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Dream Theater => Dream Theater => Topic started by: GentlemanofDread on February 16, 2014, 05:07:25 PM
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>You are at a crossroads in the middle of a forest. You are unsure of which way to turn. Perhaps this signpost will tell you wheOH GOD DAMN IT IT'S A TOP 50 LIST. Faded and torn, you are unsure what it means when it starts to.. glow. Pages torn and faded begin to repair. Grow. Multiply. The glow becomes too bright..
Sup. Back. Screw laptop problems. Let's get some shenanigans going. Some controversy. Some hate, some love, some pepsi, let's chill for a while, k?
You should probably avoid this thread if you don't want setlist spoilers because I'll be talking about certain songs.
50. A Change Of Seasons
Come, let us adore him, abuse and then ignore him..
"Man, a return of this guy's top DT 50 song list, and I remember last time. He put ACOS 50th but hopefully this time he's smarter and not messing it up. Let's click.. A CHANGE OF SEASONS? NUMBER 50?! AGAIN?! SERIOUSLY?! WHERE'S MY PITCHFORK? GANG, BURN HIM! HE'S DONE THIS TWICE NOW."
Breathe in. Breathe out. In. Out. In. Out.
Individual parts, I love this song. I love the starting notes, I love the reprise, I love the lyrics and how each individual part has it's own feel. But there's one problem I have with it, and it's a good chunk of the later part of the song, from The Darkest of Winters to the start of Crimson Sunset. Darkest of Winters feels misplaced, it doesn't fit into Carpe Diem or Another World, it feels like it should come at the end of Another World. And Another World/The Inevitable Summer just feel like they drag slightly after The Darkest of Winters. It's a shame that I've felt this way, because this was my first ever DT Song I got the chance to listen to. I suspect actually, it might only just have managed to make it onto this list because of my nostalgia for it. (51 is no longer POW). Things I do like about this is damn it Sherinan what do you do to your keyboards? Damn it man, you should of been on more albums.
49. Prophets of War- Systematic Chaos
We implicate, incriminate, exacerbate, too much at stake, Our fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters, Forced, perpetuating their ideals, a mindless act to stay the course
"Ugh, right, he just did a quick C+P of his ACOS thing, changed some things, what did he mean by Prophets of War was no long49?! IT'S 49?! ABOVE ACOS! MURDER HIM!"
Yeah, yeah, I know. Prophets of War. Worst song from SC. Above ACOS. Above some other fan favourites too. The name is a pun, the song is nothing spectacular lyrically and musically, and yet.. There's just something about it that's.. good to me. It could be the way it sounds, it could be the effects, the choir, the drumming, the guitar work, the keys, just.. something that makes me put it on and rock the hell out to it. You know why it's this low? Because I can't place what I like about it.
48. The Looking Glass- Dream Theater
You are caught up in your gravity, Glorifying madness, Singing your own praise
Seriously, This is a good song, good guitar solo, good bass (Love me some bass), good drum work and good keys. If there's an issue with it I can think of, it's the lyrics are a weird kind of blend of being harsh and avoiding the real blame of the subject in hand. JLB performs this well vocally, and live, this song kicks ASS. Labrie is a god at singing this, the entire band on form and it shows just a nice little tune that fits nicely anywhere. It might have got a lot more praise had it not been on DT12, I think.
So now then. We're at an interesting moment. Predictions? Thoughts? No need to worry about me vanishing due to laptop issues as I have BACKUPS EVERYWHERE. ALL THE BACKUPS.
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50. A Change Of Seasons
49. Prophets of War- Systematic Chaos
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PoW isn't the worst song on SC at all (I'd probably put it ahead of Forsaken and TDEN) but it's nothing special and really muse-y which is the big criticism it gets.
TLG is also just kind of meh. It's a DT12 song and I don't like DT12 as a whole which could be part of that.
And ACoS should be higher but apparently a lot of people don't care for it so whatever, still a damn amazing song in my book.
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This looks like it'll be fun to read and pretty controversial :neverusethis:
ACOS is too damn low. I don't think it's the most amazing thing ever, but I do love it. It does feel a little out of order at times though, and some parts drag it down a bit. That's why it's not as high as others put it.
I like Prophets of War. I don't love it by any means, but it's a good song. I classify it where i'd put BMU, BMD. It's fun, but nothing special. Never Enough is the better one of the 2 songs heavily inspired by Muse.
TLG is a real fun, lighthearted song. I can't wait to see it live as I'm sure it's better when live, but it's not amazing. If I redid my top 50 it might make it, but then again there's a LOT of songs I left off that could've made it. In the middle of the pack compared to the rest of their songs.
InB4 Raw Dog as #1.
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Oh hell no will Raw Dog be #1. Spoilers, it's not on my top 50.
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ACOS is a tad bit low. I wouldn't put it above 30 since after Another World it just drags for no reason.
I don't mind seeing PoW in a top 50.
TLG is my least favourite song from DT12. It was probably the worst part of seeing them live this year. :lol
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Well, as I said, Another World feels misplaced, and that probably helps making it drag just a bit more. (It is my least favourite section of ACOS)
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Another World is the best part though. ???
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50. A Change Of Seasons
48. The Looking Glass - DT12
Fixed.
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47. The Shattered Fortress- Black Clouds and Silver Linings
Look in the mirror, What do you see? The shattered fortress, That once bound me
Man, oh man, Black Clouds was the first DT Album I actually brought and. Well. It was a bit shit, wasn't it? Well, I mean, just some songs didn't connect with me and some did. This did. The final song in the AA Suite, and when I first listened to it, it was good, but as time passed, and my knowledge of the AA Suite increased, I noticed all the little references, all the familar licks of the music, the lyrics, just.. it appealed to my love for stories and tales with a sense of continuity between them. The final section is probably my favourite part of a song on Black Clouds. I also got to see this live and man oh man, this was a phenomal song live, and certainly caught a few people off guard that it was played.
46. In The Name of God- Train of Thought
Justifying violence, Citing from the Holy Book, Teaching hatred, In the name of God
I'll start off with the negative thing: Man this could of done with some better mixing I feel. Just feels like some things are a tad quiet compared to some certain parts. But man, I love a good song about the bad parts of religion. Makes me feel tingly inside. Also, not LaBrie's strongest vocal performance, but I feel performances from Myung and Petrucci more than make this song a rock out piece of awesomness. Certainly the bit where the bass takes lead, my favourite bit, is something that just shows how DT can go from rocking out to something a bit mellow, a bit more on the bass lead side. Just, awesome.
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Both are WAY too low. :tdwn
Also ToT has some of the best mixing, so nah, ITNOG doesn't need better mixing.
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^_^
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eggnog is way too low :<
TSF I don't mind seeing here, it's an alright enough song that just doesn't do anything particularly special.
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I could see TSF reasonably just grazing the top 50. I do enjoy the closing section quite a bit as well and it works as a fine closure to the AA suite. ITNOG on other hand, is far too low.
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The bass and drum groove behind the entire instrumental section and the part where the main riff kicks back in after that with the pinched harmonic is reason enough for this song to be in at least the top 20. That fucking groove is just :metal :metal
TSF was around this spot on my list. I really like it, but it doesn't deserve any higher than mid 40's. Some of the lyrics and vocal phrases are a bit meh to me, but other than that it closes the Suite very well. I'm just happy I get to see at least SOME of The Glass Prison live at the end of this song in April :lol though this is gonna be an amazing song for a concert, I can tell.
Also, if TGP isn't on this list, meaning TSF is higher, we can't be friends. :biggrin:
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In The Name of Petrucci is bloodly low. Any reasons for that (Besides your thoughts on the mix)?
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I'm not too sure. There's something about the mix that just puts me off, and plus I usually like to sing along with the song and I can never remember what the words are because LaBrie sounds illegible in some points.
...
And I guess it drags a bit in the big instrumental section? I can't think why it's so low, just.. it is.
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LaBrie mispronouces most of the lyrics he sings.
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LaBrie mispronouces most of the lyrics he sings.
Mission: Innocence Faded
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45. Behind The Veil- Dream Theater
What kind of monster would come to feast, When the devil shows his face?
Man, you wouldn't believe what a nice little entry piece does to make me love a song, and this is no exception. Sure, it may have so very little to do with the actual song that comes after it, but the juxtaposition is so lovely. Like a normal life broken apart into the chaotic realm that the song's subject matter almost seems to be about. LaBrie, like most of DT12, is on fire for this song and I love the little vocal effects. The guitar solo on this is pure FUCK YEAH goodness, and that's what I like from a guitar solo. But then, like most of DT12, there's restraint on it.. almost too much for my liking. This song could do with a little added few moments of wackiness from everyone on the instruments, but I suppose only five songs can be perfect..
