Shadow Ninja's Super Incredibly Awesome Top 50 EXTRAVAGANZA!!!!1!!! v. #1

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

 

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

2. Octavarium/A Change Of Seasons - Octavarium & A Change Of Seasons


Oh yeah. I went there.

















But seriously, these are both at number 2. So why did I rank these two songs the same? For one thing, the exploding of heads that is likely to occur will be very amusing. But really, it's simply because I couldn't decide which song I like better. I spent a lot of time trying to decide, before realizing, hey, this is my list, I can do whatever I want.

So let's talk about A Change Of Seasons. This is one of the songs that really had to grow on me, as I didn't really care for it the first time I heard it. That's why when some people complain about ACOS being too long, or boring, or something like that, I understand where they're coming from, because that's what I used to think. But, let's talk about the song itself. It contains some Portnoy's best lyrics, in my opinion. All of the movements are well-defined, but they still all feel like part of a whole. Also, it's really cool to hear some rock organ in DT. I love Jordan, but I do wish we'd had more of a chance to see what Derek could have done with the band.

And now Octavarium. I'll be honest, I almost only listen to the Score version, although I've said in the past that I'm not one for listening to live over studio. This is one of two big exceptions. I love Jordan's solo at the beginning. Some people say it goes on too long, but I can't really agree with that. I've listened to it probably a hundred times or so and haven't gotten bored of it. Some people may disagree with me here, but I actually really like the lyrics to Octavarium as well, especially Full Circle and Intervals.

For all their high points, there are a few things about each that I'm not crazy about. For ACOS, it's that horrendous snare sound. It is so horrible, it almost causes me physical pain, though I've grown accustomed to it. Also, to be honest, James doesn't sound all that great over a lot of ACOS. He has some really great moments, but overall, it's one of his weaker performances, in my opinion. Now Octavarium. For me, the only real detractor is Razor's Edge. And I actually feel kind of bad saying that, because Razor's Edge is quite good, and JP's solo is fantastic. But, I feel like it should have been worked into another song, because for me, Octavarium really should ended after the last "TRAPPED IN THIS OCTAVARIUM!". But, that's just me.


So anyway, yeah. Bet you guys weren't expecting that.

[Crow]

cheater.
in all serious both are great songs, easily DT's two best epics. Dunno how I'd rank them, ACoS used to be my favorite DT song but now it very much isn't xD

[Dream Team]

Octavarium has 2 sections I'm not crazy about: Full Circle and Intervals. The rest is great. ACOS will always be #1 for me though.

[Outcrier]

So anyway, yeah. Bet you guys weren't expecting that.

I was expecting something like "Mike Thinks He's Dee Dee Ramone Introducing A Song Song" 

[GentlemanofDread]

THIS IS TERRIBLE.

Neither of them should be higher than #50! 

[?]

Having 2 songs in the same place isn't as big of a crime as ranking Octavarium as high as ACOS

[425]

I... almost want to agree. I like Octavarium better, but both are great songs in their own right. And I like your style of pointing out that fact in the face of the whole ACOS vs. 8VM debate that rages on and on.

[jakepriest]

I don't care much for ACoS except for the first and second parts and Another World.
However every single Octavarium part is epic, esp. Someone Like Him and Intervals. + that otherwordly keyboard solo at the end of Medicate 

[Crow]

jake just pointed out all the best parts of 8vm so I'm not going to argue against him even if I disagree and think that ACoS is better than 8vm even if only by a little

[Prog Snob]

That's a tough call for me.  I would probably rank ACOS higher though.  Either way, two awesome songs!

[Lucien]

ACOS isn't in my top 30, while Octavarium is my #3.

[Bolsters]

I can't empathise with this decision. It's just so easy for me to say I like Octavarium more.

Also:

cheater.

[Nearmyth]

Octavarium has 2 sections I'm not crazy about: Full Circle and Intervals. The rest is great. ACOS will always be #1 for me though.

I don't think Octavarium has a part called Full Circle 

But I'm glad these too are out of the way. Definitely curious for the #1 now Can't wait!

[Outcrier]

Octavarium and ACOS are 1º and 2º for me.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Crapsticks, I forgot about this. I should have #1 up by tomorrow.

[GentlemanofDread]

WHY SHADOW NINJA, WHY. I WAS WAITING ALL DAY, BY THE WINDOWSILL, LOOKING AT THE INSIDE IN. I'M TRAPPED INSIDE THIS CHANGE OF SEASONS, AWAKE AS YOU GIVE ME A NIGHTMARE TO REMEMBER AND i can't think of any more lyrics/references to things so uh.

Is it voices

[Onno]

Octavarium and ACOS are 1º and 2º for me.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

1. Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence - Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence

Yeah, everybody probably saw this coming. It's somewhat fitting, I suppose. This isn't the first DT song I heard, but it was the first one I bought. Also, this is the other exception I mentioned, where I almost only listen to the live version. Some people complain that this song isn't coherent, has too much filler, or numerous other things. Well, I disagree with them. I love everything about this song.

...I really don't have all that much to say here. Anyway, thanks to everybody for reading and commenting, I had a lot of fun doing this.

[425]

Brilliant and brilliant choice. I mean I wouldn't quite go for number 1 on that song, but still a brilliant and brilliant choice. One of the band's very best songs.

[jakepriest]

Wouldn't make my top 50.    Not as a whole piece.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

But


















It is a whole piece.

[Scorpion]

Two of these three songs don't deserve these placings.

[Crow]

It's a whole piece, which is why it's an inconsistent mess that I barely listen to :>
Some of the parts on their own I do like a lot, but it's... just too long, they could've cut out a lot and made a much better song.

then again I've grown to dislike "epics" in general nowadays so I'm kinda biased anyways.

[?]

It's a whole piece, which is why it's an inconsistent mess that I barely listen to :>
Some of the parts on their own I do like a lot, but it's... just too long, they could've cut out a lot and made a much better song.

then again I've grown to dislike "epics" in general nowadays so I'm kinda biased anyways.

All of this.

[Tom Bombadil]

I saw this one coming so I'm not at all surprised. Still don't like the song though. Other than this last pick though I really enjoyed your top 10.

[Onno]

Nice pick! Certainly an epic song. It's in my top 10 I believe.

[mikemangioy]

I really like the various songs in it, but as a whole, nope. They could've make a concept like DSOTM instead of pushing all the stuff into one single song.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

That... doesn't really make any sense. Do you ever listen to The Dark Side Of The Moon as separate songs?

[Scorpion]

Not to speak for mike, but yes, I do. Well, some do belong together, like Brain Damage/Eclipse, but what I really like about DSOTM is that it holds up both as individual songs and as a whole. Six Degrees, apart from the Overture, ranges from good to great as far the single pieces go, but as a whole it just doesn't work at all.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Hmm, ok then. I don't particularly care for DSOTM personally, but I had the impression people listened to it as one piece. I suppose I stand corrected.

[Nearmyth]

Appropriate choice. It's a great song (I consider SDOIT as one song). I do not think it is incoherent at all, each part flows perfectly, the contrasts compliment each other, and the ending is a great outro, albeit slightly underwhelming for me.

[Outcrier]

Your top 3 is the same as mine, the only difference is the ranking order:

1º - 8V
2º - ACOS
3º - SDOIT

[Elite]

Two of these three songs don't deserve these placings.

Indeed.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Apparently at least two posters don't know who I am.