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Dream Theater => Dream Theater => Topic started by: ori.elias5 on September 13, 2014, 05:37:46 AM
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Pick just 1 song, no excuses, a song that is your ultimate Dream Theater song and will be there for your entire life.
I know theres bunch of them and its tough but you have to pick just 1.
I'll start: Breaking All Illusions.
Live in the moment, breathe in a new begining.. wow. plus the amazing guitar solo :tup
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status seeker
I imagine dancers drawing dollar signs with streamers everytime I hear the chorus
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status seeker
I imagine dancers drawing dollar signs with streamers everytime I hear the chorus
???
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status seeker
I imagine dancers drawing dollar signs with streamers everytime I hear the chorus
uhhh.....
The Count of Tuscany
Because I imagine sweaty neckbearded DT fans in their basement everytime they say "MAH BRUTHA".
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People are gonna get tired of me talking about this song, but my answer is Octavarium.
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Learning To Live, Metropolis. Those two songs most of all (there are others as well, even from DT) will most likely stay with me forever.
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Ltl,Metro,ACOS,ToT,8V and Sdoit.
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Octavarium. Easily their best epic; none of the others come close. There are a few other songs that I like better, but if anyone asked me to name one song that shows DT at their best, I would direct them to this one.
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ACOS... hands down, no question. :metal
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It's usually interchangeable between Under A Glass Moon, and The Mirror, but Illumination Theory is starting to get some consideration now as well, so I guess any of those three would be an answer from me.
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Well right now probably Surrender To Reason. Every second of this song is absolute perfection. Even the lyrics are really great and I can relate to them a lot. I liked it from the first listen but it grew on me much more over time. Simply flawless DT song for me.
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Scarred.
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A Change Of Seasons.
Nothing since then has come close to the perfection of that song, and i doubt ever will.
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Metropolis.
Pretty much one of the most perfect songs ever written.
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A Change of Seasons
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Scarred.
This. And it's not even close.
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Learning To Live
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These Walls
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I'm surprised no one has said "Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence". Definitely my choice, although ACOS and 8VM come close.
-Marc.
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Octavarium. Maybe the deepest level of craft in any DT song.
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Voices.
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Don't have a single favourite, but I miss "Blind Faith" among the mentioned highlight songs.
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Octavarium
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Another Hand - The Killing Hand
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I'm surprised no one has said "Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence". Definitely my choice, although ACOS and 8VM come close.
-Marc.
That's definitely my choice. :tup Great variety, showcases their melodic, metal and prog sides perfectly.
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Tough choice, but for me Trial of Tears. Great progressive song!
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Metropolis.
Pretty much one of the most perfect songs ever written.
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Constant Motion.
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Err.. God damn, I can't really do it with complete certainty, it's too hard :lol. But in this exact moment right now.. um... A Mind Beside Itself? It's got a bit of everything, and it's pretty epic as a whole.
If that's considered cheating then fine.. I pick Voices. - It's a very subtle and yet dynamic piece with lots of build up, great vocal delivery, weird mysterious lyrics, and one of the best guitar solos ever. Any DT song that can hold my interest for as long as this one would have to be a stellar track.
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It's one and only: Illumination Theory.
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Learning to Live.
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Octavarium because of it's perfection and NUGGETZZZZZ!!!
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Octavarium.
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A Change of Seasons
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Octavarium for sure
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Constant Motion.
GTFO
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:lol
Octavarium for me.
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Constant Motion.
GTFO
It's a good song, so what? It might be a controversial opinion, but I honestly think Systematic Chaos is one of the best DT albums, overall.
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Probably A Change of Seasons or Metropolis. Take the Time is actually my favorite Dream Theater song overall, but it's so unique in their discography than I have trouble calling it the 'ultimate Dream Theater song.' On the other hand, ACOS and Metropolis really epitomize everything I love about DT in general, so while they might not be my absolute favorite songs, I think one of them would be my choice here.
Gun to my head, Metropolis. The quintessential Dream Theater song.