44. Bombay Vindaloo- Live At The Marquee
*Instruments*
This will be a small write up about how awesome Kevin Moore is. So. Awesome. And this instrumentally just solidifies how awesome he was. The little notes, the little additions to what the rest of the band is doing, it's just, yes. I was quite surprised to see people haven't heard this song and you know what? Go out of your way to do so because it's so very very good. Not my favorite instrumental, but you'll see what that is and I'll be explaining why that's my favorite later.
43. Bridges In The Sky- A Dramatic Turn of Events
And at last the time has come, To unite again as one, To the power of the Earth I'm calling
BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH. What's that? Throat singing? And ADOTE didn't do enough for you for being a bit experimental? Well, can't say why that is, because man, songs like this, long epic pieces with those mystical lyrics I love so much from a song, with those keys, that guitar and most importantly, those bass licks. Mm. So. Great. Honestly, like most people, the drums are what let this song down but I can't fault it too much. Really, what lets this song down for me is that the throat singing isn't used more. Would have been so great to have a little bit in the middle of the song would the throat singing to kick back in and then BAM. Last vocal section, coming right in with instruments, would have been so good..
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Behind the Veil is an okay song. The solo is great but I just hate the vocal effects.
Never heard and probably never going to hear Bombay Vindaloo.
BITS is way too low. I've never heard anyone say that drums let the song down. The drums are pretty okay in the song, if a bit simple during the chorus. The instrumental part has amazing drumming.
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Seeing TSF live brought to me a love for the song that I never had... perfect position for that one!
The rest not so much :-\
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Behind the Veil is an okay song. The solo is great but I just hate the vocal effects.
This. Although I like BITS, I find it extremely overrated. It doesn't have anything special IMO.
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This. Although I like BITS, I find it extremely overrated. It doesn't have anything special IMO.
I find the chorus to be of the best DT has ever done. The instrumental section is also amazing.
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:corn :corn :corn
Keep on delivering, Mr. Of Dread.
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This. Although I like BITS, I find it extremely overrated. It doesn't have anything special IMO.
I find the chorus to be of the best DT has ever done.
IMO, the only amazing part of the chorus is the "Shaman take my hand" line. The rest is quite forgettable, sorry :lol
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42. Only A Matter of Time- When Dream and Day Unite
A suited man smiled said:, "It's just a matter of time, You can have the world at your feet by tomorrow, just sign on this line."
When Dream and Day Unite, man, such an album that gets what I feel is undeserving hate. Love it. I love nearly every song on this album and this is not the one exception. This is an excellent piece of music that gets missed off simply because the mixing is not the best in the world. Lyrically, it's a Kevin Moore song, it's strong, the keys are awesome, the drumming is top notch. Dominici is a good vocalist that I love to hear and the only bad thing I'd have to say about this song (other than the mixing) is perhaps could shave off the last 30 seconds?
41. Just Let Me Breathe- Falling Into Infinity
A daily dose of eMpTyV, Will flush your mind right down the drain
From the worst sounding album to one of the best sounding albums, there's no doubting this is one of the stronger sounding DT albums production wise, and what song better to be on a (from a review I saw on this album), "A too involved music industry made album" than a song being possibly the most critical DT have ever been on a someone or groups of someone? This is a rocking tune, guitars and keyboard mixed just so finely to give you that urge to drop what you're doing and rock the hell out to it. One of my favourite drumming performances by Portnoy as well. A fine, fine tune that deserves a place on anyone's Top 50 list.
40. Forsaken- Systematic Chaos
Out of and ivory mist, I felt a stinging kiss, And saw a crimson stain on her lips
The piano rules. The guitar rules. The vocal performance rules. What doesn't rule about this song? Perhaps the subject matter, which like the rest of Systematic Chaos, took a while (so LONG) for me to get that I often said I ranked this album the lowest. But then, when listening to this song... it hit me. It's a journey, of tales told past and present for the Priest, and this is one that I feel is present. It's a song I long wished I'd seen live, just to rock the hell out to it and sing along. Cool piece. I should do these writing things a tad better..
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I see that this may be appropriate:
https://img.pandawhale.com/post-25067-And-Here-We-Go-Joker-gif-Imgur-x71M.gif
But yeah, this update. I like it. Another (please).
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Feel like you might wanna safe that gif for later.. ;D
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Won't comment on WDADU songs.
Just Let Me Breathe might be my least favourite DT song. The vocal melodies are just "WTF" and Derek's keyboard sound is as annoying as ever.
Forsaken is more of a 60-70 range song imo. But it's still a nice. I like to play it on drums either way.
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I don't care for WDADU songs besides Afterlife and A Fortune in Lies. JLB almost made my top 50, it's so cool and groovy.
Let's see how this list turns out.
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Only a Matter of Time is too low, but a great choice nonetheless. James Let Me Brie and Forsaken are too high, but I can actually understand those choices.
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Feel like you might wanna safe that gif for later.. ;D
Yeah. I feel that I may have used it too early too.
...bugger.
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I can assure everyone WDADU features a fair bit in this list :D
And teaser for the next post: It features the last time a Twelve Step Suite is in my top 50 list.
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TGP is either too low or way too low, then.
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And teaser for the next post: It features the last time a Twelve Step Suite is in my top 50 list.
And that makes me very sad.
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Just Let Me Breathe isn't in my top 50 but I love the song, it's so groovy.
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(I'll add a write up for them later, but here are the next three songs)
39. The Root of All Evil- Octavarium
Dirty enough for me to lustLeaving nothing left to trust
Man, I love the opening on this song. I've always been a headphones kind of guy and well, just hearing it switch from left to right, right to left, that kind of stuff just makes me smile happily to myself. It's why I'm a Pink Floyd song. Octavarium is always an album I don't like, not because it's bad, but because I don't think there's enough of their own sound in there, but this song is just enough of influence and their own sound. Myung's bass always eluded me as to what it's doing, but that's not a bad point. One of my favorite Portnoy drumming performances.
38. Outcry- A Dramatic Turn of Events
As I welcome death, I hear the battle cry, Bullets fall like fire, Raining from the sky
Outcry is pretty cool. Mike Mangini's performance was a highlight to me, as was JR's keys. But really, why I love Outcry is the lyrics and really, the subject matter. They deal with the Arab Spring and I followed that along for so long (still am, interesting to see fallout and stuff). Plus it helps it's a well constructed song that I misheard one of the lyrics FOREVER (and still do.) It's "Rise Up, Be Counted", which I thought for the longest time was "Rise Zombie, Counted." Oops.
37. The Glass Prison- Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Chasing a long lost friend, I no longer can control, Just waiting for this hopelessness to end
WOW. SUCH LOW. MUCH SHOCK. Why so low? I'll deal with that right now. It could do with just the teeeniest bit of fat trimming towards the end, but that might just be me. What I love is that guitar. Just, mmmf. SOIDT is my favourite album and most of the reason is JP's guitar and the sounds he gets from it and this song is only one perfect example at all. Lyrically, the strongest of the 12SS in my opinion, and well, LaBrie does quite the performance on this song.
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Keep deliverin' bro.
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TROA is great and well placed. :tup
So is Outcry. :tup
TGP is way too low.
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Okay, added the write up for the songs. Sorry they weren't there before.
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great stuff!
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It's why I'm a Pink Floyd song.
:justjen
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Yes, spoilers, I'm actually Echoes by Pink Floyd.
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:lol
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Yes, spoilers, I'm actually Echoes by Pink Floyd.
Oh, I assumed Arnold Layne. My mistake.
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No but he did See Emily Play.
(GoD, it is on).
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Following. Regarding Outcry's lyrics, I couldn't disagree more :lol The reason why Outcry is one of my least favourite songs from ADTOE is the cringeworthy lyrics. I mean, the subject is very good, but I think the lyrics themselves are just bad and that's one of the main reasons I don't like it as much as most of the rest on ADTOE.
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I think most people will disagree with me, but DT lyrics can be cringeworthy as hell to some people and they will be better than most bands I listened to for 14, 15 years of my life. Cringey means so little to me, and I think that the Meddle of okay lyrics and great subject matter wins out.
(Sketchy, we are so on I will make you have on in your Epitah that you got outreferenced By Gentleman of Dread.)
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I'm afraid unless I learn some discipline, all you'll find there will be confusion.
