DreamTheaterForums.org Dream Theater Fan Site

Dream Theater => Dream Theater => Topic started by: Dacling on March 18, 2013, 05:27:55 PM

Title: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Dacling on March 18, 2013, 05:27:55 PM
In my opinion there are exactly 100 DT songs total. If you are wondering how I got to that count it's because I combined some songs together and included demo songs but not demo versions. So there are not two burning my souls but You Or Me and You Not Me are separate. I'm going to start with my bottom 25 then my top 50 then the other 25 so I don't completely spoil my top songs. I will have my bottom 10 up before tonight is over so while I finish up the things I have to do for school I will be getting sufficiently angry enough to express my true disdain for the bottom few.

The List so Far

100 - A Rite of Passage (BC&SL)
99 - Build Me Up, Break Me Down (ADTOE)
98 - You Not Me (FII)
97 - Light Fuse and Get Away (WDADU)
96 - You or Me (FII D)
95 - Raw Dog (GoW III Soundtrack)
94 - The Ones Who Help to Set the Sun (WDADU)
93 - Forsaken (SC)
92 - Burning My Soul (FII)
91 - The Ministry of Lost Souls (SC)
90 - Wither (BC&SL)
89 - The Dark Eternal Night (SC)
88 - Never Enough (8varium)
87 - Through My Words (SFAM)
86 - Constant Motion (SC)
85 - The Answer Lies Within (8varium)
84 - Prophets of War (SC)
83 - Status Seeker (WDADU)
82 - Regression (SFAM)
81 - I Walk Beside You (8Varium)
80 - Afterlife (WDADU)
79 - The Best of Times (BC&SL)
78 - On the Backs of Angels (ADTOE)
77 - Space Dye Vest (Awake)
76 - Outcry (ADTOE)
75 - ?
74 - ?
73 - ?
72 - ?
71 - ?
70 - ?
69 - ?
68 - ?
67 - ?
66 - ?
65 - ?
64 - ?
63 - ?
62 - ?
61 - ?
60 - ?
59 - ?
58 - ?
57 - ?
56 - ?
55 - ?
54 - ?
53 - ?
52 - ?
51 - ?
50 - Strange Deja Vu (SFAM)
49 - Sacrificed Sons (8varium)
48 - Peruvian Skies (FII)
47 - The Root of All Evil (8varium)
46 - In the Presence of Enemies (SC)
45 - Innocence Faded (Awake)
44 - Lifting Shadows Off a Dream (Awake)
43 - Honor Thy Father (ToT)
42 - Under a Glass Moon (I&W)
41 - A Nightmare to Remember (BC&SL)
40 - Hell's Kitchen (FII)
39 - Vacant + Stream of Consciousness (ToT)
38 - Raise the Knife (FII D)
37 - Beneath the Surface (ADTOE)
36 - The Dance of Eternity (SFAM)
35 - The Shattered Fortress (BC&SL)
34 - To Live Forever (I&W D)
33 - This Dying Soul (ToT)
32 - These Walls (8varium)
31 - Lie (Awake)
30 - The Mirror (Awake)
29 - Disappear (6DOIT)
28 - Don't Look Past Me (I&W D)
27 - 6:00 (Awake)
26 - The Spirit Carries On (SFAM)
25 - Overture 1928 (SFAM)
24 - Fatal Tragedy (SFAM)
23 - Bridges in the Sky (ADTOE)
22 - Misunderstood (6DOIT)
21 - Beyond this Life (SFAM)
20 - Surrounded (I&W)
19 - Breaking All Illusions (ADTOE)
18 - The Great Debate (6DOIT)
17 - In the Name of God (ToT)
16 - Finally Free (SFAM)
15 - Repentance (SC)
14 - Metropolis Pt I: The Miracle and the Sleeper (I&W)
13 - The Count of Tuscany (BC&SL)
12 - Home (SFAM)
11 - Line in the Sand (FII)
10 - Take the Time (I&W)
9 - Trial of Tears (FII)
8 - The Glass Prison (6DoIT)
7 - Blind Faith (6DoIT)
6 - A Mind Beside Itself (Awake)
5 - Scarred (Awake)
4 - Octavarium (8varium)
3 - Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence (6DoIT)
2 - ?
1 - ?
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Dacling on March 18, 2013, 08:47:48 PM
Starting off with the bottom of the DT catalog. The worst of the bunch. If these songs were my children then these would be the ugly ones I quietly wish never were created. I really only refer to my bottom 3 when I say that and while I don't truly dislike the rest of them they are not all too impressive themselves either.

100. A Rite of Passage (BC&SL)
This song. I don't even know where to start. From the moment I hear it start I am instantly put off. I only listen to it when I listen to the whole album. Otherwise this song does not get played by me. If I hear that intro when It's on shuffle I scramble for the next button. I can't stand everything about it. The ridiculous lyrics about the Illuminati. The vocals and the whispering echo on them. Even the keyboards. Every chord and sound seems to hit me in the worst way. I can't enjoy it at all and I have tried to. To me it sounds like the band fell asleep on their instruments and emitted pure musical diarrhea. I can't even really enjoy the instrumental. I could go on but I believe I have sufficiently gotten my point across.
-10/10

99. Build Me Up, Break Me Down (ADTOE)
This song is only slightly better than a rite of passage in a couple ways. One it is shorter so I don't have to suffer through it as long and there are short moments in it I that I actually like and the lyrics are slightly better. It starts off atrociously like AROP and just like that it pretty much grinds my gears throughout the whole song until I sigh in relief when it finally ends.

98. You Not Me (FII)
Much like the previous two songs I have a disdain for this little ditty. It's much more enjoyable than them though. The vocals are better. The lyrics aren't terrible. It can almost be fun sometimes. Even if it didn't have those slightly redeeming qualities I'd still rate it higher than them because You Not Me wasn't entirely their decision to make but AROP and BMUBMD they did completely on their own making them even worse. If I could describe this song in one word it would be pedestrian and uneventful.

The next few songs I do not hate nor do i like them. In fact I almost nothing them. I don't listen to them that often nor do I have anything against them. They have failed to connect with me on any sort of emotional level whether that be love or hate.

97. Light Fuse and Get Away (WDADU)
I have heard this song many times when I have listened through WDADU and WDADRU and yet still if you asked me anything about it I couldn't tell you a single thing other than it's name and where it is on the album. I can't remember a single second of music, a chorus, a verse. It's as if I get put into some sort of musical coma and nothing that comes out of the song connects with my brain. I am currently listening to it as I write this and it's still as if I haven't heard it before. I don't know what else to say about it really other than that my brain can't really comprehend the sonic existence of the song.

96. You or Me (FII D)
The slightly better older brother of You Not Me. Somehow Desmond Child heard this bottom rung demo and decided this song could be worked into a hit and in the process made the song worse by removing anything that was decent about the original. Right after the sound clips at the beginning the intro is pretty cool and the lyrics are better than the original and there are some pretty cool keyboards throughout the song.

95. Raw Dog (GoW III Soundtrack)
I have not listened to Raw Dog very much at all for obvious reasons. It's an instrumental and while it doesn't measure up to DT's normal standard it is a pretty badass song video game music wise. But as I'm talking about DT here and not video game music it earns this spot for not being anything too special while having some pretty awesome parts.

94. The Ones Who Help to Set the Sun (WDADU)
This songs best part is the intro. It opens with some really rush like music and expends all it's fuel within the first 2 minutes 45 seconds and crashes and burns directly into Light Fuse and Get Away territory.

