Infinite Cactus: The Top 50: The Movie

[Infinite Cactus]

I haven't been on much lately, but as soon as I logged in I saw it was my turn so here goes. Let's get a few things out of dat way.

1.I'm not trolling.
2.The disagrees are going to happen
3.I have split up a couple songs. Actually only one I think. But it's already split up track wise
4.Other than DT, I listen to mostly Van Halen, Genesis, Periphery, and 80s pop/soul/new wave (Bobbie Brown, The Pointer Sisters, INXS, Duran Duran, Missing Persons). This influences my choices.
5.I love yer buttz

With those out of the way I present you the last.

50.The Dark Eternal Night
I'm a sucker for this song. Especially when I saw it live. Actually, it's one of the few songs off SC that I actually still listen to. When I first heard the album, I loved it immediately, then a few days later, I got out of a 2 year relationship. While usually this means I'd cling to the album, it's hard to feel sad and simultaneous get into Forsaken. But I saw them on the SC tour. And there is nothing like 3000 sweaty dudes screaming I AM THE LAST. Cheesy as it is, love it. Love the ragtime middle and the insane instrumental section. Assy is what I would describe it as.

*Assy is a term I use to describe anything bouncy and ridiculous sounding.

49.In The Name Of God.
Many of you will say "Gee whiz that's low." And I agree, but basically, I enjoy every DT song. At least some part of it. The exception being Ministry of Lost Souls. But I digress. ITNOG was one of those songs I hated for some dumbass reason. Everytime it came on I would be all "DAMN, I HATE THIS SHITTY SONG." Then I remembered I'd never actually listened to it all the way through. I was surprised how stupid I was considering this song is incredible. My favorite part is easily the 40 Sons and Daughters section. Them harmonies. Dat Metal. Dat electronic drum break. SQUIRT.

48.The Dance of Eternity
I once went into a local pizza place and one of the guys working there was playing this on the internet jukebox thing. On another note, my choir teacher was basically a prodigy growing up. To be dicks, we tried to see if she could sight read the ragtime section. Which she then did. But the song itself is cool. I really like the big trill. And obviously, the rag time section is glorious.

47.Afterlife
Listen Charlie, I don't know if dark'll be bright. Or if cold will be warm. But I do know that this song is excellent. I think it's Charlies best vocal performance. Oh yeah, get used to seeing the WDADU stuff. It's my 4th favorite DT album. That unison makes me drive fast enough to actually need to consider ol Chuck's questions.

46.The Mirror
The crunch, the heaviness, the atmosphere. Love it. Some of Mike's best lyrics. I really don't have much to say about this song. It's a classic.


More to come

[Ruba]

Fun write-ups  .

I actually prefer TDEN to ITNOG.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

I love the "I'm not trolling" disclaimer.

[?]

Afterlife is Charlie's best vocal performance indeed

[Infinite Cactus]

I love the "I'm not trolling" disclaimer.

There is at least one song in my top 10 that I considered moving off the top ten because I didn't think anyone would believe it. If they care about this list that is. Ha.

[DebraKadabra]

I love the "I'm not trolling" disclaimer.

Totally.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

I love the "I'm not trolling" disclaimer.

There is at least one song in my top 10 that I considered moving off the top ten because I didn't think anyone would believe it. If they care about this list that is. Ha.

Keep your list as is. Take it from the guy who had Panic Attack, Nightmare and Ministry in his top 10.

[Infinite Cactus]

45. Hollow Years
This is one of those songs that once I forget to listen to as often as I need to. I really like the use of James, Derek, Mike, and John's voices during the outro harmonies. A pleasant song. Not much to say about this one either.


44. Panic Attack
Back at the end of high school, this was one of the songs me and my best friend would harmonize while singing along in the car. I'd take the Mike part in case you were wondering (WHICH I KNOW YOU WERE I'M A BARITONE AND MY FRIEND'S LOWER RANGE ISN'T AS GOOD AMIRITE? SILLY TENOR). Dream Theater really a showed a different side to their heaviness with this song. It feels more chaotic than say even The Glass Prison, but somehow more melodic.  I also like that there's a place for Jordan. Something that lacks in their heavier songs at times.

43. You Or Me
It's a good song. I actually also like You Not Me. I just prefer the chorus and piano break in this one. I love the synt strings in the verses along with the synth bass. Really, the only thing I could say is less than great in this song is the prechorus. I feel like Derek could have been more prominent. I just find this to be a fun song. I made a mash up of both versions I called You Nor Me that had the demo chorus first, and the studio chorus after that. I lost it on my old comp. I think I might make another version.

42. Raise The Knife
DAMN. DAMN DAMN DAMN. I really love everything from the FII era (which you will find out soon enough). I think the lyrics are some of Mike's better ones. The thing that Derek brought to the band is a certain sexiness and harder rock vibe than before or after. I'm particularly fond of the verses. The piano arpeggios just hit you the right way. This song also builds and builds. Always changing. I like the score version better purely from a mix standpoint. I feel like a lot of the FII era demos have the keys too low.


