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The When Dream and Day Reunite version of the track popped up on shuffle and I was taken aback by how magical that whole thing is. I think it may be my favorite version, followed closely by the Score rendition. Figured I'd ask you guys your opinion on the subject.

The Images and Words one. Score version is stellar, but the original is just magical.

They seem like they're having a lot of fun in Live Scenes and Score's is cool 'cause it's the encore. But seeing the guys go back and forth with the different instrumental parts in ReUnite is really cool, even if the singing wasn't fantastic.

I happen to find Charlie's vox to be amazing during it. It's JLB's vox that are a bit whack, but still, it's one of those live charm things. The imperfections make it all the more personal and special I suppose.

Score, I always get chills when I hear it!

Studio.  Score is alright but the orchestra kills it.

Really hard to choose.  If I have to decide, I'm going with LATM.  It is about as clean as you can get for a live version, yet it has tons of life and tons of power.  Behind that one, most of the others deserve an honorable mention.  In no particular order:

-I&W:  The studio version is terrific.  Not much more I can say.
-LSFNY:  James struggles a bit on the second verse, but that is to be expected.  It is such a difficult part to sing in the context of the song.  It really just beats up on the vocal cords and demands proper breathing or else it is just impossible.  But overall, it is packed with energy, and really comes off well.  And it is great where it is within the context of the set.
-Score:  The whole band does a good job with the song, and the orchestra adds another layer.
-WDADRU:  James struggles more on this version than the others above, but still mostly does a great job.  It is obvious his voice is tired.  And while I'm not in love with Charlie's voice, I think he sounds pretty good here.  When he is in his range, his voice is very full and resonant.  While I don't have a problem with the timbre of James' voice at all, when juxtaposed with Charlie's, James' sounds very thin, especially during the parts that highlight that he is tired.  But despite the fact that James isn't 100% on this version, it's still great.  The 3-way solo tradeoff is a lot of fun that really adds to the song as well.


No honorable mention for the OIALT version.  Sorry, but this version just doesn't measure up.  The band is mostly fine, but James struggles so badly during this set that most of the songs, including Metropolis, just aren't done well from a vocal standpoint.  And, again, the difficulty of the second verse even for a songer who is on his game really compound James' struggles on this recording.

While the Score version has an awesome atmosphere, they took it a little too slowly for my taste.  I'm a sucker for LaBrie, so Live at the Marquee takes the cake.

I'd have to say LATM closely followed by the original, then Score, WDADRU and lastly LSFNY.

The LATM versionis just so energy, POWAH! James really belts out the notes on this one, especially 'I found it's all caught up with MEEEE!!!!!' - gives me chills.

The original comes a close second due to the fact that it is the original afterall, and as someone said before me it's 'magical'.

Score comes third, James was again on top form, the sound is awesome coming from the whole band. If the orchestra had been a tad better (I know, I'm being picky :P) and James sang like on the LATM version it would definatly take the top spot.

WDADRU is great although I don't, and never have got on with Charlie's phrasing, but he probably was the better singer that night as James didn't sound too good imo. Also, when Charlie half-mimes the high notes that James does, I don't know - I find it a bit silly :-\. However, the three way solo trade-off is just brilliant, thoroughly enjoy watching that!

LSFNY gets last place as to me all the other versions had that little bit extra, a touch of spice. As far as I remember, (havent heard LSFNY for a while), this version to me is just another version - nothing special.

Matt

I voted the album version. LSFNY was close in second because it was so especially special.

I&W no question.

Score

I would say the LATM version is 2nd to studio.  Instrumentally, it rocks but when JLB goes into the stratosphere, it sort of detracts from it.  LATM is a very close 2nd for me.

Especially special....

need I say more  ;D

Original Recipe.  No Extra Crispy, no Grilled, no Honey Barbeque flavor.

If you took the music from the Score version, and the vox from the LATM version, that would be the best.

For now, I'll go with score.

I went with Score, because now, no matter what version I'm actually listening to, I "sing" the French Horn parts.

Nothing beats the original.

score

Quote from: hefdaddy42 on November 16, 2010, 03:31:54 PM
I went with Score, because now, no matter what version I'm actually listening to, I "sing" the French Horn parts.

If there's one thing the Octavarium Orchestra did right, it was that damn french horn.

The one with the weedlie weedlie bits.

Listening to Metropolis now.

Fuck this song is awesome.

I will never enjoy a live version of any song that doesn't really present anything new or isn't of nearly same or better quality. Plus, with one singer there's a severe lack of harmony, making me a bit partial to the Reunite version.

So original.

Live at the Marquee.  James is incredible.

Images and Words left a lasting impression, so I will always be partial to this version.  Saw the When Dream and Day Reunite version live, and was thrilled to see Derek perform with the band again, but the original will always rank first with me.

Images and Words

Or the split-screen cover.  :metal

Images and Words 15th anniversary. It's about identical to the original one, and that's why I like it so much. 15 years later, the band can play an old song THAT good and THAT close to the original version, plus JLB just gets better and better every year.

For some reason I like it more than Score (which pretty much has the same elements), but yeah...

ATCO demo

Its a very close call between the SCORE version and WDADR, but the extra jamming and Charlie's addition puts the When Dream And Day Reunite over the top.

Am I allowed to go with the Split Screen Cover by the Bad Salad guys? That just sounds magic on my setup and I love watching the guys play their instruments.

Otherwise, Score.

Where is the 15th anniversary version?

Quote from: Martinman300 on November 21, 2010, 01:46:39 AM
Where is the 15th anniversary version?

It was a fanclub release from 2007 i think, cant remember the exact year so dont quote me.

Matt

Quote from: MajorMatt on November 21, 2010, 03:24:11 AM

Quote from: Martinman300 on November 21, 2010, 01:46:39 AM
Where is the 15th anniversary version?

It was a fanclub release from 2007 i think, cant remember the exact year so dont quote me.

Matt

Want

I prefer the WDADRU version with Charlie & James on vocals, omitting the Jordan/Derek improv. battle.

I really like the one in Score. The orchestra adds even more epicness to the song!

Studio version, of course.

Score is pretty awesome as well. I also enjoy L@M and 15th anniversary. But there's no contest for me.

Score, followed by LSFNY

Easily LATM for me, James's singing in Surrounded is especially good not to mention the killing hand.

the version in my head that combines the instrumentation of Score with the vocal performance of LatM :metal

Of the actual options, Score. Best use of the orchestra all night.

Original and Score are a wash for me can't decide.

The whole LATM blew me away, and Metropolis was the one to make me listen to it because of how amazing LaBrie sang that version. It is my favorite, no doubt.