ranked it a lot higher before (probably top 3, maybe top 5?) but it has slipped significantly. I think I was caught up in all the love and praise this board gives it and instinctively gave it such a high ranking, but it is still a great song. The chorus isn't very good, and the lyrics, while nice and thoughtful, don't seem to have the feel of a song rather than a poem. The F# is great, but a moment doesn't make a song, the first 3-4 and after the F# is what makes this one good.

17. Pull Me Under

OMG higher than Learning To Live? Yeah sure, why not? It is a great song after all, and the band's "hit", but the flow and energy of the song raises it this high on the list. It was amazing live because everybody got into it, including the band, and it's a really nice rocking song. Verses are among DT's best.

16. Raise The Knife

I see a fair amount of praise for this song on here, but I don't know if anybody has ranked it this high. In my opinion, if this had been released on an official CD with an altered intro, this could be God material. Good lyrical content, I like the Jekyll and Hyde feeling of it, with the first half praising one man while the second half cutting another down. Also, the instrumental section is probably top 3 in DT's disco, amazing song.

[aprilethereal]

23. Home

I think I prefer the Greatest Hits edited version more than the SFAM version.

Wow