"A Rite of Passage" - Yay or Nay?

[Samsara]

In  the recent BC&SL thread, I see differing views on "A Rite of Passage," which spurred this poll. What do you think of the song, overall?

I happen to really like it, but don't think its top tier. That said, however, I think it is the best on BC&SL. I got to see it once, when DT opened for Iron Maiden. I wish they would pull it out again.

[The Walrus]

If it wasn't for Wither, I'd say it's the worst song on Black Clouds by a country mile.

[Nekov]

Don't hate it, but it's definitely filler

[cramx3]

I like it

It's not their best song, but its a solid DT single type of song. 

[DTA]

Cool riff but the middle solo section just kills it. It goes on forever and is boring as hell. This could've been a decent 5 minute song but the bizarre need to make everything "epic" and long just fucked the whole thing up.

[krands85]

Don't hate it, but it's definitely filler

Similar thoughts here. And yeah, I also think it's too long - which is rare for me. Feels like it should be a 6-minute song for some reason, but outstays it's welcome a bit.

[Phoenix87x]

I'm pretty indifferent toward it. Competent song, but nothing all that memorable.

[Madman Shepherd]

Best track on Black Clouds. One of the few introductory singles from an album that I think are like that.

Cool riff, great lyrics, video was even cool. I can understand why people dont like it since it is more basic in many ways but it is exactly what I want in a song like that.

In fact, it's the only song on the album that I think has good lyrics.

[hefdaddy42]

Bottom tier.  A collection of Masonic/Rosicrucian references set to a generic metal track.

[Dublagent66]

Like it.  Cool riffs and groove, but not breakthrough material.

[JLa]

instant skip

[gmillerdrake]

instant skip

One of if not their weakest song in my eyes. Outside of a bit of effort from JP.....the rest of the band sounds like they mailed it in....especially MP. Very boring drum parts in that song for someone of his caliber.

[Another_Won]

Voted "I like it . . . " but I really wouldn't go so far as saying one of their better ones, just like it.  To me, all their singles are just ok, none really stand out as "better in their catalog."

[mikeyd23]

Don't hate it, but it's definitely filler

Yup.

[Cool Chris]

Somewhere between Filler and Bottom Tier. Cool chorus, surrounded by a bunk of mediocrity. Lyrics aren't bad but I wish James sang the verses instead of that spoken word/singing thing he does on this song. Goes on too long by being repetitive. And one of Jordan's few bad spots.

[MirrorMask]

Cool riff but the middle solo section just kills it. It goes on forever and is boring as hell. This could've been a decent 5 minute song but the bizarre need to make everything "epic" and long just fucked the whole thing up.

Basically this. The verses are nice and the chorus are quite good, but the mandatory (for that time), copy and paste from a jam solo section derails and ruins the song. It's literally copy and paste, it took me 10 seconds with a random audio editing program to cut it away entirely, since the song completely stops to go into that.

[RAIN]

The song is great, but it clearly sounds like a demo, not a finished product.  Not sure why, and I've brought that up in many posts in the past.

[ThatOneGuy2112]

In the bottom tier of DT's catalog for me. The main riff is a boring slog and the instrumental section is too uninteresting to be as long as it is. The chorus is good, but everything surrounding it I can hardly stand.

[legenden1]

Like it. One of the better choruses in the catalogue but the instrumental section is pointless and drags too long

[bosk1]

It's decent.  There really isn't an option for that.  To put it another way, I have NEVER listened to BCSL because of a desire to listen to this song and probably never will.  But when I listen to the album, I enjoy this song just fine. 

[Mladen]

I can't think of a Dream Theater song that has aged worse for me. I loved it when the single first came out. Then for years I thought it was just solid. Now I find it truly average and can hardly find anything interesting about it. It's most likely bottom 15 for me.

[El Barto]

Good sounding song. I like the way the samples are incorporated, along with some vocal effects. The chorus is just too sappy.

[Dublagent66]

Bottom tier.  A collection of Masonic/Rosicrucian references set to a generic metal track.

Yes, rock bottom according to DT: The League standings so far.

[Dave_Manchester]

Musically, I love the chorus. The rest I'm not very keen on. The opening riff was better when it was used on Misunderstood, and that instrumental section in the middle is technically impressive but not all that engaging to listen to. But all in all it's an ok song. DT don't write bad songs, the worst they ever get is 'not so great', and I'd say this fits that description.

[Cool Chris]

I like the way the samples are incorporated...

This is probably the only DT song I could say this about.

[H2]

Easily the worst song on the album, but it isn't bad. It's better than filler. Filler metal tracks are like..."Prophets of War", "The Enemy Inside", "Paralyzed". And it's definitely a notch above those.

[SleeperAwake]

I don't feel strongly about it one way or the other. What a bland song.

Filler.

[IDontNotDoThings]

I voted "love it". I don't understand why everyone seems to view it so unfavourably.

[senecadawg2]

I like it, but wouldnt rate it one of the stronger songs in the catalogue.

[Metro]

One of the worst songs they've ever done. Skip it every time.

[KevShmev]

I agree that it is a major skipper.  It still sounds like a song that runs out of gas just when it is getting to the first chorus, and that is never a good sign.  It's not a bad song, but just a very bland one.

[Jaffa]

Strictly speaking, I'm not sure I can say it's one of the better songs in their catalog.  But I voted for that, because I think it's definitely at least a step or two above filler.  I think it's a very fun song. 

[TAC]

To me it's bottom tier. It is way below average DT.

I mean the chorus is catchy and I like the breakdown in the middle, but all in all...yawn..

[ZirconBlue]

I like it.  A lot. 

[Madman Shepherd]

I voted "love it". I don't understand why everyone seems to view it so unfavourably.

You're a brave one. I'm glad somebody voted "love it" because even though I think its the best song on the album, I feel it's on a very bland album. I could only bring myself to vote "like it." But it's so damn likable I was getting a little bummed nobody voted "love it" so thank you for that!