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Dream Theater => Dream Theater => Topic started by: KevShmev on April 11, 2014, 11:40:24 AM

Title: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: KevShmev on April 11, 2014, 11:40:24 AM
Amazingly, while I like all of these songs, only one of them would probably make my DT top 50, and it is the one I am voting for: This Is the Life.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: ReaPsTA on April 11, 2014, 11:44:44 AM
I agree.  It's a very well-composed, thoughtful, and lovely piece of music.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: Evermind on April 11, 2014, 11:48:12 AM
This is the Life. My favourite ADTOE piece and overall a great song. The Great Debate is pretty close though. HTF is on the verge of my top50, and the other songs aren't even close.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: Invisible on April 11, 2014, 12:12:16 PM
When it comes to Rudess only, The Great Debate easily, it's not even a question. Everything he did on that album ranks as his best work in Dream Theater. The others are awesome, but they don't stand out as much.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: mikeyd23 on April 11, 2014, 12:37:14 PM
TGD. This song is awesome to me, I know some don't like it, but I love it!
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: TheGreatPretender on April 11, 2014, 12:44:50 PM
Definitely Enigma Machine. The second best instrumental DT has ever done. TDEN and TSF follow close by, then IWBY. And the rest is quite underwhelming. I mean, TMW is a great piece of music and a wonderful lead in for FT, but on its own, it's so short, it's barely a song.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: TAC on April 11, 2014, 12:54:29 PM
I agree.  It's a very well-composed, thoughtful, and lovely piece of music.

I think This Is The Life is one of those perfectly written songs. I mean it's..perfect.

That said, my preference goes to The Dark Eternal Night.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: Tom Bombadil on April 11, 2014, 01:10:35 PM
I honestly don't like very many of these songs. TITL is pretty good, and so is TGD, but my favorite out of these has to be HTF.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: The Letter M on April 11, 2014, 01:19:13 PM
The Great Debate

When I first got SDOIT, it was my second favorite song of the album (behind the title track). Something about the 7/8 and the drumming and the different sections all just clicked with me right away. I loved TGP and Disappear, but the others just didn't click right away like TGD did.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: OsMosis2259 on April 11, 2014, 01:31:07 PM
I went with The Great Debate. This is the Life is close behind though!
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: ? on April 11, 2014, 02:25:34 PM
TGD easily, although I like TITL too.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: JayOctavarium on April 11, 2014, 02:32:37 PM
TDEN


:metal
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: CharlesPL on April 11, 2014, 02:35:19 PM
Easily ,The Great Debate
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: krands85 on April 11, 2014, 04:03:30 PM
I went with The Great Debate. This is the Life is close behind though!
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: wolfking on April 11, 2014, 04:15:23 PM
HTF.  Debate is a close second.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: robwebster on April 11, 2014, 04:32:52 PM
What a delightfully weird poll.

I thought I was going to vote Enigma Machine, but then I noticed The Dark Eternal Night, which absolutely trashes the others. Through My Words is the only track I don't particularly care about - and even that's got more votes than the poor Shattered Fortress!

1. The Dark Eternal Night
2. Enigma Machine
3. This Is the Life
4. I Walk Beside You
5. Honor Thy Father
6. The Shattered Fortress
7. The Great Debate
8. Through My Words

There we go, I'd probably go with that. Enigma Machine is almost certainly being helped ever so slightly by the new car smell, but I do think it is an absolutely cracking tune. Crushing riffs, very technical but quite singable - This is the Life and I Walk Beside You feel like good company. Honor Thy Father and The Shattered Fortress are both direly underrated (although neither are essential!), and The Great Debate is very good but doesn't quite justify its runtime as the other songs do.

The Shattered Fortress probably has a modicum of new car smell, too. Seeing it live renewed my interest in it quite a lot - gave it a new lease of life.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: TAC on April 11, 2014, 04:36:34 PM
The Shattered Fortress probably has a modicum of new car smell, too. Seeing it live renewed my interest in it quite a lot - gave it a new lease of life.

