Sacul's weird and controversial DT Top 50 v. Humanity's masterpice revealed!

[?]

15- To Live Forever
Seriously, I don't know what David Prater had on his head to not include this song on I&W

That was actually the record label and band's decision - DT were asked to write more material and they came up with AD, Surrounded and PMU. Both the label people and the band liked these songs so much that they replaced Don't Look Past Me and TLF with them.

Anyway, that's a good placement for this song!

[jakepriest]

I don't understand the love for To Live Forever. It's pretty mediocre imho.
I like all the other picks a lot, even if I would but some of them higher.

[JiM-Xtreme]

18- In the Presence of Enemies
The epic song about the Dark Master. The band made a wise choise to split it up into two tracks because the second part has some musical reprises of the songs in the album.

Really? I thought this song was written and recorded first.

[Sacul]

18- In the Presence of Enemies
The epic song about the Dark Master. The band made a wise choise to split it up into two tracks because the second part has some musical reprises of the songs in the album.

Really? I thought this song was written and recorded first.

Yeah, if you pay attention, some parts sound like the chorus of POW and some sections from TMOLS. I can't remember about the other songs.

[jakepriest]

I'm pretty sure if it sounds like songs on the album it's not by any means intentional.

[JiM-Xtreme]

18- In the Presence of Enemies
The epic song about the Dark Master. The band made a wise choise to split it up into two tracks because the second part has some musical reprises of the songs in the album.

Really? I thought this song was written and recorded first.

Yeah, if you pay attention, some parts sound like the chorus of POW and some sections from TMOLS. I can't remember about the other songs.

Can you be more specific? I've listened to the album a bunch of times and I've never heard that.

[Sacul]

Can you be more specific? I've listened to the album a bunch of times and I've never heard that.

I'm a bit busy right now to check it out, but I'll make a comparision video later so it's easier to understand.

That was actually the record label and band's decision - DT were asked to write more material and they came up with AD, Surrounded and PMU. Both the label people and the band liked these songs so much that they replaced Don't Look Past Me and TLF with them.

I didn't know that - I should get a LS copy

14- Lifting Shadows Off a Dream
This Awake gem is gorgeous. The bass + strings intro is awesome, James is awesome, all the fucking members are awesome on this track. I don't know what "Lifting shadows off a dream" means but who cares when the song is too awesome. This song is one of the reasons why I think Awake it's way better than I&W.


13- Take Away my Pain (Demo)
I've had this song on my Sansa Clip+ (a cool mp3 player) for a very long time and always thought it was just a crappy edit or a boring demo or whatever. When Parama told me there was a demo and that it was way better than one that's on FII, I gave it a try. And man, I was blown away. Quickly, I started to change my top 30 to put it there but everytime I listened to it, it scaled come positions. And now is here.
I don't really know why the producers of FII decided to even touch this masterpiece, and turned into a cheesy ballad. Seriouly, everything on this demos is just perfect and epic. I think FII would be a better album if the record label had decided to let DT compose it freely.

12- Strange Deja-Vú
What a very cool song. It gets better and better till the end, specially the blues-vibe section, too awesome. It has a perfect flow, just like the entire album. It's obvious that the guys where very inspired and wanted to make an epic album.

11- Another Day (2007 Remix)
Closing the top 20 we have this epic track from I&W. I think it's a perfect example of a rock/power ballad. It has vistuosity but also a lot of passion. James does one of his best performance ever, Petrucci an awesome solo, Kevin tunes his key and tha saxofonist is more present on the remix than in the original song. The best part: from 2:15 (when the sax enters) to 3:44  . The final sax solo is also awesome.

[425]

Wow, this is unusual. An update of entirely songs I quite like but only one that I would even think about putting nearly this high (Another Day).

[Prog Snob]

Three out of four ain't bad.  SDV is not one of my favorite tracks but still good.  LSOAD though...musical/lyrical genius!

[Tom Bombadil]

I like LSOAD and Another Day, although I wouldn't have them his high. Not so fond of the other 2

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

I love Another Day, though I haven't heard the remix.

[jakepriest]

None of these would make my top 50. 