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Holy mother of low-on-the-list of songs! This is turning out to be quite the interesting top 50 :tup
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I guess that since I have free time I'll leave a comment
BtV - worst DT12 song :tup
BV - still never heard it :tup
BitS - a bit too low but won't really complain about seeing it
OaMoT - most insufferable dominici performance :tup
JLMB - fun song, always want to rate it higher but the lyrics irk me
F - used to dislike this more than I do, still one of the weaker SC songs though
TRoAE - as underrated here as in everyone else's opinion :sadpanda:
O - yeah this is a good spot for it. also I have no interest in what a song is literally about as long as it sounds nice, usually.
TGP - doge does not approve of this being so low. also the fat trimming should be in the middle section not the end
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I think most people should remember the positions of A Change of Seasons and The Glass Prison for most upcoming updates. ;D
INCLUDING THIS ONE!
36. Vacant- Train of Thought
She's losing control, What can I do, her vacant eyes, Black holes, Am I losing you
Not much to write about other than this a beautiful song, and the performance by LaBrie is so moving that I get a little tearyeyed hearing it sometimes. One of the best performances by JR too, no wankery, just some lovely piano. It's quite nice to hear and just relax to it. The Bass of course, another highlight and the cello is pretty sweet. DT should add another song this dark and mellow to the repitore.
35. The Spirit Carries On-Metropolis Pt 2
Move on, be brave, Don't weep at my grave, Because I am no longer here, But please never let, Your memory of me disappear
What an awesome track. Just, this is track is the closest I feel DT ever got to what I used to listen to in terms of music, and even then, it's radically different. The piano, the way it builds, that guitar solo, the lyrical content, all different to the stuff I used to listen to. Why this low though? Overexposure, I guess. It's no longer something special to me, and sometimes I think it's one of those songs I just put on to have playing in the background.
34. Light Fuse and Get Away- WDADU
I've tried to wash from memory, feelings of betrayal and the incidents, that plague me since I lost my sense, of innocence
Fun song, fun to sing along to and just rock out to. Love the intro, love Dominci's performance and that fast paced vocal section is just yes! I take pride in practicing that section and not taking a breath. Just an all round fun song that is hurt again by the mixing of WDADU I feel.
33. Blind Faith- Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
I've painted my own Mona Lisa, She's fixed everything, Now I'm spoiled beyond my wildest dreams
Man, this song is just strange. After the hard rocking head banging goodness that was Glass Prison, this comes along to almost sit us down and tell us that not every song has to be that heavy to be good, and man, yet again, good solid performance by the band and I feel that yet again, maybe this song could do with a tad bit of trimming in places, but I'm not sure where that would be. Every piece of this song sounds gorgeous and so where I can place where GP needs trimming and I can't this song, Blind Faith beats The Glass Prison in my opinion.
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<3 Vacant so much. :metal :metal :metal :metal :metal :metal :metal :metal :metal
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LFaGA doesn't belong there, but otherwise a fine update. :tup
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A pretty good position for the songs except for LFaGA. Can't agree on Blind Faith being better than TGP tho.
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I think most people are gonna hate LFaGA being this high.
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I think most people are gonna hate LFaGA being this high.
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Yeah, I'm not too big on LFAGA being this high, but all your other picks are fantastic.
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<3 The Light Fuse synth solo
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32. The Dance Of Eternity- Metropolis Part 2
*TIME SIGNATURE CHANGES INTENSIFY*
Over 128 time signature changes. Yeah, if you want a song to show how incredibly talented DT are, you generally think this one. Featuring solos by everyone, lots of rocking out moments, and well, it's a crazy song. So crazy that you're not too sure where it's going to go, but it's a cool little piece that, whilst good on it's own, could possibly have done with a replacement song. It doesn't add anything to the story and rather just as a musical showcase piece.
31. A Fortune In Lies- When Dream and Day Unite
A trifling euphoria, was such an untimely religion
Awesome drum entry? Check. Dominici vocals? Check. Awesome guitar work? Check. Audible Bass? Check. Moore Keyboards? Check. Getting the idea I like this album yet? And this song is so bloody great, just a solid opening track for start to finish. Nothing too spectacular, here, just something solid from point A to point B.
30. One Last Time- Metropolis Part 2
Feeling as cold as outside, The walls disappear, To some woman who`s screaming, A man pleads forgiveness, His words I cannot hear
*WRITE UP LATER!*
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TDOE is great, no complaints there.
A Fortune In Lies is the best song off the album but still doesn't deserve top 50. The vocals are horrible.
One Last Time is a great song but again, way too many better songs to put in a top 50.
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TDOE is great, no complaints there.
A Fortune In Lies is the best song off the album but still doesn't deserve top 50. The vocals are horrible.
One Last Time is a great song but again, way too many better songs to put in a top 50.
And we disagree again, completely :lol. I can't see why people go crazy with TDOE, is just lots of wankery. On the other hand, AFIL is ok at this place, but OLT is bloodly low D:
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I like how One Last Time is a song people are disagreeing on here..
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I love One Last Time. AFIL is okay, and I only like TDOE because its fun as hell to drum. I think its a pretty bad song.
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AFIL <3<3
Sod it. All of those <3<3<3
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29. Metropolis Part 1- Images and Words
Metropolis watches and thoughtfully smiles, She's taken you to your home
I think this might be this controversial in it's placement this.. low, but honestly, I can't tell you why it's so low. It was one of the first tracks I heard by Dream Theater, and man oh man, I fell in love. From the build up, to the vocals, to the instrumental section to the bass solo to the way that keyboard just sounds and that grand finale, I immediately went to listen to this song again.. and again.. But it never really.. hooked hooked me. I loved it yeah, and I was completely blown away by the performance on Score, but it just.. I don't know. Talking of one thing I love and that always kept me a DT Fan, the bass solo. I love John Myung, he's my favourite DT member and he always plays perfectly to me, and the solo (in the solo) is one of my favourite moments in a DT Song.
28. Beneath The Surface- A Dramatic Turn of Events
You would never say a word, Kept me reaching in the dark, Always something to conceal
TALKING OF MOMENTS I LOVE IN A DT SONG, THAT MOOG SOLO. Oh man, first time listening to it, I was expecting a normal keyboard solo and then BAM, MOOG. It just made the song that much better, oh oh so much better. The song is a pretty hard hitting song that hits me on a very personal level that I won't go into detail, and yet again, on a recent DT album, James LaBrie just performs so bloody well and it just makes that song a bit more awesome.
27. The Mirror- Awake
Let's stare the problem right in the eye, It's plagued me from coast to coast
Again, this song has hit me on a personal level, and that's majorly the reason why it's hear. It feels so very personal to me, but let's talk about that disgustingly awesome riff that's in this song? Headbanging is a joy when you're listening to that and I've got some strange looks in public because I just can't help myself when it comes to this song. It was awesome hearing it live, and I was headbanging then and singing along loudly and it was great having James point in my direction as I was doing it. Dunno why. Just intense and awesome and I want to hear it live again. The drumming, pretty good, keys, well, it's Moore. Bass, it's Myung. They're gonna be awesome with those two and this song is no exception to that rule.
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I WASTED MY EARLER POST.
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(https://img.pandawhale.com/post-25067-And-Here-We-Go-Joker-gif-Imgur-x71M.gif)
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..........
...Metropolis is too low. :neverusethis:
Nice picks.
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[00:18:09] The Afterman: from here on in
[00:18:15] The Afterman: every post is controversial
[00:20:14] The Afterman: 25, 23, 20, 19, 18, 16, 14, 12, 11, 9, 8, 6, 5, 3 and 2
[00:20:30] The Afterman: those are the ones that'll get people anger
[00:20:50] The Afterman: ...
[00:20:56] The Afterman: Which is the majority
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The mirror is awesome, BTS is pretty good, and metropolis is waaaay too high
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Metropolis is PERFECTLY placed. That's exactly about where I would put it.
BTS and Mirror are awesome. Great update overall. :tup
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damn it guys you're supposed to say it's too low especially with what comes after it
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damn it guys you're supposed to say it's too low especially with what comes after it
If we are SUPPOSED to say it's too low then it seems like YOU think it is too low and put it there just for the sake of controversy. :neverusethis:
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No I just had predicitions of what parts get the most hate and metropolis was one of them.
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Nope, Metropolis is fine where it is for me also, it is one of DT's trademarks, but I think they've done even better since. Your other picks, like JLMB above ACOS were more controversial :lol. And I fail to see what's so special about Beneath The Surface.
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No I just had predicitions of what parts get the most hate and metropolis was one of them.
kekekekeke
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Thos 3 songs are perfectly placed. No complaints, by now.
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Lost my writeups, gonna redo them but..