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For me it's one I don't gravitate to. I can't tell you why. Not a bad song or album. I just don't play it like the other albums.
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Six Degrees
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Take the Time, I think, it's not my absolute favorite DT song but I will never get tired of it because there's nothing to get tired of there.
Scarred too I guess since it *is* my absolute favorite DT song :B
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A Change of Seasons, no doubt on it
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Space-Dye Vest
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ACOS... hands down, no question. :metal
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Metropolis Pt. 1
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Another vote for Octavarium....easily.
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For me, it's between SDOIT, BAI and IT. I thinl I will gonwith Illumination Theory for being sobwell composed, with all parts fitting in the song's narrative.
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Octavarium. Maybe the deepest level of craft in any DT song.
This.
Runner Ups would include The Glass Prison, Finally Free, Count of Tuscany, Dance of Eternity, Blind Faith, Learning to Live, Space Dye Vest, Metropolis, Scarred, and most of the rest of their catalog xD
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A Change of Seasons. It is an absolute masterpiece.
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Can I claim that Scenes is all one song?
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no
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Can I claim that Scenes is all one song?
You can claim the individual scenes or acts :neverusethis:
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Learning To Live, Metropolis. Those two songs most of all (there are others as well, even from DT) will most likely stay with me forever.
So much this!!!
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Hard to choose just one overall masterpiece, but when I think of "Dream Theater masterpiece" or "magnum opus song" or anything like that, I usually think of Octavarium, ACOS, or Metrop/LTL.
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A Change Of Seasons.
Nothing since then has come close to the perfection of that song, and i doubt ever will.
Agreed. It was also the last studio performance LaBrie gave at the height of his Powers.
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I think Breaking All Illusions is the perfect realization of almost everything that I've ever loved about Dream Theater. That's my choice for sure.
A Change Of Seasons.
Nothing since then has come close to the perfection of that song, and i doubt ever will.
Agreed. It was also the last studio performance LaBrie gave at the height of his Powers.
Actually, it wasn't. A Change of Seasons was post-accident.
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Octavarium. Always.
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I think Breaking All Illusions is the perfect realization of almost everything that I've ever loved about Dream Theater. That's my choice for sure.
A Change Of Seasons.
Nothing since then has come close to the perfection of that song, and i doubt ever will.
Agreed. It was also the last studio performance LaBrie gave at the height of his Powers.
Actually, it wasn't. A Change of Seasons was post-accident.
I guess that makes it the first official performance since the 'accident'? Which makes it all the more impressive. I always thought if this accident was so detrimental to James' vocals, that A Change of Seasons is quite the anomaly between Awake and Falling into Infinity (considering also Perfect Strangers sounds like something you might expect to hear on Live at the Marquee, based on vocal performance, not to mention the Zeppelin Medley). Personally I believe he wore himself out even more from all the touring in 94-96 and that it was more a loss of consistency than anything else. But many would argue that today, his consistency has gone beyond even what it used to be.
Constant Motion.
GTFO
It's a good song, so what? It might be a controversial opinion, but I honestly think Systematic Chaos is one of the best DT albums, overall.
Don't know if you're serious, it's a shame that I don't know whether to believe if someone is serious or not when they say their favourite song is CM. :lol I still think it's a top 20 song and I have a friend who'd rank it in his top 3 or maybe 5. And sometimes the mixed reactions on this song means I don't even know if it's underrated and unappreciated, or just generally overrated and hated.
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Wow, this is hard...
I cannot decide between Breaking All Illusions and Finally Free.
Both songs encompass exactly what I love about DT. The main thing being that they both (like many DT songs) have many varying parts which keep the songs alive, in a replay value sense.
The thing which separates these 2 songs from others is that I love every different part of each song equally, from start to finish.
Some DT songs have lots of awesome parts, but maybe 1 or 2 that I like a bit less than the rest.
At the moment, I'd probably choose BAL because it is still fresher to me.
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OK just one then.. Scarred.