93. Forsaken (SC)
One word. Decent. The piano at the intro is cool and the song isn't terrible but it's not great either. It's decent throughout but never really gets to be more than that in anything. I only really listen to this with the album. It doesn't really feel like most of DT's material which isn't a bad thing but in this case it's not a good thing either.

92. Burning My Soul (FII)
I used to really hate this song. It used to be below You Not Me but it connected with me a little. Now the reason it is so low is the album version. The demo version is much better. I like having Hell's Kitchen on it's own but I also like how it fit into BMS as well. If BMS 96 had the all of hell's kitchen it would be even better but it's fun. The main problem with the album version is not only the lack of the Hell's Kitchen stuff but the backing vocals I like better with Portnoy straight up yelling them rather than using the voice box. I know it's kind of confusing how I am going back and forth on the Hell's Kitchen issue so let's just move on.

91. The Ministry of Lost Souls (SC)
The Ministry is a nice 10 minute ballad that suddenly and abruptly interrupted by a heavy instrumental train of riffs. This is the only DT song I will complain about the instrumental section being out of place because it really is. It's so calm and dark and all of a sudden, BAM!, you are whacked in the face by riffs and they go as suddenly as they came in. The instrumental part is good...if you listen to it on it's own it's good. It would have been much better as a separate instrumental a lot like Hell's Kitchen but instead this time they kept it in but unlike Hell's Kitchen it doesn't run through the flow of the song like a bull in a china shop.

That's it for this update. Tomorrow 90 - 81
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: wolfking on March 18, 2013, 08:52:59 PM
Damn, most of these should be a lot higher IMO, espeically AROP, TMOLS, F, and both WDSADU songs.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Lolzeez on March 19, 2013, 01:52:03 AM
TMOLS is a pretty good song. Shouldn't be hanging out with those weirdos!  :tdwn
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: wasteland on March 19, 2013, 02:13:49 AM
Interesting change! I like BMUBMD and Forsaken! And You Or Me too, it's a cool little song with a great little instrumental section!  :blush
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Zydar on March 19, 2013, 02:18:22 AM
Interesting! TMOLS would make my bottom 10 also, perhaps even bottom 5.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: ? on March 19, 2013, 02:30:31 AM
I like BMUBMD and Forsaken!
Me too. Forsaken is easily the highlight of SC, thanks to not including a pointless instrumental section, and I don't get the hate for BMUBMD, although it's my least favorite from ADTOE and has slightly cliché-y lyrics.

Raw Dog would be at the very bottom of my list, and Where Are You Now?, New Millennium, Prophets of War, TDEN and Constant Motion would be among my 10 least favorites as well. I also find TOWHTSTS and BMS underrated, but hey - it's your list and it'll be intriguing to see how you rank the songs.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Scorpion on March 19, 2013, 06:55:42 AM
Sooooo... you're essentially doing a Top 100, which features the whole DT catalogue? I mean, I have no problems with that, but you should be aware that it won't be looked on too kindly if you take much longer than normal lists. After all, Top 50 is the norm.

Anyway, concerning the picks, most of these would be towards the bottom for me as well. I do think that YNM is better than the demo, though, but that's just me. Also, A Rite of Passage wouldn't be my least favourite, though come to think of it, I would be hard pressed to name any song as the definite worst song out of DT's catalogue.

Though I really like Ministry and Light Fuse is pretty cool as well, it just missed the cut of my Top 50.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: iamtheeviltwin on March 19, 2013, 11:05:07 AM
A number of these were in my top 50...different strokes and all that. :hat
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Ruba on March 19, 2013, 11:24:24 AM
BMU,BMD is my least favourite DT song and AROP in the bottom 5, the first two songs deserve their places.

I don't have problem of remembering parts from Light Fuse and Get Away.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Dacling on March 19, 2013, 12:45:17 PM
Sooooo... you're essentially doing a Top 100, which features the whole DT catalogue? I mean, I have no problems with that, but you should be aware that it won't be looked on too kindly if you take much longer than normal lists. After all, Top 50 is the norm.

Anyway, concerning the picks, most of these would be towards the bottom for me as well. I do think that YNM is better than the demo, though, but that's just me. Also, A Rite of Passage wouldn't be my least favourite, though come to think of it, I would be hard pressed to name any song as the definite worst song out of DT's catalogue.

Though I really like Ministry and Light Fuse is pretty cool as well, it just missed the cut of my Top 50.

I'll have it done in the normal time frame. I'm going to do it in 20 days. Just to clarify. It's not that I really dislike Ministry or Light Fuse and Get Away but with Ministry it's good and I enjoy listening to it but it's down there because of it's flaws. Everything after the bottom 3 I can really listen to and enjoy but the other 90 songs I personally think are better.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Dacling on March 19, 2013, 06:06:22 PM
90. Wither (BC&SL)
Wither is not a bad song by any means. It's a short and enjoyable but something about it doesn't connect with me like a lot of the other short song do. It's lyrics aren't bad or anything that brings it down. I really like the Piano version from the Wither EP. The worst thing I can say about it is Petrucci's solo is ends so quickly after it began.

89. The Dark Eternal Night (SC)
The Dark Eternal Night is fun. It's not a great song, it's lyrics aren't great, it's premise is ridiculous, and it's instrumental section is out of place. The thing is that it works. As a fan of B movies it does exactly what it sets out to do. It's able to translate the ridiculous plot lines and acting into a metal song and it works. The reason is this low though is just that. It's a novelty, a fun song to rock out to but offers no real depth to it. I am not a fan of the album version though. Way too much distortion on the vocals. I actually like the Chaos in Motion version better but I am really looking forward to having an even better version on the next DVD.

88. Never Enough (8varium)
This is a pretty cool muse DT song. Some people may not agree with the sentiment but I have no problem with it because some people really do complain too much. It's got a cool groove and the whole muse thing doesn't really bother me but it's definitely not even close to the best they have to offer music wise.

87. Through My Words (SFAM)
This song/interlude is great in terms of context of the album. It's got some beautiful piano work and Labrie's singing is great and it leads into Fatal Tragedy so well. It is obviously this low on the list because I can't justify calling a 1 minute interlude better than most of their material.

86. Constant Motion (SC)
Another Systematic Chaos song in the bottom 20. This suffers from a lot of the same problems as The Dark Eternal Night. It's fun but it's doesn't have much depth at all. It gets some extra points though for Petrucci's solo and Portnoy's Drum Work during it. Not a perfect song by any means but fun.

85. The Answer Lies Within (8varium)
The Answer Lies Within is very mellow and simple and the best performance is by far Labrie who puts the right emotion into it and and really puts the emotion into the song and gives it it's optimism and Rudess does some really restrained work which is really beautiful. I don't usually go out of my way to listen to it but I always enjoy it when I do and the score version is just fantastic as is every other song on score.

84. Prophet's of War (SC)
Prophet's of War is DT's second attempt at writing a muse song. This time around it's even better with Labrie once again being the highlight and Portnoy rapping which I actually don't mind. It's different and it's not bad at all. The main riff is nice and my favorite part is 4:21 when it becomes acoustic for a little and the effect on the vocals is really cool.

83. Status Seeker (WDADU)
Status Seeker is the 80's. This is one of the few songs I prefer Dominici over Labrie on. because he fits the song so perfectly. It's 80's synth, the backing vocals. Everything about this song is 80's down to the lyrics. That's what makes this song good. A lot of people don't like that and so this song seems to be hated by a good portion of the community here but I love it for what it is.