26. Wait For Sleep- Images & Words
Standing by the window, Eyes upon the moon, Hoping that the memory, will leave his spirit soon
MOORE. PIANO. STOP IT. LYRICS. STOP THAT. Wait For Sleep is a lead in song IMO, but it's a damn good one. With those Moore lyrics and LaBrie perfect with his singing, this song stands out quite a lot to me, but with the missing of the rest of the band, it just doesn't stand out as much as the next one. To those going to say "What about the live arrangement on Live in Tokyo?", I don't really like it that much. It seems to.. remove some of the finer taste of the song. Like a fine wine mixed in with a McDonalds meal. It's good, it's just not that fine anymore.
25. Anna Lee- Falling Into Infinity
You don't wanna breathe the air you breathe, You don't know how you'll live a life alone
DEREK. YOU TOO? COME ON GUYS, THIS ISN'T FAIR, STOP USING THE PIANO AND MAKING PIANO BASED SONGS I LOVE. But then, why is this one above Wait for Sleep? Clearly any song on Images & Words should be above FII? Well, unfortunantly, this is more a band song. Everyone is involved, everyone has a part and their moments to shine on this piece. Plus, I just prefer Derek to Moore. I don't know, it's the way his piano sounds, especially in this compared to Wait For Sleep. This feels like a rockin' tune that I wanna drive to, Wait For Sleep is a grand wine you enjoy on occasion but drinking it every day would probably make you hate it. Speaking of Wine..
24. The Count Of Tuscany- Black Clouds And Silver Linings
I, I wanna stay alive!, Everything about this place just doesn’t feel right.
Alright, let's get it out of the room first. Yes, the lyrics are cheesy, but damn it man, me and cheese in songs are brothers at this point. But this is the best song(and thus meaning this is the highest Black Clouds & Silver Linings track) off the album it comes from but why? Is it the aggressive approach to a extra-ordinarily threatening situation from the author's eyes? Is it how it has the serenity moment of acceptence death? Is it the confusion that he's still alive by the end of the song? Is it just become I love a good written story in the song with great musical themes and thought put into it? All of the above. It's
23. Eve- Non Album stuff
*INCREDIBLE MUSIC*
All I can simply say about this piece is go hunt it out. Go listen. I don't have to explain why it's here, why it should always be in the top 50 list after you've listened to it.
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WFS is perfectly placed.
Anna Lee is just boring.
TCOT is too low.
Eve never clicked, but I see why some people would like it.
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The Bitter Gentleman is way too high.
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Ah, Anna Lee. I remember one time I was blasting FII on The Good Speakers, my housemate wandered in and we started singing it at full volume. Love that song so hard.
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Done the write up. Next update later today.
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22. The Dark Eternal Night- Systematic Chaos
No one dared to, Speak of the terrible danger, The hideous ancient warnings, Forged in the void of night
When Systematic Chaos was taking it's sweet ass time trying to click with me, there was one song that I heard and always loved and it was The Dark Eternal Night. That guitar riff, that keyboard, the bass, the drum, the singing, the backing vocals. It's the only time I've really really loved those growlie vocals, because it actually fits into the theme of the song, of the terrible monster coming to attack the town. Why wouldn't it be that aggressive? The instrumental section, in the middle, man. The riffs, the piano, the just too good to believe headbanging goodness of the world, and then, that end section. The improv continuum solo, just YES. YES. YES. It's a great end to the song, just yes.
21. Take The Time- Images and Words
I close my eyes, And feel the water rise around, me, Drown the bead of time
WOAH HOLD IT NOW WAIT A MINUTE COME ON. Fun track. Just, from the start to the end, it's fun, but there's a real reason I love this track. If there's a song that embodies all the different styles that John Myung can play, Take The Time most certainly is one of the best examples you could give someone. Really, the only discredit I could give this song is that I don't have the desire to listen to it a lot, and I'm not too sure why. Might be that triggered snare really showing off here. I don't know.
20. Status Seeker- When Dream and Day Unite
Are you sanctified in your, judgment of me? All that I deserve is what you were, unable to see
Yep. Good Song. Cool Song. Dominici performs so well on this track, everyone's on par, and probably should be one of the tracks that people love from this album, but I believe it's pretty split? Oh well, nothing I can do about that. Bass sounds gorgeous, the lyrics for this song sound pretty mature. I just wished this was the song on Score instead of Afterlife, really. But I can't win there either. Damn it. (Teaser: Not the highest placed WDADU song. You're gonna hate me.)
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NURNURNURR NANANANANANANANANURNURNURR
I like.
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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NOT STATUS SEEKER
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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NOT STATUS SEEKER THE DARK ETERNAL NIGHT
FTFM.
I really like Status Seeker, although I wouldn't rank it nearly that high.
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TDEN - :metal :metal :metal
TTT - :justjen
Status Seeker - :facepalm:
This sums up my thoughts.
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SS1 (It's the first SS so) is probably one of my favourite workout songs too.
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Maybe because I read all these negative opinions, but I actually liked Status Seeker, not Top 50 liked, but it was a dated but cool song. TDEN too high for me, Take The Time is ok placed since I have no idea where I'd put it I'll just give you a :tup.
Never liked Anna Lee too much, and knowing the songs that were left out to make room for this makes me hate the song somehow. Putting it above WFS is criminal. The Count is ok but too high for me, and Eve is perfectly placed.
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If you're saying The Count is too high for you, you're going to be surprised by the rest of my list I think. The next update is probably the least controversial of the lot. Probably.
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Actually too high sounds a little exagerated, but it's higher than I would put it. I have no problem seeing it there anyway, if I think more carefully it's not that far from mine.
Seeing how you're list is going, I don't think you would surprise me all that much, I can already see we have our fair share of different tastes :D. And after Status Seeker at 20 I pretty much expect You Not Me at the first position :lol.
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Woah, woah, I have some class. It would be You Or Me at 1 if anything ;)
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And time for probably the least controversial updates
19. Misunderstood- Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
"Playing a lion being led to a cage, I turn from surreal to seclusion, From love to disdain, From belief to delusion, From a thief to a beggar, From a god to God save me"
One of my favourite guitar solos is in this song. Oh, and one of my all time favourite DT lyrical lines (see above). Love how it's delivered by LaBrie, and I'm always singing along to it. The funky noise section towards the end of the song is also pretty great, and it's just one of those songs that build and build and build.. to climax, to end and to breakdown. Fantastic. Just, yes.
18. Disappear- Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
So I'm moving on, I'll never forget, As you lay there and watched me, Accepting the end, I knew you were scared, You were strong I was trying, I gave you my hand, I said it's okay letting go time to leave here, And I'll carry on, The best that I can without you here beside me
Any questions about why this is placed here should probably go listen to the song and then come back with the answer as to why it's here. It's moving, the last verse just sends shivers up my arms and is a perfect end to disc 1 of SDOIT. Hell, it would of been a perfect end to SDOIT or any album in general. It gives you real sense of finality, a song that describes the end of a relationship, the end of a life. To end an album on this would have been just perfect.
17. Lifting Shadows off A Dream- Awake
Moved by desire and fear, Breaking delicate wings
Bass Lead? Check. Myung Lyrics? Check. General awesome track? Check. This is a song I love listening to on repeat. Not only is it a nice song in general, but it's an evening song, when the sun is starting to set, you're sat outside in the front garden with a can of pepsi max and this song playing on your headphones as you just take a nice breather from the shit the world gives you. Evening tune is what I call this song and some others (I have a playlist of such evening songs and LSoaD is my favourite) so you know what? Take my advice. Nice evening, get this song on some headphones and just watch the sun go down..
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Misunderstood is perfectly placed. I don't listen to it that much but whenever I do, I am completely amazed by how amazing the song is.
Disappear and LSOAD are kinda in the meh-department for me. I like the ideas but they are just a bit boring.
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Great update. This is pretty close to where I put all three :tup
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Great update. This is pretty close to where I put all three :tup
This. Also, you might be the first guy I know that loves the guitar solo :metal.
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Great update.
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Disappear does end 6DOIT as far as I'm concerned since I'm never inclined to listen to the title track.
Perhaps that's why I enjoy it so much! Aside from it being ~perfect~ and all.
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Also, you might be the first guy I know that loves the guitar solo :metal.
Probably, but I can't help it. It's something just so weird about it, something so strange that I have to listen to it.
Disappear does end 6DOIT as far as I'm concerned since I'm never inclined to listen to the title track.
Perhaps that's why I enjoy it so much! Aside from it being ~perfect~ and all.
You know, I'm the same way, I barely listen to the title track as a whole. Maybe I should start considering Disappear as the end of SDOIT and I'll be great.
