DreamTheaterForums.org Dream Theater Fan Site

Dream Theater => Dream Theater => Topic started by: KevShmev on September 04, 2022, 07:26:06 AM

Title: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 04, 2022, 07:26:06 AM
Okay, time for something a little different, and a lot less taxing on me, the thread-runner.  :biggrin: :biggrin:

We will do a countdown of the 15 Dream Theater studio albums.  No live albums or EPs (A Change of Seasons) will be included.

I will count down the 15 albums in order, and they will be taken from lists of anyone who wants to send me theirs via PM. Do not post them on the forum here. Send them to me via PM.  I will take all of the lists and come up with the cumulative list and do the countdown from 15 to 1.

The rules:
-Albums must be listed from 15 to 1 in order (in reverse order), with no ties.  No having three albums at number 4 or anything like that.  DO NOT list your albums with the points total. List them in your order (I will figure out the points on my end).  Any list submitted with the albums not numbered will be ignored.
-All 15 studio albums must be ranked with no ties. Any list that lists more or less than 15 albums will be ignored.
-Anyone wanting to submit a list must do so by the end of day, Tuesday, September 20th.  I will then begin the countdown shortly thereafter.  This should give anyone and everyone time to listen to all or most of the albums.
-The list will be tallied numerically in a simple way. On each list, whatever album is at number 1 gets 15 points, number 2 gets 14 points, number 3 gets 13 points, etc.
-PROOFREAD YOUR LISTS BEFORE SENDING THEM.  Any list with the same album mentioned twice will be not be counted. And given how few choices there are in this one, I reserve the right in this thread to shame anyone who sends a list with an album listed twice or with a live album or EP listed.  :biggrin:

Feel free to post in this thread as well that you have PM'd me, if for no other reason than to bump this back up for others who may want to participate who may not have seen the thread yet.

This ranking engine link below works great if you have too much difficulty making one on your own. You can input all of the albums, and then you pick your favorite of every 1 on 1 matchup and then it spits out your list.

https://rankingengine.pubmeeple.com/

Studio albums to be ranked:

When Dream and Day Unite
Images and Words
Awake
Falling into Infinity
Scenes from a Memory
Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Train of Thought
Octavarium
Systematic Chaos
Black Clouds and Silver Linings
A Dramatic Turn of Events
Dream Theater
The Astonishing
Distance over Time
A View from the Top of the World
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread!
Post by: TAC on September 04, 2022, 09:52:51 AM
This is going to be tough. I definitely need the ranker.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread!
Post by: Cool Chris on September 04, 2022, 09:55:59 AM
The Top 4 and the bottom 4 are easy. Came out through the ranker as I anticipated. Looking at the middle 7, I am going to have to spend some time evaluating those.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread!
Post by: Adami on September 04, 2022, 10:23:55 AM
Sounds fun! Haven’t done one of these before but this one feels doable.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread!
Post by: TAC on September 04, 2022, 10:26:56 AM
At least we can include AVFTTOTW in this countdown! :D
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread!
Post by: Cool Chris on September 04, 2022, 11:14:04 AM
Six Degrees and The Astonishing are always the two that give me the most difficulty when thinking about this. Six Degrees because I rank two of the songs in my Top 20, another two in the Top 40, and the entire second disc falls out of the Top 100. And TA is just... TA.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread!
Post by: KevShmev on September 04, 2022, 12:14:13 PM
At least we can include AVFTTOTW in this countdown! :D

Yeah, I will be curious to see where that lands.  I didn't think doing the songs again this soon made sense as it was less than a year and the results would likely be extremely similar, just with some of the View... songs being dropped in, but doing the albums seemed like it could be fun.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread!
Post by: mariner on September 04, 2022, 12:35:51 PM
PM'd you my list.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread!
Post by: geeeemo on September 04, 2022, 01:37:12 PM
I always find this hard. How does an album rank when it has a song or songs in the top 5 or 10 of all songs, but some of the songs on the same album you just cant get into. Octavarium being a prime example.

Also. With our list, can we make any comments, or is it just 15-1.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread!
Post by: jammindude on September 04, 2022, 02:18:08 PM
List sent!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread!
Post by: Cool Chris on September 04, 2022, 02:44:09 PM
Also. With our list, can we make any comments, or is it just 15-1.

Just send the list. We can all comment on each album when it's revealed in the countdown. And then at the end we all usually post our own lists for discussion/comparison.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread!
Post by: TAC on September 04, 2022, 06:35:24 PM
List is sent!!!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread!
Post by: Trav86 on September 04, 2022, 07:07:03 PM
Ah shit…here we go!

PM sent
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread!
Post by: wolfking on September 04, 2022, 07:09:04 PM
At least we can include AVFTTOTW in this countdown! :D

Might be better if we still leave it off.  ;D
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread!
Post by: wolfking on September 04, 2022, 07:10:07 PM
How long til we can send?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: KevShmev on September 04, 2022, 07:13:12 PM
Tuesday the 20th. I meant to put that in the title of the thread (it's there now).
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: jammindude on September 04, 2022, 07:36:42 PM
This one’s going to be dead easy. I can’t imagine a lot of people needing that much time. Unlike the other song ranking threads, we commonly had to put over 100 songs through that ranking engine which invited over 400 comparisons which was a process that (while fun) took HOURS. For the Iron Maiden and the Dream Theater and the Rush threads I had to book out two or three hours of time just to compile my list. This one was infinitely easier. You plug those 15 albums into the ranking engine and it just invites 35 comparisons. I was done in 20 minutes.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: wolfking on September 04, 2022, 07:40:25 PM
Tuesday the 20th. I meant to put that in the title of the thread (it's there now).

Heaps of time.  Yeah won't take long.  Might be a nice excuse to revisit this fantastic band once again.

Keeping it open for this long means we hopefully we get as many lists as possible.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Adami on September 04, 2022, 09:50:32 PM
PM sent.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: The Letter M on September 04, 2022, 10:05:47 PM
Submitted my list via PM earlier. I'm excited to see how this all shakes down!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: KevShmev on September 05, 2022, 07:25:48 AM
12 lists already in a day!  :metal :metal
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: ReaperKK on September 05, 2022, 09:48:04 AM
List sent!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: geeeemo on September 05, 2022, 04:39:49 PM
I need (am looking forward to) listening to all the albums. Already I have a fresh take on one I don't go to often. I am still fresh enough into this that I could have some shifting, although number one will always remain. How fun!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Cool Chris on September 05, 2022, 06:16:57 PM
I gotta give TA a solid listen before submitting. I haven't listened to it in years other than in the car or while working. I want to just listen to it with the cd booklet and nothing else on my mind.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: TheCountOfNYC on September 05, 2022, 06:17:12 PM
Sent mine!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Metro on September 05, 2022, 06:33:27 PM
Sent!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread!
Post by: Stadler on September 06, 2022, 07:07:03 AM
Also. With our list, can we make any comments, or is it just 15-1.

Just send the list. We can all comment on each album when it's revealed in the countdown. And then at the end we all usually post our own lists for discussion/comparison.

If the previous rankings are any indication, there will be PLENTY of commentary.  :) :) :)

I'm just excited to see what this thread's "Blaze/Promised Land" topic will be!   (Sorry, Kev, I'm just having some fun).
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread!
Post by: KevShmev on September 06, 2022, 08:20:46 AM


I'm just excited to see what this thread's "Blaze/Promised Land" topic will be!   (Sorry, Kev, I'm just having some fun).

LOL. My honest guess (and I am making this without giving anything away about the lists so far, most of which I have glossed over quickly when inputting them, so I don't have a feel for this, so I am not giving anything away in saying this) is that Octavarium will be that, as I see that being an album that I expect to finish near the top of a lot of lists and near the bottom of quite a few as well.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Cool Chris on September 06, 2022, 08:38:30 AM
I feel totally confident what "that" album is going to be. And I'm not looking forward to that discussion.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Dream Team on September 06, 2022, 09:49:13 AM
List submitted. Hardest part was how to order the Top 5, all amazing records IMO.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: bosk1 on September 06, 2022, 09:58:30 AM
The middle was the hardest for me.  Top 5 and bottom 4 are easy and haven't really changed in awhile.  The stuff in between I find to be really challenging to rank.  What makes it so hard to me is that every single album has stuff I really like and is really good, and there are so many factors that go into why I like certain albums.  It's hard to compare an album that has a few really strong songs and a few really weak songs (my personal taste, obviously) with, for example, an album where the individual songs are mostly middle of the road, but the album itself has an overall vibe that makes it greater than the sum of its parts. 
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: pg1067 on September 06, 2022, 10:07:37 AM
This will be pretty easy, but I'm going to need to spend a bit more time with View and give DOT a fresh listen.

I expect the most commentary/debate will center on FII, TA, and maybe a bit on ADTOE (as the first post-MP album).
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 06, 2022, 10:13:39 AM
Sent.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Dublagent66 on September 06, 2022, 12:05:30 PM
Submitted 9/6.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Samsara on September 06, 2022, 12:19:14 PM
Submitted 9/6, Kev.

That was easier than I thought it would be.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: RoeDent on September 06, 2022, 12:48:34 PM
Submitted 6/9  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Stadler on September 06, 2022, 01:20:31 PM
Submitted 10/7. 
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Samsara on September 06, 2022, 01:23:09 PM
Submitted 10/7.

Stads top 5:

The Astonishing
Systematic Chaos
Falling Into Infinity
When Dream and Day Unite
Black Clouds

Book it.  :lol
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Stadler on September 06, 2022, 01:36:49 PM
Submitted 10/7.

Stads top 5:

The Astonishing
Systematic Chaos
Falling Into Infinity
When Dream and Day Unite
Black Clouds

Book it.  :lol

Stadler, defying expectations since 2015.  :) :) :)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Samsara on September 06, 2022, 01:39:38 PM
Submitted 10/7.

Stads top 5:

The Astonishing
Systematic Chaos
Falling Into Infinity
When Dream and Day Unite
Black Clouds

Book it.  :lol

Stadler, defying expectations since 2015.  :) :) :)

You know I love ya, Stads.  :lol
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Wim Kruithof on September 06, 2022, 02:00:34 PM
PM'ed you Kevin with my list.

Funny, was scrolling back and forth, was using the ranking machine as well, but the only one I am absolutely positive about is my number 1. The rest is all there and close by, could be switching a place or so when I give an album much more time under the needle. But it's not it will raise or sink that much, so the list is pretty reliable.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Ben_Jamin on September 06, 2022, 02:29:19 PM
The middle was the hardest for me.  Top 5 and bottom 4 are easy and haven't really changed in awhile.  The stuff in between I find to be really challenging to rank.  What makes it so hard to me is that every single album has stuff I really like and is really good, and there are so many factors that go into why I like certain albums.  It's hard to compare an album that has a few really strong songs and a few really weak songs (my personal taste, obviously) with, for example, an album where the individual songs are mostly middle of the road, but the album itself has an overall vibe that makes it greater than the sum of its parts.

This is me as well. There's reasons why I enjoy Dream Theater so much that they could be considered my favorite band. Every album has something about I enjoy and this includes the one's I don't really listen to.

The albums being at the bottom of my list does not mean they completely suck. All it means is that there are many, many, other reasons why I enjoy the others more.

This will be fun to follow and I will send my list as soon as I can.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Podaar on September 06, 2022, 03:11:52 PM
List PM'd
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: KevShmev on September 06, 2022, 04:59:41 PM
To save me having to reply to the 844 lists sent today Lol, all have been received!  :tup :tup
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread!
Post by: Ben_Jamin on September 06, 2022, 05:44:18 PM
I always find this hard. How does an album rank when it has a song or songs in the top 5 or 10 of all songs, but some of the songs on the same album you just cant get into. Octavarium being a prime example.

Also. With our list, can we make any comments, or is it just 15-1.

For myself, I don't think of albums as songs. I think of albums in terms of flow, concept, approach, and utilization. These include production, the concept of the album (if any, including thematic albums), the artwork, mixing, and how they all contribute to the final product of what the album is. All these things then form my view of how I perceive the album and then how I would rank it.

I will say that the only albums that are pretty much deadlocked where they are, are my bottom two and top two.

I can't wait for this to start because I would like to share my thoughts on these albums.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Grandepapa on September 06, 2022, 06:06:55 PM
List sent 9/6!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: sylentman on September 06, 2022, 08:33:04 PM
List sent, still Sep. 6th here :).

As others have pointed, Top 5 and bottom part mostly defined, the difficult part was ranking the middle, on which the albums could change for example 1 spot up or down depending on mood/most recent listens/etc.

Looking forward for the outcome and of course the comments that can be as fun as the rank itself.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: T-ski on September 06, 2022, 08:48:33 PM
I thinks I’ll get in on this.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread!
Post by: jammindude on September 06, 2022, 09:24:45 PM
I always find this hard. How does an album rank when it has a song or songs in the top 5 or 10 of all songs, but some of the songs on the same album you just cant get into. Octavarium being a prime example.

Also. With our list, can we make any comments, or is it just 15-1.

For myself, I don't think of albums as songs. I think of albums in terms of flow, concept, approach, and utilization. These include production, the concept of the album (if any, including thematic albums), the artwork, mixing, and how they all contribute to the final product of what the album is. All these things then form my view of how I perceive the album and then how I would rank it.

I will say that the only albums that are pretty much deadlocked where they are, are my bottom two and top two.

I can't wait for this to start because I would like to share my thoughts on these albums.

I have a difficult time even trying to imagine an album any other way.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: romdrums on September 07, 2022, 11:02:08 AM
I’m in.  Will be sending shortly.

EDIT: And sent.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread!
Post by: Wim Kruithof on September 07, 2022, 11:02:49 AM
For myself, I don't think of albums as songs. I think of albums in terms of flow, concept, approach, and utilization. These include production, the concept of the album (if any, including thematic albums), the artwork, mixing, and how they all contribute to the final product of what the album is. All these things then form my view of how I perceive the album and then how I would rank it.

I will say that the only albums that are pretty much deadlocked where they are, are my bottom two and top two.

I can't wait for this to start because I would like to share my thoughts on these albums.

And I can honestly say, can't wait to read your thoughts on these albums. I have red your analyses on the songs with very much pleasure.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: T-ski on September 09, 2022, 06:26:54 AM
List sent!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Shalev Amir on September 11, 2022, 04:38:23 AM
Sent mine!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: The Realm on September 11, 2022, 07:24:38 PM
List sent.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: KevShmev on September 11, 2022, 07:26:47 PM
Up to 40 lists now submitted!  :metal :metal
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Ben_Jamin on September 12, 2022, 12:50:15 AM
It'd be awesome if we could get at least 100 lists.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: wolfking on September 12, 2022, 01:10:12 AM
I guess I should get my ass into gear and do this.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: nobloodyname on September 12, 2022, 05:03:58 AM
Submitted today. Thanks, as always.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: SwedishGoose on September 12, 2022, 05:57:15 AM
List sent 12/9
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: crystalstars17 on September 12, 2022, 08:02:34 AM
I guess I should get my ass into gear and do this.
You and I both! Although I doubt my choices will count for much in the grand scheme of things!  :lol
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: KevShmev on September 12, 2022, 05:21:11 PM
No, no, they all count!

I forgot to mention, however, to everyone that any list submitted that doesn't have Awake at either number 1 or number 2 is disqualified.  :biggrin: :biggrin:
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: wolfking on September 12, 2022, 05:23:11 PM
I guess I should get my ass into gear and do this.
You and I both! Although I doubt my choices will count for much in the grand scheme of things!  :lol

You need all the pieces to make the full puzzle.  They will all make a difference.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: TAC on September 12, 2022, 05:39:28 PM
I guess I should get my ass into gear and do this.
You and I both! Although I doubt my choices will count for much in the grand scheme of things!  :lol

You need all the pieces to make the full puzzle.  They will all make a difference.


(https://c.tenor.com/M7FqIzkj5eMAAAAM/hmm-thinking.gif)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: wolfking on September 12, 2022, 05:54:50 PM
 :lol
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Adami on September 12, 2022, 07:01:29 PM
No, no, they all count!

I forgot to mention, however, to everyone that any list submitted that doesn't have Awake at either number 1 or number 2 is disqualified.  :biggrin: :biggrin:

Glad my list counts!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: wolfking on September 12, 2022, 08:20:01 PM
My list has been sent.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: TheCountOfNYC on September 13, 2022, 07:45:51 AM
I guess I should get my ass into gear and do this.

You and I both! Although I doubt my choices will count for much in the grand scheme of things!  :lol

You need all the pieces to make the full puzzle.  They will all make a difference.

Exactly. I’m sure my second place placement for Octavarium over Images and Words will give it a slight boost and might help turn the tide in the IaW vs SFaM battle (Scenes is my number one).
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 13, 2022, 01:50:56 PM
No, no, they all count!

I forgot to mention, however, to everyone that any list submitted that doesn't have Awake at either number 1 or number 2 is disqualified.  :biggrin: :biggrin:

Glad my list counts!
Me too!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 13, 2022, 10:53:47 PM
Finding this late, I’ll go for a bug listen through soon. I’m going to only take into account the main studio recorded versions of songs coz to do otherwise would be an unfair benefit to certain albums and a disadvantage to others.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: crystalstars17 on September 14, 2022, 06:14:43 AM
I sent my list just now! Boy was that hard!  :omg:

I found it fairly easy to rank my bottom and top three, but the middle was really hard. I was actually surprised as I was moving them around at how high/low some of them ranked vs what I initially thought. It was fun though!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Adami on September 14, 2022, 06:53:15 AM
I sent my list just now! Boy was that hard!  :omg:

I found it fairly easy to rank my bottom and top three, but the middle was really hard. I was actually surprised as I was moving them around at how high/low some of them ranked vs what I initially thought. It was fun though!

The ranking engine he linked to made it super easy. Otherwise I’m terrible at lists. I almost never do them for that same reason.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: RoeDent on September 14, 2022, 09:59:44 AM
Where was all of this support when we needed it for the PT countdown?! That's what I wanna know! Disgraceful
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Setlist Scotty on September 14, 2022, 10:43:06 AM
Where was all of this support when we needed it for the PT countdown?! That's what I wanna know! Disgraceful
Did you forget to make the font green?  :huh:

I can't speak for anyone else, but personally I didn't have the time/energy to go through well over 100+ songs, some of which I haven't listened to for the better part of a decade and try to rank them. I'm sure some of the people in this thread are only casual listeners of PT if fans at all and don't feel motivated to do a ranking. And for most of us, we have a pretty good idea of which DT album we prefer over another since we are all DT fans and likely (mostly) diehards. Plus ranking 15 albums is much easier than 100+ songs!  :-*
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: jammindude on September 14, 2022, 10:56:09 AM
Totally agree and I hinted at this earlier. Even for those of us who know PTs stuff really well, putting together a top 75 list takes HOURS. I still have a lot of fun doing it, but my first draft would take about 4 hours, and it would take at least 2-3 more to refine it. But even if I run out of time and just decided to submit my rough draft with no changes, that’s still 4 hours!

The DT album list took me 20 minutes. Big difference.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Dublagent66 on September 14, 2022, 11:12:49 AM
Submitted 10/7.

Stads top 5:

The Astonishing
Systematic Chaos
Falling Into Infinity
When Dream and Day Unite
Black Clouds

Book it.  :lol

Stadler, defying expectations since 2015.  :) :) :)

But you haven't submitted it yet and 10/7 will be too late.  :lol
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Stadler on September 14, 2022, 12:04:45 PM
Where was all of this support when we needed it for the PT countdown?! That's what I wanna know! Disgraceful
Did you forget to make the font green?  :huh:

I can't speak for anyone else, but personally I didn't have the time/energy to go through well over 100+ songs, some of which I haven't listened to for the better part of a decade and try to rank them. I'm sure some of the people in this thread are only casual listeners of PT if fans at all and don't feel motivated to do a ranking. And for most of us, we have a pretty good idea of which DT album we prefer over another since we are all DT fans and likely (mostly) diehards. Plus ranking 15 albums is much easier than 100+ songs!  :-*

Or Porcupine Tree just sucks.  There's that.   :)

I kid, I don't say bands suck; they're clearly very talented, but just not for me.  I wasn't going to learn an entire catalogue for a list like that; I could do DT in my head if I wanted (though I used the Ranker).
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 14, 2022, 01:02:15 PM
Where was all of this support when we needed it for the PT countdown?! That's what I wanna know! Disgraceful
Did you forget to make the font green?  :huh:

I can't speak for anyone else, but personally I didn't have the time/energy to go through well over 100+ songs, some of which I haven't listened to for the better part of a decade and try to rank them. I'm sure some of the people in this thread are only casual listeners of PT if fans at all and don't feel motivated to do a ranking. And for most of us, we have a pretty good idea of which DT album we prefer over another since we are all DT fans and likely (mostly) diehards. Plus ranking 15 albums is much easier than 100+ songs!  :-*
This exactly.

Not to mention that this forum in general has a weird obsession with ranking things.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: KevShmev on September 14, 2022, 05:35:27 PM
Yeah, ranking 15 studio albums is a lot quicker than having to rank 75 songs out of 150+ total.

I think this might be the new trend, doing album countdowns by bands. Easier to rank for participants, easier for me to put together, and likely just as fun.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: The Letter M on September 14, 2022, 07:20:40 PM
Yeah, ranking 15 studio albums is a lot quicker than having to rank 75 songs out of 150+ total.

I think this might be the new trend, doing album countdowns by bands. Easier to rank for participants, easier for me to put together, and likely just as fun.

Definitely a lot less for fans to work out, and probably less work for whoever runs the Countdown.

It would be fun to see an Album Countdown for other bands with a 10-20 album range - Rush, Yes, Genesis, whoever else here at DTF has a sizeable enough following that there would be plenty of submissions.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: KevShmev on September 14, 2022, 07:34:04 PM
We'll see what tickles my fancy once this one finishes up.  :hat :hat
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: TAC on September 14, 2022, 07:36:02 PM
Rush it is!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 14, 2022, 08:25:58 PM
Starting my listen through. When Dream and Day Unite with Dominici is actually way stronger than I had ever given it credit for.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: TAC on September 14, 2022, 08:27:26 PM
Starting my listen through. When Dream and Day Unite with Dominici is actually way stronger than I had ever given it credit for.

Whether or not you(not you personally, but generally) like Dominici or the production, this album is filled with great tunes.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 14, 2022, 08:40:28 PM
Starting my listen through. When Dream and Day Unite with Dominici is actually way stronger than I had ever given it credit for.

Whether or not you(not you personally, but generally) like Dominici or the production, this album is filled with great tunes.

Have to agree. I think this album may deserve more of a chance then it will likely receive in the course of this countdown.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 14, 2022, 10:55:23 PM
Didn’t think it would happen, but Awake is better than I&W on this listen-through. .

To pass the time til the countdown occurs, how about some most and least favourite songs from each?

WDADU - Most: Only A Matter of Time, Least: One’s Who Helped Set the Sun
I&W - Most: Learning to Live, Least: Another Day
Awake - Most: Scarred, Least: Space-Dye Vest
FII - Most: Lines in the Sand, Least: Anna Lee
Will update as I finish more albums
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: DragonAttack on September 14, 2022, 10:56:22 PM
We'll see what tickles my fancy once this one finishes up.  :hat :hat

Please feel free to take your time between the next one.  I always feel like we never totally complete the chats regarding what we've all chimed in on, and...most importantly, to let you take a breath regarding all the damn hard work you put into tallying these things.   :tup
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: bosk1 on September 14, 2022, 11:20:43 PM
Didn’t think it would happen, but Awake is better than I&W on this listen-through. .

To pass the time til the countdown occurs, how about some most and least favourite songs from each?

WDADU - Most: Only A Matter of Time, Least: One’s Who Helped Set the Sun
I&W - Most: Learning to Live, Least: Another Day
Awake - Most: Scarred, Least: Space-Dye Vest

Will update as I finish more albums

WDADU:  Favorite: The Killing Hand; least favorite:  Afterlife
I&W:  Favorite:  Metropolis; least favorite:  Another Day
Awake:  Favorite:  Scarred; least favorite: Space Dye Vest (but them playing it on the DT12 tour was fantastic and gave me a new appreciation)
FII:  Favorite:  Lines in the Sand; least favorite: You Not Me
SFAM:  Favorite:  Home; least favorite:  not sure
SDOIT:  Favorite:  SDOIT; least favorite: Blind Faith
TOT:  Favorite:  In the Name of God; least favorite:  Honor Thy Father
Octavarium:  Favorite:  Octavarium; least favorite:  The Answer Lies Within
Systematic Chaos:  Favorite:  Constant Motion; least favorite:  Prophets of War
BCSL:  Favorite:  A Nightmare To Remember; least favorite:  The Best of Times
ADTOE:  Favorite: Outcry; least favorite:  Breaking All Illusions
DT12:  Favorite:  Along for the Ride; least favorite:  don't really have one
The Astonishing:  Favorite: Ravenskill; least favorite:  not sure at the moment. Probably something off disk 2
Distance Over Time:  Favorite: At Wit's End; least favorite: Room 137, I guess...
A View from the Top of the World:  either Answering the Call or Sleeping Giant, but I'm not sure which; least favorite:  hard to pick one, but maybe Transcending Time
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Ben_Jamin on September 15, 2022, 12:26:11 AM
Starting my listen through. When Dream and Day Unite with Dominici is actually way stronger than I had ever given it credit for.

I actually enjoy how it sounds dated. I enjoy the production, the mix, in a sort of way that it gives it charm.

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: BRGM on September 15, 2022, 12:56:23 AM
WDADU:  Favorite: The Killing Hand; least favorite:  Light Fuse and Get Away
I&W:  Favorite:  Learning To Live; least favorite:  Pull Me Under
Awake:  Favorite:  Voices; least favorite: Lie
FII:  Favorite:  Lines in the Sand; least favorite: You Not Me
SFAM:  Favorite:  Finally Free; least favorite:  not sure, I guess Regression?
SDOIT:  Favorite:  SDOIT; least favorite: Disappear
TOT:  Favorite:  In the Name of God; least favorite:  As I Am
Octavarium:  Favorite:  Octavarium; least favorite:  The Answer Lies Within
Systematic Chaos:  Favorite:  In the Presence of Enemies; least favorite:  Forsaken
BCSL:  Favorite:  The Count of Tuscany; least favorite:  Wither
ADTOE:  Favorite: Outcry; least favorite:  Beneath the Surface
DT12:  Favorite: Illumination Theory; least favorite:  Along for the Ride
The Astonishing:  Favorite: A New Beginnings; least favorite:  Except for the NOMAC tracks I'd say Losing Faythe
Distance Over Time:  Favorite: Pale Blue Dot; least favorite: Room 137
A View from the Top of the World: Favorite: A View from the Top of the World; least favorite: Invisible Monster
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Ben_Jamin on September 15, 2022, 01:01:42 AM
To pass the time til the countdown occurs, how about some most and least favourite songs from each?

WDADU:
Favorite: The Ones Who Helped to Set The Sun
Least: Status Seeker

I&W:
Favorite: Surrounded
Least: Under A Glass Moon

Awake:
Favorite: Scarred
Least: Lie

FII:
Favorite: Trial of Tears
Least: You Not Me (But if they were to have kept the structure of "You or Me" with the chorus of "You Not Me", it would be higher up and another song would take this spot)

SFAM:
Favorite: Finally Free
Least: Beyond This Life

6DOIT:
Favorite: Blind Faith
Least: The Glass Prison (This one was hard to choose and I will explain when this album comes up in the future rankings)

TOT:
Favorite: Stream of Consciousness
Least: As I Am

8VM:
Favorite: These Walls
Least: The Answer Lies Within

SC:
Favorite: In The Presence of Enemies pt.1
Least: Constant Motion

BC&SL:
Favorite: The Count of Tuscany
Least: A Rite of Passage

ADTOE:
Favorite: This is The Life
Least: Build Me Up, Break Me Down

DT:
Favorite: The Bigger Picture
Least: The Looking Glass

The Astonishing:
Favorite: Losing Faythe (This one fluctuates between 4 songs)
Least: Our New World

D/T:
Favorite: At Wit's End
Least: Untethered Angel

AVFTTOTW:
Favorite: Answering The Call
Least: Invisible Monster
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: KevShmev on September 15, 2022, 06:22:27 AM
As I have now received like 7-8 lists that didn't do this, I guess I should have bolded and underlined it in the OP, but...

The rules:
-Albums must be listed from 15 to 1 in order (in reverse order), with no ties.  No having three albums at number 4 or anything like that.  DO NOT list your albums with the points total. List them in your order (I will figure out the points on my end).  Any list submitted with the albums not numbered will be ignored.

This close to the end of the submissions period, I will stop doing the courtesy "please number them and resend the list" replies, so, to anyone still looking to do one and send, get it right.  :biggrin: :biggrin:
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Stadler on September 15, 2022, 07:16:19 AM
Where was all of this support when we needed it for the PT countdown?! That's what I wanna know! Disgraceful
Did you forget to make the font green?  :huh:

I can't speak for anyone else, but personally I didn't have the time/energy to go through well over 100+ songs, some of which I haven't listened to for the better part of a decade and try to rank them. I'm sure some of the people in this thread are only casual listeners of PT if fans at all and don't feel motivated to do a ranking. And for most of us, we have a pretty good idea of which DT album we prefer over another since we are all DT fans and likely (mostly) diehards. Plus ranking 15 albums is much easier than 100+ songs!  :-*
This exactly.

Not to mention that this forum in general has a weird obsession with ranking things.

I rank this post very high.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Laughingplace56 on September 15, 2022, 07:38:06 AM
To pass the time til the countdown occurs, how about some most and least favourite songs from each?
*snip*
Stealing your format :angel:

WDADU:
Favorite: Only a Matter of Time
Least: The Killing Hand

I&W:
Favorite: Under A Glass Moon
Least: Another Day

Awake:
Favorite: Scarred
Least: Innocence Faded

FII:
Favorite: Trial of Tears
Least: You Not Me

SFAM:
Favorite: Finally Free
Least: Through Her Eyes

6DOIT:
Favorite: The Glass Prison
Least: N/A

TOT:
Favorite: This Dying Soul
Least: Stream of Consciousness

8VM:
Favorite: Octavarium
Least: I Walk Beside You

SC:
Favorite: Constant Motion (after this last tour it could’ve been TMoLS)
Least: Repentance

BC&SL:
Favorite: The Count of Tuscany
Least: A Rite of Passage

ADTOE:
Favorite: Bridges in the Sky
Least: Build Me Up, Break Me Down

DT:
Favorite: Surrender to Reason
Least: Along For the Ride

The Astonishing:
Favorite: Ravenskill
Least: Astonishing (don’t which one is my actual least favorite, but this is such a dud of and ending to a 150 min album that this had to be my pick)

D/T:
Favorite: Pale Blue Dot
Least: Out of Reach

AVFTTOTW:
Favorite: A View From the Top of the World
Least: Transcending Time
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Stadler on September 15, 2022, 07:54:04 AM
WDADU:
Favorite: Status Seeker
Least: A Fortune In Lies

I&W:
Favorite: Surrounded
Least: Another Day

Awake:
Favorite: Voices
Least: Space Dye Vest (this was HARD; I prefer I&W, but Awake is probably their most consistent record)

FII:
Favorite: Trial of Tears
Least: Lines In The Sand

SFAM:
Favorite: Beyond This Life
Least: Can't really do it; maybe "The Spirit Carries On", but that doesn't seem fair, does it?

6DOIT:
Favorite: Misunderstood
Least: Dissappear

TOT:
Favorite: As I Am
Least: Stream of Consciousness

8VM:
Favorite: Octavarium/I Walk Beside You
Least: Never Enough

SC:
Favorite: Foresaken
Least: The Dark Eternal Night

BC&SL:
Favorite: The Count of Tuscany
Least: Shattered Fortress

ADTOE:
Favorite: This Is The Life
Least: Outcry

DT:
Favorite: The Bigger Picture
Least: The Enigma Machine

The Astonishing:
Favorite: Gift Of Music
Least: Astonishing (don’t which one is my actual least favorite, but this is such a dud of and ending to a 150 min album that this had to be my pick) <---- I'm stealing this.  Verbatim!  :)

D/T:
Favorite: Fall Into The Light
Least: Untethered Angel

AVFTTOTW:
Favorite: A View From the Top of the World/Transcending Time
Least: Invisible Monster
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: WilliamMunny on September 15, 2022, 10:03:05 AM
This is fun!

WDADU:
Favorite: Only a Matter of Time
Least: Status Seeker

I&W:
Favorite: Learning to Live
Least: Wait for Sleep (I know, I know)

Awake:
Favorite: Voices/Innocence Faded/SDV
Least: Silent Man

FII:
Favorite: Trial of Tears
Least: You Not Me

SFAM:
Favorite: Home
Least: Through Her Eyes

6DOIT:
Favorite: 6D
Least: Overture (only bc I often skip it...the record is honestly flawless)

TOT:
Favorite: This Dying Soul
Least: Stream of Consciousness

8VM:
Favorite: Octavarium
Least: N/A (love. every. single. second.)

SC:
Favorite: ITPOE (both parts)
Least: Constant Motion

BC&SL:
Favorite: The Count of Tuscany
Least: A Rite of Passage

ADTOE:
Favorite: Bridges in the Sky
Least: Build Me Up, Break Me Down

DT:
Favorite: The Looking Glass
Least: Enigma Machine? (this is hard, bc the album is sooooo mediocre from start to finish)

The Astonishing:
Favorite: A Life Left Behind
Least: Any one of the 15 ballads  :rollin

D/T:
Favorite: At Wits End
Least: Room 137

AVFTTOTW:
Favorite: A View From the Top of the World
Least: Awaken the Master
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Lethean on September 15, 2022, 10:27:34 AM
Sent my list - the top 4 were pretty easy and the last 2 were, but the rest could probably move around a lot.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Dublagent66 on September 15, 2022, 10:47:05 AM
Album                    Fav Song                       Least Fav Song
WDADU                  The Killing Hand              Only a Matter of Time
I&W                       Learning to Live               Another Day
Awake                    Scarred                           6:00
FII                          Trial of Tears                  You Not Me
SFAM                      Home                             Regression
SDOIT                     SDOIT                           Disappear
ToT                         Honor Thy Father            Vacant
8VM                        8VM                               Never Enough
SC                          TMoLS                            Prophets of War
BC&SL                     TCoT                              The Best of Times
ADTOE                    Breaking All Illusions        Far From Heaven
DT12                       Behind the Veil                Illumination Theory
TA                           ???                                  ???
DoT                         Barstool Warrior               Room 137
AVFTTOTW               AVFTTOTW                      Transcending Time
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Lethean on September 15, 2022, 11:02:43 AM
OK I'm stealing that format. :)


Album                    Fav Song                            Least Fav Song
WDADU                  The Killing Hand                   Status Seeker
I&W                       Learning to Live                   Another Day
Awake                    Scarred                               Innocence Faded
FII                         Trial of Tears                        You Not Me
SFAM                      Finally Free                         Regression
SDOIT                    SDOIT                                 Disappear
ToT                         In the Name of God             Honor Thy Father
8VM                       Octavarium                         Never Enough
SC                         The Ministry of Lost Souls     Constant Motion
BC&SL                    The Count of Tuscany           Wither
ADTOE                    Breaking All Illusions            Build Me Up, Break Me Down
DT12                      Illumination Theory              False Awakening Suite
TA                          A New Beginning                  The Hovering Sojourn (just because it's the shortest...)
DoT                       At Wit's End                          Viper King
AVFTTOTW             Answering the Call                Transcending Time
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Stadler on September 15, 2022, 11:10:28 AM
Stunned at how many people think what might be my favorite song on the new album is actually their LEAST favorite.  Huh.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Lethean on September 15, 2022, 11:16:00 AM
Stunned at how many people think what might be my favorite song on the new album is actually their LEAST favorite.  Huh.

I think it's a great song Stadler.  I just had to pick one but I think the whole album is great.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Dublagent66 on September 15, 2022, 11:22:44 AM
Stunned at how many people think what might be my favorite song on the new album is actually their LEAST favorite.  Huh.

I think it's a great song Stadler.  I just had to pick one but I think the whole album is great.

I'll 2nd that.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 15, 2022, 11:42:19 AM
OK I'm stealing that format. :)
Me too


Album                    Fav Song                            Least Fav Song
WDADU                  The Ytse Jam                          Status Seeker
I&W                       Learning to Live                        Another Day
Awake                    Scarred                                 Caught in a Web
FII                         Lines in the Sand                     You Not Me
SFAM                     The Spirit Carries On              Regression
SDOIT                    The Glass Prison                    The Great Debate
ToT                        Vacant                                    Honor Thy Father
8VM                       Octavarium                              The Answer Lies Within
SC                         ITPOE Pt. 1                             Prophets of War
BC&SL                    Wither                                  The Count of Tuscany
ADTOE                    Breaking All Illusions            Build Me Up, Break Me Down
DT12                      Illumination Theory              The Looking Glass
TA                          The Path That Divides           Act of Faythe
DoT                       Pale Blue Dot                        Room 137
AVFTTOTW             Transcending Time                Invisible Monster
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Lethean on September 15, 2022, 11:46:33 AM
SFAM:
Favorite: Beyond This Life
Least: Can't really do it; maybe "The Spirit Carries On", but that doesn't seem fair, does it?
That's why Regression is the perfect choice for Scenes... :)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Dublagent66 on September 15, 2022, 11:52:23 AM
SFAM:
Favorite: Beyond This Life
Least: Can't really do it; maybe "The Spirit Carries On", but that doesn't seem fair, does it?
That's why Regression is the perfect choice for Scenes... :)

I'll 2nd that too!  :lol
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: devieira73 on September 15, 2022, 03:15:17 PM
Album                    Fav Song                       Least Fav Song
WDADU                  The Killing Hand              Only a Matter of Time
I&W                       Learning to Live               Another Day
Awake                    Scarred                           6:00
FII                          Trial of Tears                  You Not Me
SFAM                      Home                             Regression
SDOIT                     SDOIT                           Disappear
ToT                         Honor Thy Father            Vacant
8VM                        8VM                               Never Enough
SC                          TMoLS                            Prophets of War
BC&SL                     TCoT                              The Best of Times
ADTOE                    Breaking All Illusions        Far From Heaven
DT12                       Behind the Veil                Illumination Theory
TA                           ???                                  ???
DoT                         Barstool Warrior               Room 137
AVFTTOTW               AVFTTOTW                      Transcending Time

Cool idea and presentation! I'll think about it...
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: TAC on September 15, 2022, 03:42:39 PM
Album                    Fav Song                       Least Fav Song
WDADU                  The Killing Hand              Status Seeker
I&W                       Learning to Live               Another Day
Awake                    Scarred                          6:00
FII                          Lines In The Sand            You Not Me
SFAM                      Fatal Tragedy                    Home
SDOIT                     Disappear                       Six D's
ToT                         Endless Sacrifice             Vacant
8VM                        8VM                               The Answer Lies Within
SC                          INTPOE                            Repentance
BC&SL                     TCoT                              The Shattered Fortress
ADTOE                    Breaking All Illusions        BMUBMD
DT12                       Illumination Theory         Behind the Veil               
TA                           The Gift Of Music             Chosen
DoT                         At Wit's End                   Room 137
AVFTTOTW               AVFTTOTW                     Answering The Call
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: DTwwbwMP on September 15, 2022, 07:41:05 PM
WDADU:
Favorite: Only a Matter of Time
Least: Light Fuse and Get Away

I&W:
Favorite: Metropolis, Pt. 1
Least: Another Day

Awake:
Favorite: Voices
Least: Space-Dye Vest

FII:
Favorite: Trial of Tears
Least: You Not Me

SFAM:
Favorite: Home
Least: Finally Free

6DOIT:
Favorite: The Glass Prison
Least: Disappear

TOT:
Favorite: In The Name of God
Least: Vacant

8VM:
Favorite: Octavarium
Least: Never Enough

SC:
Favorite: In The Presence of Enemies
Least: Repentance

BC&SL:
Favorite: The Count of Tuscany
Least: The Shattered Fortress

ADTOE:
Favorite: Bridges in the Sky
Least: Build Me Up, Break Me Down

DT:
Favorite: Illumination Theory
Least: The Enemy Inside

The Astonishing:
Favorite: Our New World
Least: The rest the album (aside from 2 or 3 others)

Distance Over Time:
Favorite: Fall Into The Light
Least: Untethered Angel

AVFTTOTW:
Favorite: Answering the Call
Least: A View From the Top of the World
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Adami on September 15, 2022, 07:55:32 PM
Album                    Fav Song                       Least Fav Song
WDADU                  Fortune in Lies                 Light Fuse and Get Away
I&W                       Metropolis                       Take the time
Awake                    Scarred                           Lie
FII                         Lines In The Sand            You Not Me
SFAM                     Finally Free or Home         The Spirit Carries On
SDOIT                   Misunderstood                  Disappear
ToT                        In the Name of God          Vacant
8VM                       8VM                                The Answer Lies Within
SC                         Repentance                     The Dark Eternal Night
BC&SL                   Wither                             The Count of Tuscany
ADTOE                   Breaking All Illusions        Outcry
DT12                     Illumination Theory          Any other song
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: KevShmev on September 15, 2022, 09:13:38 PM
To avoid saying "got it" to every new person, all news lists have been received, but not all have been accepted.  And per my post yesterday, no one else is getting the courtesy "fix your list" and resend it reply if they sent it wrong. I simply delete it and move on.  :tup :tup
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Lethean on September 15, 2022, 09:49:15 PM
Uh... was mine accepted?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: jammindude on September 15, 2022, 10:22:36 PM
WDADU:
Favorite - The Ones Who Help to Set the Sun
Least favorite - Status Seeker

IAW:
Favorite - Learning to Live
Least Favorite - Another Day

Awake:
Favorite - The Mirror
Least Favorite - Lie

FII:
Favorite - Trial of Tears
Least Favorite - Lines in the Sand

SFAM:
Favorite - Beyond This Life
Least Favorite - Through Her Eyes

SDOIT:
Favorite - SDOIT
Least Favorite - The Great Debate

TOT:
Favorite - Stream of Consciousness
Least Favorite - Endless Sacrifice

8V:
Favorite - Octavarium
Least Favorite - The Answer Lies Within

SC:
Favorite - The Dark Eternal Night
Least Favorite - Prophets of War

BCSL:
Favorite - A Nightmare to Remember
Least Favorite - The Best of Times

ADTOE:
Favorite - Bridges in the Sky
Least Favorite - Far from Heaven

DT12:
Favorite - Behind the Veil
Least Favorite - Surrender to Reason

TA:
Favorite - Our New World
Least Favorite - The Answer

D/T:
Favorite - At Wit’s End
Least Favorite - Out of Reach

AVFTTOTW:
Favorite - AVFTTOTW
Least Favorite - Invisible Monster
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: The Letter M on September 15, 2022, 11:44:39 PM
To avoid saying "got it" to every new person, all news lists have been received, but not all have been accepted.  And per my post yesterday, no one else is getting the courtesy "fix your list" and resend it reply if they sent it wrong. I simply delete it and move on.  :tup :tup

I just realized I sent mine from 1 to 15 and not 15 to 1. Did you need me to send it again? :lol

-Marc.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Zydar on September 16, 2022, 03:18:14 AM
Sent!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: KevShmev on September 16, 2022, 06:01:26 AM
To avoid saying "got it" to every new person, all news lists have been received, but not all have been accepted.  And per my post yesterday, no one else is getting the courtesy "fix your list" and resend it reply if they sent it wrong. I simply delete it and move on.  :tup :tup

I just realized I sent mine from 1 to 15 and not 15 to 1. Did you need me to send it again? :lol

-Marc.

Nope, you're good.

Uh... was mine accepted?

Yes.

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: TheCountOfNYC on September 16, 2022, 10:04:52 AM
When Dream and Day Unite
Favorite: Afterlife
Least Favorite: Light Fuse and Getaway

Images and Words
Favorite: Take the Time
Least Favorite: Surrounded

Awake
Favorite: Scarred
Least Favorite: Space-Dye Vest

Falling Into Infinity
Favorite: Lines in the Sand
Least Favorite: New Millennium

Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From a Memory
Favorite: The Dance of Eternity
Least Favorite: Regression

Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Favorite: Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Least Favorite: Misunderstood

Train of Thought
Favorite: Stream of Consciousness
Least Favorite: Endless Sacrifice

Octavarium
Favorite: Octavarium (my favorite song of all time)
Least Favorite: The Answer Lies Within

Systematic Chaos
Favorite: Constant Motion
Least Favorite: Prophets of War

Black Clouds & Silver Linings
Favorite: The Count of Tuscany
Least Favorite: A Rite of Passage

A Dramatic Turn of Events
Favorite: Breaking All Illusions
Least Favorite: Build Me Up, Break Me Down (my least favorite Dream Theater song)

Dream Theater
Favorite: Surrender to Reason
Least Favorite: The Bigger Picture

The Astonishing
Favorite: A New Beginning
Least Favorite: The Walking Shadow

Distance Over Time
Favorite: Pale Blue Dot
Least Favorite: Room 137

A View From the Top of the World
Favorite: Sleeping Giant
Least Favorite: Transcending Time
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: ReaperKK on September 16, 2022, 11:28:42 AM
Alright here is my list for fav/least fav

When Dream and Day Unite
Favorite: Only A Matter Of Time
Least Favorite: Status Seeker

Images and Words
Favorite: Under A Glass Moon
Least Favorite: Another Day

Awake
Favorite: Lifting Shadows Off A Dream
Least Favorite: Space-Dye Vest (with Lie a very VERY close second)

Falling Into Infinity
Favorite: Hell's Kitchen
Least Favorite: New Millennium

Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From a Memory
Favorite: Strange Deja Vu
Least Favorite: The Spirit Carries On (I could happily go the rest of my life never hearing this song again)

Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Favorite: Misunderstood
Least Favorite: SDOIT

Train of Thought
Favorite: Stream of Consciousness
Least Favorite: Vacant

Octavarium
Favorite: These Walls
Least Favorite: The Answer Lies Within

Systematic Chaos
Favorite: In The Presence Of Enemies Pt. 1
Least Favorite: Prophets of War

Black Clouds & Silver Linings
Favorite: The Count Of Tuscany
Least Favorite: The Shattered Fortress

A Dramatic Turn of Events
Favorite: Outcry
Least Favorite: Lost Not Forgotten

Dream Theater
Favorite: Illumination Theory
Least Favorite: The Enemy Inside

The Astonishing
Favorite: Our New World (one of the best DT songs IMO)
Least Favorite: The rest of the album

Distance Over Time
Favorite: Pale Blue Dot
Least Favorite: Room 137

A View From the Top of the World
Favorite: A View From The Top Of The World
Least Favorite: Invisible Monster
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Dream Team on September 16, 2022, 02:18:03 PM
Ooh fun!

Album                    Fav Song                       Least Fav Song
WDADU                  Only a Matter of Time      Status Seeker
I&W                       Metropolis                       Another Day
Awake                    Scarred                          Silent Man
FII                          Trial of Tears                  You Not Me
SFAM                      Home                             Regression
SDOIT                     The Great Debate           Misunderstood
ToT                         In the Name of God         Honor thy Father
8VM                        8VM                               Never Enough
SC                          Constant Motion               The Dark Eternal Night
BC&SL                     TCoT                              A Rite of Passage
ADTOE                    Breaking All Illusions        Far From Heaven
DT12                       Surrender to Reason        False Awakening Suite
TA                           A New Beginning              Whispers on the Wind
DoT                         S2N                                Room 137
AVFTTOTW               AVFTTOTW                      Invisible Monster
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Wim Kruithof on September 16, 2022, 02:21:11 PM
I am amazed to see so many of my favorite songs being the least of others, songs like The Killing Hand, Lie, Outcry or even Breaking All Illusions. But then again, it is so freakin' hard to rank albums or songs. It depends on moodswings, circumstances and life-events, were a song can be close-to-forgotten and somehow finds its way totally back in. My ranking is contantly changing, even the studioalbums change often. My least album and my favorite are pretty sure. But everything in between is able to move a few places every once in a while. There is just so much in Dream Theater to digest.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Cool Chris on September 16, 2022, 06:26:19 PM
The Astonishing
Favorite: Our New World (one of the best DT songs IMO)
Least Favorite: The rest of the album

 :)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: TAC on September 16, 2022, 06:55:09 PM
I am amazed to see so many of my favorite songs being the least of others, songs like The Killing Hand, Lie, Outcry or even Breaking All Illusions. But then again, it is so freakin' hard to rank albums or songs. It depends on moodswings, circumstances and life-events, were a song can be close-to-forgotten and somehow finds its way totally back in. My ranking is contantly changing, even the studioalbums change often. My least album and my favorite are pretty sure. But everything in between is able to move a few places every once in a while. There is just so much in Dream Theater to digest.

It's a strong catalog.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Setlist Scotty on September 18, 2022, 05:05:10 PM
How many lists are you up to now, Kev?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: KevShmev on September 18, 2022, 06:07:23 PM
56 have now been received and accepted.

Two days left for anyone else to submit one, as well as the couple folks who turned theirs in without being numbered to resubmit them correctly (they were rejected and deleted). :)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: TAC on September 18, 2022, 06:25:39 PM
56 have now been received and accepted.

Two days left for anyone else to submit one, as well as the couple folks who turned theirs in without being numbered to resubmit them correctly (they were rejected and deleted). :)

Feel free to count mine twice instead then.. ;D
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 18, 2022, 11:14:50 PM
Stealing the format and updating since I’ve just finished the MP era.


Album                    Fav Song                            Least Fav Song
WDADU                 Only A Matter of Time                  The Ones Who Helped to Set the Sun
I&W                 Learning to Live                           Another Day
Awake                 Scarred                                       Space Dye Vest
FII                         Lines in the Sand                         Anna Lee
SFAM                 Home                                         Through My Words
SDOIT                 Blind Faith                                  Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
ToT                         In the Name of God                     Vacant
8VM                 Octavarium                                 Never Enough
SC                         The Dark Eternal Night                Repentance
BC&SL                The Count of Tuscany                  Wither
ADTOE                  Breaking All Illusions                  Outcry

There’s still more to come, so will update as I get through em.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Infinite Cactus on September 19, 2022, 02:09:21 AM
Album                    Fav Song                                  Least Fav Song
WDADU                 Afterlife                                      Ytsejam
I&W                 Take The Time                            Wait For Sleep
Awake                 Scarred                                      Space Dye Vest
FII                         Lines in the Sand                        Hell's Kitchen
SFAM                 Strange Deja Vu                         Through Her Eyes
SDOIT                 Blind Faith                                  Disappear
ToT                         As I Am                                      Vacant
8VM                 Octavarium                                 I Walk Beside You
SC                         ITPOE Pt 1                                  The Ministry Of  Lost Souls (Least Favorite DT song)
BC&SL                A Nightmare To Remember            The Best Of Times
ADTOE                Bridges In The Sky                        This Is The Life
DT12                    Illumination Theory                       Along For The Ride
The Astonishing     A New Beginning                          Most of it
DoT                      Room 137                                    Out Of Reach
AVFTTOTW            Awaken The Master                       Invisible Monster

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: romdrums on September 19, 2022, 07:19:33 AM
WDADU:
Favorite: Light Fuse and Get Away
Least: Afterlife

I&W:
Favorite: Metropolis Part I
Least: Another Day

Awake:
Favorite: Scarred
Least: Innocence Faded

FII:
Favorite: Trial of Tears
Least: Take Away My Pain

SFAM:
Favorite: Home
Least: Through Her Eyes

SDOIT:
Favorite: The Great Debate
Least: The Glass Prison

ToT:
Favorite: In the Name of God
Least: Endless Sacrifice

8V:
Favorite: Panic Attack
Least: The Answer Lies Within

SC:
Favorite: ITPOE
Least: Repentance

BC&SL:
Favorite: The Shattered Fortress
Least: The Best of Times

ADTOE:
Favorite: Breaking All Illusions
Least: This is the Life

DT12:
Favorite: The Looking Glass
Least: The snare drum sound

The Astonishing:
Favorite: Moment of Betrayal
Least: Any of the NOMACS tracks

D/T:
Favorite: Pale Blue Dot
Least: Out of Reach

AVFTTOTW:
Favorite: Answering the Call
Least: Invisible Monster
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: pg1067 on September 19, 2022, 09:42:48 AM
Finally submitted my list over the weekend!

Here are my favorites/least favorites:

Album                    Fav Song                            Least Fav Song
WDADU                  The Killing Hand                   TOWHTSTS
I&W                       Learning to Live                   Another Day
Awake                    Scarred                               The Mirror
FII                         Trial of Tears                        New Millennium
SFAM                      Home                                 Regression (or, if you excluded Regression and the passing piece Through My Words, it's TSCO)
SDOIT                    SDOIT                                 The Great Debate
ToT                         In the Name of God             Honor Thy Father
8VM                       Octavarium                         Never Enough
SC                         Constant Motion                   Repentance
BC&SL                    The Count of Tuscany           The Best of Times
ADTOE                    Breaking All Illusions            Lost Not Forgotten
DT12                      Illumination Theory              False Awakening Suite
TA                          A Life Left Behind                  Everything else
DoT                       S2N                                      R137
AVFTTOTW             Transcending Time                  Invisible Monster
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: ReaperKK on September 19, 2022, 10:35:37 AM
It's really interesting to see everyone's TA take, the favorite songs differ but the least favorite typically is "the rest" lol
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Dublagent66 on September 19, 2022, 10:49:18 AM
That's because TA is so inaccessible.  I'm not familiar enough with it to pick a favorite of least favorite.  Looks like that's partially the case with a few others.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: krands85 on September 19, 2022, 02:32:51 PM
Finally got around to sending mine. Hope I didn't mess anything up  :lol
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: nick_z on September 19, 2022, 05:35:14 PM
List sent!