It was GREAT live, and I don't really care for it. Like you said about TGD, not sure TSF justifies ITS runtime.
The intro and ending are excellent...another similarity it has with TGD.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: Nearmyth on April 11, 2014, 05:17:08 PM
The Great Debate by far, followed by Honor Thy Father
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: robwebster on April 11, 2014, 05:44:06 PM
The Shattered Fortress probably has a modicum of new car smell, too. Seeing it live renewed my interest in it quite a lot - gave it a new lease of life.

It was GREAT live, and I don't really care for it. Like you said about TGD, not sure TSF justifies ITS runtime.
The intro and ending are excellent...another similarity it has with TGD.
That's fair! I'm sure I am being swung by the live performance - if you'd asked me in January, The Great Debate would've beaten it hands down, but TSF is a great live song, and TGD doesn't quite transfer to the environment. Part of that's because TGD has a unique and fantastic atmosphere on the disc that's very hard to replicate, but TSF does have qualities TGD lacks, and it's what's doing the job at the moment. I suspect it'll balance out again before too long.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: TAC on April 11, 2014, 05:55:50 PM
I've never seen TGD live, but I bet I would enjoy it very much. Just based on watching the drumming alone. That's what's great about the live experience.
TGD and TSF are pretty bloated, but watching TSF live, it felt like its running time was cut in half, you know what I mean? I would love the opportunity to experience TGD live, even though I really don't rate it that high on my DT List.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: robwebster on April 11, 2014, 05:59:35 PM
The drumming's the highlight. It's that one bit - "Harvesting existence, only to destroy..." I suspect if I had to pick my favourite DT song in terms of musical drumming, The Great Debate would be right up there.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: TAC on April 11, 2014, 06:00:35 PM
Yup, without question!
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: TheGreatPretender on April 11, 2014, 06:56:04 PM
Man, I will never understand the love for TGD. Even if the drumming is good, a song requires a hell of a lot more than just good drumming to be top pick, and TGD is a grind to listen to all the way through. In my humble opinion of course.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: Shadow Ninja 2.0 on April 11, 2014, 10:09:48 PM
ARE YOU JUSTIFIED?!?
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: KevShmev on April 11, 2014, 10:41:09 PM
Man, I will never understand the love for TGD. Even if the drumming is good, a song requires a hell of a lot more than just good drumming to be top pick, and TGD is a grind to listen to all the way through. In my humble opinion of course.

I mostly agree.  It's a good song, and the drumming is off the charts great, but the song just never really comes together.  In a way, On the Backs of Angels is like a modern day Great Debate, albeit shorter, in that both have all of the key elements that should make up a great DT song, but neither manages to be so.  Good songs, but neither are great.  I think the lack of truly memorable choruses hurts both.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: aprilethereal on April 12, 2014, 12:09:35 AM
The Dark Eternal Night
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: Outcrier on April 12, 2014, 12:48:22 AM
Easily ,The Great Debate
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: TheGreatPretender on April 12, 2014, 12:56:47 AM
I mostly agree.  It's a good song, and the drumming is off the charts great, but the song just never really comes together.  In a way, On the Backs of Angels is like a modern day Great Debate, albeit shorter, in that both have all of the key elements that should make up a great DT song, but neither manages to be so.  Good songs, but neither are great.  I think the lack of truly memorable choruses hurts both.

Shorter is exactly the reason why OTBOA is better, and a more enjoyable listen because it doesn't overstay its welcome. The problem with TGD isn't just that there's nothing remarkable about it, but that it's just so damn long, it drags on.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: Invisible on April 12, 2014, 01:17:31 AM
Man, I will never understand the love for TGD. Even if the drumming is good, a song requires a hell of a lot more than just good drumming to be top pick, and TGD is a grind to listen to all the way through. In my humble opinion of course.