82. Regression (SFAM)
Regression is the perfect intro to SFAM. Every time I put SFAM Regression pulls me into the story from the moment the acoustic guitar starts and as it transitions into Overture 1928 I am hooked and for the next hour and 20 minutes I don't want it to be stopped for any reason or I will be extremely upset.

81. I Walk Beside You (8varium)
I Walk Beside You starts is another ballad off Octavarium. This time everyone steps up there game. Portnoy has some nice restrained Drum Work. The chorus is nice and this song is one of those songs that always manages to put me in a good mood. It's very uplifting and Labrie sings wonderfully on it and the cheesy Ahh's part around 3 minutes is cheesy in a good way.

Next update will be 80 - 76 tomorrow then after that the next day I start my top 50.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: wolfking on March 19, 2013, 07:17:07 PM
IWBY and SS should be higher but the rest are about right for me.  Maybe TDEN should be higher too.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: LieLowTheWantedMan on March 19, 2013, 07:20:41 PM
91. The Ministry of Lost Souls (SC)
This is the only DT song I will complain about the instrumental section being out of place
89. The Dark Eternal Night (SC)
it's instrumental section is out of place.
;)

Interesting so far though. Cool to see a full 100.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Dacling on March 19, 2013, 07:24:09 PM
91. The Ministry of Lost Souls (SC)
This is the only DT song I will complain about the instrumental section being out of place
89. The Dark Eternal Night (SC)
it's instrumental section is out of place.
;)

Interesting so far though. Cool to see a full 100.

What I mean though is it's out of place but because of it being like a B movie it's also in place while with Ministry there is no reason for it to be out of place. Great wording on my part, haha.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: ? on March 20, 2013, 09:41:41 AM
I forgot to mention Never Enough in my previous post - that song is easily bottom 5 for me, since I'm not a Muse fan and the lyrics don't make it any better. Status Seeker is actually quite good IMO, and TALW and IWBY are songs that are ok, but don't do much to me.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Dacling on March 20, 2013, 08:30:32 PM
80. Afterlife (WDADU)
"I touched with Juan"
Afterlife is one of the few songs on WDADU that works well not only with Dominici but with Labrie. The album version and the score version are both great. It's got a really cool groove. Like most of the songs on WDADU it's main downside is that the writing of it doesn't feel very mature. It's fun and enjoyable and the guitar solo is awesome.

79. The Best of Times (BC&SL)
Like everything else on Black Clouds this song is a good song that is brought down by something. For this song it's mostly the lyrics. They aren't terrible and I'm sure they were kind of rushed by Portnoy for obvious reasons but it shows a little too much. The intro is fantastic and the guitar solo is one of Petrucci's best but the rest of the song seems lacking in comparison and that's why it earned it's spot in the bottom 25.

78. On the Back's of Angels (ADTOE)
At this point in the list I don't really have much bad to say about most of the songs so good songs are only this low not because they are bad or have problems but because DT has so many good songs that some of them have to be this low.

When I first heard this song in waiting for ADTOE to be released I was surprised. It sounded refreshing compared to a lot of the stuff on Black Clouds and Systematic Chaos. This is not a bad song by any means. It's got a great intro and the Piano Break is just awesome and very Yes like which I loved. It does seem a little sterile but that doesn't detract too much.

77. Space Dye Vest (Awake)
Space Dye Vest is an extremely polarizing song here on the forums. A lot of people hate it but some love it to death. I don't hate the song but it doesn't really connect with me on an emotional level and it is my least favorite song on Awake. It is a little slow but Kevin Moore's piano work is great and it's got a really great atmosphere to it but it almost seems out of place at the end of the album.

76. Outcry (ADTOE)
DT's rallying cry against generic tyranny. Their call to arms to all the oppressed of... . The song starts off with some fantastic work by Rudess that really sets the mood and the instrumental section is absolutely fantastic. I especially love bass and drum section's around 6:58.

Tomorrow I start my top 50.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 50 starts tonight)
Post by: LieLowTheWantedMan on March 21, 2013, 12:56:17 PM
I heart Space Dye Vest. I find it strange here is the only place I see where lots don't seem to like it.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 50 starts tonight)
Post by: ? on March 21, 2013, 12:57:57 PM
I rank all those 5 songs higher, except TBOT.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 50 starts tonight)
Post by: wasteland on March 21, 2013, 12:58:47 PM
Your writeup for Outcry would suggest a way higher position than the actual one! :D

And by the way, all that you can expect for Space Dye Vest :D
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 50 starts tonight)
Post by: ? on March 21, 2013, 01:14:19 PM
Your writeup for Outcry would suggest a way higher position than the actual one! :D
His praise for the top 10 songs will probably have no limits! :lol
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 50 starts tonight)
Post by: wasteland on March 21, 2013, 01:32:23 PM
Your writeup for Outcry would suggest a way higher position than the actual one! :D
His praise for the top 10 songs will probably have no limits! :lol

#1 Anti Procrastination Song

I don't really like this one, but I miscalculated positions, and had a free slot, so what the fuck. :D

(https://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/126/84959143.gif)
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 50 starts tonight)
Post by: MoraWintersoul on March 21, 2013, 01:35:38 PM
Your writeup for Outcry would suggest a way higher position than the actual one! :D
His praise for the top 10 songs will probably have no limits! :lol

#1 Anti Procrastination Song

I don't really like this one, but I miscalculated positions, and had a free slot, so what the fuck. :D

(https://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/126/84959143.gif)
Use the appropriate era:
(https://25.media.tumblr.com/c3cf4cd0e6a61df72ee08e28f1ce0a9a/tumblr_mjq4tmSXgj1qbqjqvo2_250.gif)
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 50 starts tonight)
Post by: wasteland on March 21, 2013, 01:39:23 PM
I can't! Not until you give me a place where to find all your gifs :D

And by the way, isn't the anti-procrastination pre-Kevin stuff?
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 50 starts tonight)
Post by: ? on March 21, 2013, 01:45:43 PM
You know something is funny when John Myung cracks up! :lol
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 50 starts tonight)
Post by: MoraWintersoul on March 21, 2013, 01:49:38 PM
I can't! Not until you give me a place where to find all your gifs :D

And by the way, isn't the anti-procrastination pre-Kevin stuff?
https://morawintersoul.tumblr.com/tagged/my-gifs/chrono
Knock yourself out :D also I have no idea.

You know something is funny when John Myung cracks up! :lol
I Can Remember When documentary, discussion of OAMOT. You're welcome :lol
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 50 starts tonight)
Post by: wasteland on March 21, 2013, 01:50:53 PM
You know something is funny when John Myung cracks up! :lol

I think 1989 was before John Myung became a tower of ivory. Or at least so they used to say.  ;)
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 50 starts tonight)
Post by: ? on March 21, 2013, 02:21:35 PM
I can't! Not until you give me a place where to find all your gifs :D

And by the way, isn't the anti-procrastination pre-Kevin stuff?
https://morawintersoul.tumblr.com/tagged/my-gifs/chrono
Knock yourself out :D also I have no idea.

You know something is funny when John Myung cracks up! :lol
I Can Remember When documentary, discussion of OAMOT. You're welcome :lol
I've seen it on YT already :)
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 50 starts tonight)
Post by: Dacling on March 21, 2013, 06:12:13 PM
For those who didn't read the first post if you are wondering why I skipped 76 - 51 it's because I want there to be some guessing as to my top 10 and I will do those after I finish my top 50.