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Metropolis.
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Trial of Tears. Easily.
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6 o'clock people....
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Voices, no question.
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no
Too bad. I'm gonna.
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Octavarium.
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Looks like:
Octavarium
A change of seasons
Learning to live
Breaking all illusions
Trial of tears
& Metropolis Pt.1
are in the top 6 of DTF. The ultimate compilation.
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SDOIT.
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Octavarium is my favourite DT song of all times, that's an opinion I probably won't ever change for ever. But if I could listen to only 1 DT song for the rest of my life, I'd pick ACOS instead of 8VM. ACOS has more DT in it, 8VM feels more like a massive tribute to the past of the music than being a DT-signature song.
Edit: Okay guys, my opinions on 8VM are almost the same but after watching IT on Breaking The Fourth Wall, that song got itself to being my #1 quickly! Words can't describe how much I loved that version...
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This was a tough one actually. My favorite is: Breaking All Illusions.
Followed closely by Learning To Live and Outcry. Years ago, I would have said A Change of Seasons but to me that one hasn't aged as well. I love James' vocals on the others. ACOS has James screaming the lyrics at times.
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Pretty simple for me, Blind Faith. The song begins very mellow and peaceful and slowly grows into a pure full on DT song and the instrumental section is DT's best IMO. This song is perfect.
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From back in the day; A Change Of Seasons
From more recently; Behind The Veil
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I am changing my vote. It is not Illumination Theory anymore. I am now voting for the Breaking the Fourth Wall version of Illumination Theory. I have never heard anything as epic. :hefdaddy
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The Count of Tuscany.
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Learning To Live
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Six degrees of inner turbulence. :smiley:
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Umm A Change of Seasons probably (live version is better).
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Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence the song is brilliant and followed Scenes From a Memory which was a tall order. The album is also my desert choice of I can have only one DT.
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In The Name Of God.
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Octavarium
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It's hard to choose between Octavarium, Illumination Theory, and Lines in the Sand. (surprised no one has said LITS yet, unless I missed it)
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My choice is Lie.
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Learning To Live, Metropolis. Those two songs most of all (there are others as well, even from DT) will most likely stay with me forever.
Absolutely this!!!!!!!
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The Root of All Evil
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The spirit carries on
When i listen to it i feel disconnected from the real world.
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Probably Octavarium
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Let me do it this way, a kind of process of elimination (theory):
Masterpiece of each album -
WDADU - none
I&W - Metropolis
Awake - Scarred
FII - Trial of Tears
SFAM - Home
6DOIT - Blind Faith
TOT - In The Name of God
Octavarium - Octavarium
SC - none
BC&SL - The Count of Tuscany
ADTOE - Breaking All Illusions
DT12 - Illumination Theory
Masterpiece of each decade -
80s - none
90s - Trial of Tears
2000s - The Count of Tuscany
2010s - Illumination Theory
Final podium:
1st place - The Count of Tuscany
2nd place - Illumination Theory
3rd place - Trial of Tears
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1st: The Dance of Eternity
2nd: Metropolis Pt I: The Miracle and the Sleeper
3rd: Illumination Theory
We should be able to vote in a poll!
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Metropolis. It's my #1 Dream Theater song, and even though I listened to it to death, it will always remain my #1. It's simply flawless. The tone and the sounds are perfect, each musician + LaBrie are perfect on it, the lyrics are beautiful, there are both complex and beautiful, melodic parts. No annoying samples. And at just under 10 minutes, it does it all in one tight, concise package.
It's a predictable choice, but there's a good reason for that.
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Metropolis. It's my #1 Dream Theater song, and even though I listened to it to death, it will always remain my #1. It's simply flawless. The tone and the sounds are perfect, each musician + LaBrie are perfect on it, the lyrics are beautiful, there are both complex and beautiful, melodic parts. No annoying samples. And at just under 10 minutes, it does it all in one tight, concise package.
It's a predictable choice, but there's a good reason for that.
