Black Clouds & Silver Linings, Part One: The new songs:

[chaossystem]

It seems to me that this album is/was a "grower."
By that I mean that the initial reaction to it may have been "meh" to a lot of people.
But now, after a few years have gone by, a lot of people seem to rank two or three of the songs from it as being among their all-time favorites

[Randaran]

It was hard to decide between tSF and TCoT, but I eventually went for the former.

[The Letter M]

TCOT without a doubt.

-Marc.

[?]

Count

Don't care for the lyrics, and the heavy part isn't exactly spectacular, but the intro, the ambient section and the ending are pure beauty.

[ThatOneGuy2112]

The Count of Tuscany, without even really thinking about it.

I honestly feel it to be a somewhat of a missed opportunity what with the lyrics it has, which do virtually nothing for me, but the music is so incredible at the same time. None of the other songs on BC&SL come anywhere close to it.

[TheCountOfNYC]

The Count of Tuscany is second only to Octavarium in my rankings.

[hefdaddy42]

It seems to me that this album is/was a "grower."
By that I mean that the initial reaction to it may have been "meh" to a lot of people.
But now, after a few years have gone by, a lot of people seem to rank two or three of the songs from it as being among their all-time favorites

It's been a shrinker for me.  When it came out, I liked it a lot more than I do now.

Most of the songs seem unfocused and disjointed.

I voted for Wither.  I think it's the best-written song on the album.

[chaossystem]

I like the INSTRUMENTAL version of "Wither."

[hefdaddy42]

I like the INSTRUMENTAL version of "Wither."

OK.

[emtee]

Were there some kind of pole starting super vitamins handed out recently that I missed out on?

[Tim van Duijn]

I'd go for The Shattered Fortress because it's so complete to me. And it's also the concluding part of the 12 step suite. The whole 12 step suite is filled with awesome lyrics. Normally i would say The Count Of Tuscany (hell, that piece made me cry when i saw DT for the first time, also first concert i ever attended) but The Shattered Fortress feels more complete and emotional and more true.

A Nightmare to Remember is a song i don't listen to that often, i might spin that one a few times this week and maybe it changes.

[emtee]

Were there some kind of pole starting super vitamins handed out recently that I missed out on?

Poll. D'oh....

[Dublagent66]

TCoT is the definitive stand out track on this album.  BTW, I rank BC&SL higher than DT12.

[erwinrafael]

Wither, just because of that epic section.

[chaossystem]

Were there some kind of pole starting super vitamins handed out recently that I missed out on?

Good thing there wasn't!
It might be even WORSE!

[Skeever]

It's been a shrinker for me, too. I loved it when it came out, but as I spun it more and more I started to feel like it was a bit bland. Still, at the time, "bland" was better than the not-so-well blended mix of new influences on Systematic Chaos, so I was happy to have it.

These days, I only ever listen to Tuscany.

[wolfking]

It seems to me that this album is/was a "grower."
By that I mean that the initial reaction to it may have been "meh" to a lot of people.
But now, after a few years have gone by, a lot of people seem to rank two or three of the songs from it as being among their all-time favorites

I think we all know what 'grower' means.

I listened to this album recently and I'm with hef.  It just seems poor compared to what DT are capable of.  I think this could become my least fav DT album.

I voted for TCOT, mainly for the end part.

[krands85]

TCOT - the only real top-tier song on the album. ANTR is great, but not on the same level and the rest is disappointing. One of the rare occasions for me with DT albums where I think there's a lot that could have been trimmed down.

[Rodni Demental]

Surprised The Best of Times hasn't got any votes, it's certainly not that bad of a song. Some amazing instrumentation in there.

Anyway, I really like all the songs on this album actually. But I'll always like this more than most cause it was my first DT album, so I also have to give credit to A Rite of Passage as it's responsible for solidifying my induction to this band although not quite the first song I heard. That goes to Pull Me Under or Honor Thy Father, can't remember which one I heard first.

[TheCountOfNYC]

Obviously TCoT is winning, but I can't believe that there's not even one vote for TBoT. Just for the guitar solo alone (which is IMO John Petrucci's greatest guitar solo), it deserves at least one vote.