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I'm glad I'm not the only one who loves the guitar solo in Misunderstood. :metal It's so weird and freaky and it's lots of fun while pretty heavy at the same time. I wouldn't have Lifting Shadows this high but the other two are fantastic.
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IIRC the solo sounds different because JP first played it, then reversed it and learned that version and once he played the reversed version he reversed it back.
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16. Peruvian Skies- Falling Into Infinity
Terror by night, Liar by day, Telling her secrets, Won't take them away
In what must have been late 2008 or early 2009, I was sitting at my computer, typing away in an MSN (Rest in Peace) conversation with a gentleman you guys know as Sketchy. I was telling him about how I needed music to get into, and he recommended this band Dream Theater. He gave me two songs. The first was A Change of Seasons, which was impressive, but the second was a track off Falling Into Infinity, by the name of Peruvian Skies and oh! This was a gorgeous first listen, and I can remember what I first loved about the track, the keys. It was all that really struck me first time round, and the second, those keys became a part of a great performance from the band. I think I had it on repeat for two hours that day and it's the song I credit for getting me into Dream Theater.
Over the years, I've noted what I like about it more, and it's just simply that it's a balanced performance from everyone. It's still on my wish list to see this song performed live (This and Home), but hey, may never happen. Be a shame. One thing I love about this (and really the whole of Falling Into Infinity) is how great and balanced it sounds production wise.
15. Learning To Live- Images and Words
Once you're touched you stand alone, To face the bitter fight
Let's get this out of the way. I like the F#. But it's nowhere near my favourite part of the song, rather, the opening 4-5 minutes is. Just some rad rocking out, Moore's best peformance with that keyboard, one of my favourite lyric sets, the only real let down is that bloody drum sound! Who thought it was good?! MP doesn't, and it really affects a great song here in my opinion. But the rest of it just uplifts it, almost to a point where I just don't care. Where I want to sing and dance and rock the hell out to this incredible tune.. But there are 14 songs I'd prefer to listen to, including..
14. New Millennium- Falling Into Infinity
The lies ten feet tall, Have broken my fall,Welcome you all new millennium
And how did you, another anti-industry song, make it onto this album?! Everything that the industry and record label would hate is in this song! Long instrumental opening, long instrumental break, non standard vocal patterns, the heavy tone, a different instrument being used.. Man, oh man. This song is a great tune when you gotta work out, just keeps going and going. From the bass to the keys to the guitar to the drums to the vocals, this song is just balanced perfectly for my liking and it helps it sound so good..
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Two awesome songs totally deserving top-20 and New Millenium. The track just never clicked. I find it kind of boring.
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Two awesome songs totally deserving top-20 and New Millenium. The track just never clicked. I find it kind of boring.
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Fantastic updates!! The six of them! :tup I actually prefer Dissapear as a sunset song, or The Way It Used To Be depending on the mood, but Lifting Shadows should be great too, I'll give it a try. I believe Peruvian Skies was played last tour, at least it was at the High Voltage 2011(look it up, it's a very good performance), but I think they didn't kept it for long unfortunately :(. Very well placed Learning To Live and you are the first person to like New Millenium better that I do, and that's great because it's a song that don't deserve the hate it often gets.
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Glad to see someone else loves New Millennium! :D
For jakepriest & ThatOneGuy2112, what don't you like about New Millennium? I'm curious.
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Dat riff in NM, along with the bwoing of the stick. <3
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I feel the first two minutes are so are actually pretty good but then the verse and chorus sections feel so weak afterwards. It's by no means a bad song, just one that I don't find too exciting in the way it's intended to be. It certainly has its moments though, but they aren't enough to really outweigh the rest of the song, which I don't adore all too much. The most I can give the song credit for is being solid and I feel that FII has both much worse and much better to offer, so NM always sat kinda "there" to me, which is why #14 is too high a spot for it IMO. If you enjoy it though, more power to you.
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Good to see NM here, it's a great song!
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13. Stream of Consciousness- Train of Thought
*BADASS MUSIC*
I didn't know it when I first got into DT, but man, do I love me some instrumentals. Really, there's not much I can write other than that hard rockin' sound, and just a great band effort. It was my favourite instrumental for quite a while, but it was pipped by the next track for me recentally. Yeah, I'm just gonna be as short with both of these here because, they're instrumentals. Well, this one feels more like a cohesive ten minute feeling track but..
12. Enigma Machine- Dream Theater
.. this feels like a journey, like a story being told with no words. Left to your own imagination what exactly is being done, but man, everyone is on point on this song. It's concise, it's kept together, no solo is too wankery, and man oh man, it's a quality track. These are short write ups today, heading out soon but rather have something up than not.
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SoC is great. No complains about seeing it this high.
EM is probably the second weakest track on an overall weak album, I don't like it at all.
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SOC's placement is all to deserved. :metal
I've warmed up to EM but don't hold it in a higher regard than SOC when it comes to DT instrumentals.
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Oh shit, Enigma Machine? Wow. That's only slightly better than Raw Dog, which is my least favourite DT instrumental. SoC, on the other hand, is my favourite DT instrumental. Ouch :lol
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Have to agree with the three posters before me, love SoC, a little too long but overall a great intrumental, but I don't like EM, it grew a little on me, but I still find it among the weakest they've done.
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Screw it SoC, I prefer EM 7 days a week.
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11. Illumination Theory- Dream Theater
A soldier for his country, A junkie for the high
Going to do something different here. I'm going to quote erwinrafael's write up from Illumination Theory vs The Count of Tuscany and give my own thoughts on the song after.
To me Illumination Theory works as a whole thing. There are even recurring themes to bind it together.
Set up themes
Life is painful
Life can be okay
The truth is painful
But if you embrace that pain, you will see the light
The music and lyrics both tell a story.
I commented on this in the Illumination Theory appreciation thread, so I will just transfer here a modified version of what I said since we are talking about disjointedness. IT is very cohesive for me because of the symmetry of the song.
Section 1: Paradox of the Black Light. Slow, majestic, a bit heavy so it is not yet "illuminated". This is an overture to the un-illuminated sections of the song.
Section 2: The heavy riffing section. At first this seems to be just a wanky instrumental but it actually acts as a bridge between Section 1 and Section 3. This serves an important narrative function once we get to the later sections. Note also that it is mostly a standard rocking beat, with some time signature changes only at the end upon approaching the Live, Die, Kill section.
Section 3: Live, Die Kill. The section poses the questions: What are you willing to live for? to die for? to kill for? It is asking for "an answer that begs to be found". The section has two subsections: the first has lyrics playing to a main riff, the second is the instrumental section that has plenty of time signature changes.
Section 4: Embracing Circle, ambient section. If Live, Die, Kill referred to a more down-to-earth plane of existence, to grounded reality, the Embracing Circle is situated in a transcendental plane. The ambient section is formless and lengthy, which signifies that the questions posed in Live, Die, Kill remain unanswered even in a moment of transcendence and it remains quite unanswered for a long time. The length of the section is important because it serves the narrative function of indicating that illumination or enlightenment does not come easily.
BREAK in the Narrative: Now we start to mirror the previous sections.
Section 5: Embracing Circle, orchestral section. This mirrors Section 4. We are still in the transcendental plane, but unlike Section 4, illumination starts to creep in slowly with the build up of the orchestral part. Illumination climaxes with a moment of enlightenment, signified by the orchestral version of the intro melody. It sort of mirrors Section 1 as well. The end of the orchestral section is an overture to the "illuminated" section of the song, The Pursuit of Truth. It will not serve its proper narrative function if it is placed at the start, because the more heavy-sounding music of Paradox of the Black Light better fits as an introduction to the "un-illuminated" Live, Die and Kill section. The two overtures share the same melody.
Section 6. The Pursuit of Truth. This mirrors Section 3. The section starts with reverse swells, which signals a return from the transcendental plane to grounded reality. After the moment of enlightenment in The Embracing Circle, the song now has answers to the questions posed in Live, Die, Kill. What are mothers willing to live, die and kill for? Their children. Husbands are willing to live, die and kill for their wives. Martyrs are willing to live die and kill for the kingdom. And so on and so forth. The Pursuit of Truth answers the questions of Live, Die, Kill. Still mirroring Section 3, the section also has two subsections: the first has lyrics playing to a main riff, the second is the instrumental section that has plenty of time signature changes.
Section 7: The heavy riffing section. This mirrors Section 2. It follows the same structure and uses the same riff! This serves as a bridge between Section 6 and Section 8. While Section 2 bridged the Paradox to the questions, Section 7 bridged the answers to the Paradox. Like Section 2, this section has a lot of wanky instrumentals and plays to a standard rocking beat, with a change in the tempo at the end approaching the Surrender, Trust and Passion section.