:tup
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For me, it's between SDOIT, BAI and IT. I thinl I will gonwith Illumination Theory for being sobwell composed, with all parts fitting in the song's narrative.
Fail
I am changing my vote. It is not Illumination Theory anymore. I am now voting for the Breaking the Fourth Wall version of Illumination Theory. I have never heard anything as epic. :hefdaddy
Failed to correct 1st fail.
Failed to correct 2nd fail.
Result = Epic Fail :p Just messin' with ya...but seriously, I don't think you put in enough effort to weigh all your available options here. Just sayin' :biggrin:
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You'll never stop will you? :lol
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For me, it's between SDOIT, BAI and IT. I thinl I will gonwith Illumination Theory for being sobwell composed, with all parts fitting in the song's narrative.
Fail
I am changing my vote. It is not Illumination Theory anymore. I am now voting for the Breaking the Fourth Wall version of Illumination Theory. I have never heard anything as epic. :hefdaddy
Failed to correct 1st fail.
Failed to correct 2nd fail.
Result = Epic Fail :p Just messin' with ya...but seriously, I don't think you put in enough effort to weigh all your available options here. Just sayin' :biggrin:
:lol Nah, I am sure with my vote. I listen to DT's entire discography at least once a month. Awake and DT 12, my favorite albums, almost every day and when I feel like it, as much as 5 times a day. :lol I am a fan of music whose structures, melodies, sound, and lyrics complement each other so well to deliver a coherent message or feel to the listener, and I pretty much saw those elements really come together in IT and BAI. The BtFW version of IT, in particular, sort of fulfilled DT's vision of how it would sound, with the orchestra and choir.
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Maaaan its too damn hard, but right now Id go with IT
this part just kills me and brings me back to life on and on:
To really feel the joy in life, you must suffer from the pain
but ACOS is a rival, if I wanted to summerize DT in a song, thatd be one of these
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Let me do it this way, a kind of process of elimination (theory):
Masterpiece of each album -
*snip*
Masterpiece of each decade -
*snip*
Final podium:
*snip*
Stealing this format:
Masterpiece of each album:
WDADU- no masterpiece, but my favorite it Only A Matter of Time
I&W- Learning to Live
Awake- Space Dye Vest
FII- Trial of Tears
SFaM- Dance of Eternity (if anyone asked me to define DT, this is the song I'd choose. It's not my favorite off the album, but it's a musical masterpiece and is every the band encompasses wrapped up in a crazy 6 minute instrumental.)
SDoIT- The Glass fucking Prison
ToT- In the Name of God
8VM- 8VM
SC- ITPoE, Pt 1
BC&SL- Count of Tuscany
ADToE- Bridges in the Sky
DT12- Illumination Theory
Masterpiece of the Decade
80s- none
90s- Dance of Eternity
2000's- Octavarium
2010's- Illumination Theory
Just a rough summary of their masterpieces per album/decade. Overall, I think their biggest musical achievements are 8VM, TDoE, LtL, Metropolis, SDoIT, 12 Step Suite (minus Repentance), Breaking All Illusions, Illumination Theory, Trial of Tears, and Home, among many many other amazing compositions. These are just the 10 that seem to stand out the most to me as actual masterpieces.
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Instead of decades one could use periods, like the pre-Rudess era, the RR era, and the middle! In general dividing in groups of similar size is better.
Another advantage is that I can pull off my combo again: Metropolis/TDOE/IT.
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For me, it's between SDOIT, BAI and IT. I thinl I will gonwith Illumination Theory for being sobwell composed, with all parts fitting in the song's narrative.
Fail
I am changing my vote. It is not Illumination Theory anymore. I am now voting for the Breaking the Fourth Wall version of Illumination Theory. I have never heard anything as epic. :hefdaddy
Failed to correct 1st fail.
Failed to correct 2nd fail.