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 19, 2022, 10:19:04 PM
Sent! Final rundown as follows


Album                    Fav Song                            Least Fav Song
WDADU                 Only A Matter of Time                  The Ones Who Helped to Set the Sun
I&W                 Learning to Live                           Another Day
Awake                 Scarred                                       Space Dye Vest
FII                         Lines in the Sand                         Anna Lee
SFAM                 Home                                         Through My Words
SDOIT                 Blind Faith                                  Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
ToT                         In the Name of God                     Vacant
8VM                 Octavarium                                 Never Enough
SC                         The Dark Eternal Night                Repentance
BC&SL                The Count of Tuscany                  Wither
ADTOE                  Breaking All Illusions                  Outcry
DT                        Behind the Veil                           The Looking Glass
TA                         Ravenskill                                  Losing Faythe
D/T                        At Wit’s End                              Room 137
AVFTTOTW            Transcending Time                      Invisible Monster
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: geeeemo on September 20, 2022, 09:03:51 AM
Sent my list. Don't boot me from the forums.  ;D
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: DreamerTV on September 20, 2022, 09:47:44 AM
When Dream and Day Unite
Favorite: The Killing Hand
Least Favorite: Only a Matter of Time

Images and Words
Favorite: Metropolis pt.1
Least Favorite: Under a Glass Moon

Awake
Favorite: Voices
Least Favorite: Caught in a Web (although it's fun live)

Falling Into Infinity
Favorite: Hell's Kitchen
Least Favorite: You Not Me

Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From a Memory
Favorite: Home
Least Favorite: The Dance of Eternity

Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Favorite: Misunderstood
Least Favorite: War Inside My Head

Train of Thought
Favorite: In the Name of God
Least Favorite: This Dying Soul

Octavarium
Favorite: Octavarium
Least Favorite: Never Enough

Systematic Chaos
Favorite: In The Presence Of Enemies Pt. 1
Least Favorite: Prophets of War

Black Clouds & Silver Linings
Favorite: The Count Of Tuscany
Least Favorite: A Rite of Passage

A Dramatic Turn of Events
Favorite: Breaking All Illusions
Least Favorite: Build Me Up, Break Me Down/Outcry

Dream Theater
Favorite: Illumination Theory
Least Favorite: Enigma Machine

The Astonishing
Favorite: Ravenskill
Least Favorite: Brother, Can You Hear Me?

Distance Over Time

Favorite: At Wit's End
Least Favorite: Room 137

A View From the Top of the World
Favorite: Answering the Call
Least Favorite: Invisible Monster
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: RoeDent on September 20, 2022, 02:11:00 PM
OK... key: favourite / least favourite. And to clarify the least favourite songs aren't bad. Just, something's gotta be bottom of the pile in an exercise like this.

WDADU: Haven't listened. Off to a great start.
I&W: Learning to Live / Under a Glass Moon
Awake: Voices / Caught in a Web
FII: Lines In The Sand / Just Let Me Breathe
SFAM: Home / Through Her Eyes
6DOIT: The Great Debate / Blind Faith
ToT: Stream of Consciousness / Honor Thy Father
8VM: Octavarium / Panic Attack
SC: Repentance / Forsaken
BC&SL: The Shattered Fortress / A Rite of Passage
ADTOE: Breaking All Illusions / On the Backs of Angels
DT12: Illumination Theory / Along for the Ride
TA: A New Beginning / Losing Faythe
D/T: Barstool Warrior / Out of Reach
AVFTTOTW: Awaken the Master / Transcending Time
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: crystalstars17 on September 20, 2022, 02:29:30 PM
It depends on moodswings, circumstances and life-events, were a song can be close-to-forgotten and somehow finds its way totally back in. My ranking is contantly changing, even the studioalbums change often. My least album and my favorite are pretty sure. But everything in between is able to move a few places every once in a while.
This. Just, all of this.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: krands85 on September 20, 2022, 02:58:03 PM
Album                    Fav Song                       Least Fav Song
WDADU                  Fortune in Lies                Light Fuse and Get Away
I&W                       Learning to Live              Wait for Sleep
Awake                    Voices                            The Silent Man
FII                         Trial of Tears                   You Not Me
SFAM                     Fatal Tragedy                  Regression
SDOIT                   The Glass Prison              Misunderstood
ToT                        In the Name of God         Vacant
8VM                       8VM                               I Walk Beside You
SC                         ITPOE                             Reptenance
BC&SL                   The Count of Tuscany       The Best of Times
ADTOE                   Breaking All Illusions        Far From Heaven
DT12                     Illumination Theory          The Looking Glass
The Astonishing      A New Beginning             Our New World
D/T                       At Wit's End                     Room 137
AVFTTOTW             AVFTTOTW                      Transcending Time

Definitely a bit of a pattern there  :\
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: nick_z on September 20, 2022, 03:05:51 PM
Ok, let's do this too...


Album                    Fav Song                       Least Fav Song
WDADU                  The Killing Hand               Light Fuse and Get Away
I&W                       Learning to Live               Another Day (still awesome, though!)
Awake                    Voices                             Lie
FII                         Lines In The Sand            Burning My Soul
SFAM                     Strange Deja Vu              The Spirit Carries On
SDOIT                   Blind Faith                       Disappear
ToT                        Honor Thy Father              Vacant
8VM                       These Walls                      The Answer Lies Within
SC                         IPTOE Pt.1                     The Dark Eternal Night
BC&SL                   The Count of Tuscany      The Shattered Fortress
ADTOE                   Breaking All Illusions        Far from Heaven
DT12                     The Bigger Picture          Enigma Machine
The Astonishing      Moment of Betrayal        Brother, Can You Hear Me?
D/T                        At Wit's End                  Room 137
AVFTTOTW              Awaken the Master        Sleeping Giant
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: SeRoX on September 20, 2022, 03:59:33 PM
Album                  Fav Song                       Least Fav Song
WDADU                  The Killing Hand               Ytse Jam
I&W                       Learning to Live               Wait For Sleep
Awake                    Scarred                           6:00
FII                         Trial Of Tears                   You Not Me
SFAM                     Finally Free                      Fatal Tragedy
SDOIT                   The Glass Prison               The Great Debate
ToT                        In The Name Of God        Honor Thy Father
8VM                      Octavarium                      Never Enough
SC                        ITPOE                              The Dark Eternal Night
BC&SL                  The Count of Tuscany        A Rite of Passage
ADTOE                  Outcry                             Build Me Up, Break Me Down
DT12                    Surrender to Reason         Enigma Machine
The Astonishing     The Path That Divides       All NOMACS instrumental
D/T                      At Wit's End                     Untethered Angel
AVFTTOTW            Sleeping Giant                 The Alien
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Cool Chris on September 20, 2022, 08:32:15 PM
It's 9/20....

(https://c.tenor.com/I4d1QyAghmUAAAAM/hooray-letsgo.gif)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: TAC on September 20, 2022, 08:34:24 PM
(https://media4.giphy.com/media/cMALqIjmb7ygw/200w.gif?cid=82a1493bbrdxq0pta5j1vb4qwykgiitjnkkzpc7eal52rtsj&rid=200w.gif&ct=g)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 20, 2022, 11:44:17 PM
In the words of Mario, “let’s-a go!”

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: RoeDent on September 21, 2022, 04:30:04 AM
Or, letsa give KevShmev the time and room to calculate all of this without burning out, then letsa go!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (starts 09/22)
Post by: KevShmev on September 21, 2022, 06:08:22 AM
The submission period is over.

Countdown begins tomorrow.  :metal :metal
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (starts 09/22)
Post by: TAC on September 21, 2022, 06:20:57 AM
I think it should start today. ;D
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (starts 09/22)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 21, 2022, 06:23:35 AM
That’s all good Kev, I submitted late in the game, sorry for holding it up.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: Stadler on September 21, 2022, 07:59:48 AM
(https://media4.giphy.com/media/cMALqIjmb7ygw/200w.gif?cid=82a1493bbrdxq0pta5j1vb4qwykgiitjnkkzpc7eal52rtsj&rid=200w.gif&ct=g)

That would be me in the blue shirt, red shorts and knee high white socks.  Thank you very much.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (lists due by 09/20)
Post by: pg1067 on September 21, 2022, 10:10:47 AM
(https://media4.giphy.com/media/cMALqIjmb7ygw/200w.gif?cid=82a1493bbrdxq0pta5j1vb4qwykgiitjnkkzpc7eal52rtsj&rid=200w.gif&ct=g)

That would be me in the blue shirt, red shorts and knee high white socks.  Thank you very much.

That actually kinda looks like me at that age.   :lol
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (starts 09/22)
Post by: Ben_Jamin on September 21, 2022, 02:14:36 PM
(https://i.ibb.co/MgHx3kh/tenor.gif) (https://ibb.co/WHX4Yv3)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (starts 09/22)
Post by: KevShmev on September 21, 2022, 08:40:27 PM
Yep, this will start tomorrow, but a few fun facts from the start:

With 65 accepted lists total:
-Four of the 15 studio albums did not receive a single 1st place vote
-Six of the 15 studio albums did not receive a last place vote
-Five of the 15 studio albums finished at number 1 on at least one list and at last place on at least one list

Also, thanks again to everyone who participated and submitted a list I could use.  Only two were not accepted (because they were submitted without being numbered after I gave the final "warning" :P). 
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (starts 09/22)
Post by: TAC on September 21, 2022, 08:41:42 PM

-Five of the 15 studio albums finished at number 1 on at least one list and at last place on at least one list



Wow!  :lol

DTF rules again!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (starts 09/22)
Post by: KevShmev on September 22, 2022, 05:22:03 AM
And away we go!

15 When Dream and Day Unite
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/6ksAAOSwlPViyu9Y/s-l500.jpg)
Number 1 finishes: 0
Last place finishes: 24
Average finish: 12.6


I can't say I am surprised to see this finish last, and by a comfortable margin, but I guess I was secretly hoping it would fare a little better.  I ranked it at 10, as I think the songwriting is pretty darn good considering how young they were when they wrote and recorded it, and the skills of all four instrumentalists were already top notch.  The raw production and lack of James do not help its cause, which I get, but I still think it is a good debut album.

Top 5 songs from me from the album:
1 Light Fuse and Get Away
2 Only a Matter of Time
3 A Fortune in Lies
4 Ytse Jam
5 The Killing Hand
(tough to leave off Afterlife)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Mladen on September 22, 2022, 05:29:16 AM
Here we go!

 :corn

This one was in my bottom three, due to the production and some songs being rather cute for a young band trying to push boundaries. And yet, it's still a good album. Afterlife, A Fortune in lies and Only a matter of time are fantastic songs.  :metal
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: ReaperKK on September 22, 2022, 05:36:20 AM
Not surprising this is last but it's always felt off to be ranked so low. Don't get me wrong I put this at #14 on my list but it's not a bad album. It just doesn't have any songs that really make me go wow, plus the production really ages it.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Wim Kruithof on September 22, 2022, 05:39:50 AM
Was afraid this one should finish last as well. It is in some way their finest, due to it being a debute and their entrance into prog. Lyrically great also, allthough I can’t seem to help the thought that they wrote The One Who Helped To Set the Sun, on a bad (drug)trip. Cannot follow that type of lyrics. My top 5:

- The Killing Hand (one of Dream Theaters best of all)
- Ytse Jam
- A Fortune in Lies
- Status Seeker
- Only a Matter of Time
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: CharlesPL on September 22, 2022, 05:42:14 AM
my top 3 DT album
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: nobloodyname on September 22, 2022, 05:45:13 AM
Number 13 for me. It's a good album, though. Love Afterlife and not just because you can see me jumping and down like an absolute loon just before they played it at the Score show.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 22, 2022, 05:58:23 AM
When Dream and Day Unite
My rank: 13th of 15


Top 5:
Only A Matter of Time
Afterlife
A Fortune in Lies
Killing Hand
YtseJam
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: devieira73 on September 22, 2022, 06:42:02 AM
When Dream and Day Unite: #15 (same ranking to me); grade: 7.0/10

Top 3 songs: A Fortune in Lies/The Ytse Jam/Light Fuse and Get Away   
Less good song: Afterlife

I don’t think DT has released a bad album, my personal ranking and grade are due just because DT has an incredible discography. It’s a great debut and it was the true beginning for modern prog metal.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: wolfking on September 22, 2022, 06:54:40 AM
Very disappointing this album is in last place.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Dream Team on September 22, 2022, 07:18:07 AM
Figured it was inevitable, but I really like this album a lot. Every song has great melodies, riffs, drumming, and Myung's best bass playing. Hard to believe it's 15th when Systematic Chaos exists (or for me, FII). Don't have my list in front of me but I believe I had it 8th or 9th.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 22, 2022, 07:34:35 AM
It's terrible, and # 15 is appropriate.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: SwedishGoose on September 22, 2022, 07:36:55 AM
Had this at number 13. Yeah  it's not a bad album but at the same time the production and lack of LaBrie brings it down.

Reminds me that I should watch the When Dream & Day Reunite DVD...
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Adami on September 22, 2022, 07:40:44 AM
Had this at number 12. Not at all shocked to see it at last, but I still think it has some great moments that trump my 13-15.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 22, 2022, 08:01:34 AM
Reminds me that I should watch the When Dream & Day Reunite DVD...

Don’t forget the commentary!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: ReaperKK on September 22, 2022, 08:04:50 AM
Figured it was inevitable, but I really like this album a lot. Every song has great melodies, riffs, drumming, and Myung's best bass playing. Hard to believe it's 15th when Systematic Chaos exists (or for me, FII). Don't have my list in front of me but I believe I had it 8th or 9th.

I forgot to mention Myung but I agree, some of his best playing is on this album.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Stadler on September 22, 2022, 08:12:25 AM
Had this at number 12. Not at all shocked to see it at last, but I still think it has some great moments that trump my 13-15.

Can we keep politics out of this?  :) :) :) :) :)

I had this firmly at #15.  The album isn't awful, and Charlie's not a bad singer, but he's not James LaBrie, and considering James is a big reason that I got into (and stayed into) DT in the first place, it's fatal to WDADU being higher on the list.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Adami on September 22, 2022, 08:13:52 AM
Had this at number 12. Not at all shocked to see it at last, but I still think it has some great moments that trump my 13-15.

Can we keep politics out of this?  :) :) :) :) :)

I bet you were just biden your time to post that, weren't you?

Deplorable.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Shalev Amir on September 22, 2022, 08:15:50 AM
Finished last for me too. Bad production and I'm not a fan of any of the songs here, except for The Killing Hand which is top shelf DT.
Figured it was inevitable, but I really like this album a lot. Every song has great melodies, riffs, drumming, and Myung's best bass playing. Hard to believe it's 15th when Systematic Chaos exists (or for me, FII). Don't have my list in front of me but I believe I had it 8th or 9th.

I forgot to mention Myung but I agree, some of his best playing is on this album.
Forgot too  ;D.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Cool Chris on September 22, 2022, 08:19:40 AM
If this had been my first experience with DT instead of I&W, I imagine I'd rank it differently. But falling in love with I&W, and then Awake, and then years later discovering this consigns it to 15th.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: T-ski on September 22, 2022, 08:27:24 AM
Well, I respectfully disagree.

Had it at #9. Sure it’s not polished but there are some moments where you can hear what was to come.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Stadler on September 22, 2022, 08:34:31 AM
If this had been my first experience with DT instead of I&W, I imagine I'd rank it differently. But falling in love with I&W, and then Awake, and then years later discovering this consigns it to 15th.

That's a great point; I think that's a part of it for me as well.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Adami on September 22, 2022, 08:41:45 AM
I guess I also try to look at it in context. Is the production good? Nah. But is it good for a bunch of kids in their early 20's (Minus Charlie) on a shoestring budget? Yup!

Is the song writing good? Mostly. Is it good for a bunch of teenagers/kids who can barely drink (minus Charlie)? Yup! So that tends to put it higher for me than some of their recent albums that I can't find any excuses for.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (starts 09/22)
Post by: pg1067 on September 22, 2022, 09:56:58 AM
Yeah...I guess I'm not surprised.  My album rankings:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9. When Dream and Day Reunite
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

Yup.  I ranked WDADU, warts and all, ahead of six other albums.  I sometimes wonder how I'd have received this album had I found it before hearing PMU and I&W.  I know it gets a lot of flack for production, but it's probably the best mixed DT album as far as Myung is concerned, and that's important to me.  He's often inaudible on the most recent albums.  My top 3 songs:

1. The Killing Hand
2. Only a Matter of Time
3. Ytse Jam
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: geeeemo on September 22, 2022, 10:10:34 AM
I'm one that has it last. I do think, like others have mentioned, where you come into Dream Theater on the timeline of their catalog can affect your preferences. I prefer the more modern DT as opposed to the beginning DT. For me there sound was solidified with Scenes.

I have tried to like this record. And Charlie is just not good to listen to, so I listen to the other recordings with JLB. Even then, the vocal melodies to me are not good at all.  There are some fantastic musical parts, for a moment or a few minutes in a song. I don't have a ranking for the songs, but AFiL, YtseJam, Afterlife are ones that I remember that have parts that I like. I am sure there are some in the other songs as well, but I don't know them well enough to say.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Dublagent66 on September 22, 2022, 10:11:49 AM
If this had been my first experience with DT instead of I&W, I imagine I'd rank it differently. But falling in love with I&W, and then Awake, and then years later discovering this consigns it to 15th.

I think we're in the same boat here.  :tup


Very disappointing this album is in last place.

TBH, I'm not surprised, but help me out here my friend.  What other album could possibly be #15?  That's an honest question.  I'm curious.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: T-ski on September 22, 2022, 10:23:22 AM
Quote
Very disappointing this album is in last place.

TBH, I'm not surprised, but help me out here my friend.  What other album could possibly be #15?  That's an honest question.  I'm curious.

For me, my #15 choice was obvious and it wasn’t even close and I’m quite confident many others will agree with me.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (starts 09/22)
Post by: ZirconBlue on September 22, 2022, 10:33:25 AM
I know it gets a lot of flack for production, but it's probably the best mixed DT album as far as Myung is concerned, and that's important to me.  He's often inaudible on the most recent albums. 


I think that's more in the arrangements than in the mix.  Myung is playing much higher on the neck than in later albums.  They talk about that in the WDaDR commentary track.  On later albums they moved his parts down so they weren't in the same sonic space as the guitars and keyboards.


My issue with the sound is that it's just fatiguing to listen to.  Which I think is part of the reason I like the first 4 tracks best.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: SeRoX on September 22, 2022, 10:37:20 AM
Disagree. This album has great lyrics and melodies despite the production. I also like Charlie on vocals. Yeah, James would slay it but it is what it is.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Samsara on September 22, 2022, 10:53:05 AM
I had WDADU at #11. I think some of the songs are good. The production is eh, and Dominici...he obviously wasn't the right fit. But in my view, there are four worse DT records...

Whenever I want to listen to the songs from this album, I put on WDADRU. James just sings them better.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Setlist Scotty on September 22, 2022, 10:55:06 AM
If this had been my first experience with DT instead of I&W, I imagine I'd rank it differently. But falling in love with I&W, and then Awake, and then years later discovering this consigns it to 15th.
That's a great point; I think that's a part of it for me as well.
As one of the few who got into the band in 1989, I can confirm this to be the case. For that reason, I actually ended up ranking it at #2. Yes, it actually is that special to me. While not surprising, it goes without saying that I'm disappointed to see it finish dead last. I was hoping that it would at least end up as 14 or even 13. Guess not.   :sad:
 
 
Very disappointing this album is in last place.
TBH, I'm not surprised, but help me out here my friend.  What other album could possibly be #15?  That's an honest question.  I'm curious.
The Astonishing. Duh.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: krands85 on September 22, 2022, 11:51:48 AM
It was my #15 too, for the oft-cited production and vocal issues - unfortunately I just can't look beyond them. Had they re-recorded it when James joined, it would probably be in my top 10.

My top tracks (in album order): A Fortune in Lies, Ytse Jam, The Killing Hand, Afterlife. Only a Matter of Time is good as well, but I prefer those other 4. I rarely listen to the remaining three songs.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 22, 2022, 12:00:44 PM
I actually ended up ranking it at #2.
*faints*
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Stadler on September 22, 2022, 12:03:58 PM
Why does "Status Seeker" never get any mentions when talking about this album? Where did it fall on the song list?  It's the one song I really, really dig on that record.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 22, 2022, 12:06:55 PM
Why does "Status Seeker" never get any mentions when talking about this album? Where did it fall on the song list?  It's the one song I really, really dig on that record.
I always thought the chorus of that song sounded like it could have been from an early Bon Jovi album.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: pg1067 on September 22, 2022, 12:09:32 PM
Quote
Very disappointing this album is in last place.

TBH, I'm not surprised, but help me out here my friend.  What other album could possibly be #15?  That's an honest question.  I'm curious.

For me, my #15 choice was obvious and it wasn’t even close and I’m quite confident many others will agree with me.

Yeah...there are at least 2, and maybe 3, albums (which are well known to be at the bottom of lots of folks' rankings) that will have lots of last place votes.  In fact, it wouldn't completely surprise me if another album had more than WDADU's 24/65 last place votes but ranked higher in the aggregate because of several top tier votes that WDADU didn't get.  I'm guessing that Scotty's #2 ranking is the highest and wouldn't be surprised if the next highest ranking was several spots lower.  Perhaps Kev can confirm.


Why does "Status Seeker" never get any mentions when talking about this album? Where did it fall on the song list?  It's the one song I really, really dig on that record.

The "why" is pretty obvious.  It's well known to have been an overt attempt to write a "hit single" type song, and that doesn't play well for a lot of folks.  For my money, Afterlife does a MUCH better job.  I probably rank Status Seeker at #6 or 7 (ahead of TOWHTSTS and maybe AFIL).
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Setlist Scotty on September 22, 2022, 12:09:51 PM
I actually ended up ranking it at #2.
*faints*
That's what happens when you're in the presence of an album that awesome!   ;D


Why does "Status Seeker" never get any mentions when talking about this album? Where did it fall on the song list?  It's the one song I really, really dig on that record.
It's probably my second least favorite on the album (not a fan of Afterlife). Probably the reason why it's viewed negatively is because it is the band's admitted attempt at writing a commercial single. Personally, I think the song is fine although I could do without the cheesy intro. I much prefer the way they played it in 1993.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Mladen on September 22, 2022, 12:27:36 PM
The Astonishing. Duh.
I'll actually be surprised if it ends up at #14 or #13. There's a lot of people that rank it way up there, and it's also a top five Dream Theater album for me. However, albums like Systematic chaos and Black clouds, as fine as they are, don't often end up too high on most people's lists.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 22, 2022, 12:29:13 PM
The Astonishing. Duh.
I'll actually be surprised if it ends up at #14 or #13. There's a lot of people that rank it way up there, and it's also a top five Dream Theater album for me. However, albums like Systematic chaos and Black clouds, as fine as they are, don't often end up too high on most people's lists.
Certainly not on mine.  BC, at least.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Animal on September 22, 2022, 12:43:09 PM
Agree with everyone who thinks this album finishing last is disappointing. WDADU is a bit like a good, honest guy who is also rather unpolished and wears shabby clothes - and as a result, he gets ignored to the advantage of other guys with a lot less soul and personality. There are a lot more fresh and interesting musical ideas on WDADU than on quite a few late Portnoy and Mangini era albums.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Stadler on September 22, 2022, 12:45:32 PM
Agree with everyone who thinks this album finishing last is disappointing. WDADU is a bit like a good, honest guy who is also rather unpolished and wears shabby clothes - and as a result, he gets ignored to the advantage of other guys with a lot less soul and personality. There are a lot more fresh and interesting musical ideas on WDADU than on quite a few late Portnoy and Mangini era albums.

I'm not sure that last part is true; they may be different, but the influences are still clear for anyone who wants to listen (I hear a lot of Rush - a LOT of Rush - in WDADU).
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: nobloodyname on September 22, 2022, 12:45:48 PM
Quote
Very disappointing this album is in last place.

TBH, I'm not surprised, but help me out here my friend.  What other album could possibly be #15?  That's an honest question.  I'm curious.

For me, my #15 choice was obvious and it wasn’t even close and I’m quite confident many others will agree with me.

I agree with you. I don't know which album it is. But I still know I agree with you :lol

I listened to it today in preparation for the results of this poll. And... yeah. That pretty much summed it up.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Revenge319 on September 22, 2022, 01:16:11 PM
I ranked WDADU at #15. There's not really anything bad I have to say about this one, I just think it's heavily outclassed by everything else Dream Theater has done. My only real complaint is that the songs mostly have a very similar sound to one another. If I heard a snippet of a song from this album, there's a decent chance that I might not know what song it could be from. But other than that, I think it's a pretty enjoyable album! I think Dominici is pretty good here, though I certainly prefer James LaBrie.

If I were to rank the entire album:

1. The Killing Hand
2. Ytse Jam
3. A Fortune in Lies
4. Status Seeker
5. Light Fuse and Get Away
6. The Ones Who Help to Set the Sun
7. Only a Matter of Time
8. Afterlife
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 22, 2022, 01:30:31 PM
There's a lot of people speaking highly of WDADU for it to have finished dead last.  Did you guys not vote?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: ZirconBlue on September 22, 2022, 02:12:16 PM
There's a lot of people speaking highly of WDADU for it to have finished dead last.  Did you guys not vote?


I had it at #14, but I do still like it quite a bit.  For me, there are no bad DT albums.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: ZirconBlue on September 22, 2022, 02:13:20 PM
Why does "Status Seeker" never get any mentions when talking about this album? Where did it fall on the song list?  It's the one song I really, really dig on that record.


I like it quite a bit.  My top 4 from the album:


1. The Killing Hand
2. A Fortune in Lies
3. Status Seeker
4. Ytse Jam
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: pg1067 on September 22, 2022, 02:55:59 PM
Agree with everyone who thinks this album finishing last is disappointing. WDADU is a bit like a good, honest guy who is also rather unpolished and wears shabby clothes - and as a result, he gets ignored to the advantage of other guys with a lot less soul and personality. There are a lot more fresh and interesting musical ideas on WDADU than on quite a few late Portnoy and Mangini era albums.

I'm not sure that last part is true; they may be different, but the influences are still clear for anyone who wants to listen (I hear a lot of Rush - a LOT of Rush - in WDADU).

It's an opinion, so it cannot, by definition, be either true or not true.


There's a lot of people speaking highly of WDADU for it to have finished dead last.  Did you guys not vote?


I had it at #14, but I do still like it quite a bit.  For me, there are no bad DT albums.

I spoke well of it and, as I indicated, I ranked it at #9.  Except for Scotty, I don't think anyone has suggested it's a top 3 (or even top 5) album.  It's just not, for me, 15 out of 15.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Lethean on September 22, 2022, 03:30:15 PM

I had this firmly at #15.  The album isn't awful, and Charlie's not a bad singer, but he's not James LaBrie, and considering James is a big reason that I got into (and stayed into) DT in the first place, it's fatal to WDADU being higher on the list.
+1
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: wolfking on September 22, 2022, 03:31:47 PM
If this had been my first experience with DT instead of I&W, I imagine I'd rank it differently. But falling in love with I&W, and then Awake, and then years later discovering this consigns it to 15th.

I think we're in the same boat here.  :tup


Very disappointing this album is in last place.

TBH, I'm not surprised, but help me out here my friend.  What other album could possibly be #15?  That's an honest question.  I'm curious.

TA is by far their worst album IMO.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: wolfking on September 22, 2022, 03:33:21 PM
I had WDADU at number 12.  People would freak out if they knew 2 albums I ranked lower than it.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Ben_Jamin on September 22, 2022, 03:40:30 PM
#15 - When Dream and Day Unite  (My Ranking: #15)

"Someone has to lose..."

Although I ranked this album at #15, I still think highly of these songs, the album itself has a certain charm to it that is brought upon by the production, patch choices, mix, and Dominici's voice. My least favorite is Status Seeker and its because I just couldn't get into it, it is gradually becoming enjoyable for me though, the chorus is great and the verses aren't too bad either, it could also be the intro that I don't get into so I just skip the track. TOWHTSTS has a fantastic introduction and is the song I would consider the early Dream Theater epic, which has parts that can be seen as precursors to later epics, such as the bass harmonic intro reminding me of TCOT guitar harmonic intro, and the keyboards adding to the atmosphere. This is an album that is dated, but also that's what I like about it. You can hear how fresh and energetic the band is. Even though JLB does wonders to these songs, Dominici has a certain tone that also fit these songs very well. Light Fuse and Get Away is one song where I prefer his vocals over JLB's, mainly in the way the chorus is delivered and the fast paced section as well.  Overall, this is a fantastic debut that unfortunately was plagued with production and mixing issues, but it's not bad for a debut album. Many classics were already made from this, and the songs being played or mentioned about possibly being played recently show that these songs are great songs the fans enjoy seeing live.


Favorite: The Ones Who Helped to Set The Sun
Least: Status Seeker
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (starts 09/22)
Post by: TAC on September 22, 2022, 03:40:57 PM
15 When Dream and Day Unite
Number 1 finishes: 0
Last place finishes: 24
Average finish: 11.6


I can't say I am surprised to see this finish last, and by a comfortable margin, but I guess I was secretly hoping it would fare a little better.  I ranked it at 10, as I think the songwriting is pretty darn good considering how young they were when they wrote and recorded it, and the skills of all four instrumentalists were already top notch.  The raw production and lack of James do not help its cause, which I get, but I still think it is a good debut album.

I had When Day And Drean Unite at #5!

I didn't get WDADU until some time in late '93, long after I had I&W and Live At The Marquee. I basically learned all of the songs through various bootlegs from the I&W tour. That and seeing a number of songs live as well. So I basically learned these songs with James as the singer. I don't take into consideration the production or Charlie when ranking this album. I only take the songs into consideration.

In the DT Top 100 list, I have The Killing Hand at #4 and A Fortune In Lies at #20.

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Dream Team on September 22, 2022, 03:48:10 PM
The average finish of 11.6 is interesting . . . hopefully it won’t end up being the lowest average.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: The Letter M on September 22, 2022, 04:19:40 PM
01.
02.
03.
04.
05.
06.
07.
08.
09.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14. When Dream And Day Unite
15.

This *almost* made it to the bottom for me, but there's some really good writing on here that bridges the gap between the Majesty Demos and IAW, some really solid bass and drum parts, and John is pretty good as well. Not sure what else could be said about this that hasn't been said already, both negative and positive, but it's definitely always been a lower-tier album for me, despite enjoying it quite a bit when I first got into DT and I tried to discover them chronologically. I became a fan between Live At Budokan and Octavarium, so I was definitely deeply entrenched in the JR-era of the band at the time, so it took me awhile to really appreciate the KM-era albums, and their debut being the lesser of the first three (or rather the 2nd and 3rd albums being so much better) really put a big shadow over WDADU. The studio album itself is passable, but the material really shines on the live When Dream And Day Reunite, with James and Jordan of course, elevating the material a bit higher.

I'm surprised to see the Average Finish is as high as it is at 11.6. I almost expected it to be in everyone's bottom three with an average of around 13.5-14, but I suppose some folks liked it enough to bump into their Top 10! Would be interesting to see what albums people put below WDADU if it made their top ten, meaning at least five other albums were placed below it!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: The Realm on September 22, 2022, 04:25:25 PM
I ranked WDADU at #15. I do like the album but I rarely if ever listen to it. I don't think it is a surprise at all that it finished at 15. I think the really interesting part of the countdown starts now.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (starts 09/22)
Post by: wolfking on September 22, 2022, 04:27:58 PM
15 When Dream and Day Unite
Number 1 finishes: 0
Last place finishes: 24
Average finish: 11.6


I can't say I am surprised to see this finish last, and by a comfortable margin, but I guess I was secretly hoping it would fare a little better.  I ranked it at 10, as I think the songwriting is pretty darn good considering how young they were when they wrote and recorded it, and the skills of all four instrumentalists were already top notch.  The raw production and lack of James do not help its cause, which I get, but I still think it is a good debut album.

I had When Day And Drean Unite at #5!

I didn't get WDADU until some time in late '93, long after I had I&W and Live At The Marquee. I basically learned all of the songs through various bootlegs from the I&W tour. That and seeing a number of songs live as well. So I basically learned these songs with James as the singer. I don't take into consideration the production or Charlie when ranking this album. I only take the songs into consideration.

In the DT Top 100 list, I have The Killing Hand at #4 and A Fortune In Lies at #20.

Wow!  Love the appreciation here.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Setlist Scotty on September 22, 2022, 04:55:35 PM
The average finish of 11.6 is interesting . . . hopefully it won’t end up being the lowest average.
I would imagine it is - that's why it's ranked as #15 on this list.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: nick_z on September 22, 2022, 05:14:10 PM
And so it begins!

When Dream and Day Unite - I ranked it at #3

It's one of two (I think) more idiosyncratic choices in my ranking...

I, too, am sad to see it ranked last, although I guess it's not completely unexpected. Also happy to see someone ranked it even higher than I did  :)

I bought this shortly after my discovery of Images & Words, back in 1992. While it was clear this wasn't going to reach the astounding (astonishing?) heights of I&W, I thought then (and still think) this is a fantastic, fantastic record. And a debut, no less!

I've said it before - it's not just the charm that comes from the youthful energy and enthusiasm. It's first and foremost the fact that this version of DT was very much part of that proto-prog/technical metal of the 80s that I always found so intriguing. In this regard, more so than I&W, they really did sound like Rush jamming on some metal tunes.

Dominici is no LaBrie, for sure...and James was one of the big factors making I&W the masterpiece it is...but neither the singing nor the production bothers me too much here. The songs are just SO good, imo.

If we are doing top 5 songs, I guess I'll go with:

The Killing Hand
A Fortune in Lies
Status Seeker (yes, I love this one)
Ytse Jam
Only A Matter of Time

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: DTwwbwMP on September 22, 2022, 05:16:57 PM
A GREAT album, with GREAT songs, just shitty production and less than stellar vocals. This album should have been re-recorded in studio with James in '90's. BIG FAIL!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: ReaperKK on September 22, 2022, 06:20:00 PM
I listened to WDADU at work today and I will say it's a very consistent album, there aren't any wild swings of quality like Awake for example.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 22, 2022, 06:39:04 PM
I listened to WDADU at work today and I will say it's a very consistent album, there aren't any wild swings of quality like Awake for example.

Yeah, it’s all pretty great! Even though Awake is my number 2, I gotta say it botches it’s ending.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: wolfking on September 22, 2022, 07:22:11 PM
I listened to WDADU at work today and I will say it's a very consistent album, there aren't any wild swings of quality like Awake for example.

You mean a swing between fucking amazing and just amazing?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: TAC on September 22, 2022, 07:27:33 PM
 :lol

You know, if you're not ready for it....
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (starts 09/22)
Post by: Lethean on September 22, 2022, 08:00:04 PM

I had When Day And Drean Unite at #5!

I didn't get WDADU until some time in late '93, long after I had I&W and Live At The Marquee. I basically learned all of the songs through various bootlegs from the I&W tour. That and seeing a number of songs live as well. So I basically learned these songs with James as the singer. I don't take into consideration the production or Charlie when ranking this album. I only take the songs into consideration.

I think if I had done this, it probably wouldn't have been last for me. I really don't care about the production, and I like the songs.  Status Seeker maybe not so much, but The Killing Hand is incredible, and I like the rest pretty well.  But while I don't think Charlie is bad, it just doesn't sound quite right either.  I'd still rather listen to any of the other albums.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Cool Chris on September 22, 2022, 08:41:11 PM
Surprised a bit to see Afterlife ranking so low among the songs. That is my favorite from the album - the Score version might have something to do with that.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Lethean on September 22, 2022, 10:14:02 PM
The Score version of Afterlife is great.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Mladen on September 23, 2022, 01:23:13 AM
It was a great song in the first place, though. No wonder they decided to revisit that one, and not TOWHTSTS or Status seeker.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: Zydar on September 23, 2022, 03:02:34 AM
I ranked it at #13. It's always been near the bottom for me, but it's been overtaken by two other albums lately. I like the songwriting overall, too bad the production and vocals drags it down.

Highlights for me are Afterlife, Ytse Jam, Status Seeker, and Only A Matter Of Time (this one thanks to the Budokan DVD).

And yeah the Score version of Afterlife is great.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#15 featured)
Post by: nobloodyname on September 23, 2022, 03:22:34 AM
Reminding myself of WDADU right now. The production really is bad, isn't it? Sounds like someone through a mobile phone in the middle of the studio and recorded it on that. Which is a shame because the songs, for the most part are really good. Except The Ones Who Help to Set the Sun, of course. But I tell you what, this is still light years ahead of the vocally massacred When Dream and Day Reunite. Virtually unlistenable, that.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured)
Post by: KevShmev on September 23, 2022, 05:39:50 AM
14. Systematic Chaos
(https://bigamartusax.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/2020/07/81BuwGqtCwL._AC_SL1428_.jpg)
Number 1 finishes: 1
Last place finishes: 4
Average finish: 10.9


I ranked this at 14, so I nailed this one's spot.  I have long said that this feels like their cheesy 80s horror film album, given some of the lyrics.  It's a mostly enjoyable record, even kind of fun at times, which you can't always say about a Dream Theater album, but some of the songwriting is among their worst ever (vocal melodies in Constant Motion, the thud of a chorus in Forsaken, etc.).  Still, there is some good stuff here, but it probably has, for me anyway, the lowest highs of any DT record to date.

Top 5 songs from me from the album:
1 The Dark Eternal Night
2 Repentance
3 In the Presence of Enemies Part 1
4 The Ministry of Lost Souls
5 In the Presence of Enemies Part 2

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: ReaperKK on September 23, 2022, 05:52:29 AM
I'm the one who voted this album as number 1 :lol

I'm actually very shocked to see this album so low. I didn't think it'd crack the top 10 but 14, jeez. When this album first came out I wasn't too big on it but with every year it just grew and grew on me. I think this is the perfect blend of the future, more metal focused DT with some glimpses of their old proggy elements. The lyrics aren't great but really DT's lyrics are hit-or-miss in the first place (mainly miss).

One final thought for now is I actually didn't expect to rank it so high either. Normally when doing album ranking I just eyeball the list and move stuff around until it makes sense. This time I used the ranking engine and really thought about every matchup. I was surprised to see this at the top but after enjoy a drink or two and thinking some more I'm like "yea that's right".

Well I'll be having more drinks tonight because this ranking has really shook me. :lol

My ranking so far:

1. Systematic Chaos
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14. When Dream And Day Unite
15.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on September 23, 2022, 06:01:11 AM
Number 11 for me.  I was really disappointed when this came out.  Still don't think much of it past a couple of songs. It's aged slightly better though when it came out.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: T-ski on September 23, 2022, 06:12:40 AM
#14 for me.  Nothing on this album stands out and “Repentance” is a chore to get through. Easily a bottom album for me.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on September 23, 2022, 06:25:23 AM
No. 7.  I think this record gets short shrift, honestly.  I don't quite get the hate for the last two Portnoy albums, especially this one.  I get it, there are spots that people don't like - I can do without the growls or whatever we're calling them and while I like Repentance, I understand it's polarizing - but some of the melodies are good, and most of the playing is still stellar.   

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. Systematic Chaos
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15. When Dream And Day Unite
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: DTA on September 23, 2022, 06:30:26 AM
I think SC has a lot more going for it than Octavarium and Black Clouds. I appreciate the non-serious nature of a lot of the lyrics and it seems a bit more musically playful overall. WDADU is way better though
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: Mladen on September 23, 2022, 06:54:23 AM
I adore this album, given that I became a fan at the time that it came out. But I know it isn't very well liked generally, so the placemen't isn't much of a surprise. I called it.

15.
14.
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12.
11.
10.
9.
8.
7. Systematic Chaos
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: devieira73 on September 23, 2022, 07:00:37 AM
14.   Systematic Chaos (also #14 for me); grade: 7.1/10

Best songs: ITPOE pt. 1, The Dark Eternal Night, Constant Motion, ITPOE pt. 2 and The Ministry of Lost Souls.

Despite the very fantasy lyrics, if we keep just its 5 best songs, I think we have an amazing album, very heavy with a lot of really cool instrumental passages, although not as good as Train of Thought.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: Zydar on September 23, 2022, 07:22:14 AM
I had SC at #12. I became a fan right after its release in 2007, so I listened to this one quite a lot. But as I discovered their previous stuff, SC quickly fell down my album ranking :lol

I still enjoy it from time to time, and it has a nostalgic feel to it, for the above mentioned reason.

Favourite songs: ITPOE, The Dark Eternal Night, Forsaken, and Constant Motion.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: Shalev Amir on September 23, 2022, 07:23:08 AM
Wow, 14? I ranked it 8th and thought it would finish 10th or something. I have mixed feelings about SC. Prophets and Repentance are bad, Constant Motion... exists, Forsaken is great and ITPOE might be my favourite Dream Theater song. The other 3 tracks are where it gets weird because I somehow both love them and hate them on the same time. I think TDEN on Chaos in Motion is awesome, but the studio version is one of my bottom DT songs. TMOLS is great until that completely unrelated wank section, and the comes back with a magnificent outro.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on September 23, 2022, 07:26:25 AM
Interesting that SC did end up with a lower average than WDADU…and by a pretty wide margin too.

SC IMO is DT’s only “bad album”…there’s just very little to be enjoyed at all, and a few things that are just terrible. Prophets of War is the worst song they ever did, part 2 of ITPOE is a huge letdown after the pretty good part 1.

The only things I like are ITPOE part 1 and TDEN. TMOLS is ok and has started to grow on me a little bit. Everything else is either boring or terrible.

Obviously I rated it 15, and if I could have given it negative points, I would have.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: SwedishGoose on September 23, 2022, 07:34:07 AM
I have this just above WDADU so that's fine for me. I still think there are albums I like less.


15.
14.
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Systematic Chaos
11.
10.
9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: ZirconBlue on September 23, 2022, 08:00:53 AM
I had it at #10.  I really like most of this album, even (or especially) the songs most DT fans aren't into (Forsaken, TMoLS, etc).

1   
2   
3   
4   
5   
6   
7   
8   
9   
10   Systematic Chaos
11   
12   
13   
14   When Dream and Day Unite
15   
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: nick_z on September 23, 2022, 08:04:15 AM
Systematic Chaos - I had it at #14

Same as Kev, matching the aggregate ranking for this one.

I did enjoy it a fair bit when it came out. I remember the "in the studio"-documentary was fun too. In fact, the general impression in SC is that, indeed, the band was having a good time.

ITPOE part I is a neat way to start. Really like the whole instrumental intro and the melodies when James comes in are great. Also agreed with some here that the second part is, relatively speaking, a letdown. In fact, that's one of my main issues with the record - the one-two closing with Ministry and IPTOE part II is kind of a drag. Not bad, by any means, but it doesn't excite me...and that's a good chunk of runtime.

I want to like Forsaken more - I'm all for a catchier song from DT - but in the end it's just ok.

Constant Motion is pretty cool, while The Dark Eternal Night sounds, um, forced. It has its moments, but it's too much. Not a fan of the distorted vocals. No issues with Repentance and Prophets of War, actually. Certainly not among the best DT songs, but I won't skip them.

All in all...yep, I did have my fun with the album back then, but I don't revisit it often and it's inevitably near the bottom of my ranking...
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 23, 2022, 08:40:14 AM
I don't remember exactly where I had SC ranked, but I'm surprised to see it this low.

For me, this album has some really fun stuff, but also some wretched stuff.  I find it to be an excellent driving album.  However, I think that overall, I don't find that there is a lot of depth here (less than on an average DT album - and I'm not contending that they are the kind of artist that has many multiple layers to unpack all the time every time).  All of the pleasure to be had is at surface level, IMO.

Plus, it has Prophets of War and Constant Motion.

So, I'm a little surprised that it wound up THIS low, but not that it is low at all.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: krands85 on September 23, 2022, 08:41:14 AM
Not too surprised to see SC in 14th, I expected it to come in the 12-14th spots. I've always felt it gets a bit of a hard time and is slightly underrated though, I've got it in 9th.

15. When Dream and Day Unite
14.
13.
12.
11.
10.
9. Systematic Chaos
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.

ITPOE is a top 10 DT song for me, TMOLS is great, you've got a good 'metal single' in CM and a good 'catchy/accessible single' in Forsaken. TDEN can be fun, especially live, but could have done with a bit of pruning. PoW is pretty weak, though I've never found it as bad as most other people seem to. Repentance has always been one of my least favourite songs, however I strangely found myself really enjoying it while watching a Doug Helvering reaction to it recently, which surprised me.

It seems quite common to group this album together with BC&SL and while they have similar issues, I think SC does things a bit better than its younger brother.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 23, 2022, 08:43:29 AM
It seems quite common to group this album together with BC&SL and while they have similar issues, I think SC does things a bit better than its younger brother.
I agree with you.  Like I said, I was surprised to see SC that low, but I would not have been so surprised to see BC&SL that low.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: Animal on September 23, 2022, 09:01:31 AM
Becoming a DT fan with SC is like starting a new business during The Great Depression. It can only get better...

I mean, it is not a bad album, there are some good moments and I don't particulary hate any individual song. But it is IMHO, even though not by far, the least interesting thing they have ever done. It is one of the few DT records which I never listen to in their entirety - just random individual tracks every now nad then.
 And unlike many other less than stellar DT albums, it doesn't get elevated by a single genuinely great song (like Octavarium gets elevated by the title track or BCSL gets elevated by CoT).
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 23, 2022, 09:20:24 AM
Not the decade I thought would be taking the 14th slot.

Anyway,

Systematic Chaos
My rank: 11th of 15

Top 5:
The Dark Eternal Night
ItPoE part 1
Constant Motion
ItPoE part 2
Ministry of Lost Souls


My current standing
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11. Systematic Chaos
12.
13. When Dream And Day Unite
14.
15.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: RoeDent on September 23, 2022, 09:24:24 AM
While I didn't rank it #1, far from it, I am claiming a moral victory in that The Astonishing is not #14.

For some reason I don't seem to have my ranking anywhere.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 23, 2022, 09:38:02 AM
For some reason I don't seem to have my ranking anywhere.
I don't either.  I remember the top 5, and the bottom 2 or 3.

I made it, sent it to Kev, and now it's gone.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: Adami on September 23, 2022, 09:38:08 AM
Had it at 11! Right above WDADU. It's not....awful? But I rarely want to listen to a lot of it. I like Prophets of War mostly, and I love Repentance. Don't think I care much for the rest of it.

1. ???
2. ???
3. ???
4. ???
5. ???
6. ???
7. ???
8. ???
9. ???
10. ???
11. Systematic Chaos
12. When Dream and Day Unite
13. ???
14. ???
15. ???
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: ZirconBlue on September 23, 2022, 10:04:16 AM
For some reason I don't seem to have my ranking anywhere.
I don't either.  I remember the top 5, and the bottom 2 or 3.

I made it, sent it to Kev, and now it's gone.


It should be viewable in your messages folder, right?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: Dublagent66 on September 23, 2022, 10:19:39 AM
The PM section doesn't show sent messages for some reason.  I keep all my lists in a separate excel file on my desktop.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 23, 2022, 10:21:44 AM
Messages you send do not save to your Outbox unless you click the box underneath the text next to the "Save a copy in my outbox" line. 
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: Dublagent66 on September 23, 2022, 10:30:56 AM
Hmmm, thought I tried that once and it didn't work.  Oh well...

My ranking so far...

15  When Dream and Day Unite
14   
13   
12   
11   
10   
9   Systematic Chaos
8   
7   
6   
5   
4   
3   
2   
1   
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: Grandepapa on September 23, 2022, 10:36:49 AM
Considering I had Systematic Chaos ranked at #3, I would've thought it'd end up a bit higher on the list! To each their own I suppose.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: Lethean on September 23, 2022, 10:37:36 AM
No. 7.  I think this record gets short shrift, honestly.  I don't quite get the hate for the last two Portnoy albums, especially this one.  I get it, there are spots that people don't like - I can do without the growls or whatever we're calling them and while I like Repentance, I understand it's polarizing - but some of the melodies are good, and most of the playing is still stellar.   

I had it at 14, so so far I'm 2 for 2.  I expect that to change pretty soon though.  But even though I ranked it at 14, I pretty much agree with your post Stadler.  I think it's a really good album.  But with a calalogue as stellar as DT's, if there are a few things I don't really like, that pulls the rating down when compared to the rest.  I love the title track; especially part 1.  The lyrics are pretty cringy to me though.  That's not a deal breaker; it's a great song and I was happy to hear it live a while back.  But the dark master stuff is pretty awful to me (and that's nothing to do with MP).  I like Forsaken.  I don't really like Constant Motion.  I like The Dark Eternal Knight live a lot; on album I do like it but sometimes I get annoyed.  I actually like Repentance just fine.  Prophets of War - fine; not a favorite, don't dislike it either.  And I love The Ministry of Lost Souls.  Good album; if I could change some things about it maybe I'd like it more, but I'm fine with it.  I just like the others better.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: nobloodyname on September 23, 2022, 10:45:51 AM
While I didn't rank it #1, far from it, I am claiming a moral victory in that The Astonishing is not #14.

It was never going to be because many of those who like it are rather enthusiastic about doing so, and are likely to have ranked it highly unlike, for example, Systematic Chaos. I suspect we'll see it in the next couple of spots, though, because I don't think those ranking it that highly will outweigh those putting it in the bottom third of albums.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: ReaperKK on September 23, 2022, 10:47:49 AM
The PM section doesn't show sent messages for some reason.  I keep all my lists in a separate excel file on my desktop.

Strange I see my list and messages in my "sent messages" folder
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: javidt on September 23, 2022, 12:06:57 PM
I'm one the four that ranked it in last position.

The first time I listened to it I felt I like it but something wasn't right.

I tend to like DT albums more when I listen to them months after the first time (for example I appreciate FII mucho more now than in the '00) but when I listened to SC last year....I almost couldn't finishing it. ITPOE pt I is amazing and TDEN is funny, even Forsaken. On the other hand TMOLS is too long and not very diverse, ITPOE pt II isn't near as good as PT I and I can't stand POW.

In other words, I think almost every song from WDADU is more enjoyable than any of the songs on SC.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 23, 2022, 12:19:21 PM
When I did my top 100 last year for the DT songs countdown thread, IIRC, Repentance was the only song from SC to make my top 100, and I believe it was somewhere in the 90s.  The Dark Eternal Night and In the Presence of Enemies (which was counted as a single track for the purposes of that countdown) didn't miss by much, but that goes back to this album, for me, having the lowest highs by far of any DT record. 
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: Dublagent66 on September 23, 2022, 12:44:04 PM
Sorry to hear that Kev.  Repentance isn't that great but I still somewhat like it.  PoW not so much.  The rest of the album has got a lot of tasty stuff.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: SeRoX on September 23, 2022, 01:15:35 PM
Repentance and ITPEO are highlights. PoW is underrated. The rest is meh and TDEN and TMOLS are their worst. It deserves to be in the bottom but I would like to see it a bit higher in the ranking.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: The Letter M on September 23, 2022, 01:47:31 PM
01.
02.
03.
04.
05.
06.
07.
08.
09.
10.
11.
12. Systematic Chaos
13.
14. When Dream And Day Unite
15.

When it was released, this was the band's 2nd new album after I became a fan, and I had a lot of anticipation for it after experiencing what I felt was one of the band's best albums yet (Octavarium). I could see how this would reach new the bottom of people's lists, as it sits in my  bottom third firmly, which is probably where it will stay. The lyrics are cheesy in places, but the music is fairly good, and I quite enjoy the epics (TMOLS and ITPOE complete, as I've not listened to them split in over a decade, it's usually the whole thing). In retrospect, it's definitely a step down from the three or four albums that preceded it, but still enjoyable.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: ZirconBlue on September 23, 2022, 02:16:08 PM
Messages you send do not save to your Outbox unless you click the box underneath the text next to the "Save a copy in my outbox" line.


But if you replied with a quote of the original message, like you did in your reply to me, that message is still visible.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: Wim Kruithof on September 23, 2022, 02:40:28 PM
I ranked Systematic Chaos at 11th and truly love this one. Whenever I spin it, I realize it’s been too long. The Ministry of Lost Souls is amongst the best in their discography and the live version was heavenly on last Tour.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: Samsara on September 23, 2022, 02:41:10 PM
I nailed this ranking, with SC finishing #14. Just not a lot for me to get excited about on this record.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured)
Post by: TAC on September 23, 2022, 02:42:01 PM
14. Systematic Chaos

Number 1 finishes: 1
Last place finishes: 4
Average finish: 9.9




I had Systematic Chaos at #11. To me, my #8 through #12 are really interchangeable.

My feeling on SC is that after the emotional high of Score, and what it took to get there, SC is simply an album they made as the collectively exhaled. It has no real direction, and it certainly feels that way. But in a way that's its charm. It feels like an album that they just went in and banged out.

It doesn't have any tracks that I rate terrible high in my DT Top 100. I had ITPOE at #28 and TDEN at #36.

I actually love Prophets of War, and while I don't love Repentance, I really respect what they did with it. It's actually a cool song.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: geeeemo on September 23, 2022, 03:45:51 PM
I had it at number 6. I listened to the entire thing last week. I enjoyed way more than I thought. I recently have enjoyed repentance and TDEN was much better in the album than alone. ItPoE 1 and 2 are a top 5 for me. And I really like all the rest. Even PoW.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured)
Post by: DTwwbwMP on September 23, 2022, 03:48:18 PM
14. Systematic Chaos
(https://bigamartusax.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/2020/07/81BuwGqtCwL._AC_SL1428_.jpg)
Number 1 finishes: 1
Last place finishes: 4
Average finish: 9.9


 :o :o :o ??? ??? ???
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: Elite on September 23, 2022, 04:00:24 PM
Oh lol, Systematic Chaos would be my #6
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: The Realm on September 23, 2022, 04:00:38 PM
I had SC at #11. Like many have said, parts of the album are really good and other parts not so good. Still a bit surprised to see it rank 14 though.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: Cool Chris on September 23, 2022, 07:28:36 PM
I heard CM and TDEN before the album release, and thought this was going to be a steaming pile of crap. Fortunately, it was just those two songs (plus the 2nd half of Repentance). PoW is alright, Forsaken is good, TMoLS and ItPoE are excellent. Song-by-song, this album has the biggest spread in my book. Surprised to see this come in where it did in the ranking.

