Evermind's Top 50 DT songs, v. A golden manatee, statistics and final words (#1)

[Evermind]

Yeah, yeah, all right, you got me guys, I have it on the list.

9. Breaking All Illusions

Sometimes you just have to include the predictable choices in your Top 10, and if you find yourself in such position, you can't go wrong with Breaking All Illusions. Of all ADTOE songs, this one probably has the most distinct I&W vibe in songwriting and mood. Can you say it's similar to LtL? Yes. Now look where LtL ended up, 22 positions lower, so it's not THAT similar after all.
But yeah, the intro has that proggy vibe from LtL and TCOT, and the calm part after that really reminds of Images and Words highly regarded closer. This song even contains some samples, which fit perfectly. And the guitars after the second part of this quiet part are outstandingly fitting. The heavy part kicks some serious emerald thoughts flowing through the consciousness, though I wish James would sound more raw here. The choruses aren't letting you down too. And the instrumental section is the most sprawling thing DT has done in the last couple of years. Notice how I used "sprawling", not "drawn-out". It's a real pleasure to listen to, and then karma starts the signal (also don't forget the clever FFH reprise) and the song ends, leaving you in awe, which is soon to be followed by bitterness and sadness of BTS (see above).

Most favourite section: the part of guitar solo starting at 7:10. Oh yeah JP, you've warming my heart every time I hear this. How I wish you would do this more often. That's the kind of playing and musical writing I long to see. Just terrific.

Interesting fact: the next tune in the list isn't from ADTOE.

[jakepriest]

Breaking All Illusions is awesome. My favourite part is definitely 8:55 - 10:10. Rudess is amazing on this song 

[Crow]

Well my ordering is wrong but whatever.
Also... awkwaaaard... <.<;

[Evermind]

Breaking All Illusions is awesome. My favourite part is definitely 8:55 - 10:10. Rudess is amazing on this song 

Yeah, totally agree about "awesome" part.

Also... awkwaaaard... <.<

By the way, not all my posts in the side topics could be true. See AFTR in that top5 ADTOE/DT12 thing.
But no changes to your top9-prediction allowed. 

[Evermind]

Now, I told you I can deliberately mislead you guys in my other posts, so here you are.

8. Stream of Consciousness

Train of Thought contains mostly long tracks, and even this instrumental isn't an exception. I mean, it's exceptional, but still it's not a short song. That said, try to ask your friends that don't listen to any prog to name a non-vocal song over 10 minutes in length that keeps listener entertained and interested the whole time.
Length doesn't actually matter at all, as you surely remember. SoC earned its place here in Top 10 because the song constantly keeps evolving, changing, while staying interesting, pleasant to ears, cohesive and logical. The title really suits it — the song feels like a complicated thought process, when some thoughts flow quickly through you head, some ideas stay and some leave only to return again. And of course, DT manages to wrap it all up with an epic and incredibly satisfying ending. I wish they play this song live on the upcoming tour.

Most favourite section: everything from 7:30 is outstanding, but the section starting at ~9:28 (that epic guitar piece) is just tremendous.

Interesting fact: I'll drop it when Top 5 will begin.

Interesting fact that makes sense: originally SoC wasn't in top10 at all, and Finally Free, now 12th, was, but as I had 2 weeks to adjust the places, I kept listening to them and after a long swapping process SoC ended here.

[jakepriest]

SoC definitely deserves a top 10 spot.  Amazing riffs and solos. The only part I don't love is the slow riff part half-way through and that's just because Rudess's synth sound is ugly.

[Crow]

Bah, I almost put that on there xD
Ahh well. Can't complain about it being here. I have it lowest of everyone doing lists at the moment though 
And yeah the last bit of the song is just. FANTASTIC. god. damn. petrucci.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Stream Of Consciousness did not make my Top 50.

[Evermind]

Yeah, SoC is great.

Stream Of Consciousness did not make my Top 50.

That's unfortunate, but I surely have something on the list that'll please you. Although this song isn't in next update. 

And don't forget guys, today's Saturday, so the update will come few hours earlier than usual.

[Evermind]

Well, alright, some of my posts about ADTOE (and not only them) were quite spoilery, so here you are.