Result = Epic Fail :p Just messin' with ya...but seriously, I don't think you put in enough effort to weigh all your available options here. Just sayin' :biggrin:
:lol Nah, I am sure with my vote. I listen to DT's entire discography at least once a month. Awake and DT 12, my favorite albums, almost every day and when I feel like it, as much as 5 times a day. :lol I am a fan of music whose structures, melodies, sound, and lyrics complement each other so well to deliver a coherent message or feel to the listener, and I pretty much saw those elements really come together in IT and BAI. The BtFW version of IT, in particular, sort of fulfilled DT's vision of how it would sound, with the orchestra and choir.
I would've agreed had you picked the BTFW version of BAI. That was the highlight of the entire live album for me. I'm a fan of music but not so much lyrics. The music has to speak to me first before the lyrics can mean anything. Good lyrics will never save a poorly arranged song that is incoherent. On the other hand, good music that flows from beginning to end can easily be much more appreciated even with lack luster lyrics. A good example of this is TCOT. The music is first and foremost. Lyrics are just a form of filler. If I wanted to appreciate meaningful words, I would read poetry. The music in BAI is a perfect representation of a very well arranged and executed DT song. "IT" doesn't even come close. It doesn't flow and is extremely disjointed with an intermission of orchestra that has nothing to do with anything else in the song. A disappointing closer to a somewhat disappointing album as a whole. Only 3 songs I can get through without skipping. TEI, TLG and BTV.
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I would've agreed had you picked the BTFW version of BAI. That was the highlight of the entire live album for me. I'm a fan of music but not so much lyrics. The music has to speak to me first before the lyrics can mean anything. Good lyrics will never save a poorly arranged song that is incoherent. On the other hand, good music that flows from beginning to end can easily be much more appreciated even with lack luster lyrics. A good example of this is TCOT. The music is first and foremost. Lyrics are just a form of filler. If I wanted to appreciate meaningful words, I would read poetry. The music in BAI is a perfect representation of a very well arranged and executed DT song. "IT" doesn't even come close. It doesn't flow and is extremely disjointed with an intermission of orchestra that has nothing to do with anything else in the song. A disappointing closer to a somewhat disappointing album as a whole. Only 3 songs I can get through without skipping. TEI, TLG and BTV.
Agreed about BAI being masterfully arranged and executed. Disagreed about IT being not.
Also agree about music coming first and foremost besides just lyrics (though it really depends on what kind of music we're looking at), but then it's a good thing IT is also so masterfully executed in that department. It still amuses me how it still gets shit for the orchestral section. Ragtime break downs don't really have anything to do with the main song either. It flows plenty well anyways. There's a good minute and half of ambiance right before it so it doesn't necessarily just come out of nowhere. And the ever-infamous bass interlude that ends it? Not every transition needs this slow, gradual crossfade. In fact, that would make things boring and formulaic if overdone. The sudden halt to the music is made poignant and evident with Myung and Mangini's groove, and this really drives the tone home. It's a spiral descent into building chaos, and that transition creates so much drama and anticipation.
As for the rest of the song, everything about it really just nails it. At points, it reaches such emotional highs that rival that of BAI. I'd call it a very satisfying end to a very satisfying album on the whole.
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Metropolis. "Metropolis watches and thoughtfully smiles, shes taking you to your home".
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"Now the miracle and the sleeper know, that Metropolis is the best! Metropolis is the best song... By Deam Theater."
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I would've agreed had you picked the BTFW version of BAI. That was the highlight of the entire live album for me. I'm a fan of music but not so much lyrics. The music has to speak to me first before the lyrics can mean anything. Good lyrics will never save a poorly arranged song that is incoherent. On the other hand, good music that flows from beginning to end can easily be much more appreciated even with lack luster lyrics. A good example of this is TCOT. The music is first and foremost. Lyrics are just a form of filler. If I wanted to appreciate meaningful words, I would read poetry. The music in BAI is a perfect representation of a very well arranged and executed DT song. "IT" doesn't even come close. It doesn't flow and is extremely disjointed with an intermission of orchestra that has nothing to do with anything else in the song. A disappointing closer to a somewhat disappointing album as a whole. Only 3 songs I can get through without skipping. TEI, TLG and BTV.