Section 8. Surrender, Trust and Passion. And now we have come full circle. This mirrors Section 1. Section 8 is also slow and majestic, but unlike Section 1, it is uplifting because illumination has already been achieved. Section 1 is titled the Paradox of the Black Light, and the lyrics in Section 8 spell out the paradox. And if I overanalyze the lyrics, even the lyrics here are symmetrical. LOL
Introduce with a paradox:
"To really feel the joy in life
You must suffer through the pain"
Surrender: Lyrics refer to illumination by referencing light.
"When you surrender to the light
You can face the darkest days"
Trust: Middle section, still in keeping the visuality of the Illumination Theory, we refer to opening one's eyes.
"If you open up your eyes
And you put your trust in love
On those cold and endless nights
You will never be alone"
Passion: Mirror the Surrender subsection. Lyrics refer to illumination by referencing bright.
"Passion glows within your heart
Like a furnace burning bright"
Mirror the intro. End with a paradox:
"Until you struggle through the dark
You'll never know that you're alive"
And as one more bit of analysis, which may be stretching a bit. Paradox of the Black Light started with a crescendo drum roll. Surrender, Trust and Passion ends with a decrescendo drum roll.
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This is how I viewed IT. Which is why I don't think I will really understand how it can be described as disjointed. It is very cohesive not just lyrically but structurally as well. The disjoint that some people feel, I think, is because the narrative of the song is really about transitioning from dark to light but ending up in a paradox where light is in the darkness. There is a deliberate disjointedness, from grounded to transcendent, from fast to slow parts. The transitions serve a narrative function.
And really, who doesn't love how it sounds? Who doesn't love that drum beat, that bass, the breather in the middle and the kick back in, the way LaBrie just nails this song from top to bottom? The solos, too. I've listened to this song so many times and I'm not sick of it yet, I've not found things I dislike about it.. It's just great.
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I have found something to dislike about it. The ambient/orchestral section. :justjen
After getting a version where it goes straight from Live, Die, Kill into the "Mothers for their children" part I actually like listening to the song a lot more.
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I have found something to dislike about it. The ambient/orchestral section. :justjen
After getting a version where it goes straight from Live, Die, Kill into the "Mothers for their children" part I actually like listening to the song a lot more.
No way. The Embracing Circle is brilliant. It offers that breather between the much heavier sections and just in general sounds so beautiful and serene. I couldn't honestly imagine listening to IT without it.
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Write up coming later, but number 10 is..
10. Finally Free- Metropolis Pt 2: Scenes From A Memory
In a pathway out of view, They thought no one knew, Then came a shot out of the night
HOLY. Scenes is a great album but there are two stand out songs for me. This is one of them, the climax of the album, of the story, and it's just so great. The way it starts, the piano during the first lyrical section, the lone piano accompanying one of the best James LaBrie performances on a song, singing as Miracle/Edward post the murder, but then it bleeds into a flashback, into Victoria and Julian's excitement which is good.. but then the goosebumps begin. The Murder Scene, the best drumming fills by MP for me occurs in this song, during the murder. Just, oh wow. And then, One Last Time, and then just the way it starts to go through all the way to the bleed out. Obviously, you can tell by a line this isn't the highest placed Scenes song, but damn it, ask me in two years, maybe this might be. Maybe. Live, it was so very very good in London, like most songs, but this just made me listen to it on repeat on the train journey from hell (it was 6 odd hours).
What do you guys think the last 9 songs will be?
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Added Write up for #10
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Yay, Finally Free! My favourite song from SFAM. I agree with MP's fills during the murder scene being very good and fitting but I prefer the drum solo at the end. That is amazing drumming.
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The ending ranks up there with the best of DT's moments. You have MP going all out and one of JP's greatest riffs out there. FF might be my favorite off of SFAM, which is really saying something about how awesome it is.
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Yay, Finally Free! My favourite song from SFAM. I agree with MP's fills during the murder scene being very good and fitting but I prefer the drum solo at the end. That is amazing drumming.
But that goes without saying so :D
9. The Ones That Help To Set The Sun- When Dream and Day Unite
Watching my window I was led like a
child
As the roadway lamplights
misguided my mind through the night
a shadow of limits
I think if you'd been following son_ov_hades top 50 thread and saw my reaction to where he'd placed this song, then I think you could of guessed that this song would have been making an appearance. Some of you are probably mortified that this song made the list, and the rest of you are mortified it's this high! But why is it this high? Let's start with that intro. Footsteps. Rain. Door open. Door slam. Window wipers, MOORE KEYBOARD, BAND. (No Seatbelt click though, Mr Unsafe driver!) The start gets you in the mood for some mysterious journey, the unknown coming your way, and it becomes a more band experience and around two and a half minutes in, the wipers come back in, become louder and louder.. THEN BAM. We're rocking out.
Whilst the song doesn't have the mysterious imagery that the intro has, the lyrics by Petrucci do. Some kind of journey made with a partner at least, and it's just rocking through out. The guitars, especially, are a highlight on this song with that bloomin' guitar solo just being one of my favourites. It might sound like I'm repeating myself, but damn, everyone on this song is perfect as well, ESPECIALLY Dominici. This is certainly one of his more comfortable sounding performances, but not his best. That's coming up later!
8. Lines In The Sand- Falling Into Infinity
We fabricate our demons
Invite them into our homes
Have supper with the aliens
And fight the war alone
We conjure up our skeletons
Enlist the den of thieves
Frightened from our closets
Then sewn upon our sleeves
Aand speaking of intros that I love, say hello to Lines In The Sand. Sherinan keyboards with Portnoy drumming taking the center stage for the first moments, and then EVERYTHING I love about Falling Into Infinity kicks in. THE MIXING. THE DRUMS. THE BASS. THE KEYS. THE GUITAR. THE WAY IT ALL BLENDS INTO THE BEST SOUP. The keys and guitar are my favourite things about this song, but that's before we get to the lyrical performance of James LaBrie. This is more fitting to his voice than a fair amount of content post-throat death, and you can just hear how comfortable he is singing it. He gives it his all and it's just perfect. The guest vocals are amazing too, Doug Pinnick of King's X fame does a fantastic job.
Then the second half of the song happens. Everything dims for a moment, and then the guitar comes at you. The second half is an amazing moment in music full stop, it comes for you, to hold you close and tell you that every piece of shit music doesn't matter any more, you've got Lines In The Sand and it loves you.
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Can't agree with either of these. Far from top 50 material for me.
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Lines In The Sand :tup I see it highly unnoticed! Great to see it this high.
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I've always loved The Ones Who Help To Set The Sun (dat bass harmonic-ing) and Lines In The Sand is just wonderful.
Both very good choices Mr. Of Dread.
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Can't agree with either of these. Far from top 50 material for me.
THIS.
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Two amazing songs! :tup
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I have to re-listen to the impossible acronym song, but Lines In The Sand is great, too low BTW :biggrin:. And you chose one of the best parts of the song on the lyrics, a truly amazing song.
And Finally Free and Illumination Theory are well placed too! Finally Free is a musical masterpiece, and IT is awesome.
As for your top 7, it's a little difficult without a recap, but here are my two cents:
- Space Dye Vest
- Trial of Tears (this HAS to be here or we're not friends :P)
- Hell's Kitchen
- Overture 1928/Strange Deja Vu
- Six Degrees
- Octavarium
- 6:00
No particular order. I also considered Surrender To Reason, The Bigger Picture and Through Her Eyes, but I'm going with these seven.
