Another top 50 thread v. son_ov_hades

[son_ov_hades]

Hey everyone, it seems my time in the sun has come. I've been creating this list for the past couple weeks and it is to a point where I'm okay with it, I'm sure most of you won't.  I've been an avid Dream Theater fan since 1999 and I'm pretty set in my taste, so this list is very accurate to me. It remains to be seen whether its also predictable to all of you, but I very much doubt it. The bottom part of my list contains songs that I like a lot, but the difference between 50 and say 40 isn't huge. When we get closer to the top each place is significant.  Without further ado:

#50  Lost Not Forgotten



The first song of the top 50 is one that seems to get a lot of hate around here, but I really like it. From the awesome piano arpeggios in the intro this song kicks off strong. The instrumental intro has so much going it becomes almost overwhelming, but just at the right time the song breaks down to a simple rhythm guitar oriented heavy riff. LaBrie comes in with a low subdued vocal, and the verse builds until it the chorus hits. This is actually the worst part of the song, it just doesn't quite have the emotion to live up to the verse. The instrumental section is totally great, yes it sounds like Under A Glass Moon, no that's not a bad thing. When I heard this song for the first time I knew A Dramatic Turn Of Events was gonna work out fine. Lost Not Forgotten is a great song from a very good album, but only one other song from it appears on this list. 

#49 Take Away My Pain



This is a really beautiful song, the beauty lies in its subtlety. Petrucci's extremely tasteful melodies coupled with Sherinian's atmospheric background parts lay the ground for a shining performance from LaBrie. He sings with such conviction and emotion without ever becoming unhinged and ruining the mood of the song. That guitar solo is wonderful too, very David Gilmour-ish and very fitting for the song. On the surface a pop ballad, but there is so much more going on beneath the surface(see what I did there?). The lyrics are quite beautiful too, but I don't really focus on lyrics ever. Fair warning; I love Falling Into Infinity so expect to see more of it.

[Laughingplace56]

Now it's my turn to follow your list  I had LNF in the 40's but I don't have any discrepancies with it's placement. TAMP didn't make my list, but it's a good ballad and it top 50 material. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the list 

And if there's only one spot left for ADToE, it better be BitS. I'm gonna assume it's BAI, cuz that seems to be the most universally loved track off the album for some reason, and if it is, I won't agree. 

[bl5150]

Decent enough start - I like both songs without them being big favourites (like most of FII) so placed pretty well for my taste.

[425]

Umm... No.






Just kidding, of course. Though I do disagree with both choices. Take Away My Pain maybe I can see this high, but LNF doesn't do much at all for me, personally.

[Crow]

Two of my least favorite DT songs, congrats 

[Tom Bombadil]

I'm ok with both these. LNF is decent and until a week ago I hated TAMP, but now I think it's pretty good.

[Evermind]

Two of my least favorite DT songs, congrats 

I was waiting for this post to come up.

[Crow]

Even if they aren't the two absolute worst, they are the two that least have a reason to exist. We already have UAGM, and the TAMP demo is infinitely better 
But if these are the worst two you include then this is going to be a pretty good list overall, 48 other songs to praise higher than these

[Evermind]

Why, I agree these songs are pretty bad, but it's not my list, so let's see how it turns out. Maybe ITPOE will be at #1 or something

[son_ov_hades]

And if there's only one spot left for ADToE, it better be BitS. I'm gonna assume it's BAI, cuz that seems to be the most universally loved track off the album for some reason, and if it is, I won't agree. 

I won't spoil it anymore than I already have, just safe to say it will be awhile before the next song from the albums appears.

Two of my least favorite DT songs, congrats 

I had a feeling these would get a lot of hate. 

Thanks for following everyone! Two songs very likely to be controversial are coming tonight. 

[TAC]

I love Lost Not Forgotten.

[ThatOneGuy2112]

TAMP is decent, but I can't see it in the top 50.

I'm inclined to be much more lenient on LNF though Though I'm surprised there's only one more ADTOE song for this list; it has much better to offer.

[cygnusx1jg]

I liked the slower arrangement of TAMP on OiaL much more than the version on FII.

[jakepriest]

Only one other ADToE song? But... BTS, Bridges In The Sky, Outcry, Breaking All Illusions... all songs worthy of top 30 imho.

And yeah I hate LNF. 

[Sacul]

Bridges In The Sky, Outcry, Breaking All Illusions... all songs unworthy of top 50 imho.

And yeah I hate LNF. 

FTFM. TAMP is ok, but the demo in way better. Following, prepare for strong disagreement.

[Laughingplace56]

Bridges In The Sky, Outcry, Breaking All Illusions... all songs unworthy of top 50 imho.

And yeah I hate LNF. 

FTFM.

Hate on LNF, Outcry and BAI all you want, but Bits UNWORTHY of top 50? You're insane 

[Outcrier]

BITS is the best song on ADTOE that not reminds me of anything of IAW 

[ThatOneGuy2112]

Bridges In The Sky, Outcry, Breaking All Illusions... all songs unworthy of top 50 imho.

And yeah I hate LNF. 

FTFM.

Hate on LNF, Outcry and BAI all you want, but Bits UNWORTHY of top 50? You're insane 

Does the sig mean nothing to you?

[Laughingplace56]

Bridges In The Sky, Outcry, Breaking All Illusions... all songs unworthy of top 50 imho.