41. Wait For Sleep
A heads up, you're not going to find Learning to Live on this list. I enjoy the song, but it sits right below at about 55. There are things I love about it, and things I'm not to crazy about. Wait For Sleep however, is one of the most beautiful moments ever from the boys (and JM). Kevin Moore has a great way of being deceptively complex. I really enjoy the how the shifting time signatures feel so natural. This is not DT being Coldplay or anyone else. This is what a natural ballad from the band sounds like. James is absolutely perfect on this song. It's also one of those DT songs that under stays it's welcome. It leaves you wanting to listen again and again. Which you can do. Because 3 listens won't take you 45 minutes.

[Sycsa]

I find that every time I listen to Hollow Years it gets one iota less cheesier, but it's still way too cheesy after a couple of dozen times. Love the Budokan solo though.

[?]

42. Raise The Knife
I think the lyrics are some of Mike's better ones.

I might be able to agree if the message conveyed in most parts of the lyrics wasn't totally facepalm-worthy.

[aprilethereal]

49.In The Name Of God.
Many of you will say "Gee whiz that's low." And I agree, but basically, I enjoy every DT song. At least some part of it. The exception being Ministry of Lost Souls. But I digress. ITNOG was one of those songs I hated for some dumbass reason. Everytime it came on I would be all "DAMN, I HATE THIS SHITTY SONG." Then I remembered I'd never actually listened to it all the way through. I was surprised how stupid I was considering this song is incredible. My favorite part is easily the 40 Sons and Daughters section. Them harmonies. Dat Metal. Dat electronic drum break. SQUIRT.

Completely agreed, except for the fact that it's a Top 5 song for me.

[Scorpion]

I like your list so far, and I'm looking forward to your more controversial picks, but I don't understand why this is "The Movie".

[Elite]

Nice list, cool write-ups so far. Though I don't agree about ITNOG making the list, nor Learning to Live not making it.

[Ruba]

I like your list so far, and I'm looking forward to your more controversial picks, but I don't understand why this is "The Movie".

I do, but I don't understand why it isn't 3D?

[Infinite Cactus]

It is in 3D. You're just not trying hard enough.

[GasparXR]

Just wait until we get a game adaptation and a movie adaptation of the game adaptation. In 4D.

[Lolzeez]

I love the "I'm not trolling" disclaimer.

There is at least one song in my top 10 that I considered moving off the top ten because I didn't think anyone would believe it. If they care about this list that is. Ha.

I bet it's one of the following:

Status Seeker
Burning My Soul
Through My Words
I Walk Beside You
RAW DAWG

For some reason I felt like adding TMW in there.

[DebraKadabra]

It is in 3D. You're just not trying hard enough.

[Infinite Cactus]

I love the "I'm not trolling" disclaimer.

There is at least one song in my top 10 that I considered moving off the top ten because I didn't think anyone would believe it. If they care about this list that is. Ha.

I bet it's one of the following:

Status Seeker
Burning My Soul
Through My Words
I Walk Beside You
RAW DAWG

For some reason I felt like adding TMW in there.

It's none of those. But two of them are on this list.

[Infinite Cactus]

Well, I got a hi top fade today. So let's continue with the list.



40. Only a Matter of Time
Some people knock Kevin's overly wordy lyrics but I like them. Spitting out the lyrics accurately is something fun you do to impress people (like nailing the fast verse in One Week by The Barenaked Ladies or drunkenly convincing a girl that you can sing like "Geoff from Queensryche" which is not even remotely true, nor did she know who I was talking about. Fuck it I was 19 and we made out. So it counts). I love Charlies delivery of the song. Yes he sometimes strains, but when he sings "Even when plans fall to pieces" onward. I often tear up. It may be cheesy. It may be pretentious. It just hits me. I'm a very emotional person and the song touches me.

39.Burning My Soul
The travesty that is this song being higher on a list that excludes Learning To Live. First controversial pick? More like I don't give a shit. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. That keyboard solo is so Van Halen it hurts. In a good way. I like the backing vocals. I like Mikes really low octave harmonies. It's a neat little metal song. Lyrics aren't the best thing ever. But it's like they say. "Responsible thinkers throw caution to the wind." And it seems like the writer found himself speaking from within. Ok so nobody says that.....except Mike......


38. The Great Debate
I like the samples. I like the build they provide. I find JP's solo to be one of his best, and Mike's drumming is insane in this song. The endurance. It writing. It's a well put together song from an album I don't always love. I don't think the lyrics themselves are anything special. But I think the fact that they portray both sides very even-handedly is brilliant in it's own right.