Agreed about BAI being masterfully arranged and executed. Disagreed about IT being not.
Also agree about music coming first and foremost besides just lyrics (though it really depends on what kind of music we're looking at), but then it's a good thing IT is also so masterfully executed in that department. It still amuses me how it still gets shit for the orchestral section. Ragtime break downs don't really have anything to do with the main song either. It flows plenty well anyways. There's a good minute and half of ambiance right before it so it doesn't necessarily just come out of nowhere. And the ever-infamous bass interlude that ends it? Not every transition needs this slow, gradual crossfade. In fact, that would make things boring and formulaic if overdone. The sudden halt to the music is made poignant and evident with Myung and Mangini's groove, and this really drives the tone home. It's a spiral descent into building chaos, and that transition creates so much drama and anticipation.
As for the rest of the song, everything about it really just nails it. At points, it reaches such emotional highs that rival that of BAI. I'd call it a very satisfying end to a very satisfying album on the whole.
I don't think ragtime is a good comparison. Ragtime is meant to be off track, goofy and relatively short lived. It's deliberate. The orchestra section in IT is like a completely different song and the ambience before hand isn't really anything new. In fact, when I listen to this song, I find myself trying to keep track of everything that sounds familiar. The beginning sounds like parts of SDOIT. Next, I'm hearing parts of TMoLS, ITNoG, and ITPOE. Orchestra section tries to sound like Overture. Following that, it tries to sound like Rush then you have the JP/JR guitar/keyboard duel. Nothing really new there either. Now, I'm hearing something that came from SFAM and to top it off, it finishes like SDOIT with gong at the end. If I didn't know any better, Illumination Theory sounds more like a medley than an original song. A hodge podge of previously conceived ideas. It's all over the place. So, if that's what people like, more power to ya. I'm expecting something unique and original when hearing a new song that is nearly 20 mins in length. Guess I'll just have to wait and see what the next one is like. IT just doesn't make the cut.
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We'll have to agree to disagree, because nothing in the song struck me like it struck you.
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I would've agreed had you picked the BTFW version of BAI. That was the highlight of the entire live album for me. I'm a fan of music but not so much lyrics. The music has to speak to me first before the lyrics can mean anything. Good lyrics will never save a poorly arranged song that is incoherent. On the other hand, good music that flows from beginning to end can easily be much more appreciated even with lack luster lyrics. A good example of this is TCOT. The music is first and foremost. Lyrics are just a form of filler. If I wanted to appreciate meaningful words, I would read poetry. The music in BAI is a perfect representation of a very well arranged and executed DT song. "IT" doesn't even come close. It doesn't flow and is extremely disjointed with an intermission of orchestra that has nothing to do with anything else in the song. A disappointing closer to a somewhat disappointing album as a whole. Only 3 songs I can get through without skipping. TEI, TLG and BTV.
Agreed about BAI being masterfully arranged and executed. Disagreed about IT being not.
Also agree about music coming first and foremost besides just lyrics (though it really depends on what kind of music we're looking at), but then it's a good thing IT is also so masterfully executed in that department. It still amuses me how it still gets shit for the orchestral section. Ragtime break downs don't really have anything to do with the main song either. It flows plenty well anyways. There's a good minute and half of ambiance right before it so it doesn't necessarily just come out of nowhere. And the ever-infamous bass interlude that ends it? Not every transition needs this slow, gradual crossfade. In fact, that would make things boring and formulaic if overdone. The sudden halt to the music is made poignant and evident with Myung and Mangini's groove, and this really drives the tone home. It's a spiral descent into building chaos, and that transition creates so much drama and anticipation.
As for the rest of the song, everything about it really just nails it. At points, it reaches such emotional highs that rival that of BAI. I'd call it a very satisfying end to a very satisfying album on the whole.
