Laughingplace56's Turbotastic Top 50 DT Songs

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

I wouldn't rate IT nearly this high, but it's still a good song.

[425]

This is a fantastic choice. I love it a lot. I wouldn't quite place it as high as you did, but it's a fantastic choice. It's a brilliant composition.

[Crow]

IT is just... not very interesting. Also I can't stand how processed LaBrie is, admittedly that's a huge part of why I don't care for it. But the entire song is a disjointed mess that makes 6DOIT look coherent...

[jakepriest]

I don't like IT because:

1. The first instrumental movement is boring.
2. LaBrie's voice is drowned in awful effects.
3. The ambient section is long and doesn't go anywhere.
4. I don't like the ochestral section. I like music like this, but not in DT, thanks.
5. The overall mixing, drum sound and guitar tone are horrible.

I actually somehow enjoy listening to a version with the middle section cut out, but man the awful mixing and vocal effects still get to me.

[Laughingplace56]

Also I can't stand how processed LaBrie is, admittedly that's a huge part of why I don't care for it.

I don't like IT because:
2. LaBrie's voice is drowned in awful effects.
5. The overall mixing, drum sound and guitar tone are horrible.

I actually somehow enjoy listening to a version with the middle section cut out, but man the awful mixing and vocal effects still get to me.

I'll agree with the processed LaBrie for the 5th section (I even mentioned that in my review), but I don't mind the overall mix much. The guitar tone is amazing.



I'll be posting my #2 in a few hours. Only hint I'll give is that if you were to throw this song off a 1000ft building, it wouldn't die because its massive balls would cushion the fall.

[Laughingplace56]

2. THE GLASS PRISON

The short version of my review: FUCKING. METAL.

The real version: After reading this, you're going to wonder why this isn't #1. But I have my reasons that I'll explain tomorrow. But this song is the epitome of metal. The static and church bells perfectly lead into the gorgeous bass line that leads into where the full band comes in and starts off this song as perfect as possible. The part that I'm going to call the transition section, as it's used again to transition into the next part of the song, has an amazing riff with JR doing some cool things in the background. Even if it's not this song they're playing on tour, at least I'll get to see this part of the song when they play TSF. The transition sections stop and JP comes and destroys your mind with that kickass riff that starts off the greatest metal intro I've ever heard. The riff. The POUNDING drums. THAT SOLO. It all is just so goddamn METAL.

Then it goes into the riff for the first verse and the momentum, groove and energy just keep moving forward. The back and forth vocals between Portnoy and LaBrie are awesome and the lyrics themselves are excellent. The musicianship throughout the whole thing, including JR's solo in the second verse (which was actually written before the solo in the opening, which JP based off of the keyboard part), is all just excellent and heavy. Then the first chorus comes on and it's catchy as hell and just does not drop that momentum.

The transition section comes on again and takes us to 5:53. That. Goddamn. Riff. FUCK. That is the heaviest thing I've ever heard. It's so simple, but it's so damn heavy. There really is no way of explaining how sick that riff is. It's just straight up metal. I think a random Japanese person said it best: SO TECHNICAL. SO POWERFUL. SO ENERGY. POWAH. The verse it goes into has the MP/JLB back and forth vocals again and it's just as awesome as the first verse. The second chorus is great and even better than the first. The musical passage into the next vocal section after they play that chorus the first time is another section of raw energy and metal. This whole section is just gorgeous and powerful and leads into the second transition piece that goes into the third section of the song.

The bass riff is amazing and leads into yet another heavy section. Now this instrumental section goes on for quite a while. But what separates this from let's say ANTR, or SoC, or BAI etc. is that it doesn't drag or feel too long even slightly. The power continues the whole way through into the outro/last verse. But before we get to that section, I must comment on the brilliant last instrumental section beforehand. The back and forth solos are really interesting. The second JP solo is by far my favorite solo from him in any of their more metal songs. So short and not THAT complicated compared to others (I think. I'm not a guitarist ), but holy shit I LOVE it. Then the rest of the instrumental springs up some of the most prominent parts of the entire 12 Step Suite and is just relentlessly heavy and energetic and just plain FUN. There's a lot of just straightforward fun metal songs, like Constant Motion, TDEN, As I Am, Enigma Machine, etc. This song is different. It's not just standard catchy metal. It's a 14 minute monstrosity of balls to the wall, bass pounding, face melting ball of epicness. Words cannot describe how much I fucking love this song and it's a travesty to the human race that it hasn't been played live in 8 years.

Now, the outro. Portnoy really shines here as James does some beautiful singing to close out such a brilliant metal anthem. It wraps the song up perfect and ending on just one note with glass breaking was the way to go. MP said in the audio commentary on the Ten degrees of Turbulent Drumming DVD that the song originally had like a 20 second drum solo plus the main riff to close it out and that version made it all the way through the writing process, until they added the vocals when it felt wrong to end it that way. That would've been interesting, but the way they did it was perfect. The beginning and end to this song are perfect song closers, and that's why the end to TSF works so well. If there's any song I NEED to see live, it's this one. Fucking perfect song and I love it more than words can describe.

Now, I've never seen anyone like it THIS much, but that's how I feel about the song. This is my #1 DT song for the metal aspect of their music. My #1 song overall tops this for reasons I'll explain in my writeup tomorrow. This is absolutely a #1 song as well, though.