50. Strange Deja Vu (SFAM)
Strange Deja Vu may not be one of my favorite songs on SFAM but that doesn't mean anything is wrong with it at all. It's mainly giving the important information and kicking off the story after coming out of Overture 1928. Portnoy gives some great drumming as usual and really gives the song a great groove. I especially love halfway into the song where it really kicks into gear. The backing vocals add a nice layer to the song and Labrie's vocals are great, especially the little multi tracked parts where in the background he is singing higher than the lead vocal track.

49. Sacrificed Sons (8varium)
Dream Theater's tribute to those lost on 9/11. The sound clips at the beginning really set the mood and Rudess does some really somber piano work and Labrie really put's a lot of emotion into the vocals. Like most of the songs on Octavarium I didn't really get into them until I head the score version. The instrumental section transitions nicely in and out without ever feeling out of place and it's got a nice ending.

48. Peruvian Skies (FII)
Peruvian Skies is an awesome song. I absolutely love how the more mellow first half transitions into the more hard rock second half and the version from OiaLT is fantastic as well the High Voltage performance. Some good lyric writing by Petrucci and he seems to steal the spotlight on this one and really drives the song.

47. The Root of All Evil (8varium)
The Root of All Evil is the weakest part of the twelve step suite in my opinion but it's a great song with a great opening. Other than the intro my favorite part is 4:42 and the keyboard solo is cool.

46. In the Presence of Enemies (SC)
In the Presence of Enemies starts off differently than all of their other epics. It goes straight into it with no dilly dallying the second it starts they are in high gear and the slower parts come later. It's lyrics may not be the best but I don't really have anything against them at all. Part 1 is definitely the better part but part 2 also some great moments as well. I love the slow atmospheric transition between the two parts and the slaughter of the damned is awesome as is the instrumental following it and right at the end of it during part 2 at 15:35 the vocals really reminds me of Queen's Innuendo.

Tomorrow I do 45 - 41
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 50 starts tonight)
Post by: Ruba on March 22, 2013, 03:03:38 AM
ITPOE is waaaay to low. Peruvian and Root are both pretty cool.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 50 starts tonight)
Post by: ? on March 22, 2013, 03:08:35 AM
I think TROAE is easily better than TDS and the last 2 songs in the 12SS, but I rank Strange Deja Vu, SS and PS pretty similarly.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 50 starts tonight)
Post by: Dacling on March 22, 2013, 10:46:19 PM
45. Innocence Faded (Awake)
Without a doubt this song is one of Labrie's best performance's both in studio and live with score. Portnoy's drumming really fits the song and makes the song flow really smoothly. I also really love's JP's tone on this one. The ending as a lot of people have stated is fantastic. Some good lyric's as well to go along with all of that.

44. Lifting Shadows Off a Dream (Awake)
Two songs from Awake in a row. Another great song with great lyrics by Myung who has never failed to please with his lyrics. I would absolutely love for them to pull this one out again on the next tour. This song took a little while to grow on me but I'm glad it did.

43. Honor Thy Father (ToT)
I might get a lot of flak for placing this song above Lifting Shadows but I love all these songs so much that I had to make a lot of tough calls in order to rank anything. If had made this list a few months ago this would have been at the very bottom of my list just below You Not Me. One night I decided to give this song a real chance and I put it on a loop and listened to it somewhere between five to ten times in a row and by then end of it I actually liked it and it's grown on me since. It's lyrics may be a little immature but the music is appropriately angry to go along with them. Portnoy opens the song wrecking face and for the next 10 minutes the song never lets up and barrage you with an assault of great riff's, some amazing singing by Labrie, and some great sound clipping. Not to mention the awesome bass starting at 1:25. Also surprising some how they wrote a 10 minute metal song without a single guitar solo but the keyboard solo is awesome as well is the rest of Rudess's contribution's to the song. Also loved when I saw that someone on youtube commented "Don't cross the crooked step - so deep"

42. Under a Glass Moon (I&W)
Under a Glass Moon used to be one of my favorite's on Images and Words and while it may have dropped down in ranking a little it is still a fantastic song. Petrucci channeled his inner Jon Anderson when he wrote the lyrics and wrote down some complete nonsense that just sounds good (Especially with Labrie's singing). A lot of great Drumming by Portnoy and Petrucci's guitar solo is majestic (That would make a good band name) and Moore fires back hard with a solo of his own and nails it. The whole song is what I imagine would happen if you combine Yes and Metal and it's amazing.

41. A Nightmare to Remember (BC&SL)
The perfect lullaby A Nightmare to Remember starts off with 10 minutes of amazing music and drops off in quality after that. It opens with some thunder and some piano by Ruddess establishing the main theme and Portnoy's double bass work really drives the song while Petrucci riffs and shreds his way through the first 5 minutes and Rudess does some amazing work putting a lot of atmosphere into the song especially the little background part around 3 minute which sounds so cool. Then it slows down into the beautiful agony section where Labrie really shines and Portnoy does some more great drum work. Then after a great back and forth with the guitar and keyboard it all goes down hill when the double bass really kicks up. Now I can enjoy the rest of it but it's nowhere near as good as the first 10 minutes. I actually took the isolated track that someone on here created of Labrie original vocals that they made to go along with Portnoy's original growling and put it with the album version synched up and it sounds better.

Next time 40 - 36
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Dacling on March 25, 2013, 12:59:11 AM
40. Hell's Kitchen (FII)
Hell's Kitchen is an awesome little instrumental. It's short but really beautiful. The unison section is awesome and has such a great ending leading into Lines in the Sand. There is absolutely nothing bad I can say about it other than that it's too short. Definitely one of the highlights of FII.

39. Vacant + Stream of Consciousness (ToT)
This is the first of a couple songs I combined together because they share enough musical themes to be together. First is Vacant. Vacant is without a doubt one of Dream Theater's saddest songs. Labrie puts so much emotion into the vocals and really is able to make you feel the story and not just understand it. It's a fantastic ballad and the theme from it is what forms Stream of Consciousness. SoC is awesome. It may be a little repetitive at time if you really analyze it but when I am actually listening to it then I don't notice it at all. Rudess and Petrucci really work well together on this song. Petrucci's riff's and Rudess's blaring keyboards dominant this song with their combined awesomeness.

38. Raise the Knife (FII D)
One of the best demos DT has ever written. It's fantastic from start to end. Whether or not you agree with some of them the lyrics are well written and Labrie sings them well. This doesn't really feel like any other Dream Theater songs and in this case that is a good thing. The score version is fantastic and I am glad that they played it so we can get a good quality recording of this great song.

37. Beneath the Surface (ADTOE)
Beneath the Surface is one of the best ballad's DT has written to me. It's a lovely acoustic number with sad lyrics and some amazing vocals by Labrie. I love how the end where Labrie really puts some force into it and of course Rudess's amazing solo that comes out of nowhere and takes the song from great to exceptional.