When posting our lists, can we all decide on if #1 or #15 should be at the top?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. Systematic Chaos
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15. When Dream And Day Unite
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: NoFred on September 23, 2022, 08:55:30 PM
Repentance and ITPEO are highlights. PoW is underrated. The rest is meh and TDEN and TMOLS are their worst. It deserves to be in the bottom but I would like to see it a bit higher in the ranking.

My thoughts too, with CiM being good and Forsaken also meh.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 24, 2022, 05:34:14 AM
13. The Astonishing
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/d3UAAOSwhNtghujw/s-l500.jpg)   
Number 1 finishes: 1
Last place finishes: 17
Average finish: 10.9


I get why many are not wild about this one.  The storyline is fairly absurd, and it is too long (disc 1 is mostly flawless, but disc 2 gets a bit tedious), but I can't help but love it.  I always say that if I like an album a lot, it will find its way into my CD player, and this album dominated my CD player for most of 2016, and I think there are quite a few legit great DT songs on this one.  I ranked it 6th.

My top 5 songs from the album:
1. Ravenskill
2. Three Days
3. A New Beginning
4. Chosen
5. A Better Life
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: nobloodyname on September 24, 2022, 05:37:56 AM
While I didn't rank it #1, far from it, I am claiming a moral victory in that The Astonishing is not #14.

It was never going to be because many of those who like it are rather enthusiastic about doing so, and are likely to have ranked it highly unlike, for example, Systematic Chaos. I suspect we'll see it in the next couple of spots, though, because I don't think those ranking it that highly will outweigh those putting it in the bottom third of albums.

So it was the next one up. No surprise at all. It's just... boring. And is there anything worse than that? Not in my world or on my list, no.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: SeRoX on September 24, 2022, 05:59:01 AM
TA is a masterpiece in music industry but I understand why people list it so low when you consider DT discography. Musically and vocally it stands out one of their best but story and lyrics are huge let down, even laughable.

I like it and it ages nicely. Ravenskill, The Path That Divides, Three Days, Haven's Cove  and Moment of Betrayel are highlights. I don't even remember if I listen NOMACS instrumentals more than once. Probably I listened when the TA came out.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on September 24, 2022, 06:09:04 AM
TA is one of the biggest disappointments I've ever had from an album since listening to music.  I was pretty shocked when I listened to it for the first time.  The next couple of times certainly wasn't any better.  Last place on my list by miles.  No contest.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: Adami on September 24, 2022, 06:09:08 AM
1. ???
2. ???
3. ???
4. ???
5. ???
6. ???
7. ???
8. ???
9. ???
10. The Astonishing
11. Systematic Chaos
12. When Dream and Day Unite
13. ???
14. ???
15. ???

Looks like I'm doing the right order, just 3 albums off haha.

Honestly, it's my 2nd favorite MM era album. It has MANY flaws, but it's still mostly enjoyable. I wish it was shorter with less songs, and only one or two grand finale endings, as opposed to almost every song (it feels like) having that ending. I also wish the story was better, the lyrics were less....descriptive....and they just did multiple singers. There's a ton of amazing riffs, melodies, beats, etc. on here but the whole is weaker than the parts.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: javidt on September 24, 2022, 06:14:13 AM
I really appreciate that they tried to do something different but I can understand why It ranked so low.

Anyway I think DT has less interesting albums than this and I'll always defend this effort. I still listen to TA when I want to hear something different because I feel that DT sound hasn't evolve very much since TOT. There are better and worse albums but you don't find the variety you can hear from WDADU to SDOIT.

TA is the exception.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 24, 2022, 06:16:54 AM
This should’ve been at the bottom. This is an album where I have to be in the exact right mood to take in more than a few songs. I still feel this album would have been better if done like an Ayreon and given each character unique voices. Don”t get me wrong, LaBrie did a very admirable job, but there are many things this album could’ve done that it didn’t. I could’ve easily gone a shorter album, connected some of the songs together, something like that. But in the way this album was presented, this wasn’t for me.

The Astonishing
My rank: 15th of 15


Top 5:
Ravenskill
A Life Left Behind
The Gift of Music
Our New World
Three Days


My current standing
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11. Systematic Chaos
12.
13. When Dream And Day Unite
14.
15. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on September 24, 2022, 06:18:05 AM
1. ???
2. ???
3. ???
4. ???
5. ???
6. ???
7. ???
8. ???
9. ???
10. The Astonishing
11. Systematic Chaos
12. When Dream and Day Unite
13. ???
14. ???
15. ???

Looks like I'm doing the right order, just 3 albums off haha.

Honestly, it's my 2nd favorite MM era album. It has MANY flaws, but it's still mostly enjoyable. I wish it was shorter with less songs, and only one or two grand finale endings, as opposed to almost every song (it feels like) having that ending. I also wish the story was better, the lyrics were less....descriptive....and they just did multiple singers. There's a ton of amazing riffs, melodies, beats, etc. on here but the whole is weaker than the parts.

You just gave away your bottom 3.   Would guess your fav is ADTOE though.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Adami on September 24, 2022, 06:23:12 AM
I haven't made my distaste for the MM era albums a secret. I doubt anything on my list is a shock to anyone.

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on September 24, 2022, 06:53:57 AM
I haven't made my distaste for the MM era albums a secret. I doubt anything on my list is a shock to anyone.

Ah......was trying to be clever there.....carry on.

I agree with you on View, but not the other two.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Podaar on September 24, 2022, 07:21:18 AM
15   When Dream and Day Unite
14    ???
13    ???
12   The Astonishing
11   Systematic Chaos
10    ???
9    ???
8    ???
7    ???
6    ???
5    ???
4    ???
3    ???
2    ???
1    ???

I used the ranking website and was a bit surprised where some of these albums landed, but can't really argue with it.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: devieira73 on September 24, 2022, 07:28:24 AM
13.   The Astonishing (#12); grade: 7.5/10

Top 5 songs: A New Beginning/Gift of Music/Moment of Betrayal/A Better Life/Chosen   

I like the lyrics and the story, they are indeed kind of simple, but the music behind it enhances its quality, like, let's say, Star Wars does with its visuals and soundtrack. Yes, the 2nd CD kind of loses the stamina, but my real "problem" is the rock opera structure of the album. If the same musical seeds were developed in a more tradicional DT way, with a bit longer songs and instrumental parts, it would be one their best albums (Top 5) in my eyes.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: krands85 on September 24, 2022, 07:40:36 AM
I thought it may have come a little higher, as it seems to have plenty of defenders, but 17 last place finishes looks to have really hurt it. SC finished lower, but only had 4 last place finishes! So I guess in the end, the fans of the album managed to save it from being 14th, but had to much work to do to get it higher than 13th. I had it in 10th place, but not too far behind the three albums ahead of it.

15. When Dream and Day Unite
14.
13.
12.
11.
10. The Astonishing
9. Systematic Chaos
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.

I definitely agree with a some of the criticisms of the album, but have always been a little perplexed with the vitriol it seems to generate. I've read people say they listened once, then never again, which seems kind of crazy to me, but whatever.

There are plenty of great tracks on here and some of the bands best melodies. A New Beginning, The Path That Divides, The Gift of Music, Moment of Betrayal, Three Days, When Your Time Has Come and My Last Farewell are my favourite tracks, but several other good ones too. There's over an hour of really good music here IMO, but it isn't helped by the overall length and the story.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Podaar on September 24, 2022, 07:48:16 AM
I had occasion to listen to the entire album recently, and other than the "Brother" songs (I'm instantly turned off by military marches) and Losing Faythe I quite enjoyed it. I will admit to zoning out a bit there toward the end, so l agree with the criticism that concept overstays its welcome.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 24, 2022, 07:51:49 AM

I definitely agree with a some of the criticisms of the album, but have always been a little perplexed with the vitriol it seems to generate. I've read people say they listened once, then never again, which seems kind of crazy to me, but whatever.


It is, especially if you are a fan, but that is life in the 21st century where so much music is a mouse click away.  35 years ago, I think this album would have had a chance to eventually be recognized by more for being good, but with so music available nowadays and most not buying physical product, it is easy to dismiss an album you don't like at first and never go back to it.  In the days of buying albums or CDs, where digital music was not available, the average person was far more likely to give an album they didn't like at first more chances, but those days are long gone.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: SwedishGoose on September 24, 2022, 08:40:33 AM
I'm not surprised that DTs master piece gets such a low ranking but I'm a bit disappoited.

To me this is the best album they have ever done.
I don't get the hate for the story and anyway to me lyrics are just the icing on the cake.
And this cake..... the compostions and arrangements are fantastic. Wonderful recurring themes representing the caracters. The vocals are outstanding with LaBrie giving voice to all characters beautifully.
Orchestration and instrumentation are perfect for the story.

So to me this will probably never be surpassed...



15.
14.
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Systematic Chaos
11.
10.
9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: T-ski on September 24, 2022, 08:47:19 AM
TA is one of the biggest disappointments I've ever had from an album since listening to music.  I was pretty shocked when I listened to it for the first time.  The next couple of times certainly wasn't any better.  Last place on my list by miles.  No contest.

Pretty much what I was going to say almost word for word.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Mladen on September 24, 2022, 08:55:34 AM
So many great things have been said about The Astonishing on this forum over the years that I'm not going to waste my words. It's fantastic.

15.
14.
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12.
11.
10.
9.
8.
7. Systematic Chaos
6.
5. The Astonishing
4.
3.
2.
1.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: SwedishGoose on September 24, 2022, 09:20:44 AM
I had occasion to listen to the entire album recently, and other than the "Brother" songs (I'm instantly turned off by military marches) and Losing Faythe I quite enjoyed it. I will admit to zoning out a bit there toward the end, so l agree with the criticism that concept overstays its welcome.

I love the miltary march in Brother.. fits perfectly with the story
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: devieira73 on September 24, 2022, 09:25:51 AM

I definitely agree with a some of the criticisms of the album, but have always been a little perplexed with the vitriol it seems to generate. I've read people say they listened once, then never again, which seems kind of crazy to me, but whatever.


It is, especially if you are a fan, but that is life in the 21st century where so much music is a mouse click away.  35 years ago, I think this album would have had a chance to eventually be recognized by more for being good, but with so music available nowadays and most not buying physical product, it is easy to dismiss an album you don't like at first and never go back to it.  In the days of buying albums or CDs, where digital music was not available, the average person was far more likely to give an album they didn't like at first more chances, but those days are long gone.

I truly remember that I had more of that attitude myself, after all, we all were putting real money on it, and because of that, it was almost like "this album X had to be at least good!"
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: devieira73 on September 24, 2022, 09:29:34 AM
Some of us already mentioned here, but it's by far, the best DT album in terms of melodies and JLB's performance IMO.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Lethean on September 24, 2022, 09:32:59 AM
13. The Astonishing


I get why many are not wild about this one.  The storyline is fairly absurd, and it is too long (disc 1 is mostly flawless, but disc 2 gets a bit tedious), but I can't help but love it.  I always say that if I like an album a lot, it will find its way into my CD player, and this album dominated my CD player for most of 2016, and I think there are quite a few legit great DT songs on this one.  I ranked it 6th.

Was 2 for 2 on #15 and #14, but I wasn't at all close on this one.  I ranked it #3, and love it.  I played it a *ton* in 2016 and revisit it fairly often and live it was amazing.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Cool Chris on September 24, 2022, 09:40:58 AM
It's a good album. It is just way too damn long, and not good enough to support its length (TWSS).

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. Systematic Chaos
8.
9.
10.
11. The Astonishing
12.
13.
14.
15. When Dream And Day Unite
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: bosk1 on September 24, 2022, 10:56:35 AM
Wow, we're really speeding through these.  OK, to get caught up:

WDADU:  Yeah, this had to be #15.  Anyone saying otherwise is either Scotty or engaging in some revisionist history.  I am grateful to the band for issuing the live recording of this with James for the 15th anniversary.  I think it exposed a lot of fans, myself included, who hadn't really given a lot of these songs the time of day.  There is some really good material that often gets overlooked.  The problems with Charlie singing these songs are (1) they were not written to his strengths as a singer, and it shows; (2) Charlie just wasn't a metal singer at the time; and (3) the production does not do the vocals any favors.  Hearing Charlie on his solo material years later when he recorded the O trilogy, he really shines singing progressive metal that he is comfortable with.  The overall album production really hurts the album as well, although it would probably be overlooked more if the vocals weren't as offputting to some.  But again coming back to its strengths, there are some really good songs on here.  If it was a 4-5 song EP of The Killing Hand, OAMOT, LFAGA, A Fortune in Lies, and maybe Status Seeker, with James singing those songs and better production, it would be a fantastic EP.

Constant Motion:  I expected it to finish relatively low, but 14 surprises me.  Lots of great stuff on this album, but lots of stuff that I don't find very interesting either.  As I've said before, it's VERY comparable to I&W for me in terms of having some of DT's best stuff and some of my least favorite stuff, and being very inconsistent in that regard.  It is one of the few albums where I only listen to an edited playlist.  But interestingly, that edited playlist has had significant stretches of time where it has gotten just as much, or more, play time than any other DT album.  ITPOE, Forsaken, and Constant Motion are easily top 20 songs, and TDEN isn't half bad either.  I can take or leave (mostly leave) the rest.

The Astonishing:  Given the response since release here on the forums, neither the overall ranking nor the adoration from a select few surprise me.  I am surprised that Black Clouds didn't finish at #14 and bump TA and SC up a rank.  But I think that's probably largely a function of so fewer fans posting on the forum these days, and thus fewer voting in this contest.  Anyhow, I love this album.  I rank it higher than it placed, but still not in the top half.  Some really good stuff on here, and some ideas that I think could have taken it up a notch if given more time and reworked a bit.  I'm not one to criticize the way JP and the band write, especially since it typically results in such great material.  But for a concept as ambitious a this one, I think it could have benefitted even more from giving it more time to settle in and flesh out before getting it to release.  But I love that this is part of the DT discography, and to this day, when I am going to be going out on a 20+ mile bike ride, I love popping this one on and just enjoying the ride.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 24, 2022, 11:46:16 AM
WDADU:  Yeah, this had to be #15.  Anyone saying otherwise is either Scotty or engaging in some revisionist history.

Well, I am neither and I had it at #5.


Constant Motion

Is this the Japanese version?  ;D



The Astonishing: ......  But I love that this is part of the DT discography......

Yes, I agree 100%.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 24, 2022, 11:54:33 AM
13. The Astonishing

Number 1 finishes: 1
Last place finishes: 17
Average finish: 9.9


I had The Astonishing #7. The length and the bloatedness is a legit criticism, but was never meant to be your typical DT album. This is a whole 'nuther animal, and it's written in a particular and deliberate style.

Because I rarely listen to the whole thing, I have made an Astonishing Abridged version that I would put up against pretty much anything in the catalog. Taking into account the whole thing, it does drop it back a bit, and I basically take the average, which puts it at #7.

Unlike Six Degrees, where I rate Disc 1 as excellent, and Disc 2 as useless, but I don't give that album the same averaged score because I just respect The Astonishing and what they were trying to do.

My favorite track off of TA is The Gift Of Music. It contains everything Dream Theater is about in 4 miniutes.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: nick_z on September 24, 2022, 11:58:43 AM
WDADU:  Yeah, this had to be #15.  Anyone saying otherwise is either Scotty or engaging in some revisionist history.

Well, I am neither and I had it at #5.


#3 here!  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: The Letter M on September 24, 2022, 12:07:43 PM
01.
02.
03.
04.
05.
06.
07.
08.
09.
10.
11.
12. Systematic Chaos
13.
14. When Dream And Day Unite
15. The Astonishing

I guess I'm one of 17 folks who also placed it last. I typically gravitate towards and love conceptual double albums but this felt quite bloated and even ridiculous at times. It's like they took "2112" the song and said "how can we make a movie out of this?" I think might have liked it more if the album had fewer characters and more vocalists representing them, a la Ayreon. Granted, DT isn't known for having anyone else other than JLB take lead vocals (MP did but not often, and JP only did backing), so I can see why they didn't, especially if they wanted to perform the whole thing live, which I've heard does the material justice. Had they released a live album and concert BD of the tour, I might have grown to like it more, but as it stands, it's been the one DT album I rarely reach for of I want some DT in my life.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: nick_z on September 24, 2022, 12:24:47 PM
The Astonishing - I ranked it at #13

I could basically quote most of what Tim said. I actually like TA and listened to it a good amount when it came out (well, relatively speaking - it always required a significant time investment, unfortunately  ;)). I agree that this probably was conceived to be something different, and I think it accomplishes what it set out to do, quite beautifully. The story isn't great, and it suffers (as this type of storytelling sometimes does) from being a little too literal/descriptive.

JP and JR seem particularly inspired here but, truly, everyone's performance is great.

I certainly like melodic DT (indeed, more so than when they try too hard to be heavy), and there's plenty of beautiful melodies here. The Gift of Music, A New Beginning, Moment of Betrayal, Our New World (to name a few) are great songs...

...that said, in part because the album was composed precisely to be a "musical" sort of thing, there are many aspects of it that makes sense in that context, but they are not quite what I prefer in my "favorite version" of DT.

100% agree with Adami on the over-use of the grand finale thingie, where too, too many songs sound like the whole thing is ending. And some of the melodies in the ballads...I don't mind the Disney factor in general...just not in my DT  :biggrin: It's not like some of my favorite DT ballads aren't "cheesy" in their own way  - think Another Day** - but I guess they are cheesy in a way I enjoy  :) Here, not so much. I think one of the worst offenders in TA, and an example of that approach to melody that I find a little cringey, is Brother, Can Your Hear Me?

Anyway - given my personal taste, I couldn't rank this much higher than this within DT's discography. But I actually didn't see it as a disappointment. Just something different that they wanted to do.

** Musically speaking, of course. Not the subject matter.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: nick_z on September 24, 2022, 12:36:54 PM

Because I rarely listen to the whole thing, I have made an Astonishing Abridged version that I would put up against pretty much anything in the catalog. Taking into account the whole thing, it does drop it back a bit, and I basically take the average, which puts it at #7.


My guess is you probably already shared this somewhere...but would you mind sharing it again?  :biggrin: I'd be curious to see...
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Shalev Amir on September 24, 2022, 01:29:21 PM
Had The Astonishing at #12. If you made me choose between a song from TA and almost any other DT song, I'd choose the other song. But when I'm in the mood for it, I really like it. I've probably heard TA in full more times than I have SC, and that one was my #8.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on September 24, 2022, 01:41:22 PM
I wanted to love TA so much, but it really hasn’t aged well.

I notice that in spite of 17 last place finishes, it had the same average score as SC. I would be curious Kev…is that rounded off, or was it an actual tie in that category? If you took it to the next decimal point, did one of these albums squeak out a higher average than the other?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: romdrums on September 24, 2022, 02:16:27 PM
Holy cow, this thread is moving.  Anyway, here's Wonder..I mean, here are my thoughts so far:

15. WDADU (my rank: 11).  I can see the potential of DT on this record, and I picked it up in the fall of 1992 after having my face melted by I&W that summer.  Sure, there's no James and the production is kinda weak (though it was recorded at the same studio where Queensryche had recorded Operation Mindcrime a year or so earlier), but the performances and the songs are there.

14. Systematic Chaos (my rank: 10). Listened to it a lot when it came out, but not much since.  It hasn't really aged well for me, though I still love ITPOE.  Dark Eternal Night was fun to see live on the tour.

13. The Astonishing (my rank: 13).  It's like they reimagined 2112 as an Off Broadway Musical.  It has its moments, but there's just too much to digest here.  I respect the effort and the ambition, I just don't think they stuck the landing.  James does an admirable job on this, however, turning in a consistently solid performance on over 2 hours of music. 
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 24, 2022, 02:18:40 PM
It's updated daily. Same as every other countdown Kev has done.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Ben_Jamin on September 24, 2022, 02:23:24 PM
Okay, by the pace of this, looks like I'll definitely be playing the catch up game...



#14 - Systematic Chaos (My Ranking: #9)


The first new album I got to experience since I became a fan of Dream Theater. I already heard mainly all their albums and some B-sides, but not all of them. Hearing Constant Motion for the first time as the brand new Dream Theater song got me excited. The best part of Constant Motion is the energy, and also the guitar solo 'Dimebag' pitch bomb. I remember the lead up into the album release and the guys posting videos of the fan gathering for the recording of them chanting for PoW and ITPOE pt.2. While each song has something I do enjoy about it, there are some where I only like certain things and that's about it, I will still listen to them if they come up and if I decide to listen to this album in full.

I am one that enjoys PoW, the only part I think could've been left off is the MP vocal section. It would've been awesome to have gotten a guitar solo under that chord progression, maybe with some JLB vocal woah's. The Dark Eternal Night is an excellent live song, but man, one bad decision MP and JP made was having the distortion on JLB vocals be so strong. The documentary was a great idea to include as it shows how much fun the band had while making this, and it also explains a bit why JP chose to write some fantasy fiction style lyrics this time.

Overall, this album has many of my favorite songs, and I am glad I got to see the main ones live. I had no idea what the setlist was, when ITPOE Pt.1 and TMOLS started I cried tears of joy. ITPOE Pt.1 has that amazing intro guitar solo, which was just as awesome live. TMOLS is just a great, somber, sad song, and I do not mind the instrumental onslaught. To me, it serves the purpose of musically showing the struggle of the man trying his best to save the women again, while she struggles to deal with it mentally. 



Favorite: In The Presence of Enemies pt.1
Least: Constant Motion
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on September 24, 2022, 03:05:25 PM

Because I rarely listen to the whole thing, I have made an Astonishing Abridged version that I would put up against pretty much anything in the catalog. Taking into account the whole thing, it does drop it back a bit, and I basically take the average, which puts it at #7.


My guess is you probably already shared this somewhere...but would you mind sharing it again?  :biggrin: I'd be curious to see...

I'm interested too.  Maybe I'll try an edited version of the album and see if that can somehow lessen the hatred.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 24, 2022, 03:44:44 PM
Here it is...
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1vESXL238jGArSrka94iLx?si=2c1cefa3379e408b
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 24, 2022, 04:11:21 PM


I notice that in spite of 17 last place finishes, it had the same average score as SC. I would be curious Kev…is that rounded off, or was it an actual tie in that category? If you took it to the next decimal point, did one of these albums squeak out a higher average than the other?

First off, I realized I made a slight error with the average scores, but they are all updated now.

Second, yes, they are rounded off, so TA technically had a slightly higher score than TA, but both rounded off to the same fraction.  TA had literally 5 more points than SC.  I do not plan on posting the total scores each album got until after the countdown is over.

It's updated daily. Same as every other countdown Kev has done.

Yep.  Once I start, I do an update every day, and with only 15 in this one, one a day seems right.  I am shocked anyone thinks this is moving fast.

That said, with this one, there will be one off day, and I will explain why once we get to that point.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: The Realm on September 24, 2022, 04:21:30 PM
The Astonishing was #13 for me - so nailed it. Just a really tough album to rank though, I get the love, I get the disappointment. For me, I actually loved this album upon release, yeah the story wasn't great but I thought the music was incredible. However, it has aged terribly to me to the point where I actually can't even listen to it anymore, not whole album anyway.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Dream Team on September 24, 2022, 04:21:55 PM
Since its release I’ve had it anywhere from 1 to 5 and I ended up leaving it at 5. The band, especially JP, JR, and JLB put a tremendous amount of work into this.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Ben_Jamin on September 24, 2022, 05:11:18 PM


I notice that in spite of 17 last place finishes, it had the same average score as SC. I would be curious Kev…is that rounded off, or was it an actual tie in that category? If you took it to the next decimal point, did one of these albums squeak out a higher average than the other?

First off, I realized I made a slight error with the average scores, but they are all updated now.

Second, yes, they are rounded off, so TA technically had a slightly higher score than TA, but both rounded off to the same fraction.  TA had literally 5 more points than SC.  I do not plan on posting the total scores each album got until after the countdown is over.

It's updated daily. Same as every other countdown Kev has done.

Yep.  Once I start, I do an update every day, and with only 15 in this one, one a day seems right.  I am shocked anyone thinks this is moving fast.

That said, with this one, there will be one off day, and I will explain why once we get to that point.

I'm glad you're doing one everyday.

What I am shocked at is how fast these days are going. That's a me thing though.

I will try and post my The Astonishing write up when I get off work tonight.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on September 24, 2022, 05:21:51 PM
Here it is...
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1vESXL238jGArSrka94iLx?si=2c1cefa3379e408b

Don't have Spotify.  Oh what a shame, I guess I can't check it out.  ;D
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 24, 2022, 05:46:44 PM
Here it is...
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1vESXL238jGArSrka94iLx?si=2c1cefa3379e408b

Don't have Spotify.  Oh what a shame, I guess I can't check it out.  ;D

Aw gee, wouldn't you just know it..

Wait.. here's the list..

1. The Gift Of Music
2. Lord Nefaryus
3. A Savior In The Square
4. When Your Time Has Come
5. Act Of Faythe
6. Three days
7. Ravenskill
8. A Tempting Offer
9. The X Aspect
10. A New Beginning
11. Heaven's Cove
12. The Path That Divides
13. The Walking Shadow
14. My Last Farewell
15. Hymn Of A Thousand Voices
16. Moment Of Betrayal
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 24, 2022, 06:22:14 PM
Here it is...
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1vESXL238jGArSrka94iLx?si=2c1cefa3379e408b

1. The Gift Of Music
2. Lord Nefaryus
3. A Savior In The Square
4. When Your Time Has Come
5. Act Of Faythe
6. Three days
7. Ravenskill
8. A Tempting Offer
9. The X Aspect
10. A New Beginning
11. Moment of Betrayal
12. Heaven’s Cove
13. The Path That Divides
14. The Walking Shadow
15. My Last Farewell
16. Hymn of a Thousand Voices

So, uh, why the hell did you leave Our New World off the end of this? I know Astonishing is the actual ending, but without Our New World there’s pretty much no resolution to this story. She’s barely undeaded and it ends in this version.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 24, 2022, 06:34:13 PM
Because I think Hymn is the perfect ending. Our New World seems so detached from the mood of that final act. I understand why people like it and its resolution, but to me, ending it at Hymn gives it a more ethereal feeling. Plus....I think Our New World is one of the weaker tracks on the album, and the whole point of making an Abridged version is to cut out the fluff.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 24, 2022, 06:47:27 PM
Highly highly disagree with ONW being a weak track. Especially if you’re going to keep X Aspect which is total nothing.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 24, 2022, 06:49:19 PM
The X Aspect is one of the most emotional parts of the album.

It's MY version!! :lol

Hymn is the perfect ending for me.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 24, 2022, 07:06:19 PM
Because I think Hymn is the perfect ending. Our New World seems so detached from the mood of that final act. I understand why people like it and its resolution, but to me, ending it at Hymn gives it a more ethereal feeling. Plus....I think Our New World is one of the weaker tracks on the album, and the whole point of making an Abridged version is to cut out the fluff.

(https://i0.wp.com/www.patspropaganda.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/tumblr_mwjqciqbo31r3bgl1o1_400.gif?fit=328%2C240&ssl=1)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: DTwwbwMP on September 24, 2022, 07:35:56 PM
TA is one of the biggest disappointments I've ever had from an album since listening to music.  I was pretty shocked when I listened to it for the first time.  The next couple of times certainly wasn't any better.  Last place on my list by miles.  No contest.
:tup I rank this right next to the first time i dropped the needle in 1982 on Queen' "Hot Shit...Space" album!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 24, 2022, 07:40:43 PM
Because I think Hymn is the perfect ending. Our New World seems so detached from the mood of that final act. I understand why people like it and its resolution, but to me, ending it at Hymn gives it a more ethereal feeling. Plus....I think Our New World is one of the weaker tracks on the album, and the whole point of making an Abridged version is to cut out the fluff.

(https://i0.wp.com/www.patspropaganda.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/tumblr_mwjqciqbo31r3bgl1o1_400.gif?fit=328%2C240&ssl=1)

Strongly agreed Kev!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Cool Chris on September 24, 2022, 07:41:52 PM
I've thought about making an abridged version of this, but monkeying with albums just isn't really my thing. The only album I ever made own version of is "The Wall" where I added "What Shall We Do Now?," "When the Tigers Broke Free" and replaced "Outside the Wall" with the version from the film. So I actually made the album longer. I've never considered shortening an album before, though I can think of a few that need it, this one especially. 

Whoever gets their list closest to the final list should get a prize of some sort.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 24, 2022, 07:49:48 PM
Why anyone would want to make The Wall longer is beyond me.  ;D
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 24, 2022, 07:50:34 PM
Whoever gets their list closest to the final list should get a prize of some sort.

Next time I change my guitar strings, I’ll send you the old E string. That’s your prize.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Cool Chris on September 24, 2022, 07:54:08 PM
Why anyone would want to make The Wall longer is beyond me.  ;D

Oh, you!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 24, 2022, 07:55:05 PM
Whoever gets their list closest to the final list should get a prize of some sort.

Next time I change my guitar strings, I’ll send you the old E string. That’s your prize.

So long as you don't send us your g string...
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 24, 2022, 08:11:32 PM
Whoever gets their list closest to the final list should get a prize of some sort.

Next time I change my guitar strings, I’ll send you the old E string. That’s your prize.

So long as you don't send us your g string...

Ok, G string it is!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 24, 2022, 08:13:01 PM
Whoever gets their list closest to the final list should get a prize of some sort.

Next time I change my guitar strings, I’ll send you the old E string. That’s your prize.

So long as you don't send us your g string...

Ok, G string it is!

Er...
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: ReaperKK on September 24, 2022, 09:48:28 PM
I said this in another thread but Our New World is a top 10 DT song for me. It has all the elements of well written DT song, killer vocals, killer riffs, amazing solo, great sound design. It stands starkly against the rest of TA which to me feels self-indulgent (which is saying a lot for DT) and meandering. TA is almost like the Use Your Illusion albums, there are snippets of brilliance in an otherwise forgettable album.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: bosk1 on September 24, 2022, 09:55:52 PM
I was just busy/tied up the first couple of days I guess.  So coming in the thread behind just makes it feel like it is moving really fast for me. 
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: RoeDent on September 25, 2022, 01:52:33 AM
Still a moral victory that The Astonishing is NOT bottom of this pile.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: SwedishGoose on September 25, 2022, 02:12:17 AM
14. Systematic Chaos
(https://bigamartusax.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/2020/07/81BuwGqtCwL._AC_SL1428_.jpg)
Number 1 finishes: 1
Last place finishes: 4
Average finish: 9.9


13. The Astonishing
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/d3UAAOSwhNtghujw/s-l500.jpg)   
Number 1 finishes: 1
Last place finishes: 17
Average finish: 10.9


Same number of number 1 finishes but many more last place finishes for TA.

Would be interresting to see how the other votes fell. At least how many lower third votes, mid third votes and top third votes.

I guess it shows how divisive TA is. You either love it or loathe it unlike SC that a lot of people are just lukewarm for.

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Mladen on September 25, 2022, 02:21:31 AM
That's my guess. TA ended up probably in the top five on many lists, whereas most people would put SC in the middle at best.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Ben_Jamin on September 25, 2022, 03:10:45 AM
#13 - The Astonishing (My Ranking: #2)

34 tracks clocking in with a total 2hrs 11min in length, with an immense story, it doesn't surprise me that it's an album that is either love or hate, and is ranked this low. The Astonishing is an album with a story that is very music based. It's an album that requires active listening and as it has proven..."people just don't have the time for music anymore."

There's many reasons why I enjoy this album enough that it's my 2nd favorite album by the band. The concept of music being central to the tale is something that really hasn't been done much at all, 2112 is another story with a concept that is music based and I enjoy it just as much. The decision to approach this story as more of an Opera than a standard concept album, which is shown by how they presented the album artwork and the lyrics written as a screenplay, having the lyrics as an actual screenplay format in the boxset was a nice treat. There's moments where I can imagine the scenes being played out on the stage with the orchestra playing beneath. (I have been to some Operas as the Santa Fe Opera when they have youth nights and I would go with other kids from my tribe, so that has helped me imagine it more with that venue in mind)

Since the Rock Opera concept was utilized for this album. There is still another aspect that I feel needs to also happen for this story and concept to really take form. Even though the band did the best they could on their own with their live show, which was amazing and also helped to imagine the world the story takes place in, the story needs to be told on the stage. The way Arjen told The Human Equation story was a nice blend that had enough acting and storytelling by the vocalists, this would be something the band could do for this album and it would be awesome if it could be done with an orchestra as well.

Lastly, there is another part of the story and that is there is this theme within it about "The Path That Divides." This concept isn't mentioned until after the NOMAC break of The Hovering Sojourn, where from then on each character has to face a decision of which path to walk, each having consequences they must weigh. The 2nd disc is where the decisions are made and they all culminate in Heaven's Cove where the 2nd half of the story mainly takes place. I found that to be a neat concept as well, because we will all come to a moment where we will face this "path of division" at least once in our lives.

I guess that's all I have to say for now about my 2nd favorite album... :biggrin: :corn


Favorite: Losing Faythe (This one fluctuates between 4 songs)
Least: Our New World
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: SwedishGoose on September 25, 2022, 03:36:30 AM
Very nice write up Ben.... thanks
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on September 25, 2022, 04:13:14 AM
Here it is...
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1vESXL238jGArSrka94iLx?si=2c1cefa3379e408b

Don't have Spotify.  Oh what a shame, I guess I can't check it out.  ;D

Aw gee, wouldn't you just know it..

Wait.. here's the list..

1. The Gift Of Music
2. Lord Nefaryus
3. A Savior In The Square
4. When Your Time Has Come
5. Act Of Faythe
6. Three days
7. Ravenskill
8. A Tempting Offer
9. The X Aspect
10. A New Beginning
11. Heaven's Cove
12. The Path That Divides
13. The Walking Shadow
14. My Last Farewell
15. Hymn Of A Thousand Voices
16. Moment Of Betrayal

Bugger.  Alright, I might rip the cd and make this playlist.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 25, 2022, 05:49:07 AM
12. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/yaYAAOSw56JehLt~/s-l500.jpg)
Number 1 finishes: 2
Last place finishes: 7
Average finish: 10.7


Good album, but a bit of a strange one for me, as it doesn't have a distinct personality that many other of the band's albums do.  And this is where they hit rock bottom lyrically, The Count of Tuscany being the most obvious culprit; that could have been a top 10 DT song if the lyrics were even just average.  Still, there are many moments of greatness here, from the bulk of A Nightmare to Remember to the solo at the end of The Best of Times to the volume swell section of the aforementioned Count.  I got a fair amount of mileage out of this when it was first released, A Rite of Passage notwithstanding as that stood out as a boring plodfest pretty quickly, but I still consider this a bottom tier record. I ranked it 13th.

My top 5 songs from the album:
1. The Count of Tuscany (despite the lyrics)
2. The Best of Times (great sentiment, even if I think the lyrics themselves are a bit lacking)
3. A Nightmare to Remember
4. Wither
5. The Shattered Fortress
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: SwedishGoose on September 25, 2022, 06:03:13 AM
I feel like I had heard it all before but soo much better. It's not a bad album, Dream Theater has never made a bad album. But a bit predictable and boring with lyrics that are not up to par with what they had done before.

To me Portnoy was right.... something had to change. I was sad that it was him leaving. But everyting was for the better later on.



15.
14. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Systematic Chaos
11.
10.
9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 25, 2022, 06:08:31 AM
This is an album that kinda always sat weird for me. It’s an amazing album, but it’s nowhere near the level of others. It’s a short album, but it’s full of long songs. But at the end of the day, this album is one of two that mark the changing of the guard and I think it’s a great one for Portnoy to have left off on.

Black Clouds and Silver Linings
My rank: 9th of 15

Top 5:
The Count of Tuscany
A Nightmare to Remember
A Rite of Passage
The Shattered Fortress
The Best of Times

My current standing
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10.
11. Systematic Chaos
12.
13. When Dream And Day Unite
14.
15. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: Wim Kruithof on September 25, 2022, 06:21:44 AM
With both The Shattered Fortress and The Count of Tuscany being top-tier tracks for me, this album is valuable. It also has beautiful artworks on the cover and the deluxe edition got some pearls on it. I think it deserves much more credit than it gets so often.

15)
14) When Dream and Day Unite
13)
12) The Astonishing
11) Systematic Chaos
10)
09) Black Clouds and Silver Linings
08)
07)
06)
05)
04)
03)
02)
01)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on September 25, 2022, 06:27:34 AM
Number 10 for me.  The only song I don't really like is TBOT.  I don't get the hate for AROP either, that's a pretty killer metal tune IMO.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: Wim Kruithof on September 25, 2022, 06:36:48 AM
Number 10 for me.  The only song I don't really like is TBOT.  I don't get the hate for AROP either, that's a pretty killer metal tune IMO.

Exactly, I really like The Ride of Passage, can't follow the fuzz either.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: javidt on September 25, 2022, 06:56:54 AM
Better than SC but a weak album compared to the rest of their discography.

The highlights for me are the beginning of ANTR and the "Hopelessly drifting, Bathing in beautiful agony" part and the end of TCOT.

No surprises in the ranking so far.

Really enjoying the countdown reading all the comments. :)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: ReaperKK on September 25, 2022, 07:08:12 AM
I remember really not liking this album when it first came out. It seem really uninspired and the songs didn't really hook me. It's grown a lot on my throughout the years and now I listen to it more frequently, with the except of the The Shattered Fortress, I thought it a pretty uninspired ending to the 12 step suite.

1. Systematic Chaos
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. Black Clouds And Silver Linings
11.
12.
13.
14. When Dream And Day Unite
15. The Astonishing

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: Podaar on September 25, 2022, 07:12:08 AM
I dig A Rite of Passage--always have. Wither is good. Nightmare is passable. If I can successfully tune out the lyrics, I enjoy the solo in The Best of Times and The Count of Tuscany. On most days, it's a chore to listen to so I don't bother.

Honestly, I've listened to the covers album from black clouds way more. I really enjoy that.

15   When Dream and Day Unite
14    ???
13   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
12   The Astonishing
11   Systematic Chaos
10    ???
9    ???
8    ???
7    ???
6    ???
5    ???
4    ???
3    ???
2    ???
1    ???
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: devieira73 on September 25, 2022, 07:32:04 AM
12.   Black Clouds and Silver Linings (#13); grade: (7.3/10)

Top 3 songs: Count of Tuscany, A Nightmare to Remember and Wither

It’s a good album, with some amazing instrumental sections, but it seems it could benefit of a little editing in some songs, like ANTR, AROP, TSF and cutting the intro of TBOT (I know I’m alone on this last one). Also the production has something that sucks a bit the energy of the album, specially if we compare it with the vibe of the bonus CD of covers.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: krands85 on September 25, 2022, 07:52:36 AM
Yeah, it was about time for this one, I would have been a bit surprised had it come any higher. I have it in 14th, though it's by no means a terrible album, there's still some good stuff here.

15. When Dream and Day Unite
14. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13.
12.
11.
10. The Astonishing
9. Systematic Chaos
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.

TCOT is the clear standout and a top 10 DT song for me, despite the lyrics. I've always really liked ANTR too, but I think it would have been better if it was a little shorter. Normally, I find DT are at their best with their longer tracks, but even I feel like this album (and SC to a lesser extent) needed a bit of trimming. AROP is another one that goes on for too long, it doesn't feel like it should be an 8 and a half minute song and I just always end up finding it quite boring.

Wither is a nice softer track, but I was disappointed by The Shattered Fortress as a conclusion to the 12 step suite. It has grown on me a fair bit though and is a pretty good live song. The Best of Times is one of my least favourite DT songs, despite a promising intro and great JP solo. The middle of the song, lyrics and vocals are really grating to me, even though I'm not normally too concerned with lyrics (as evidenced by TCOT).
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: Elite on September 25, 2022, 08:28:33 AM
My list (that never got sent) so far:

1   
2   
3   
4   
5   
6   Systematic Chaos
7   
8   
9   
10   The Astonishing
11   
12   When Dream and Day Unite
13   
14     
15   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: The Letter M on September 25, 2022, 08:29:37 AM
01.
02.
03.
04.
05.
06.
07.
08.
09. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
10.
11.
12. Systematic Chaos
13.
14. When Dream And Day Unite
15. The Astonishing

When this came out, I loved it more than SC. The opening and closing songs were epic in their own ways, and then there's the conclusion to the Twelve-Step Suite, as well as the emotional  "The Best Of Times". Despite some the lyrical clunkiness, I felt it was overall better than most of SC's lyrics, and the music was better too. I still occasionally reach for this one when I want a dose of DT.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 25, 2022, 08:29:56 AM
I don't get the hate for AROP either, that's a pretty killer metal tune IMO.

I don't hate it. I just think it is boring. Every time I try to give it another chance, I am bored and lose interest before they even get to the first chorus.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: T-ski on September 25, 2022, 08:39:30 AM
#7 for me.

Count is a top tune which helps its overall rating. This is one of many albums that were hard to pin the exact spot for.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: Elite on September 25, 2022, 08:51:14 AM
Not for me, this was dead last before even doing the ranker.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: Adami on September 25, 2022, 09:00:51 AM
1. ???
2. ???
3. ???
4. ???
5. ???
6. ???
7. ???
8. ???
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. The Astonishing
11. Systematic Chaos
12. When Dream and Day Unite
13. ???
14. ???
15. ???


Continuing my trend of correct order, offset by 3.

Honestly it was a pretty disappointing album with some highs.

I do enjoy the first...half maybe of Nightmare. The instrumental stuff onward is just boring to me, so I lose interest. A Rite of Passage is fine but not something I need to listen to much. I love Wither, one of their best ballads. The Shattered Fortress is similar to Nightmare as I lose interest when it goes instrumental. I mostly like The Best of Times, but cannot stand The Count of Tuscany.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: nick_z on September 25, 2022, 09:32:48 AM
Because I think Hymn is the perfect ending. Our New World seems so detached from the mood of that final act. I understand why people like it and its resolution, but to me, ending it at Hymn gives it a more ethereal feeling. Plus....I think Our New World is one of the weaker tracks on the album, and the whole point of making an Abridged version is to cut out the fluff.

(https://i0.wp.com/www.patspropaganda.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/tumblr_mwjqciqbo31r3bgl1o1_400.gif?fit=328%2C240&ssl=1)

Strongly agreed Kev!

Yeah, Our New World is a highlight for me too  :)

The one thing I can't quite comprehend about the album is the inclusion of Astonishing to close things off. ONW and then "Power Down" do just that, and then you have this pretty long, slightly over-baked piece...I guess its purpose is some sort of end credits, where a bunch of themes are reprised?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: Cool Chris on September 25, 2022, 09:39:08 AM
A pretty big disappointment coming off SC, which I was still pretty fond of upon the time of this release. This one didn't land well with me, and didn't improve with age.

ANtR is a good 9 minute song in a 16 minute package.
ARoP has too much crap at the beginning, lame vocals for James in the verses, and awful solos.
Wither is... fine.
Shattered Fortress is good, but I was so over the 12SS by then.
TBoT was and still is enjoyable. I never would have thought the lyrics would be a thing if I didn't read about it on these forums.
TCoT is good, but not strong enough to bear the weight of everything on the album that preceded it.


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. Systematic Chaos
8.
9.
10.
11. The Astonishing
12.
13. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
14.
15. When Dream And Day Unite
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: bosk1 on September 25, 2022, 09:54:44 AM
Good album.  But my least favorite that James sings on.  I know they like writing long songs, but the problem with an album like this is, if you aren't in the mood for 2-3 songs, it's such a huge portion of the overall album that it drags down the entire listening experience.  I kind of feel like their general songwriting template took over for a bit too much of this album.  Still, pretty enjoyable overall.  And I think it's telling that on the last 5 album tours, they managed to work 3 of the longest songs into their sets.  They clearly stand by the material, and that's cool.  As for the songs themselves, Nightmare is great.  I feel like the last minute or so of the instrumental section overstays its welcome, and the "roar" at the end of the harsh vocal section doesn't seem to fit.  But otherwise, I love this song.  It is a highlight of the album.  AROP isn't bad, but never something I seek out.  Wither isn't very exciting to me.  I mostly really like The Shattered Fortress.  And I see what they were going for and get why they did everything they did in the song.  But at the end of the day, parts of it just seem a bit too stitched together.  This is one of the few instances where I feel like letting the song sit longer and maybe getting some outside feedback could have produced something better.  TBOT has some really cool parts, but just doesn't work for me overall.  And the lyrics are SO specifically personal that, while I get it and can understand how it impacts Mike, it's hard for me to relate to as an outsider to that relationship.  TCOT is pretty good.  I think it could have benefitted from some editing to make the middle section feel like it fits more instead of being such a momentum killer.  But really good song overall. 

I think it's telling that the overall theme that keeps coming up for me throughout this entire album is along the lines of, "I mostly really like this song.  But..."  Unlike their other albums, there isn't a single song that I like, without exception, from start to finish.  No other DT album does that.  That's why it finishes near the bottom for me.  I still enjoy it.  But there are a few things here and there that hold it back. 

Although I don't listen to the bonus material much, it's cool that they gave us the instrumental disk and the covers disk as well.  I love the extra content when I do listen to it. 
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: bosk1 on September 25, 2022, 09:59:26 AM
The one thing I can't quite comprehend about the album is the inclusion of Astonishing to close things off. ONW and then "Power Down" do just that, and then you have this pretty long, slightly over-baked piece...I guess its purpose is some sort of end credits, where a bunch of themes are reprised?

Yeah, it really is written in stage musical format in that regard.  Typically, the musical and lyrical climax is 2-3 songs before the end, and you have a curtain call, with or without music, where each of the characters comes out, one at a time, for their final appearance and round of applause.  That's what they are doing here.  You get each character's musical theme, in succession, and the major themes of the album.  If you are picturing it like a stage production in your mind, that's when each character would come back to the stage.  It isn't meant to be a the climax or the big closing.  It's the final curtain call for the characters and the themes of the story.  I think you kind of have to understand that musical role for it to make sense and not seem like surplussage and a letdown.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on September 25, 2022, 10:12:30 AM
I agree with what most have said about BCSL.  Personally I thought it was a slight step up from the dreadful SC. SC was bad, but BCSL was just kind of…there. Two fairly decent epic tracks that sandwich 4 uninspired “going through the motions” pieces.

I emphatically agree with the thought that Mike was right…something HAD to change. The band really needed a shake up at this point. They had peaked with 8V and then rapidly fallen off the table. I just didn’t think that shake up would involve Mike leaving.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on September 25, 2022, 10:15:08 AM
I have neglected thus far to include my ranking.

WDADU - 12
SC - 15
TA - 11
BCSL - 14
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on September 25, 2022, 10:16:38 AM
One more thing, even though WDADU finished last, have the rest ALL had lower averages?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 25, 2022, 10:25:37 AM
One more thing, even though WDADU finished last, have the rest ALL had lower averages?

(https://thumbs.gfycat.com/ShadyFoolishBovine-size_restricted.gif)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: SeRoX on September 25, 2022, 10:37:29 AM
Worst MP era album. I remember the time that AROP came out as a single and I was unhappy. The rest of album doesn't do any good either for me. TCOT and ANTR are highlights but their lyrics take the magic away.

I rank it last. It is a very uninspired and forced album for me.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: nick_z on September 25, 2022, 11:46:55 AM
Black Clouds & Silver Linings - I ranked it at #15

It's safe to say that the time BC&SL came out wasn't the high point of my DT fandom. In truth, there was quite a bit going on in my life then, so music in general was taking the back seat. But, specifically with DT, SC had fizzled out relatively quickly and BC&SL didn't do much better.

It is a testament to my appreciation of the band that even the album I rank last I can happily put on and enjoy...but I do agree with the sentiment expressed by others here that the band sounds kinda tired and in need for a reboot. Of course, it's also true that the continued presence of many of the tracks in the setlists indicates the band stands by the album, so who am I to judge  :)

Some amazing bits in the album...the "beautiful agony" section in Nightmare, the Sprit of the Radio-esque flurry when The Best of Times gets going after the quiet intro and, most of all, the intro to The Count of Tuscany (of of my top DT moments, really).

...but, as for the songs themselves, there's plenty of less-than-inspired moments...A Nightmare to Remember starts great but is way too long for me, and the instrumental section in particular is not interesting enough. The Shattered Fortress might make sense as the conclusion of the suite, but doesn't do much for me as a stand-alone piece. Rite of Passage is fine - the chorus might not be groundbreaking but it has nice harmonies and melody - but not much more than that, and the same can be said of Wither.

The Best of Times is very good but, despite the wonderful solo, doesn't quite live up to the promise of its beginning. Finally, The Count of Tuscany. It's no doubt my favorite track on the album. Like I said before, it has some amazing moments, musically. It is also frustrating. The overly-descriptive lyrics have been discussed to death. What bothers me is not that they are that bad - it's a story, after all. It's just that they are such a mood killer, in relation to the music. The ending of the song is musically so, you know, emotional...I can't take the "Now wait a minute, man" seriously. It verges on parody, and that's not what I'm looking for in DT  :biggrin:

Anyway - still a great song. Lyrics aside, it doesn't quite reach the pantheon of DT's greatest tunes, but a notch above the rest of the album, for sure.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: Mladen on September 25, 2022, 12:51:13 PM
This was the first Dream Theater album I anticipated after becoming a fan a year before. I loved it at the time and saw them at this tour (my only time seeing them with Mike Portnoy), but the album dropped slightly on my list over the years. It's still pretty good, though.

15.
14.
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12.
11.
10.
9.
8. Black clouds & silver linings
7. Systematic Chaos
6.
5. The Astonishing
4.
3.
2.
1.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Ben_Jamin on September 25, 2022, 01:29:22 PM
Because I think Hymn is the perfect ending. Our New World seems so detached from the mood of that final act. I understand why people like it and its resolution, but to me, ending it at Hymn gives it a more ethereal feeling. Plus....I think Our New World is one of the weaker tracks on the album, and the whole point of making an Abridged version is to cut out the fluff.

(https://i0.wp.com/www.patspropaganda.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/tumblr_mwjqciqbo31r3bgl1o1_400.gif?fit=328%2C240&ssl=1)

Strongly agreed Kev!

Yeah, Our New World is a highlight for me too  :)

The one thing I can't quite comprehend about the album is the inclusion of Astonishing to close things off. ONW and then "Power Down" do just that, and then you have this pretty long, slightly over-baked piece...I guess its purpose is some sort of end credits, where a bunch of themes are reprised?

It's the final moment of the Opera/Play where the entire cast comes out to sing their final resolutions of the characters. Then it ends with the epic final resolution of the story being sung by the narrator, while the entire cast and choir sings along. "And we'll live once more, eternally on harmony, our lives will be astonishing again."

Although on a new mashup I did with making one big long epic, is I put Power Down after The Astonishing. Honestly it works way better at the end for me. Even though Power Down is when Nefaryus comes to his decision and calls of the NOMACS before the sun begins to shine on Heaven's Cove, it works as the last thing heard.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: Shalev Amir on September 25, 2022, 01:36:48 PM
#14. The Count of Tuscany is great, and ANTR is pretty decent, but the entire middle of the album is very lacking in my opinion.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: DreamerTV on September 25, 2022, 01:55:28 PM
10   The Astonishing
11   
12   When Dream and Day Unite
13   
14   Systematic Chaos
15   Black Clouds & Silver Linings

Apart from the first half of ANTR and parts of TCOT, I've never felt a real connection with this album.
At the time a I had the feeling this was a messed compromise between some elements (or element) of the band who wanted to follow the path started with SC - something that had its logic given the amount of exposure that the previous album had been given and the attention it drew (SC tour went extremely well) - and some others who wanted to go for a more traditional approach.
The result was a pointless, tired and confused album and although it was not expected, a change was very much needed.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: pg1067 on September 25, 2022, 02:22:51 PM
Catching up with this thread.

My rankings:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9. When Dream and Day Reunite
10. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
11.
12.
13.
14. Systematic Chaos
15. The Astonishing

In order of reveal:

Systematic Chaos:  I can still recall listening to the intro to ITPOE for the first time.  Started with a 5/8, 5/8, 7/8, 7/8 riff.  Very cool!  But then it just kept going on and on and on...and I thought to myself, "I really hope they ratchet this up to a complete wankfest," and then that's exactly what they did, with what I typically call the "Flight of the Bumblebee" section.  Just too much.  I probably had already heard Forsaken at that point.  Not bad, but kinda lackluster.  Things picked up a bith with Constant Motion.  EASILY the best song on this album.  Unfortunately, the album went rapidly downhill from there.  I now like TDEN ok, but that's mostly based on live performances.  Repentance is the worst song Dream Theater ever put on an album.  Prophets of War is bleh.  I like TMOLS better than I used to, but again, that's based on live performances.  ITPOE is very "meh."  Easily the worst of DT's "epics."  The only thing that saves it from the #15 spot is....

The Astonishing:  I mean...what is there to say.  I think the concept is cool, and I applaud them for giving it a try, but the execution was just not there.  29 songs, most of which are painfully the same.  Mid-tempo ballady songs with no life.  A massively derivative concept.  A Life Left Behind is the only song I'd ever voluntarily listen to again.  It's my #15 by a really wide margin.