I mostly agree.  It's a good song, and the drumming is off the charts great, but the song just never really comes together.  In a way, On the Backs of Angels is like a modern day Great Debate, albeit shorter, in that both have all of the key elements that should make up a great DT song, but neither manages to be so.  Good songs, but neither are great.  I think the lack of truly memorable choruses hurts both.
How can a song with TWO choruses lack on that department? :mehlin Well, opinions... Are you justified?!?!? :P

And OTBOA the definition of nothing truly remarkable for me, I found it ok when I first listened, but it's one of the truly rare cases of a DT song that the more I listened, the less I liked. Almost every other song is the exact opposite.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: Outcrier on April 12, 2014, 01:29:46 AM
How can a song with TWO choruses lack on that department? :mehlin Well, opinions... Are you justified?!?!? :P

And OTBOA the definition of nothing truly remarkable for me, I found it ok when I first listened, but it's one of the truly rare cases of a DT song that the more I listened, the less I liked.

My thoughts.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: TheGreatPretender on April 12, 2014, 01:36:45 AM
How can a song with TWO choruses lack on that department? :mehlin

Simple! It's like when you have a glass of beer... Then you pour half of it into another glass and fill them both up with water. You end up with two full glasses of watered down beer.

So there it is. The Great Debate is like watered down beer.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: ? on April 12, 2014, 01:38:52 AM
You guys are crazy, TGD rocks!

ARE YOU JUSTIFIED?! :metal
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: BlobVanDam on April 12, 2014, 01:43:49 AM
Despite being my least favourite song on SDOIT, TGD is still a great song. OTBOA is one of DT's most blandtacular songs, and I don't really see any notable comparison between the two songs.
I voted for TDEN. TGD or HTF probably would have been my next choice. I wouldn't consider any of the rest contenders.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: TheGreatPretender on April 12, 2014, 01:46:51 AM
Blandtacular is exactly how I'd describe TGD. And you are right, I wouldn't really compare it to OTBOA. OTBOA is at least fun to listen to.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: BlobVanDam on April 12, 2014, 01:53:50 AM
Blandtacular is exactly how I'd describe TGD. And you are right, I wouldn't really compare it to OTBOA. OTBOA is at least fun to listen to.

YOU CAN'T STEAL MY INVENTED ADJECTIVES! :getoffmylawn:
I don't find OTBOA at all fun to listen to. The song is devoid of fun, or character, or energy.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: TheGreatPretender on April 12, 2014, 01:58:51 AM
I don't find TGD at all fun to listen to. The song is devoid of fun, or character, or energy.
I will not only steal your adjectives, I will fix your statements.  :yarr

The only thing OTBOA is devoid of is interesting vocal melodies. That's the only thing that brings it down for me.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: Invisible on April 12, 2014, 02:27:12 AM
How can a song with TWO choruses lack on that department? :mehlin

Simple! It's like when you have a glass of beer... Then you pour half of it into another glass and fill them both up with water. You end up with two full glasses of watered down beer.

So there it is. The Great Debate is like watered down beer.
Funny, 'cause watered down is exactly the definition I'd give to OTBOA, but I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this great debate.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: robwebster on April 12, 2014, 04:13:28 AM
Man, I will never understand the love for TGD. Even if the drumming is good, a song requires a hell of a lot more than just good drumming to be top pick, and TGD is a grind to listen to all the way through. In my humble opinion of course.

I mostly agree.  It's a good song, and the drumming is off the charts great, but the song just never really comes together.  In a way, On the Backs of Angels is like a modern day Great Debate, albeit shorter, in that both have all of the key elements that should make up a great DT song, but neither manages to be so.  Good songs, but neither are great.  I think the lack of truly memorable choruses hurts both.
How can a song with TWO choruses lack on that department? :mehlin Well, opinions... Are you justified?!?!? :P
Three!

ARE YOU JUSTIFIED
ARE YOU JUSTIFIED
ARE YOU JUSTIFIED
JUSTIFIED IN TAKING LIFE TO SAVE LIFE
LIFE TO SAVE LIFE
LIFE TO SAVE LIFE
LIFE TO SAVE LIFE
---
Human kind has reached a turning point
Poised for conflict at ground zero, ready for a war
Do we look to our unearthly guides
Or to white coat heroes, searching for a cure
---
Turn to the light
Don't be frightened of the shadows it creates
Turn to the light
Turning away would be a terrible mistake

I suppose the second one always precedes the latter, so you could consider it a pre-chorus. I do quite like the way TGD is structured - all these different ideas jostling and tumbling over one another. Despite ranking it last out of the current list, I'm starting to think I might like it a little more than average.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: GasparXR on April 12, 2014, 04:49:47 AM
I went for The Shattered Fortress. It was a tough call between that and The Great Debate. That's strange considering SDOIT is among my favourite albums whereas BCSL is among my least favourite. TGD is probably my least favourite SDOIT song though.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: hefdaddy42 on April 12, 2014, 05:49:22 AM
I agree wholeheartedly with the blandtacular description of TGD.  Easily the least of the songs on 6DOIT.