36. The Dance of Eternity (SFAM)
The third instrumental that ended up in this up date. They pulled everything out for this one and didn't hold back. Without saying the rag time solo is amazing, the musical references to Metropolis pt 1, the ridiculous amount of times signatures. I don't care what anyone says wankery or not it's amazing.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Ruba on March 25, 2013, 01:15:21 AM
Vacant + SOC =  :tup
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: ? on March 25, 2013, 07:35:47 AM
BTS and HK :heart I don't think the RTK lyrics are very well written, but maybe it's just me :P
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: wasteland on March 25, 2013, 11:06:01 AM
I don't really like RTK, lyric and music wise. On the other hand, Hell's Kitchen is just an amazing and unfortunately overlooked song.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Lolzeez on March 25, 2013, 02:16:47 PM
Raise The Knife is such a gem.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: MoraWintersoul on March 25, 2013, 03:53:58 PM
BTS and HK :heart I don't think the RTK lyrics are very well written, but maybe it's just me :P
I think they are very well written alright, the sentiment expressed in them makes me chuckle though :lol
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Dacling on March 26, 2013, 12:36:48 AM
35. The Shattered Fortress (BC&SL)
The final part of the 12 step suite and it is great. I love the way it builds up at the beginning and even if it's slightly ridiculous to have be angrily yelling happiness, honesty, inventory, and especially self restraint the whole beginning is awesome. Some people dislike this song for it having too many of the themes from the other songs but I love that because that is what it should be. It's wrapping up the suite and reprising all the themes in it's own way. Labrie does aggressive in this song better than a lot of their other metal songs. Now 5:32 is where it really gets good with dat keyboard solo and then the back and forth with Labrie and the spoken word sections is beautifully done. Also a great guitar solo by Petrucci and a great ending. A fitting end for the suite.

34. To Live Forever (I&W D)
Another great DT demo. Some of Labrie's best singing and as well as Dominici on WDADRU (Can't hear the song without hearing "Ladies and gentlemen Mr. Charlie Dominici). I prefer the '91 version the best but they are all great in their own way. Portnoy does some nice drumming on this one and Petrucci has an amazing guitar solo. Speaking of this song the southern rock style jam at the end of the Live in Tokyo dvd is fantastic.

33. This Dying Soul (ToT)
A double 12 step suite update. This one starts off balls to the wall heavy from the get go and introduces a bunch of great themes before the amazing Hello Mirror theme gets introduced which is one of my favorite themes of the suite. The rapping section is awesome and introduces the all important theme that opens the Root of All Evil. One of my favorite parts is actually Petrucci's backing vocals during the "Now that you can see all that you have done" section during the Budokan version. The Blackened section doesn't bother me at all possibly because I'm not a big Metallica fan but I did actually recognize it right away. All the soloing and the unison at the end is just awesome as well.

32. These Walls (8varium)
These Walls opens with a free form intro that reminds me of Chicago and then after a heavy riff transitions into a much lighter song dominated by Labrie's vocals, Portnoy's amazing drumming, and Rudess's keyboard themes. It has some of the better lyrics on Octavarium and has a very similar theme to Speak to Me. I actually wish they would play the song live right after Speak to Me and have a little jam at the end of Speak to Me since it fades out and instead it gets more and more crazy and disjointed until Petrucci's goes full free form and starts off this song. That would be amazing and I would pay so much money to see that. Also the keyboards during the outro are epic.

31. Lie (Awake)
Finally we have Lie the real rocker of Awake. Labrie as in everything in awake sounds amazing the only problem is he sings it in such a way that I have yet to find a live version which truly replicates the awesomeness of his vocals here. The lyrics may be a little funky but they work well in context and when it hit's 2:37 it gets really awesome the drums there really set the mood and Labrie really rocks it. The mirror reprise is great, the guitar solo awesome, and I would love to here this and the Mirror live someday. With the way he was singing last tour maybe it kind finally be given some justice. On a side note the OiaLT version is truly awful and unlistenable in my opinion.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Ruba on March 26, 2013, 02:46:55 AM
Before Blob reaches here I just say that Lie is great  :tup.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: ? on March 26, 2013, 04:16:13 AM
Before Blob reaches here I just say that Lie is great  :tup.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: DebraKadabra on March 26, 2013, 11:34:30 PM
Raise The Knife is such a gem.

No argument from me.
 
Oh and... TLF! :heart :heart :heart
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Dacling on March 27, 2013, 01:33:51 AM
30. The Mirror (Awake)
Just so happens the next song on my list is Lie's older brother the chug fest known as The Mirror. The Mirror goes from chugging to amazing when Moore's keyboards enter while Portnoy's drumming ramps up the energy. Labrie's vocals are aggressive and really give the song feeling. The bass groove before the outro and the outro itself are fantastic.

29. Disappear (6DOIT)
Disappear is in my opinion DT's saddest song. Not only did Labrie write some sad lyrics but he really portrays the emotion with his vocals. What really makes the song chilling though is Rudess's piano and keyboard. The vocals towards the end are especially great giving a glimpse of hope and I love the end when it slows down to a chilling end.

28. Don't Look Past Me (I&W D)
Don't Look Past Me is the ultimate DT gem. It's not like the Falling Into Infinity Demos or Eve and To Live Forever. It wasn't just a demo that didn't make it to the album. It wasn't released on a single like Even and To Live Forever. The only version was the unpolished vocal demo with John Hendricks on vocals which doesn't feel the same. No it was released on a Christmas Fan Club Cd in 1999 that is now worth 75 - 100 dollars. Now thanks to the internet we can all listen to this wonderful gem in all it's beautiful glory. Everything about it is fantastic. The drumming is dynamic and energetic. The guitar playing beautiful and the solo one of Petrucci's best. Labrie's vocals are powerful and the multitracked vocals are amazing. Moore's keyboards are amazing and the lyric's are among his best. The opening is different from every other DT song. It opens with sound clips followed with Labrie's vocals shining from the start. A true gem and a shame it wasn't on I&W so they would play it live.

27. 6:00 (Awake)
Portnoy rocks this song from the get go with some of the most awesome drum beats I have ever heard. I absolutely love how each member enters at a different time each with their own great part. Moore really shines on this song with one of his best keyboard solo's and Petrucci's solo is great as well. The lyrics are awesome and Labrie sings it in such an awesome way. Which is one thing I love about Awake is that he really sounds different on every song. I was so happy to get to see this live last year and can't wait to finally have a official live version soon.

26. The Spirit Carries On
Some people may say this song is cheesy and I disagree and I don't care it's one of the highlights of SFAM. It's beautiful and soulful and Petrucci's soloing is so amazing. This is actually one of my dad's favorite songs of all time and so it is also an important song to me. The lyric's are very beautiful and positive and Labrie's vocals are great. I also got to see this live which was amazing with Petrucci's 7 minute guitar solo leading up to it and it amazing as he did the solo because he had a fan blowing on him and so his hair was blowing in the wind while he soloed. One of the highlights of the show for me.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Ruba on March 27, 2013, 01:42:05 AM
30. The Mirror (Awake)
Just so happens the next song on my list is Lie's older brother the chug fest known as The Mirror.

 :metal :metal
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: ? on March 27, 2013, 03:33:55 AM
6:00 and The Mirror :metal DLPM needs to be played live some day, too bad that will probably never happen :sadpanda:
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Dream Team on March 27, 2013, 06:38:54 AM
Don't Look Past Me is an awesome song, good choice.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Lolzeez on March 27, 2013, 02:16:17 PM
Raise The Knife is such a gem.

No argument from me.
 
Oh and... TLF! :heart :heart :heart
THIS THIS
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Dacling on March 28, 2013, 02:07:46 AM
25. Overture 1928 (SFAM)
I'm a sucker for Overtures and this is no exception. I love the way it introduces all the themes for the album and some of the metropolis themes. The intro and all the themes are so perfectly put together that it is my favorite DT's instrumental.

24. Fatal Tragedy (SFAM)
This is one rocking song. From the opening piano and vocals to the amazing instrumental section to the organ it is just awesome. Great lyrics and the end is amazing leading up to the fast piano at the end. The bass at the end is awesome as well. Great performance by the whole band as usual.