37. Erotomania
EROTOMANIA!

36. Under A Glass Moon
What really can I say about this song? I vivid memories of my first year of fandom. Breaking up with a crazy girl and still somehow getting invited to her Halloween party (spoiler alert it was a trap we got back together)
But on the drive over me and my buddy Wes were blasting this song. Windows down. Upper 60s. I used to do a joke cover of this song in the style of Johnny Cash. My favorite moment isn't the solo. Nay. It's literally the first verse. It just sounds so triumphant .

Coming up next: A song from ADTOE, a song everyone loves, and possibly These Walls.

[?]

5 good songs! But although I like BMS, I'd MUCH rather see LTL on the list

[BlobVanDam]

Coming up next: A song from ADTOE, a song everyone loves, and possibly These Walls.

Challenge accepted!

I'm pleased that LTL doesn't rank highly, but not pleased that you rank OAMOT of all songs above it.

[Lolzeez]

37. Erotomania
EROTOMANIA!

Nice write up. 

[DebraKadabra]

37. Erotomania
EROTOMANIA!

That's all you need to say, brotha.

[Infinite Cactus]

35. On The Backs Of Angels
I was so happy to hear this song when it came it. I loved that it echoed Pull Me Under arrangement wise but was new and fresh. This was a great introduction to Mike Mangini. But more than that, I felt like this was a great reintroduction to the prominence of Jordan in the mix. Jordan had been regulated to second guitar for a lot of songs, doubling the riffs with the snarling pig patch. While he always has moments to shine, I love me a good choral patch and organ sound. The lyrics are the first lyrics in a long while (since at least SDOIT for me) that I've felt were actually good instead of pretty good or the more common, sure why not.

34. Where Are You Now?
This is a song that many people opposite of love, or they indifferent it. I love the second verse drum and keyboard work. The harmonies kill it for me. The lyrics are great. It's a song that I really love. Derek was such a great fit for this band that I do sometimes think what would have been. It's always neat to see DT get a little into the Alternative Rock genre (i.e. Misunderstood, Blind Faith, Speak To Me). It's a very unique song.

33. Blind Faith
This is the song that I was referring to when I said everyone loves it. I know that's statistically not true, but it's one of those songs that's like number 12 on everyone's list. Not really anything bad is said about this song (most of the time). This is one of those DT songs that really doesn't sound like most of their stuff. It stands out as an outlier. Great lyrics by James, insane unison but JP and JR. Neat bass work (dat 8 strangz) by JM, and Portnoy giving it the business. A great song. Was awesome seeing it live. Bonus points (aka BONER POINTSLOLOL) for Organ solo and Piano Break


32. These Walls
One of the first songs I heard by DT. I had already heard a few I&W cuts and TOT, I wanted to hear there newest album. Excellent work by Rudess and Myung throughout. This song is a good summary of Portnoy as a drummer. The hihat work is perfect. JP parts are well crafted. Everything is subdued, but really dynamic. James does a grand job of sounding powerful yet vulnerable. The ending is huge.


31.  Anna Lee
Underrated. Derek is the star of this song. The key changes, the mix, the arrangement. It's so fucking intricate it's stupid. A sad song, featuring another great performance by JLB. The backing vocals slay in this song. I love the bridge. It's by far my favorite part. Even though it's hard to understand James in that register. I always enjoyed this song, but in the last two years it's forced it's way from the upper 60s into the upper 30s. I really want them to bring this one back live.

Up next: More B sides, the first song I heard and the story behind it, SFAM makes another appearance, and the epic one.

[GasparXR]

Neat bass work (dat 8 strangz) by JM

....Wat?








Really, I've never heard of JM using anything with more than 6 strings, beside the Chapman Stick. I don't know if you're being serious or not.

[Scorpion]

I love your writeups and you have a great taste in DT, though Blind Faith is too low.

[Elite]

Burning My Soul is wayy too high. Worst song they have in my opinion.

And Great Debate is top 10 for me. Still, I like your write-ups!

[Infinite Cactus]

Neat bass work (dat 8 strangz) by JM

....Wat?








Really, I've never heard of JM using anything with more than 6 strings, beside the Chapman Stick. I don't know if you're being serious or not.

He used an 8 string on Blind Faith. Like a 12 string guitar. But 4 strings plus the octaves. Google it my man. It was a Hamer. It's only at the beginning I think. Just a neat little fact.

[aprilethereal]

I love your writeups and you have a great taste in DT, though Blind Faith is way too high.

[Ruba]

Anna Lee doesn't get enough love.

[MoraWintersoul]

And she keep holding on, holding on to us.

[BlobVanDam]

Anna Lee doesn't get enough love.

She's just holding out for the right guy to come along, that's all. Who do you think she is? Victoria?

[Ruba]

She can hold on to me. 

[?]

Hmm... A few great tunes, a ballad I don't care about and another B-side I don't like.