7. This is the Life

Evidently if I mindlessly posted in 2 or 3 different threads about my love for TITL before making my list, someone should've noticed that. So, yeah, no surprise here.
It's remarkable how ADTOE manages to combine some of my most and least favourite DT songs of all time. The highs of the album like this piece, BAI, BTS are up there with the best, but the lows for me, see BMUBMD, LNF, Outcry are all somewhere in the bottom. So in the end, ADTOE feels very inconsistent to me and I almost always skip these tracks, which is a pity, because usually I love to appreciate records as a whole.
So, let's talk about the song. I once ended with the guitar in my hands and tried to pick some open strings or whatever they're called and the first three notes in TITL are actually them, it seems. I spent a lot of time trying to find the fourth note though.
Alright, to the song. To those, who say it's similar of Another Day: can you hear the sax? No? Fine. Maybe you can find Another Day on my list? No? That's it. Not similar.
Sorry, this thing just drives me nuts.
Well, yeah, the song. Both Petrucci and Rudess are flawless here. Perfectly restrained and calm playing, neat solos and everything. JLB doesn't sound that pretentious and over-the-top emotional as usually he does on such ballads. The whole thing is simple, strong and emotional. Nothing excessive there.
Actually, TITL and BTS and FFH are responsible for Along for the Ride absence on the list. Originally I planned to include it, but after I relistened to ADTOE ballads... they are just superior to AFTR.

Most favourite section: the whole song is great, but if I have to pick, I choose the first short guitar thing from 0:15 till 0:35. Gives you a taste of the whole awesomeness that awaits you.

Interesting fact and question: I've never seen much love for TITL here. The highest places in those lists were ~30th as far as I remember. So, why are you guys not that keen on TITL? Is it cheesy, pretentious, maybe boring? I'd be glad to hear your thoughts on this.

[jakepriest]

This is The Life is an amazing song with great lyrics, but I wouldn't put it this high. The awesomeness of BAI and BITS kinda overshadows it on ADToE for me. I also like Beneath The Surface a tiny bit more. It's not that the song is boring or cheesy, I just find other songs on the album better.

Except for LNF and OTBOA... but I've thrown enough hate on these two songs already in this thread. 

[Crow]

TitL has never really done much for me but it's an okay song. Maybe I'm just lame.

[Evermind]

Next one right here!

6. Endless Sacrifice

HELL YEAH!
No, seriously, this is my subconscious reaction everytime I listen to Train of Thought and this song comes up. Oh, and when DT played it in 2011 I screamed that out loud. Like OH GOD YES, because this song is so stunning.
Uh. Come on, everything on this tune is godlike, like everything. Keyboards, guitars, vocals, bass, drums, everything. The calm verses work astoundingly great to build up these killer choruses. That Petrucci riff during them is freaking magnificent. I love that guitar WEEEE in the riff  And the "moments wasted, isolated" (though I always thought it was something like "eyes alive") part is headbangingly nice too.
Now the instrumental break. Most times I can't stand DT wankery and all this technical exposition, but this is the life we belong to our gift divine time it works flawlessly. And this moment at 8:03 when this drum-fill comes in and then the distorted guitars. wow, that might be the best moment on ToT. Spine-chilling and jaw-dropping moment indeed. And everything from 8:30 is pure damn gold. Or even better. How did these guys managed to stuff that many epic moments in one album in so little time? I don't know. There are no words to describe the splendor this song is.

Most favourite section: I said, everything from 8:30 is pure gold.

I'll drop the most favourite sections from now on, as we're entering the Top 5! Every song from now is just flawless. I love them all, and that was a real challenge to rank them.

Interesting fact and question: reading these forums one day I found a message where author expressed his dislike about this guitar squeak in the chorus. I already said I love it, and what about you guys? Does it bother you or do you think it's fine addition to the song?

Now that all of you are in the darkness and can't predict the next pick, the real fun begins! If you don't understand my rambling here, I'll tell you what is this all about in the next update.
Anyway, I've got five amazing songs right up here. Get ready for the gigantic pack of awesomeness coming your way! Starting tomorrow at 9 p.m. GMT+4, as usual.

[Crow]

Can't disapprove of this one. Rockin' awesome song.
Also two songs from two albums each thus far, haha. Also 3 for 4 thus far woo.

[jakepriest]

Endless Sacrifice is awesome. The instrumental part 7:50-9:15 is probably my very favourite of the entire DT catalog. The finale is also amazing 

As for the guitar squeak, I kinda like it.

[Ruba]

I think Endless Sacrifice was at some point my number #1 DT song, maybe when I was 15. Now it's on the edge of my top 50. Not a bad song, but I feel the instrumental goes on a bit too long.

Nice list Mr. Redknapp.

[Tom Bombadil]

Not a big fan of the instrumental section, but the rest of the song is fantanstic, so I like the pick.

[PwnsomeWin]

Well, alright, some of my posts about ADTOE (and not only them) were quite spoilery, so here you are.