23. Bridges in the Sky (ADTOE)
After three SFAM songs in a row here is something different. The intro is amazing and blew me away the first time I heard it then it goes into some amazing metal and the chorus is fantastic. One of the best songs on ADTOE. I especially love the second and third chorus's with the "and at last the time has come" sections are the best vocals on the album and Labrie is really aggressive here. I also love the part ELP like keyboard solo at 8:19. Decent lyrics too since they are as straight forward as a lot of the other recent lyrics.

22. Misunderstood (6DOIT)
This is one of DT's most interesting songs. The way it starts off all mellow and suddenly gets heavier and at the end it gets crazy and until Petrucci's guitar screeches scaring away all the Pterodactyls. It's amazingly constructed and the Vocals are great the reversed Guitar solo is so cool. The drumming fantastic. The keyboards really set the tone.  Some more of Petrucci's better lyrics as well.

21. Beyond this Life (SFAM)
Speaking of Misunderstood a song that ends on the same chord that it began. Beyond this life is a beast of song. The vocals are really well constructed the keyboards and guitar fantastic and the drums really dynamic. The middle section is amazing and the Budokan version is absolutely brilliant.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 25 Now Starting)
Post by: Lolzeez on March 28, 2013, 04:10:44 PM
Well,all of these are awesome songs!
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 25 Now Starting)
Post by: iamtheeviltwin on March 29, 2013, 07:55:26 AM
first group with nothing to really complain about :tup
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 25 Now Starting)
Post by: Dacling on April 01, 2013, 12:32:39 AM
Been a little busy having to help move our office to a new one the last couple days so I haven't had a chance to update.

20. Surrounded (I&W)
Surrounded is a masterpiece of short songs. In fact it is the only song under 8 minutes in my top 20. It opens with some beautiful synth and piano and Labrie's vocals are amazingly high. One of his best performances ever. It's got an atmosphere unlike any other song I have ever heard. It's so upbeat and energetic. Everyone is on top of their game I don't even know how to describe what makes this song so great because it is so unique. A fantastic song but still not even the best DT has to offer. Seeing this in Atlantic City on the last tour was amazing. It was one of the best moments not only of the show but of any show i have ever seen.

19. Breaking All Illusions (ADTOE)
Breaking All Illusions is what happens when you take modern DT and combine it with Learning to Live and Blind Faith. Petrucci's tone on this song is amazing and I love how upbeat the entire song is. This is one of the few songs on the album where Mangini's drums are mixed well and his playing is excellent. Myung's bass is surprisingly audible through the whole song and Labrie sounds amazing especially with the voice effects which add a lot to the atmosphere. Rudess especially blow's me away in this song. It's some of his best work since Six Degrees especially during the instrumental section where everyone blows me away. There are so many amazing things in this song that I could go on forever. It is without a doubt the best song on ADTOE and if the next album contained more stuff like this rather than stuff like BMUBMD then it could possibly earn a place up there with the Fantastic 4 (I&W, Awake, SFAM, and 6DOIT).

18. The Great Debate (6DOIT)
I don't care how Tool influenced this song is at all. This song is amazing. Rudess really sets the mood and Myung's bass drives the whole song while Portnoy's drumming is some of his best. Amazingly the weakest part of the songs are the solo’s and those are still awesome. The sound clips really set the mood and Labrie just sounds awesome. So many awesome riffs and I love how it the song transitions between the heavy riffs and the more atmospheric sections.

17. In the Name of God (ToT)
In the Name of God is awesome. I don’t even know how to describe what is so great about it. Petrucci is really drives this song with all his riffing. The vocals are great and while the lyrics may not be the greatest thing ever written they work just fine. I love how it slows down and builds back up again around 6 minutes and the bass just rocks there. The instrumental section and unisons are some of the finest they have ever written. Also the ending of the budokan version is absolutely amazing. Petrucci just takes the song to a new level with the shredding there.

16. Finally Free (SFAM)
Finally free is the perfect ending for SFAM. It wraps up the story perfectly. I love the way it brings back all the themes from the album. I love the theme as it the music starts and builds up and the piano and acoustic are beautiful and dark. Then it really kicks into gear once it goes to Victoria’s perspective. Labrie sounds great on this song. The real highlight of the song though is the ending with Portnoy making some drum porn while the rest of the band keeps time with that awesome theme and the end closing up the album of course is great. The lyrics are fantastic and really tie up all the loose ends.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 25 Now Starting)
Post by: ? on April 01, 2013, 01:57:47 AM
Great picks! :tup
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 25 Now Starting)
Post by: Dream Team on April 01, 2013, 06:39:42 AM
Yes! #20 - #17 are all in my Top 10. Great list.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 25 Now Starting)
Post by: Dacling on April 02, 2013, 08:03:57 PM
15. Repentance (SC)
The best song on Systematic Chaos. It's mellow and atmospheric and it really is a perfect song for what it is. The bass and guitar are beautiful, the piano and keyboards somber, the drumming really great. Labrie sounds really great on this one. Especially the with little echo on the vocals. The guitar solo is amazing and the apology section is perfect. It really works as a whole. I don't understand the people who think the song is too long or drawn out. It has the perfect atmosphere and the apologies at the end give me goosebumps every time and the spoken word's are the perfect ending for the song.

14. Metropolis Pt. I - The Miracle and the Sleeper (I&W)
Metropolis is the definition of DT. If someone asked me what songs perfectly sums up DT it would be this one. The instrumental section is a defining moment of their career and what came out of jokingly naming the song Pt 1 is in my opinion one of the greatest albums ever written. It's opening is epic and Portnoy's drumming is some of his best and Petrucci's guitar playing is perfect. The vocals really are amazing and the lyrics are fantastic. "DEATH IS THE FIRST DANCING TUUUUUUUURTLE" of course their is the bass solo which is amazing. The part at 5:55 always reminds of sonic. The ending is just awesome and I loved the ending they were doing on the last tour.

13. The Count of Tuscany (BC&SL)
As a big Rush fan I completely approve of the epic opening. They really give it that classic Rush feel with the modern DT edge and it just is amazing. As I was writing this I looked away for a second while rocking out to it and all of a sudden three minutes had passed like nothing. I'm going to completely ignore the lyrics for this and acknowledge how amazing the song is rather than focus on something I don't care about in this song. Labrie sounds great here. One of his best performances on later DT albums. While the middle sections is good and everything. The beginning and end are on a whole different level than it. The guitar solo right before the slow section is fantastic and then the slow part is beautiful and Rudess and Petrucci take the song to a whole new dimension of awesomeness. When the acoustic comes out and each member joins back in one by one it really gets great. Labrie from then on to the end of the album does some of his best singing ever. The woah's at the end are just beautiful and this song ends with one of the most epic ending I have ever heard.

12. Home (SFAM)
The opening to Home is just brilliant and the wah wah's start and it really starts kicking ass. This is one of the most fun songs to sing ever as evidenced by Labrie's extreme excitement in every performance of it I have ever heard. Portnoy's drumming is brilliant as usual.  The lyrics are great and I love all the call backs to Metropolis Pt I. I love the slow section leading up to the sex and gambling scene and the drumming and keyboard during it especially. I love that section which a lot of people don't seem to. The keyboard solo is just awesome and I love how the band kicks back into gear in the middle of it. The guitar solo is amazing. I love how it ends with the little section from metropolis and leads in the Dance of Eternity.