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50. A Change Of Seasons
49. Prophets of War- Systematic Chaos
48. The Looking Glass- Dream Theater
47. The Shattered Fortress- Black Clouds and Silver Linings
46. In The Name of God- Train of Thought
45. Behind The Veil- Dream Theater
44. Bombay Vindaloo- Live At The Marquee
43. Bridges In The Sky- A Dramatic Turn of Events
42. Only A Matter of Time- When Dream and Day Unite
41. Just Let Me Breathe- Falling Into Infinity
40. Forsaken- Systematic Chaos
39. The Root of All Evil- Octavarium
38. Outcry- A Dramatic Turn of Events
37. The Glass Prison- Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
36. Vacant- Train of Thought
35. The Spirit Carries On-Metropolis Pt 2
34. Light Fuse and Get Away- WDADU
33. Blind Faith- Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
32. The Dance Of Eternity- Metropolis Part 2
31. A Fortune In Lies- When Dream and Day Unite
30. One Last Time- Metropolis Part 2
29. Metropolis Part 1- Images and Words
28. Beneath The Surface- A Dramatic Turn of Events
27. The Mirror- Awake
26. Wait For Sleep- Images & Words
25. Anna Lee- Falling Into Infinity
24. The Count Of Tuscany- Black Clouds And Silver Linings
23. Eve- Non Album stuff
22. The Dark Eternal Night- Systematic Chaos
21. Take The Time- Images and Words
20. Status Seeker- When Dream and Day Unite
19. Misunderstood- Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
18. Disappear- Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
17. Lifting Shadows off A Dream- Awake
16. Peruvian Skies- Falling Into Infinity
15. Learning To Live- Images and Words
14. New Millennium- Falling Into Infinity
13. Stream of Consciousness- Train of Thought
12. Enigma Machine- Dream Theater
11. Illumination Theory- Dream Theater
10. Finally Free- Metropolis Pt 2: Scenes From A Memory
9. The Ones That Help To Set The Sun- When Dream and Day Unite
8. Lines In The Sand- Falling Into Infinity
Recap of the full list! Surprised to see dislike for Lines In The Sand, though.
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Phew! Now I know I'm probably off :lol
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I mean, you're right on a couple so :P
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7. Breaking All Illusions- A Dramatic Turn Of Events
Emerald thoughts flow
Through my consciousness
Drawn to curses left behind
Test of will the threshold to one's faith
Starts a fire in the mind
Hello, my friend. I've listened to you time and time again since your release. You, like the rest of ADOTE, have continued to remind me how great Dream Theater are in a whole band situation where everyone can shine freely. The bass, the drums, the keys, the guitar, the LaBrie performance, the lyrics. This is everything I could look for a DT song, and just hearing this live was a great thing, especially the guitar solo! Such a great solo and JP just slays it when he's playing it live! But, this isn't the highest rated ADOTE song! So what could be left??
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:tup
Definitely one of DT's best to offer.
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I mean, it was always going to be a great song by the time 3:00 of the song rolled around, but everything that rolls after it is just yes. But I'm curious, what ADOTE song could be left after BAI?
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But I'm curious, what ADOTE song could be left after BAI?
BMUBMD, of course.
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:facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: *hits itself* How could I forget this masterpiece??? Worthy pick! That solo is one of JP greatest and the return of Myung pen is always welcome!
I'm probably off again, but since I don't see Far From Heaven on the list I'm going to go with that!
If it's On The Backs Of Angels or Lost Not Forgotten I'll walk away immediately.
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Here's hoping it's TITL.
If it's LNF, well, too bad.
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:corn :corn :corn :corn
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But I'm curious, what ADOTE song could be left after BAI?
BMUBMD, of course.
But of course!
:facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: *hits itself* How could I forget this masterpiece??? Worthy pick! That solo is one of JP greatest and the return of Myung pen is always welcome!
I'm probably off again, but since I don't see Far From Heaven on the list I'm going to go with that!
If it's On The Backs Of Angels or Lost Not Forgotten I'll walk away immediately.
Well..
6. Lost Not Forgotten- A Dramatic Turn Of Events
An epic novel no one's read
Pages torn and faded
The greatest story never told
I must be the only person to rate this song this highly, and to this day I can't tell you why it is. Lyrically, it's nothing that special, but in someway, it preaches to my love of writing of epic storylines and grandeur landscapes. Of lost worlds that the pen doesn't touch anymore. Musically, however, I can go into more detail. The piano intro is great, it's actually something I kind of wish more for in Dream Theater is a piano intro into a heavy song. The juxtaposition is very nice and can really add to a song like this! The bass especially in the build up to the first vocal passage is the main highlight, some complex shit that I just had to make a gif out of to show what awesomeness it has!
(https://24.media.tumblr.com/91dc5b98caf0af627c3a08e4ff805d67/tumblr_n3wwf9uXXj1re6bwmo1_400.gif)
But during the instrumental breakdown, the keys/guitar section is energetic, it's a bit wacky and it makes you just want to rock the hell out! James is a monster during this track and it has to be my second favourite 21st century performance from the man! He's just going for it, start to finish and man oh man..
#5 will be up this evening so what are your thoughts that I am Lost, but not forgotten? :D
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*With Darth Vader's voice*
NOooOoOoOooooOooOooOOOO!!
Ok, I'm exaggerating but why??? Ok, the song rocks live but it's so... meh... to be Top 6. Top 50 it's ok, but this high... :-\
What would you saaaaayyyy
If I walked awaaaaayyyy
:P
Ok, I'll stay, only to see the end of it :corn
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I promise, there's nothing like LNF left in the top 50! ... Well.. Well, I only got one DT song left in the 21st century so if people wanna make guesses, try ;D
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One of their worst songs.
:corn
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One of their worst songs.
:corn
^
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I don't really care much about Lost Not Forgotten. Breaking All Illusions is a stronger piece overall IMO.
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That bass clip is like :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy
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While it wouldn't be number 6 on my list, or, hell, even a top 50 song, I do think that Lost Not Forgotten is a lot better than many think. I could have done without the tickle section, but everything else about the song is pretty great.
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While it wouldn't be number 6 on my list, or, hell, even a top 50 song, I do think that Lost Not Forgotten is a lot better than many think. I could have done without the tickle section, but everything else about the song is pretty great.
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*With Darth Vader's voice*
NOooOoOoOooooOooOooOOOO!!
Ok, I'm exaggerating but why??? Ok, the song rocks live but it's so... meh... to be Top 6. Top 50 it's ok, but this high... :-\
What would you saaaaayyyy
If I walked awaaaaayyyy
:P
Ok, I'll stay, only to see the end of it :corn
I'm sorry, but Darth Vader never shouted that word. I think you must be mistaken.
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While it wouldn't be number 6 on my list, or, hell, even a top 50 song, I do think that Lost Not Forgotten is a lot better than many think. I could have done without the tickle section, but everything else about the song is pretty great.
The tickle section is by far the only interesting part of the song.
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5. The Killing Hand- When Dream And Day Unite/Live At The Marquee
I'm in the valley
And the saddened chimes I hear
Race towards the wall to find
one more name appears
"Which version are you going to put, Gentleman?"
"I don't know, Mr Dread. I just do not know. They both have their own merits, do they not?"
"Well, most people prefer the Live at Marquee version because James sings maginificentally well on it."
"Ah, but the bass sound on the original is just superb, and Dominici gives a stunning performance as well."
"Hmm, indeed.. But whatever shall be done for the list, for the three to five people who actually care?"
"... Why not both?"
It was extremely difficult picking which one would make the list here. Let's run down why I like the original. The bass tone is phenominal on this, as is the performance given to us by Dominici. He gives his all, he works his style into something suiting of a story piece song, and the pacing feels excellent. The guitar and keys performance and mixing here is actually rather cool to listen to hear.
Why the live version? Some Canadian by the name of James LaBrie makes the song HIS. Like, the performance on it is one of the few times I love the live version as much as the studio version (Shattered Fortress earlier is one where I prefer the live to the studio). Instrumentation wise, it's just as top minus the bass tone, but then that's a point in the favour of the studio..
Lyrically, it does feel like Dream Theater's first grand story epic, telling of great tales. It's probably one of the finer lyrical pieces Dream Theater have done, and the musicality to it is excellent to me. But then, it's number 5. It feels special, in any form, it feels like you're being taken along for a journey..
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Charlie's performance is probably the best one on the record, but James' live performance blows it out of the water though. I love the song.
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Two months and this is still happening? I'm glad that no one is waiting to do their list.
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I like taking my sweet time.
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Alright, I'll consider that the hurry up signal, however indirect it may have been.
4. Space Dye Vest- Awake
And I'll smile and I'll learn to pretend
And I'll never be open again
And I'll have no more dreams to defend
And I'll never be open again
If there was a fitting swansong for a person leaving a band, it would be Space-Dye Vest for Kevin Moore. Haunting, confessional and personal, the piano is awesome, the vocal performance is just perfect and it is one of the best songs ever composed. But I can't help but think it's more of a Moore song than a DT song, and really, that's why it's 4th. But just go and listen to it. Just sit back, listen. Let it flow over you. Let it into you.
And it will be cruel to you.
3. In The Presence of Enemies- Systematic Chaos
Angels fall
all for you
heretic
Demon heart
bleed for us
A Journey. Start to end. It's a story, it tells you from death to life to regret. It's my favourite DT Epic. Why though? It's not the epicness of Octavarium, it's not the personal anguish journey of A Change of Seasons. Nor the mental battles of Six Degrees of Inner Turbelence. But instead, it tells the epic tale of a man ressurected by the dark forces, who journies to the forces home and is welcomed, but regret flows through him. It is musically, fitting to be an epic, James LaBrie's performance is the greatest on this epic to me than any other one he has participated on.