Black Clouds & Silver Linings:  In retrospect, it's a tired sounding album by a band that was obviously tired.  It opens with a 16 minute song that has its moments and probably would be much better if cut by about 40%.  AROP is meh.  I'll skip Wither for the moment.  TSF is ok.  It's a nice summary of the prior 12SS songs.  The problem is that two of those songs are in my bottom 10, and none of them would likely rank in my top 30.  TBOT is right down there with Redemption in my bottom 5.  TCOT is excellent.  A few things I'd change, but an all around great song.  Back to Wither...on occasion, I rank it above TCOT as my favorite song on the album.  It's SO good - both musically and lyrically.  The guitar player in my old band wrote a song with an identical theme, so I love the theme.  TCOT and Wither elevate the album to my #10 spot, but everything else prevents it from being any higher.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: Lethean on September 25, 2022, 02:29:38 PM
I ranked it at #10.  I like that album a lot, even though I dislike MP's vocals on it. The Count of Tuscany is all kinds of awesome.  I would prefer better lyrics, but the song is so good that I really don't care so much.  And on the tour that song was just stunning.  Aside from The Count, I enjoy the rest of the album.  I know The Shattered Fortress always got a lot of criticism but I quite like it a lot.  The rest is fine - not my favorite DT stuff, but enjoyable.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: The Realm on September 25, 2022, 06:20:44 PM
Black Clouds was number 9 for me. I echo what many others have said about this album. I can't remember the last time I listened to the whole album back to back and doubt I ever will again. There is so much about this album that is 'DT by the numbers' but also some moments I really enjoy which is why it got to number 9.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 25, 2022, 06:36:06 PM
12. Black Clouds & Silver Linings

Number 1 finishes: 2
Last place finishes: 7
Average finish: 10.7



I had Black Clouds & Silver Linings at #10. TCOT and TBOT are two of my all time favorite DT tracks, so that alone gives this a huge boost. I like the rest of it well enough.



Honestly, I've listened to the covers album from black clouds way more. I really enjoy that.

The Covers CD is mostly fantastic. I mean, the KC track is useless, and the Maiden track needed its vocals redone during the BC&SL sessions, but the Zebra, Queen, and Rainbow tracks are incredible, and James kills on it. Too bad they didn't let him sing like that on the SC-BC&SL-ADTOE run.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: geeeemo on September 25, 2022, 11:57:37 PM
I had The Astonishing at 5. It used to be lower. I listened to all the albums again and based my list on my enjoyment of the listen. Not, "did the album have my number 1song, so it got more merit for that." Just how was I feeling during the listen. I happen to really enjoy listening to TA and moreso each time. I do agree though  that the last couple of songs feel extraneous.

BCSL moved up to number two! I was smiling, head banging or wanting to weep during all of it. Thats what I want from my music. When I finished, I wanted to listen again. Whither is the lowest point, but not low.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: Zydar on September 26, 2022, 02:03:19 AM
The Astonishing: #15, dead last. I never could get into this one. So many ballads and/or midtempo songs. An uninteresting story line, too. I admire them for tackling such a big project though, and James for doing so many characters himself.

Black Clouds: #14. I'm surprised that I ranked this one a step beneath WDADU. It was my first new DT album after becoming a fan in 2007. I quite liked it at the release, but it quickly dropped down the rankings.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#12 featured!!)
Post by: Animal on September 26, 2022, 05:26:57 AM
I wonder of it is the same for others who are not native English speakers but CoT lyrics, clumsy as they are, never really bothered me - I can just "turn it off" and ignore it completely. I can't do this with lyrics in my native language...

Speaking of the album: For quite long time, I considered BCSL in the same lackluster ballpark as SC. But it does get elevated by CoT which has become one of my all-time favorite DT songs (though it is still a step bellow likes of Voices, Scarred, ACoS...).
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 26, 2022, 05:41:03 AM
11. Dream Theater
(https://www.metal-revolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/content_dream-theater-self-titled.jpg)
Number 1 finishes: 0
Last place finishes: 3
Average finish: 10.4


I had this at 15.  It feels it deserved better from me, as I think the songwriting on it is mostly very good, but I literally never listen to this anymore, and I definitely docked it big time for the sound.  Whatever person decided to make Mike Mangini's drums sound like that should have been banned from ever making such decisions again.

My top 5 songs from the album:
1. Surrender to Reason
2. The Bigger Picture
3. Illumination Theory
4. The Looking Glass
5. Enigma Machine
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 26, 2022, 06:02:36 AM
This is one of those albums I have to be in a certain mood for. But putting it right between Dramatic Turn of Events and Distance Over Time this time kinda killed it for me. This is probably the last album I loved the whole way through, even though it contains one of my least favourite songs in the whole catalogue with The Looking Glass. Illumination Theory on it’s own is a strange maze of on again off again for me, so the rest of the album is pretty torn. Funnily, the three songs from this one that they didn’t do on the original album tour are amongst the best of the album and I’m very glad I caught The Bigger Picture on the Images, Words and Beyond tour.
All this is to say, I agree with your first line, Kev. This is an album that feels like it deserved better from me, the songwriting is on it is mostly very good.

Dream Theater
My rank: 14th of 15

Too 5:
1. Behind the Veil
2. The Bigger Picture
3. Illumination Theory
4. Surrender to Reason
5. The Enemy Inside

My current standing
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10.
11. Systematic Chaos
12.
13. When Dream And Day Unite
14. Dream Theater
15. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Lonk on September 26, 2022, 06:06:49 AM
15. Black Clouds and Silver Lining
14. Dream Theater
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Systematic Chaos
11. ??
10. ??
9. ??
8. The Astonishing
7. ??
6. ??
5. ??
4. ??
3. ??
2. ??
1. ??
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: T-ski on September 26, 2022, 06:12:52 AM
#6.

Outside “The Enemy Inside” and “Enigma Machine” I enjoy every song on this album. Plus “Illumination Theory” is amazing.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Animal on September 26, 2022, 06:14:05 AM
So far, the results have been quite close to DT album rankings on Progarchives.  http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=378

Curious to what extent is this countdown going to reflect the Progarchives community rankings. My guess is that more metal stuff is gonna be better appreciated here compared to proggy albums.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on September 26, 2022, 06:15:49 AM
Love this album.  Was number 5 for me.  Not much not to like on this.  IT is one if the best things I've ever heard.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Podaar on September 26, 2022, 06:29:47 AM
This album definitely doesn't deserves better than where I ranked it, but using the ranking app, this is where it shows up. Like Kev says, I just never listen to it anymore. That being said, I don't dislike a single song on this album, and really dig a couple.

15   When Dream and Day Unite
14   Dream Theater
13   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
12   The Astonishing
11   Systematic Chaos
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: devieira73 on September 26, 2022, 07:03:05 AM
11.   Dream Theater (#11); grade (7.8/10)

Top 4 songs: The Looking Glass, Illumination Theory, The Enemy Inside and Enigma Machine.

I think it would be much better appreciated if it had the same production than D/T. One of the weirdest drum recordings and overall mix I’ve ever heard in an album!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on September 26, 2022, 07:14:21 AM
Wow! 4th album in a row with a lower average score than the last place finisher! That’s really surprising at this point!

I had this at #5. I consider it to be the best album of the Mangini era. (A View is close, but not quite)

I love everything on this album, and I still reach for it fairly regularly.

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#14 featured!!)
Post by: Adami on September 26, 2022, 07:20:43 AM
1. ???
2. ???
3. ???
4. ???
5. ???
6. ???
7. ???
8. ???
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. The Astonishing
11. Systematic Chaos
12. When Dream and Day Unite
13. Dream Theater
14. ???
15. ???



Still no gaps in my list! That's gotta count for something.  :biggrin:

But yes, I don't really enjoy the bulk of this album. I dig False Awakening Suite mostly, Behind the Veil is okay, and I really love about 3/4 of Illumination Theory until their overly preachy and happy ending. Can't say much good about any of the other songs. Also the production makes it difficult to listen to.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Mladen on September 26, 2022, 07:24:47 AM
Having loved Black clouds and Dramatic on release, this was the first one I though was just good. I also hardly listen to it nowadays. There are some fine songs on it, though, and I enjoyed the tour a lot.  :metal

15.
14.
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Dream Theater
11.
10.
9.
8. Black clouds & silver linings
7. Systematic Chaos
6.
5. The Astonishing
4.
3.
2.
1.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: krands85 on September 26, 2022, 07:32:06 AM
I had it in 11th too. I was pretty disappointed with it when it came out, though now I feel like I've maybe been a bit harsh on it, but I don't think it has really moved in my rankings since it came out.

15. When Dream and Day Unite
14. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13.
12.
11. Dream Theater
10. The Astonishing
9. Systematic Chaos
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.

Illumination Theory is the real standout and in my top 10. It doesn't always get as much love as the other 'epics', but Octavarium is the only one of those that I rank above it. The Enemy Inside is my second favourite on the album, just a good 'metal single' type song which I always feel they're pretty good at. Excellent JP solo as ever too! Then there are three tracks which I often kind of see as a group, not just because they run consecutively on the album, but because of the quality of them - The Bigger Picture, Behind the Veil and Surrender to Reason. The latter is my favourite of the three, but I feel like it could have been a little longer, though I think they were trying to go for the more concise approach to the songs on this album, aside from IT. Rounding off the songs I enjoy, I always liked FAS as the album opener too.

The other 3 songs drag things down a fair bit. I've never liked The Looking Glass for some reason, it's one of my least favourite in their discography. Enigma Machine has never appealed to me either, I prefer just about every other DT instrumental. Finally, Along for the Ride, which I don't think is great - they have plenty of 'ballads' which are much better.

EDIT: Forgot about the production which isn't great. I remember getting a bit of listening fatigue when this came out, until I got the HDTracks version, but maybe that was just placebo.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Lethean on September 26, 2022, 07:33:22 AM
I had this at #7.  I think this is a great album all around.  Every track is great and then Illumination Theory is just brilliant.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Dream Team on September 26, 2022, 07:33:34 AM
Wow! 4th album in a row with a lower average score than the last place finisher! That’s really surprising at this point!

I had this at #5. I consider it to be the best album of the Mangini era. (A View is close, but not quite)

I love everything on this album, and I still reach for it fairly regularly.

A lower average is GOOD - the higher the average, the lower the ranking. Anyway, I believe I had this 6th. Just great songwriting throughout. My faves are STR, IT, and BTV.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: SeRoX on September 26, 2022, 07:36:25 AM
One thing. The post production takes the awesomeness away from it. Lyrics, music, progressiveness and vocals are all great. I love this album. The Enemy Inside is their best single since Awake/Lie for me.

I would rank it higher if it has had better post production. Bass and drum are huge let down.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on September 26, 2022, 07:44:42 AM

I definitely agree with a some of the criticisms of the album, but have always been a little perplexed with the vitriol it seems to generate. I've read people say they listened once, then never again, which seems kind of crazy to me, but whatever.


It is, especially if you are a fan, but that is life in the 21st century where so much music is a mouse click away.  35 years ago, I think this album would have had a chance to eventually be recognized by more for being good, but with so music available nowadays and most not buying physical product, it is easy to dismiss an album you don't like at first and never go back to it.  In the days of buying albums or CDs, where digital music was not available, the average person was far more likely to give an album they didn't like at first more chances, but those days are long gone.

Dare I say this is their The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway and/or Tales From Topographic Oceans?  Two albums that were maligned at the time, that didn't always maintain a faithful following by the fanbase, but in later years took on a sort of retroactive view?  I don't know that The Astonishing will ever rise to that level, but I know for me, whereas I used to spend a lot of time with TLLDOB and TFTO, I've only listened to TA a handful of times, and while I owe it another listen at some point, I can't imagine ever giving it the time that I gave to TLLDOB, an album that I've come to love, and is, at any given time, my favorite Gabriel-era Genesis record.    It should be noted, too, that both albums (less so, TFTO) are not best absorbed by listening to individual songs out of context.

This is my second-to-last record on my list, if memory serves.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: The Letter M on September 26, 2022, 07:59:37 AM
01.
02.
03.
04.
05.
06.
07.
08.
09. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
10.
11.
12. Systematic Chaos
13. Dream Theater
14. When Dream And Day Unite
15. The Astonishing

Like Kev, I rarely listen to this one anymore but I really liked it when it came out, especially "Illumination Theory", but the other songs have been hit or miss for me since then. It's easily my 2nd least favorite of the Mangini albums, but I definitely like it a fair bit more than TA.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on September 26, 2022, 08:03:41 AM
Honest question; why do we give so much slack to TA on the grounds that "this is what the band were going for so they should get credit for achievement", but fail to do the same with other material (TBOT was the song that triggered this thought).  IF we give credit to "artist intent", then shouldn't TBOT - something that I recall Mike being on record as being VERY proud of, and rightfully so - get the same acknowledgement?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Zydar on September 26, 2022, 08:12:00 AM
DT12 - I had this one at #10. I really enjoy it still, it has aged pretty well for me. Strangely enough I don't listen to it as much as maybe I should. Highlights are The Enemy Inside, The Looking Glass, Surrender To Reason, and Illumination Theory. I saw them on this tour (my 2nd and most recent DT show) together with our DTFer Lynxo.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on September 26, 2022, 08:13:40 AM
Wow! 4th album in a row with a lower average score than the last place finisher! That’s really surprising at this point!

I had this at #5. I consider it to be the best album of the Mangini era. (A View is close, but not quite)

I love everything on this album, and I still reach for it fairly regularly.

A lower average is GOOD - the higher the average, the lower the ranking. Anyway, I believe I had this 6th. Just great songwriting throughout. My faves are STR, IT, and BTV.

OMG I feel like such a dingbat! I don’t know why I had that reversed in my head. Thank you for being patient with me and getting me sorted out. I just feel a little silly. Lol
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Cool Chris on September 26, 2022, 08:32:59 AM
Hope you don't make such silly mix-ups on the job. The black is hot, jammindude  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: SwedishGoose on September 26, 2022, 08:39:00 AM
I liked this quite a bit when it came out but rarely get the urge to listen to it now.



15.
14. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Systematic Chaos
11. Dream Theater
10.
9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: javidt on September 26, 2022, 08:56:54 AM
My 2nd favourite record from the Mangini era. I ranked it #6.

I really like every song on it except Enigma Machine.

I know this album is always low on every ranking you find on the Internet but the more I listen to it, the more I like it.

The bigger picture, for example, is great, diverse and concise.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Shalev Amir on September 26, 2022, 08:58:00 AM
Another album with a less than stellar middle. The Looking Glass and Illumination Theory are great, Surrender to Reason and The Enemy Inside are also good and the rest are just not interesting.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: bosk1 on September 26, 2022, 09:19:52 AM
Dream Theater:  This is my #4 overall, and the first album posted that ranks ahead of I&W (which I consider a benchmark).  VERY surprised we collectively rated it this low.  The songs on this one are concise and focused, at least for DT.
 The Mangini era has shown that they can consistently make albums that have great songs from start to finish with nothing the fans want to skip, and this album is a poster child for that.  Just consistently really good from the first needle drop to the last piano notes of Illumination Theory.  Speaking of which, IT has some of the best, most fun riffs, and some of the most beautiful moments in the band's catalog.  If not for its structure sometimes feeling a bit clunky, and thus making it feel a bit less cohesive than some of the bigger epics, it could be one of their best all time songs and bring the album up even higher in the rankings.  The only knock I have on the album as a whole is that the production, while not overtly noticeably problematic for me, gives me a bit of fatigue when listening it high volume.   

I wonder of it is the same for others who are not native English speakers but CoT lyrics, clumsy as they are, never really bothered me

Nah, those lyrics are great.  Don't let a few Internet trolls fool you.  The trolls are always the loudest voices.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Samsara on September 26, 2022, 09:41:13 AM
A lot to catch up on from the weekend (maybe post only M-F?).

re: The Astonishing - I had this in last place at #15. Obviously, a lot has already been said. So I'll make my comments brief. A lot of good ideas but a bland concept. JP probably should have rethought this one.


re: BC&SL - I had this one at #13. I don't really enjoy this at all. I actually prefer the edited version of A Right of Passage better than the full version. Wither is the next best song to me, and it is just unexciting. I know many dig A Night to Remember and The Count of Tuscany...sorry, I think they are extremely overrated and bloated. Silly in parts.


re: DT self-titled - this clocked in at #9. A good listen from beginning to end. Not my favorite, but there are certainly worse DT records. I find this a filler album in the band's catalog.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 26, 2022, 09:52:14 AM


WDADU:  Yeah, this had to be #15.  Anyone saying otherwise is either Scotty or engaging in some revisionist history.   

I wonder of it is the same for others who are not native English speakers but CoT lyrics, clumsy as they are, never really bothered me

Nah, those lyrics are great.  Don't let a few Internet trolls fool you.  The trolls are always the loudest voices.

I guess we can look forward to you trashing some of us every time you disagree with us in this thread.  Fun stuff that, sadly, does not surprise me.  :tdwn :tdwn
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: RoeDent on September 26, 2022, 10:04:35 AM
Woah, chill out dude! Kind of unnecessary dig there.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: pg1067 on September 26, 2022, 10:06:46 AM
My rankings:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. Dream Theater
8.
9. When Dream and Day Unite
10. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
11.
12.
13.
14. Systematic Chaos
15. The Astonishing


Dream Theater is my #1 MM-era album.  Not a bad song on it, and it has a couple GREAT songs.  Illumination Theory is incredible, dancing from one musical theme to another while still remaining cohesive.  The Looking Glass is a superb short song (derivative though it may be).  The Enemy Inside kicks you in the teeth - in a good way.  Along for the Ride is an excellent ballad.  The only place the album loses me slightly is with TBP, BTV and STR.  Those three songs come across as rather "samey."  Enigma Machine is also just an ok instrumental.  I hear people constantly deriding the production of this one, but either I don't hear it or it doesn't bother me.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: romdrums on September 26, 2022, 10:17:53 AM
12. Black Clouds and Silver Linings (my rank: 15).  When I first bought this album, I was listening to it on the way home, and when it came to the growled section in ANTR, I was one button press away from pulling the CD out and throwing it out the window.  I'm perfectly cool with Cookie Monster vocals, death growls, etc. but they do not work for that song at all.  TCOT is the main redeeming factor on an otherwise bad album.  Lyrically, it's awful throughout.  MP was right, something did need to change, and I'm glad the change was him.

11. Dream Theater (my rank: 14).  The snare drum sound ruins this record for me.  It sounds like they sampled Mangini hitting a pillow that had a towel placed on top of it.  It would fit in on an indie record where the rest of the drums are supposed to sound like garbage, but not on a DT record.  Seriously kills my enjoyment of this record.


Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Dublagent66 on September 26, 2022, 10:21:29 AM
Honest question; why do we give so much slack to TA on the grounds that "this is what the band were going for so they should get credit for achievement", but fail to do the same with other material (TBOT was the song that triggered this thought).  IF we give credit to "artist intent", then shouldn't TBOT - something that I recall Mike being on record as being VERY proud of, and rightfully so - get the same acknowledgement?

Personally, I don't care what the intent was.  The bottom line is, do I like it or not?  If you go by intent alone, you might as well be giving out participation trophies.


15  When Dream and Day Unite
14  Dream Theater
13  The Astonishing
12   
11   
10  Black Clouds and Silver Linings
  9  Systematic Chaos
  8   
  7   
  6   
  5   
  4   
  3   
  2   
  1   
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: bosk1 on September 26, 2022, 10:37:37 AM


WDADU:  Yeah, this had to be #15.  Anyone saying otherwise is either Scotty or engaging in some revisionist history.   

I wonder of it is the same for others who are not native English speakers but CoT lyrics, clumsy as they are, never really bothered me

Nah, those lyrics are great.  Don't let a few Internet trolls fool you.  The trolls are always the loudest voices.

I guess we can look forward to you trashing some of us every time you disagree with us in this thread.  Fun stuff that, sadly, does not surprise me.  :tdwn :tdwn

Eh, since you called out people trolling the QR thread, and I supported you doing so there, your reaction here rings a bit hollow.  If the show fits, own it and wear it.  If it doesn't, grow a thick skin and move on.  Nobody attacked you as a person--only called out certain conduct, which, again, you yourself called out in another thread. 

Anyhow, let's get back to enjoying the countdown rather than tearing each other down.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: nobloodyname on September 26, 2022, 10:41:21 AM
DT12 placed 14th for me. Crushingly dull and spectacularly mediocre.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Samsara on September 26, 2022, 10:42:24 AM
Paul,

Based on what you wrote, I'm checking out DT self-titled a bit more closely this morning. Really enjoying the revisit. It's better than I gave it credit for. (I had it at 9, could probably pop it up a couple of spots and hit 8 or 7 like you.)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Dublagent66 on September 26, 2022, 10:58:57 AM
DT12 placed 14th for me. Crushingly dull and spectacularly mediocre.

Looks like we're in the same boat on this one.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: DreamerTV on September 26, 2022, 11:24:34 AM

2   
3   
4   
5   
6   
7   
8   
9   
10   The Astonishing
11   Dream Theater
12   When Dream and Day Unite
13   
14   Systematic Chaos
15   Black Clouds & Silver Linings


Half of it is quite great: really love IT and The Bigger Picture, Surrender to Reason had some really great potential but failed at becoming a classic, and The Enemy Inside is their best single of their “modern era”.
The rest is lacking some real energy, with the instrumental being underwhelming given all the expectations.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: pg1067 on September 26, 2022, 11:55:00 AM
Paul,

Based on what you wrote, I'm checking out DT self-titled a bit more closely this morning. Really enjoying the revisit. It's better than I gave it credit for. (I had it at 9, could probably pop it up a couple of spots and hit 8 or 7 like you.)

 :tup


Honest question; why do we give so much slack to TA on the grounds that "this is what the band were going for so they should get credit for achievement", but fail to do the same with other material (TBOT was the song that triggered this thought).  IF we give credit to "artist intent", then shouldn't TBOT - something that I recall Mike being on record as being VERY proud of, and rightfully so - get the same acknowledgement?

Who's "we"?

I understand what they were doing.  I think it was a worthwhile thing to do.  Some folks criticize the undertaking on a conceptual level.  I don't do that.  But I still think it was poor execution and rank it at the bottom.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 26, 2022, 12:07:29 PM
To catch up:

BC&SL is pretty bad, and I think it is fortunate to be as high as it is.

DT12 is really pretty good.  Definitely a couple of sub-par things on it, but mostly pretty good.  A little surprised to see it as low as it is.

And the lyrics to TCOT are trash.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Wim Kruithof on September 26, 2022, 01:41:13 PM
Love this album.  Was number 5 for me.  Not much not to like on this.  IT is one if the best things I've ever heard.

Totally agree with your last line Wolfking. Illumination Theory is amongst the very best songs they ever composed. I love every bit of it and the entire album also is in my top #10.

I wonder how it's possible that the album that's so far off what they wanted - due to commercial boundaries - is still higher in the list. If there is one album in their discography that's far off from what they wanted it to be, (at least as written down in Lifting Shadows) it's Falling Into Infinity. But it's made the top 10. Unbelievable to me.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: SwedishGoose on September 26, 2022, 01:52:55 PM
Love this album.  Was number 5 for me.  Not much not to like on this.  IT is one if the best things I've ever heard.

Totally agree with your last line Wolfking. Illumination Theory is amongst the very best songs they ever composed. I love every bit of it and the entire album also is in my top #10.

I wonder how it's possible that the album that's so far off what they wanted - due to commercial boundaries - is still higher in the list. If there is one album in their discography that's far off from what they wanted it to be, (at least as written down in Lifting Shadows) it's Falling Into Infinity. But it's made the top 10. Unbelievable to me.

Maybe it's because it's not about what DT wanted it to be but about what enjoyment we get out of it.

For me at least I definitely prefer Falling Into Infinity over DT12. I'll take Trial of Tears over Illumination Theory every day. Not that I don't like IT but it doesn't give me goosebumps the way TOT does....
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Samsara on September 26, 2022, 02:12:08 PM

For me at least I definitely prefer Falling Into Infinity over DT12. I'll take Trial of Tears over Illumination Theory every day. Not that I don't like IT but it doesn't give me goosebumps the way TOT does....

Same.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Ben_Jamin on September 26, 2022, 02:37:02 PM
#12 - Black Clouds and Silver Linings (My Ranking: #13)


When I first heard AROP, my first reaction to it was, okay they're following the same structure as Constant Motion, and it's beginning to feel like Dream Theater is turning into the band that releases "Single" type of songs. I was right as they continued this trend since Systematic Chaos being their first album in quite a while with singles that gained some popularity, other than Panic Attack being on Rock Band.

When I first heard the album, I loved A Nightmare to Remember, the only issue I have with it is the ending instrumental before the final chorus has a section that could go without, the section where the drums die down hitting the rimshots, while the muted guitar, bass, and keys play the same parts.

I do not have a problem at all with The Shattered Fortress, given what the subject matter is and what each step represents, it makes complete sense to me regarding the use of call-backs of the previous songs and how this song seems to be one big summary. To me, it represents a reflection and a reanalysis of what you were going through with the previous steps.

Just like MP considered Space Dye-Vest to be Kevin Moore's song and Anna Lee to be Derek's, TBOT is MP's song. I enjoy it, but I just laugh at how much MP uses the word "day". When I hear the intro piano, I just imagine a montage in black and white reel-to-reel style film of MP and his Father making memories. Coincidentally, this album does have some odd things as being MP's last album, from this being his sort of Swan Song epic dedicated to his father, the boy leaving through the open door in the album art, and also the title of Black Clouds and Silver Linings.

The Count of Tuscany is a great song, and I don't mind how the lyrics just straight up tell the story. I just imagine someone standing by me, like at a bar or someplace, and we start to converse, when he starts to tell about this crazy experience he had in Tuscany involving a count. I think the music really reflects these emotions during what's happening in each stanza of lyrics. The intro makes me imagine the lush countryside of Tuscany, exactly like the backscreen video they used this tour.

Now, the reason for it being so low, even tough I am praising most of the songs, is that as an album, it is lacking flow and cohesiveness. The album art is fitting to me as that is how I feel about the songs on the album. And also since I don't really care for AROP and Wither, those can bring it down a bit more as I feel they could've done a lot more with those songs.


Favorite: The Count of Tuscany
Least: A Rite of Passage
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on September 26, 2022, 02:38:43 PM

Who's "we"?

I understand what they were doing.  I think it was a worthwhile thing to do.  Some folks criticize the undertaking on a conceptual level.  I don't do that.  But I still think it was poor execution and rank it at the bottom.


"We" was the polite collective reference to all the losers that say they love The Astonishing.   :) :) :)  :)


(I'm kidding; I don't fault or judge people for their opinions).
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 26, 2022, 02:40:50 PM
Well, it's good to know that I'm not being faulted of judged for being a loser.. :lol
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: pg1067 on September 26, 2022, 02:41:39 PM
Love this album.  Was number 5 for me.  Not much not to like on this.  IT is one if the best things I've ever heard.

Totally agree with your last line Wolfking. Illumination Theory is amongst the very best songs they ever composed. I love every bit of it and the entire album also is in my top #10.

I wonder how it's possible that the album that's so far off what they wanted - due to commercial boundaries - is still higher in the list. If there is one album in their discography that's far off from what they wanted it to be, (at least as written down in Lifting Shadows) it's Falling Into Infinity. But it's made the top 10. Unbelievable to me.

Mike Portnoy is not the sum total of "they."  JP has stated expressly that FII was the album they wanted to make.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Elite on September 26, 2022, 02:42:29 PM
Oh hey, here's their most boring album, that gets saved from last place by their second best Mangini era song (which is The Enemy Inside). Solid #14 on my list.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: SeRoX on September 26, 2022, 03:07:24 PM
Kev, sorry to bother but can you please send me my list via PM. I didn't save it anywhere and I am not sure what I ranked.  :lol
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 26, 2022, 03:38:15 PM
11. Dream Theater

Number 1 finishes: 0
Last place finishes: 3
Average finish: 10.4



I had Dream Theater at #14. I like the album, but to me there's nothing that really stands out.

I like Illumination Theory well enough, but that middle section just kills it.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Samsara on September 26, 2022, 03:46:28 PM

I like Illumination Theory well enough, but that middle section just kills it.

Amen. Seriously.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: The Realm on September 26, 2022, 03:52:42 PM
I had Dream Theater at 14. Could have easily been 15. The songwriting on the album is ok, but I don't like the sound of the album which makes it a tough listen. And I know it gets a lot of love but I am also not a fan of Illumination Theory.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: DragonAttack on September 26, 2022, 04:53:43 PM
15.  When Dream And Day Unite  #13  I didn't hear this until '09, so there's that piece.  Charlie's vocals and the production are tough on the ears, WDADReunite is an improvement.

The best comparison regarding vocalists relates to the ‘Smile’ album in the Queen discography.  The band name is different, it’s part of Brian’s and Roger’s discography, but there’s no Freddie lead vocals. 

WDADU does have ‘Ytse Jam’.  Just for that song by a bunch of teenagers, the stock goes up.

14.  Systematic Chaos  #12   Great opening track, and it's what they used for the DC show I saw in '08 following 'Ant Odyssey'.  'Constant Motion' is hard driving, fun.   'Repentence'....remove the spoken words or just end it at around five minutes, and it's OK.  TDEN....hate it, but it was good enjoyable live.  'Prophets Of War'....a good anti corporation war song regarding profits.  'The Ministry Of Lost Souls'....too long of a fade out, but enjoyable.  ITPOE Pt 2.....skip.  So it is a fair 45-50 minute album.

13.  The Astonishing  #10  Like many here, as a personally abridged one disc version, it is quite enjoyable.  A shame there's no JM or MM solo or duet for 30-60 seconds to set some sort of impending sense of doom or battle scene or something along those lines.  James is superb, and enjoy the bagpipes.

12.  Black Clouds & Silver Linings   #14  Most of ANTR is good/great, the guitar solo at the end of TBOT is so emotionally moving, and TCOT of course has the great song/bad lyrics tag (deservedly so).  The rest is just so depressing.

11. DT 12  #9  Good instrumental opening to 'The Enemy Inside', really enjoy 'The Bigger Picture' and IT, but the rest all somewhat sounds the same. 

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 26, 2022, 04:54:16 PM
Kev, sorry to bother but can you please send me my list via PM. I didn't save it anywhere and I am not sure what I ranked.  :lol

No bother at all!  Just sent it. :)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: SeRoX on September 26, 2022, 05:22:34 PM
Thanks Kev.

I'm surprised when people talked about SC most of you tend to ignore ITPOE pt2. I think it's better than part-1. The band seems to agree with most of you. Because they never play part-2 since SC tour. Shame.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 26, 2022, 05:24:35 PM
I consider IPTOE ONE song anyway. I never separate them.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: krands85 on September 26, 2022, 05:58:12 PM

I like Illumination Theory well enough, but that middle section just kills it.

Amen. Seriously.
I edited most of the ambient section out, which feels a bit sacrilegious, but I prefer the song without it. I left the orchestral part in though, as I like that section.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 26, 2022, 06:02:08 PM

I like Illumination Theory well enough, but that middle section just kills it.

Amen. Seriously.
I edited most of the ambient section out, which feels a bit sacrilegious, but I prefer the song without it. I left the orchestral part in though, as I like that section.

I don't understand. I thought there's only one section.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on September 26, 2022, 06:27:58 PM
I've grown to really like the middle section personally.


I like Illumination Theory well enough, but that middle section just kills it.

Amen. Seriously.
I edited most of the ambient section out, which feels a bit sacrilegious, but I prefer the song without it. I left the orchestral part in though, as I like that section.

I don't understand. I thought there's only one section.

I think he just means the quiet section before the orchestra kicks in.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 26, 2022, 07:04:18 PM
I love the entire ambient section of IT.  The orchestral section is just amazing.  I still remember seeing the band in Chicago and just standing there while it played, as I closed my eyes and let it just wash over me.  A great little concert moment for me.  :hat :hat
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 26, 2022, 07:11:29 PM
I love the entire ambient section of IT.  The orchestral section is just amazing.  I still remember seeing the band in Chicago and just standing there while it played, as I closed my eyes and let it just wash over me.  A great little concert moment for me.  :hat :hat

So like everyone else you were taking a piss?



I think he just means the quiet section before the orchestra kicks in.

I've never considered them to be separate sections. The song is chugging along fantastically, comes to a screeching halt for a few minutes, and then picks up again. Why is that section there??
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 26, 2022, 07:13:15 PM


I think he just means the quiet section before the orchestra kicks in.

I've never considered them to be separate sections. The song is chugging along fantastically, comes to a screeching halt for a few minutes, and then picks up again. Why is that section there??

Do you ask that about the middle section of the song A View from the Top of the World?  It is pretty much the same dynamic and structure.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 26, 2022, 07:20:39 PM

I like Illumination Theory well enough, but that middle section just kills it.

Amen. Seriously.
I edited most of the ambient section out, which feels a bit sacrilegious, but I prefer the song without it. I left the orchestral part in though, as I like that section.

I don't understand. I thought there's only one section.

It comprises a single movement, but I’d definitely say it’s comprised of two sections. There’s the ambience with the nature/animal like sounds and then the orchestra kick in which is the second section. I just kinda want it hear this edited version as I can’t imagine it any other way.

I know there’s a version out there that starts with the ambient and orchestral sections and then just stay balls out heavy fir it’s entire duration. Was only when I heard that that I realised that this song needed that movement where it is to maximise its effect!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 26, 2022, 07:21:53 PM


I think he just means the quiet section before the orchestra kicks in.

I've never considered them to be separate sections. The song is chugging along fantastically, comes to a screeching halt for a few minutes, and then picks up again. Why is that section there??

Do you ask that about the middle section of the song A View from the Top of the World?  It is pretty much the same dynamic and structure.

Not at all because it actually goes along with the song, and not some out of nowhere for no reason unrelated section of nothing.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 26, 2022, 07:23:15 PM


I think he just means the quiet section before the orchestra kicks in.

I've never considered them to be separate sections. The song is chugging along fantastically, comes to a screeching halt for a few minutes, and then picks up again. Why is that section there??

Do you ask that about the middle section of the song A View from the Top of the World?  It is pretty much the same dynamic and structure.

Not at all because it actually goes along with the song, and not some out of nowhere for no reason unrelated section of nothing.

The sections in IT do go with the song, though.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 26, 2022, 07:24:08 PM
Which song do they go with?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 26, 2022, 07:28:31 PM
Which song do they go with?

(https://thumbs.gfycat.com/ElaborateCandidElkhound-size_restricted.gif)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: geeeemo on September 26, 2022, 07:52:40 PM
I have DT at 10. I listened to it first in my ride through all the albums this past month. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I dont care for TEI, or TLG, but wanted to give them a fair shake, and any others in DT's catalog I haven't cared for. (Not many) I enjoyed them. I like the 2 instrumentals, and the rest - not including IT -I like very much. The thing is, I just like other songs more. Now IT is a top 5 song for me. I like the ending better than most of the other epics. It's grand. I like the premise of the song, and it has one of my favorite JP riffs/solos. I have grown to appreciate the middle. I take it as a time to reflect on the question at hand. What is one willing to live, die or kill for. Its a big question. We get the answer, and the end which is correct and bittersweet...
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Cool Chris on September 26, 2022, 08:11:33 PM
I loved ADToE, so my hopes were high for their next release. When I gave it a listen, I didn't find anything bad or bothersome, but I didn't find anything memorable either. It was just sorta... there. As a follow up to ADToE, with was a let down. It didn't help the 20+ closer was a slog for me. I grew to like the album more over time, but it still sits in the double-digits.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. Systematic Chaos
8.
9.
10. Dream Theater
11. The Astonishing
12.
13. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
14.
15. When Dream And Day Unite
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 26, 2022, 08:13:51 PM
I loved ADToE, so my hopes were high for their next release. When I gave it a listen, I didn't find anything bad or bothersome, but I didn't find anything memorable either. It was just sorta... there. As a follow up to ADToE, with was a let down. It didn't help the 20+ closer was a slog for me. I grew to like the album more over time, but it still sits in the double-digits.

Yeah, I can get on board with pretty much all of this. IT wouldn't be a slog if it weren't for that mid section.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: devieira73 on September 26, 2022, 08:42:57 PM
I love the entire ambient section of IT.  The orchestral section is just amazing.  I still remember seeing the band in Chicago and just standing there while it played, as I closed my eyes and let it just wash over me.  A great little concert moment for me.  :hat :hat

Although in studio I wish the orchestra entered sooner, all that section live was indeed really incredibly beautiful with the video screen (and also strangely, since the band wasn't playing live, just pre-recorded orchestra).
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Revenge319 on September 26, 2022, 10:48:22 PM
Systematic Chaos: I had this at #8. Really good Dream Theater album all-around. Forsaken and Prophets of War are in the middle/lower parts of my overall song rankings, but I think the rest of these songs are classics. Repentance is beautiful, as is The Ministry of Lost Souls. In the Presence of Enemies is one of the better epics in DT's catalogue, to me. I've never really had any problems with the lyrics on this album, and that applies to the albums coming up as well.

Rankings:
1. In the Presence of Enemies
2. The Ministry of Lost Souls
3. Repentance
4. The Dark Eternal Night
5. Constant Motion
6. Prophets of War
7. Forsaken


The Astonishing: I had this at #5, and the main reason is that it feels so uplifting to listen to. I get in very good spirits every time I listen to this album. Though even without that, I'd still rank it on the higher half of this list. So many great moments on this album, and there are only a few songs that I don't have at least somewhat high praise for. I think in some areas, they could've done a lot better, but that's a small complaint because of I love pretty much every other part of this album.

Top 5:
1. A New Beginning
2. The Path That Divides
3. A Savior in the Square
4. When Your Time Has Come
5. Hymn of a Thousand Voices


Black Clouds & Silver Linings: I had this at #2 on my list. It used to be my #1 favorite at a certain point, and for good reason. Nearly every song ranks highly on my overall rankings, and both The Best of Times and The Count of Tuscany are in my Top 5 Dream Theater songs. I love so many things about this album... and one of those things is the lyrics to The Count of Tuscany. I think they're really good, and I initially wouldn't have expected that to be the most common criticism of the song. My love for this album is quite strong; it's definitely in my Top 10 of all time.

Rankings:
1. The Best of Times
2. The Count of Tuscany
3. A Nightmare to Remember
4. The Shattered Fortress
5. A Rite of Passage
6. Wither


Dream Theater: I had this at #13 on my list. I think this is Dream Theater's most inconsistent album. There are three or four songs that I rarely come back to; they're not bad by any means, and I enjoy them in the moment, but they don't interest me enough to make me want to listen again. But the other half is really good. Illumination Theory is a Top 5 Dream Theater song for me, and songs like The Bigger Picture and The Enemy Inside are ones that I would rate quite highly. I would call this a great album just because of how enjoyable the good half of it is, but it is easily outclassed by mostly everything else the band has put out.

Rankings:
1. Illumination Theory
2. The Bigger Picture
3. The Enemy Inside
4. Enigma Machine
5. False Awakening Suite
6. Along for the Ride
7. Behind the Veil
8. The Looking Glass
9. Surrender to Reason


Album rankings so far:

2. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
5. The Astonishing
8. Systematic Chaos
13. Dream Theater
15. When Dream and Day Unite
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on September 27, 2022, 04:52:49 AM
Which song do they go with?

 :lol
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#10 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 27, 2022, 05:29:14 AM
10. Falling into Infinity
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/df/Dream_Theater_-_Falling_into_Infinity_Album_Cover.jpg)
Number 1 finishes: 1
Last place finishes: 6
Average finish: 9.8


Unlike many fans, I didn't consider this a disappointment at the time of its release.  I knew it wasn't as great as I&W or Awake (few album are), but it was still really good, and it had songs I considered some of their best, ones that have held up as such, for me anyway.  I gave it a couple fresh listens earlier this month and came away realizing it is probably their one album I would call a "rock" record, first and foremost.  The prog and metal elements are still there, but do not seem as prevalent.  A very unique record for the band.  I ranked it 7th.

My top 5 songs from the album:
1. Peruvian Skies
2. Trial of Tears
3. Lines in the Sand
4. Hell's Kitchen
5. Hollow Years
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: SeRoX on September 27, 2022, 05:36:39 AM
My FII rank is 6.

The best sounding album and has DT classics such ToT, Hollow Years and Lines in the Sand. You Not Me and New Millenium are filler songs for me. The others are fun to listen.

Fan base seems to rank it low which I don't agree but FII was a step back after I&W and Awake. So I understand the reason.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: SwedishGoose on September 27, 2022, 05:42:47 AM
A good album with some really high highs but not up to par with their absolute best.

Trial of Tears is a huge favorite of mine...



15.
14. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Systematic Chaos
11. Dream Theater
10.
9. Falling Into Infinity
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on September 27, 2022, 05:47:53 AM
Was at 9 for me.  It's solid.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 27, 2022, 05:53:45 AM
Crap! This album is actually so good that I had it in 4th. Is it as strong as the albums either side of it? No. It wasn’t meant to be. This is a way more commercial sounding record for them, trying to appease the record companies. But it works! Do I wish certain elements had been left untouched from the demo version? Yeah. The You Or Me, Take Away My Pain and Lines in the Sand demos are by far the superior versions and there are songs that made the final album that I wish had been removed in favour of 4 of the 5 songs that were left out. But, as a whole, for what this album is and all of its many perceived flaws, I absolutely love it!

Falling Into Infinity
My rank: 4th of 15

Top 5:
Lines in the Sand
Just Let Me Breathe
Trial of Tears
New Millennium
Peruvian Skies

My current standing
1.
2.
3.
4. Falling Into Infinity
5.
6.
7.
8.
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10.
11. Systematic Chaos
12.
13. When Dream And Day Unite
14. Dream Theater
15. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Podaar on September 27, 2022, 06:09:45 AM
Number 8 for me. I really like this album a lot, all the way through.

Maybe I'm easy to please, but the same could be said for #11 through #1

15   When Dream and Day Unite
14   Dream Theater
13   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
12   The Astonishing
11   Systematic Chaos
10    ???
9    ???
8   Falling into Infinity
7    ???
6    ???
5    ???
4    ???
3    ???
2    ???
1    ???
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: devieira73 on September 27, 2022, 06:51:03 AM
10.   Falling into Infinity (#9); grade (8.3/10)

Top 5 songs:   Lines in the Sand, Trial of Tears, New Millennium, Peruvian Skies and Hell’s Kitchen

I think it’s a really interesting DT album, indeed very accessible to the general rock fan - in a good way, like Rush's Moving Pictures (I know, not comparing the masterpiece/classic status). Its highlights are amazing, but it does have some kind of generic songs like You Not Me, Burning My Soul and Take Away My Pain, although all of them are enjoyable. Unpopular opinion here: TAMP aside, I think Kevin’s suggestions in the arrangements were for better. Also, a lot of great B-sides to me, it should be a double album.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: krands85 on September 27, 2022, 06:53:45 AM
I had it in 13th, though it could have been a spot or two higher. It gets dragged down a bit by having 3 of the worst DT songs on it. Chop them out and replace them with a couple of unreleased songs from that era and it may even have squeezed into my top 10. Great sounding record though, much better production than most of their output in the 25 years since.

15. When Dream and Day Unite
14. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. Falling Into Infinity
12.
11. Dream Theater
10. The Astonishing
9. Systematic Chaos
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.

Trial of Tears is my favourite here, beautiful song with everyone firing on all cylinders, I just love the atmosphere of the track. Lines in the Sand isn't far behind and I even like the guest vocals from Doug Pinnick (just looked him up and was shocked to see he's 72!). I know a lot of people don't care for them, but I always enjoyed them, it's nice to hear something a bit different with that contrast to James voice. One of JP's all time great solos here too.

Hell's Kitchen is one of their best instrumentals and again has a really cool atmosphere/vibe to it. The next group of songs are solid, but nothing too special - Peruvian Skies, New Millennium and Hollow Years - with the former being my favourite on the album and the Budokan version of the latter being one of the biggest improvements to a DT song. Then on to the ballads, which are never among my favourites, but I think they did a really nice job with Take Away my Pain and Anna Lee.

Then we reach the bottom of the barrel with You Not Me, Burning my Soul and Just Let me Breathe. Always found them to be among the weakest DT tracks and I very rarely listen to them.

So the rankings up until now have matched fairly well with my own, with the bottom 6 all being in my own bottom 7. It may take a while to fill that gap though - I have an inkling of which two albums may come next and it's not gonna be what I have 12th  :lol
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Lonk on September 27, 2022, 07:14:53 AM
15. Black Clouds and Silver Lining
14. Dream Theater
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Systematic Chaos
11. ??
10. Falling Into Infinity
9. ??
8. The Astonishing
7. ??
6. ??
5. ??
4. ??
3. ??
2. ??
1. ??
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Mladen on September 27, 2022, 07:16:12 AM
15. Falling into infinity
14.
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Dream Theater
11.
10.
9.
8. Black clouds & silver linings
7. Systematic Chaos
6.
5. The Astonishing
4.
3.
2.
1.

I'd been wondering for years why the album doesn't work for me. Then I heard the demos. That's when I realized that the best songs were left off of the album. Too bad...
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: The Letter M on September 27, 2022, 08:19:49 AM
01.
02.
03.
04.
05.
06.
07.
08.
09. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
10.
11. Falling Into Infinity
12. Systematic Chaos
13. Dream Theater
14. When Dream And Day Unite
15. The Astonishing

I had FII at 11th place, just outside my top ten. It's enjoyable overall, but it's faults almost balance out its greater moments. The production is pretty good but the writing is just too all over the place, and knowing what the album COULD have been kind of hurts what we did get, as I prefer the demo versions of some of the songs than the final ones, particularly "Take Away My Pain".

-Marc.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: T-ski on September 27, 2022, 08:36:13 AM
#12

The “safe” Dream Theater album.  I don’t like some of Derek’s sound choices, plus he wasn’t Kevin Moore so I was already biased going in.

I do love Trial of Tears.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Adami on September 27, 2022, 08:41:53 AM
1. ???
2. ???
3. ???
4. ???
5. ???
6. Falling Into Infinity
7. ???
8. ???
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. The Astonishing
11. Systematic Chaos
12. When Dream and Day Unite
13. Dream Theater
14. ???
15. ???


I really like this album for the most part. Don't love You Not Me, but I really dig most of the rest. It was the first album (to me) that each band member started putting in their own unique voice more. You can tell the MP songs, the JM songs, the JP songs, etc. I think this was also one of the best JP sounding albums. His place in the mix is what I think fits them best, as opposed to modern DT which is hugely guitar dominating. I really like Derek's unique contributions as well. Yea, overall a great album!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Dublagent66 on September 27, 2022, 08:46:22 AM
15  When Dream and Day Unite
14  Dream Theater
13  The Astonishing
12   
11   
10  Black Clouds and Silver Linings
  9  Systematic Chaos
  8  Falling into Infinity
  7   
  6   
  5   
  4   
  3   
  2   
  1   

Oh, and I love Derek's sound on FII.  He definitely left his mark during his short tenure with the band.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: mariner on September 27, 2022, 08:55:18 AM
I hadn't been doing the reveals, but will add to the thread...

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.  Falling Into Infinity
8. 
9.  Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. Systematic Chaos
11.
12.
13. Dream Theater
14. The Astonishing
15. When Dream and Day Unite

Falling Into Infinity to me is about the ballads - I love both Peruvian Skies and Hollow Years.  I love the solo on Hollow Years, especially the live one on Budokan.  (That piezo sound!)  I love how they segued into Metallica and Pink Floyd live on the Octavarium tour in Peruvian Skies.  Lines in the Sand, New Millenium (the Chapman stick!) and Trail of Tears are other highlights for me.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: nick_z on September 27, 2022, 08:55:31 AM
Looks like I need to catch up on a couple...

Dream Theater - I ranked it at #7

Love this one, it's my favorite of the Mangini-era. From my reading of prior discussions on this forum I did get the sense this wasn't super highly-regarded within DT's discography, so I can't say I'm surprised the overall ranking is quite low. I think the songs are great. Maybe not the best sounding album, but the production doesn't seriously affect my enjoyment of the music here.

Enigma Machine is not particularly exciting, but other than that (and perhaps the instrumental intro) it's all good. The nods to Rush (The Looking Glass, the beginning of Surrender to Reason) are super-tasty, The Enemy Inside is a great "metal" DT song, and generally the songwriting is concise and top-notch. My favorite might be The Bigger Picture, but the quality is high throughout. Also agree with the overall comments on IT - it's a fun ride, with plenty of great riffs...the middle section I could probably do without but it doesn't spoil my enjoyment...and the ending is fine, although I'm not a huge fan of that "grand finale" type of approach...


Falling Into Infinity - I ranked it at #4

And, after WDADU, here is my other idiosyncratic pick, I guess...Although I'm pleasantly surprised by its overall ranking, I actually thought it'd be lower.

As Kev noted, yes, this was a drop-off from I&W and Awake. It was bound to happen. It is undeniably a flawed album and, knowing the story behind it, I suppose one can feel the pressure/forces pulling in different directions. Yet, for me, the highs here are so high that they more than compensate for some of the stumbles. It's a time in DT's history (again, for me) when you still weren't sure what to expect and what you were going to hear. So many great songwriting ideas in here, and goosebump-worthy moments (Hell's Kitchen, Lines in the Sand, Trial of Tears!).

In the perennial discussion about the album vs. the demo versions, my view is for the most part I like the album versions better - the only exception being Take Away my Pain (I had heard it the first time in concert in its pre-release version, and it just sounded more "powerful" than what ended up on the record) and the brief instrumental section in You or Me (I like You Not Me better, actually, but I would have kept that part...). However, in terms of songs that were left off - some of them would've made the album better, imo. In particular, Raise the Knife is such a cool mix of the proggy DT and the new sound, and Speak to Me is beautiful - DT-meets-The Cure-meets-U2. Love The Way It Used to Be too. Would love to hear those with the album production.

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Dream Team on September 27, 2022, 09:05:48 AM
This has always been last for me. I like about 1 and 1/2 songs. Take Away My Pain (demo or OIALT version) and half of Trial of Tears. That 1st place vote is absolutely shocking to me. Was it HOF?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: WilliamMunny on September 27, 2022, 09:18:34 AM
FII ranked 5 for me, but depending on the day, it could be as high as 2 (or even number 1 if we are talking about my personal mix which includes a handful of demos).

At the time, I appreciated what (to me) felt like an honest departure from Awake. Between I&W, Awake, and FII, I felt like DT had covered a tremendous amount of ground, and at that time, each record fit a specific mood.

As the years have passed, I have come to appreciate FII more and more. The band will likely never return to making albums this way—demoing, trying different recording techniques depending on the song, etc. I've also come to really enjoy the more 'standard' numbers like "You Not Me" and "Burning My Soul." Again, I don't want ever DT song to follow a simple arrangement, but in the context of a record, having a couple of traditional rock songs really adds a sense of balance.

Any band with 15 albums (not named AC/DC) will likely spread its wings at one point or another—just as some people really appreciate The Astonishing for the departure that it is, I appreciate FII. I suspect, as I get older, my connection to the album (and songs like "Take Away My Pain") will only continue to deepen.

Interestingly enough, I looked back at my listening history over the past 5 years, and FII dominates my most listened to DT, so the record has remained relevant to me on a level that other albums have failed to do.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: pg1067 on September 27, 2022, 09:36:10 AM
I consider IPTOE ONE song anyway. I never separate them.

The band did that for us.


10. Falling into Infinity
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/df/Dream_Theater_-_Falling_into_Infinity_Album_Cover.jpg)
Number 1 finishes: 1
Last place finishes: 6
Average finish: 9.8


Unlike many fans, I didn't consider this a disappointment at the time of its release.  I knew it wasn't as great as I&W or Awake (few album are), but it was still really good, and it had songs I considered some of their best, ones that have held up as such, for me anyway.  I gave it a couple fresh listens earlier this month and came away realizing it is probably their one album I would call a "rock" record, first and foremost.  The prog and metal elements are still there, but do not seem as prevalent.  A very unique record for the band.  I ranked it 7th.

My top 5 songs from the album:
1. Peruvian Skies
2. Trial of Tears
3. Lines in the Sand
4. Hell's Kitchen
5. Hollow Years


My rankings:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. Dream Theater
8.
9. When Dream and Day Unite
10. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
11.
12. Falling Into Infinity
13.
14. Systematic Chaos
15. The Astonishing

I can distinctly recall listening to this for the first time.  In fact, I remember looking at the CD booklet and thinking, "huh..."  It didn't really look like a Dream Theater album.  Where was the logo?  Why would they change that?  "Eh...who cares?  Let's hear it!"  New Millennium started out well enough.  Gonna take me a couple listens to figure out these time signatures.  OK...change coming...and then...dump.  What the hell is this?  After a few minutes, I skipped to song #2.  Really?  And so on.  On first listen, the only thing that was even remotely appealing was Hollow Years.  Eventually, I softened on a few of the songs.  Trial of Tears is solid, but not great.  Anna Lee is awesome (but not really core DT sound).  Hell's Kitchen is great.  Hollow Years is an excellent ballad.  Even You Not Me isn't bad.  Lines in the Sand?  With a better chorus, it could be the best song on the album, but that chorus straight ruins it.  The rest of the songs hold no interest for me, and NM is a bottom 5 DT song.  And no, none of the demo versions or rejected songs have any impact on my opinion.  Raise the Knife is pretty good, but the album would, on the whole, be worse if the rejected songs had been included.  It would have been a double CD drudge into naptime.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: javidt on September 27, 2022, 09:38:00 AM
#8 for me.

I didn't know DT yet when it was released but Trial of Tears is my favourite DT track and LITS one of my favourites.  Hell's kitchen is fabulous too. I really miss this sound. The guitar turned way more heavy since SFAM onwards.

Unfortunately BMS and JLMB bore me and TAMP (album edit) sounds very artificial.

With the passing of the time I appreciate it more but it's too unbalanced to be higher on my ranking. Maybe it could reach #7 but, for me, are 6 albums clearly better than FII
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Zydar on September 27, 2022, 10:13:03 AM
I had FII at #5 actually. I really enjoy this album. Great production/sound, it has a unique "feel" in their discography, and plenty of great songs. Favourites are New Millennium, Peruvian Skies, Hollow Years, Take Away My Pain, and Trial Of Tears. Anna Lee is a lovely ballad. I never could get into Lines In The Sand though, it seems to be a fan favourite.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Lethean on September 27, 2022, 10:32:43 AM
I had it at 12.  No big complaints - I love the album and just like some of the others more.  Trial of Tears is one of my favorite DT songs.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: geeeemo on September 27, 2022, 10:52:27 AM
I have it at#4.