11. Lines in the Sand (FII)
Sherinian destroys the opening. After spending what I can only assume was his entire life shoving that keyboard riff into everything he possibly could it finally found a home as the intro for this song and then rocks out for the next couple minutes just being bad ass. Then the rest of the band kicks in and Petrucci lays down some awesome riffs while Portnoy drumming is some of his best ever and gives this song an amazing groove. I especially love the vocals during the OiaLT version of it. I'm not a big fan of them on the album. Labrie really sings hard and the backing vocals are amazing and then it gets to the guitar solo where Petrucci does his best Frampton impression and nails it. The lyrics are great despite being a little odd at time. "Have supper with the aliens" the drumming during that part is awesome and I love the build up the guitar during it is just so cool. The keys during the entire song are so great and the ending is awesome with the high notes.

Tomorrow I am going to do 10 - 6 to make up for the delays. So start guessing the top 10 because it's time for the best of the best. The ultimate DT songs*.
*Opinion expressed entirely my own and any disagreements shall be ignored because my opinion is superior.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 25 Now Starting)
Post by: ? on April 03, 2013, 12:39:28 AM
4 of those songs are awesome! :)
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 25 Now Starting)
Post by: Scorpion on April 03, 2013, 01:52:30 AM
All of those songs are awesome! :)
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 25 Now Starting)
Post by: Ruba on April 03, 2013, 03:07:44 AM
Repentance is so underrated. Such a great song.

I like the four others too.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 25 Now Starting)
Post by: Full Speed on April 03, 2013, 05:49:24 AM
I love TCOT. I find the lyrics to be bad in such a way that they're enjoyable. A lot of songs will have bad lyrics that just make the song boring or fall flat, but on TCOT I think it just adds to the entertainment value.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 25 Now Starting)
Post by: Dacling on April 03, 2013, 10:07:33 AM
I love TCOT. I find the lyrics to be bad in such a way that they're enjoyable. A lot of songs will have bad lyrics that just make the song boring or fall flat, but on TCOT I think it just adds to the entertainment value.

I agree I always find myself singing along to TCOT and rocking out hard even to such bad lyrics. They just don't really bother me when I'm listening to it. I just have fun listening to the whole middle section.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 10 tonight)
Post by: Elite on April 08, 2013, 04:03:05 PM
Burning My Soul is too high.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 10 tonight)
Post by: Dacling on April 09, 2013, 10:04:32 PM
10. Take the Time (I&W)
Take the Time is one of the first DT songs to really click with me. The intro the unique atmosphere. The high vocals, the insane instrumentals. It just rocks from the moment it opens until it disappoints everyone by fading out at the end just as the solo is getting really awesome. I think what makes this song so great and unique is that the lyrics are a collaborative effort so each section has a different feel but it all fits and not to mention a catchy chorus that everyone can sing along to.

9. Trial of Tears (FII)
The homage to Rush's Xanadu in the opening is beautiful and one of my favorite moments in their entire catalog. The lead into the main song is great and I love the bass during the build up. The lyrics are fantastic as all of Myung's contributions are. Portnoy's drumming is especially fantastic in this one as he holds back a little and really play's to the songs perfectly. The keyboard solo is amazing and definitely Sherinian's best of his short time in DT. The bass interlude and the guitar solo are absolutely amazing and then after the keyboard solo the best part of the song Wasteland which is absolutely beautiful and Labrie sounds amazing during it. I love the outro as well and how it ends as slowly as it began.

8. The Glass Prison (6DoIT)
This song fucking rocks. Their is no other way to put it. It starts off with what I think is the best metal intro I've ever heard and building up to some amazing riffing and then the guitar arpeggios kick in and from then on this song doesn't let up and bombards you with some of the best guitar riffs I've ever heard. Portnoy's drumming is fantastic and the double bass groove really gives the song that oomph. Labrie sounds aggressive and Portnoy's backing vocals are the best he's ever done. Rudess may play a support role for most of the song but he does it so perfectly that it can't be ignored. The section with the scratches and building up is just fantastic and has such a cool groove and Labrie really rocks it during that section and the end. I love the keyboard solo and the section afterwords where the keyboard and guitar blend into the riffs is one of the coolest sounds ever. I love the ending with Labrie's vocals shining and the glass shattering. The lyrics are some of Portnoy's better ones too so that's a plus. They need to bring this monster out again on the next tour and rock everyone shit.

7. Blind Faith (6DoIT)
First off the intro is just really epic and a perfect lead into the song. More great Portnoy drumming during this one. Labrie sounds amazing on this song and he wrote some great lyrics as well. The real star here is Rudess though who completely takes over the song with his keyboard solo's and then the unison. My favorite DT unison without a doubt. None of the other compare to it and I love the way it ends with the last few notes twice just making it perfect. For a while I hardly focused on the guitar during this song for the longest time but one time in the car I found myself listening to it and all of Petrucci's riff's are awesome and really set the mood for the song and of course the best part of the vocals.
"And still life pushes on
With or without you
We've got to carry on
Our will, will guide us to
A place where we belong
Know there lies the truth
I am the believer who gives purpose unto you"

In order to make up for the delays I'm going to do 6-3 tomorrow then my two and one slots separately then my 75-51 in list for over 3 days.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 10 tonight)
Post by: ? on April 09, 2013, 11:33:07 PM
Excellent bunch of songs! :metal
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 10 tonight)
Post by: Scorpion on April 10, 2013, 02:43:03 AM
Oh yeah, great update. TGP and TTT are a little high, but great to see some high rankings for ToT and BF. :metal
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 10 tonight)
Post by: BlobVanDam on April 10, 2013, 02:55:37 AM
Can't complain about any of those! All high top 10/20 for me. :tup
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 10 tonight)
Post by: Pols Voice on April 11, 2013, 01:55:59 AM
3 of those are also in my Top 10. TGP missed out, but I still like it a lot.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 10 tonight)
Post by: nicmos on April 11, 2013, 08:33:17 AM
You got the order of SDOIT disc 1 right, with Disappear below all the other awesome songs.  Hard to argue with Blind Faith being the best of the bunch.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 10 tonight)
Post by: GasparXR on April 12, 2013, 12:21:35 AM
Blind Faith is probably one of my absolute favourite DT songs. The SDOIT title track probably beats it, but not by a whole lot, and the entire SDOIT album is likely in my top 25.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown (Top 10 tonight)
Post by: Dacling on April 14, 2013, 03:10:19 AM
6. A Mind Beside Itself (Awake)
First off I know it's a suite but to me it's one piece and I hardly ever listen to it any other way so here it is. Erotomania is an amazing instrumental. It's not my favorite of the DT instrumentals but on it's own it would probably be just under the Dance of Eternity. I especially love the Silent Man theme which sounds really great in the middle of it and one of my favorite thing about this whole suite and Awake in general is the slight southern rock influences during certain parts.

Now Voices is the best part of the suite for me with the epic intro the dark keyboards. Labrie sounds amazing here like all of awake. The lyrics are extremely well written and some of DT's best and may not be the best written thing in the world but it's easy to picture the whole scenario. The sounds clips is actually one of my favorite parts. Something about it just really fits the song and I love the intensity it builds up to come crashing down to the slow part which is beautiful. Everything from "I'm kneeling on the floor" is absolutely flawless. Well the whole song is but it's even better than the first half somehow which is an amazing feat.

The silent man may be short but what it lacks in length it makes up for in character. An acoustic ending to a suite filled almost entirely with metal it ends it off on an emotional note and the guitar solo may be short but it is perfect in context.