I don't think ragtime is a good comparison. Ragtime is meant to be off track, goofy and relatively short lived. It's deliberate. The orchestra section in IT is like a completely different song and the ambience before hand isn't really anything new. In fact, when I listen to this song, I find myself trying to keep track of everything that sounds familiar. The beginning sounds like parts of SDOIT. Next, I'm hearing parts of TMoLS, ITNoG, and ITPOE. Orchestra section tries to sound like Overture. Following that, it tries to sound like Rush then you have the JP/JR guitar/keyboard duel. Nothing really new there either. Now, I'm hearing something that came from SFAM and to top it off, it finishes like SDOIT with gong at the end. If I didn't know any better, Illumination Theory sounds more like a medley than an original song. A hodge podge of previously conceived ideas. It's all over the place. So, if that's what people like, more power to ya. I'm expecting something unique and original when hearing a new song that is nearly 20 mins in length. Guess I'll just have to wait and see what the next one is like. IT just doesn't make the cut.
Good day. :) I have posted in other IT threads before my interpretation of Illumination Theory and why I believe it is a masterpiece from a compositional perspective. I never gave primacy to the lyrics, but I see lyrics as PART of the music, not separate from it. The lyrics, as part of the music, should be coherent to the NARRATIVE that the song is trying to put across with the words and the music. I would like to put forward again my understanding of the narrative of IT, which made sense for me, and which is why I really don't see it as a mishmash of previous ideas from other DT songs.
Unilluminated Section Illuminated Section
Structural similarities Relatively "dark" music Relatively "uplifting" music
Drum roll Crescendo Decrescendo
˅ ˄
Slow, majestic, paradox as theme Movement 1. Paradox of the Black Light Movement 8. Surrender, Trust and Passion
(with paradoxical lyrics)
˅ ˄
Similar rocking riff, signals a journey Movement 2. Transition to questions Movement 7. Transition from answers
˅ ˄
Mini-song in itself, lyrics-driven at start, Movement 3. Live, Die, Kill Movement 6. The Pursuit of Truth
ends with instrumental, grounded (asks the questions) (gives the answers)
˅ ˄
Band not playing, not on an "earthly" plane Movement 4. Embracing Circle Movement 5. Embracing Circle
(ambient, formless, directionless) (orchestral reprise of Movement 1, new beginning)
˅ ˄
Transition from unilluminated to illuminated Embracing Circle, first orchestral section
As you can see from the interpretation above, the lyrics contributed to the narrative, but the music was even more integral to telling the story of the song. This is my interpretation, so I am not imposing it on anyone (as Blob reminded me back when I was still too eager to push this interpretation). But I am sharing it (again) because I want to share also my joy when I saw this narrative. I would like to believe that this is what DT intended because they have a history of being really purposive in their compositions, and also because structural similarities of this scale within songs are hard to achieve without being purposive. It's hard to imagine for me that this mirroring structure would come out due to coincidence. And this is why I believe that it is a compositional masterpiece for DT.
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To me, this analysis is as clear as day. Once it is mapped out, you can see what they were going for, and opens up whole new ways to appreciate the song.
People are, of course, free to interpret it their own way, but I find it difficult to argue with this.
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Hearing IT recently on both BTFW and live, I find that song to be a slog to get through as a whole now. Too much noodling, very disjointed, very much the kind of wanky stuff that other recent albums suffered from, and too many copied cliches from other DT epics. I don't consider it anywhere near their other epics, or one of DT's better songs.
The music would have been written before they thought of lyrics anyway, but hey, people are free to interpret music however they want.
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@erwin. I find it amusing that you think IT is good enough to attempt an extensive analysis. If that's what makes you happy, then great. But, the point I was trying to convey is that none of it makes any difference if I don't like the music or the way it is arranged. It's as simple as Blob describes in his post. My sentiments exactly.
Hearing IT recently on both BTFW and live, I find that song to be a slog to get through as a whole now. Too much noodling, very disjointed, very much the kind of wanky stuff that other recent albums suffered from, and too many copied cliches from other DT epics. I don't consider it anywhere near their other epics, or one of DT's better songs.