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I had SDV at 3rd and ITPOE at 1st place, can't complain here.
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I don't get it. You hold WDADU in such high esteem that I HAVE to disagree with the list but then you make me happy by including SDV and ITPOE in the top 5.
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I'd switch those choices, but they are good choices overall.
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Can't really complain, SDV is one of the best songs on Awake and ITPOE is the best song on SC. Both were ranked quite highly in my top 50 as well.
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Space Dye Vest should be retitled Space Dye Fuckyeah.
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Space-Dye Vest is both a great and unusual Dream Theater song, and the perfect manifesto for Kevin Moore's departure. A wonderful one-off, but it's precisely the reason Moore Theater could never have lasted. Once was enough.
It wouldn't be anything like as high as it's listed, here, but I have a ton of affection for it.
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2. Home- Scenes of a Memory
The city- It calls to me
Decadent scenes from my memory
Sorrow- Eternity
My demons are coming to drown me
The start of the second half of Metropolis Pt 2, and what a bloomin' tune we begin with. The first thing that become apparent is the bass, and what a bass start we have here. It's low, it's mysterious, and then we get that foreign sounding thing over the bass and it is unique, it's awesome. (Probably keys, but then I've been wrong before on that front so) Then, WABAM, in comes that keys, in comes the guitar, and you're being assualted from this heavy riffing. And then a bit way into the song... SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINE. James, on point and on form in this song, but this entire song has both reference to Metropolis Part 1 and uniqueness to it. With that almost orential sounding moments during the song, it makes the big instrumental passage something new and unique into the Dream Theater catalog, and that's why it's number 2. Because it's unique. It's awesome. It rocks out. But what's #1? What oh what..
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:metal Number 2 is exactly where I'd put Home. It's such an amazing song that definitely deserves top 5. Every band member shines on this song. WOMP WOMP
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Home :hefdaddy
Not a second I don't love it and one of SFAM's true gems.
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What I love about Home the most is the guitar solo bit at 10:23. Just monstrous.
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Home is epic, but IMO the sex bit is unnecessary and ruins the buildup.
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Home is epic, but IMO the sex bit is unnecessary and ruins the buildup.
I'd wish they'd had pick.. better sex samples there.
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I've always loved that hot, steamy, indian atmosphere on Home.
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1. Trial of Tears- Falling Into Infinity
Still awake
I continue to move along
Cultivating my own nonsense
Welcome to the wasteland
Where you'll find ashes, nothing but ashes
Still awake
Bringing change, bringing movement,
Bringing life
A silent prayer thrown away,
Disappearing in the air
Rising, sinking, raining deep inside me
Nowhere to turn,
I look for a way back home
It was the months before Black Clouds and Silver Linings. I was in a Secondary School called Chaucer Tech School (soon to be RIP) and my music taste was on the verge of changing. From bands like Oasis, Coldplay, Keane and The Verve (I still like some of them), I was moving into different bands. Pink Floyd. Led Zeppelin (Who I've now moved on from as well) . King Crimson. My friend, Mr Sketchy, was some of the main reasoning into getting into these bands, introducing me through ways he knew I'd like them. From Brain Damage to 21st Century Schizoid Man, I was being dragged into a different music world that I didn't even know existed. But before most of these things happened, there was a catalyst, something that made the change.
Sketchy sent me one song, a song by the name of A Change of Seasons, and I was blown away by it. After some listening to it, I brought two songs after this. Peruvian Skies. Somewhere, even after 20 listens between the both of them, I wasn't quite hooked yet. It needed something special, to really give me the push into becoming a full fan. I clicked on the second song I brought. And after thirteen minutes, I was in. Dream Theater hit and for the next 4 hours, I listened to the song that has made my number 1. Trial of Tears. To me, I never understand why people don't like this song. It's perfection. The mellow opening, into the bass, into the soft vocals, into the band coming in, James coming in. From there, we repeat a bit, and then we start becoming grandeur again, we get into the keys. We get into the section where it washes over you, where your ears become nothing but the source for pleasure as the band get into a groove, get into a rocking..
And then, the final section. The Wasteland. I can not not sing along. I can not not let James LaBrie sing the beautiful words of John Myung at me. It is perfection. It explodes into the grand ending, James singing so loud, the band playing just so loudly and then.. we reprise the beginning keyboard sound, the small drum noise.. Then we're done. Perfect. I sat there, stunned. Shocked. I didn't know that music this beautiful, this awesome even existed at this point. I hit play again. It was just as perfect the second time. The third time. The hundredth time. It was the very best song I had ever heard at that point, and it might even still be.
When I made the decision that I was, for the first time, going to see Dream Theater, I was anxiously awaiting the setlist arrival, because of some talk that it might have been static. Songs revealed.. and then Trial of Tears was revealed and I just sat in awe they might be playing it again. Come around to February 14th, they began. It played just as well live as it did in those private concerts I had with headphones, with speakers, on car trips and study breaks. It was perfect to me. I sat there, on the upper right balcony of Wembley Arena.. and I cried tears of joy. It was just perfect to me. My first Dream Theater experience was just perfect for me, no matter what else happened that night. But you know what?
It might even be my favorite song of all time.
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50. A Change Of Seasons
49. Prophets of War- Systematic Chaos
48. The Looking Glass- Dream Theater
47. The Shattered Fortress- Black Clouds and Silver Linings
46. In The Name of God- Train of Thought
45. Behind The Veil- Dream Theater
44. Bombay Vindaloo- Live At The Marquee
43. Bridges In The Sky- A Dramatic Turn of Events
42. Only A Matter of Time- When Dream and Day Unite
41. Just Let Me Breathe- Falling Into Infinity
40. Forsaken- Systematic Chaos
39. The Root of All Evil- Octavarium
38. Outcry- A Dramatic Turn of Events
37. The Glass Prison- Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
36. Vacant- Train of Thought
35. The Spirit Carries On-Metropolis Pt 2
34. Light Fuse and Get Away- WDADU
33. Blind Faith- Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
32. The Dance Of Eternity- Metropolis Part 2
31. A Fortune In Lies- When Dream and Day Unite
30. One Last Time- Metropolis Part 2
29. Metropolis Part 1- Images and Words
28. Beneath The Surface- A Dramatic Turn of Events
27. The Mirror- Awake
26. Wait For Sleep- Images & Words
25. Anna Lee- Falling Into Infinity
24. The Count Of Tuscany- Black Clouds And Silver Linings
23. Eve- Non Album stuff
22. The Dark Eternal Night- Systematic Chaos
21. Take The Time- Images and Words
20. Status Seeker- When Dream and Day Unite
19. Misunderstood- Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
18. Disappear- Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
17. Lifting Shadows off A Dream- Awake
16. Peruvian Skies- Falling Into Infinity
15. Learning To Live- Images and Words
14. New Millennium- Falling Into Infinity
13. Stream of Consciousness- Train of Thought
12. Enigma Machine- Dream Theater
11. Illumination Theory- Dream Theater
10. Finally Free- Metropolis Pt 2: Scenes From A Memory
9. The Ones That Help To Set The Sun- When Dream and Day Unite
8. Lines In The Sand- Falling Into Infinity
7. Breaking All Illusions- A Dramatic Turn of Events
6. Lost Not Forgotten- A Dramatic Turn of Events
5. The Killing Hand- When Dream and Day Unite/Live At The Marquee
4. Space Dye Vest- Awake
3. In The Presence of Enemies- Systematic Chaos
2. Home- Metropolis Pt 2: Scenes From A Memory
1. Trial Of Tears- Falling Into Infinity
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Trial of Tears is absolutely amazing and by far the best song on FII. It's one of my favourite DT songs as well. A nice #1 and an interesting list!
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Yussssss! Trial of Tears is my number 1 as well, absolutely amazing amazing amazing song!!!!!!!
:hifive:
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Very nice update #1.(TOT is my top 2-6 DT songs) :)
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Trial of Tears is amazing. My second favorite from FII closely behind LITS.
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Trial of Tears is amazing, definitely top 5 worthy :tup
Though I still think The Wasteland is the weakest part of the song by far.
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Trial of Tears would be a top 5 for me. I like the sound of FF1 in general. I can hear all the instruments clearly.
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Nice #1! :tup
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ToT is a number one I can definitely agree with.
(https://i.imgur.com/THFs2Da.gif)