35 (t) The Bigger Picture #4It's an honor to be the person who has this at the highest spot on this top 100. This song has everything that I was missing in Dream Theaters music since Systematic Chaos. I love how it goes throughout different atmospheres, moods, and emotions. The bombastic intro is a bit harsh on the ears due to the awful loudness of the mix, it's really on the low end, especially with Mangini's snare sound. But after that, the riff is excellent. Then it get's even better with the piano and JLB's soothing vocals, along with JP's beautiful guitar lines. The way this song progresses and it's structure is quite unique for Dream Theater, in that I haven't really heard a song with this sort of structure. It sort of reminds me of Surrounded, Learning to Live, and Trial of Tears, all songs in my top 10. If there is a song to define the self-titled album, I would consider The Bigger Picture to be that song. I bought the HD version and it's great to hear some noises that were buried in the cd mix. I was so happy to see this song live, and it made it even more special that they played it when they came here. I consider this song to have the best outro of the band, starting from 5:15. This is where the beauty and the moment the vocal melodies make this amazing uplifting mood, it makes me feel euphoric and that things will be alright. It's very encouraging and I can feel this mood in the lyrics, especially "When I see the distant lights illuminate the night, then I will know I am home." This song, to me, speaks that throughout all these mistakes and errors, just remember the bigger picture. "Better to try and fail, than to never try at all."
35 (t) Lifting Shadows Off A Dream #25This song defines the tone and the sound of Awake. Everything, from the bass harmonics, the keyboard sounds, and the guitar lines all have this sort of cold, delicate, almost moonlit night sort of atmosphere. The music fits the lyrics, while the lyrics describe the music. I actually think the sing-along "Lifting shadows off a dream" in the last chorus could go on a bit more longer, or be extended into a cool guitar solo outro. I love the song for it's beautiful scenery described in the music and lyrics interplay, and the tone of the keyboards. I feel this is a good spot for it's ranking, and it does fluctuate a bit higher when in the right mood, and I am right now.
I am actually quite glad these two ended up in a tie together. Two songs that actually go well when listened to after one another.