I actually like the album version of TAMP more than the demo.

[Crow]

yay tamp demo
LSOAD is great and Another Day is great. Can't complain about SDVu either.

[Evermind]

I love Another Day, though I haven't heard the remix.

[son_ov_hades]

I hate the 2007 remixes of the songs from Images And Words, but Another Day is fantastic, as is Lifting Shadows Off A Dream, and Strange Deja Vu. I think I like the album version of Take Away My Pain better than the demo though.

[Sacul]

I actually like the album version of TAMP more than the demo.

I think I like the album version of Take Away My Pain better than the demo though.

I forgot to post this yesterday, here you are.

Top 5 songs that could/should be on this top

3- The Glass Prison
The first song on SDOIT almost made my list. Actually, it was on this top for a few days at the beginning, but it was soon replaced; it's a great song though. It has great solos and riffs but it's too long and some parts should be shorter, specially the instrumental sections. The last 2 verses are awesome. Curiously, it's one of a few DT songs that doesn't have an instrumental outro.

[Laughingplace56]

Top 5 songs that could/should be on this top

3- The Glass Prison
The first song on SDOIT almost made my list. Actually, it was on this top for a few days at the beginning, but it was soon replaced; it's a great song though. It has great solos and riffs but it's too long and some parts should be shorter, specially the instrumental sections. The last 2 verses are awesome. Curiously, it's one of a few DT songs that doesn't have an instrumental outro.

This one song from them that's really long, but doesn't feel too long at all to me. SoC and ANTR are songs i feel are way too long, but TGP doesn't drag, it's interesting, and it's fucking FUN. Real driving and heavy. I love it.

[ThatOneGuy2112]

This one song from them that's really long, but doesn't feel too long at all to me. SoC and ANTR are songs i feel are way too long, but TGP doesn't drag, it's interesting, and it's fucking FUN. Real driving and heavy. I love it.

Am I the only one who doesn't feel this way at all towards SOC?

Though I still totally agree about TGP. I know there's tons of great DT songs but I can't really imagine what it's doing off the Top 50.

[Sacul]

I know there's tons of great DT songs but I can't really imagine what it's doing off the Top 50.

There isn't something that makes me feel blown away enough to put it on the top.

Today's update, let's begin with the long-awaited top 10:

10- One Last Time
Feelings, so many feelings. I fucking love this song because of the feelings it has. It's short but 3:45 mins are enough to make a micro-epic. As the rest of SFAM, it has a perfect flow and lots of creativty; my second fav song from my second fav album. I really love the vibe of this album and I hope DT will some day make something as epic as this masterpiece.

9- Illumination Theory
Dream Theater did it again. I know some of you dislike this and think it's a weak song - I totally disagree. IMO it's one of the most diverse, creative and epic tracks the band has made in so many years. The production/mix might be awful, but I really like every note on this epic. The movements may be very different, but I think they are connected in an awesome way. Also, the band could have named this song just "Dream Theater" and I would think it's a good name; every band member shines on this song: LaBrie marks one of his finest performances since TOT-era, JP does some killer riffs, JR is unleashed and Magini is a beast. Sadly, Myung is almost missing. Anyways, I think is a memorable song, both lyrically and musically, and gives me the hope this band is just starting to get epic.

8- Voices
A Mind Beside Itself is a weir suit: it has an intrumental, an epic track and a ballad. For so much time tis was my fav Awake song, but I still think it's awesome. James' performance is godly, as JP's solo. It's one of those tracks that doesn't need wankery to shine, just wise songwriting. From 3:25 to 3:52  ; so sad they skip that part during the gigs. Also, the production is brilliant, everything sounds perfect and has a lot of space. I definitely want more songs on the Awake-vibe.

7- In the Name of God
I've and will always love this. Although is 15 minute-long, I consider it an epic. I don't know how they managed to compose Train of Thought in 3 weeks but I can't really imagine how much time it took to make this masterpiece. It has everything a prog metal song must have: lots of emotions, a passionate singer, an awesome instrumental section with so much wankery, a really epic ending and nose-played notes. I also like the lyrics because I hate all those false prophets that make innocent people die and suffer. A perfect song, buddy.
Making this top has helped me to appreciate TOT way more than before. But I still think As I Am is a dull song . A curiosity: From 7:19 to 7:34 you can hear LaBrie screaming on the left channel.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Hmm, don't really agree with any of these.

