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Dream Theater => Dream Theater => Topic started by: The Letter M on November 14, 2013, 05:11:02 PM
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It's been over 3 years since I started THIS thread (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=15370.0) and since then, two more DT albums have come out, so I wanted to revamp this poll and tweak it a bit.
This time, you can pick TWO pairs of albums, and it doesn't even matter if both choices share an album. You could pick IAW/Awake and Awake/FII, or go for what might be the more popular options, IAW/Awake and SFAM/SDOIT.
You can pick any TWO pairs, but that's it. Choose wisely.
-Marc.
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Images and Words - Awake, no doubt.
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2 pairs? Sweet!
First choice is SFAM->6. My very close second is ADTOE->DT12.
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Well, Images and Words is my favorite DT album, but my next three favorite DT albums are TOT, SFAM, and SDOIT. Since those three are right in a row, I went with those two options.
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I hate to be that guy, but Images and Words/Awake by far, followed by A Dramatic Turn of Events/Dream Theater.
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I&W and Awake easily.
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My choices are the rather predictable I&W>Awake and SFAM>SDOIT.
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Went with ADTOE and DT12. Kind of a hard choice. 6DOIT, Awake, and 8VM are my favorite albums other than DT12, but ADTOE is better than the albums surrounding my other favorites. My second choice would have probably been Awake and FII.
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I hate to be that guy, but Images and Words/Awake by far, followed by A Dramatic Turn of Events/Dream Theater.
Eh, don't worry about being "that guy." It's still Dream Theater. You pretty much can't lose with any of those options.
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Interesting. I would say none of those. My true favorites are all several years apart.
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2 pairs? Sweet!
First choice is SFAM->6. My very close second is ADTOE->DT12.
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2 pairs? Sweet!
First choice is SFAM->6. My very close second is ADTOE->DT12.
Yep, same here.
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My first choice is 8VM > SC, both are just incredibly consistent albums and a joy to listen to all the way through.
ADTOE > DT are also quite consistnet, but I love SFAM too much, so my next choice is SFAM > SDOIT, even though 6 Degrees has a few stumbles throughout.
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Easy choice for me.
I&W, Awake and SFAM, SDOIT
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Easy choice for me.
I&W, Awake and SFAM, SDOIT
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I&W and Awake
Train of Thought and Octavarium
4 of my top 6 DT albums. The other 2 (Scenes and ADTOE) are surrounded by albums that I'm not so keen on, so this was an easy choice for me.
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Voted ADToE and DT because there was no other realistic option.
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1. Scenes - 6DOIT (My vote)
2. Images - Awake
3. 6DOIT - ToT (EDIT)
4. ToT - 8varium
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I didn't read the post, so I only voted once.
I voted for SFAM > SDOIT. Their two best albums back to back. Nothing else comes close to that. My second vote would have gone to FII > SFAM.
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Images and Words - Awake, no doubt.
Ditto
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The first two options, easily.
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I went TOT - 8VM simply because TOT got me into the band and 8VM sealed the deal so those two albums are important to me.
I realise that SFAM - 6DOIT is the logical choice but I got those two albums really late.
( I didn't even get 6DOIT until 2009 )
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I didn't see it was two options until it was too late.
That being said the two most popular options would've been my vote, though I immediately picked the first of those two upon entering the thread.
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Images awakening in a dramatic theater?
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My choices are the rather predictable I&W>Awake and SFAM>SDOIT.
This!
However i was close to selecting 8VM and SC. 8VM introduced me to DT, and SC made me a fan in 2007.
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:lol I guess I could've made the thread title a bit more clear, but this shows just how many people here DON"T read the OP before voting. Good thing we aren't voting for politicians here... :rollin
-Marc.
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Images and Awake. I am that guy :lol
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:lol I guess I could've made the thread title a bit more clear, but this shows just how many people here DON"T read the OP before voting. Good thing we aren't voting for politicians here... :rollin
Yeah no kidding. 59 voters as of this moment but only 81 actual votes cast, when it should be twice the number of voters (118). :facepalm: So that's 37 people who only voted once, out of 59. :rollin
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Images and Words - Awake, no doubt.
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Images and Words - Awake, no doubt.
Their 2nd best and the best album.
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Wow, someone actually picked SC and BC&SL. Eh, to each his own.
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Scenes and SDOIT
I&W and Awake
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Scenes >> SDOIT
and
SDOIT >> ToT
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1. Train Of Thought > Octavarium - for reasons specified.
2. Scenes From A Memory > Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence - because they are the two best albums back to back.
I like Images and Words but I just can't get into Awake at all bar a few songs.
My #3 choice would be A Dramatic Turn Of Events > DT12 because it's two back on form albums after a couple of DT -by-numbers albums
(IMO)
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My #3 choice would be A Dramatic Turn Of Events > DT12 because it's two back on form albums after a couple of DT -by-numbers albums
ADTOE is a ton more "DT by numbers" than SC, and probably BCASL too. I think ADTOE is actually their safest album yet. I'm glad DT12 got a little bit more adventurous again.