5. Scarred (Awake)
If you had asked me a few months ago what the best song on Awake was I would have said A Mind Beside Itself but recently that title was usurped by the progressive metal masterpiece Scarred. The opening is fantastic. The cymbals followed by the beautiful bass line and keyboards then the whole guitar part is just pure ecstasy but it doesn't stop there no you are hardly even a minute into this song when Labrie starts in and does what I believe is his best studio performance. The drumming here is amazing and some of Portnoy's best. When the song kicks in with the riff at 2:10 it is impossible for me to not rock at after that point and then Labrie just owns the entire song with his vocals. The song is just a roller coaster of intensity and it doesn't feel disjointed at all to me like some people have stated on here. I can't hear single moment that doesn't flow perfectly. I love the drums during the first guitar solo that give it such an odd groove and then the keyboard solo. The keyboard solo is Moore's best without a doubt for me and then another amazing guitar solo. The lyrics are fantastic as well and now that we have finished Awake it's time to move on to something a little different.

4. Octavarium (8varium)
Now I'm a Pink Floyd fan first off so I absolutely love the intro to this Epic masterpiece. I love the slow build up and the introduction of the steel lap guitar. The beginning theme is just awesome and the acoustic guitar with the flute solo is just great and really separates this from all of their other epics. Someone like him is great and Labrie really puts a lot of emotion into the vocals especially during the end of it and the orchestra really shines during this part. Then leading into Medicate the bass is awesome and the drum groove is really cool. Then leading out of that is the amazing Moog solo by Rudess. We really need more stuff like that. During Full Circle I really love that keyboard part and it's reprise during Intervals. I actually really like Full Circle because I love the way the vocals flow and the back and forth between Labrie and Portnoy really works. The whole instrumental is just awesome. The little guitar part at 17:50 I really love for some reason. It just sounds so cool. The whole Trapped inside this Octavarium Part and the G5 scream are just awesome. The keyboards after the scream are really cool as well and Razor's edge may not be the most epic ending and may be slightly overrated by some but it is certainly a fantastic ending to this epic. The lyrics may not be the best they have ever written but some of it especially Medicate is really great and I love all the homages to other bands.

3. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence (6DoIT)
Now for the best song on Six Degrees. The monstrous epic title track which I will do by track but this is one song no matter anyone says. It flows seamlessly through all the tracks despite the the rapid changes in direction.

First off is the epic 7 minute orchestral overture which I don't have much to say other than that it is a beautiful opening.

About to Crash starts off with some beautiful piano and leads into a really energetic and upbeat song which really fits the story. I have a personal connection to this song and so this and it's reprise really hold a lot of meaning for me. I can't be sad listening to this section. The music is to happy. Right now I as I am literally trying to depress myself but I can't stop smiling to it. The guitar solo is great and it's actually the first time in a little while that I have just sat down to listen to this whole epic and the drumming during this section really caught my attention this time.

War Inside My Head may be short but man does it rock. Labrie's vocals really rock on this song and Portnoy's backing vocal's are some of his best especially towards the end.

The Test that Stumps them All's intro is just plain awesome. The keyboards of course but the bass really sticks out there. Labrie sounds really aggressive during main verses but I love the little accents him and Portnoy do during the what I guess is the chorus. I don't know what you'd call it. The guitar during that part is also really cool. The Keyboard solo is really cool and kind of reminds me of Home a little and the keyboards after that through the outro just rock.

Goodnight kisses' intro is really somber and it works so well following the rocking last couple sections. Labrie sounds great during it and really puts the emotion into and then Petrucci's guitar solo's is one of his best solo's ever though the Budokan solo is the best.

First off I really love Portnoy's drumming during Solitary Shell. It's very restrained and really fits the song so perfectly. The keyboard at the intro is especially awesome and as always Petrucci's acoustic playing delivers and the guitar solo and piano solo are very unique.

About to Crash Reprise I think is even better than the first about to crash. The guitar at the opening is just plain awesome. Just like the first part I can't help but be happy during this except this time it's even more. It's even more energetic and just as upbeat and Labrie nails it.

Losing Time/Grand Finale is the perfect ending to this massive epic. The losing time part is awesome if only a little too short but awesome none the less. The Grand Finale is beautiful and Labrie really wraps it up in a most epic fashion and the gong at the end is perfect.

This song has also got some great lyrics though not their best or most original but it's nothing to complain about because the song is just so great.

This was a truly epic update with these songs equaling almost 100 minutes of music. Tomorrow will be my number 2.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: ? on April 14, 2013, 03:21:30 AM
Not a fan of Octavarium, and Six Degrees is more of a collection of good ideas than a good song in my eyes, but both AMBI and Scarred deserve spots as high as those.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: aprilethereal on April 14, 2013, 04:03:56 AM
I'm not the biggest fan of AMBI, but the others are truly awesome  :tup
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: BlobVanDam on April 14, 2013, 04:08:44 AM
All great choices, except for Scarred, which I'd rank about the same, except from the opposite end.

:trainwreck:
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Dacling on April 15, 2013, 09:35:00 PM
2. Wait for Sleep + Learning to Live (I&W)
To me these two songs are one piece and what an amazing piece they are. The Wait for Sleep piano theme is absolutely beautiful and Labrie sings beautifully and the lyrics are fantastic.
"God give me the power to take breath from a breeze
 And call life from a cold metal frame"

Now Learning to Live is the real star here as amazing as Wait for Sleep is this is what makes it so great. The intro is just awesome. The keyboards, the drums, the riffing. The keyboards right before it slows down for the first verse are just amazing. The bass line there is fantastic and the vocals are some of Labrie's best ever throughout. The F# and the ending being the best vocal parts of course. The riff once it gets to 3:10 is just awesome and one of the best on I&W's. I absolutely love the whole acoustic section. I just get lost in it every single time. It's majestic and the drums during it are perfect. Then the electric guitar kicks back in and it builds up to the all important F# and preceding guitar solo which just blows me away every single time I listen to this song and i've listened to it a lot. The keyboard after it perfect and then the whole wait for sleep theme section is just brilliant the way each member contributes to it is just flawless. The guitar part is fantastic and then the amazing little guitar and keyboard solos during it. Then finally the amazing end vocals and the bass that follows and the outro and the ooh's during it make it perfect. I don't know what more I can say but this is a master piece of prog metal other than how amazing Myung's lyrics are.. Though there is one song that tops it and that will be my number one tomorrow.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: ? on April 15, 2013, 10:58:45 PM
I had that pair at the exact same spot in my list! :tup
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Destiny Of Chaos on April 18, 2013, 02:07:06 PM
Okay... we're at the one month mark. Please wrap this up so that someone else can get their list stated.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Dacling on April 20, 2013, 02:48:52 PM
1. A Change of Seasons(ACOS)
Sorry for the delays.  This is my ultimate dt song. There is far too many good things to say so I will just leave it at that. The anyone who still care I will post many orher songs next wednesday when I get home but the next person should start. Thanks to those of you who cared enough to read this.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: Scorpion on April 20, 2013, 03:54:19 PM
Good choice. It was my favourite for a long time, and sits comfortably at #2, though that's no knock on its quality at all. :tup
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: iamtheeviltwin on April 20, 2013, 09:55:31 PM
Good choice, ACOS is worthy of the top spot.
Title: Re: Dacling's 100 DT Song Countdown
Post by: ? on April 21, 2013, 03:41:13 AM
Good choice. It was my favourite for a long time, and sits comfortably at #2 #3, though that's no knock on its quality at all. :tup