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Dream Theater => Dream Theater => Topic started by: pg1067 on April 16, 2021, 04:01:00 PM

Title: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: pg1067 on April 16, 2021, 04:01:00 PM
The question says it all.  Have at it.

I'm torn between I&W through SFAM (three of my top four albums and one of my bottom four) and SFAM through 8VM (two of my top 4 and two from the mid-tier).  Gonna have to give this some thought before voting myself.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: TheCountOfNYC on April 16, 2021, 04:11:49 PM
Scenes through Octavarium. The meta-album is bookended by my two favorite Dream Theater records, and Six Degrees also ranks in the top half of their albums for me.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: HOF on April 16, 2021, 04:58:05 PM
I&W, Awake, FII, SFAM
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: bosk1 on April 16, 2021, 05:50:50 PM
Really tough for me.  SFAM and SDOIT are my top 2 DT albums, so I lean heavily toward runs that include those.  The problem is, the albums that bracketed those two on either side rank in the bottom half for me.  But that said, Awake, FII, TOT, and Octavarium ALL have top 10 DT songs, despite some songs I don't care for.  So I am torn between the Awake - SDOIT run and the SFAM to Octavarium run.  Also, the last 4 albums, as a group of 4, are right up there in the mix as well.

Of those, I guess I'll have to go with SFAM - 8VM.  8VM is my #3 DT song, so that carries a lot of weight.  And there are plenty of other good songs in there as well.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: Dedalus on April 16, 2021, 05:52:01 PM
I&W, Awake, FII, SFAM

despite FII  :biggrin:
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: bosk1 on April 16, 2021, 06:11:41 PM
Nothing wrong with that.  I almost included it in my vote.  Even if it is one of the weaker albums, as I said, it has some top 10 songs, and some other VERY good ones, like Trail of Tears, Lines in the Sand, Peruvian Skies, and Take Away My Pain.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: Peter Mc on April 16, 2021, 06:16:26 PM
I&W, Awake, FII, SFAM

despite FII  :biggrin:

My thoughts exactly.  Not that FII is bad or anything but it’s patchy by DT standards.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: Dedalus on April 16, 2021, 06:18:22 PM
Nothing wrong with that.  I almost included it in my vote.  Even if it is one of the weaker albums, as I said, it has some top 10 songs, and some other VERY good ones, like Trail of Tears, Lines in the Sand, Peruvian Skies, and Take Away My Pain.

It's true. FII's good songs are really good.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: KevShmev on April 16, 2021, 07:28:06 PM
I&W through Scenes, easily.  Three of the four are my top 3 DT albums, and FII is damn good as well.  If I spitballed a DT top 25, these are the only four DT albums that would have at least four songs each in there.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: Cool Chris on April 16, 2021, 08:46:12 PM
I&W, Awake, FII, SFAM

despite FII  :biggrin:

Same, though I had to think on it for a minute. It isn't a runaway victory.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: Zydar on April 17, 2021, 12:39:36 AM
I&W, Awake, FII, SFAM

Their 90s output was so good.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: LudwigVan on April 17, 2021, 01:42:48 AM
I surprised myself by picking ADTOE, DT12, TA, DOT. 
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: SleeperAwake on April 17, 2021, 03:11:13 AM
Pretty difficult (nigh impossible) to beat the I&W, Awake, FII, SFAM run.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: Revenge319 on April 17, 2021, 03:25:11 AM
Tricky choice between SFAM-Octavarium and Octavarium-ADTOE. I ultimately went with Octavarium-ADTOE just because I like my least favorite song from that period (Forsaken) a lot more than my least favorite from the other (Honor Thy Father).
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: Renzo on April 17, 2021, 04:14:56 AM
Although IAW is my favourite album of all time, I'd still go with SFAM-SDOIT-ToT-8VM.. I think it flows very well sonically speaking (even without the "meta album" concept) and it represents the perfect example of evolution from a 90's sound to the more modern one.. I would have gone with the IAW-Awake-FII-SFAM chain if it wasn't for Falling into Infinity..
No offence to all FII lovers, but I'm not particularly fond of that album even though it has IMO one of the best, if not THE best, sound production of all 90's DT albums..

Also, the 'Mangini line' would have been a good one if it wasn't for TA (BTW which I really liked, a lot) whose concept incredibly differs from all of DT standards, making me think that TA is to enjoy as a standalone album, not in a four-album run..

Also I can't wait to hear a ADTOE-DT12-DOT-DT15 run, just to see Mike's evolution in the band's writing.

 :metal :metal
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: krands85 on April 17, 2021, 04:36:18 AM
Well each run has one of my bottom few DT albums, but my first thought was Scenes-Octavarium. Even though I'm not a big fan of 6D, the run does have ToT and Scenes, which are my #2 and #4.

Then when I looked at the poll I realised that there's a run with I&W - my #1 - and Scenes, plus Awake is great too. So the power of I&W makes my mind up again ;D

Those two are clear standouts for me though.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: Kotowboy on April 17, 2021, 04:42:26 AM
GOLD MEDAL

Scenes -> 6 Degrees -> Train of Thought -> Octavarium.   Almost flawless. And bookended with 2 of their best albums.