The music would have been written before they thought of lyrics anyway, but hey, people are free to interpret music however they want.
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@erwin. I find it amusing that you think IT is good enough to attempt an extensive analysis.
Why is it, quote-unquote, "amusing"? If he enjoys the song as much as he does, I see no reason why he shouldn't try his hand at a personal interpretation. If he wants to put it together and share it with others, I see no issue there. Nothing really "amusing" about it, and nothing "amusing" about the fact that he enjoys the song either.
Just stop me if I'm wrong, but it really starts to sound as if you're belittling his input there.
Of course, I don't agree with every single point in his interpretation, but he did a really good job at bringing forth his case. As for the music itself, it'll always be the same for me. It's a truly masterfully arranged and amazing display of the band's song-writing capabilities. If not strengthen one's opinion on the song, erwin's interpretation, at the very least, offers a new and interesting take on it.
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Hey, I never said there was an issue and I don't see a problem being amused by other people's posts. Whatever makes the guy happy is fine, and yes you are wrong. There was nothing belittling in my post even if it seemed that way. I'm just stating my opinion that his analysis don't really do anything for me for reasons I already stated in previous posts. :chill
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Hey, I never said there was an issue and I don't see a problem being amused by other people's posts. Whatever makes the guy happy is fine, and yes you are wrong. There was nothing belittling in my post even if it seemed that way. I'm just stating my opinion that his analysis don't really do anything for me for reasons I already stated in previous posts. :chill
I didn't mean to sound confrontational either. :smiley: Apologies if it seemed that way, and that's why I did say to just say if I was wrong, cause I was well aware I could be.
I do see how his interpretation won't do much for others. It is his own personal input so others will have their own, but for sure it raises good questions or ideas about the song.
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@erwin. I find it amusing that you think IT is good enough to attempt an extensive analysis. If that's what makes you happy, then great. But, the point I was trying to convey is that none of it makes any difference if I don't like the music or the way it is arranged. It's as simple as Blob describes in his post. My sentiments exactly.
Hearing IT recently on both BTFW and live, I find that song to be a slog to get through as a whole now. Too much noodling, very disjointed, very much the kind of wanky stuff that other recent albums suffered from, and too many copied cliches from other DT epics. I don't consider it anywhere near their other epics, or one of DT's better songs.
The music would have been written before they thought of lyrics anyway, but hey, people are free to interpret music however they want.
I don't really have to be amused by a DT song before I analyze it. I analyze almost all of their songs because I do not want the initial impression of the music to stop me from at least understanding what message the band is trying to convey. This was the approach that made me appreciate some songs that some vocal dissenters find disjointed like Scarred (which, once analyzed, actually is great from a composition standpoint) and made me feel meh about some fan-favorites like TGP and LTL. I am quite a fan of music that has narrative coherence. I used to play and help compose instrumental stuff (ethnic Philippine music, a very different genre) and we are always aware of the message, the narrative, the emotions, that the musical piece is trying to achieve.
I view DT as very meticulous composers. It is true that a lot of times, they do compose the instrumental music first before the lyrics, but that does not mean that they do not have a particular narrative or message in mind. I believe that they are very purposive, and this becomes apparent to me when I analyze song structures because distinct patterning in structures rarely emerge out of coincidence (unlike melodies or riffs). Anyway, what I find amusing (and I admit I am using this in kind of a belittling way) is that some people view DT as purposive composers when they are discussing songs they like, but quickly changes their view of DT into a band that just uses leftover riffs, obsesses over newfound sound effects and just patches things up when it is a song that they do not like. I think that DT purposively composes all of their songs. Sometimes, they succeed (Awake and DT 12, generally, although in different ways). Sometimes, they fail (like Prophets of War, where, I think, they are trying to create a dissonant effect but was not able to overcome it). I don't think I would ever understand how people could actually believe that DT members are patchwork composers, especially for an epic like IT.