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2 pairs? Sweet!
First choice is SFAM->6. My very close second is ADTOE->DT12.
Yep, same here.
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My #3 choice would be A Dramatic Turn Of Events > DT12 because it's two back on form albums after a couple of DT -by-numbers albums
ADTOE is a ton more "DT by numbers" than SC, and probably BCASL too. I think ADTOE is actually their safest album yet. I'm glad DT12 got a little bit more adventurous again.
I agree that ADTOE is fairly "safe" - but it got away from that whole long songs for the sake of it , instrumental sections that go on longer than they need to and solo trade-offs that were becoming really boring ( imo ).
Plus - I think making ADTOE fairly safe was a deliberate move to say " we're still the same band " after MM joined.
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My #3 choice would be A Dramatic Turn Of Events > DT12 because it's two back on form albums after a couple of DT -by-numbers albums
ADTOE is a ton more "DT by numbers" than SC, and probably BCASL too. I think ADTOE is actually their safest album yet. I'm glad DT12 got a little bit more adventurous again.
I agree that ADTOE is fairly "safe" - but it got away from that whole long songs for the sake of it , instrumental sections that go on longer than they need to and solo trade-offs that were becoming really boring ( imo ).
Plus - I think making ADTOE fairly safe was a deliberate move to say " we're still the same band " after MM joined.
Outcry's instrumental section exceeds them on instrumental wankery. It's something like 1/3 of the song, a massive chunk right in the middle that doesn't fit the song imo. It's like the song is pregnant with TDOE
And BITS has as much padded back to back soloing as SC/BCASL, with unison, guitar solo, key solo, continuum solo, unison. Not really any different to BCASL at all, and it's not particularly memorable.
LNF has back to back solos too, although the backing progression and riffing are much more unique in that one, so it's not what I'd call the "cut and paste" approach. But nonetheless, back to back solos.
While the album had more variety in structures, it really didn't stray that far from the solo tradeoffs of its predecessors. DT12 was a definite push towards tighter structures though.
But I agree that ADTOE was an intentional approach to keep it safe with the new lineup. But regardless, it's a reason why I find ADTOE to be their most dull of the RR albums. DT12 was much improved for me in that regard.
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"DT by numbers" doesn't have a negative ring to my ears and it doesn't seem like viable argument to me when it comes to criticizing DT's music. I mean, you don't like the typical traits that characterize the band? A huge reason why I'm into DT is "excessive wankery" (ES, TDOE, Outcry, EM - all big favorites of mine), unisons, solo tradeoffs and so on. These are some core elements of their sound. I find most of them well-crafted, exciting and memorable. In this regard, while ADTOE might be more typical on paper than the two albums that preceded it, it definitely sounds more inspired -thus fresh- to me. God forbid they actually reinvented themselves every second album.
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Sycsa is perhaps the most brilliant and insightful man I have ever encountered.
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I don't get why people complain about DT's occasional wankfests. Considering who they are and their abilities, I'd be more surprised if there weren't any self-indulgent moments.
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Images-awake
Fii-scenes
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And BITS has as much padded back to back soloing as SC/BCASL, with unison, guitar solo, key solo, continuum solo, unison. Not really any different to BCASL at all, and it's not particularly memorable.
That is not true at all. Bridges in the Sky's instrumental section is short (by DT standards) and to the point; you never feel like it goes on for too long, probably because all three solos are pretty short (JR's back to back solos are around 20 seconds COMBINED). Hell, that whole section is only around 90 seconds total, and it feels shorter than that. Contrast that to the one in A Nightmare to Remember that is nearly three minutes long, yet feels longer.
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"DT by numbers" doesn't have a negative ring to my ears and it doesn't seem like viable argument to me when it comes to criticizing DT's music. I mean, you don't like the typical traits that characterize the band? A huge reason why I'm into DT is "excessive wankery" (ES, TDOE, Outcry, EM - all big favorites of mine), unisons, solo tradeoffs and so on. These are some core elements of their sound. I find most of them well-crafted, exciting and memorable. In this regard, while ADTOE might be more typical on paper than the two albums that preceded it, it definitely sounds more inspired -thus fresh- to me. God forbid they actually reinvented themselves every second album.
My feelings spoken better than I ever could! Thank you.
Sycsa is perhaps the most brilliant and insightful man I have ever encountered.
Yup! :tup
I don't get why people complain about DT's occasional wankfests. Considering who they are and their abilities, I'd be more surprised if there weren't any self-indulgent moments.
I'd actually be disappointed and would probably loose interest in the band. Viva le virtuosity!