7. This is the Life

Evidently if I mindlessly posted in 2 or 3 different threads about my love for TITL before making my list, someone should've noticed that. So, yeah, no surprise here.
It's remarkable how ADTOE manages to combine some of my most and least favourite DT songs of all time. The highs of the album like this piece, BAI, BTS are up there with the best, but the lows for me, see BMUBMD, LNF, Outcry are all somewhere in the bottom. So in the end, ADTOE feels very inconsistent to me and I almost always skip these tracks, which is a pity, because usually I love to appreciate records as a whole.
So, let's talk about the song. I once ended with the guitar in my hands and tried to pick some open strings or whatever they're called and the first three notes in TITL are actually them, it seems. I spent a lot of time trying to find the fourth note though.
Alright, to the song. To those, who say it's similar of Another Day: can you hear the sax? No? Fine. Maybe you can find Another Day on my list? No? That's it. Not similar.
Sorry, this thing just drives me nuts.
Well, yeah, the song. Both Petrucci and Rudess are flawless here. Perfectly restrained and calm playing, neat solos and everything. JLB doesn't sound that pretentious and over-the-top emotional as usually he does on such ballads. The whole thing is simple, strong and emotional. Nothing excessive there.
Actually, TITL and BTS and FFH are responsible for Along for the Ride absence on the list. Originally I planned to include it, but after I relistened to ADTOE ballads... they are just superior to AFTR.

Most favourite section: the whole song is great, but if I have to pick, I choose the first short guitar thing from 0:15 till 0:35. Gives you a taste of the whole awesomeness that awaits you.

Interesting fact and question: I've never seen much love for TITL here. The highest places in those lists were ~30th as far as I remember. So, why are you guys not that keen on TITL? Is it cheesy, pretentious, maybe boring? I'd be glad to hear your thoughts on this.

Best song on the (IMO) weak ADTOE album, and one of my favorite JP solos.

As for the fact/question, I hadn't listened to TITL enough to rank it on my list. I'm adding it now, and it'll be at least top 30.

[Evermind]

Thank you all for the comments, guys. Nice to see some activity here.

And the next song is equally if not even more badass. Maybe this has something to do with being an another tune from Train of Thought.

5. In the Name of God

Ominous acoustic intro enters right after Stream of Consciousness ends, and the listener can only wonder what else this mindblowing album has in store for him. Nothing can surprise me after all the greatness Train of Thought has, I may have thought on my first listen. This is the moment when I'm glad I was wrong.
The verses are great heavy music, and that's being said, they are my least favourite in the whole song. Because all other parts are glorious. The transition from verses to the chorus is unbelievable. I don't usually pay a lot of attention to drums, but MP does awesome job on this song, that's for sure. Actually, scratch that, everyone does. James screaming at 7:20 is very surprising, but neat addition. The instrumental is also great and doesn't ruin the song one bit. I like how it seems to come to an end once, but then carries on for some more time and flows into one of the most satisfying endings in DT history. I can't describe all the beauty and epicness the last minutes of this song contain. Though I never actually checked out the booklet, so I still don't know what James sings after the last chorus and before WHOA-OH-OH. Still, that's a spectacular way to finish the spectacular album.

Interesting fact: up until this point you could predict every single next song on the list taking the first letters out of first couple of phrases in write-up. For example, if you look at Endless Sacrifice write-up and do this, not counting "HELL YEAH", you'll read "No luck", but that's because I stopped doing it for Top 5. 

That's it, only four songs left now! And the next one isn't from ADTOE or ToT for a change.

[jakepriest]

I love ITNOG. As I said before it's the first DT song I really fell in "love" with. 
As for the nugget... I don't think it was possible to notice that without some kind of formatting to make it more obvious. But a nice touch indeed 

[Crow]

You really like ToT huh 
Not that I can complain, the three you've put in the top 10 are my three favorites off that album anyways.
Also you've exhausted literally every song from ADToE and ToT that you haven't explicitly stated you disliked, so 
Well except TDS I guess. But you put three 12-step songs just off the list and the fourth isn't appearing either so I can only assume you just don't like any of them 

[Xersiz]

Why is nobody mentioning the amazing solo by JP at the end of the song in the Budokan Version... That is just simply wow

[jakepriest]

Why is nobody mentioning the amazing solo by JP at the end of the song in the Budokan Version... That is just simply wow

Tbh I always listen to the Budokan version. I'm kinda used to it being there. I like the louder keyboard in the mix too.

[Evermind]

I rarely listen to live versions actually, not counting Hollow Years from LAB. But now that I think about it, JP solo is nice there, yep. 

[Evermind]

The last update before Top 3 is right there.