For a while, I was influenced (as a new-ish listener of 6 years now) by what others say. FII - meh - as well as SC, and BCSL. But, now that I know the music well, I am really paying attention to what I enjoy. I enjoy the heck of this one. It's groovy, unique and atmospheric. I enjoy all the songs (except YNM, it's ok).  I have listened to it several times recently and its my go-to at the moment.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Revenge319 on September 27, 2022, 11:03:36 AM
I ranked Falling Into Infinity at #14. Similarly to how I feel about the self-titled album, this album is low mainly because it's inconsistent. The way I see it, there's a really good half (HY, BMS, HK, LitS, TAMP, AL, ToT) and a decent but not particularly interesting half (NM, YNM, PS, JLMB). The first time I heard this album, I thought it was pretty mediocre, but it's really grown on me over the years. The highs aren't as high as the self-titled album, and the lows are a little lower, but overall it's still a pretty good album!

Rankings:
1. Trial of Tears
2. Hell's Kitchen
3. Lines in the Sand
4. Anna Lee
5. Hollow Years
6. Take Away My Pain
7. Burning My Soul
8. Peruvian Skies
9. You Not Me
10. New Millennium
11. Just Let Me Breathe
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: DragonAttack on September 27, 2022, 11:17:18 AM
Falling Into Infinity   #7

A fan for five years, I still didn't own this when I saw DT for the fourth time in '09. Portnoy comes out at the beginning of the encore, and starts messing around in front of the kit, tapping on items, gently flinging through the chimes, etc., and I whisper into my wife's ear " I think they're going to play 'Xanadu'.  :facepalm: :lol

Finally got it around the time of the BC&SL release.  Following my recent purchases of ToT and SC, I needed this more 'soothing' and more melodic offering.  There's a couple of clunkers, but I really enjoy what's on my version:

Burning My Soul / Peruvian Skies / Hollow Years / Hell's Kitchen / Lines In the Sand / Take Away My Pain / Just Let Me Breathe / Trial of Tears

A shame that 'Raise The Knife' and a couple of other 'Closet' tracks weren't part of this album.  And, the older I get, the more I enjoy this. And it has aged rather well (much better than me 😉☹️)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: ZirconBlue on September 27, 2022, 12:59:06 PM
FII was a bit of a let-down for me when it first came out, but it's really grown on me over the years.  I prefer the demo versions of several of the songs, and I really like the songs that were left off the album.  So, it could easily been my number 1 in an alternate universe.



1   
2   
3   Falling into Infinity
4   
5   
6   
7   
8   
9   Dream Theater
10   Systematic Chaos
11   
12   The Astonishing
13   
14   When Dream and Day Unite
15   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on September 27, 2022, 02:31:11 PM
I had FII at #9 and I don’t get the hate for NM at all. That instrumental break might be one of the coolest jams the band has ever recorded. And JM rockin the Chapman stick has me dancing around and “slapping da bass” like Paul Rudd in “I Love You, Man”. I guess some people think the lyrics are bad, but that seems a lame argument when songs like Constant Motion are often praised in spite of the lyrics that feel like something I wrote on a Pee-Chee when I was 12.

Lines in the Sand gets ruined by the terrible chorus.

Most of the rest of the album is pretty good. But I think the album would have benefited from using the original arrangements (leaving HK in BMS) and swapping RTK for LITS.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: nick_z on September 27, 2022, 02:48:44 PM
I had FII at #9 and I don’t get the hate for NM at all. That instrumental break might be one of the coolest jams the band has ever recorded. And JM rockin the Chapman stick has me dancing around and “slapping da bass” like Paul Rudd in “I Love You, Man”.

YES!...

Lines in the Sand gets ruined by the terrible chorus.

...and NO  :biggrin:

But I think the album would have benefited from using the original arrangements (leaving HK in BMS)

Hmmm...I personally think separating the two was the single best production decision that was made in these sessions - I'm saying this because I absolutely love HK AND BMS might well be my least favorite song on the album.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on September 27, 2022, 02:53:01 PM
I had FII at #9 and I don’t get the hate for NM at all. That instrumental break might be one of the coolest jams the band has ever recorded. And JM rockin the Chapman stick has me dancing around and “slapping da bass” like Paul Rudd in “I Love You, Man”.

YES!...

Lines in the Sand gets ruined by the terrible chorus.

...and NO  :biggrin:

But I think the album would have benefited from using the original arrangements (leaving HK in BMS)

Hmmm...I personally think separating the two was the single best production decision that was made in these sessions - I'm saying this because I absolutely love HK AND BMS might well be my least favorite song on the album.

I’m not a fan of BMS the way it turned out, but I really like the ‘96 arrangement and I wish it would have gotten a properly produced recording.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Samsara on September 27, 2022, 02:59:40 PM
I had it at #5, and I think depending on the day can flip-flop with my #4 (which has yet to be revealed).

I think Falling Into Infinity is an OUTSTANDING record. I loved it from the moment I heard it. The songs breathed, there was an organic feel to it all (courtesy, I believe, of Kevin Shirley), Derek Sherinian really had his style embedded in the songs and it was just so incredible with Lines in the Sand and Trial of Tears.

I saw the end of this tour...DT opening for ELP and Deep Purple in August 1998 at Jones Beach was my first DT experience. I still visually remember them on stage doing New Millennium.

In the years that followed, and the slights that came out from MP about the album, the process, and all the drama MP went through with this whole writing/recording, I felt his comments really damned this record to fans. I can't remember exactly, but 11 or 12 years ago (could be longer), I remember posting how MP's shitting on this album publicly really just built a herd of sheep against FII. I thought that was wrong. Just because MP had a difficult time and didn't like the direction, didn't mean it wasn't a good one.

In fact, I think FII is one of Dream Theater's finest albums, BECAUSE of the changes made. You Not Me is significantly better and more streamlined in comparison to You Or Me. I remember You Not Me getting a ton of radio airplay on Long Island - something I don't believe You Or Me ever would have. It was a lot easier to listen to, but still maintained DT's sense of prog and high level of musicianship. To me, FII was to Dream Theater what Empire was to Queensryche.

Another great change - lifting "Hell's Kitchen" out of "Burning My Soul." I'm sorry for fans that like the "Metropolis" style of songs, where you plop an instrumental section that has nothing to do with the actual song into the middle, and then resume the song. That's cool once in awhile, but Dream Theater, particularly as they moved into the 2000s, started doing this all the time, and that sucked to me. IMO, "Hell's Kitchen" and "Burning My Soul" were way better separated.

These were SMART decisions. And it helped achieve a few things for the band in terms of being noticed by a wider audience of listeners. Not to a huge degree, because obviously they came back with SFAM and that skyrocketed their career. But FII is a unique piece in the DT catalog that has brilliant moments. Sure, I didn't like JP doing a little writing with Desmond Child - but it made for a better song and a really good single for the band. A one-time thing that resulted in something good.

And here we are now in 2022, and low and behold, the album, while not top tier for MOST Dream Theater fans, is thought of MUCH MORE HIGHLY than it was. I have a feeling that the record will continue to be appreciated more and more as the years go on. Wish the band would have performed a suite of tracks from it this year in honor of 25 years.

I also think the leftover tracks were damn good too. Speak to Me is a gem, and should have been on there. Cover My Eyes was a fun, tune, even if it had a b-side whiff to it, etc. I'm glad I saw these two cuts live.

My top tracks: Trial of Tears, Lines in the Sand, Anna Lee, Hell's Kitchen.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 27, 2022, 03:22:17 PM
In the years that followed, and the slights that came out from MP about the album, the process, and all the drama MP went through with this whole writing/recording, I felt his comments really damned this record to fans. I can't remember exactly, but 11 or 12 years ago (could be longer), I remember posting how MP's shitting on this album publicly really just built a herd of sheep against FII. I thought that was wrong. Just because MP had a difficult time and didn't like the direction, didn't mean it wasn't a good one.

I don't know. Are DT fans really sheep?

I think going back in time, it's easy to pick out a couple of great tunes, as with any other of their albums, and it simply blends with the rest of the catalog. All I can say is that I thought DT "Sold Out" when I heard it. That was my thought.

And all MP's comments did was confirm my suspicions about the album. They validated my opinion on the album.


I rated this at #15 BTW. Yes it sounds awesome. Yes it has three great tunes...Lines, Trial, and Peruvian Skies. But the rest is so inferior to anything DT had done before it.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Dream Team on September 27, 2022, 03:28:31 PM
People can try to ret-conn all they want but FII will NEVER be thought of as a top-tier DT album by the majority no matter how far into an imaginary future you go.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: pg1067 on September 27, 2022, 03:29:41 PM
Hmmm...I personally think separating the two was the single best production decision that was made in these sessions

I agree.  When I first heard them combined I thought it was one of the most out of place things ever - possibly even more out of place than the Erotomania section in Oliver's Twist.


I had FII at #9 and I don’t get the hate for NM at all. That instrumental break might be one of the coolest jams the band has ever recorded. And JM rockin the Chapman stick has me dancing around and “slapping da bass” like Paul Rudd in “I Love You, Man”. I guess some people think the lyrics are bad, but that seems a lame argument when songs like Constant Motion are often praised in spite of the lyrics that feel like something I wrote on a Pee-Chee when I was 12.

FWIW, I have nothing in particular against the lyrics of NM.  Neil Peart could have written the lyrics and it wouldn't save the meandering musical mess.


In the years that followed, and the slights that came out from MP about the album, the process, and all the drama MP went through with this whole writing/recording, I felt his comments really damned this record to fans. I can't remember exactly, but 11 or 12 years ago (could be longer), I remember posting how MP's shitting on this album publicly really just built a herd of sheep against FII. I thought that was wrong. Just because MP had a difficult time and didn't like the direction, didn't mean it wasn't a good one.

I don't know. Are DT fans really sheep?

"Sheep" is probably a bit of an overstatement, but I agree with Brian's general point.  I FIRMLY believe that the amount of hate that FII gets is greater because of MP's comments than it would have been had he never made those comments or if he had said something like, "Yeah...the process leading up to FII was pretty frustrating, and we wanted to make a double CD, but it wasn't in the cards.  Here are the songs that didn't make the cut.  Hope you enjoy them."  Same with the snare sound on I&W.  If he doesn't make his public comments, I'm guessing 50% or more of the fans don't even notice and only a small fraction would care.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Samsara on September 27, 2022, 03:32:09 PM
re: sheep - That was the first and only time I remember DT fans sitting there, and just lapping up stuff, and then defending to the hilt MP's thoughts on the FII process and album. I found it pitiful.

You can like or dislike a record, it really doesn't matter. But I was really surprised people just piled on FII after MP said something. And hey, MP's entitled to his opinion, obviously. The man co-wrote the record and performed on it. If the whole thing was a bad project, I get it. But I felt like his public commentary on it drummed up an incredible amount of hate for a record that doesn't deserve it. And from what I see here...people are finally realizing that FII really wasn't as bad as many claim it to be.

I'm not saying people will think of it as top tier as a whole. *I* do. But I do think as we're seeing here, people don't think it's nearly as bad as was trumpeted for the years following MP's comments.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 27, 2022, 03:34:51 PM
Well, I piled on on my first listen long before I ever knew what MP thought of it.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Samsara on September 27, 2022, 03:37:02 PM
Well, I piled on on my first listen long before I ever knew what MP thought of it.

In B4 the wool, eh, Tim?  :lol
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 27, 2022, 03:52:13 PM
Well, I piled on on my first listen long before I ever knew what MP thought of it.

In B4 the wool, eh, Tim?  :lol

The genesis of my Bah humbug self. ;D
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Shalev Amir on September 27, 2022, 03:54:33 PM
I'm glad to see it placed higher than done lesser albums, I had it at #7. Lines in the Sand is one of the greatest DT songs, and I honestly like some of the hated tracks like Burning My Soul and JLMB.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Dublagent66 on September 27, 2022, 04:01:03 PM
People can try to ret-conn all they want but FII will NEVER be thought of as a top-tier DT album by the majority no matter how far into an imaginary future you go.

I think we all pretty much know that, but it doesn't necessarily mean it's bottom-tier either.  My ranking is almost in line with the average.  Just a notch or two back from middle of the road.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: The Realm on September 27, 2022, 04:02:38 PM
Falling Into Infinity was #6 for me. I really like this album, the sound of it actually means I do listen to it a fair bit, skipping a track here and there as it isn't perfect but still has some great songs.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Dublagent66 on September 27, 2022, 04:25:48 PM
re: sheep - That was the first and only time I remember DT fans sitting there, and just lapping up stuff, and then defending to the hilt MP's thoughts on the FII process and album. I found it pitiful.

You can like or dislike a record, it really doesn't matter. But I was really surprised people just piled on FII after MP said something. And hey, MP's entitled to his opinion, obviously. The man co-wrote the record and performed on it. If the whole thing was a bad project, I get it. But I felt like his public commentary on it drummed up an incredible amount of hate for a record that doesn't deserve it. And from what I see here...people are finally realizing that FII really wasn't as bad as many claim it to be.

I'm not saying people will think of it as top tier as a whole. *I* do. But I do think as we're seeing here, people don't think it's nearly as bad as was trumpeted for the years following MP's comments.

Totally agree Sam.  It's a shame that so many opinions were affected by just a few comments.  I guess I was fortunate enough listen to album before hearing any such comments, but I'm not normally swayed by other's opinions anyway.  People should listen to the record and form their own opinions of it.


I had FII at #9 and I don’t get the hate for NM at all. That instrumental break might be one of the coolest jams the band has ever recorded. And JM rockin the Chapman stick has me dancing around and “slapping da bass” like Paul Rudd in “I Love You, Man”. I guess some people think the lyrics are bad, but that seems a lame argument when songs like Constant Motion are often praised in spite of the lyrics that feel like something I wrote on a Pee-Chee when I was 12.

FWIW, I have nothing in particular against the lyrics of NM.  Neil Peart could have written the lyrics and it wouldn't save the meandering musical mess.

NM isn't one of my favs either, but never really thought of it as a meandering musical mess.  ???
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 27, 2022, 05:09:11 PM
Along the lines of what has been discussed, it feels like some get too hung up on what the album could have been, rather than focusing on what it is.  We have seen that in some of the chatter today on the record.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Setlist Scotty on September 27, 2022, 05:27:01 PM
In the years that followed, and the slights that came out from MP about the album, the process, and all the drama MP went through with this whole writing/recording, I felt his comments really damned this record to fans. I can't remember exactly, but 11 or 12 years ago (could be longer), I remember posting how MP's shitting on this album publicly really just built a herd of sheep against FII. I thought that was wrong. Just because MP had a difficult time and didn't like the direction, didn't mean it wasn't a good one.
I don't know. Are DT fans really sheep?

"Sheep" is probably a bit of an overstatement, but I agree with Brian's general point.  I FIRMLY believe that the amount of hate that FII gets is greater because of MP's comments than it would have been had he never made those comments or if he had said something like, "Yeah...the process leading up to FII was pretty frustrating, and we wanted to make a double CD, but it wasn't in the cards.  Here are the songs that didn't make the cut.  Hope you enjoy them."  Same with the snare sound on I&W.  If he doesn't make his public comments, I'm guessing 50% or more of the fans don't even notice and only a small fraction would care.
I really can't comment regarding anyone who became a fan after 1997, but as someone who was a diehard fan long before that and religiously read every issue of the Ytsejam mailing list, I can say emphatically that I was severely disappointed with FII when I picked it up, especially having had a bootleg from the Fix for 96 tour that I had become intimately familiar with. And I wasn't alone but any stretch of the imagination. Granted, the fanbase has grown exponentially since then, so the majority of the fanbase today was not there when FII was released, but to say that MP's comments tarnished FII rings hollow from my perspective.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 27, 2022, 05:34:02 PM
I agree Scotty. The first time I heard it I was like "What the hell is this?"

I don't even like listening to bootlegs from this era. It's the equivalent of a kid's gawky pre teen years full of zits and awkwardness.

Although I do love the Christmas '98 shows.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Ben_Jamin on September 27, 2022, 06:09:38 PM
#11 - Dream Theater (My Ranking: #11)

Since the album preceding this one had drum parts written by JP, I was highly anticipated to hear Mangini's contributions to the band. This album did not disappoint in regards to his contributions. Where it does disappoint is in the overall production decisions for the tones on the album.

The tone of the snare drum works in certain songs, such as The Enemy Inside, Enigma Machine, False Awakening Suite, and Behind The Veil. But it does not on some of the more light-hearted songs. Since the snare tone is part of the entire albums tone as well, I can sort of bypass it. In regards to the tone of the album, the cover does represent it well, it's dark, cold, metallic, but with a glimpse of light-heartedness.

The production, or more, the sound of the album ended up being a bit too much chocolate on the cake. It's dense and there's sounds that are hard to hear at parts. This is one of the only albums where I ended up buying a Hi-Res version and it does enhance the space a lot more to allow those sounds to breathe and be heard.

I really do enjoy a lot of the songs, The Bigger Picture is my 3rd favorite song by the band and one I feel suffers from the production. The intro of TBP is the best example of that dense, loud sound. Illumination Theory is conceptually a great song, and the structure reflects that concept. The middle ambient and following orchestral section isn't jarring for me because of the concept. Actually, that's another reason why I enjoy this album is because of a theme the songs seem to have a hint of, which is "what are you willing to live/die/kill for?"


Favorite: The Bigger Picture
Least: The Looking Glass
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Lethean on September 27, 2022, 06:18:48 PM
Re: MP's comments.  I don't think they affected me.  I wasn't familiar with DT when it came out, so I got it a few years later.  This would have been after Six Degrees.  And to me, WDADU was the "worst," and Falling into Infinity was next.  I don't think I had any clue about MP's comments.  And, I loved Take Away My Pain and Hell's Kitchen, and liked Burning My Soul just fine.  I didn't know about any of that.  I thought (and still do) that New Millennium was awesome.  But song for song, it just wasn't as good as the rest.  You Not Me was fine; pleasant.  Just Let Me Breathe was decent.  And since I thought every track on the other albums was way better than decent or fine, Falling into Infinity wasn't quite as good.

Out of curiosity, when did MP's frustrations become public?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Ben_Jamin on September 27, 2022, 06:58:38 PM
#10 - Falling Into Infinity (My Ranking: #14)


The songs I first heard from this album were the ones played on Live at Budakon. Then I borrowed my uncles Live in Tokyo/Once In A Livetime dvd and heard some of the other songs. I then saw Just Let Me Breathe Live at Gigantour and I remember that unison part of the instrumental and loving it. The first time I heard the album was when I borrowed my friends cd to rip onto my computer.

Even though I still quite enjoy what the album became. It's hard for me to ignore what could have been, even if the changes were still the same but minimal, like including other songs, but still keeping certain changes like the BMS split. This is the only reason why I rank it this low.

Now, the songs themselves are not bad at all. Even You Not Me is growing on me. The only one I never cared for is Burning My Soul, but it's a conundrum for me because I like how the demo starts but love Hell's Kitchen. With that opening and the JLB's delivery of the lyrics adds more to that song, and If they had just kept that and the rest of the song stayed the same, it would be one I would enjoy more. Take Away My Pain is the same way. I like chorus of the album, but I enjoy the structure of the demo being more somber. My favorite is Trial of Tears, and I like how it sounds on the album. Hollow Years, I enjoy as is, but once I heard the demo, I wish the pre-chorus would've been left in. Of course the definitive version for me now is the live version of Budakon.   

If we would've gotten the double album, with also some changes to the songs, this would be higher up on my list.


Favorite: Trial of Tears
Least: You Not Me (But if they were to have kept the structure of "You or Me" with the chorus of "You Not Me", it would be higher up and another song would take this spot)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Cool Chris on September 27, 2022, 07:01:23 PM
Is it as strong as the albums either side of it? No. It wasn’t meant to be.

Well if they were going for an album that wasn't as strong as their previous efforts, this is a massive success!  :biggrin:

Easily the weakest of James' albums. I didn't enjoy it when it was released, that didn't change when I found out about all the drama going on at the time, it didn't change when I heard the demos/tracks that didn't make the cut, it's not going to change in the future.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. Systematic Chaos
8.
9.
10. Dream Theater
11. The Astonishing
12.
13. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
14. Falling into Infinity
15. When Dream And Day Unite
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Wim Kruithof on September 28, 2022, 05:14:50 AM
15) Falling Into Infinity
14) When Dream and Day Unite
13)
12) The Astonishing
11) Systematic Chaos
10) Dream Theater
09) Black Clouds and Silver Linings
08)
07)
06)
05)
04)
03)
02)
01)

Falling Into Infinity is just not an album that I revisit often. You Not Me and New Millennium are amongst the weakest of the whole discography if you ask me and Just Let Me Breathe is not that far off. Besides, the artwork is a huge let-down as well (even more so with Once in a LIFEtime, where the logo is missing completely). Although the album has very highs, with Trial of Tears, Peruvian Skies, Lines in the Sand and Hollow Years... somehow I can't rank it any higher than last. And I do believe that Hell's Kitchen should have remained within Burning My Soul.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 28, 2022, 05:25:47 AM
09. Distance over Time
(https://i.discogs.com/h04-j0T_kxCMJsXqwM3qY7gC8UznQpc-TUO4Z_jZwLg/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:600/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTEzMjIz/MTUxLTE1NTAyNDc4/NDctOTU3NS5qcGVn.jpeg)
Number 1 finishes: 0
Last place finishes: 2
Average finish: 9.0


I ranked this 8th, so it finishing 9th is just about right if you ask me.  Darn good record, featuring what I feel are the two best songs of the MM era: Fall into the Light and At Wit's End.  I feel that the first two songs are pretty average, but everything else ranges from very good to great (the big two), and the bonus track Viper King is really good as well.  It's a shame that 1/3 of the songs from the proper album have been neglected live thus far, but such is the consequence of the band playing static set lists.

My top 5 songs from the album:
1. Fall into the Light
2. At Wit's End
3. Out of Reach
4. Barstool Warrior
5. Room 137
*Viper King would have been in the 5th spot if it were on the proper album
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Wim Kruithof on September 28, 2022, 05:48:24 AM
I ranked Distance Over Time as 13th. As being the first album I was aware of releasing since I became a fan, my expectations were so high. Maybe it drowned a little bit by my own making. I love a couple of songs and it still remains a beautiful piece of music, but there is just too much I enjoy more. Barstool Warrior and At Wit's End are the top of this if you ask me.

Room 137 is the rock-bottom. As Mangini's first lyrical input, I hope he'll stick with the drumsticks from now on.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: T-ski on September 28, 2022, 05:54:32 AM
#10.

Lots of good stuff on this one, just thought other albums were better overall.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: SwedishGoose on September 28, 2022, 05:58:41 AM
To me this was such a let down after the adventurous The Astonishing. Polar oposites.... this ended up last
Going from something really special and in my ears extremely satisfying to this felt like they took the safe way out.

The fans didn't like us experimenting so lets just follow the template.

Turned out a bit boring and predictable to me.

15. Distance Over Time
14. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Systematic Chaos
11. Dream Theater
10.
9. Falling Into Infinity
8.
7.
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Mladen on September 28, 2022, 06:07:23 AM
I agree. For me, it was way too safe and by-the-numbers after The Astonishing got me spoiled. It was still solid, though. Pale blue dot is one of the best songs of the Mangini era.

15. Falling into infinity
14.
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Dream Theater
11. Distance over time
10.
9.
8. Black clouds & silver linings
7. Systematic Chaos
6.
5. The Astonishing
4.
3.
2.
1.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on September 28, 2022, 06:18:34 AM
I had it at number 8.  I thought it was actually quite varied and creative myself.  Love the sound of the record too.  Love how it's not bloated either.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 28, 2022, 06:23:03 AM
Is it safe to say that Distance Over Time is essentially course correction after The Astonishing? That’s not to say it isn’t a great album, but it’s certainly a safer, by-the-numbers kind of album when it comes to Dream Theater. I think it’s pretty good in many places, making it’s appearance on my list as the second highest of the Mangini records (no prizes to work out what’s first, many of you will feel the same). This has some absolutely fantastic songs, but also two that I really really don’t like.

Distance Over Time
My rank: 8th of 15

Top 5:
At Wit’s End
Pale Blue Dot
S2N
Untethered Angel
Fall Into the Light

My current standing
1.
2.
3.
4. Falling Into Infinity
5.
6.
7.
8. Distance Over Time
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10.
11. Systematic Chaos
12.
13. When Dream And Day Unite
14. Dream Theater
15. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Podaar on September 28, 2022, 06:28:44 AM
Number 9 for me. I've actually been listening to this quite a bit lately. Wit's End, S2N, Fall Into the Light, Barstool Warrior, were all instant likes for me and I've come around to really enjoying the rest of the album as well. It's aged nicely, I think.

15   When Dream and Day Unite
14   Dream Theater
13   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
12   The Astonishing
11   Systematic Chaos
10    ???
9   Distance Over Time
8   Falling Into Infinity
7    ???
6    ???
5    ???
4    ???
3    ???
2    ???
1    ???
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Lonk on September 28, 2022, 06:45:08 AM
15. Black Clouds and Silver Lining
14. Dream Theater
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Systematic Chaos
11. ??
10. Falling Into Infinity
9. ??
8. The Astonishing
7. ??
6. Distance Over Time
5. ??
4. ??
3. ??
2. ??
1. ??
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on September 28, 2022, 06:52:00 AM
I had it at #5, and I think depending on the day can flip-flop with my #4 (which has yet to be revealed).

I think Falling Into Infinity is an OUTSTANDING record. I loved it from the moment I heard it. The songs breathed, there was an organic feel to it all (courtesy, I believe, of Kevin Shirley), Derek Sherinian really had his style embedded in the songs and it was just so incredible with Lines in the Sand and Trial of Tears.

I saw the end of this tour...DT opening for ELP and Deep Purple in August 1998 at Jones Beach was my first DT experience. I still visually remember them on stage doing New Millennium.

In the years that followed, and the slights that came out from MP about the album, the process, and all the drama MP went through with this whole writing/recording, I felt his comments really damned this record to fans. I can't remember exactly, but 11 or 12 years ago (could be longer), I remember posting how MP's shitting on this album publicly really just built a herd of sheep against FII. I thought that was wrong. Just because MP had a difficult time and didn't like the direction, didn't mean it wasn't a good one.

In fact, I think FII is one of Dream Theater's finest albums, BECAUSE of the changes made. You Not Me is significantly better and more streamlined in comparison to You Or Me. I remember You Not Me getting a ton of radio airplay on Long Island - something I don't believe You Or Me ever would have. It was a lot easier to listen to, but still maintained DT's sense of prog and high level of musicianship. To me, FII was to Dream Theater what Empire was to Queensryche.

Another great change - lifting "Hell's Kitchen" out of "Burning My Soul." I'm sorry for fans that like the "Metropolis" style of songs, where you plop an instrumental section that has nothing to do with the actual song into the middle, and then resume the song. That's cool once in awhile, but Dream Theater, particularly as they moved into the 2000s, started doing this all the time, and that sucked to me. IMO, "Hell's Kitchen" and "Burning My Soul" were way better separated.

These were SMART decisions. And it helped achieve a few things for the band in terms of being noticed by a wider audience of listeners. Not to a huge degree, because obviously they came back with SFAM and that skyrocketed their career. But FII is a unique piece in the DT catalog that has brilliant moments. Sure, I didn't like JP doing a little writing with Desmond Child - but it made for a better song and a really good single for the band. A one-time thing that resulted in something good.

And here we are now in 2022, and low and behold, the album, while not top tier for MOST Dream Theater fans, is thought of MUCH MORE HIGHLY than it was. I have a feeling that the record will continue to be appreciated more and more as the years go on. Wish the band would have performed a suite of tracks from it this year in honor of 25 years.

I also think the leftover tracks were damn good too. Speak to Me is a gem, and should have been on there. Cover My Eyes was a fun, tune, even if it had a b-side whiff to it, etc. I'm glad I saw these two cuts live.

My top tracks: Trial of Tears, Lines in the Sand, Anna Lee, Hell's Kitchen.

Other than your love for Lines In The Sand - which IS ruined by Doug Pinnick's screeching - I agree with a LOT of this.  Maybe it's being a Kiss fan and living through Dynasty, and Unmasked and The Elder, but I think the "record company involvement" like it's a plague, is a non-issue.  This has the bones of a great record, and it's one I listen to a fair amount.   I do listen to the "Director's Cut" more, because I LOVE the extra songs (Raise The Knife is killer, and Cover My Eyes is a top ten DT song for me) but it's a great record.  I hate that because "Desmond Child" is there that somehow it's a blasphemy.  That's just narrow-mindedness, in my opinion. 

The ONLY thing that bugs me is some of the background vocals. Don't ask me why, but the "Yeewwwwww, Not MAAAAYYYYYYY" inflected background vocals bug me.  :) They are in Burning My Soul as well.   But it's a small quibble; I love John's tones on this record. 
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on September 28, 2022, 07:01:56 AM
Let's catch up, shall we?

I won't write about all of them in detail, but:

I really like not love the D/T and Dream Theater records; they are where they are.  There are some great parts on those records, and while they don't reach the heights of the top five on my list, they don't suck.  I have my issues, and they are well-documented, but that doesn't mean I can't find things I enjoy on there.

The Astonishing just doesn't work for me.  It just doesn't.  Doesn't mean the band should ignore it, or disavow it, but I have plenty of things in the DT catalogue that I'd rather listen to, and I do.

Black Clouds... I dig it.  I think it gets short shrift, like FII, because of all the things that go around it, but it's got some good songs on it, and those songs really translate live.  I saw the original BC&SL tour, which was great (though it was the Prog Nation thing, and I wish the set was longer) and I've heard a couple songs on later tours, and it's easy to hate, but I don't personally get it.

It should be noted: 1-5 are sacred; but the pocket between 6 and 10 - really, 12 - is a mishmash; there's not a huge gap between each of them and you could probably throw them in a hat and jumble them and still be good. 

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. Dream Theater
7. Systematic Chaos
8. Distance Over Time
9.
10. Falling Into Infinity
11.
12. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13.
14. The Astonishing
15. When Dream And Day Unite
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Lethean on September 28, 2022, 07:11:52 AM
I put Distance Over Time at 6.  I think it's a fantastic album, on its own regardless of how it compares to The Astonishing (which is my #3).
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Zydar on September 28, 2022, 07:14:12 AM
I had Distance Over Time at #9. Someone just described it as "course correction after TA", and I can only agree. After being hugely bored by TA I was glad that they came back with this kind of album. "Safe" and "by the numbers"? Sure I guess, but as long as we get great songs like Fall Into The Light, At Wit's End, and Barstool Warrior as a result then I'm not complaining. Viper King is a cool bonus too.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on September 28, 2022, 07:29:55 AM
I had D/T at #13. I was more focused on the songs I liked when it first came out, but the album as a whole did not age well at all.  The songs I love, I really love. Barstool Warrior, At Wit’s End, Untethered Angel and Paralyzed are all great songs, but Out of Reach is one of the worst things they’ve ever done. It reminded me of Euphoric from the SI album by JLB (a song (and album) that were so bad that I permanently vowed not to pick up any more of JLB’s solo material). I get they were going for a kinda “Deep Purple/Highway Star” vibe with Viper King, but the result is pretty meh. Most of the other songs just don’t do it for me either.

Glad the follow up was better.  ;D
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Adami on September 28, 2022, 07:37:03 AM
1. ???
2. ???
3. ???
4. ???
5. ???
6. Falling Into Infinity
7. ???
8. ???
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. The Astonishing
11. Systematic Chaos
12. When Dream and Day Unite
13. Dream Theater
14. Distance Over Time
15. ???

This is just not an album for me. And it really helped cement that modern DT songwriting isn't my thing. I can't connect to any of the songs on it at all and can't remember much about them. I've given it a number of listens and usually just find myself spacing out quickly. The album is just not speaking to me on any level, which is a shame. Glad everyone else loves it but it's just not for me.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 28, 2022, 07:37:44 AM
09. Distance over Time

Number 1 finishes: 0
Last place finishes: 2
Average finish: 9.0



I had Distance Over Time at #12. Seems kind of low, but 7-12 are really all equal albums to me.

At Wits End is phenomenal, as is Fall Into The Light.

But Paralyzed, Out Of Reach, and Room 137 all really drag this album down.



15. Falling Into Infinity
14. Dream Theater
13.
12. Distance Over Time
11. Systematic Chaos
10. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
9.
8.   
7. The Astonishing
6.
5.   
4. When Dream and Day Unite
3.    
2.    
1.    

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: nick_z on September 28, 2022, 07:46:01 AM
Distance Over Time - I ranked it at #11

It's not an album that reinvents the (DT) wheel, obviously, but it does sound like the band is having a good time in their performances. Fall into the Light, Barstool Warrior, S2N and At Wit's End are all very strong songs - the latter is one of my favorites of the MM-era, and I like the jammy Rush vibe of S2N. Paralyzed is a good, single-like catchy tune (in my opinion better than, say, Forsaken - to mention something in a similar vein that was recently discussed in this thread). Untethered Angel is not spectacular,  but it works as an opener (and its guitar-keys harmonized run is kinda refreshing)...and Out of Reach is a pleasant ballad.

On the downside: Not too crazy about Room 137 - it's an interesting experiment between grooviness and Beatles-que vocal effects, but I'm not 100% sold...and Pale Blue Dot, while instrumentally impressive, didn't quite stick with me.

Overall, despite the bottom-half ranking, it's an album I've enjoyed from the very beginning. Good stuff.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 28, 2022, 07:49:02 AM
Room 137 sounds like something they'd have done in the Derek days.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Laughingplace56 on September 28, 2022, 07:54:28 AM
Distance Over Time is by no means a *bad* album-it’s still DT, so there’s still plenty of great moments throughout the album. But it is by far my least favorite album of the bunch. It just feels largely boring to me, and it’s the album I listen to the least.

Part of my issue is the production on the album. The mix comes off way too harsh at times, most offensively on S2N, and it makes James sound the worst he has sounded on any album. I wish S2N, Barstool Warrior and Pale Blue Dot were saved for a different album as those songs are great, but the rest are throwaways for me.

My rankings so far:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. Dream Theater
7.
8.
9.
10. Systematic Chaos
11. Falling Into Infinity
12. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. The Astonishing
14. When Dream And Day Unite
15. Distance Over Time

I agree with the bottom 6 so far, but in a wildly different order lol.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: krands85 on September 28, 2022, 07:56:15 AM
I had this one in 7th, though it was a bit of a toss-up between it and another album (which I suspect may come next) over which got 7th and which 8th. I find it to be pretty consistent overall, with no clunkers dragging it down like those below it on the list. However, it also doesn't have anything in my top 10-15 DT tracks, so it couldn't really go much higher.

15. When Dream and Day Unite
14. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. Falling Into Infinity
12.
11. Dream Theater
10. The Astonishing
9. Systematic Chaos
8.
7. Distance Over Time
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.

At Wit's End is my favourite here, one of the best of the Mangini-era, with real emotion behind it and brilliant work from JLB and JP. Pale Blue Dot isn't too far behind and I love the spacey theme, but just feel like it's missing something that holds it back slightly.

Untethered Angel and Fall Into the Light complete my 'big 4' on the album. UA just feels like the quintessential modern DT single - maybe that's why many seem to dislike it, perhaps it doesn't feel like anything new - but I just love the instrumentation and the vocal melodies from James. FITL is also cool and I really enjoy the Megadeth and Metallica vibe you get at times.

Barstool Warrior took a while to grow on me and I still don't rate it as highly as most I don't think, but it's definitely a well-written song. S2N is another one I don't enjoy a much as most of you, but it hasn't really grown on me as much as BW - it's good musically, but something about the vocals feels off-putting to me.

Out of Reach is my favourite of the remaining tracks and I feel like it's one of their better short tracks, especially of recent times. Can't put my finger exactly on why, but the song just has a nice atmosphere to it. I wasn't keen on Paralyzed when I first heard it, I found it pretty boring, but it has grown on me and I actually find it pretty catchy now. Room 137 and Viper King are my least favourite tracks, but I do enjoy them and they both have a different feeling to them to most other DT songs, so are still quite interesting.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: devieira73 on September 28, 2022, 08:01:43 AM
9.   Distance Over Time (#10); grade (8.0/10)

Top 5 songs: S2N, At Wit’s End, Pale Blue Dot, Barstool Warrior and Fall Into the Light.

I also think the album begins with the “wrong foot”, with 2 songs a bit average, but the rest are really good to great, including Viper King. As a minor complaint, I think it’s still missing a truly epic song in the album - maybe they should have expanded PBD a bit, including lyrically. One of my favorites drum sounds in DT discography, although the cymbals could be a little higher in some spots.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: The Letter M on September 28, 2022, 08:06:28 AM
01.
02.
03.
04.
05.
06.
07.
08.
09. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
10. Distance Over Time
11. Falling Into Infinity
12. Systematic Chaos
13. Dream Theater
14. When Dream And Day Unite
15. The Astonishing

Just barely making my Top Ten, this one has been a solid album for me since release. Every song is fairly enjoyable and when it came out, was a breath of fresh air to me as a DT fan after The Astonishing and the diminishing returns of DT12. I'd say this one is worth of a middle-of-the-pack 6th-10th spot, but hits the bottom end of that range for me. Still a great album though!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: nobloodyname on September 28, 2022, 08:10:30 AM
I had Falling Into Infinity at number eight, chiefly because I think Trial of Tears is one of the best songs they've ever written. I wish they'd take their modern material in that direction. Someone said the album is much less about the guitar and I'd agree with that. Nice balance.

Distance Over Time came in at number nine. It's a good album, much better than the dull mid-tempo ballad-fest that came before it.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#11 featured!!)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 28, 2022, 09:34:51 AM
FII and DoT are pretty well ranked, IMO.  For a long time, I didn't care much for FII, although I like it more now than I used to.  It has some of my very favorite DT songs, as well as some of my least favorite.  The sound of the record is by far the best of any of DT's albums, so when I play it, I listen to the whole thing, even songs I can't stand.


Which song do they go with?
This was in a discussion on the ambient and orchestral sections of Illumination Theory.

And they are separate.  The ambient section isn't really music - it isn't instruments playing notes, it's just pleasant ambient noise.

When the orchestra kicks in, THAT part is basically in two movements.  The first one is when the orchestra begins.  That is completely new music, and completely gorgeous.  Then, halfway through the orchestral part, it slows down, and goes into a completely different motif than it started with.  THAT motif is a reprise of the very opening music of the song.

So yeah, it goes with the song.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Dublagent66 on September 28, 2022, 10:00:30 AM
15  When Dream and Day Unite
14  Dream Theater
13  The Astonishing
12   
11  Distance over Time
10  Black Clouds and Silver Linings
  9  Systematic Chaos
  8  Falling into Infinity
  7   
  6   
  5   
  4   
  3   
  2   
  1   
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: DragonAttack on September 28, 2022, 10:14:15 AM
DISTANCE OVER TIME  #4

I needed something like this after TA.

And loved the bonus.   'Viper King', which is placed before 'Pale Blue Dot' on my version.  No truly skippable songs.  The shorter, pop-ish 'Paralyzed' and 'Room 137' are great to listen to while cruising down an interstate on a sunny day.  'Fall Into The Light'.....that instrumental :hefdaddy  'At Wit's End'....my eyes got moist while James is singing the 'don't leave me now' part on my first listen.  Don't ask why, but it was like a younger me calling out after my Mom died.  'Pale Blue Dot'...coulda been a few minutes longer perhaps, but why extend for extend sake?

The songs translated damn well to the stage as well.

Oddly, I was a little disappointed when I initially read the news back when about the 'new' album coming out, as I was still giving this a spin once a month.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: pg1067 on September 28, 2022, 10:25:02 AM
09. Distance over Time
(https://i.discogs.com/h04-j0T_kxCMJsXqwM3qY7gC8UznQpc-TUO4Z_jZwLg/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:600/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTEzMjIz/MTUxLTE1NTAyNDc4/NDctOTU3NS5qcGVn.jpeg)
Number 1 finishes: 0
Last place finishes: 2
Average finish: 9.0



My rankings:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. Dream Theater
8.
9. When Dream and Day Unite
10. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
11. Distance over Time
12. Falling Into Infinity
13.
14. Systematic Chaos
15. The Astonishing

I had some measure of difficulty figuring out where to put DOT.  I don't really like R137, but it's not down at the level of New Millennium and Repentance.  On the other hand, there's also nothing that wows me.  I liked Untethered Angel a lot when it was released, but I didn't and don't like having UA, FITL and Paralyzed start the album.  FITL and Paralyzed cover similar ground to UA but don't do it nearly as well.  I never found At Wits End and Pale Blue Dot as great as the consensus seems to be.  While I like Barstool Warrior, S2N and Viper King, and while I definitely liked that DOT was nothing like its predecessor, I really don't feel any strong desire to revisit it much.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: geeeemo on September 28, 2022, 10:48:35 AM
d/t is # 9 for me. BW, AWE are fabulous songs.  I'd like to hear S2N live. FItL is pretty good with a great solo. The rest are good. Couldn't get into PBD as much as I wanted to, but it was fun live.

We have entered the middle zone. many of the next several albums could be interchanged.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: The Realm on September 28, 2022, 03:34:25 PM
Distance Over Time - #10 for me. I like this album but I don't revisit it and don't connect with much of it. There are some good tracks though. For me, the  middle patch of DT albums are pretty interchangeable when it comes to rankings - this could have been anywhere from 9 to 14 really but ended at 10 when I submitted my list.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: SeRoX on September 28, 2022, 04:08:36 PM
1-
2-
3-
4-
5- The Astonishing
6- Falling into Infinity
7-
8- When Dream and Day Unite
9-
10-
11-
12- Systematic Chaos
13- Distance over Time
14- Dream Theater
15- Black Clouds and Silver Linings


At Wit's End is their one of masterpiece in everyway but the rest of album is just there and nothing more. I kinda like BW's nostalgic feeling and Out of Reach hauting Space Dye Vestish sound. Huge disappointment after such a release TA. Never get the hype of Pale Blue Dot. Untethered Angel is their most  uninspired single ever.


At Wit's End
Barstool Warrior
Out Of Reach
S2N
Paralyzed

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Cool Chris on September 28, 2022, 06:30:54 PM
I liked TA when it came out, but when the next album was announced, I wanted them to come out strong and hit it out of the park. This album didn't do that for me. At Wit's End is classic, Paralyzed and Fall into the Light are solid. S2N and 137 are duds. Everything else is ok.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. Systematic Chaos
8.
9.
10. Dream Theater
11. The Astonishing
12. Distance Over Time
13. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
14. Falling into Infinity
15. When Dream And Day Unite
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 28, 2022, 06:32:27 PM
I liked TA when it came out, but when the next album was announced, I wanted them to come out strong and hit it out of the park. This album didn't do that for me. At Wit's End is classic, Paralyzed and Fall into the Light are solid. S2N and 137 are duds. Everything else is ok.

Nope, but the next album sure did!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Cool Chris on September 28, 2022, 06:37:10 PM
I liked TA when it came out, but when the next album was announced, I wanted them to come out strong and hit it out of the park. This album didn't do that for me. At Wit's End is classic, Paralyzed and Fall into the Light are solid. S2N and 137 are duds. Everything else is ok.

Nope, but the next album sure did!

You spoiled my comment for that album!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 28, 2022, 06:42:40 PM
I liked TA when it came out, but when the next album was announced, I wanted them to come out strong and hit it out of the park. This album didn't do that for me. At Wit's End is classic, Paralyzed and Fall into the Light are solid. S2N and 137 are duds. Everything else is ok.

Nope, but the next album sure did!

You spoiled my comment for that album!

(https://c.tenor.com/zUkcP34thp0AAAAM/white-chicks-you-were-thinking-it.gif)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 28, 2022, 08:47:36 PM
Distance Over Time is by no means a *bad* album-it’s still DT, so there’s still plenty of great moments throughout the album. But it is by far my least favorite album of the bunch. It just feels largely boring to me, and it’s the album I listen to the least.

Part of my issue is the production on the album. The mix comes off way too harsh at times, most offensively on S2N, and it makes James sound the worst he has sounded on any album. I wish S2N, Barstool Warrior and Pale Blue Dot were saved for a different album as those songs are great, but the rest are throwaways for me.

I know what you mean about the production, but the HD version was a big improvement.  The HD versions of the first two Mangini albums saw minimal improvement IMO, but Distance over Time's HD version is way less harsh and annoying loud than the normal mix.  There are times where the album doesn't hit quite as hard, if you get my meaning, in the HD version, but I am okay with it since I can then actually get through the whole record without getting ear fatigue.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: The Realm on September 28, 2022, 09:19:46 PM
I love that term "ear fatigue" that is such a great way to sum up pretty much the whole Mangini era for me. It is just a real effort to make it through any of the albums front to back in one sitting.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Shalev Amir on September 29, 2022, 01:16:38 AM
DoT was my #9, I really used to hate it but lately I realized it's pretty okay. There are some weak songs here, but the good songs are very fun to listen to.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: RoeDent on September 29, 2022, 03:16:36 AM
What the hell happened? Distance Over Time was pretty well liked in 2019. Even Room 137. DT have way way way way WAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY worse songs like the absolute fucking monstrosity that is Just Let Me Breathe. That is the worst DT song in existence. Must be newbies who have come in here and skewed the reception of D/T.

And you lot calling the ambient section of IT "not music" can go to hell as well.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 29, 2022, 04:05:57 AM
What the hell happened? Distance Over Time was pretty well liked in 2019. Even Room 137. DT have way way way way WAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY worse songs like the absolute fucking monstrosity that is Just Let Me Breathe. That is the worst DT song in existence. Must be newbies who have come in here and skewed the reception of D/T.

And you lot calling the ambient section of IT "not music" can go to hell as well.

Must disagree with two points you’ve made here. Firstly, Just Let Me Breathe is a great grooving rocker, even better with the extra jam on the OiaL version. Secondly, no, the ambient section is technically not music. It’s a soundscape, a pretty impressive one at that, but it really isn’t music in the strictest terms. The orchestra kicks in, it’s music again. If you want to say “people who dislike the ambient section can go to hell”, I can support that. But technically speaking, they’re correct.

Also, Room 137 is not the worst song off Distance Over Time imo. I have changed my mind from my previous post on the matter. However, I’m pretty sure I’ll get even more destroyed for what I think is worse.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on September 29, 2022, 04:27:16 AM
What the hell happened? Distance Over Time was pretty well liked in 2019. Even Room 137. DT have way way way way WAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY worse songs like the absolute fucking monstrosity that is Just Let Me Breathe. That is the worst DT song in existence. Must be newbies who have come in here and skewed the reception of D/T.

And you lot calling the ambient section of IT "not music" can go to hell as well.

While this post is a little but more aggressive than it needs to be, I kind of agree.  I'm a little surprised too at the negativity and thought there was a little more positivity towards the album when it came out.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 29, 2022, 05:30:07 AM
I think it is important to point out that some albums age better than others.  Not saying Distance over Time is not aging well, but time and the new car smell wearing off allows us to give a more fair and accurate assessment, based off our own personal tastes of course.  Heck, there is still an album to come that had a lot of negativity around it online immediately after its release, yet it will rank in the top 8 here, so you just never know.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Mladen on September 29, 2022, 05:36:14 AM
I was not blown away by Distance over time, but I was even less impressed by A View. However, that's not to say A View won't surpass Distance on my list in the coming years. Nowadays I'm not too sure which one was better.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 29, 2022, 05:36:48 AM
8. A View from the Top of the World
(https://i.discogs.com/-9Wp5dIs0i-xvzD2I7BEdrKto8ycVp4AOae0Zl1WrTw/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:530/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTIwNjg0/NTI3LTE2MzUyNzAx/MzQtNTI4Mi5qcGVn.jpeg)
Number 1 finishes: 0
Last place finishes: 1
Average finish: 8.6


Not sure where I will rank this one in a few years, as it still feels the new car smell is on it a bit, but for now I ranked it 9th, which seems about right.  I feel this album is extremely consistent, and my favorites here likely rank among my favorite songs from the Mangini era.  And this is by far their best sounding album since probably Six Degrees. There are several albums that I can say with absolutely certainty would have rated quite a bit higher for me if they sounded as good as this one.

My top 5 songs from the album:
1. Transcending Time
2. Awaken the Master
3. Answering the Call
4. The Alien
5. A View from the Top of the World
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 29, 2022, 05:40:38 AM
I was not blown away by Distance over time, but I was even less impressed by A View. However, that's not to say A View won't surpass Distance on my list in the coming years. Nowadays I'm not too sure which one was better.

I ranked D/T higher (8th, while View was 9th) simply because I think Fall into the Light and At Wit's End are the best songs from either album, but there is nothing on View as mediocre, IMO, as Untethered Angel or Paralyzed.  I didn't like Invisible Monster at first, but I can enjoy it now, which is more than I can say for the first two songs from D/T.  D/T has some amazing highs, though.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: javidt on September 29, 2022, 05:41:39 AM
I listened to D/T a lot when it was released too and I thought it was a good album but I rarely listen to it now a days and my favourite song (PBD) is already in two live albums so I don't have any need to revisit it. Plus, for me, UA and FITL are boring song for the DT standard.

Ranked it #12

Regarding AVFTTOTW. #5

I enjoy any song any day. ATM and AVFTTOTW specially. The weakest track for me is Sleeping Giant, but I don't need to skip it.

TT was a great surprise (despite of the guitar solo)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#13 featured!!)
Post by: SwedishGoose on September 29, 2022, 05:52:52 AM
After D/T failed to impress me I had little hope for the next one but was pleasantly surprised.

In my ears soo much better than it's predecessor but still not nearly up there with the classics.

It ended up as nr 7 in my ranking

Will have to wait and see if it passes the test of time


15. Distance Over Time
14. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Systematic Chaos
11. Dream Theater
10.
9. Falling Into Infinity
8.
7. A View From the Top Of the World
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: ReaperKK on September 29, 2022, 06:09:45 AM
Doing a little bit of a catchup:

Falling Into Infinity: I didn't think this album would place so low on my list but using the ranking engine this is how it shook out and it kind of makes sense. FII is probably the last album that I can think of that has a good variety of songs, not only is the album good but the demos are kickass too. If I were to go back 10 years ago this album would've been close to my favorite if not my favorite but my tastes have changed. That said FII has one of my two most disliked DT songs, "New Millennium" and "Just Let Me Breathe".

Distance Over Time: I loved this album from the start and my enjoyment has only grown. To me DT did what I thought was impossible and that was make a consistently good record that was true to form for their modern style, similar to Hardwired by Metallica. I get that DT will never go back to being as experimental as they were pre-ToT days but since MM joined the band I felt that DT was stumbling to find a way to sound fresh in the modern era and they were finally able to achieve that here.

A View From The Top Of The World: I think this is a solid album that does a good job at carrying the momentum of DoT but never really achieving it's highs.


1. Systematic Chaos
2. Distance Over Time
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. A View From The Top Of The World
8. Falling Into Infinity
9.
10. Black Clouds And Silver Linings
11.
12.
13. Dream Theater
14. When Dream And Day Unite
15. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: devieira73 on September 29, 2022, 06:22:55 AM
8.   A View from the Top of the World (#6 to me); grade (9.0/10)

Top 3 songs:    The Alien, Awaken the Master and AVFTTOTW.
Only song not great (and just average): Invisible monster

Best Mangini era album (and ideed best sounding too) and I think with this one DT truly managed to bring back the spark from its golden era (I&W to 8V).
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: SeRoX on September 29, 2022, 06:30:06 AM
1-
2-
3-
4-
5- The Astonishing
6- Falling into Infinity
7- A View from the Top of the World
8- When Dream and Day Unite
9-
10-
11-
12- Systematic Chaos
13- Distance over Time
14- Dream Theater
15- Black Clouds and Silver Linings


After DoT that album gives me a great run. No filler song. At first I didn't like The Alien but it's a grower. Self titled is a great epic song and I like the ending. James sounds so young and energic. Post production is best among MM era albums and possibly all of them.

The only negativity is some songs sound samey. And DT needs to get outsider producer.

1- Transcending Time
2- AVFTTOW
3- Answering The Call
4- Sleeping Giant
5- Awaken The Master

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Podaar on September 29, 2022, 06:32:32 AM
Number 10 for me. Another one that probably deserves a better ranking from me since I quite enjoy it.

15   When Dream and Day Unite
14   Dream Theater
13   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
12   The Astonishing
11   Systematic Chaos
10   A View from the Top of the World
9   Distance Over Time
8   Falling Into Infinity
7    ???
6    ???
5    ???
4    ???
3    ???
2    ???
1    ???
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Lonk on September 29, 2022, 06:38:33 AM
15. Black Clouds and Silver Lining
14. Dream Theater
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Systematic Chaos
11. ??
10. Falling Into Infinity
9. A View From the Top of the World
8. The Astonishing
7. ??
6. Distance Over Time
5. ??
4. ??
3. ??
2. ??
1. ??

Good album with good songs. There still 1 song that hasn't click for me, but the rest is enjoyable.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: DragonAttack on September 29, 2022, 06:50:41 AM
A VIEW  #11
It didn't grab me instantly as D/T did, and still hasn't.  It's a damn good album, but I'm still waiting for that 'moment' when the light clicks on.  Or, maybe
I'm just getting old. ;) 

Great all around sound production on a Mangini era release (finally).
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Zydar on September 29, 2022, 06:53:08 AM
I had this album at #11. A solid album but there's nothing outstanding here to me, not even the epic title track managed to impress me much. My favourite track here is easily Transcending Time, but I like The Alien and Invisible Monster as well. It's cool that they won the Grammy for The Alien, well deserved.