[The Stray Seed]

IT is beyond awesome, and TGP is a classic!! Perfect picks man!! 

[jakepriest]

I've really been loving TGP more and more lately, so no complaints from me. 

[son_ov_hades]

The Glass Prison is a great song without a doubt. But if its the heaviest thing you've ever heard then you need to listen to a lot more metal.  Also calling anything but Judas Priest the epitome of metal is false.  Nice choice, I'm excited to see number 1. So far six of my top ten guesses were right, and two were wrong immediately. Octavarium has to be number 1 right?

[Crow]

The only reason this isn't number 1 is because your #1 has even bigger balls, and 8 of them, yes? 
TGP is wonderful though, I'd rank it much higher if I like the middle section more but even still it is a damn wonderful song.

[jakepriest]

I'm hoping you're an Octavarium hater because seeing it at the no. 1 spot is pretty boring.

[Sacul]

I'm hoping you're an Octavarium hater because seeing it at the no. 1 spot is too mainstream.

Join the hipster side.

[jakepriest]

That gif made me epileptic.

[Laughingplace56]

I'm hoping you're an Octavarium hater because seeing it at the no. 1 spot is too mainstream.

Join the hipster side.

Ready? OK!

My #1 is...

1. Octavarium (Score)

Yeah yeah yeah I know "That's a boring #1" "so stereotypical" blah blah fuckity blah it's my list y'all can bite me. 



I know this song is loved generally by probably most DT fans. Hell, this is the first DT song my sister got into. I also know a lot would put it at #1 or at least the top 10. I am one of those people. This song gets the amount of praise it gets because it deserves and demands it. Octavarium is THE Dream Theater epic, and it's just that; it is wholly EPIC. It is a magnificent creature, spawned from music and lyrics from the hands and minds of the holiest of musicians. It is a beacon of hope, that all other music may look upon, basking in its glory, hoping to be just 5/8 as good (see what I did there? No? Ok.). It is, A Dark Knight.

But seriously, this is my all time favorite song. The song is just indescribably awesome. The intro is gorgeous. The extended one on the Score DVD is even better. I love Jordan's work on the Continuum, and the part on the Steel Guitar and when the full band comes in is a beautiful melody and an excellent way to start off such an epic. Very apparent Shine On You Crazy Diamond inspiration at this section, but that's not a bad thing. The clarinet melody is wonderful and to me sounds very much like The Godfather's Waltz from "The Godfather" (my sister disagrees with me).

Someone Like Him has some amazing acoustic guitar work and I love the lyrics very nice, calm way to begin the song. Medicate starts with an awesome bass line and Portnoy gives an amazing feel to this whole section on the hats and smaller snare. This version feels the most poppy out of the whole epic, and I don't find it boring in the slightest like some apparently do.  The ending solo by JR while MP JP and JMX keep a cool rythm going is amazing.

Full Circle is my favorite part. I love the idea behind the lyrics and I think they work well. The rhythm in this section is awesome and flows beautifully. The instrumental after the verses is my favorite part of the song, and i love that they sped it up on Score. I think it works better at a faster tempo. The unision's real cool and the way in transitions into Intervals is great. There's so many different themes goin on throughout the short passages and they're all so goddamn awesome and UGH. Intervals itself serves a great purpose to the song and album. Sums up all the songs on the album, bringing everything full circle. The TRAPPED INSIDE THIS OCTAVARIUM screams are great and are perfect for the song.

Then Razor's Edge, everything Surrender, Trust and Passion was trying to be in IT but wasn't as epic. The way it opens up with the main theme is gorgeous. The 2 lines of lyrics are great and JP's solo kills all. So emotional and beautiful. This section really makes you feel like they were trying to make IT another Octavarium, and while it's amazing, it isn't *as* amazing. This song is just a force of nature and absolutely mind melting and i love it so goddamn much. Truly DT's masterpiece.



Well people, I hope you've enjoyed coming Along For the Ride   I love DT an indescribable amount and they are without a doubt my favorite band and my biggest inspiration as a musician and I hope they never stop making music until I die. You know, because they're machines, so they won't die.   Thanks for reading my list!

[son_ov_hades]

Totally great song. Yes it is a bit cliche and predictable choice, but for good reason. I'm always amazed that its on what would otherwise be a fairly mediocre album. Certainly wouldn't make my number 1, but a fantastic song throughout. I've enjoyed your list, even where we disagree, you have good taste sir.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Great song. I can't argue with it's placement, and I also love the Score version.

[yeah_93]

Change Octavarium with The Glass Prison and I won't be mad. TGP is brutal.

[Prog Snob]

Great song. No arguments from me, especially since it was #10 on my list. 

[Crow]

The song that really got me into DT and a great song overall definitely. Will never complain about seeing this at #1, one of the two DT epics I think really works well so 

[Tom Bombadil]

Fantastic song. No doubt about it.

[Sacul]

Build Me Up, Break Me Down is better. Seriously.
























Just kidding, great list. I had a great time disagreeing with this



Neh, BMU, BMD > 8VM

[jakepriest]

Surrender, Trust and Passion > Razor's Edge imho.
Octavarium still beats IT to the ground though. 

Great list, enjoyed following it all the way through.