The Ministry of Lost Souls vs The Bigger Picture

[OsMosis2259]

I always felt that there are some similarities that both of the tracks share.

Both tracks kick in right away with the main riff and have the orchestral keyboards.
The song mellows out in the first verse
The main riff is the chorus for both of the tracks
Things start to get a little different for both of the tracks for the second verse.

Mainly after the second chorus, both of the tracks then really take a different approach.
The Ministry of Lost Souls goes into that wild instrumental section that's been pretty controversial by some of the fans
The Bigger Picture stays in the same mood throughout the song.

If you had to pick one, which one would you prefer?

I personally really like the verses for both of the tracks. Especially the 2nd verse for TBP
I prefer the main riff/chorus for The Bigger Picture.
I really like TMOLS instrumental section and sometimes feel that TBP, while it is a good track, it could have been something a lot "bigger" or epic.

I think I'm going with TMOLS. The main riff at the end of the instrumental section is legen-----wait for it, wait for it.... DARY!   

[GasparXR]

TMOLS is really good, but I think TBP is excellent. The sudden volume drop is the best part of the song because it makes me feel like I'm literally dropped into the middle of a blissful nowhere.

[Zydar]

TMOLS is probably my least favourite DT song ever, so it's an easy choice for me.

[krands85]

TMOLS easily. TBP has grown on me quite a bit since the first few listens and the second half is great, but I've always loved TMOLS. Always thought it was very underrated, but I've seen a fair bit of love for it recently, it seems to be quite a polarizing song.

Dat instrumental section   

[jakepriest]

TMOLS is probably the most boring DT song except for the instrumental section.
The Bigger Picture is the highlight of DT12.

A pretty easy choice.

[Mebert78]

Good poll.  I had to pause before voting and think for a second.  I went with "The Bigger Picture."  Both songs are simply gorgeous, but I think one of the deciding factors for me was that the lyrics for TBP are more general and the average person can connect with them, while TMOLS is more of a fantasy type of lyric.  In my opinion, Petrucci did an amazing job of crafting lyrics in such a way that most anyone can relate to them in this latest release. 

[OsMosis2259]

Good poll.  I had to pause before voting and think for a second.  I went with "The Bigger Picture."  Both songs are simply gorgeous, but I think one of the deciding factors for me was that the lyrics for TBP are more general and the average person can connect with them, while TMOLS is more of a fantasy type of lyric.  In my opinion, Petrucci did an amazing job of crafting lyrics in such a way that most anyone can relate to them in this latest release.

While DT12 isn't one of my favorites, I totally agree that the lyrics did step up big time!

[mikeyd23]

I went with TBP, overall I just feel it is the stronger song.

...I really like TMOLS instrumental section and sometimes feel that TBP, while it is a good track, it could have been something a lot "bigger" or epic.....

I kinda understand what you are getting at here, I'm in the group that is totally fine with TMOLS instrumental section, but I love the fact that they kept the vibe consistent throughout TBP and never took it too far off in a different direction.

[GasparXR]

Funny that no one mentioned that both have "water's edge" in the lyrics. I wonder if it was intentional reference given that TBP is a spiritual take on the songwriting process.

[Tom Bombadil]

Easily TBP for me.

[OsMosis2259]

Funny that no one mentioned that both have "water's edge" in the lyrics. I wonder if it was intentional reference given that TBP is a spiritual take on the songwriting process.

Ha I noticed that too
I didn't really know what to think of it... To be honest, I think it was probably just a coincidence.

[ishak540m]

The instrumental section in TMOLS is the only instrumental section that I feel is out of place in any DT song so TBP wins hands down (not just for that reason though).

[RuRoRul]

The Ministry Of Lost Souls by miles. Great song, and the instrumental is one of their best.

Never thought The Bigger Picture was anything special.

[me7]

TMoLS because of the instrumental section. The unison at the end of the instrumental section is one of my favourite DT moments.

[ThatOneGuy2112]

TMOLS, but TBP is so charming too, I can see the reason for its votes too.

TMOLS has that amazing instrumental section and the riffs and solos in the outro... 

[?]

TBP, because I can actually listen to the song in full and it's not an amateurish mishmash.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Ministry.

[Destiny Of Chaos]

If choosing between a near perfect epic and a decent album filler, I'll take the epic every time.

[AngelBack]

TMOLS easily, I like the unhurried structure, the amazing instrumental (blistering JP solo) and the beautiful outro.   TBP is very good, but there is so much more meat to TMOLS.

[ariich]

Love both songs, but I'd probably give the edge to Ministry.

I don't really see any similarity though.

[The Holy Tune]

I like TBP a lot, but I LOVE TMOLS. The last verse, especially whatever Jordan does there is brilliant. When the "Goodbye" part kicks in, the whole song feels even better than it did till then. In these days, I can't skip a day without hearing it for at least twice. Also, it's the only DT song that got me on the edge of crying. Haven't shed a tear so far though

[Octavarious]

Easily TBP for me.

Same for me, without a shadow of doubt...

[Tis BOOLsheet]

The Bigger Picture by an immeasurable landslide.

I would rather listen to Katy Perry than The Ministry of Lost Souls, and no I'm not joking.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Some of Katy Perry's songs aren't bad, but it seems to me that she's been getting progressively worse since I first heard of her, since in my mind Waking Up In Vegas is still her best song.

[Tis BOOLsheet]

Some of Katy Perry's songs aren't bad, but it seems to me that she's been getting progressively worse since I first heard of her, since in my mind Waking Up In Vegas is still her best song.

Teenage Dream isn't a bad song, for sure.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

True, that is one of her better ones.

[Outcrier]

TMOLS is probably the most boring DT song except for the instrumental section.
The Bigger Picture is the highlight of DT12.

A pretty easy choice.

I quite agree with that.

[CharlesPL]

The Bigger Picture,I hate TMOLS.

[Saxman]

I like both, but since TBP is my favorite track on DT, I'm rolling with that.

[Daso]

Both are great songs, but TMoLS might drag on for too long and become occasionally repetitive for me. Of course, that doesn't take any points off the great sections in the song, but I like TBP's nature and flow more.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

The Bigger Picture >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> TMOLS

[liran95]

For me it's a really really really tough choice. Can't decide on that one

[Bolsters]

The Bigger Picture >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> TMOLS

[BlobVanDam]

I absolutely hate TBP, so TMOLS by default.

[haceeb]

Both The Ministry of Lost Souls & The Bigger Picture are my favorite so i didn't voted