Where to go Next?

[JDW89]

I own a few of the studio albums, those being Six Degrees, Images and Words, Awake, Systematic Chaos, Octavarium, A Dramatic Turn of Events, and Train of Thought, should I go for the rest of the albums, the DVDs, or what?

[wasteland]

Oh, well, I guess you should get yourself Scenes From A Memory pretty much NOW 

[wolven74]

Scenes and Train of Thought.

At some point you should get Live @ Budokan and Score as well.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Scenes From A Memory, then Falling Into Infinity, then When Dream And Day Unite.

I'm really not one for live releases, so I can't help you there.

Edit: Just noticed you don't have Black Clouds And Silver Linings. That's my favorite of these four, but that's not a popular opinion around these parts.

[Voices]

Scenes and Train of Thought.

At some point you should get Live @ Budokan and Score as well.

Try the Budokan Bluray...it's fantastic.

[JDW89]

Is the blu ray quite an improvement over the DVD? I've seen the DVD before but many years ago, also what about Black Clouds?

[MoraWintersoul]

Essentially you'll get so many different suggestions you'll be able to complete the entire discography from them let's just get mine in: Scenes From A Memory is mandatory listening absolutely. I'd recommend you getting Falling Into Infinity if you don't mind poppier stuff. I don't particularly like any of the other two albums that you're missing. (edit: I didn't see Octavarium!!!!)

If you really liked Images, essential live stuff is: Live At The Marquee (album) and Live In Tokyo (DVD, and comes in package with Five Years In A Livetime so you'll get a feel of how DT pushed on through some more troublesome stuff in the mid-90's while rocking out and making unique, if flawed, shows).
If you really liked Scenes (when you get it which should really be right about now), essential live stuff is: Live Scenes From New York, for the performance of the entire album plus awesome commentary about it, plus some killer stuff in the second set.
If you really liked Six Degrees, essential live stuff is: Score. It also has a great cross-album selection and probably their best officially recorded performance to date, but if you liked the second disc of Six Degrees, it's played in full with an orchestra here. Plus Octavarium stuff, if you liked that.
If you really liked Train Of Thought, essential live stuff is: Budokan.

Most fans really like one of the four, so base your preferences on that I guess

[Voices]

Is the blu ray quite an improvement over the DVD? I've seen the DVD before but many years ago, also what about Black Clouds?

I have both and I got to say...buy the bluray!

[TheGreatPretender]

You pretty much have most of the essentials, so you could really just go anywhere.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

Get it all... in any order. It's all good (at the very least).

[Lucien]

I suggest Scenes first, because it's usually considered the best.

[Lucidity]

It's impressive to get that much of DT's studio discography and not get Scenes. That should definitely be your next step.

[Scorpion]

Even though I don't think that Scenes is perfect, or even close to the best of DT's discog, it is absolutely essential listening for any Dream Theater fan.

[mike099]

I own a few of the studio albums, those being Six Degrees, Images and Words, Awake, Systematic Chaos, Octavarium, A Dramatic Turn of Events, and Train of Thought, should I go for the rest of the albums, the DVDs, or what?

There is a lot of hate for FII, but has some great songs.  Take a listen to the cd on Youtube and see if you like it. 

[BlobVanDam]

SCENES FROM A MEMORY. NOW.


I'm pretty sure it's a ban-worthy offense to not have heard that album.

[serrano]

As in the other thread, i envy anyone who is to hear SFAM for the first time. I wish i could delete that part of my memory to experience it over and over again.

[JDW89]

SCENES FROM A MEMORY. NOW.


I'm pretty sure it's a ban-worthy offense to not have heard that album.

Heard it before, just don't own it.

[Zydar]

Is the blu ray quite an improvement over the DVD? I've seen the DVD before but many years ago, also what about Black Clouds?

I have both and I got to say...buy the bluray!

[Petruccinator12]

I own a few of the studio albums, those being Six Degrees, Images and Words, Awake, Systematic Chaos, Octavarium, A Dramatic Turn of Events, and Train of Thought, should I go for the rest of the albums, the DVDs, or what?

Well...just get everything there is

[BlobVanDam]

SCENES FROM A MEMORY. NOW.


I'm pretty sure it's a ban-worthy offense to not have heard that album.

Heard it before, just don't own it.

Cool. I still suggest picking it up next! It's easily the most universally loved of the ones you don't already own, and I'd recommend that before delving into the DVDs.

[JDW89]

I'm curious as to some opinion's on BCASL as I really enjoyed Octavarium, TOT, and SC.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

I'm curious as to some opinion's on BCASL as I really enjoyed Octavarium, TOT, and SC.

Black Clouds And Silver Linings is my third favorite DT album. That's not too common here, but if you enjoyed Train Of Thought and Systematic Chaos, I can't imagine you not liking Black Clouds.

[TheGreatPretender]

I think it's a little dry, for the lack of a better term. There are some nice moments, but half the songs are dragged down by something or other, including but not limited to Portnoy's backup vocals.

[Lucidity]

I like Black Clouds a lot. It's got a great dark, sinister, gothic feel, which I feel both ToT and SC didn't have. Nightmare to Remember is fantastic, TCoT is praised by nearly all DT fans, and the rest are give or take. Just like FII and SC-- two amazing songs and other meh to good songs. But I like it a lot.

[kirksnosehair]

I like Black Clouds a lot. It's got a great dark, sinister, gothic feel, which I feel both ToT and SC didn't have. Nightmare to Remember is fantastic, TCoT is praised by nearly all DT fans, and the rest are give or take. Just like FII and SC-- two amazing songs and other meh to good songs. But I like it a lot.

Just those two songs alone is about half the album and other than Portnoy's grunting the music is fantastic.  A lot of fans were not happy with the general direction Dream Theater seemed to be headed in prior to its release.  I remember seeing quite a few comments referring to BC&SL as a "return to form"


For me personally I think it was a vast improvement over the two albums that came before it.  (SC and 8VM) but I don't think it's quite as good (musically, at least) as ADTOE.

[?]

TCoT is praised by nearly all DT fans

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Other than the lyrics, I think he's correct.

[Joshin U]

"Praised" may be a little strong, but well-liked is a fair assessment.

[?]

Yeah, I think "praised by nearly all" is an exaggeration. A lot of people like it, but I've also seen it get some criticism for the heavy part and the ambient section.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

I've never understood the criticism of the ambient part. That's one of my favorite DT-moments.

[?]

I found it boring at first, but I love its peaceful mood nowadays. However, I can understand why some people think that section brings all the momentum down.

[mikeyd23]

I've never understood the criticism of the ambient part. That's one of my favorite DT-moments.

I like it on the record but, seeing it live was fantastic and completely sold me on the section.  When I saw them play that song live that part was so beautiful, JP's volume swells with JR laying down a foundation around them, I got chills!

[Theme Dreater]

You've got a pretty decent collection going. SFAM and A Change of Seasons should be added to your collection as soon as possible though.

[adastra]

I own a few of the studio albums, those being Six Degrees, Images and Words, Awake, Systematic Chaos, Octavarium, A Dramatic Turn of Events, and Train of Thought, should I go for the rest of the albums, the DVDs, or what?

Try Falling Into Infinity! It has been my favourite for many years.

[eviljust]

I think the Score DVD is a must-to-have for a DT fan.