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Dream Theater => Dream Theater => Topic started by: WildRanger on August 31, 2018, 12:40:54 PM
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Which one?
Panic Attack for me.
My rating: 3 stars
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Sacrificed Sons (it would get my vote even if the title track was available).
3 stars.
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Panic Attack. But, really, I think all the tracks are strong except The Answer Lies Within and, to a lesser extent, I Walk Beside You.
I rate it at ****. Solid album. Not as consistent as, say, Six Degrees, ADTOE, or DT12. But still VERY solid.
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Gave it 3 stars because of the title track. 2nd fav song? I guess Root of All Evil. I honestly cannot stand Panic Attack or The Answer Lies Within ( I feel like I'm in a minority there, but such is life).
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My all time #1 favorite DT album. 5 stars easily. I’d give it 8 stars if that was an option.
2nd favorite song is harder. They are all tied for 2nd place except TALW. But I went with These Walls. It could change daily.
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Root, but I could have picked These Walls.
Solid album all the way through, one of their best. It's not perfect but the concept behind it was ingenous and the songs are well crafted with a mininum amount of the so called "wanking". I can totally forgive I Walk Beside You for being a love letter to U2 when it's so catchy, uplifting and with a memorable chorus. I really hope to hear These Walls in the next tour.
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Sacrificed Sons for sure.
4 star album, it's aged well for me.
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Second favorite track is "Panic Attack," although PA and "Sacrificed Sons" are probably pretty close to tied for second.
A give the album four stars. The title track, PA and SS are all five star songs. TALW is probably 4+ stars. IWBY is one of the weakest songs in the Rudess era (on a similar level as "Innocence Faded"). TRoaE is a strong song, but it hasn't had a lot of staying power. "These Walls" is just ok, and I've never been a fan of "Never Enough" (regardless of the childishly petulant lyrics).
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The root of all evil. 4 stars.
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These Walls
It's a 3 star album for me. I'm not a huge fan of The Answer Lies Within, I Walk Beside You, or Never Enough. The rest of it is just OK.
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5 star album. One of DT's finest, for my ears...
It was tough to choose between The Root of All Evil and Panic Attack but I gave it to Root in the end. What a killer song.
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Sacrificed Sons is my favourite on the album behind the title track. I gave the album 3 stars, but I'd have put 3.5 if it was an option.
It was the first DT album I heard and the title track is still one of my favourites. I tend to divide it in half - 4 of the tracks are brilliant, but I find the other 4 pretty average by DT standards.
1. Octavarium
2. Sacrificed Sons
3. The Root of All Evil
4. Panic Attack
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5. These Walls
6. Never Enough
7. The Answer Lies Within
8. I Walk Beside You
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Sacrificed Sons
Root of All Evil
Solid 4 stars **** One of my top DT Albums.
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Favorite track: These Walls (top 5 DT track for me). Love everythingg about it.
Album rating: 3.5/5
I’m probably one of the few that absolutely dislikes the title track. Panick Attack is the other track I don’t enjoy. Octavarium the song feels very disjointed for me. Don’t like theong intro..Indo enjoy the first section when JLB sings for then1st and Razor’s Edge. Those are the only two sections I enjoy out of the song.
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5 stars for the album and favourite song after the title track is The Answer Lies Within, a beautiful tune and I love the melodic nods to the title track. This album to me is in the group of Dream Theater classics, with Awake, Scenes, Six Degrees and Train of Thought.
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Five stars easily. And Panic Attack was my introduction to the band so it has a special place in my heart.
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The Answer Lies Within is the only song I love besides the title track.
Three stars, the first (chronologically) of my personal DT less liked trifecta.
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4,5 stars
TW is my 2nd fav song on this album.
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Bottom of the pile for me by far in terms of DT albums. I’m not even a huge fan of the title track, find large parts of it to be quite dull. I’m gonna have to say, I Walk Beside as it’s one of their better attempts at a “radio” song. Good catchy little song.
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Second favorite: These Walls. Such a perfect song :hefdaddy
I gave the album 4 stars, even though I don’t rank it very high on my list. Really like the title track, TW, PA and SS. The rest of the songs I just don’t care too much about. Never Enough is easily one of the worst things they have done imo (or was it a Muse cover?).
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4.5/5 (voted 4)
1. Octavarium
2. Panic Attack (voted for it)
3. Sacrificed Sons
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Three stars, the first (chronologically) of my personal DT less liked trifecta.
Same here. The Root of All Evil is actually my favorite track. The title track or Tbese Walls would be my second.
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TRoAE, 2 stars. I’ll never understand all the love for such a boring album.
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My favourites are actually none of them, not even Octavarium. I never listen to anything in the Portnoy era these days. (unless Mangini plays the pieces, then they are listenable IMHO, because I'm a purely analytical listener, but that's only me I suppose. I don't intend to offend anyone with this. Sorry if I did). I won't rate it either
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These Walls. I'm like jammindude as It could change from time to time. The Root of All Evil is a close second for me right now.