15. The Astonishing
14. Black Clouds And Silver Linings
13. When Dream And Day Unite
12. Systematic Chaos
11. A View From The Top Of The World
10. Dream Theater
09. Distance Over Time
08. ??
07. ??
06. ??
05. Falling Into Infinity
04. ??
03. ??
02. ??
01. ??
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Adami on September 29, 2022, 06:54:22 AM
1. ???
2. ???
3. ???
4. ???
5. ???
6. Falling Into Infinity
7. ???
8. ???
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. The Astonishing
11. Systematic Chaos
12. When Dream and Day Unite
13. Dream Theater
14. Distance Over Time
15. A View From the Top of the World

Guess I was the one person to rank it last. This is actually the first and thus far only DT album I never bought. After buying and really failing to connect with DoT, I wanted to listen to this a few times (legally) before I bought it and at no point did I feel anything for this album. I just really really don't connect at all with their song writing. If their next album continues in this direction, I'm sure it'll be a big success that I also won't buy. Sucks, but I'm glad they're doing what speaks to them and so many others, even if it doesn't speak to me.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Dream Team on September 29, 2022, 07:08:46 AM
So the guy that keeps saying this is the greatest album of all time didn't rank it #1?  :lol
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on September 29, 2022, 07:18:00 AM
I had View at #8. Just a huge step up from D/T for me. In fact this and the self titled are the only two Mangini albums I still consistently listen to. Nothing on either one makes me want to hit the skip button.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Mladen on September 29, 2022, 07:46:46 AM
15. Falling into infinity
14. A View from the top of the world
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Dream Theater
11. Distance over time
10.
9.
8. Black clouds & silver linings
7. Systematic Chaos
6.
5. The Astonishing
4.
3.
2.
1.

Yeah, I was not impressed by it. It's not bad, but man, Dream Theater really has set some high standards.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on September 29, 2022, 07:55:46 AM
I suppose my list says "D/T is better than AVFTTOTW", but for me, these albums are interchangeable.  Some good songs - Fall Into The Light and At Wit's End from D/T and Transcending Time and the title track from AVFTTOTW - but also some duds - Room 137 and Invisible Monster.  No masterpieces to be found here, but if I was stuck in the car and all I had was these two albums, I'd find music to enjoy for sure (and I REALLY like the live stuff I've heard from both disks).  I don't know; this tells me that DT has settled into a groove; they are past the stage where each album is an entity to itself, a snapshot in time with a particular point of view, and settled into the "we're Dream Theater, this is what we are" phase.  Kind of like Aerosmith pre-1978 and post-1984. 


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. Dream Theater
7. Systematic Chaos
8. Distance Over Time
9. A View From The Top Of The World
10. Falling Into Infinity
11.
12. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13.
14. The Astonishing
15. When Dream And Day Unite
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: krands85 on September 29, 2022, 08:07:53 AM
I have it in 8th, though as I said yesterday it was close between it and D/T and I definitely group these two together as similar. Just another really solid and consistent album, once again just lacking the real highs to elevate it much higher - I really like all but one track, but none break in to my top tier DT songs. It does get bonus points for the improved production though!

15. When Dream and Day Unite
14. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. Falling Into Infinity
12.
11. Dream Theater
10. The Astonishing
9. Systematic Chaos
8. A View from the Top of the World
7. Distance Over Time
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.

Unsurprisingly, the epic title track is my favourite, though it doesn't quite reach the same level as their others. I do really like it, but the ending just falls a little flat for me. The Alien is probably my second favourite, a great high energy way to kick off the album, with brilliant instrumentation all round and I was delighted for the band to earn a Grammy from it. Awaken the Master is pretty close behind and it has one of my favourite passages on the album with the instrumental section towards the end that leads back into the final vocal part.

Answering the Call and Sleeping Giant come next in my rankings, though I don't have much to say - just really enjoyable tracks, but which I don't find quite as musically interesting as some of the others.

Invisible Monster I find similar to Paralyzed from the last album, in that it felt fairly boring at first but it's grown on me a fair bit to be a pretty catchy tune. Transcending Time is easily at the bottom of my rankings, one of my least favourite Mangini era songs. Not really sure why, there's just something about the sound of it that doesn't appeal to me. I don't skip it or anything though and that's the beauty of DT - I can still listen to pretty much any of their songs and still get enjoyment from them.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: nobloodyname on September 29, 2022, 08:09:31 AM
So the guy that keeps saying this is the greatest album of all time didn't rank it #1?  :lol

The one who said it belongs in the canon of western music? :biggrin: Maybe they didn't take part.

I ranked this album seventh. But as others have said, the mid-spots (7-10) could be in any order, really.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: The Letter M on September 29, 2022, 08:24:52 AM
01.
02.
03.
04.
05.
06. A View From The Top Of The World
07.
08.
09. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
10. Distance Over Time
11. Falling Into Infinity
12. Systematic Chaos
13. Dream Theater
14. When Dream And Day Unite
15. The Astonishing

I've got AVFTTOTW at the top of my middle-five, as I feel it's probably their best effort overall since ADTOE, and I think I may even like it more than that, and so it's possibly my favorite Mangini-era album so far.

Maybe I'm still in the honeymoon phase with it but I still really enjoy it every time I put it on. It could slip down my rankings in the future, especially since I haven't really done a full discography re-listen in a long time, so my feelings on AVFTTOTW are being weighed against my memories of feelings of their older albums.

At any rate, there's some strong material on here and I could see how folks would praise it and rate it highly, but it's definitely not for everyone. Definitely a good "middle of the pack" DT album.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: T-ski on September 29, 2022, 08:40:29 AM
#13

Too many songs that are below average for me. I don’t consider any one song to be great. Ask me again in a couple of years though.

15. Astonishing
14. Systematic Chaos
13. View From the Top of the World
12. Falling Into Infinity
11.
10. Distance Over Time
9. When Dream and Day Unite
8.
7. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
6. Dream Theater
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: pg1067 on September 29, 2022, 09:20:08 AM
8. A View from the Top of the World


My rankings:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. Dream Theater
8.
9. When Dream and Day Unite
10. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
11. Distance over Time
12. Falling Into Infinity
13. A View from the Top of the World
14. Systematic Chaos
15. The Astonishing


Although I have View at #13, I don't think that's an entirely fair or permanent ranking.  Although the album's nearly a year old, I still don't feel like I've settled anywhere with it.  That said, it feels a lot like DOT Part 2.  I like the title track, but it doesn't blow me away.  Didn't really like Awaken the Master, but it's not bad.  Transcending Time was the song that most resonated with me, but I've yet to feel compelled to listen on repeat.  Everything else is just...yeah...heavy and fast/complex.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 29, 2022, 09:30:57 AM
I really like AVFTTOTW.  For me, it's a bit of a return to form for what I like most about the band.  I liked DoT, but I definitely prefer AVFTTOTW, so I'm glad it snuck in higher.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 29, 2022, 09:36:14 AM
My god, I don’t think I’ve ever been more divided on a Dream Theater album. I mean, for starters, it has told audacity to feature one of the worst songs in the entire DT Discography (and yet has one of the coolest solos on the album) as a single. Thank god that didn’t win the Grammy or we’d be stuck with it! But then it also ends in a solid epic, just it’s kinda middle of the pack for DT epics. I don’t know, it does a lot right, but it’s all in ways that I feel have been di be better before.

A View From the Top of the World
My rank: 10th of 15

Top 5:
Transcending Time
A View From the Top of the World
Alien
Answering the Call
Sleeping Giant

My current standing:
1.
2.
3.
4. Falling Into Infinity
5.
6.
7.
8. Distance Over Time
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. A View From the Top of the World
11. Systematic Chaos
12.
13. When Dream And Day Unite
14. Dream Theater
15. The Astonishing

I think I almost need to put in the disclaimer that I do not hate the Mangini era. Each of these albums have songs that I absolutely cherish (BAI, BtV, Ravenskill, AWE and TT amongst many more). However, my rankings are indicative of how I feel about these albums as a collective whole, which I don’t think any of these albums have fully nailed as yet. 
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Dublagent66 on September 29, 2022, 10:01:15 AM
15  When Dream and Day Unite
14  Dream Theater
13  The Astonishing
12 A View from the Top of the World
11  Distance over Time
10  Black Clouds and Silver Linings
  9  Systematic Chaos
  8  Falling into Infinity
  7   
  6   
  5   
  4   
  3   
  2   
  1   
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Lethean on September 29, 2022, 10:27:49 AM
I ranked it #9, so it's close.  I think I do need more time with it to truly place it, but then again my rankings in the middle probably move around a lot anyway.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: The Letter M on September 29, 2022, 10:36:40 AM
My god, I don’t think I’ve ever been more divided on a Dream Theater album. I mean, for starters, it has told audacity to feature one of the worst songs in the entire DT Discography (and yet has one of the coolest solos on the album) as a single. Thank god that didn’t win the Grammy or we’d be stuck with it! But then it also ends in a solid epic, just it’s kinda middle of the pack for DT epics. I don’t know, it does a lot right, but it’s all in ways that I feel have been di be better before.

You don't mean "The Alien", right? Because that DID win the Grammy for Best Metal Performance earlier this year (https://youtu.be/QziielUsiO4).

-Marc.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Animal on September 29, 2022, 01:23:06 PM
The order in which you discover a band's albums matters a lot and for me, A View is a great example of that. I stopped paying attention to what DT were doing after SC so I didn't listen to any of their post-SC albums upon their release. My love for DT and other prog and metal was rekindled again almost 15 years later (I wanted to prevent a burnout so instead of listening to audiobooks when driving, I started doing what normal people do and began listening to music - so revisiting my beloved records of old such as Awake, Scenes, Blackwater Park came naturally).

Long story short, when A View was released, I was once again as enthusiastic about DT as ever. And I kept reading more and more positive reviews so I thought "Why don't I give it a try?" I did and liked it a lot. A View sounded so different to the DT albums from "the golden era" (which were the only ones I knew at that point, plus Systematic Chaos) and because I had missed out on all the previous Mangini era albums (plus Black Clouds), it felt like a wholy new and interesting direction in their music. Songwriting was more than solid too.

It was a bit like "I don't expect to like it - after all, DT are supposed to be boring academic musicians - but I do like it. A lot." And thanks to The View, I gave fresh listen to all the other albums I had missed out on. And I liked all of them better than Systematic Chaos but that is not saying much - actually, I love one of them (yet to be revealed) and like all the others quite a lot (except TA, which contains some great moments but Petrucci should have taken some guidance form Lucassen about how to make a rock opera work).

I believe that if I had been listening to new DT records as they were being released, I may not have ranked A View so high. I could see that a lot of what felt fresh and new about it had been done on previous records as well - I just didn't know these when I listened to AVFTTOTW for the first dozen of times or so. In a way, it is a kind of nostalgia that makes me rank it relatively high - although it is a new album. But it was the first album of the DT era which I had ignored but which later gave me a lot of joy and great musical moments.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Elite on September 29, 2022, 02:27:54 PM
So far:

1   
2   
3   
4   
5   Falling into Infinity
6   Systematic Chaos
7   
8   
9   A View from the Top of the World
10   The Astonishing
11   
12   When Dream and Day Unite
13   Distance over Time
14   Dream Theater
15   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Ben_Jamin on September 29, 2022, 03:15:27 PM
#09 - Distance Over Time (My Ranking: #8)

This being only the 2nd album where Mangini gets his full involvement, it is great to see his songwriting and lyrical contributions on a song. For the entire album, this is a nice next step from the self-titled album. I enjoyed where they went with blending the heaviness with the prog, and how they incorporated softer moments in songs like The Bigger Picture and Surrender to Reason. I am glad that the band decided to explore more of those type of song structures because those two songs are ones that I really enjoy from the Mangini era of the band.

Barstool Warrior is amazing from start to finish. The music and the message of the lyrics fit perfectly, and it also has one of JP's great emotional solo's. JLB's vocals soar as well and I like how they continue that ending structure reminiscent of the outro to The Bigger Picture. At Wit's End is the other song that really expanded upon what I liked from all 3 Mangini albums so far.

I am one that doesn't mind Room 137 at all. It's a nice groove, with a heavy riff, that requries heavy lyrics. I find the lyrics do fit the music, and I also like how they incorporated that number into the music itself with the Tempo being set to 137. I just wonder how many backing vocals will be in the mix live.  :lol

The rest of the songs I really enjoy and will jam out to them when they come on. I grew to love Paralyzed after I saw it live, I felt it had more of an impact live, which some songs tend to do when played live. Fall Into The Light has the amazing middle section, I really like how they took inspiration from Metallica's Unforgiven, I like that intro guitar, so the band expanding on that motif and adding an amazing solo to boot.

Overall, I really enjoyed when the album was released and the tour. I actually went to see a show on the 2nd leg just because they were playing At Wit's End, that's how much I really adore that song. That song is a reason why I continue to listen to this band and will continue to listen to their albums, and try and catch them live.


Favorite: At Wit's End
Least: Untethered Angel
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Ben_Jamin on September 29, 2022, 03:33:07 PM
#08 - A View From The Top Of The World (My Ranking: #05)

This album, has a lot going on with it, and also is among my top 5 DT albums.

Starting off the album with a Mangini drum-fill before going into a full band onslaught the band is best known for was the best way to begin this album. Showcasing the mix and production of the drum sound showed us listeners that they have heard the cries for Mangini's drums to have justice in the mixing. For myself, this album is the cumulative Mangini era album.

While The Alien doesn't have the best verses in the vocal department for me, JP's guitar solo's are what drew me into this song. The outro solo behind the bass and drum groove, in that progression, really made me think of those classic days. Being followed by Answering The Call, in the same vein how This Dying Soul followed As I Am, just adds more intensity to the energy of the album. I really hope they pull it out soon, it will slay live for sure.

One thing I will say is I enjoy the songwriting a lot for these songs. The chord progressions, and the grooves, are pretty intricate and seem to be what they focused on. Even on the title track, it's structure is related to the topic at hand, and I like how the music describes that feeling of being in that moment. Not only is it about being at the top of the world, but also being at the depths of the unknown sea, which is facing that fear and taunting death.

The theme of facing the fears, facing death, and that feeling humans get from it, being the central theme of the album is why I really enjoy this album. I also like how the outro of title track is the summarization of this theme lyrically, and the ending not being epic makes sense to me. It's like "Alright, I accomplished this...bring on the next challenge."


Favorite: Answering The Call
Least: Invisible Monster
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: The Realm on September 29, 2022, 03:36:08 PM
A View From The Top of The World - #12 for me. A couple of great tracks and some really good production but another album I already don't revisit.

I really like Animal's post above, I agree that some times the 'order of things' matters and as a very long time fan I just think my love of the DT style is a bit burnt out these days and the last few albums, while having some really great stuff also have lots of songs that don't offer me anything new or anything I really connect with. If I want that from DT I will reach for one of the albums still yet to be revealed, as that is where my love for DT came from and what I still connect with the most.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Shalev Amir on September 29, 2022, 04:48:56 PM
Nice that View is right next to D/T, I had it at #10 and D/T ant #9. I feel this is a very solid album, although I'm really not a fan of Invisible Monster and Transcending Time. The title track also isn't quite on par. But Answering the Call and Sleeping Giant are good songs, and The Alien and Awaken the Master are favourites of mine.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on September 29, 2022, 05:08:03 PM
Number 13 for me.  Disappointing album.  Although my recent listens has made me appreciate it, just a little more.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 29, 2022, 05:12:45 PM
My god, I don’t think I’ve ever been more divided on a Dream Theater album. I mean, for starters, it has told audacity to feature one of the worst songs in the entire DT Discography (and yet has one of the coolest solos on the album) as a single. Thank god that didn’t win the Grammy or we’d be stuck with it! But then it also ends in a solid epic, just it’s kinda middle of the pack for DT epics. I don’t know, it does a lot right, but it’s all in ways that I feel have been di be better before.

You don't mean "The Alien", right? Because that DID win the Grammy for Best Metal Performance earlier this year (https://youtu.be/QziielUsiO4).

-Marc.

No, I mean Invisible Monster.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: The Letter M on September 29, 2022, 05:55:05 PM
My god, I don’t think I’ve ever been more divided on a Dream Theater album. I mean, for starters, it has told audacity to feature one of the worst songs in the entire DT Discography (and yet has one of the coolest solos on the album) as a single. Thank god that didn’t win the Grammy or we’d be stuck with it! But then it also ends in a solid epic, just it’s kinda middle of the pack for DT epics. I don’t know, it does a lot right, but it’s all in ways that I feel have been di be better before.

You don't mean "The Alien", right? Because that DID win the Grammy for Best Metal Performance earlier this year (https://youtu.be/QziielUsiO4).

-Marc.

No, I mean Invisible Monster.

Ahh okay. I guess I was confused because "The Alien" was the one that was nominated.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: nick_z on September 29, 2022, 06:02:35 PM
A View from the Top of the World - I ranked it at #10

Just one spot above D/T for me but, truly, it could be the other way around. It's not even because the two albums are necessarily similar - I just find that my level of enjoyment as I listen to either is pretty similar...

I tend to agree with Kev (and others that have already commented) on the comparison...D/T probably has higher highs, but A View is incredibly consistent (in the best way). My mind wasn't/isn't blown by it (or I would have ranked it higher, of course  :biggrin:), but I am very happy with what the band came up with. It sounds GREAT and, while it's nothing terribly new, it feels like they had some fun going a little nuts instrumentally.

My favorite song is probably Awaken the Master (love that they didn't just go for a heavy-fest with the 8-sting guitar...and the verse after the first chorus - you made it to the top...all along missing the point of the journey...- is real nice). Answering the Call is another one I loved from the start - more direct, with some of the best riffs, melodies and drumming on the record. The title track is great too, and The Alien has grown a lot on me. If I had to pick a "least favorite", I'd go with Sleeping Giant. Certainly not bad, but for me it never gets super-interesting.

All in all, very enjoyable album.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 29, 2022, 06:32:47 PM
8. A View from the Top of the World

Number 1 finishes: 0
Last place finishes: 1
Average finish: 8.6


I had A View From The Top Of The World at #6. I think this album is stellar. After D/T I thought DT needed to make a thick album where they played their asses off, and that's what we got.


15. Falling Into Infinity
14. Dream Theater
13.
12. Distance Over Time
11. Systematic Chaos
10. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
9.
8.   
7. The Astonishing
6. A View From The Top Of The World
5.   
4. When Dream and Day Unite
3.    
2.    
1.    
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 29, 2022, 07:12:39 PM
My god, I don’t think I’ve ever been more divided on a Dream Theater album. I mean, for starters, it has told audacity to feature one of the worst songs in the entire DT Discography (and yet has one of the coolest solos on the album) as a single. Thank god that didn’t win the Grammy or we’d be stuck with it! But then it also ends in a solid epic, just it’s kinda middle of the pack for DT epics. I don’t know, it does a lot right, but it’s all in ways that I feel have been di be better before.

You don't mean "The Alien", right? Because that DID win the Grammy for Best Metal Performance earlier this year (https://youtu.be/QziielUsiO4).

-Marc.

No, I mean Invisible Monster.

Ahh okay. I guess I was confused because "The Alien" was the one that was nominated.

-Marc.

The Alien won it. That’s why I’m saying thank god it wasn’t Invisible Monster didn’t win it. If Alien sticks around for ages because it’s the Grammy winner, they’ll keep playing a great song. If Monster stuck around for the same reasons, they would be doing me a favour and giving me bathroom time.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 29, 2022, 08:11:15 PM
To me, one of the great strengths of A View... is Rudess spending most of the album seemingly channeling the keyboard sounds and textures of the early DT days, which is always a good thing.  Seems like his soloing was kept to a bare minimum, which is good as well, as his solos, for me, far too often tend to find their way to Wank City.  The end of S2N is a good example.  I like that song, but that ending is an example of why I sometimes shake my head at Jordan (and not in a good way).
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Cool Chris on September 29, 2022, 08:33:44 PM
A bit of new car smell still on this one. A year or two it might drop, but not much. As I've said many times, this was the album I wanted after TA.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. A View from the Top of the World
7. Systematic Chaos
8.
9.
10. Dream Theater
11. The Astonishing
12. Distance Over Time
13. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
14. Falling into Infinity
15. When Dream And Day Unite
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Animal on September 30, 2022, 05:52:11 AM
I think the problem with Rudess's soloing is - apart from wankfest tendencies but the same can be said about Petrucci - is the tone he usually uses. I mostly like his solos when he uses piano but his typical lead tone just sounds...not very pleasant. And he seems to go for this particular sound very often. It just doesn't make any sense - why would you a bad imitation of guitar as your lead keyboard tone if you have John Petrucci in the band?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 30, 2022, 06:18:01 AM
07. Train of Thought
(https://i2.wp.com/dreamtheater.club/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/81OlHreGYZL._SL1200_.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1)
Number 1 finishes: 1
Last place finishes: 1
Average finish: 7.7


In the first year after this was released, if you had told me that someday, I would rate this as a top 5 Dream Theater, I would have laughed for a good 30 minutes, yet we are in 2022 and I had this ranked at 5.  It is still a little stunning to me how much this grew on me as a whole and how well it has aged.  In the Name of God is, for my money, a top 3 song by the band, and I have long had much more love for Honor Thy Father than the average fan.  This Dying Soul is the only song here I can say I am not super crazy about it, but I still really like parts of it and it is fine for when I do full listens.  Not sure I would describe it as the "classic metal album" that they set out to make, but I think it has held up well as a really good Dream Theater album, and the compressed mix mostly manages to work as a result of the dark tones and aura.

My top 5 songs from the album:
1. In the Name of God
2. Endless Sacrifice
3. Honor Thy Father
4. Stream of Consciousness
5. Vacant

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: Lonk on September 30, 2022, 06:22:17 AM
15. Black Clouds and Silver Lining
14. Dream Theater
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Systematic Chaos
11. Train of Thought
10. Falling Into Infinity
9. A View From the Top of the World
8. The Astonishing
7. ??
6. Distance Over Time
5. ??
4. ??
3. ??
2. ??
1. ??

#11 for me. Great album that was easily one of my favorites when I started listening to DT back in 07. Did not age well for me but I still enjoy some tracks here and there. SoC is a top 5 DT track for me. Endless Sacrifice in the last tour was amazing though  :metal
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: javidt on September 30, 2022, 06:27:13 AM
#9 in my ranking but I think it has aged very well.

I really really like ITNOG and HTF. Maybe I should have ranked it higher.

Endless Sacrifice is the weakest track for me.

Very good album
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on September 30, 2022, 06:29:34 AM
I had this as my number 1.  Just amazing from start to finish.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on September 30, 2022, 06:32:48 AM
I don't remember exactly where I had this ranked, but it's fantastic.  I like it a lot.

Excellent driving album, but probably not if you are driving in heavy traffic lol.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: T-ski on September 30, 2022, 06:33:24 AM
#11.

The heavy Dream Theater album. I’ve always skewed to the other side of their music. Just personal tastes.

15. Astonishing
14. Systematic Chaos
13. View From the Top of the World
12. Falling Into Infinity
11. Train of Thought
10. Distance Over Time
9. When Dream and Day Unite
8.
7. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
6. Dream Theater
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: devieira73 on September 30, 2022, 07:00:13 AM
7.   Train of Thought (#5 to me); grade (9.2/10)

Top 3 songs: In the Name of God, Endless Sacrifice and Honor Thy Father

A Heavy and totally killer album, with a dark atmosphere, really amazing. I wasn’t also so impressed at the time of its release, but it really grew to me over time. Its only relative flaw, for DT standarts, is the obvious one dimensional style.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: Laughingplace56 on September 30, 2022, 07:06:00 AM
I had A View at 8. Didn’t put it higher since it is still kinda new, but I can actually see this moving up the list a bit over time. It is a great return to form (as hef said) for DT. I liked D/T a lot more in the first few months after it’s release, but after about a year or so the “new car smell” wore off and I ultimately stopped listening to it much. That affect still hasn’t happened on A View, even after playing it extensively since it’s release and even still to this day. For a band’s 15th album, it is remarkably consistent and awesome. The Alien is a top 20 DT song for me at this point. It embodies everything I love about DT, consolidates it allinto 9 jam packed minutes with not a single wasted second, and the melodic solo at the beginning and end is one of my favorite JP Melodie’s of all time. So glad that was the song to win them the Grammy!

Answering the Call, Sleeping Giant and Transcending Time are great songs (and that includes the awesome solo on TT. It may be a *little* jarring for that song, but I can’t believe the amount of hate that solo gets, it’s out of place feeling makes it so cool!). AVFTTOTW was the biggest surprise of the album. It is a very unique epic, and I was very happy with how different it feels from other DT epics. Where Illumination Theory felt like they tried to copy the 8VM format and didn’t quite hit the highest highs of that song (even though I still love IT), this song was a completely new take on a DT epic. Lots of cool ideas and melodies throughout, and the ending is outstanding, especially live. The winner of the whole album Mangini, who put out probably the best drum performance in DT history for me. Outrageous drumming on every song.

The only song that hasn’t aged well for me is Awaken the Master. The intro is excellent, but once it gets into the first verse all of that momentum is lost and the rest of the song (besides a couple fun moments) is largely a slug to get through and ultimately a disappointing effort for their first 8 string song. I hope JP continues to experiment with it, would love to see what else he comes up with.


I had ToT at #5. I’ve always been a huge fan of the heavier side of DT, and this album fucking slays. Honor Thy Father is actually the song that got me into DT, and I’ve always been disappointed in the amount of flack that song gets. This Dying Soul is top 20 DT for me. The 00000 00 00|00000 00 00 riff is one of my favorite DT riffs of all time, the verses are awesome, and the intro, outro, and reprisal of the riff from part 2 of The Glass Prison are all top tier heavy DT. It’s a pretty perfect song to me. And In the Name of God is overall fantastic. The riffs on this are excellent, and the outro solo from JP live is quintessential DT.

The album should’ve been like 5 min shorter though. The first half of Endless Sacrifice drags a little too much, and Stream of Consciousness is entirely too long (I wish the whole middle section was left out honestly). But overall, it’s an excellent album, and one I listen to pretty heavily to this day.

So far:

My rankings so far:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5. Train of Thought
6. Dream Theater
7.
8.
9.
10. Systematic Chaos
11. Falling Into Infinity
12. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. The Astonishing
14. When Dream And Day Unite
15. Distance Over Time
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: nick_z on September 30, 2022, 07:11:46 AM
Train of Thought - I ranked it at #5

Always loved it, a top 5 DT album for me. A couple of songs could use some trimming (Stream of Consciousness, in particular - it starts absolutely killer, then perhaps it drags a bit), but overall fantastic. Favorite song...probably Honor Thy Father, with In the Name of God not far behind.

Maybe time to write down my ranking so far:

15. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
14. Systematic Chaos
13. The Astonishing
12.
11.  Distance Over Time
10.  A View From The Top Of The World
9.
8.   
7.  Dream Theater
6.
5. Train of Thought 
4. Falling Into Infinity
3. When Dream and Day Unite   
2.   
1.   
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: Adami on September 30, 2022, 07:21:45 AM
1. ???
2. ???
3. ???
4. ???
5. ???
6. Falling Into Infinity
7. ???
8. Train of Thought
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. The Astonishing
11. Systematic Chaos
12. When Dream and Day Unite
13. Dream Theater
14. Distance Over Time
15. A View From the Top of the World

Had it at eight. Not a bad album. I dug As I Am for a long time and still like it to a degree, but it's a bit childish. TDS has never been my favorite though it has killer moments. I like maybe half of Endless Sacrifice. Honor Thy Father is great when I'm in the mood. Vacant is fine. Stream is fantastic. ITNOG is amazing except for the final vocal part before the woahs.

Glad they got it out of their system and those songs were killer live.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: krands85 on September 30, 2022, 07:28:31 AM
A big deviation from me with this one, I've got it at #2. Always loved it since I first got in to the band around 2006/2007. It was a bit of a gateway drug in to prog metal for me, having listened to more straightforward metal before then, so it was the perfect way to ease me in to the genre I think. It was my number 1 for a while, but eventually got overtaken, but it's still one of my favourite ever albums. Amazing they wrote it in only three weeks.

15. When Dream and Day Unite
14. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. Falling Into Infinity
12.
11. Dream Theater
10. The Astonishing
9. Systematic Chaos
8. A View from the Top of the World
7. Distance Over Time
6.
5.
4.
3.
2. Train of Thought
1.

INTOG has always been my favourite track from the album and has also always been firmly in my top 5 DT songs. Just brilliant stuff from start to finish and it's long overdue a return to their live shows. Endless Sacrifice is another long-time favourite - instrumentally, it never fails to put a smile on my face. I know some people have become a little tired of the crazy instrumental sections, duelling solos and so on, but I still love them.

I rank As I Am and This Dying Soul really closely, just a killer way to start the album, with the more straightforward metal of AIA followed by the incredible musicianship of TDS - that ending just melts my face every time.

SoC is probably my next favourite, maybe slightly too long to be my favourite DT instrumental, but it's still awesome and JP continues to show his incredible guitar work. Honor Thy Father is definitely my least favourite of the longer tracks, but I think it's better than it's given credit for. Vacant is lovely and a welcome breather, though these style of songs are never gonna challenge the more metal/prog oriented tracks for me.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: Podaar on September 30, 2022, 07:41:06 AM
#5 for me. Just a killer album all the way. Stream of Consciousness is my favorite. The rest is all awesome too and having survived a tyrant step-father, I've never been bothered by Honor Thy Father's lyrics--I can relate.

15   When Dream and Day Unite
14   Dream Theater
13   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
12   The Astonishing
11   Systematic Chaos
10   A View from the Top of the World
9   Distance Over Time
8   Falling Into Infinity
7    ???
6    ???
5    Train of Thought
4    ???
3    ???
2    ???
1    ???
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: SwedishGoose on September 30, 2022, 07:45:49 AM
It is a great record for what it is but a bit too one dimensional to get to my highest ranking.

Number 8 is where it ended up for me

15. Distance Over Time
14. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Systematic Chaos
11. Dream Theater
10.
9. Falling Into Infinity
8.Train of Thought
7. A View From the Top Of the World
6.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: Mladen on September 30, 2022, 07:46:30 AM
15. Falling into infinity
14. A View from the top of the world
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Dream Theater
11. Distance over time
10.
9. Train of thought
8. Black clouds & silver linings
7. Systematic Chaos
6.
5. The Astonishing
4.
3.
2.
1.

I feel guilty putting it so low, though. It's really good. Stream of consciousness and This dying soul are my favorite tracks.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: The Letter M on September 30, 2022, 07:49:17 AM
01.
02.
03.
04.
05.
06. A View From The Top Of The World
07.
08. Train Of Thought
09. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
10. Distance Over Time
11. Falling Into Infinity
12. Systematic Chaos
13. Dream Theater
14. When Dream And Day Unite
15. The Astonishing

I had TOT at number 8, right in the middle of the pack, and in the middle of my middle-five. I discovered DT when this was their latest album so it got a LOT of spins from me, so much so that my original CD is one of my more worn-out discs in my collection. I found it quite enjoyable and very good at the time, even if it was heavier than their earlier stuff, it definitely set the bar for heavier prog metal that I would go on to discover after DT. Nearly 20 years on, though, I wouldn't say it's top 5 material for me, but it definitely has gotten close to it. I just don't find myself reaching for this one as much as I used to, but it still has some amazing highlights throughout.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#09 featured!!)
Post by: Dublagent66 on September 30, 2022, 09:38:29 AM
15  When Dream and Day Unite
14  Dream Theater
13  The Astonishing
12  A View from the Top of the World
11  Distance over Time
10  Black Clouds and Silver Linings
  9  Systematic Chaos
  8  Falling into Infinity
  7   
  6  Train of Thought
  5   
  4   
  3   
  2   
  1
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: Shalev Amir on September 30, 2022, 10:00:22 AM
ToT is my number 6. It used to be my number 1, but TDS and the overly long Endless Sacrifice haven't aged very well for me. Still, As I Am is a very good song and the hate towards Honor Thy Father isn't justified imo.

Where the album really succeeds is in the 1-2 punch of Vacant/SoC and ITNOG. These last 29 minutes are of Dream Theater's best.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: pg1067 on September 30, 2022, 10:11:40 AM
07. Train of Thought

...

Number 1 finishes: 1
Last place finishes: 1
Average finish: 7.7



My rankings:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. Train of Thought
7. Dream Theater
8.
9. When Dream and Day Unite
10. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
11. Distance over Time
12. Falling Into Infinity
13. A View from the Top of the World
14. Systematic Chaos
15. The Astonishing


TOT came out at a time when I was very focused on family.  We were about to have our second kid in 20 months, so I had relatively little free time, and I certainly wasn't blasting anything on the stereo.  I have relatively little memory of hearing the album for the first time or how I got into the album.  I do, however, remember being absolutely blown away by what I still regard as the band's best instrumental.  Stream of Consciousness is an incredible ride!  This was also the first tour on which I saw DT since Awake.  As I Am is a kick ass opener.  Vacant is really cool, and ITNOG is epic (although I don't think it resonated from me for a few years).  I'm not a huge fan of TDS, and HYF is a bottom 10 DT song, so those songs prevent this album from ranking higher than #6, but it's an overall excellent album.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: Lethean on September 30, 2022, 10:16:05 AM
It's #13 for me.  But it's aged just fine for me; I liked it then and I like it now.  Endless Sacrifice is one of my favorite tracks, along with In the Name of God.  I could do without the rap in Honor Thy Father, but otherwise like the song and like the samples they used. The low ranking was again just a case of me liking other albums better.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: nobloodyname on September 30, 2022, 10:48:17 AM
Number two for me. In the Name of God is the weakest track but I do think it's perfectly fine. Stellar album, one I can pop on at any time of the day or night. It's one bastard motherfucker of a ride.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: DTA on September 30, 2022, 10:58:23 AM
Train of Thought is extremely frustrating to me. Much like BC&SL, I think each song has good ideas but everything is just so padded and extended to be "epic" (probably because of the band's influences at the time, mainly Opeth) that the core ideas get boring, and goofy, pointless shit makes its way in just to make songs longer. Train Of Thought as a solid, 55-minute album with no excess would probably be my most-listened to album of theirs.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: Dream Team on September 30, 2022, 01:13:53 PM
Disliked it upon release; it grew on me a little after that but then has sunk down again due to the high quality of the Mangini era. I believe I had it 11th or 12th. Kev is right about ITNOG though; that needs to come back to the live set.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on September 30, 2022, 01:26:11 PM
I'm generally a BIG fan of "inspiration corner".  There's enough unique in the Dream Theater catalogue, and I'm a big enough music fan, so that when there are references and allusions in the music, I dig that.  The live "Surrounded" from CiM is perfect for that; DT? Marillion? Pink Floyd? WINNER!  (I've long thought the "Marillion/Genesis" connection wasn't actually as strong as the "Marillion/Pink Floyd" connection). 

This album is the flip side of that.  I love love love Iron Maiden, and dig Metallica, but the other, heavier metal influences on Dream Theater - Opeth, et al - are lost on me.  They do nothing for me, frankly, and this is the album that most (imo) reflects that. I like the album when I listen to it, but it's not an album that I go back to often, since there are others that are so much better (this is not in that middle pack that can be interchanged).

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. Dream Theater
7. Systematic Chaos
8. Distance Over Time
9. A View From The Top Of The World
10. Falling Into Infinity
11.
12. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. Train Of Thought
14. The Astonishing
15. When Dream And Day Unite
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: Ben_Jamin on September 30, 2022, 01:49:33 PM
#07 - Train of Thought (My Ranking: #10)

Everything about this album fits. The black and white artwork, the actual paper the booklet is on, the focus on their metal side, the mix and production, and the style of the lyrics showing anger, power, and force. Each of the lyrics speaks about some form of indignation, which is what also gives the album it's tone, along with the music.

There's so much I enjoy about this, and it's related to me being a newer DT fan at the time I first heard it. A lot of these songs I heard on Live at Budakon. When I first heard the album, I quite enjoyed hearing Honor Thy Father because I think it's a well written song, meaning everything works within it. The tone of the lyrical subject, the music behind it, and even the style of the vocals.

Vacant is a nice precursor to Stream of Consciousness. I already fell in love with SoC from Budakon, that when I heard Vacant, it made it more impactful as I see both songs as being from the perspective of the loved one and the one laying with vacant eyes.

I think one of the best transitions they have ever done is from As I Am into This Dying Soul.

I'd say that even though it's ranked #7, it's an album that does have two songs that the crowds love to hear, As I Am and Endless Sacrifice. Endless Sacrifice I would consider a top tier song live, it's got that emotional, calm intro, and it just slowly builds and glides until the end.

Overall, this is one album that shifts in various spots on my listings. When I made my list it ranked at 10, but sometimes it'll rank at #6, it varies based on my mood too. I still am hoping they will play Stream of Consciousness one day. I was laughing at the guy behind me in Austin this past tour, because while we were waiting for the encore, he was shouting "STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS" the entire time. So, at least I know I am not alone in wanting to hear Stream of Consciousness live.



Favorite: Stream of Consciousness
Least: As I Am
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 30, 2022, 01:50:40 PM
07. Train of Thought
Number 1 finishes: 1
Last place finishes: 1
Average finish: 7.7


I had Train Of Thought at #8.

The thing about DT is that I don't listen to DT to get my metal fix. But I do like the metal interpretations of a Rush/Yes style.

The biggest issue I have with ToT is how it sounds. It just sounds so thin, like it WAS recorded on a computer. It's so sterile and it just has this...sound to it that I just can't sink my teeth in. When I want to hear the ToT tunes, I always listen to Live At Budokan.

Endless Sacrifice is easily my favorite song off the album, followed by This Dying Soul.

15. Falling Into Infinity
14. Dream Theater
13.
12. Distance Over Time
11. Systematic Chaos
10. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
9.
8. Train Of Thought
7. The Astonishing
6. A View From The Top Of The World
5.   
4. When Dream and Day Unite
3.   
2.   
1.





I'm generally a BIG fan of "inspiration corner".  There's enough unique in the Dream Theater catalogue, and I'm a big enough music fan, so that when there are references and allusions in the music, I dig that.  The live "Surrounded" from CiM is perfect for that; DT? Marillion? Pink Floyd? WINNER!  (I've long thought the "Marillion/Genesis" connection wasn't actually as strong as the "Marillion/Pink Floyd" connection). 

This album is the flip side of that.  I love love love Iron Maiden, and dig Metallica, but the other, heavier metal influences on Dream Theater - Opeth, et al - are lost on me.  They do nothing for me, frankly, and this is the album that most (imo) reflects that. I like the album when I listen to it, but it's not an album that I go back to often, since there are others that are so much better (this is not in that middle pack that can be interchanged).

I hear what you're saying. I don't mind the intro to Surrounded '07, but the whole Daddy took a raincheck can go fuck itself. OK, that's a bit strong.

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: Animal on September 30, 2022, 02:37:52 PM
I'll join the crowd of those who didn't like ToT much first but now, almost twenty years after its release, think it is amazing. I had it at # 4 which I would think impossible even shortly before I actually started compiling my list. It has just aged so well - unlike another album which has yet to be revealed that I liked initially but I have pretty much stopped listening to it now.

It is also the first album in this countdown whose ranking genuinely surprised me -  I really didn't expect ToT to appear as either n. 7 or 6. I guess I overestimated the overall level of enthusiasm for this album.

There is a lot to love about it - ITNOG has been mentioned already but everything here, starting with the cover, just clicks. Stream of Consciousness is the second best DT instrumental, only behind Erotomania (which get extra points for being part of A Mind Beside Itself). As I am is just a perfect opener and tone-setter. TDS seems to get a lot of flak but it is my favorite part of 12-step suite (unless we count The Mirror) and I could go on....

One song that doesn't get much attention is Vacant - it is just nice, sad little breather in the sea of metal madness, which nevertheless fits perfectly. But quite recently, it spoke to me on a rather personal level. I was driving to a hospital to pick up the stuff of my grandfather who had just died that morning. I had, as a family member who lived closest to him, a lot to take care of and he was really old and his death was expected so the emotion associated with some close having just died didn't quite hit me yet. ToT was blasting in my car. The moment I arrived in the hospital and parked my car, Vacant started playing. And that's when it suddenly hit me. The song, with the strings and its sad and melancholic melody, just triggered all the emotion I had been keeping under the lid. Later, no songs were played at my grandfather funeral but for me, Vacant will always be the song.....even though I know it is nothing special musically and I generally don't listen to DT to get very emotional or moved to tears (there is a lot of other music that does that).

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on September 30, 2022, 02:41:49 PM
I'm disappointed it only came in at number 7, however it's no surprise.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: Dublagent66 on September 30, 2022, 03:01:58 PM
4. When Dream and Day Unite

Never knew you liked WDADU that much Tim.  Interesting.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: SeRoX on September 30, 2022, 03:02:40 PM
1-
2-
3-
4-
5- The Astonishing
6- Falling into Infinity
7- A View from the Top of the World
8- When Dream and Day Unite
9-
10- Train of Thought
11-
12- Systematic Chaos
13- Distance over Time
14- Dream Theater
15- Black Clouds and Silver Linings

The first DT album that makes me WTF. Completely different from what they did until this. I like it but it doesn't age well for me. I don't like the heavy direction ToT has. Awake is heavy too but it has its dark, magical sound where ToT is just like heavy nothing more. I consider ITNOG is their classic and As I Am their definitive heavy side.

Favourites
1- In The Name of God
2- Vacant
3- As I Am / Endless Sacrifice

Out of these songs I don't visit this album much.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: pg1067 on September 30, 2022, 03:15:25 PM
I'm generally a BIG fan of "inspiration corner".  There's enough unique in the Dream Theater catalogue, and I'm a big enough music fan, so that when there are references and allusions in the music, I dig that.  The live "Surrounded" from CiM is perfect for that; DT? Marillion? Pink Floyd? WINNER!  (I've long thought the "Marillion/Genesis" connection wasn't actually as strong as the "Marillion/Pink Floyd" connection). 

This album is the flip side of that.  I love love love Iron Maiden, and dig Metallica, but the other, heavier metal influences on Dream Theater - Opeth, et al - are lost on me.  They do nothing for me, frankly, and this is the album that most (imo) reflects that. I like the album when I listen to it, but it's not an album that I go back to often, since there are others that are so much better (this is not in that middle pack that can be interchanged).

I hear what you're saying. I don't mind the intro to Surrounded '07, but the whole Daddy took a raincheck can go fuck itself. OK, that's a bit strong.

Huh?

Also, I don't get the love for "Surrounded '07."  They basically took a near perfect, concise song and turned it into a pointlessly extended wankfest with some weird lyrics at the end.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 30, 2022, 03:16:40 PM
4. When Dream and Day Unite

Never knew you liked WDADU that much Tim.  Interesting.

Well, to be fair, I don't hold the production, which is fine actually, or Charlie against the album. I love the songs on the album.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: SeRoX on September 30, 2022, 03:22:13 PM


Also, I don't get the love for "Surrounded '07."  They basically took a near perfect, concise song and turned it into a pointlessly extended wankfest with some weird lyrics at the end.

This is Sugar Mice by Marillion.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: geeeemo on September 30, 2022, 05:44:20 PM
 A bit of catch-up.

A View is at number 8. It maybe could have been higher, as I played it (ok 2 songs) on the way to work, and I enjoyed it so much, as I do every time I listen to it. It has no skips. I hope they will play SG, and AtC live. IM gets a lot of dislike, but I really like that one as well. AtM has faded - even though its good and groovy and very enjoyable live - to the bottom spot on the album.


Train of Though is 14 for me. I had ItNoG very high for quite some time, but after a while, if feels like it drags a bit at the end. Unless your watching the Budokan version! :metal.  With Endless Sacrifice I really got into it after I heard the live version on a LNF album, and I may like it more than ItNoG. Seeing it past tour was amazing! I listened to this entire album for the countdown and enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I like other instrumentals better, but like someone else said, Vacant, Stream and the ItNoG are a great run. I am not a fan of HTF, I don't relate. TDS I enjoyed, but it drags on for me. Some talk about DT wankery - I like it, but this album may be the one where it's a tad much for me.


15. When Dream and Day Unite
14  Train of Thought
13
12
11
10  Dream Theater
9    Distance Over Tim
8    A View
7   
6    Sytsematic Chaos
5    The Astonishing
4    FII
3   
2    BCSL
1
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: Cool Chris on September 30, 2022, 06:45:40 PM
This one was the big shocker when I finished with the Ranking Engine. No way ToT should be #5, how did it end up here? I rarely listen to it, and would just as soon listen to Budokan. This was, however, released at the peak of my fandom, and I loved every bit of it (ok, some of the vocals they had James do are awful). The booklet and artwork are outstanding, and this tour was the first time I saw them live. So lots of nostalgia here.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5. Train of Thought
6. A View from the Top of the World
7. Systematic Chaos
8.
9.
10. Dream Theater
11. The Astonishing
12. Distance Over Time
13. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
14. Falling into Infinity
15. When Dream And Day Unite
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 30, 2022, 07:01:06 PM
An album designed for those who wanted a straight up metal album from DT. However, as much as I love that concept, thus doesn’t scratch that itch for me. This really didn’t push the envelope as much as it could’ve and I think the rapping on This Dying Soul and Honor Thy Father was just an odd choice. There are a few undeniable tracks, but most of this is pretty skippable imo.

Train of Thought
My rank: 12th of 15

Top 5:
In the Name of God
Endless Sacrifice
As I Am
Stream of Consciousness
This Dying Soul

My current standing
1.
2.
3.
4. Falling Into Infinity
5.
6.
7.
8. Distance Over Time
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. A View From the Top of the World
11. Systematic Chaos
12. Train of Thought
13. When Dream And Day Unite
14. Dream Theater
15. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on September 30, 2022, 07:05:56 PM
I'm disappointed it only came in at number 7, however it's no surprise.

I am a little bummed it finished behind its successor.  The funny thing is, when Octavarium came out, I thought it was mostly a nice bounce back from the somewhat disappointing Train of Thought.  Fast forward to 2022, and I now find Train of Thought to be vastly superior.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on September 30, 2022, 07:22:39 PM
An album designed for those who wanted a straight up metal album from DT. However, as much as I love that concept, thus doesn’t scratch that itch for me. This really didn’t push the envelope as much as it could’ve and I think the rapping on This Dying Soul and Honor Thy Father was just an odd choice. There are a few undeniable tracks, but most of this is pretty skippable imo.

Train of Thought
My rank: 12th of 15

Top 5:
In the Name of God
Endless Sacrifice
As I Am
Stream of Consciousness
This Dying Soul

My current standing
1.
2.
3.
4. Falling Into Infinity
5.
6.
7.
8. Distance Over Time
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. A View From the Top of the World
11. Systematic Chaos
12. Train of Thought
13. When Dream And Day Unite
14. Dream Theater
15. The Astonishing

There's rapping on TDS?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on September 30, 2022, 07:37:26 PM
There's rapping on TDS?

That second verse I would count under rapping. That faster, rhythmic bit. “Living on your own at 21”
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on September 30, 2022, 07:40:14 PM
There's rapping on TDS?


(https://i.imgflip.com/6vc284.jpg)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on September 30, 2022, 07:49:20 PM
There's rapping on TDS?

That second verse I would count under rapping. That faster, rhythmic bit. “Living on your own at 21”

Ehh..........maybe.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: Cool Chris on September 30, 2022, 08:07:40 PM
I'm generally a BIG fan of "inspiration corner".  There's enough unique in the Dream Theater catalogue, and I'm a big enough music fan, so that when there are references and allusions in the music, I dig that.  The live "Surrounded" from CiM is perfect for that; DT? Marillion? Pink Floyd? WINNER!  (I've long thought the "Marillion/Genesis" connection wasn't actually as strong as the "Marillion/Pink Floyd" connection). 

I never got inspiration corner. I mean, I did, but I didn't like it. And I say this as someone who is not a musician or artistically inclined in any manner.

I hear what you're saying. I don't mind the intro to Surrounded '07, but the whole Daddy took a raincheck can go fuck itself. OK, that's a bit strong.

Well said, my friend.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: The Realm on September 30, 2022, 11:40:05 PM
Train of Thought - what an album! Number 3 for me. Yes, pretty disappointed to see this land at only 7 but also probably not that surprised. This album has a style that I understand doesn't appeal to all but it works for me.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on September 30, 2022, 11:52:11 PM
I really loved TOT when it came out, but to me it hasn’t aged well at all. It almost sounds dated. I had it at #7 and that almost seems a bit high.

Vacant/SOC is the big highlight. I never allow them to be separated.

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: DragonAttack on October 01, 2022, 05:28:49 AM
Train of Thought #15: ‘As I Am’ and ‘In The Name Of God’ are top notch, ‘Endless Sacrifice’ is OK, ‘Stream of Consciousness’ would be better if five minutes shorter. ‘Vacant’ a fair tempo change. The rest is not my style, as well as being too angry and Tim can sounding
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on October 01, 2022, 06:54:38 AM
06. Octavarium
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/Dream_Theater_-_Octavarium.jpg/220px-Dream_Theater_-_Octavarium.jpg)
Number 1 finishes: 2
Last place finishes: 0
Average finish: 7.5


As I mentioned last night, I thought this record was a nice bounce back from its disappointing predecessor, but I no longer think that.  I like this album, but I don't love it. I like the variety and the colorful sound of it, but the songwriting just isn't particularly strong. The title track is stellar, but I wouldn't say any of the other seven songs are great.  I ranked this 11th.

My top 5 songs from the album:
1. Octavarium
2. These Walls
3. Panic Attack
4. The Root of All Evil
5. Sacrificed Sons
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: DTA on October 01, 2022, 07:02:11 AM
I'll never understand why this album gets ranked so high. It reminds me of 2112 always being rated a top Rush album. The title track is only one piece of the thing yet the album is almost solely judged based on that one song. I do appreciate the song lengths being chopped down on this one overall and I've always had a soft spot for I Walk Beside You.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on October 01, 2022, 07:07:06 AM
What a great album! I love the negative time stuff and having it all set out with the opening keys of each song being chromatic with those interludes providing the accidentals. The songs are all mostly great. The title track is exceptional. I’ve actually had the opposite experience to you, Kev. Used to think this was ass, but it’s absolutely grown on me

Octavarium
My rank: 5th of 15

Top 5
Octavarium
Panic Attack
Sacrificed Sons
These Walls
The Root of All Evil

My current standing
1.
2.
3.
4. Falling Into Infinity
5. Octavarium
6.
7.
8. Distance Over Time
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. A View From the Top of the World
11. Systematic Chaos
12. Train of Thought
13. When Dream And Day Unite
14. Dream Theater
15. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: WilliamMunny on October 01, 2022, 07:16:14 AM
Octavarium is my number two, but many days it could just as easily be number one.

Talk about a 'grower'!!!

I enjoyed this album when it first came out, but it didn't necessarily 'wow' me in the way that TOT did. All these years later, it remains one of the only DT albums that I am still actively listening to on a routine basis.

In retrospect, I think it's more about me growing into this album.

Over the years, the lyrical content has continued to resonate with me in different ways. And now, at soon-to-be-42, I am still finding new ways to appreciate what is the band's best lyrical outing (for me, at least—yes, that includes 'Never Enough')

Musically, this album felt similar to FII in that it contrasts with darkness and heaviness of its predecessor. I appreciate the mixture of shorter songs and epics. I also like the mix and production overall in that it feels completely different from the rest of their catalog (again, like FII).

James sounds fantastic, JP mostly plays in the pocket (for probably the last time), Jordan elevates everything and JM and MP sound great as well.

Above all else, however, is the way I feel when I listen to this record. At this point, I've realistically listened to 8VM a couple hundred times (maybe a bit less, but somewhere around there). The fact that each subsequent listen still manages to practically reduce me to tears at points is a testament to both the record and my attachment to it.

On a previous thread I spoke about how I viewed Score as the peak of DT's abilities, and this record benefits from said peak in so many ways.

I'm not surprised by anything I've read thusfar—DT has a large, varied body of work that has inspired multiple generations of fans. If anything, the diversity of opinions throughout this countdown speaks to the band's incredibly consistent output over the past thirty-five years.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 01, 2022, 07:23:58 AM
06. Octavarium

Number 1 finishes: 2
Last place finishes: 0
Average finish: 7.5




I had Octavarium at #9.

Albums 7-12 are really interchangeable though. Octavarium is really easy on the ears. At first, I thought it was FII pt.2. It's mostly weighted by the title track which is a DT masterpiece.
But other than The Answer Lies Within, I like every other song. It took seeing it live to really appreciate it though.

And if you generally skip Never Enough, you are missing one of James' sneaky amazing performances.


15. Falling Into Infinity
14. Dream Theater
13.
12. Distance Over Time
11. Systematic Chaos
10. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
9. Octavarium
8. Train Of Thought
7. The Astonishing
6. A View From The Top Of The World
5.   
4. When Dream and Day Unite
3.   
2.   
1.




.....Musically, this album felt similar to FII in that it contrasts with darkness and heaviness of its predecessor. I appreciate the mixture of shorter songs and epics. I also like the mix and production overall in that it feels completely different from the rest of their catalog (again, like FII).

James sounds fantastic


Dammit. Just beat me to it! :)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: The Letter M on October 01, 2022, 07:26:37 AM
01.
02.
03.
04. Octavarium
05.
06. A View From The Top Of The World
07.
08. Train Of Thought
09. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
10. Distance Over Time
11. Falling Into Infinity
12. Systematic Chaos
13. Dream Theater
14. When Dream And Day Unite
15. The Astonishing

Octavarium was the band's first new album after I became a fan, so my anticipation for it was through the roof. Thankfully it ended up being an album I really loved and still do to this day. Ever since it's release, it has firmly planted itself as a Top 5 DT. Is it perfect? No, but the songs range from enjoyable to amazing, and I feel the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: ReaperKK on October 01, 2022, 07:44:29 AM
Some more catching up:

Train of Thought: This was the first new album to come out after I became a fan of DT. I remember taking my first car to best buy, buying the cd and putting it in the cd player and driving home. I ended almost listening to the whole album in the parking lot of where we lived (drive from best buy was 10 minutes). I was hooked on every note. I think the one downside to this album is it seemed to invite the metal side of DT and it was there to stay until TA.