I voted for TDEN.  For all the crap I give SC, this song absolutely rocks my face and is 10 pounds of awesome in a 5 pound bag.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: Invisible on April 12, 2014, 06:39:50 AM
Rob, I always considered "Human kind..." part as a bridge or pre-chorus, but I see your point, still I think it's a unifying prechorus to the two  sides of the debate. Tomato, tomato.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: Nekov on April 12, 2014, 07:09:31 AM
The Great Debate. It's the only one out of that list that I truly enjoy
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: ZKX-2099 on April 12, 2014, 07:12:03 AM
Dude I was using Blandtacular years ago.

But you voted right, so I'll let it slide.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: RoeDent on April 12, 2014, 11:38:08 AM
Who voted for Through My Words?  :lol
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: FlyingBIZKIT on April 12, 2014, 11:39:19 AM
The Great Debate by 600 million miles
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: Kotowboy on April 12, 2014, 11:41:38 AM
What's everyone's favourite Track 10 of the Rudess Era ?





Mine is One Last Time :neverusethis:
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: Invisible on April 12, 2014, 12:02:42 PM
What's everyone's favourite Track 10 of the Rudess Era ?





Mine is One Last Time :neverusethis:
I was going to say Easter Egg, but you said track so I'm gonna go with Goodnight Kiss :neverusethis: :neverusethis:
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: Kotowboy on April 12, 2014, 12:04:52 PM
Considering it's the 5th track on CD2 of Six Degrees - i'd say opinion invalid


Even if you listen to it twice :neverusethis:

Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: Shadow Ninja 2.0 on April 12, 2014, 12:09:27 PM
:jamaritard:

:vomitard:

:metardica:
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: Kotowboy on April 12, 2014, 12:26:29 PM
One Last Time :neverusethis:
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: KevShmev on April 12, 2014, 02:31:49 PM
Man, I will never understand the love for TGD. Even if the drumming is good, a song requires a hell of a lot more than just good drumming to be top pick, and TGD is a grind to listen to all the way through. In my humble opinion of course.

I mostly agree.  It's a good song, and the drumming is off the charts great, but the song just never really comes together.  In a way, On the Backs of Angels is like a modern day Great Debate, albeit shorter, in that both have all of the key elements that should make up a great DT song, but neither manages to be so.  Good songs, but neither are great.  I think the lack of truly memorable choruses hurts both.
How can a song with TWO choruses lack on that department? :mehlin   

Because I said they lacked memorable choruses, not actual choruses. :rollin :biggrin:
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: Daso on April 12, 2014, 02:38:25 PM
The Dark Eternal Night
This is the Life
The Great Debate

Very easy to rank, actually.
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: Invisible on April 12, 2014, 04:59:40 PM
Considering it's the 5th track on CD2 of Six Degrees - i'd say opinion invalid


Even if you listen to it twice :neverusethis:
:lol I knew this was coming, I was just trolling thinking as a whole album, but if I listen to the CD2 twice then it's About To Crash :biggrin: (8+2)

It would've been funny if you made a thread and a poll with only One Last Time as eight options. :lol
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: Kotowboy on April 12, 2014, 05:01:09 PM
I'll reserve that thread for VLASTO DAY....



..which is TODAY !!!  :police: :police: :police:
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: Destiny Of Chaos on April 16, 2014, 02:27:30 PM
Honor Thy Father
Title: Re: Favorite Track 4 of the Rudess era
Post by: Infinite Cactus on April 17, 2014, 10:56:53 PM
The Great Debate is the best them.