I gave it 4 stars. Overall, it's a good album from start to finish. The title track is amazing and I think it pushes the album from being a 3 to 4 star.
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5 stars....and Panic Attack is my favorite song from the album.
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I forgot to rate the album, so I give it 5 stars. My favorite track after the title track would be Never Enough. I'm the minority here, but I just love that main riff and the chorus is so strong. For some reason the count Dracula type riff on the keyboards after "What would you say - dah - dah - dah, makes me laugh every time. Also, the solo section with the unisons is totally sick! :metal
I never did understand the hate for this song. It was a tough choice between that and TROAE. I've had more success turning people onto Dream Theater wth 8vm than any other album. Plus an outstanding album for JLB, excellent vocals throughout!
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This was the first DT album where I liked every song. Each one previous to this had at least one I always skipped and still do for the most part. 8V is just a solid album front to back but it doesn't have the staying power like some of the others. I've actually grown to dislike the title track, mainly for the Full Circle lyrics and weird jingle bells interlude which always takes me out of the music.
As for the strongest track: Root. Probably Portnoy's greatest lyrics, too. I didn't see them on the 8V tour and they didn't play TROAE much after that so when they pulled it out on the second leg of the ADTOE tour, I was psyched.
Also, I believe it was the first leg of the ADTOE tour they also played These Walls. A song I always thought was fine, but nothing special. Played live it takes on a whole new life. In fact, I think that may be one of the few songs that is much better suited for a live setting than in the studio. Gave me a whole new appreciation for it and it may actually be my second favorite from the album.
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Panic Attack is my favorite song on the album, even including the title track, The Root of All Evil might be #2. Tital track not far behind.
Big dropoff after those three.
3 Stars. Great three songs. I only think IWBY is bad. The rest aren't bad, they just are.... forgettable. Like when you go to a restaurant, get a meal, liked it enough, feel full, but when you get home, you can barely remember what you ate well enough to describe it or even how you felt about it.
Not an album I feel inspired to listen to much. TRoaE and 8VM are documented well on Score. If PA was on a live release I'd have little need for this album.
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If PA was on a live release I'd have little need for this album.
It is!... on CIM :biggrin:
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Isn't PA also on LALP?
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My favourites are actually none of them, not even Octavarium. I never listen to anything in the Portnoy era these days. (unless Mangini plays the pieces, then they are listenable IMHO, because I'm a purely analytical listener, but that's only me I suppose. I don't intend to offend anyone with this. Sorry if I did). I won't rate it either
What the hell is the purpose of this comment :lol
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These Walls
I rank it 4 stars. The only thing keeping the album from 5 stars is The Answer Lies Within. I still enjoy it in the context of the album, but don't really listen to it on its own. Unless I'm in a certain mood.
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Five stars, The Root of All Evil.
I probably have a bit of newbie bias with this one as it was the first album where I was there for the entire release cycle. Even so, I am incredibly bloody fond of it. It was probably the right album at the right time - but it was the right album.
I love the diversity of it, I love how each track sounds very distinct, I love how unlike their previous stuff it (generally) was. The octave gimmick is very neat, I have such good memories of my first gig on the 20th Anniversary Tour.
Like the self-titled album, I really love how the focus is on songwriting rather than instrumental acrobatics - and then when you finally do reach the title track it feels like a huge release. The other tracks, too - I love how moody Sacrificed Sons is and the way it just explodes, I love the unison in the middle of Never Enough (and that drumming!), it’s all superb.
My one issue with it, and I’ve had this issue for years, is that I just can’t hear it as new any more. I know every single note backwards, and it’s a bit like when you chew gum for so long you can’t taste it. I never listen to it nowadays. But I do think it’s phenomenal.
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Isn't PA also on LALP?
It’s TW, not PA. (Also TROAE)
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Sacrificed Sons, and I was not surprised that it has gotten the most votes until now.
Octavarium is the album that got me into DT. I love this album AF
Easily five stars, not discussion.
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3 stars, with IWBY being my favorite. This is the weakest album of theirs along with BC&SL. IWBY is a great, catchy song that doesn’t overstay its welcome. The title track is excellent, but the other songs all feel either too derivative.
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I forgot to rate the album, so I give it 5 stars. My favorite track after the title track would be Never Enough. I'm the minority here, but I just love that main riff and the chorus is so strong. For some reason the count Dracula type riff on the keyboards after "What would you say - dah - dah - dah, makes me laugh every time. Also, the solo section with the unisons is totally sick! :metal
I never did understand the hate for this song. It was a tough choice between that and TROAE. I've had more success turning people onto Dream Theater wth 8vm than any other album. Plus an outstanding album for JLB, excellent vocals throughout!
Yes! It's actually my favourite DT unison run in their entire catalogue. Part of that is because it's so reminiscent of computer game music in the mid/late 80s and early 90s.
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I love Never Enough. I think James is excellent on that.
My vote would go to Panic Attack and I rate the album a very generous 3 stars. But as a whole album, it's in my bottom half of DT albums.
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These Walls. I love the I&W sound to it.
4 stars.