SILVER MEDAL

A Dramatic Turn -> DT12 -> The Astonishing -> Distance Over Time. Almost as good save for the production choices on DT12.

PARTICIPATION TROPHY

When Dream & Day -> Images - Awake - FII. I like FII a lot but I can't get into the first 3 albums at all and RARELY listen to anything off them.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: Max Kuehnau on April 17, 2021, 04:58:31 AM
2011-2019 (despite D/T)
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: Elite on April 17, 2021, 06:00:33 AM
I&W - SFAM

Second place would go to Awake - SDOIT
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: RandalGraves on April 17, 2021, 10:18:24 AM
The two most popular votes are easily the ones to go for but I sided with SFAM-8VM. While TOT is the weakest of those three, I still quite enjoy the bulk of it and that's also the first album that was released after I became a fan of Dream Theater.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: pg1067 on April 17, 2021, 01:46:23 PM
I ended up voting SFAM through 8VM.  It pains me not to include I&W, but the SFAM through 8VM run includes no bottom four albums, and I'd rather not vote for a choice "in spite of" an album.

Interesting to see a couple of the outlier votes -- particularly the two votes for BC&SL through TA, which is unfathomable to me.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: Kotowboy on April 17, 2021, 02:11:19 PM
As much as I enjoy Falling Into infinity - ( The album not the physical act ) - My weakest 4 in a row would be WDADU until FII.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: TheCountOfNYC on April 17, 2021, 02:50:01 PM
Another thing to consider is that the IaW-SFaM run also includes ACoS right in between Awake and FII.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: pg1067 on April 17, 2021, 02:56:55 PM
My weakest 4 in a row would be WDADU until FII.

For me, the weakest run is BC&SL through TA, followed closely by SC through DT12.  While I think both ADTOE and DT12 are strong, SC, BC&SL and TA are my bottom three albums.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: Trav86 on April 17, 2021, 03:17:08 PM
SFAM->8V
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: Kotowboy on April 18, 2021, 03:11:11 AM
Another thing to consider is that the IaW-SFaM run also includes ACoS rich in between Awake and FII.

You're right and I hate A change of Seasons. I've tried to like it several times but Octavarium it is not.

SFAM->8V

:hifive:
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: Super Dude on April 18, 2021, 05:13:04 AM
Unsurprisingly, IAW-SFAM is the undisputed winner. It's little wonder, that whole '90s run is just pure magic.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: Kotowboy on April 18, 2021, 05:47:08 AM
^ Despite containing Falling Into infinity - which on any other day - most people regard as one of their worst.

Scenes - Octvarium doesn't contain one album that is regularly at the bottom end of everyone's ranking.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: Super Dude on April 18, 2021, 05:52:07 AM
^ Despite containing Falling Into infinity - which on any other day - most people regard as one of their worst.

Scenes - Octvarium doesn't contain one album that is regularly at the bottom end of everyone's ranking.

I mean, yeah, but that's kinda where I differ from most everyone else anyway. I have Awake and FII as my top 2 of all time from DT. Also ToT is at the bottom of my ranking...just below The Astonishing.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: Kotowboy on April 18, 2021, 05:57:48 AM
My 4 least fave DT albums ( not n a row )

are

11.Black Clouds & Silver Linings.
12. Awake
13. Systematic Chaos
14. When Dream & Day Unite
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: Super Dude on April 18, 2021, 06:06:18 AM
My 4 least fave DT albums ( not n a row )

are

11.Black Clouds & Silver Linings.
12. Awake
13. Systematic Chaos
14. When Dream & Day Unite

Oof. I mean I agree with BCSL and WDADU, but...oof.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: HOF on April 18, 2021, 10:04:12 AM
^ Despite containing Falling Into infinity - which on any other day - most people regard as one of their worst.

Scenes - Octvarium doesn't contain one album that is regularly at the bottom end of everyone's ranking.

I mean, yeah, but that's kinda where I differ from most everyone else anyway. I have Awake and FII as my top 2 of all time from DT. Also ToT is at the bottom of my ranking...just below The Astonishing.

Both ToT and Octavarium would be near the bottom of my rankings. With Awake and FII my top two as well.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: Super Dude on April 18, 2021, 10:54:06 AM
^ Despite containing Falling Into infinity - which on any other day - most people regard as one of their worst.

Scenes - Octvarium doesn't contain one album that is regularly at the bottom end of everyone's ranking.

I mean, yeah, but that's kinda where I differ from most everyone else anyway. I have Awake and FII as my top 2 of all time from DT. Also ToT is at the bottom of my ranking...just below The Astonishing.

Both ToT and Octavarium would be near the bottom of my rankings. With Awake and FII my top two as well.

Yeah! :tup

Well actually I don't mind Octavarium all that much, but I'm glad someone else appreciates FII's criminally underrated genius.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: WildRanger on April 18, 2021, 11:13:55 AM
I&W, Awake, FII, SFAM slightly over SFAM, SDOIT, TOT, 8VM.
FII and Octavarium are average DT albums, but other 4 are strong.




Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: WildRanger on April 18, 2021, 11:15:03 AM
The question says it all.  Have at it.

I'm torn between I&W through SFAM (three of my top four albums and one of my bottom four) and SFAM through 8VM (two of my top 4 and two from the mid-tier).  Gonna have to give this some thought before voting myself.

Which two are mid-tier? Octavarium and?
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: pg1067 on April 18, 2021, 01:40:01 PM
The question says it all.  Have at it.

I'm torn between I&W through SFAM (three of my top four albums and one of my bottom four) and SFAM through 8VM (two of my top 4 and two from the mid-tier).  Gonna have to give this some thought before voting myself.

Which two are mid-tier? Octavarium and?

My top 4 DT albums are typically:

1. SFAM
2. I&W
3. SDOIT
4. Awake

8VM and TOT show up somewhere in the next group of four, and FII is probably in the #12 spot (ahead of only SC and TA).
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: hefdaddy42 on April 19, 2021, 07:41:05 AM
Option 2 has my top 3 DT albums, so this was easy for me.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: fadetoblackdude7 on April 23, 2021, 05:24:27 PM
SFAM - 8vm by far.

SFAM, SDOIT and 8vm are my top 3 DT albums
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: Wim Kruithof on June 17, 2021, 03:44:32 PM
a Real difficult question.

Scenes, Six Degrees, Train of Thought and Octavarium or
Systematic Chaos, Black Clouds, Dramaticus Turn and Dream Theater 12.

To me, I really can’t choose. Those aight albums are all that much of wonderful, that I really can’t choose. Dream and Day Unite and Awake will be as pretty as they are as well, but I somehow can’t adore Falling into Infinity as much as the others…
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: nick_z on June 17, 2021, 05:34:06 PM
Given my DT album rankings,, this is pretty easy for me...

I would be the WDADU, I&W, Awake, FII run

(My favorite 4 DT albums are I&W -> Awake -> WDADU -> FII)

Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: Fritzinger on June 18, 2021, 03:04:33 AM
SFAM, SDOIT, TOT, 8VM

Scenes and Octavarium are probably my favorite albums by the band and ToT and Six Degrees are in the upper half as well. I absolutely love Black Clouds, so it was tough not to include that, but it still only took me about 4 seconds to make this decision  :lol
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: wolfking on June 22, 2021, 01:02:42 AM
SFAM - 8VM
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: ReaperKK on June 24, 2021, 10:21:33 AM
SDOIT -> SC, 8VM is the real weak point here but SDOIT, TOT, and SC carry it for me.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: pg1067 on June 24, 2021, 12:13:27 PM
It's interesting to see some of the outlier voting here:

WDADU through FII -- 3 votes:  Three people prefer WDADU to SFAM!

SDOIT through SC -- 4 votes:  I've literally never heard anyone say SC is better than SFAM.

TOT through BC&SL -- 1 vote:  This means SC and BC&SL over SFAM and SDOIT.

SC through DT12 -- 0 votes:  This is surprising (to me, of course) when you compare it to the grouping of BC&SL through TA, which got two votes.  I'm not surprised that folks like TA better than SC, but I am a bit surprised that no one who likes the three album run of BC&SL through DT12 prefers SC over TA.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: Lonk on June 24, 2021, 12:26:30 PM
Not sure about anyone else, but for me it wasn't about one album being better than the other, and more about the run between all albums.

I voted for Awake-SDOIT, yet I rank I&W higher than SDOIT on my list. It's hard to explain my reasoning behind it but I think Awake-SDOIT feels more satisfying If I were to listen to all 4 albums back to back. That's just me though.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: geeeemo on June 24, 2021, 01:01:13 PM
Not sure about anyone else, but for me it wasn't about one album being better than the other, and more about the run between all albums.

I voted for Awake-SDOIT, yet I rank I&W higher than SDOIT on my list. It's hard to explain my reasoning behind it but I think Awake-SDOIT feels more satisfying If I were to listen to all 4 albums back to back. That's just me though.

I agree with this, but voted for SFAM - 8VM because of the song Octavarium. I don't like the album as much as say FII ( I go by how many songs I like on the album, but it is sometimes hard to do this when one song makes the whole album )
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: nick_z on June 24, 2021, 01:17:05 PM
It's interesting to see some of the outlier voting here:

WDADU through FII -- 3 votes:  Three people prefer WDADU to SFAM!


One would be me!  :biggrin: (as I stated elsewhere, I really like SFAM - just not to the same high, stone-cold-classic degree as most fans. And I absolutely LOVE WDADU, #3 DT for me)
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: ReaperKK on June 24, 2021, 01:38:49 PM
SDOIT through SC -- 4 votes:  I've literally never heard anyone say SC is better than SFAM.

SC is better than SFAM, there I said it :lol

I don't know if it's significantly better but I listen to songs from SC a lot more than SFAM.
Title: Re: What Is Your Favorite Four-Album Run by Dream Theater?
Post by: DTwwbwMP on July 31, 2021, 07:46:36 PM
I&W, Awake, FII, SFAM