And yeah I hate LNF. 

FTFM.

Hate on LNF, Outcry and BAI all you want, but Bits UNWORTHY of top 50? You're insane 

Does the sig mean nothing to you?

Yeah that basically sums it up 

[son_ov_hades]

I'm happy to see most of you disagree with me, at least that means my list will be somewhat interesting.  My apologies for not posting last night, but to make up for it I'll make two updates today.

#48  One Last Time



My god that piano! When I first heard Scenes From A Memory this was the song that made me fall in love with the new keyboardist. Neither of the past two would have played anything like that intro. LaBrie's low subdued vocals give way to extremely powerful high notes. "Are these here memories awakened through my eyes, this house has brought back to LIFE??" This is one of James' finest moments. I really love the use of background vocals, they are sparse but suited perfectly to the song. Under Petrucci's solo, which is fine but nothing amazing, is some really interesting rhythm work by Portnoy and Myung. Most of the time bass doesn't jump out at me, but the first time I heard this song I was like "Whoa that bass part is awesome!". One Last Time covers a great amount of ground in less than four minutes, which is quite amazing. It would be higher on my list if it was longer. 


#47 Vacant/Stream Of Consciousness



First of all, it may be considered cheating by some but I can't separate the two. Vacant truly feels like Stream Of Consciousness' intro, as it contains the central melody. The cello and piano combination is so hauntingly beautiful and atmospheric, simple yet extremely effective. Vacant is one of the saddest pieces of music I've heard, a lot of that is due to the crushing emotional lyrics written by a father a the verge of losing a child.

When Stream Of Consciousness kicks in the dark, depressing atmosphere is replaced by a heavy up tempo instrumental. The song is still quite dark in tone, but has a ton of energy. The main melody that forms the backbone is awesome and gives the song a real sense of cohesion. The first piano break early in the song is so cool, sounds like something Emerson Lake And Palmer would do except a lot heavier.  I love when they slow it down and get the song really grooving, I almost forget this a Dream Theater song. Not even close to the best instrumental the band has done, but a fine song and great composition on an otherwise dull album.

[Evermind]

Regarding Vacant/SoC: cheating and way too low 

One Last Time is about right, though.

[Tom Bombadil]

One last time is awesome

But vacant and SoC are my two least favorites from TOT

[Outcrier]

Your list is good so far.

[jakepriest]

Oh god.

SoC at 47. Why do you do this to me?

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

You're right, it's too high.

[jakepriest]

You're right, it's too high.

a fine song and great composition on an otherwise dull album.

Something tells me I won't like this list very much.

[Laughingplace56]

You're right, it's too high.

This. Vacant made my top 10, but SoC didn't make my top 50. Although I'm starting to love it again. It's just that damn middle section. It drags the whole song down.

I rank One Last Time like I do Regression, Through My Words, and Through Her Eyes; all excellent songs that do the whole album well, but not top 50 material. But those songs are part of the reason it's my favorite album; the whole album works incredibly together and doesn't need every song to be stand out pieces.

Interesting list so far. Split up Vacant and shove it up about 40 places higher and take out the other 2 and this was a good update 

[Crow]

One Last Time = 
Vacant = 
SoC = should be higher 
Also I never listen to the two together unless I'm listening to the album as a whole. They're two very different songs, the only similarity is the main melody thing.

[Sacul]

Oh Petrucci.

One Last Time at 48. Why do you do this to me?

Fixed.

You're right, it's too high.

. Yeah way too high. I think it could barely make my top 90. I'm ok with Vacant, I agree it's one of the most sad song I have ever heard. And the best thing is that it's not cheesy.

[jakepriest]

Oh Petrucci.

One Last Time at 48. Why do you do this to me?

Fixed.

You're right, it's too high.

. Yeah way too high. I think it could barely make my top 90. I'm ok with Vacant, I agree it's one of the most sad song I have ever heard. And the best thing is that it's not cheesy.

We already know your taste is bad Sacul.

[son_ov_hades]

One last time is awesome

But vacant and SoC are my two least favorites from TOT

I really don't like Train Of Thought so that probably explains it.

Your list is good so far.

Thank you, hope you won't be disappointed as we get further along.

Oh god.

SoC at 47. Why do you do this to me?

Because you touch yourself at night. 

a fine song and great composition on an otherwise dull album.

Something tells me I won't like this list very much.

If you're into Nu Theater then no, you will not like this list.

One Last Time = 
Vacant = 
SoC = should be higher 
Also I never listen to the two together unless I'm listening to the album as a whole. They're two very different songs, the only similarity is the main melody thing.

I almost always listen to full albums, partially because its too much effort to lift the needle up and move the stylus but mostly because I really appreciate the context.


Two songs coming tonight that might get some hate. Including my first non album track.

[ThatOneGuy2112]

Regarding Vacant/SoC: cheating and way too low 

[chaotic_ripper]

Really enjoying your list. I also got into the band around 98/99, and it seems our tastes are very similar.

[jakepriest]

TOT doesn't have anything to do with Nu Metal 

[Crow]

HTF has a nu-metally bit in it but that's literally the closest DT have come to the genre.
Admittedly Pain of Salvation totally did a very nu-metally song and it's amazing so it's not like the genre has no potential :V