Last decent DT album.
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These Walls. I love the I&W sound to it.
4 stars.
Last decent DT album.
Just needs the triggered drums to make it more like the I&W sound.
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These Walls. I love the I&W sound to it.
4 stars.
Last decent DT album.
Wow! Really? You’re still invested enough in the band to post on fan forums even though you don’t think they’ve released anything even decent in over 13 years? I would’ve well given up by now!
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I dunno, Rush hasn't released anything decent in 37 years and there is always a robust discussion about them here.
Seriously though, I think one can be enough of a fan of a band to post on their unofficial message board, and critical of the noteworthy percentage of their material at the same time. One can "give up" on the current direction of a band and still hold true to their appreciation of a previous era they are a fan of.
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I dunno, Rush hasn't released anything decent in 37 years and there is always a robust discussion about them here.
:rollin
:clap:
So true. Although I do give Clockwork Angels its due.
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Sacrificed Sons, 3 stars.
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My least favorite album. I never listen to it anymore. Didn't vote any song because Octavarium is the only one I like.
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Octavarium was a high point in DT's career. Everyone in the band seemed happy, the music was well balanced and put out a positive vibe. The album is a good representation of what DT is all about. I don't know why they went such a darker heavier direction on the next two albums. I thought they allready accomplished that on Awake and ToT. Not that it's a bad thing, it seems MP heavily influenced the bands direction after Octavarium.
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Octavarium was a high point in DT's career. Everyone in the band seemed happy, the music was well balanced and put out a positive vibe. The album is a good representation of what DT is all about. I don't know why they went such a darker heavier direction on the next two albums. I thought they allready accomplished that on Awake and ToT. Not that it's a bad thing, it seems MP heavily influenced the bands direction after Octavarium.
I agree. Even the look was good:
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GufRhYvp8fo/hqdefault.jpg)
Also this one is darker in style but not "metaaaaaaaaaalll!!!!" and overdone:
(https://rockciclopedia.com/wiki/images/2/2d/Dream_Theater_2005.jpg)
This is actually the best and most fitting look for DT IMO. Not that it matters anyway of course, but I liked that style. And I completely agree on Octavarium being a pinnacle and a wonderful climax to their carrer so far.
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They were looking sharp. I like the goatie, short haired JP
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I dunno, Rush hasn't released anything decent in 37 years and there is always a robust discussion about them here.
Seriously though, I think one can be enough of a fan of a band to post on their unofficial message board, and critical of the noteworthy percentage of their material at the same time. One can "give up" on the current direction of a band and still hold true to their appreciation of a previous era they are a fan of.
Of course they can still hold the old stuff in high regard. I loved Opeth albums up to and including Watershed and continue to do so. I don’t like anything they’ve released since and gave up after two albums I considered to be mediocre and hearing the first single off the third one. I don’t actively follow them or keep up to date with news or visit fan forums these days. Not suggesting someone is not entitled to still have an opinion or voice it on here (is this not the official DT forum now?) just surprised they’d still be interested in doing so when it’s been so long since they released anything he enjoyed.
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If PA was on a live release I'd have little need for this album.
It is!... on CIM :biggrin:
Not a DT release, but there is a better live version on the Gigantour release.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CctGAJfCVSc
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I dunno, Rush hasn't released anything decent in 37 years and there is always a robust discussion about them here.
:rollin
:clap:
So true. Although I do give Clockwork Angels its due.
And I thought you were decent guys...
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Decent misguided guys, perhaps? :)
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Bottom of the pile for me by far in terms of DT albums. I’m not even a huge fan of the title track, find large parts of it to be quite dull. I’m gonna have to say, I Walk Beside as it’s one of their better attempts at a “radio” song. Good catchy little song.
Basically the same for me, except that it's not my absolutely least favorite album. Tied for bottom three with SC and BC&SL.
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Probably one of my favorite albums by them. An easy 5/5 for me.
My ranking:
01. Octavarium
02. Sacrificed Sons
03. Panic Attack
04. These Walls
05. The Root of All Evil
06. I Walk Beside You
07. The Answer Lies Within
08. Never Enough
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I have fond memories of this album. My family had just moved from Canada to the States, so I didn't have anything to do except listen to music and watch movies until school started. I must have played Octavarium two dozen times in two months. :lol
My favorite non-title track song is either TROAE or TW. I ultimately voted on the latter. I would rate the album a 4/5. Really solid stuff.
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These Walls
edit: f*** I voted for two songs instead of giving a star rating :lol
Four stars.
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These Walls. Also, I think the middle of the album (These Walls through Never Enough) is way better than the beginning and ending of the album. I don't like the title track at all.
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TROAE
3/5
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TROAE
3/5
'' ''
I consider it a weak album with the title track lifting it up to 3 stars. As I think about it TALW is actually a pretty likeable song, and I generally dislike their ballady stuff. Maybe should have gone with that over TRoAE, but it wouldn't change my overall opinion of the album.
And for what it's worth, I'm openly hostile towards most of their music over the last 15 or so years, and I still post here from time to time.