Octavarium: There are great ideas here and great songs like "These Walls" and "Panic Attack" but this album aged really poorly for me. I almost never go back to it and don't really understand the hype. The concept is really cool but sometimes I feel like people are in love with the concept and teh nuggats!!!! more than the actual music. This album also has one of the worst ballads DT has ever written.


1. Systematic Chaos
2. Distance Over Time
3.
4. Train of Thought
5.
6.
7. A View From The Top Of The World
8. Falling Into Infinity
9.
10. Black Clouds And Silver Linings
11. Oceanarium
12.
13. Dream Theater
14. When Dream And Day Unite
15. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: devieira73 on October 01, 2022, 07:47:42 AM
6.   Octavarium (#7); grade (8.8/10)

Top 3 songs:    Octavarium, Panic Attack and These Walls.

The album musical concept is something truly original and the songs are basically great, with the exception of The  Answer Lies Within – that I really don’t care – and Never Enough – too close to MUSE’s Stockholm Syndrome (I love MUSE, but this song borders the plagiarism IMO). The album tour had my favorite JLB live performances.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: krands85 on October 01, 2022, 07:56:27 AM
I have it #5, just a step below my 'big 4'. This was the first DT album I ever heard when my friend played me something from it in his car in 2005 or 2006. So it has always been very important to me - who knows how my musical journey might have gone otherwise!

15. When Dream and Day Unite
14. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. Falling Into Infinity
12.
11. Dream Theater
10. The Astonishing
9. Systematic Chaos
8. A View from the Top of the World
7. Distance Over Time
6.
5. Octavarium
4.
3.
2. Train of Thought
1.

The title track is one of the greatest songs ever written, though still only my third favourite from DT! Just a truly epic journey from beginning to end and superb musically, lyrically and vocally. Sacrificed Sons is my number 2 on the album, great lyrics on a difficult subject matter, delivered wonderfully by James. I've always loved it musically too and it has one of my favourite endings to a DT song (as does the title track actually).

The Root of All Evil is a great opener and continues the 12-step suite nicely. Panic Attack completes my big 4 on the album - JM really nails that opening! Though I could do without the last minute of the song tbh.

I always group the remaining four songs together, all enjoyable in their own way, but just don't resonate with me like the other 4 do. I find These Walls to be the strongest of the four and I Walk Beside You the weakest.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: Adami on October 01, 2022, 08:05:07 AM
1. ???
2. ???
3. ???
4. ???
5. Octavarium
6. Falling Into Infinity
7. ???
8. Train of Thought
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. The Astonishing
11. Systematic Chaos
12. When Dream and Day Unite
13. Dream Theater
14. Distance Over Time
15. A View From the Top of the World

I like this album. The production is a bet meh and I really don't like The Answer Lies Within or how that same exact message as permeated SO much of JP's lyrics from there on out. But other than that, and the odd segue moments that go on too long, it's a great album. Root is a fantastic rocker, These Walls is also fantastic, I really dig I Walk Beside You, I hate Panic Attack so much that I forgot it was on the album until I started writing this sentence, I actually really like Never Enough despite the bad lyrics, but then again, I'm a Muse fan, Sacrificed Sons is great (again like ITNOG) until the last vocal section, and 8VM is the last Epic of theirs that I love every minute of.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: T-ski on October 01, 2022, 08:32:46 AM
#5

The title track alone carries this but there are enough other good songs for it to get to #5.

15. Astonishing
14. Systematic Chaos
13. View From the Top of the World
12. Falling Into Infinity
11. Train of Thought
10. Distance Over Time
9. When Dream and Day Unite
8.
7. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
6. Dream Theater
5. Octavarium
4.
3.
2.
1.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: SwedishGoose on October 01, 2022, 08:41:12 AM
Octavarium has one of my absolute favorite songs, the titlle track.
But I also really like Sacrificed Sons.

The other songs are really good to but not up to par with their best so Octavarium ends up at 6th place.

15. Distance Over Time
14. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Systematic Chaos
11. Dream Theater
10.
9. Falling Into Infinity
8.Train of Thought
7. A View From the Top Of the World
6. Octavarium
5.
4.
3.
2.
1. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: Mladen on October 01, 2022, 09:47:30 AM
15. Falling into infinity
14. A View from the top of the world
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Dream Theater
11. Distance over time
10. Octavarium
9. Train of thought
8. Black clouds & silver linings
7. Systematic Chaos
6.
5. The Astonishing
4.
3.
2.
1.

This was my 2nd Dream Theater album. I really liked it then, I still like it now. It was never my absolute favorite, though. The title track, Panic attack and The Root of all evil are great.  :tup
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on October 01, 2022, 10:36:59 AM
BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

This is way too low a showing for DTs masterpiece!

I would have bet the farm that “the retread album” would have taken #6 (and even that would have been too high) and launched 8V into the top 5.

Like a few others have commented, this one was kind of a grower for me as well. After being a completely diehard fan boy since 1992 I was starting to maybe get a bit burnt on the DT sound (Almost 10 straight years of glutting out on any one single band will do that to you) and my first few passes made it feel like this was “DT by the numbers”

But the concept of the whole began to resonate with me pretty hard, and now I believe it to be the single album that best represents everything that DT is all about an 80 minutes or less. It is the perfect DT album. This is the album I would use to introduced somebody to Dream Theater’s sound without hesitation. And it is probably the one album that I spin more than any other even 20 years later.

Even its weakest track (TALW) becomes something incredible when viewed as a piece in the jigsaw puzzle.

Obviously…I was one of the #1 rankings.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: Lethean on October 01, 2022, 10:37:26 AM
#11 for me.  I love the title track and The Root of All Evil.  I like the rest except I'd say Panic Attack and Never Enough can annoy me depending on my mood, so those two probably bring my ranking of the album down a bit.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: Lethean on October 01, 2022, 10:42:40 AM
I have to say that I'm so glad Six Degrees is going to place so high.  I got into DT the year it came out - maybe six months later or so.  I started reading the MP forum late that year and people seemed to have a lot of disdain for it.  I'm not sure when I noticed it changing, but I think it took a good while. I suppose it could always have been just a vocal few that really didn't like it, but even in non-DT forums it wasn't getting much love.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: nick_z on October 01, 2022, 11:10:11 AM
Octavarium - I ranked it at #8

This is an interesting one, after the heavier Train of Thought. I always enjoyed it, although I can't say it ever "wowed" me. The middle-of-the-pack ranking reflects this. In fact, I could've ranked it a little lower too.

Plenty of influences on this one - some of them from the poppier end of the rock spectrum. Muse of course looms large...btw, I wasn't really following MP/DT's board at the time, so I wasn't aware of his appreciation of the band. But I was a fan of Muse's first three albums myself, and it was hard not to see the influence here  ;) The riff in Never Enough, for sure, but then JLB's vocal effects in Panic Attack, and the pre-chorus in These Walls too...

Regardless, it's a fun and colorful album. The title-track is great, although it doesn't quite reach the pantheon of the greatest DT songs for me. It's perhaps a little to gimmicky at times, if that makes any sense. My favorite on the album might well be These Walls. It's such a well-constructed song, and JP's solo always felt very Steve Rothery to me. Also a big fan of I Walk Beside You. NOT a fan of The Answer Lies Within.

15. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
14. Systematic Chaos
13. The Astonishing
12.
11.  Distance Over Time
10.  A View From The Top Of The World
9.
8.  Octavarium
7.  Dream Theater
6.
5. Train of Thought
4. Falling Into Infinity
3. When Dream and Day Unite   
2.   
1.   
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on October 01, 2022, 12:14:43 PM
Note: I will not be doing an album tomorrow.

I will resume on Monday with the start of the top 5, with number 1 being listed on Friday.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: Mladen on October 01, 2022, 12:30:04 PM
I am actually surprised Octavarium ended up at number six. I thought Train of thought and even A View would surpass it.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: SeRoX on October 01, 2022, 02:11:21 PM
1-
2-
3-
4-
5- The Astonishing
6- Falling into Infinity
7- A View from the Top of the World
8- When Dream and Day Unite
9- Octavarium
10- Train of Thought
11-
12- Systematic Chaos
13- Distance over Time
14- Dream Theater
15- Black Clouds and Silver Linings


Octavarium itself is a masterpiece and it all alone shadows the rest in a good way. Because the rest is not that good but I enjoy time to time. I Walk Beside You is a great upbeat song since Surrounded. Sacrificed Sons and The Root Of All Evil are great concert songs.

Favourites
1-Octavarium
2- Sacrificed Sons
3- I Walk Beside You / TROAE
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on October 01, 2022, 02:36:43 PM
Has this at number 6 myself.  What a great album and the title track is nothing short of a masterpiece.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: Animal on October 01, 2022, 02:55:04 PM
Unlike Jammindude, I am actually delighted that Octavarium placed behind ADTOE. It is at least a partial consolation after that assault on everything I hold dear -  that is, Octavarium surpassing ToT. I ranked it at #10, mainly on the strength of the title track whose awesomeness I proclaim daily in front of the altar of metal Apollo. It is second only to ACOS among DT epics - and if it had been sung by 1995 JLB instead of 2005 JLB, it might have been n. 1.

About the rest of the album: I applaud the wisdom of anyone who liked it initially but doesn't think it aged that well because this is exactly how I feel about Octavarium. The songs range between "quite good" and "mostly ok", with one that I would describe as "mostly annoying" because Octavarium is an album where DT started to suck at ballads. While even before, their ballads would not be the songs everyone was talking about, they were well-written, tastefully executed and worked really well within albums they were a part of. Some of them were actually so good that they would invite an imprudent guitarist/singer to pick up a guitar and try to play them for the joy of his and his friends (and fail due to his inability to sing JLB's lines in any way that wouldn't make his voice crack in the most embarrassing manner).

With Answer Lies Within, everything changed. John Petrucci, once a good lyricist, decided that he wanted to be remembered for his music only and started writing terrible lyrics on a rather regular basis (TALW lyrics are so bad that they can pass even through my non-native speaker filter, which normally allows me to ignore lyrics completely). Ballads started to feel forced.  Most of those that came later would be better than TALW but still a far cry from the likes of Another Day, Wait for Sleep, Silent Man, TSCO or Disappear. At least, there was no longer a risk for an imprudent singer/guitarist because these newer ballads a)wouldn't make his voice crack in an embarrassing manner and b) he probably would never feel the urge to play them anyway.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: Ben_Jamin on October 01, 2022, 03:16:29 PM
#06 - Octavarium (My Ranking: #03)

The brand new Dream Theater album that was just released right before I really started listening to the band. My friend couldn't stop talking about it, and I had just seen the band at Gigantour, not knowing I heard some songs from it. I bought the album and ended up really enjoying the theme.

It's ranked high because I love conceptual albums, especially those that tell a narrative story, and the themes this album involves are deeply intriguing. I just love all the nuggety goodness of this album. The use of the musical key, and each song being written in that key is very fitting of the album name. The symbolizing of the numbers 3,5, and 8 were a big joke with me and my friends in High School and we still joke about it when we see those numbers and say..."OMG...OCTAVARIUM...AHHH!!!" (the ahh is a joke to our math teacher).

The theme expands more for me though, as I consider the Octavarium to be the cycle of life. All the songs have a theme about wanting to live life, understanding life, and the struggles of life. All these things that happen within the Octavarium. Octavarium represents the life cycle of a human. When we are born we humans need dependency on another, we gain independence, yet when we grow old, we then again need that dependence which completes the cycle of "This story ends where it began". This is why for me the main theme and concept is all summed up with the title-track by going through each octave until it climaxes at "Trapped Inside This Octavarium". It's best said with the lyrics, "Step after step we try controlling our fate, but when we finally start living it's become to late."

Even the musical, influential references of other bands songs are a part of what the Octavarium is. How music is all related and cycles across many songs from many bands, an explanation for why some songs sound similar to one another. I feel that is best explained in the Full Circle section of Octavarium with all the references MP gives with his lyrics here.

This is one album I will always enjoy and I love the themes from it. One day, I hope, I will get to finally see the title-track live.


Favorite: These Walls
Least: The Answer Lies Within
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: Ben_Jamin on October 01, 2022, 03:19:15 PM
This is how my list looks based on what was revealed. I felt now is a good time to post one since Kev is taking a break tomorrow.

15. When Dream And Day Unite
14. Falling Into Infinity
13. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
12.
11. Dream Theater
10. Train of Thought
9. Systematic Chaos
8. Distance Over Time
7.
6.
5. A View From The Top Of The World
4.
3. Octavarium
2. The Astonishing
1.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: DragonAttack on October 01, 2022, 03:38:37 PM
Octavarium #1

My second ‘new’ album as a fan. Tracks 1-7 work terrifically for me as an album, the title track as a nice bonus, with ‘The Razor’s Edge’ as such a monster finish, especially the ‘Score’ version.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: The Realm on October 01, 2022, 03:44:27 PM
Octavarium - number 7 for me. This is a very listenable album, while I don't love every track I do return to this album every so often and enjoy it from start to finish.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 01, 2022, 03:58:31 PM
Pretty decent compilation of the Fan Club Romavarium & Documentary, MP's Drummavarium, and the Score Doc talking about 8V.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4evOe7jiqjg
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: Shalev Amir on October 01, 2022, 04:40:51 PM
Octavarium was #11. I really don't like Sacrificed Sons, and most of the other songs are just not that exciting to me. The title track however is one of my favourite songs of all time.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: pg1067 on October 01, 2022, 06:18:17 PM
06. Octavarium

...

Number 1 finishes: 2
Last place finishes: 0
Average finish: 7.5


My rankings:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5. Octavarium
6. Train of Thought
7. Dream Theater
8.
9. When Dream and Day Unite
10. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
11. Distance over Time
12. Falling Into Infinity
13. A View from the Top of the World
14. Systematic Chaos
15. The Astonishing


Sometimes I think Octavarium is overlooked because the title track gets all the attention, but it's an incredible album.  Root is the best of the 12SS songs.  I know The Answer Lies Within gets criticized, but I think it's an excellent song.  These Walls is solid.  Panic Attack and Sacrificed Sons are excellent, and the title track is over all amazing.  The only ruts are I Walk Beside You (really don't like the chorus), Never Enough (MP whining) and the intro to Octavarium.  It's a waste of the 3+ minutes (and it's even worse live).  The tour was excellent also.  VERY surprised that ADTOE will finish higher than 8VM.




Also, I don't get the love for "Surrounded '07."  They basically took a near perfect, concise song and turned it into a pointlessly extended wankfest with some weird lyrics at the end.

This is Sugar Mice by Marillion.

WTF is a sugar mouse?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 01, 2022, 06:33:00 PM
(https://mousetrapguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/do-mice-like-sugar.jpg)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on October 01, 2022, 07:45:29 PM
Seriously pg….if you love beautiful anthemic prog power ballads, check out Sugar Mice.

It is Marillion’s TSCO. (And personally I think it’s better than TSCO)

“So if you want my address
It’s number one at the end of the bar
Where we sit with the broken angels
Clutching at straws and nursing our scars…”

Bloody brilliant.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on October 01, 2022, 09:22:25 PM
Unlike Jammindude, I am actually delighted that Octavarium placed behind ADTOE. It is at least a partial consolation after that assault on everything I hold dear -  that is, Octavarium surpassing ToT. I ranked it at #10, mainly on the strength of the title track whose awesomeness I proclaim daily in front of the altar of metal Apollo. It is second only to ACOS among DT epics - and if it had been sung by 1995 JLB instead of 2005 JLB, it might have been n. 1.

About the rest of the album: I applaud the wisdom of anyone who liked it initially but doesn't think it aged that well because this is exactly how I feel about Octavarium. The songs range between "quite good" and "mostly ok", with one that I would describe as "mostly annoying" because Octavarium is an album where DT started to suck at ballads. While even before, their ballads would not be the songs everyone was talking about, they were well-written, tastefully executed and worked really well within albums they were a part of. Some of them were actually so good that they would invite an imprudent guitarist/singer to pick up a guitar and try to play them for the joy of his and his friends (and fail due to his inability to sing JLB's lines in any way that wouldn't make his voice crack in the most embarrassing manner).

With Answer Lies Within, everything changed. John Petrucci, once a good lyricist, decided that he wanted to be remembered for his music only and started writing terrible lyrics on a rather regular basis (TALW lyrics are so bad that they can pass even through my non-native speaker filter, which normally allows me to ignore lyrics completely). Ballads started to feel forced.  Most of those that came later would be better than TALW but still a far cry from the likes of Another Day, Wait for Sleep, Silent Man, TSCO or Disappear. At least, there was no longer a risk for an imprudent singer/guitarist because these newer ballads a)wouldn't make his voice crack in an embarrassing manner and b) he probably would never feel the urge to play them anyway.

Damn, that was harsh.  The Answer Lies Within is not one of my favorites, but I can enjoy it for the most part because the music is nice.  The lyrics are definitely not good, I agree with that.

I would argue that this 8V is the album where their lyrics took a tumble overall.  Their lyrics, most of the time, ranged from good to very good, with the occasional great (Voices, Learning to Live, etc.), on the first seven albums, but most of the ones on 8V are pretty mediocre, and while they have had a few good ones since, they have never really gotten back to being a band that consistently writes good lyrics, and I reckon most of the blame for that goes to Petrucci since he writes the most.  Even the best lyric writers have their bad moments, but it is a wonder how a guy like Petrucci went from penning gems like Voices and Scarred to trite like The Answer Lies Within or balderdash like The Count of Tuscany.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on October 01, 2022, 09:29:05 PM
I have always said that TALW lyrics are the only “wart” on the entire album.

….but almost ANYTHING on SC makes TALW seem like a literary masterpiece.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: Cool Chris on October 01, 2022, 11:09:06 PM
I totally remember buying this CD. I was at peak DT fandom, was pumped for a new release, popped it in, heard track 1, and thought "Yes, DT is still full steam ahead, let's go!" Then I heard Tracks 2-7 and thought "eh... what happened here?" Then Track 8 and thought "OMG how did they put so much awesomeness in to one song?

I grew to like Panic Attack, and have a generally favorable opinion of the album. I don't listen to it much, and it maybe should have done better on the Ranker.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5. Train of Thought
6. A View from the Top of the World
7. Systematic Chaos
8. Octavarium
9.
10. Dream Theater
11. The Astonishing
12. Distance Over Time
13. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
14. Falling into Infinity
15. When Dream And Day Unite
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: javidt on October 02, 2022, 02:37:42 AM
I ranked Octavarium #10.

When it was released I thought it was a good coming back to their classic sound after the TOT metal trip... but it aged very bad for me.

I enjoy de first half but everything gets weird after the Muse part of Panick Attack and Never Enough. Sacrificed Sons instrumental part sounds a bit disjointed and the Octavarium intro is too "Shine on..."

Maybe I've ranked it higher that it deserves because It's part of the classic cycle.

My ranking so far
15 Systematic Chaos
14 Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13 When Dream and Day Unite
12 Distance over Time
11 The Astonishing
10 Octavarium
09 Train of Thought
08 Falling into Infinity
07
06 Dream Theater
05 A View from the Top of the World
04
03
02
01
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: nobloodyname on October 02, 2022, 05:11:53 AM

WTF is a sugar mouse?

It's actually a piece of confectionary here in the UK that people often fondly remember from their childhood ;D

As for Octavarium, I think that entire period of time was the best time to be a Dream Theater fan. We were so spoiled. That tour was just wonderful.

Never Enough gets a lot of negative attention but I've always loved it, partly because it contains what I think is the best unison run that DT ever wrote. Takes me back to the days of 8 bit computers with music vaguely reminiscent of the theme tune from Glider Rider (see: 1m 16s https://youtu.be/K1wKUuawRVg).
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: Podaar on October 02, 2022, 05:57:01 AM
#4 for me. Like most have said, the title track is just brilliant. The moog run that JR does in the middle never fails to deliver chills. I'm not sure about the vitriol I'm hearing about The Answer Lies Within. The music and melodies are fine. Sure the lyrics are preachy, but I've been ignoring that sort of thing my whole life. I just shrug and think, "Who asked you?"  :lol

15   When Dream and Day Unite
14   Dream Theater
13   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
12   The Astonishing
11   Systematic Chaos
10   A View from the Top of the World
9   Distance Over Time
8   Falling Into Infinity
7    ???
6    ???
5    Train of Thought
4    Octavarium
3    ???
2    ???
1    ???
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: TheCountOfNYC on October 02, 2022, 07:13:00 AM
My love for this album is no secret, and even though I have it ranked second overall, it’s the Dream Theater album I feel the strongest personal connection with. Panic Attack was actually the very first Dream Theater song I heard, and the sound resonated with me immediately. Every song on this album hits my emotions in different ways, and it’s the one album that gets an emotional response out of me every time. And of course, even though I’m clearly not in the camp that thinks this album was “saved by the epic”, the title track deserves a special mention, as I consider Octavarium to be the greatest song ever written, and it’s certainly my favorite song of all time.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: nick_z on October 02, 2022, 08:48:08 AM
Seriously pg….if you love beautiful anthemic prog power ballads, check out Sugar Mice.

It is Marillion’s TSCO. (And personally I think it’s better than TSCO)

“So if you want my address
It’s number one at the end of the bar
Where we sit with the broken angels
Clutching at straws and nursing our scars…”

Bloody brilliant.

Yes, Sugar Mice is fantastic (as is Clutching at Straws in its entirety). Not a fan of TSCO, so that's easy for me - it's definitely better than that in my book (may I ask why you see it as Marillion's TSCO, though?)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on October 02, 2022, 09:39:03 AM
Seriously pg….if you love beautiful anthemic prog power ballads, check out Sugar Mice.

It is Marillion’s TSCO. (And personally I think it’s better than TSCO)

“So if you want my address
It’s number one at the end of the bar
Where we sit with the broken angels
Clutching at straws and nursing our scars…”

Bloody brilliant.

Yes, Sugar Mice is fantastic (as is Clutching at Straws in its entirety). Not a fan of TSCO, so that's easy for me - it's definitely better than that in my book (may I ask why you see it as Marillion's TSCO, though?)

As I see it, it’s their “signature, anthemic, crowd favorite, bring the house down” ballad.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: geeeemo on October 02, 2022, 09:58:47 AM
Octavarium came in at 11.
It seems like it should be higher, but I just enjoy other albums as a whole better. I did listen to it again yesterday on my bike ride. The title track will always be the One. I really dig Root And SS as they were a couple of the first DT songs I heard and got me hooked on DT. (Aside from PMU all those many years ago). I like TALW, I played it for both my sons after they graduated and they both got emotional hearing. (Us moms love to connect that way :heart). I cried yesterday listening as one son isn't doing well. IWBY always makes me think of God and I like that as well.
The others songs are ok, just not as enjoyable for me as others.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: nick_z on October 02, 2022, 10:22:00 AM

As I see it, it’s their “signature, anthemic, crowd favorite, bring the house down” ballad.

Got it, makes sense.

Yeah, I never connected with TSCO...it feels like it's the one big DT fan-favorite where my taste diverges the most from the overall consensus.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 02, 2022, 01:07:11 PM
Is today the day that Kev mentioned there'd be no update?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: devieira73 on October 02, 2022, 01:20:03 PM
Is today the day that Kev mentioned there'd be no update?
:tup
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: Animal on October 02, 2022, 01:41:08 PM
Unlike Jammindude, I am actually delighted that Octavarium placed behind ADTOE. It is at least a partial consolation after that assault on everything I hold dear -  that is, Octavarium surpassing ToT. I ranked it at #10, mainly on the strength of the title track whose awesomeness I proclaim daily in front of the altar of metal Apollo. It is second only to ACOS among DT epics - and if it had been sung by 1995 JLB instead of 2005 JLB, it might have been n. 1.

About the rest of the album: I applaud the wisdom of anyone who liked it initially but doesn't think it aged that well because this is exactly how I feel about Octavarium. The songs range between "quite good" and "mostly ok", with one that I would describe as "mostly annoying" because Octavarium is an album where DT started to suck at ballads. While even before, their ballads would not be the songs everyone was talking about, they were well-written, tastefully executed and worked really well within albums they were a part of. Some of them were actually so good that they would invite an imprudent guitarist/singer to pick up a guitar and try to play them for the joy of his and his friends (and fail due to his inability to sing JLB's lines in any way that wouldn't make his voice crack in the most embarrassing manner).

With Answer Lies Within, everything changed. John Petrucci, once a good lyricist, decided that he wanted to be remembered for his music only and started writing terrible lyrics on a rather regular basis (TALW lyrics are so bad that they can pass even through my non-native speaker filter, which normally allows me to ignore lyrics completely). Ballads started to feel forced.  Most of those that came later would be better than TALW but still a far cry from the likes of Another Day, Wait for Sleep, Silent Man, TSCO or Disappear. At least, there was no longer a risk for an imprudent singer/guitarist because these newer ballads a)wouldn't make his voice crack in an embarrassing manner and b) he probably would never feel the urge to play them anyway.

Damn, that was harsh.  The Answer Lies Within is not one of my favorites, but I can enjoy it for the most part because the music is nice.  The lyrics are definitely not good, I agree with that.

I would argue that this 8V is the album where their lyrics took a tumble overall.  Their lyrics, most of the time, ranged from good to very good, with the occasional great (Voices, Learning to Live, etc.), on the first seven albums, but most of the ones on 8V are pretty mediocre, and while they have had a few good ones since, they have never really gotten back to being a band that consistently writes good lyrics, and I reckon most of the blame for that goes to Petrucci since he writes the most.  Even the best lyric writers have their bad moments, but it is a wonder how a guy like Petrucci went from penning gems like Voices and Scarred to trite like The Answer Lies Within or balderdash like The Count of Tuscany.


It probably came off harsher than I intended. I am prone to hyperbole and sometimes like to practice that scathing tone in case I am ever offered to review music for money:)  The thing about ballads is that they often walk the tight rope - you add a bit too much of syrup and a good song becomes...less good (and everyone's mileage about how much syrup they like in their ballads will differ). I believe that one thing that pushes these newer ballads into "too much sugar" territory is JLB's increasing reliance on that soft, breathy tone. I realized that just today, when listening to SFAM - the SFAM ballads contain their fair share of sugar as well but for me, they never cross that line into the over the top zone. And I noticed JLB, in these older songs, sounds nowhere near as breathy as he does on later albums. I don't know why he got in this habit but it bugs me - he has one of the most naturally beautiful tenor voices I have ever heard and he routinely uses only a part of it.

Speaking of lyrics: I think you are right about 8VM being a breaking point in DT lyrics writing. If I were to guess, I would say they just stopped trying - the thing is, writing a good lyrics is a lot of work. Hard work. I speak from my own experience as I have written a fair number of lyrics when younger and I still translate lyrics on occasion. And even writer vastly superior to me would readily confirm what I am saying. Of course, if you become good at your craft, you can produce "something" pretty fast - but it is rarely gonna be any good.
   At the beginning, we can speculate that DT were not exactly secure about their lyrics writing skills and took a lot of extra effort to compensate for it. Plus Kevin Moore was always an artsy, introspective guy. He tended to write that kind of lyrics and maybe it was him who pushed Petrucci to bring his lyrical A game. (I actually thought Scarred was written by Moore - these lyrics are damn good - but it was Petrucci). Even Portnoy produced his probably best lyrics (ACOS) in that period - compare those to another highly personal lyrics of his - BOT. While ACOS lyrics are rich in imagery, BOT lyrics are very literal and straightforward. Basically, this is the same rule that applies to all writing - "Show, don't tell".
But, one again, showing is hard. As DT got more confident, and with Moore out and Portnoy (who was always to one with tendency toward most literal and descriptive lyrics) more active in lyrics department, they probably just started relying on their improved craft and they no longer had the motivation to push themselves as hard as before. They could get away with it as most fans cared about music only.
   That's what I think probably happened with regards to their lyrics.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: Animal on October 02, 2022, 01:45:48 PM
Is today the day that Kev mentioned there'd be no update?

Maybe we could get at least some fun facts. Like margin by which n.1 beat number 2. Was it more like "Hallowed Be Thy Name" kind of margin? Or more like "Eyes of a Stranger" kind? Or how many 1st place finishes were taken by just the top 3 albums?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: pg1067 on October 02, 2022, 02:34:52 PM
Just listened to Sugar Mice.  It was fine.  The guy's got a nice voice.  I always meant to get into Marillion back when they opened for Rush, but I think the generally low quality of Rush's opening bands may have discouraged me.  As far as TSCO goes, it's my lowest ranked of the "real" songs on SFAM (i.e., excluding Regression and Through My Words).
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: Dream Team on October 02, 2022, 03:00:43 PM
A bit of catch-up.

A View is at number 8. It maybe could have been higher, as I played it (ok 2 songs) on the way to work, and I enjoyed it so much, as I do every time I listen to it. It has no skips. I hope they will play SG, and AtC live. IM gets a lot of dislike, but I really like that one as well. AtM has faded - even though its good and groovy and very enjoyable live - to the bottom spot on the album.


Train of Though is 14 for me. I had ItNoG very high for quite some time, but after a while, if feels like it drags a bit at the end. Unless your watching the Budokan version! :metal.  With Endless Sacrifice I really got into it after I heard the live version on a LNF album, and I may like it more than ItNoG. Seeing it past tour was amazing! I listened to this entire album for the countdown and enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I like other instrumentals better, but like someone else said, Vacant, Stream and the ItNoG are a great run. I am not a fan of HTF, I don't relate. TDS I enjoyed, but it drags on for me. Some talk about DT wankery - I like it, but this album may be the one where it's a tad much for me.


15. When Dream and Day Unite
14  Train of Thought
13
12
11
10  Dream Theater
9    Distance Over Tim
8    A View
7   
6    Sytsematic Chaos
5    The Astonishing
4    FII
3   
2    BCSL
1

Distance Over Tim? What's going on between you and TAC?  :biggrin:

Octavarium: suffers from a "Powerslave" type problem for me - great beginning and end, but subpar meat of the sandwich. Actually I find the middle of Octavarium even less satisfying than than the middle of Powerslave. Outright boring at times. But boring doesn't equal bad and at least the title track has an absolutely fantastic beginning and end that I never tire of. Had the album at either 10 or 11 I believe.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 02, 2022, 03:07:35 PM
WOW!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on October 02, 2022, 03:14:20 PM
Hmmm, some fun facts today...

-The album that finished at number 1 did not get the most 1st place votes, but finishing in the top 5 of 59 of the 65 lists helped.
-The gap between number 4 and 5 is massive.
-None of the albums in the top 5 had a single last place finish.
-The top 4 albums had 56 of the 65 1st place votes.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on October 02, 2022, 03:23:33 PM
Just listened to Sugar Mice.  It was fine.  The guy's got a nice voice.  I always meant to get into Marillion back when they opened for Rush, but I think the generally low quality of Rush's opening bands may have discouraged me.  As far as TSCO goes, it's my lowest ranked of the "real" songs on SFAM (i.e., excluding Regression and Through My Words).

It’s just important to understanding that Surrounded ‘07 is not necessarily “nonsense”. It’s very similar to what DT did with Peruvian Skies (infusing elements of Have a Cigar and Enter Sandman)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 02, 2022, 03:30:39 PM

-None of the albums in the top 5 had a single last place finish.


One of them almost had a last place finish...#13 to be exact.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on October 02, 2022, 03:36:35 PM

-None of the albums in the top 5 had a single last place finish.


One of them almost had a last place finish...#13 to be exact.

Amazingly, two people ranked that one 14th on their list.  Fools. :P :P
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 02, 2022, 03:47:21 PM

-None of the albums in the top 5 had a single last place finish.


One of them almost had a last place finish...#13 to be exact.

Amazingly, two people ranked that one 14th on their list.  Fools. :P :P

I admire them and their fine tastes.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: Cool Chris on October 02, 2022, 04:54:18 PM
It’s just important to understanding that Surrounded ‘07 is not necessarily “nonsense”. It’s very similar to what DT did with Peruvian Skies (infusing elements of Have a Cigar and Enter Sandman)

Well that bit with Peruvian Skies was nonsense too.  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on October 02, 2022, 05:03:04 PM

-None of the albums in the top 5 had a single last place finish.


One of them almost had a last place finish...#13 to be exact.

Amazingly, two people ranked that one 14th on their list.  Fools. :P :P

I am one and I cannot believe it's in the top 5.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 02, 2022, 05:06:51 PM
It’s just important to understanding that Surrounded ‘07 is not necessarily “nonsense”. It’s very similar to what DT did with Peruvian Skies (infusing elements of Have a Cigar and Enter Sandman)

Well that bit with Peruvian Skies was nonsense too.  :biggrin:

Exactly! :lol
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on October 02, 2022, 05:34:48 PM

-None of the albums in the top 5 had a single last place finish.


One of them almost had a last place finish...#13 to be exact.

Amazingly, two people ranked that one 14th on their list.  Fools. :P :P

I am one and I cannot believe it's in the top 5.

You and Tim are not talking about the same album.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: pg1067 on October 02, 2022, 06:49:01 PM
Just listened to Sugar Mice.  It was fine.  The guy's got a nice voice.  I always meant to get into Marillion back when they opened for Rush, but I think the generally low quality of Rush's opening bands may have discouraged me.  As far as TSCO goes, it's my lowest ranked of the "real" songs on SFAM (i.e., excluding Regression and Through My Words).

It’s just important to understanding that Surrounded ‘07 is not necessarily “nonsense”. It’s very similar to what DT did with Peruvian Skies (infusing elements of Have a Cigar and Enter Sandman)

Not sure whom you're quoting here, but I've never heard Peruvian Skies live and I don't know what Have a Cigar is (and I generally think Sandman sucks).
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on October 02, 2022, 07:10:43 PM
Just listened to Sugar Mice.  It was fine.  The guy's got a nice voice.  I always meant to get into Marillion back when they opened for Rush, but I think the generally low quality of Rush's opening bands may have discouraged me.  As far as TSCO goes, it's my lowest ranked of the "real" songs on SFAM (i.e., excluding Regression and Through My Words).

It’s just important to understanding that Surrounded ‘07 is not necessarily “nonsense”. It’s very similar to what DT did with Peruvian Skies (infusing elements of Have a Cigar and Enter Sandman)

Not sure whom you're quoting here, but I've never heard Peruvian Skies live and I don't know what Have a Cigar is (and I generally think Sandman sucks).

The live version from Once in a Livetime contains a brief nod to Have a Cigar by Pink Floyd (you’ve seriously never heard that???) and ends by morphing that ending heavy riff into Enter Sandman.

Personally, I like that version better than the studio version, and that track is one of the few saving graces on an otherwise very underwhelming live album.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 02, 2022, 07:15:01 PM
I did like the Freebird references in..is it Take The Time. I never listen to it. James is way too shot.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on October 02, 2022, 07:16:58 PM

-None of the albums in the top 5 had a single last place finish.


One of them almost had a last place finish...#13 to be exact.

Amazingly, two people ranked that one 14th on their list.  Fools. :P :P

I am one and I cannot believe it's in the top 5.

You and Tim are not talking about the same album.

Hmmm.....yeah okay, I know what album Tim is on about.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 02, 2022, 07:21:46 PM
Yup, the most overrated album in the catalog.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on October 02, 2022, 07:45:56 PM
Yup, the most overrated album in the catalog.

Hmmmm....I don't fully agree, but I don't really have an issue with your statement either.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on October 02, 2022, 07:58:55 PM
You dudes aren’t talking about a cycle starter, are you?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 02, 2022, 07:59:55 PM
A cycle starter?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on October 02, 2022, 08:06:14 PM
You dudes aren’t talking about a cycle starter, are you?

Picturing a guy on a push bike right now, but somehow don't think that's quite right.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 02, 2022, 08:09:03 PM
You dudes aren’t talking about a cycle starter, are you?

Picturing a guy on a push bike right now, but somehow don't think that's quite right.

(https://media4.giphy.com/media/inwfkSU2zmRwI/200w.gif?cid=82a1493bxo5ltew9pes1uqv1kb0ooklm5xq7aqm81xjmx7ir&rid=200w.gif&ct=g)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on October 03, 2022, 03:23:32 AM
You dudes aren’t talking about a cycle starter, are you?

Picturing a guy on a push bike right now, but somehow don't think that's quite right.

(https://media4.giphy.com/media/inwfkSU2zmRwI/200w.gif?cid=82a1493bxo5ltew9pes1uqv1kb0ooklm5xq7aqm81xjmx7ir&rid=200w.gif&ct=g)

  :rollin  Outstanding!  :hefdaddy
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: Wim Kruithof on October 03, 2022, 05:25:06 AM
Looking at my own ranking I'm quite an average Dream Theater fan. As in... the top 5 is filled by the same albums. But heck, I do feel that so many places are interchangable. The more I dive in an album, the higher it turns out to be. It is very interesting to see everyone else's choices and how they / you reflect on your opinions. As always I feel very much for Ben_Jamins view, especially on Octavarium. The concept of that album with the octave is so unique and every aspect I enjoy. Besides, Octavarium itself is the number 1. track of their entire discography, for me.

15) Falling Into Infinity
14) When Dream and Day Unite
13) Distance Over Time
12) The Astonishing
11) Systematic Chaos
10) Dream Theater
09) Black Clouds and Silver Linings
08) Octavarium
07) A View from the Top of the World
06) Train of Thought
05)
04)
03)
02)
01)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on October 03, 2022, 05:31:05 AM
05. A Dramatic Turn of Events
(https://dreamtheater.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/dramaticturnofevents-800px-squashed.jpg)
Number 1 finishes: 1
Last place finishes: 0
Average finish: 7.1


I ranked this 12th, which seems wrong on my part since the songwriting is mostly excellent, but I dinged it for being the worst-sounding album of their career. The muddy mix makes it a difficult listen, and I find that I never listen to it anymore, with the mix being the reason.  It's maddening.  It finishing 5th here means it is aging well for many, so there ya go, but I just have a hard time with it because of the production and the mix.  If this album had the same mix and sound as A View..., I might very well have ranked it 5th or 6th.

My top 5 songs from the album:
1. Bridges in the Sky
2. Breaking All Illusions
3. This Is the Life
4. Far from Heaven
5. Beneath the Surface
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on October 03, 2022, 06:10:39 AM
Images and Words Part 2! But, I’m the same vein that I’ve come to see The Force Awakens for Star Wars, I see the rehash here being a great starting point for the Mangini era. This is a great album, Breaking All Illusions is still one of the best songs imo and I think the album kinda deserves this spot for as much as I love Octavarium.

A Dramatic Turn of Events
My rank: 7th of 15

Too 5
Breaking All Illusions
Bridges in the Sky
Lost Not Forgotten
On the Backs of Angels
Build Me Up, Break Me Down

My current standing
1.
2.
3.
4. Falling Into Infinity
5. Octavarium
6.
7. A Dramatic Turn of Events
8. Distance Over Time
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. A View From the Top of the World
11. Systematic Chaos
12. Train of Thought
13. When Dream And Day Unite
14. Dream Theater
15. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Podaar on October 03, 2022, 06:21:04 AM
Great album! Love it. Ranked six for me.

15   When Dream and Day Unite
14   Dream Theater
13   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
12   The Astonishing
11   Systematic Chaos
10   A View from the Top of the World
9   Distance Over Time
8   Falling Into Infinity
7    ???
6    A Dramatic Turn of Events
5    Train of Thought
4    Octavarium
3    ???
2    ???
1    ???
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Lonk on October 03, 2022, 06:21:56 AM
15. Black Clouds and Silver Lining
14. Dream Theater
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Systematic Chaos
11. Train of Thought
10. Falling Into Infinity
9. A View From the Top of the World
8. The Astonishing
7. Octavarium
6. Distance Over Time
5. A Dramatic Turn of Events
4. ??
3. ??
2. ??
1. ??

Octavarium #7: Great album, great set of songs ( I like Never Enough a lot more than most people here, it seems).

ADTOE #5: It took me a while for this album to click with me, but the song quality is great here.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: SwedishGoose on October 03, 2022, 06:41:48 AM
ADTOE ended up at 10th place for me.

I guess that is where it is supposed to be.

I find it much better than the last two albums with Portnoy but not nearly as good as their better albums.

15. Distance Over Time
14. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Systematic Chaos
11. Dream Theater
10.  A Dramatic Turn of Events
9. Falling Into Infinity
8.Train of Thought
7. A View From the Top Of the World
6. Octavarium
5.
4.
3.
2.
1. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Wim Kruithof on October 03, 2022, 06:52:06 AM
Ranked A Dramatic Turn of Events at #5 as well. Beautiful written and with Beneath the Surface I think they made the best ballad of their carreer. The one-two-punch Bridges in the Sky and Outcry is the very best since The Mirror and Lie on Awake. Fantastic and Live at Luna Park made this album grew even more on me. Myung delivered a masterpiece with Breaking All Illusions.

So yeah, this album is amongst there very best.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: devieira73 on October 03, 2022, 06:58:11 AM
5.   A Dramatic Turn of Events (#8); grade (8.5/10)

Top 3 songs: Bridges In The Sky, Lost Not Forgotten and Breaking All Illusions   

It’s a great album, no doubt. At the time, it was so cool to see DT returning for its more keyboard oriented style. Indeed, the awful drum mix and recording are the biggest problems of the album, but the resemblance with I&W is something that tarnish a bit this album for me. I know it was expressly denied by JP (of course), but I'm convinced that DT did so on purpose and I totally understand the reasons behind it - mainly, to make sure (as possible) the album would be a success after MP leaving. And it was and still is!
Let's hope for an anniversary edition with a great remix and re-recorded drums sometime in the future!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: ReaperKK on October 03, 2022, 07:05:59 AM
A Dramatic Turn Of Events didn't really hit me the way I thought it would. I was really hyped for this album and hyped myself into thinking there was going to be a big (or maybe even medium sized) change to the sound or style. It just sounded like more DT which makes sense. I don't have much else, there are some good ideas here but the album is largely forgettable.



1. Systematic Chaos
2. Distance Over Time
3.
4. Train of Thought
5.
6.
7. A View From The Top Of The World
8. Falling Into Infinity
9.
10. Black Clouds And Silver Linings
11. Oceanarium
12. A Dramatic Turn Of Events
13. Dream Theater
14. When Dream And Day Unite
15. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on October 03, 2022, 07:10:15 AM
Very spotty album. The follow up was a HUGE improvement. I had this one at #10.

I hardly ever listen to it anymore. The blatant PMU rip off to start the album kind of kills it for me. But to be fair, I think most of the other IAW similarities on the album are a bit more of a stretch. But OTBOA is just not a great way to start the album. Bridges is excellent and Beneath the Surface might be their best ballad of all time. The rest is just pretty good. As Soundgarden once said, it’s not great but it’s “ultramega OK”
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Adami on October 03, 2022, 07:16:10 AM
1. ???
2. ???
3. ???
4. ???
5. Octavarium
6. Falling Into Infinity
7. A Dramatic Turn of Events
8. Train of Thought
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. The Astonishing
11. Systematic Chaos
12. When Dream and Day Unite
13. Dream Theater
14. Distance Over Time
15. A View From the Top of the World

As everyone else has said or will say, the production really drags this one, but I try to look past it. I mostly really dig this album. BMUBMD would have been better with some heavy modern production, but it sounds so limp the way it is. And Outcry is a song I can barely listen to because of the lyrics. Other than that, good album. I think. Let me check the track list. Oh yea, This is the Life is an awful song.

Back of Angels is pretty good, Lost Not Forgotten is great, Bridges is fantastic, Far From Heaven is fine, Breaking All Illusions is an amazing song minus some of the lyrics, and I really like Beneath the Surface. Might have placed it a bit too high, but overall I dig the album. My favorite of the MM era by far, and the follow up was  HUGE step down (See what i did there Jammin?  :-* )
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Mladen on October 03, 2022, 07:19:38 AM
15. Falling into infinity
14. A View from the top of the world
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Dream Theater
11. Distance over time
10. Octavarium
9. Train of thought
8. Black clouds & silver linings
7. Systematic Chaos
6.
5. The Astonishing
4. A Dramatic turn of events
3.
2.
1.

I loved it from the day one. I do think the production is a bit muddy, but still, the songs are amazing.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#07 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on October 03, 2022, 07:25:26 AM
I'm generally a BIG fan of "inspiration corner".  There's enough unique in the Dream Theater catalogue, and I'm a big enough music fan, so that when there are references and allusions in the music, I dig that.  The live "Surrounded" from CiM is perfect for that; DT? Marillion? Pink Floyd? WINNER!  (I've long thought the "Marillion/Genesis" connection wasn't actually as strong as the "Marillion/Pink Floyd" connection). 

This album is the flip side of that.  I love love love Iron Maiden, and dig Metallica, but the other, heavier metal influences on Dream Theater - Opeth, et al - are lost on me.  They do nothing for me, frankly, and this is the album that most (imo) reflects that. I like the album when I listen to it, but it's not an album that I go back to often, since there are others that are so much better (this is not in that middle pack that can be interchanged).

I hear what you're saying. I don't mind the intro to Surrounded '07, but the whole Daddy took a raincheck can go fuck itself. OK, that's a bit strong.

Huh?

Also, I don't get the love for "Surrounded '07."  They basically took a near perfect, concise song and turned it into a pointlessly extended wankfest with some weird lyrics at the end.

Yeah, I don't understand this; "weird lyrics"?  They are quoting probably the second-most famous song from the Fish-era of Marillion.  The solo is intriguing too, since they started with the Pink Floyd song "Mother", and the "weird lyrics" only serve to highlight that the solo in Sugar Mice is very clearly an homage to "Mother".   I love how DT was able to tie all that together in one nice little package.  That's very much my favorite song from that entire set.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on October 03, 2022, 07:33:16 AM


Also, I don't get the love for "Surrounded '07."  They basically took a near perfect, concise song and turned it into a pointlessly extended wankfest with some weird lyrics at the end.

This is Sugar Mice by Marillion.

WTF is a sugar mouse?

A "sugar mouse" is a confection - I think we call them "peeps" here in the States - that are popular in the UK especially around the holidays. 

"We're just sugar mice in the rain..."
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Lethean on October 03, 2022, 07:34:51 AM
As everyone else has said or will say, the production really drags this one, but I try to look past it. I song.
Everyone else except apparently me.  :)

I love the album and ranked it at #8.  I really didn't know what to expect from the first album without MP but I thought it was fantastic.  Like many others, Breaking All illusions is my favorite track but I like them all. 
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on October 03, 2022, 07:37:27 AM
Oh yea, This is the Life is an awful song.

That's the only Mangini-era song that would make my DT Top 20.  You're just saying that to hurt me, I know.  :)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on October 03, 2022, 07:41:44 AM
Baffling to me that ADTOE is higher than 8V.   But it is what it is.  I love 8V; that's the side of Dream Theater I like most, and that was like a breath mint for the soul after the hard, metallic ToT.  I thought that was a the perfect return to form.  As for ADTOE, not a bad album, but not one that truly sticks with me, other than "This Is The Life" which is one of their best songs ever.   I'm on record with my views of the Mangini contribution, and so nothing more needs to be said, but while the recent albums are very good, none of them reach the heights of DT at their finest, IMO. 



1.
2.
3.
4.
5. Octavarium
6. Dream Theater
7. Systematic Chaos
8. Distance Over Time
9. A View From The Top Of The World
10. Falling Into Infinity
11. A Dramatic Turn Of Events
12. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. Train Of Thought
14. The Astonishing
15. When Dream And Day Unite
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Adami on October 03, 2022, 07:47:49 AM
Oh yea, This is the Life is an awful song.

That's the only Mangini-era song that would make my DT Top 20.  You're just saying that to hurt me, I know.  :)

While I wasn't saying it to hurt you, I WILL add it to my list of ways to break you.  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: krands85 on October 03, 2022, 08:20:57 AM
This is my number 3. A hugely important album for the band and I wasn't sure what to expect after MP left. Thankfully they hit it out of the park and delivered a great collection of songs - 7 of the 9 are great or better. I gree with the poster who mentioned the keyboards, I really lovely what Jordan does on this album. It's a pity the production isn't better, but thankfully I don't find it as distracting as the self-titled.

15. When Dream and Day Unite
14. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. Falling Into Infinity
12.
11. Dream Theater
10. The Astonishing
9. Systematic Chaos
8. A View from the Top of the World
7. Distance Over Time
6.
5. Octavarium
4.
3. A Dramatic Turn of Events
2. Train of Thought
1.

Breaking All Illusions is the album's masterpiece and still my favourite DT song since Octavarium, sitting 5th in my rankings. It was great to hear Myung's lyrical contribution again and the music is just fantastic, the song just has a wonderful vibe/feeling to it that I can't really describe, other than to say that at times it makes me feeling like I'm wandering through a mystical forest  :lol

Bridges in the Sky is my 2nd favourite on the album, such a powerful track and I still remember the goosebumps from the first time I heard the "Shaaaamaaaaan taaaaake myyyyy haaaaand!" part. Outcry is next and what can you say about that instrumental section? Sensational. OTBOA completes my big 4 on the album, a great way to start the Mangini era and I remember listening to it over and over again when it first came out. The only thing I wish they'd done would be to alter some of the repeated vocal melodies to mix it up a bit.

This is the Life and Lost Not Forgotten have always battled for my fifth spot, two very different songs, but equally enjoyable. The 'tickle section' especially always puts a smile on my face. Then there's Beneath the Surface, a beautiful way to close the album and a nice change up from having the most epic track ending things.

The only 2 tracks that feel a little weaker are BMU,BMD and FFH, but everything else more than makes up for them.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: T-ski on October 03, 2022, 08:22:57 AM
#8

The return to the past you didn’t know you needed, but liked any way.

15. Astonishing
14. Systematic Chaos
13. View From the Top of the World
12. Falling Into Infinity
11. Train of Thought
10. Distance Over Time
9. When Dream and Day Unite
8. Dramatic Turn of Events
7. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
6. Dream Theater
5. Octavarium
4.
3.
2.
1.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: RoeDent on October 03, 2022, 08:38:40 AM
I believe ADTOE was my number one.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Shalev Amir on October 03, 2022, 08:40:22 AM
ADTOE - #3
This is probably the DT album that grew on me the most since my first listen. One of those albums where I look at the tracklist and think "damn, that's a killer group of songs". Bridges in the Sky, Breaking All Illusions and Lost Not Forgotten are classics for me, but they're all great songs. Not the biggest fan of the two ballads at the end but they're good too.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: javidt on October 03, 2022, 08:51:52 AM
#7
 ADTOE is a much needed reset after the last albums and Portnoy departure.

BAI was the best they'd written in years. I can listen the album without skipping any song.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 03, 2022, 09:18:44 AM
I consider This Is The Life one of their finest written songs.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: The Letter M on October 03, 2022, 09:25:55 AM
01.
02.
03.
04. Octavarium
05.
06. A View From The Top Of The World
07. A Dramatic Turn Of Events
08. Train Of Thought
09. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
10. Distance Over Time
11. Falling Into Infinity
12. Systematic Chaos
13. Dream Theater
14. When Dream And Day Unite
15. The Astonishing

If you had asked me several years ago, around DT12 or TA, I might have said ADTOE was a Top 5 DT album for me, but I have grown apart from it over the years. I still think it's a great album, definitely Top Half of their catalog, but just outside Top 5 range for me. It has some highlights, and I still love BAI, but the IAW comparisons loom over it, for better and worse.

At any rate, I'm surprised the overall rankings placed it so high! Looks like my placement is close to the average too, despite it finishing fifth.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Adami on October 03, 2022, 09:28:21 AM
I consider This Is The Life one of their songs.

Couldn't agree more.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Dublagent66 on October 03, 2022, 09:53:53 AM
I consider This Is The Life one of their finest written songs.

It's definitely up there Tim!  :tup


Getting caught up from the weekend.

15  When Dream and Day Unite
14  Dream Theater
13  The Astonishing
12  A View from the Top of the World
11  Distance over Time
10  Black Clouds and Silver Linings
  9  Systematic Chaos
  8  Falling into Infinity
  7  Octavarium
  6  Train of Thought
  5  A Dramatic Turn of Events
  4   
  3   
  2   
  1   
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: pg1067 on October 03, 2022, 10:54:51 AM
Just listened to Sugar Mice.  It was fine.  The guy's got a nice voice.  I always meant to get into Marillion back when they opened for Rush, but I think the generally low quality of Rush's opening bands may have discouraged me.  As far as TSCO goes, it's my lowest ranked of the "real" songs on SFAM (i.e., excluding Regression and Through My Words).

It’s just important to understanding that Surrounded ‘07 is not necessarily “nonsense”. It’s very similar to what DT did with Peruvian Skies (infusing elements of Have a Cigar and Enter Sandman)

Not sure whom you're quoting here, but I've never heard Peruvian Skies live and I don't know what Have a Cigar is (and I generally think Sandman sucks).

The live version from Once in a Livetime contains a brief nod to Have a Cigar by Pink Floyd (you’ve seriously never heard that???) and ends by morphing that ending heavy riff into Enter Sandman.

Personally, I like that version better than the studio version, and that track is one of the few saving graces on an otherwise very underwhelming live album.

I think OIALT is a well below average album, and I don't like Peruvian Skies.  I listened to OIALT after I bought it, so I'm sure I've heard this, but probably not within the last two decades.  I would certainly have recognized Sandman, but it's not something that would have stuck with me.  As far as Floyd, I don't like them either.  I quickly checked their albums starting with Dark Side, and I can identify no more than six songs that I for sure know.  Have a Cigar is not one of them.