On topic: I picked SFAM-6° then ADToE-DT12
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"DT by numbers" doesn't have a negative ring to my ears and it doesn't seem like viable argument to me when it comes to criticizing DT's music. I mean, you don't like the typical traits that characterize the band? A huge reason why I'm into DT is "excessive wankery" (ES, TDOE, Outcry, EM - all big favorites of mine), unisons, solo tradeoffs and so on. These are some core elements of their sound. I find most of them well-crafted, exciting and memorable. In this regard, while ADTOE might be more typical on paper than the two albums that preceded it, it definitely sounds more inspired -thus fresh- to me. God forbid they actually reinvented themselves every second album.
:tup
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And BITS has as much padded back to back soloing as SC/BCASL, with unison, guitar solo, key solo, continuum solo, unison. Not really any different to BCASL at all, and it's not particularly memorable.
That is not true at all. Bridges in the Sky's instrumental section is short (by DT standards) and to the point; you never feel like it goes on for too long, probably because all three solos are pretty short (JR's back to back solos are around 20 seconds COMBINED). Hell, that whole section is only around 90 seconds total, and it feels shorter than that. Contrast that to the one in A Nightmare to Remember that is nearly three minutes long, yet feels longer.
How long a section "feels" is entirely subjective of course (although personally I slightly prefer the soloing section in ANTR anyway, especially with JP's rock style in that one). But granted, it is a longer section by a fair percentage. Structurally, it's very much in the vein of that late MP era of DT though.
We also have Outcry with a 4 minute instrumental section right in the middle, and the instrumental section in the middle of BAI is 5 and a half minutes by my count. For songs that are around 12 minutes each, those are pretty massive chunks.
You could also fairly point out some very large sections of BCASL too. I'm really not looking to add it all up here! :lol
I don't mean to argue that ADTOE is as bad overall as BCASL though, as I have no doubt that if you added it all up BCASL would come off the worse compared to any other DT album. I was just pointing out that ADTOE isn't as much of a departure in that regard as people seem to think. Better, yes, but it's still very much there.
DT12 is a significant change though, no doubt. Their most concise album in a loooooong time.
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Well, Outcry kind of stands out as THE song with the major wankery instrumental section on ADTOE, but while something like Breaking All Illusions has a long one, too, it is fairly different for them, as they are more or less jamming off of a vibe for the majority of it, instead of taking turns soloing, and the one solo that is in there, JP's, really stands out in their catalogue, since how many of JP's guitar solos have that kind of bluesy feel while having that subdued of a musical backdrop? I can't think of any similar to it, so it sounds rather unique in the context of their history, rather than sounding like just another solo. I remember hearing that for the first time and thinking, "Wow, you never hear DT do something like this!!"
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I hate to be that guy, but Images and Words/Awake by far, followed by A Dramatic Turn of Events/Dream Theater.
I'm that kind of guy, too :lol My close third is the obvious SFaM->6DOIT.
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I hate to be that guy, but Images and Words/Awake by far, followed by A Dramatic Turn of Events/Dream Theater.
I'm that kind of guy, too :lol My close third is the obvious SFaM->6DOIT.
A lot of us are that guy. It's hard to argue with I & W and Awake being two of their best.
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I didn't notice I could vote two options. The other would have been WDADU/IAW.
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Sycsa is perhaps the most brilliant and insightful man I have ever encountered.
Gotta sig this! :lol
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I didn't notice I could vote two options. The other would have been WDADU/IAW.
I made the same mistake!
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Voted 1st 2 and last 2.
WDADU and I&W were musical bliss for me at the time.
ADTOE and ST have reignited the flame.
Still, they are all (except SC which is half a great album) great albums.
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It was pretty easy to choose the first one: ADTOE and DT12
I struggled a bit with the second but ended up going with 8V and SC. I can't necessarily say those are my favorite but those are the first two DT albums that I liked every song right off the bat. Usually that doesn't mean they are better songs, just more accessible but for the purposes of this poll I went with that.
For me though, ADTOE and DT12 are the most consistently awesome sounding albums so they are my true favorite back to back albums.
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Systematic Chaos + Black Clouds & Silver Linings - 4 votes (2,1%)
Black Clouds & Silver Linings + A Dramatic Turn Of Events - 1 vote (0,5%)
(https://i.imgur.com/yb1CPgE.gif)
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I went for Awake+FII and ADTOE+DT12. I&W+Awake was a close third. Most other choices have albums that are pretty distant on my list, like SDOIT+ToT for example, or 8VM+SC. Awake and FII are very close in quality for me, about 4th place. ADTOE and DT12 are maybe a couple places off, but I like DT12 better than either I&W and Awake, and ADTOE I like about as much as those two.
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Awake -> Falling Into Infinity, Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence-> Train of Thought
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Images and Words - Awake, no doubt.
This, forever and ever, amen.
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I hate to be that guy, but Images and Words/Awake by far, followed by A Dramatic Turn of Events/Dream Theater.
This........................and this
ADTOE and ST have reignited the flame.
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Six Degrees and ToT + ADTOE and DT12. Close third is 8V & SC, then I&W and Awake. Needless to say, it doesn't reflect my album-to-album standing.