[ThatOneGuy2112]

Great update.

Perhaps ITNOG is too high but it's an awesome piece. James just kills it during the chorus.

[Tom Bombadil]

Very happy with the placement of ITNOG and Voices. One last time is awesome but not quite top 10 material for me. Not a big fan of IT. Good update overall

[Crow]

One Last Time is good but not nearly this good, IT is awful, and the other two I am perfectly okay with seeing here.
Also yes Voices is good because it's good writing as is pretty much all of I&W and Awake. Which is why I tend to like those two best nowadays.

[JiM-Xtreme]

For the most part very happy with these choices, though I'm not a big fan of IT. It has some really cool musical passages but I'm still not convinced it works as a song.

[Prog Snob]

I feel elated
I feel depressed
Sex is death
Death is sex
Says it right here on my crucifix

[son_ov_hades]

I don't like In The Name Of God very much, really boring song. But the other three are all great choices. I will never understand the Illumination Theory hate, I think it is one of the most ambitious and well written songs of their career.

[Laughingplace56]

I like One Last Time and Voices, but neither make my top 50. ITNOG is awesome and is in my top 25. IT is a few spots lower than I'd put it but in a decent enough position. Really curious what your #1 is, conisdering you put my #1 in the 30's O.o

[Ben_Jamin]

I approve of the list so far. 

[The Stray Seed]

While I don't really dig ITNOG, I truly love IT. =) and JM is more present than ever in that song IMO.

[?]

I feel Elaine
I feel the breast
Sucks his dick
Captain Sex
Sex is right here on my crucifix

Fixed

[Prog Snob]

I feel Elaine
I feel the breast
Sucks his dick
Captain Sex
Sex is right here on my crucifix

Fixed

So.... Elaine is Captain Sex?  Or is Jesus? 

[jakepriest]

One Last Time is underrated but not quite top 10 material.
IT is just bad.
Voices is my least favourite Awake song.
ITNOG is amazing and deserves to be in top 10.

1/4 well played again

[Sacul]

I approve of the list so far.

1/4 well played again

Thanks guys!

So.... Elaine is Captain Sex?  Or is Petrucci? 

Fixed.

Today's update, just 3 songs.

6- The Spirit Carries On
Emotional perfection. It has the same awesome things as the entire SFAM but in a better way. Everything on this song is perfect and brilliant, but Petrucci's solo is godly. I'm so glad the band plays this one a lot, I love it. It's so hard to choose a live version because all of them have something special: LSFNY has Theresa Thompson and a choir, on Score James is on fire and on LALP he does some cool arrangements.

5- Innocence Faded
Mix Rush vibe, great songwriting, mind-blowing vocals, incomprehensible lyrics and lots of emotions. Then you get Innocence Faded. Voices used to be my fav Awake song but I just fell in love with this track. It's short but incredibly diverse and epic. It sounds good, too. I'll always state that this album has my fav production and mix. Everything sounds clear, specially the drums and the vocals. Also, as the rest of the songs on this list, it doesn't need to have lots of wankery to be awesome, just creative songwriting.

4- Surrounded
The best track on I&W. It's so beautiful and perfect; I can't see why some people call it cheesy. So manu cheesy songs would kill to be like Surrounded. They would like to have an awesome solo, some beautiful keys and a demi-god singer. And no, I don't think LALP ruined it, that was CiM.
Every time I listen to it I can't avoid smiling; it's so uplifting and great for working out.

We are just about the top 3, c'mon everyone, make your bets

[Laughingplace56]

Love TSCO and it's in my top 20, but not my top 10.
Innocence Faded is just ok to me.
Surrounded's great and in my top 50 as well.
Very unique list so far

[Crow]

Three songs I don't hold in this high regard but all three are great songs so I don't mind.
Also your top three are YNM, BMUBMD, and PoW.