4. Sacrificed Sons

Teach them what to think and feel
Desperate shooting at Echo's Hill

I can't help it but sing this either in my head or out loud every time this part comes in. This, and the famous "God, I'm high" could've make this a great song to fool around, if only the lyrics' subject wasn't that tragic.
But I won't speak about the lyrics anymore. Instead, I'll praise the song itself as a whole. When I was writing about The Ministry of Lost Souls, I said there are almost no similar songs, but this is probably as close as it gets. Even more, compared to TMOLS, this song contains a lot more grandeur. It's huge, epic and tragic and all that is stuffed in almost less than 10 minutes, if you cut out the intro. The vocal melodies are a certain highlight here, as is Rudess' continuum playing throughout the song. But the greatest part, I think, is the build-up for this grand ending. The way the main riff is repeating, getting more powerful everytime, alternating with the clean guitar sections and bursting into the first line of this write-up is beyond words. And the ending lives up to this build-up too. While Octavarium (the album) has its low points, I tend to forgive it everything because of the magnificent two-last-songs-run.

I guess I've ran out of interesting facts, folks! But that's not a big problem, for only three songs remain on my list. You can of course make your guesses about my favourite DT songs, if you want. Oh, and I decided to drop the colourful post before Top 3. The statistics will be posted after the whole thing.

[Crow]

This certainly qualifies as a really good song, I just wish I liked it more than I did. I don't know, maybe it was a few spots too low on my list but ehh 

[jakepriest]

Sacrificed Sons = 

Nothing else needs to be said. Though the comparison to a boring song like TMOLS kinda rubs me the wrong way. 

[Nearmyth]

4. Sacrificed Sons

Teach them what to think and feel
Desperate shooting at Echo's Hill

"Beyond This Life Of Sacrificed Sons" ? 

[wolfking]

Interesting top 10 so far.

[Evermind]

Thank you for the comments again guys. Glad to see someone found this interesting.

The next song might be quite polarizing though, and lately I see it as a usual choice for Top 3.

3. Space-Dye Vest

Awake had a little presence on my list until that point. To have a song in Top 3 is highly significant, and if this song closes the album, the importance is even higher. Awake ends on a very high note from the musical point, but speaking of emotions, album ends on a very gloomy note. It's very fitting indeed that Awake might be the gloomiest album DT ever released. Space-Dye Vest isn't the saddest DT song, no, that's Disappear, but probably the darkest of all. These simple but incredibly effective piano melodies and slow, quiet and almost like effortless James' singing are giving the feeling like all the hope in the world is lost. James has a lot of great and wow-this-guy-rocks moments on Awake, but the way he sings "Do you really think I need you?" is truly special, as is the ending and the whole song. A unique album closer indeed.
I'll be happy if this song will be played on the incoming DT tour (and Jordan, please, don't try to add a gazillion notes to this melody — it's fine as it is).

Could this be not the last time Awake makes its entrance here? Find out in the next two days. 

[Crow]

I certainly won't complain about seeing SDV on here! I figured there'd be an Awake song here somewhere but wasn't expecting it to be this one (obviously, since I guessed a different one  )

[Evermind]

Little love for Space-Dye Vest, hm. I guess everyone is just tired to see it on every list lately.

Well, anyway, I've got only two songs to go, so it'll be over soon. If any of you thought that my two favourite DT songs are epics, I have some bad news for you.

2. Another Day

This is what ballad should be like. This is what the pure beauty is. This is one of the reasons why Images and Words is a magnificent album, an outstanding masterpiece in my book. This is a four-minute musical perfection.
Another Day has nothing unnecessary (except maybe that humming James does at the beginning). Every single note and every single second are flawless. There is almost absolutely nothing for me to complain. It's a sheer brilliance. Every keyboard sound here is like a snowflake falling from the sky to find the free place to rest on an old great branchy tree. I suppose this song isn't meant to be taken like that, but it creates a feeling of some splendid celebration of some holiday in the winter. All these vocal melodies, saxophone, clean guitars are filling me with inspiration, hope and happiness. This song is a pleasure and exceptional joy to listen to.

Only one and my favourite DT song left now, to be revealed tomorrow with a statistics post and some closing words. For now, leave your thoughts and guesses here, if you wish.

[Crow]

Your #1 is going to end up being Anna Lee I bet 
And Another Day is really good, yeah. I think I put it about right for myself on my list but I can understand why people would like it this much, James is just absolutely incredible on the song.

Also yesterday was christmas so people probably weren't around that much.

[Evermind]

Also yesterday was christmas so people probably weren't around that much.

Oh, that's right. Sorry, I forget about it every year, cause in Russia we usually celebrate Christmas at 7th January. But I don't complain much, it was a great fun to write this list anyway.

Your #1 is going to end up being Anna Lee I bet

Can't reveal this now, but you can see I quite like DT ballads. 

[Crow]

Well up to this point I've 100% on having all the songs at least in the song pool I made
And Anna Lee is the only left of those that qualifies, plus also you put it on your guess for my list