[chaossystem]

It seems to me that this album is/was a "grower."
By that I mean that the initial reaction to it may have been "meh" to a lot of people.
But now, after a few years have gone by, a lot of people seem to rank two or three of the songs from it as being among their all-time favorites

I think we all know what 'grower' means.

I listened to this album recently and I'm with hef.  It just seems poor compared to what DT are capable of.  I think this could become my least fav DT album.

I voted for TCOT, mainly for the end part.

That wasn't what I meant, dammit!
Get your MIND out of the GUTTER!

But seriously...
maybe that wasn't the BEST choice of words on my part, but I don't really know how else to say it.
Maybe something like "you've warmed up to it gradually..."
Anyway, I also think it's funny that a lot of people are using the word "shrinker."
Maybe "Fader," or "it has faded for me" would be more appropriate.

[Nearmyth]

A Nightmare To Remember

TCOT is close behind it, but the drawn out part in the middle really drags it down for me, makes the song feel disconnected... mostly because I'm usually skipping past it.

[BlobVanDam]

Close call between ANTR and TCOT. ANTR is much more consistent, but I still went with TCOT, because when I think of BCASL, those incredible instrumental moments of TCOT are still what stand out in my mind. Easily among DT's best instrumental work, and live that song gave me chills.

[CharlesPL]

The Count of Tuscany

[hefdaddy42]

That wasn't what I meant, dammit!
Get your MIND out of the GUTTER!

But seriously...
maybe that wasn't the BEST choice of words on my part, but I don't really know how else to say it.
Maybe something like "you've warmed up to it gradually..."

What the hell are you talking about?  Why this outburst?  Mind out of the gutter?  WTF?

[ThatOneGuy2112]

That wasn't what I meant, dammit!
Get your MIND out of the GUTTER!

But seriously...
maybe that wasn't the BEST choice of words on my part, but I don't really know how else to say it.
Maybe something like "you've warmed up to it gradually..."

What the hell are you talking about?  Why this outburst?  Mind out of the gutter?  WTF?

Perhaps he was trying to make a joke?

Just my best guess. I'm about as clueless as you are.

[hefdaddy42]

I dunno.  I give up.

[adamack]

I like the INSTRUMENTAL version of "Wither."

OK.

I'm dyin

[adamack]

That wasn't what I meant, dammit!
Get your MIND out of the GUTTER!

But seriously...
maybe that wasn't the BEST choice of words on my part, but I don't really know how else to say it.
Maybe something like "you've warmed up to it gradually..."

What the hell are you talking about?  Why this outburst?  Mind out of the gutter?  WTF?

Would this forum REALLY be the DTF forum WITHOUT the cap-heavy OUTBURSTS from our brother chaos?

[JiM-Xtreme]

TCoT, definitely.

TCoT is the definitive stand out track on this album.  BTW, I rank BC&SL higher than DT12.

Why are you saying this like it's so controversial? 

[Zydar]

The Best of Times

[sylvinception]

It seems to me that this album is/was a "grower."
By that I mean that the initial reaction to it may have been "meh" to a lot of people.

Sorry but this album still a big "meh" for me.

chaossystem is trying to beat the world record of new threads created for the Guiness Book...

And there's still a "part two" to come for this one... 

[chaossystem]

No, I'm just trying to give as many people as possible to have an opportunity to say which songs they like best and maybe to eventually end up with an unofficial "most popular" song-or two or three songs-as "elected" by us on the Dream Theater Forum.

[hefdaddy42]

No, I'm just trying to give as many people as possible to have an opportunity to say which songs they like best and maybe to eventually end up with an unofficial "most popular" song-or two or three songs-as "elected" by us on the Dream Theater Forum.

That is done every year in the Polls/Survivors section.  Usuall run by DestinyofChaos.  I think he is getting ready to start up again in early 2015.

[TheGreatPretender]

This album is like a shower with crappy plumbing. The water doesn't flow quite right, the temperature is difficult to adjust and you're never looking forward to it. But eventualyl you get used to it, and sometimes, when the circumstances are right, it's actually very satisfying.

I voted for The Shattered Fortress, the best of the 12-Step Suite!