I'm generally a BIG fan of "inspiration corner".  There's enough unique in the Dream Theater catalogue, and I'm a big enough music fan, so that when there are references and allusions in the music, I dig that.  The live "Surrounded" from CiM is perfect for that; DT? Marillion? Pink Floyd? WINNER!  (I've long thought the "Marillion/Genesis" connection wasn't actually as strong as the "Marillion/Pink Floyd" connection). 

This album is the flip side of that.  I love love love Iron Maiden, and dig Metallica, but the other, heavier metal influences on Dream Theater - Opeth, et al - are lost on me.  They do nothing for me, frankly, and this is the album that most (imo) reflects that. I like the album when I listen to it, but it's not an album that I go back to often, since there are others that are so much better (this is not in that middle pack that can be interchanged).

I hear what you're saying. I don't mind the intro to Surrounded '07, but the whole Daddy took a raincheck can go fuck itself. OK, that's a bit strong.

Huh?

Also, I don't get the love for "Surrounded '07."  They basically took a near perfect, concise song and turned it into a pointlessly extended wankfest with some weird lyrics at the end.

Yeah, I don't understand this; "weird lyrics"?  They are quoting probably the second-most famous song from the Fish-era of Marillion.  The solo is intriguing too, since they started with the Pink Floyd song "Mother", and the "weird lyrics" only serve to highlight that the solo in Sugar Mice is very clearly an homage to "Mother".   I love how DT was able to tie all that together in one nice little package.  That's very much my favorite song from that entire set.

"Daddy took a raincheck"?  Yeah...weird.  What the heck does that have to do with "tonight I'll still be lying there surrounded in all the light"?  Not sure what "fish-era" means (did they write songs about fish?), but I couldn't have named a single Marillion song before this discussion started, and a Marillion song that I'd never heard of paying homage to a Floyd song that I barely know (just the guy screaming "mother") is of no significance to me.  In any event, and regardless of how many other bands they were quoting/paying homage to, I think all the extended wankery in Surrounded '07 ruins a great song.


Anyway...


05. A Dramatic Turn of Events

...

Number 1 finishes: 1
Last place finishes: 0
Average finish: 7.1


My rankings:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5. Octavarium
6. Train of Thought
7. Dream Theater
8. A Dramatic Turn of Events
9. When Dream and Day Unite
10. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
11. Distance over Time
12. Falling Into Infinity
13. A View from the Top of the World
14. Systematic Chaos
15. The Astonishing

This was a great rebound in the wake of two really subpar albums.  Bridges, Outcry and BAI are among the band's very best songs.  OTBOA is quite strong, and BTS is really good ballad.  Unfortunately, the rest of the album suffers in comparison.  LNF isn't nearly on the same level as the other three longer songs.  BMUBMD is solid live, but I really don't care to listen to it much, and TITL and FFH are both just meh.  All in all, an overall solid album.

By the way, while I immediately noticed the structural similarities between BAI and Learning to Live, and while I can see some similarity between OTBOA and PMU, I've never really noticed the other purported similarities (and I've never read what's-his-name's dissertation on the subject.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: DragonAttack on October 03, 2022, 10:57:21 AM
A Dramatic Turn Of Events #6

Never had a problem with the sound…just tweak my equalizer a bit. I’ll skip over ‘Lost Not Forgotten’ and ‘Outcry’ would have been the perfect long song on TA. ‘Breaking All Illusions’ was/is Top Five in the countdown. All the rest are top notch, and I even like BMUBMD
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: ZirconBlue on October 03, 2022, 11:25:30 AM
The impressions I'm getting is that Adami doesn't like uplifting lyrics, and pg1067 must have lived a very different life from me.  I know so much Pink Floyd just from cultural ozmosis (I own none of their albums).  Similarly, I feel like I know a lot about Marillion just from being involved in DT fandom, even before ever hearing a note of their music.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#06 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on October 03, 2022, 11:43:42 AM

"Daddy took a raincheck"?  Yeah...weird.  What the heck does that have to do with "tonight I'll still be lying there surrounded in all the light"?  Not sure what "fish-era" means (did they write songs about fish?), but I couldn't have named a single Marillion song before this discussion started, and a Marillion song that I'd never heard of paying homage to a Floyd song that I barely know (just the guy screaming "mother") is of no significance to me.  In any event, and regardless of how many other bands they were quoting/paying homage to, I think all the extended wankery in Surrounded '07 ruins a great song.


Anyway...

C'mon, man.  Anyone else and I'd let this go as "tastes" and "to each their own".  But you're one of the most informed people I know - seriously - and whether you like something or not, you've shown a history of being aware, and as someone who is a musician, you've always shown a respect for music regardless of whether it's "yours".  Marillion's original singer was named "Fish" for god's sake, and has had a 35 year career under that moniker.   The reference to "Mother" is a well-known song - one might even argue, the lynch-pin song -  off of what many consider to be one of the greatest concept albums of all time, "The Wall". 

What are you going to do when you make Jeopardy and they give you the answer, under the heading "Parents", "In this song, the cornerstone of the epic concept album "The Wall", this parental figure in fact offers to help build the titular wall."?

:) :) :)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Animal on October 03, 2022, 12:04:40 PM
I had this at #6 and now some two weeks after compiling my list, I feel I should have ranked it even higher so this album placing at #5 feels right. Just yesterday, I was starting to suspect the people here were not of as sound a judgement as I had thought  (having ranked Octavarium way too high and ToT way too low) but today, I am back to thinking that you are all people of impeccable taste. A Dramatic Turn of Events is a great album fully deserving this spot.

As for the production, I guess that in a way, it is like lyrics. For some, bad lyrics don't spoil the enjoyment of the music, or do it to only insignificant extent - for some they can be detrimental. The same with production. I can mostly ignore less than stellar production (unless it is really bad - like Opeth's Morningrise level of bad).
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: pg1067 on October 03, 2022, 12:06:45 PM
C'mon, man.  [That's not how it is].

As I mentioned in response to Ben, there are only about a half dozen Floyd songs that I can say with certainty I've heard.  Mother is, in fact, one of them, but I really only know the part where the guy screams "mother!"

As for Marillion...I'm sorry you're apparently offended, but I'm not at all familiar with them.  The lead singer used the stage name "Fish"?  News to me.


What are you going to do when you make Jeopardy and they give you the answer, under the heading "Parents", "In this song, the cornerstone of the epic concept album "The Wall", this parental figure in fact offers to help build the titular wall."?

Hard to say now that I know the correct response, but I'm guessing that, previously, I wouldn't have buzzed in.  If you asked me what was "the cornerstone of [The Wall]," I probably would have answered "Another Brick in the Wall."

By the way, I also couldn't name for you a single Neil Morse song (and I really only know who he is because he's mentioned on DTF (and before that the MP forums) so much) or a Muse song (except for the one that someone here recently said was the inspiration for These Walls, which I think is Stockholm Syndrome).  It seems to me that a lot of DT fans have explored DTs influences, but that's not me.

If I make it on Jeopardy and get categories like 21st Century Pop Music, I'll be screwed (although that's probably something I'd study up on in preparation for the show).
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on October 03, 2022, 01:11:48 PM
C'mon, man.  [That's not how it is].

As I mentioned in response to Ben, there are only about a half dozen Floyd songs that I can say with certainty I've heard.  Mother is, in fact, one of them, but I really only know the part where the guy screams "mother!"
That's Danzig's "Mother", not Pink Floyd's "Mother".

Stadler, FWIW, I don't like that version of Surrounded either.  I get that it might be great for fans of Marillion, but I'm not one, so that part sticks out like a sore thumb.  I love the Mother solo, but it can't save the Marilion part.

Octavarium is ranked too high.  The title track is incredible, but the rest of the album pretty forgettable, with TALW being actually awful.

A Dramatic Turn of Events is fantastic.  I have pretty good ears, but I'm glad they aren't apparently as good as some of you, because the mix doesn't bother me.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on October 03, 2022, 01:23:01 PM
C'mon, man.  [That's not how it is].

As I mentioned in response to Ben, there are only about a half dozen Floyd songs that I can say with certainty I've heard.  Mother is, in fact, one of them, but I really only know the part where the guy screams "mother!"
That's Danzig's "Mother", not Pink Floyd's "Mother".



I WAS WONDERING ABOUT THAT! I didn’t say anything at first because he was starting to sound like Tim and I didn’t want to pile on.  But I kept wondering what the heck he was talking about.   :rollin :rollin :rollin
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 03, 2022, 01:31:32 PM
I resemble that remark.  :lol :lol

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on October 03, 2022, 01:33:42 PM
I resemble that remark.  :lol :lol

 ;D
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on October 03, 2022, 01:48:31 PM
C'mon, man.  [That's not how it is].

As I mentioned in response to Ben, there are only about a half dozen Floyd songs that I can say with certainty I've heard.  Mother is, in fact, one of them, but I really only know the part where the guy screams "mother!"

As for Marillion...I'm sorry you're apparently offended, but I'm not at all familiar with them.  The lead singer used the stage name "Fish"?  News to me.

Not at all offended; I'm largely kidding around with you, but I was serious about the "knowledge" part. 

Quote
What are you going to do when you make Jeopardy and they give you the answer, under the heading "Parents", "In this song, the cornerstone of the epic concept album "The Wall", this parental figure in fact offers to help build the titular wall."?

Hard to say now that I know the correct response, but I'm guessing that, previously, I wouldn't have buzzed in.  If you asked me what was "the cornerstone of [The Wall]," I probably would have answered "Another Brick in the Wall."

By the way, I also couldn't name for you a single Neil Morse song (and I really only know who he is because he's mentioned on DTF (and before that the MP forums) so much) or a Muse song (except for the one that someone here recently said was the inspiration for These Walls, which I think is Stockholm Syndrome).  It seems to me that a lot of DT fans have explored DTs influences, but that's not me.

If I make it on Jeopardy and get categories like 21st Century Pop Music, I'll be screwed (although that's probably something I'd study up on in preparation for the show).

TAC and I will get you ready on current events!  :) :) :)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on October 03, 2022, 01:49:32 PM
C'mon, man.  [That's not how it is].

As I mentioned in response to Ben, there are only about a half dozen Floyd songs that I can say with certainty I've heard.  Mother is, in fact, one of them, but I really only know the part where the guy screams "mother!"
That's Danzig's "Mother", not Pink Floyd's "Mother".

Stadler, FWIW, I don't like that version of Surrounded either.  I get that it might be great for fans of Marillion, but I'm not one, so that part sticks out like a sore thumb.  I love the Mother solo, but it can't save the Marilion part.

Octavarium is ranked too high.  The title track is incredible, but the rest of the album pretty forgettable, with TALW being actually awful.

A Dramatic Turn of Events is fantastic.  I have pretty good ears, but I'm glad they aren't apparently as good as some of you, because the mix doesn't bother me.

That's fine; tastes.  I was really just busting PG's balls about not knowing.  It's all in fun; there's not a minute of sleep being lost here over this.

On a tangential note, the Danzig version is a running joke between my friend Jim and I; he just sent me over the weekend a picture of his car radio with "Mother" by Danzig playing on Ozzy's Boneyard.  Then he sent me a video of Danzig being knocked out by a promoter.  :) :) :)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: pg1067 on October 03, 2022, 01:53:16 PM
C'mon, man.  [That's not how it is].

As I mentioned in response to Ben, there are only about a half dozen Floyd songs that I can say with certainty I've heard.  Mother is, in fact, one of them, but I really only know the part where the guy screams "mother!"
That's Danzig's "Mother", not Pink Floyd's "Mother".



I WAS WONDERING ABOUT THAT! I didn’t say anything at first because he was starting to sound like Tim and I didn’t want to pile on.  But I kept wondering what the heck he was talking about.   :rollin :rollin :rollin

LOL!  I just took a quick pass through Floyd's "Mother."  Haven't heard that before, so I guess I was confusing it with that awful Danzig song.   :lol :lol


I'm largely kidding around with you....

...

TAC and I will get you ready on current events!  :) :) :)

Understood, and ummm...thanks?   :biggrin:


P.S. Here's a comprehensive list of Floyd songs I've heard (AFAIK):  Money, Welcome to the Machine, Wish You Were Here, Another Brick in the Wall (not sure which part, but it's the one with the kids who "don't need no education"), Mother, Learning to Fly (maybe one more..?).
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on October 03, 2022, 02:01:59 PM
For the record, I would never ever want to bang heads with my mother.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: SeRoX on October 03, 2022, 02:02:30 PM
1-
2-
3-
4-
5- The Astonishing
6- Falling into Infinity
7- A View from the Top of the World
8- When Dream and Day Unite
9- Octavarium
10- Train of Thought
11- A Dramatic Turn of Events
12- Systematic Chaos
13- Distance over Time
14- Dream Theater
15- Black Clouds and Silver Linings

A great start with Mangini. I love ADTOE and today it still gives me a great run. BUT... A big but is coming. The production kills everything. Songs, lyrics, James... everything is on point but production is their worst (don't count WDADU). Anyway, aside from the production I enjoy everything about. A great answer from DT to who says that can't be good without MP.

Favourites
1- Outcry
2- Breaking All Illusions
3- Bridges In The Sky
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on October 03, 2022, 02:06:50 PM
Still trying to wrap my head around any music fan over 30 (much less a prog rock fan) that has never heard Dark Side of the Moon from start to finish.

That’s literally like never having seen Star Wars.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Elite on October 03, 2022, 02:17:22 PM
1   
2   
3   
4   
5   Falling into Infinity
6   Systematic Chaos
7   A Dramatic Turn of Events
8   Train of Thought
9   A View from the Top of the World
10   The Astonishing
11   Octavarium
12   When Dream and Day Unite
13   Distance over Time
14   Dream Theater
15   Black Clouds and Silver Linings

---

What a surprise, I got the entire top 4 right :lol
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Adami on October 03, 2022, 02:19:29 PM
Still trying to wrap my head around any music fan over 30 (much less a prog rock fan) that has never heard Dark Side of the Moon from start to finish.

That’s literally like never having seen Star Wars.

That would be me. Never listened to it. No strong desire to .

But instead of trying to wrap your head around me...try wrapping your arms around me big guy.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Lonk on October 03, 2022, 02:29:50 PM
Still trying to wrap my head around any music fan over 30 (much less a prog rock fan) that has never heard Dark Side of the Moon from start to finish.

That’s literally like never having seen Star Wars.
(https://media.giphy.com/media/13n7XeyIXEIrbG/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on October 03, 2022, 02:41:42 PM
Still trying to wrap my head around any music fan over 30 (much less a prog rock fan) that has never heard Dark Side of the Moon from start to finish.

That’s literally like never having seen Star Wars.

That would be me. Never listened to it. No strong desire to .

But instead of trying to wrap your head around me...try wrapping your arms around me big guy.

Can we slow dance to Dark Side of the Moon? :lol
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: The Realm on October 03, 2022, 02:47:00 PM
A Dramatic Turn of Events - number 8 for me. A good album, not a huge fan of the sound. It's been a long time since I have listened to the whole album front to back and not sure I ever will again but I do listen to a track here and there.


Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Cool Chris on October 03, 2022, 03:07:52 PM
Still trying to wrap my head around any music fan over 30 (much less a prog rock fan) that has never heard Dark Side of the Moon from start to finish.

That’s literally like never having seen Star Wars.

That would be me. Never listened to it. No strong desire to .

But instead of trying to wrap your head around me...try wrapping your arms around me big guy.

Can we slow dance to Dark Side of the Moon? :lol

What would be great is if Pink Floyd had an album that was a collection of great dance songs.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on October 03, 2022, 03:12:21 PM
Still trying to wrap my head around any music fan over 30 (much less a prog rock fan) that has never heard Dark Side of the Moon from start to finish.

That’s literally like never having seen Star Wars.

That would be me. Never listened to it. No strong desire to .

But instead of trying to wrap your head around me...try wrapping your arms around me big guy.

Can we slow dance to Dark Side of the Moon? :lol

What would be great is if Pink Floyd had an album that was a collection of great dance songs.

 :rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Adami on October 03, 2022, 03:43:09 PM
Still trying to wrap my head around any music fan over 30 (much less a prog rock fan) that has never heard Dark Side of the Moon from start to finish.

That’s literally like never having seen Star Wars.

That would be me. Never listened to it. No strong desire to .

But instead of trying to wrap your head around me...try wrapping your arms around me big guy.

Can we slow dance to Dark Side of the Moon? :lol

 :hat
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Samsara on October 03, 2022, 03:43:31 PM
I miss a couple days during the week and the weekend, and I'm SO far behind.

So here are some random thoughts:

Octavarium - I had this at #12. The concept was a good idea, but Dream Theater had really gotten to the point where they were blatantly emulating bands at this point. I mean, the whole closing section of the title track rips off Kansas! Like literally the same thing! It was really disheartening to me, personally.

DoT - I actually put this at #4, but really, it's probably #5, behind FII. I liked this album a lot. I hated the album cover, but the record was great. I felt like the songs were really strong, and there was less of an emphasis on noodling around. In retrospect, I'd probably drop it another spot to 6, but it's full of great tunes. Pale Blue Dot, S2N, At Wit's End...all great stuff.

AVFTTOTW - this came in at 8 for me personally. I think it's an average DT album with a really interesting and cool title track.

ADTOE - this hit #10 on my list. I've never really been impressed with this album, except it was by far and away better than the last one with Portnoy.

ToT - #7 on my list. Ask me 15 years ago, I'd say this was way worse. But it grew on me. I still think some songs are ruined by the "Metropolis effect," namely, "Endless Sacrifice," but I've always loved In the Name of God, Stream of Consciousness and As I Am. Those three tracks moved it up.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on October 03, 2022, 05:07:18 PM
 

It’s a great album, no doubt. At the time, it was so cool to see DT returning for its more keyboard oriented style. Indeed, the awful drum mix and recording are the biggest problems of the album, but the resemblance with I&W is something that tarnish a bit this album for me. I know it was expressly denied by JP (of course), but I'm convinced that DT did so on purpose and I totally understand the reasons behind it - mainly, to make sure (as possible) the album would be a success after MP leaving. And it was and still is!
Let's hope for an anniversary edition with a great remix and re-recorded drums sometime in the future!

I am not going to touch the "it is I&W Part 2" silliness, because it is just that. 

I would love a remix that brings up the drums a bit and drowns out the mud. :lol  In all seriousness, though, a cleaner mix would likely make this a top 5 DT album for me.  The songs are there.  They just need more room to breathe, especially when the songs rock. The mellower songs/moments were mixed a bit better.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Wim Kruithof on October 03, 2022, 05:18:28 PM
For the record, I would never ever want to bang with my mother.

I hear ye.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Ben_Jamin on October 03, 2022, 05:32:52 PM
#05 - A Dramatic Turn of Events (My Ranking: #12)

When Mangini was announced as the new DT drummer, I was anticipating the first song we'd get to hear with him. On The Backs of Angels is one of Dream Theaters better singles and is very deserving of that Grammy nomination. I'm one that can understand the similarities to I&W in the structure of the songs, and I do not perceive it as something that hinders my enjoyment of the album, I actually prefer if the band utilizes past works as influences for new songs. In the case of OTBOA, I really enjoy the structure it has and how it's performed.

Mangini's contributions here, while not really having any contributions to the compositions, does show his skills and what he can offer to the overall Dream Theater sound. The problem for this album, and a major reason for it being ranked low, is the mixing and production. The cymbals are a bit too low, as well as some of JR's keys. JR's keyboards really shine when these songs are played live, along with Mangini's cymbals, and that has made me enjoy OTBOA more because it does sound better on the live releases, particularly Breaking The Fourth Wall.

There are also some songs I'm not into much and those are BMU,BMD and LNF. I just can't get into them, but they're not bad songs either. LNF has a great piano intro, but I think it's the flow, and groove of the song. But, It's one I will still listen to if it comes on, because the band is grooving and JLB has great vocals as well.

ADTOE is a great follow-up to BC&SL, and If true, I do enjoy the similarities to I&W, even if they are only in song structure.


Favorite: This is The Life
Least: Build Me Up, Break Me Down


Ranking:
15. When Dream And Day Unite
14. Falling Into Infinity
13. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
12. A Dramatic Turn of Events
11. Dream Theater
10. Train of Thought
9. Systematic Chaos
8. Distance Over Time
7.
6.
5. A View From The Top Of The World
4.
3. Octavarium
2. The Astonishing
1.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: nick_z on October 03, 2022, 07:05:19 PM
A Dramatic Turn of Events - I ranked it #12

My ranking of this feels a tad low, but it is what it is. It was a statement the band needed to make, I think. After the big shock of MP leaving, there was clearly a mix of excitement and trepidation to check out what the rest of the gang would come up with - and of course, what MM would bring to the table. I remember the teasers of the songs on Youtube sounded super-promising. I surely enjoyed the album when it came out. The sound never bothered me too much but yes, the songs would have benefitted from is a "fuller", more powerful sound.

Regardless of the extent one thinks the material on ADTOE is a "retread" of the I&W glory days, I think it's fair to say the band made a conscious decision to go back to a more "classic" (for them) approach, after SC and BC&SL. At the risk of spoiling my ranking, I can say that decision, as a general matter, sounded fantastic to me  ;) How did the album turn out? Like I said, I enjoyed it back then and still do, but it never quite made its way to the set of truly great DT records. It is home to my absolute favorite MM-era tune, and top-20 DT tune overall (Breaking All Illusions), and there's plenty of really good songs (I'm in the camp that likes This Is the Life, btw), but overall it doesn't feel as essential. Still - very thankful we got it!

 

15. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
14. Systematic Chaos
13. The Astonishing
12. A Dramatic Turn of Events
11.  Distance Over Time
10.  A View From The Top Of The World
9.
8.  Octavarium
7.  Dream Theater
6.
5. Train of Thought
4. Falling Into Infinity
3. When Dream and Day Unite   
2.   
1.   
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 03, 2022, 07:32:16 PM
05. A Dramatic Turn of Events

Number 1 finishes: 1
Last place finishes: 0
Average finish: 7.1


I had A Dramatic Turn Of Events at #3!

I think this is phenomenal album and captures everything about DT that I like. The only skippable song is BMUBMD, and everything after that is perfect.

Breaking All Illusions, Lost Not Forgottn, Outcry...all great tunes!


15. Falling Into Infinity
14. Dream Theater
13.
12. Distance Over Time
11. Systematic Chaos
10. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
9. Octavarium
8. Train Of Thought
7. The Astonishing
6. A View From The Top Of The World
5. When Dream and Day Unite
4.
3.  A Dramatic Turn Of Events
2.   
1.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Dream Team on October 03, 2022, 08:05:02 PM
Correct Tim. I also had this at #3. Two of their best ballads ever in TITL and BTS and several killer epics. Such a bummer about the production.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: geeeemo on October 03, 2022, 08:16:16 PM
I also had ADToE at number 3. I absolutely love this album, and it was number 2 forever, but recently have been enjoying my new #2 more. It may be because  in the 6 years of following DT, I played it So Much. Of course I did that with my number 1, but nothing is gonna touch that.
There are no skips for me. Maybe the ballads, if I just need to rock, or don't want to cry.
My list is so not like  many others, but thats ok. All DT is fab, and I still feel like I am in the honeymoon phase.

15. When Dream and Day Unite
14  Train of Thought
13
12
11 Octavarium
10  Dream Theater
9    Distance Over Tim
8    A View
7   
6    Sytsematic Chaos
5    The Astonishing
4    FII
3   ADToE
2    BCSL
1


Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Cool Chris on October 03, 2022, 08:18:45 PM
There is way too much Marillion talk in this thread.

I was cautiously optimistic when MP left and the band made it clear they were moving forward. I remember where I was when I first listened to OtBoA with trepidation. After a minute, I felt pretty good; once James came on in the first verse, I felt all would be well in the DT world.

This album was solid start to finish, and I still feel the same way. Only This is the Life falls a bit flat for me, and I don't know why. It has all the hallmarks of a DT softer song I should enjoy.

A solid #3. Yet there is still a bit of a chasm between #1 and #2 and the rest.

1   
2   
3   A Dramatic Turn of Events
4   
5   Train of Thought
6   A View from the Top of the World
7   Systematic Chaos
8   Octavarium
9   
10   Dream Theater
11   The Astonishing
12   Distance over Time
13   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
14   Falling into Infinity
15   When Dream and Day Unite
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 03, 2022, 08:20:24 PM
Bam! Four 3's in a row!!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Cool Chris on October 03, 2022, 08:59:41 PM
Ha! Cool, I didn't even catch that when I posted.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on October 04, 2022, 04:49:27 AM
I had this album at number 14.  I've tried many times but I find it, boring, lifeless and the songs to me aren't memorable at all.  I'd take the new one over this.  Outcry is probably the most interesting song here.  The opener is terrible and it's backed up by a steaming turd.

LNF doesn't do much but the solo is cool.  TITL I remember replaying over and over when the album came out.  It got so much praise but I was confused as fuck.  Snoozefest.  BITS feels to similar to LNF and the shaman thing is so stupid.

FFH is beautiful.  It's wasted on this album.  BAI is okay but aside from the chorus, it don't do much.  I love the reprise of the melody from FFH though.  I just never got this album.


Bam! Four 3's in a row!!

(https://thumbs.gfycat.com/FilthyConcernedFerret-size_restricted.gif)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on October 04, 2022, 05:12:01 AM
04. Awake
(https://dreamtheater.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/awake-800px.jpg)
Number 1 finishes: 8
Last place finishes: 0
Average finish: 4.5


I was a bit saddened to see this finish in 4th, as I was hoping for the top 3, but the voters have spoken. I could easily make a strong case for this being my favorite album ever.  It is certainly top 5, and is in the conversation for number 1.  Just an amazingly great album from start to finish, it sounds phenomenal, and there is a youthful ambition there that feels like timeless within the context of their history.  Plus, the atmosphere is just incredible.  And, as a bonus, it has one of my favorite album covers as well!

My top 5 songs from the album:
1. Voices (my number 1 DT song)
2. Scarred (my number 2 DT song)
3. Space Dye Vest (a top 10 DT song)
4. Erotomania (a top 10 DT song)
5. Lifting Shadows Off a Dream (a top 15 DT song)

This album is so awesome that killer songs like The Mirror and 6:00 cannot even break my top 5.  Just  :hefdaddy :hefdaddy on all levels.

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on October 04, 2022, 05:27:44 AM
My number 2.  A travesty this isn't in the top 3.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: ReaperKK on October 04, 2022, 05:46:24 AM
Awake is the worst aging album for me. Unlike WDADU which sounded dated from the start Awake has grown worse with every passing year. It's a really shaking and inconsistent album that is bookended by two pretty overhyped tracks. The strength of the this album and the only reason it keeps from going further down my ranking is the Mind Beside Itself suite + Lifting Shadows and Scarred.


1. Systematic Chaos
2. Distance Over Time
3.
4. Train of Thought
5.
6.
7. A View From The Top Of The World
8. Falling Into Infinity
9. Awake
10. Black Clouds And Silver Linings
11. Oceanarium
12. A Dramatic Turn Of Events
13. Dream Theater
14. When Dream And Day Unite
15. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: Animal on October 04, 2022, 06:07:58 AM
After yesterday's assurance that this community can recognize greatness when they see it, I am back to thinking "what's wrong with people's tastes? Awake finishing only 4th, even behind 6Degrees, just feels wrong on visceral level- although when I put myself into my more  rational and measured box, I can only say that the community tastes differ from mine.

Needles to say this was my number one - and the only ranking I didn't pause for a second to reconsider. Like Kev, it is also easily one of my top 10 albums ever. I actually never tried to compile my top 10, I just know that Awake would be one of the 3 records whose place would be guaranteed.
   It is dark, heavy and long - sometimes almost too much to devour in just one sitting. Unlike SFAM, which I almost always listen to in its entirety, I indulge myself with the full Awake experience only occasionally. It's just like a lavish feast I am not always hungry enough for so I get only few courses.

Best songs: Voices, Scarred, The Mirror, 6:00 (perfect opener), Space Dye Vest (perfect finisher).
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on October 04, 2022, 06:14:03 AM
Awake is magnificent.  All of the technical instrumental brilliance of Images & Words, with a darker overall tone, an amazing uptick in quality of lyrics, and a better sounding mix. 

At # 4, it is WAY too low on this list.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: Lonk on October 04, 2022, 06:20:52 AM
15. Black Clouds and Silver Lining
14. Dream Theater
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Systematic Chaos
11. Train of Thought
10. Falling Into Infinity
9. A View From the Top of the World
8. The Astonishing
7. Octavarium
6. Distance Over Time
5. A Dramatic Turn of Events
4. Awake
3. ??
2. ??
1. ??

On a good day, this album would crack my top 3,  maybe even make it to #2, but it just shows the strength of the other albums. Some individual songs drag this album down to #4 for me. From the top 100 list, only 1 piece from this album cracked my top 20.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: Podaar on October 04, 2022, 06:25:03 AM
Featuring the worst song in DT history, this album could never be number one, but it's damned close.  :tup :tup

15   When Dream and Day Unite
14   Dream Theater
13   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
12   The Astonishing
11   Systematic Chaos
10   A View from the Top of the World
9   Distance Over Time
8   Falling Into Infinity
7    ???
6    A Dramatic Turn of Events
5    Train of Thought
4    Octavarium
3    Awake
2    ???
1    ???
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: nick_z on October 04, 2022, 06:28:18 AM
Awake - I ranked it #2

Wow. This did actually shock me a bit  :) In my mind the aggregate top 3 was pretty set in stone, with just a question about the order. I did NOT expect Awake not to be part of it.

Oh well. This was my first new DT album I waited as a fan. I remember I was so excited when I came home with the CD, after school, I was almost afraid to put it on, given the high expectations. And then BAM, it starts with a drum fill. Pretty awesome. Needless to say, the first couple of songs sounded very different the DT I knew. But there was so much going on, it was all very exciting. By the end, I can't say I was as awe-struck as when I first listened to I&W, but the ending with Space Dye Vest was simply magnificent. And I could not wait to put the album back on. And on again.

The very definition of grower, as far as I'm concerned. Fantastic stuff. The only song I don't particularly love is Lie, although it works where it is. Lifting Shadows Off a Dream is one of my favorite DT ballads...such amazing textures from JP's guitar. Voices and Space Dye Vest battle it out for favorite song on the record. Yep, I'm definitely in the SDV camp - same as Kev, it's a top 10 DT track for me. 


15. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
14. Systematic Chaos
13. The Astonishing
12. A Dramatic Turn of Events
11.  Distance Over Time
10.  A View From The Top Of The World
9.
8.  Octavarium
7.  Dream Theater
6.
5. Train of Thought
4. Falling Into Infinity
3. When Dream and Day Unite   
2. Awake 
1.   
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: T-ski on October 04, 2022, 06:30:43 AM
#2

I really struggled whether or not to put this #1, the old head vs. heart argument, but alas my heart won out.

Scarred is an all-timer for me and regardless of how some may feel about it I think SDV is brilliant. So many good songs here.

15. Astonishing
14. Systematic Chaos
13. View From the Top of the World
12. Falling Into Infinity
11. Train of Thought
10. Distance Over Time
9. When Dream and Day Unite
8. Dramatic Turn of Events
7. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
6. Dream Theater
5. Octavarium
4.
3.
2.Awake
1.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: SwedishGoose on October 04, 2022, 06:35:31 AM
Sorry to bring this down a notch.... but the 5 at the top are true masterpieces for me and quite a bit ahead of the rest.

Awake..... the first DT album I got on release day. What a ride.... what atmosphere..... but still the one that came before and a few that came after inch in ahead of this to put it at nr 5.

15. Distance Over Time
14. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Systematic Chaos
11. Dream Theater
10.  A Dramatic Turn of Events
9. Falling Into Infinity
8.Train of Thought
7. A View From the Top Of the World
6. Octavarium
5. Awake
4.
3.
2.
1. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on October 04, 2022, 06:39:59 AM
Oh, that’s bullshit! How’s this not in the top 3?
This album is one song shy of perfect (I really wish they had ended the album one song earlier). I struggled with wether or nit to put this at number one and honestly, I kinda wish I did.
Production is great, songwriting is brilliant, the use of the seven string is so cathartic and dare I say perfect? Everyone plays their asses off, this is probably James’ vocal peak imo, Kev’s tones are brilliant, Myung absolutely shreds it, Portnoy’s kit sounds so alive and organic and don’t even get me started on JP!
Man, how the actual hell is this out of the top 3?

Awake
My rank: 2nd of 15

Top 5
Scarred
Lie
Voices
6:00
Innocence Faded

My current standing
1.
2. Awake
3.
4. Falling Into Infinity
5. Octavarium
6.
7. A Dramatic Turn of Events
8. Distance Over Time
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. A View From the Top of the World
11. Systematic Chaos
12. Train of Thought
13. When Dream And Day Unite
14. Dream Theater
15. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: Wim Kruithof on October 04, 2022, 06:41:54 AM
Featuring the worst song in DT history...

Please say you don't mean Space-Dye Vest.

Awake is my #1 album of all. Maybe even my #1 album of all times. I love every bit, from the get-go till Moore's strange but perfect depressed love-song. A Mind by Itself is somehow dark and vunerable at the same time and the combination of The Mirror and Lie even tops it all before.

I look at The Mirror as being the fundament of the Twelve Step Suite and it is so bright, even though it's dark and desperate.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: WilliamMunny on October 04, 2022, 06:59:26 AM
Oh, that’s bullshit! How’s this not in the top 3?
This album is one song shy of perfect (I really wish they had ended the album one song earlier). I struggled with wether or nit to put this at number one and honestly, I kinda wish I did.
Production is great, songwriting is brilliant, the use of the seven string is so cathartic and dare I say perfect? Everyone plays their asses off, this is probably James’ vocal peak imo, Kev’s tones are brilliant, Myung absolutely shreds it, Portnoy’s kit sounds so alive and organic and don’t even get me started on JP!
Man, how the actual hell is this out of the top 3?

Awake
My rank: 2nd of 15

Top 5
Scarred
Lie
Voices
6:00
Innocence Faded

My current standing
1.
2. Awake
3.
4. Falling Into Infinity
5. Octavarium
6.
7. A Dramatic Turn of Events
8. Distance Over Time
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. A View From the Top of the World
11. Systematic Chaos
12. Train of Thought
13. When Dream And Day Unite
14. Dream Theater
15. The Astonishing

Because people like me had it ranked at 4 ;)

In all seriousness, for the first ten years or so of my DT fandom, this album was my number 1 album of all time by any band ever in the history of music!

The fact that it comes in at number 4 on my list is less a slight against the record and more a testament to the potency of their catalog.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: krands85 on October 04, 2022, 08:13:12 AM
I'm a bit surprised how many seem to be stunned that this is 4th. Felt to me like it was only ever going to be 3rd or 4th, so it doesn't feel like a big insult that it 'only' came in at number 4  :lol I have it 6th, but definitely a fine album, very consistent, great atmosphere to it and nice production. It took me a while to warm to the album when I was first getting in to the band, but it definitely grew on me. It just doesn't have enough real top tier tracks to break in to the top echelon of DT albums for me, but they are all still 'good' or better.

15. When Dream and Day Unite
14. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. Falling Into Infinity
12.
11. Dream Theater
10. The Astonishing
9. Systematic Chaos
8. A View from the Top of the World
7. Distance Over Time
6. Awake
5. Octavarium
4.
3. A Dramatic Turn of Events
2. Train of Thought
1.

Voices is my number one on the album. Interesting lyrics, James on top form and one of JPs greatest solos. Scarred is excellent too with stand-out lyrics once more. The Mirror and Lie I've always grouped together for obvious reasons, great dark and heavy feeling to them, with me slightly preferring the former.

Space-Dye Vest is next in my rankings, just a unique song in their discography. Strangely, I can't remember if I always liked it, or if I wasn't so keen at first and it grew on me. Either way, I really like it now and was pleased when they finally played it live. I really liked the changes they made too, though I can understand that some would have preferred to hear it as it was on the album.

I don't have a great deal to say about the remaining tracks, just a solid bunch of good songs.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: Adami on October 04, 2022, 08:19:54 AM
1. Awake
2. ???
3. ???
4. ???
5. Octavarium
6. Falling Into Infinity
7. A Dramatic Turn of Events
8. Train of Thought
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. The Astonishing
11. Systematic Chaos
12. When Dream and Day Unite
13. Dream Theater
14. Distance Over Time
15. A View From the Top of the World


Y'all suck.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: Lethean on October 04, 2022, 08:27:01 AM
#4 for me as well.  I think Awake is a masterpiece, but DT has several of those.  I wouldn't change anything about it.  And it's higher on my list than one of the remaining three.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: Samsara on October 04, 2022, 08:35:18 AM
Awake is amazing. It's my #2 by DT, but it's seriously more like 1a. I loved the heavier turn Awake made and for years, considered it superior to I&W. As time went on, the timeless brilliance of I&W has surpassed Awake, but it doesn't matter. Both are absolute gems in their catalog.

My favorite tracks pop out immediately:

Voices
Erotomania
Space Dye Vest
Scarred

But in totality, the album is just one of those special recordings that for me, never grows old.

I'm not surprised it was edged out by 6DoIT, I&W, and SFAM. I figured it would be, at least by the latter two. But Awake, man...good stuff right there.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: Mladen on October 04, 2022, 08:42:18 AM
My 3rd favorite album. I'm stunned it ended up below Six degrees, as much as I like that one as well.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: ZirconBlue on October 04, 2022, 08:51:30 AM
Awake has been #1 on my list since 1994, and that isn't likely to change.  Not only is it a great album, but it came along at a very important time of my life and just forms a big part of the soundtrack of my life.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: The Letter M on October 04, 2022, 08:52:43 AM
01.
02.
03.
04. Octavarium
05. Awake
06. A View From The Top Of The World
07. A Dramatic Turn Of Events
08. Train Of Thought
09. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
10. Distance Over Time
11. Falling Into Infinity
12. Systematic Chaos
13. Dream Theater
14. When Dream And Day Unite
15. The Astonishing

Awake was my 5ty place album. This was one that took a long time for it to click with me when I started getting into them. The first few songs seemed OK, but then the AMBI suite kicks in and I'm all over it. Then the duo of Mirror/Lie is fantastic. The rest took awhile for me to appreciate though, so I really only initially loved the middle of the album, oddly enough. Nownits definitely a Top 5, but I think it ended fifth because 8VM just has a special place in my heart since it was their first new album after I became a fan.

Looks like the Top 3 are also my Top 3, which isn't surprising.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on October 04, 2022, 09:00:54 AM
I'm usually way out of step on these types of things, but it looks like I might have found my common ground with the group!  I'm nailing the top four, so far! 

1.
2.
3.
4. Awake
5. Octavarium
6. Dream Theater
7. Systematic Chaos
8. Distance Over Time
9. A View From The Top Of The World
10. Falling Into Infinity
11. A Dramatic Turn Of Events
12. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. Train Of Thought
14. The Astonishing
15. When Dream And Day Unite
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: mariner on October 04, 2022, 09:02:28 AM
1. 
2. 
3.  Octavarium
4.
5.  A Dramatic Turn of Events
6.  Train of Thought
7.  Falling Into Infinity
8.  Awake
9.  Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. Systematic Chaos
11. Distance Over Time
12. A View From the Top of the World
13. Dream Theater
14. The Astonishing
15. When Dream and Day Unite

Top songs for me are Space Dye Vest, Scarred, and the The Silent Man.  My least favorite of the Images to Octavarium run, but it has its moments.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: devieira73 on October 04, 2022, 09:03:21 AM
4.   Awake (#3); grade (10/10)

Top 3 songs:   Voices, 6:00 and Lifting Shadows Off a Dream

Incredible album, so creative and different from I&W! I still remember when I've heard this album for the first time in 94 and how I was immediately floored with 6:00. And that feeling continued with the rest of the album. Amazing feeling! :heart :metal
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: mariner on October 04, 2022, 09:05:19 AM
Regarding ADTOE at #5, I am glad that others like it as much as I do (my #5!).

Highlights for me are Breaking All Illusions, Bridges in the Sky, Lost Not Forgotten, On the Backs of Angels, and Outcry.  These songs are all regularly in my DT rotation.  Concur with a poster above that I never got into BMU, BMD.   The unison and harmony breaks in LNF are simply insane.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: romdrums on October 04, 2022, 09:10:41 AM
I believe I had Awake at my number 1 as well.  Still my favorite DT record.  At first, I was a little taken aback by how guitar centric it was, but it definitely felt like the logical next step from I&W.  This came out at the beginning of my senior year of high school, and it has been an important part of my musical identity ever since.  I loved what they did with the Puppies on Acid riff in turning it into The Mirror.  I loved how they set up the Space Dye Vest piano part in that song as well.  The drums sounded fantastic, and James was in great voice throughout.  And of course, there's JP's solo on Voices, which is still one of my favorite solos of his.  I also remember being devastated that Kevin Moore was leaving the band.  I felt he was DT's secret weapon, and whoever replaced him was going to have big, big shoes to fill, even if Kevin wasn't as present on Awake as he had been on the first two records.  They never recovered in terms of lyrics and songwriting, but Sherinian and later Rudess filled the keys department admirably. 

1. Awake
2.
3.
4. Distance Over Time
5. A View From the Top of the World
6. A Dramatic Turn of Events
7. Train of Thought
8.
9. Falling Into Infinity
10. Systematic Chaos
11. When Dream And Day Unite
12. Octavarium
13. The Astonishing
14. Dream Theater
15. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on October 04, 2022, 09:13:09 AM
I had Awake at #4, but I’m a bit shocked that I was in line with the aggregate. To know that SDOIT will beat it is even more shocking (that album is so overrated).

Lie is the only wart on the album. Everything else is DT firing on all cylinders.

1. The Mirror
2. Lifting Shadows
3. Scarred
4. Voices
5. Erotomania
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: pg1067 on October 04, 2022, 09:45:48 AM
04. Awake

...

Number 1 finishes: 8
Last place finishes: 0
Average finish: 4.5



My rankings:

1.
2.
3.
4. Awake
5. Octavarium
6. Train of Thought
7. Dream Theater
8. A Dramatic Turn of Events
9. When Dream and Day Unite
10. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
11. Distance over Time
12. Falling Into Infinity
13. A View from the Top of the World
14. Systematic Chaos
15. The Astonishing

My top 4 are the consensus top 4!!!  Now to see if the consensus has them in the same order I do.

Awake is a killer album.  I remember buying it when it was released and putting it on.  I was impressed right from start.  6:00, CIAW and Scarred blew me away right from the start, and I naturally took to LSOAD because of the bass intro.  It took me a while to warm up to Voices, but wow.  And SDV was a cool, quirky song.  Innocence Faded is a bit of an odd duck in that I liked it initially but have grown not to really care for it.  Lie was a bit odd.  I remember seeing the video and not yet knowing about KM leaving the band.  It also seemed like the keys were really in the backseat on this one, which was a little disappointing because one of the things that really appealed to me about I&W was how well they integrated keyboards into a metal band.  The less said about the Mirror the better.  I never really liked Puppies on Acid when they did it live, and the full song it evolved into remains a bottom 10 DT song.


Oh, that’s bullshit! How’s this not in the top 3?
...
Man, how the actual hell is this out of the top 3?

I mean...because not everyone likes it as much as you do and because DT released a lot of GREAT albums....
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: Samsara on October 04, 2022, 10:01:49 AM
To know that SDOIT will beat it is even more shocking (that album is so overrated).


Ironically, I had Six Degrees at #6. I agree that top 3 for that record seems high. It was a good record for sure. And risk-taking going with a double-LP after Scenes. But top-3 for DT all time? Eh...
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: nobloodyname on October 04, 2022, 10:31:37 AM
So virtually everyone who's posted so far had Awake in their top four of five. Not me. Number 11. I find it an oppressive sludge-fest. But I will say I think the individual songs are better than the sum of the whole.

I wonder if there's a a very direct correlation between when you became a fan and how you rated Awake, moreso than with other albums perhaps?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: WilliamMunny on October 04, 2022, 11:00:07 AM
So virtually everyone who's posted so far had Awake in their top four of five. Not me. Number 11. I find it an oppressive sludge-fest. But I will say I think the individual songs are better than the sum of the whole.

I wonder if there's a a very direct correlation between when you became a fan and how you rated Awake, moreso than with other albums perhaps?

Oh, most definitely.

There are a number of forumers who've listed BC&SL or SC as favorites, and I'm sure their point of entry weighs into that. No different than how my age and 'point of entry' has greatly colored my appreciation of '90s Metallica or Collins-era Genesis.

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: javidt on October 04, 2022, 11:03:54 AM
#3

Scarred gives me chills every time the guitar solo begins.
I love the LSOAD spacey intro.
And I could go on and on...

Really good album I suppose I didn't rank it higher because I became a DT fan in 2000.

Anyway, the fact that an album as good as Awake is only at #4 shows how strong the band discography is.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: devieira73 on October 04, 2022, 11:20:37 AM
 

It’s a great album, no doubt. At the time, it was so cool to see DT returning for its more keyboard oriented style. Indeed, the awful drum mix and recording are the biggest problems of the album, but the resemblance with I&W is something that tarnish a bit this album for me. I know it was expressly denied by JP (of course), but I'm convinced that DT did so on purpose and I totally understand the reasons behind it - mainly, to make sure (as possible) the album would be a success after MP leaving. And it was and still is!
Let's hope for an anniversary edition with a great remix and re-recorded drums sometime in the future!

I am not going to touch the "it is I&W Part 2" silliness, because it is just that. 


At the time, I read some posts/messages about it and, listening to the songs, I was really convinced about a lot of the structural similarities between OTBOA/PMU, TITL/AD, LNF/UAGM, Outcry/Metropolis and FFH- BAI/WFS-LTL. LNF, Outcry and BAI, in addition to the structures, even have the same vibe as their counterparts, with a more over the top isntrumental mindset. To me it's a bit to much to be mere coincidence, but I also don't see it as a self-plagiarism.

Although I put this as a snag in my opinion about the album, it was only in the sense of thinking that the other DT albums have more originality in the compositional aspect than what we see on ADTOE, but I wasn't refering in any way to the quality of the album or the songs mentioned in particular. In fact, on the other hand, I found it pretty incredible that they made songs of a very high level, which sounded effectively different and new, apparently starting from well-established structures. And also, just to be clear, for me it's no demerit for a band of DT's size to sometimes make some artistic decisions that dialogue with the business needs at a given moment. The band is their dream and career too. Anyway, it's just my personal opinion.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: Dublagent66 on October 04, 2022, 11:58:08 AM
15  When Dream and Day Unite
14  Dream Theater
13  The Astonishing
12  A View from the Top of the World
11  Distance over Time
10  Black Clouds and Silver Linings
  9  Systematic Chaos
  8  Falling into Infinity
  7  Octavarium
  6  Train of Thought
  5  A Dramatic Turn of Events
  4  Awake
  3   
  2   
  1
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: Dream Team on October 04, 2022, 12:44:50 PM
Awake has aged badly for me, and it was not a favorite even back in the day. Always preferred the other Big 3. Only ever listen to Lifting Shadows and Scarred from this record. Good lyrics and concise song-writing, yes; but it ranked around 11th for me. There's a lot of 5/6 minute punchy rockers on Awake that get a lot of praise but IMO they've written so many greater ones of that type since then. Glad to see I'm far from the only one who feels that way.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: Ben_Jamin on October 04, 2022, 01:05:27 PM
#04 - Awake (My Ranking: #06)

I discovered this album one day while rummaging through my dads small cd cabinet drawer. When I found it, I immediately went into my room and put this on my stereo. I had heard The Mind Beside Itself suite already from the LSFNY dvd I borrowed from my uncle, and then there's the songs that were on the LIT/5YIALT dvd.

The album has a certain tone and style that does recall the 90's to me. If I were to put it into a moment on the album it would be the intro/outro to Lifting Shadows Off A Dream. The keyboard sound, the bass harmonics, and the guitar has this atmosphere of being in a cold, star lit night. The artwork with the darkened city in the background is this put into picture form.

I feel what does give this album it's sort of cold tone is Kevin Moore's choice of Keyboard patches, also the way the drums are mixed, especially the snare. The snare sounds ice breaking and snappy.

This album, while being my #06, does have my most favorite songs from the band, Scarred and The Mind Itself Suite (I just can't seperate the three songs). I have always loved Space Dye-Vest from the moment I first heard the song. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend a show for the leg they finally played it live. But having it on video and audio is fine enough for me. At least, we have a pro-quality release of it.


Favorite: Scarred
Least: Lie


Ranking:
15. When Dream And Day Unite
14. Falling Into Infinity
13. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
12. A Dramatic Turn of Events
11. Dream Theater
10. Train of Thought
9. Systematic Chaos
8. Distance Over Time
7.
6. Awake
5. A View From The Top Of The World
4.
3. Octavarium
2. The Astonishing
1.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: SeRoX on October 04, 2022, 01:06:04 PM
1- Awake
2-
3-
4-
5- The Astonishing
6- Falling into Infinity
7- A View from the Top of the World
8- When Dream and Day Unite
9- Octavarium
10- Train of Thought
11- A Dramatic Turn of Events
12- Systematic Chaos
13- Distance over Time
14- Dream Theater
15- Black Clouds and Silver Linings

It's sad to see Awake couldn't make Number 1 or at least top 3. This is their peak for me. Everything is amazing about it. I love Moore's dark sound and I think this touch is album's signature.

Favoruites
1- Scarred
2- Voices
3- The Mirror
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: Samsara on October 04, 2022, 01:33:20 PM
I love Moore's dark sound and I think this touch is album's signature.


I agree entirely. The darker vibe on that album, to me, is a perfect compliment to I&W. I know some in the band shit on "Space Dye Vest," but I felt that was a great closer to the record and that whole darker vibe.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: The Realm on October 04, 2022, 02:28:08 PM
Awake - number 5 for me. I'm a bit surprised it didn't make it to number 3 in the aggregate. It is a great album and upon release I absolutely loved it, the dark atmosphere and music is just tremendous. However, today this album has not aged well for me, glad to see I am not alone with this feeling. It also may be controversial to say but I don't enjoy James vocal performance on most of the album either. He tried too hard to add this artificial grit sound to some of the heavier songs and to my ears especially today, this vocal sound doesn't work for me.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#05 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 04, 2022, 02:34:53 PM
Bam! Four 3's in a row!!

(https://thumbs.gfycat.com/FilthyConcernedFerret-size_restricted.gif)

 :lol

 :metal
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 04, 2022, 02:38:53 PM
04. Awake

Number 1 finishes: 8
Last place finishes: 0
Average finish: 4.5



I had Awake at #4.

I remember being a bit thrown whe this came out. It wasn't until the 4th track, Erotomania, that I get interested. 6:00 and CIAW are still relative outliers for me and I've come to really like Innocence Faded. Scarred (#3) and Spave Dye Vest (#5), are two of my Top 5 tracks.


15. Falling Into Infinity
14. Dream Theater
13.
12. Distance Over Time
11. Systematic Chaos
10. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
9. Octavarium
8. Train Of Thought
7. The Astonishing
6. A View From The Top Of The World
5. When Dream and Day Unite
4. Awake
3.  A Dramatic Turn Of Events
2.   
1.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on October 04, 2022, 04:57:42 PM
I love Moore's dark sound and I think this touch is album's signature.


I agree entirely. The darker vibe on that album, to me, is a perfect compliment to I&W. I know some in the band shit on "Space Dye Vest," but I felt that was a great closer to the record and that whole darker vibe.

I think Portnoy was the only who said anything bad about Space Dye Vest, and that was only because he was hurt that Moore declined his offer to play with the band again.  LaBrie, Petrucci and Rudess (who wasn't in the band at the time) have had very positive things to say about it, and Myung rarely speaks, so there ya go.  :lol :lol
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: pg1067 on October 04, 2022, 05:12:26 PM
I think Portnoy was the only who said anything bad about Space Dye Vest, and that was only because he was hurt that Moore declined his offer to play with the band again.  LaBrie, Petrucci and Rudess (who wasn't in the band at the time) have had very positive things to say about it, and Myung rarely speaks, so there ya go.  :lol :lol

Hmmm...where have we heard this sort of thing before?


I always crack up at the video footage (on 5YIAL, I think) of JP playing SDV while MP (?) stands there spraying something (I assume it's string lubricant) on his strings.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: geeeemo on October 04, 2022, 09:02:51 PM
Awake is 13 for me. I don't dislike it, I just like others more. When I was a few months into my DT discovery, I found Awake in my husbands cd collection. What!? He wasnt even into DT really. He had I&W, but had long forgotten about this. I felt like I hit the jackpot! (Funny, I could stream it any time lol) I was really into it for a while. Not all the songs but Mirror, Lie, Voices..and wtheck was SDV?..I always skipped 6:00, but then one day I let it run, and fell in love with it.
When I hosted my first DT USA pre-show meet-up, this was the album I played.

For now though, I am loving other things more. I am not a fan of Erotmania or Innocence Faded. But, I must admit when I listened a couple of weeks ago, I gave special attention to Scarred. Its a favorite of so many. I liked it more than I remembered and will be listening to it more for sure!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: Cool Chris on October 04, 2022, 09:08:32 PM
A little surprised, and a lot disappointed, in this. When I saw DT had a follow up to I&W - which I still thought was their debut - I thought "There's no way they are going to top that." Well damn if they didn't surpass it. It was a lot to take in, but I loved it from the first listen. In 1992, I&W was everything my tastes had led me to at that point in my musical journey, and Awake was the next extension of that. I often say Awake and I&W are #1 and #1a for me, but doing this exercise made it clear Awake is the clear #1.

1   Awake
2   
3   A Dramatic Turn of Events
4   
5   Train of Thought
6   A View from the Top of the World
7   Systematic Chaos
8   Octavarium
9   
10   Dream Theater
11   The Astonishing
12   Distance over Time
13   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
14   Falling into Infinity
15   When Dream and Day Unite
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on October 04, 2022, 09:11:42 PM
Awake didn't finish behind number 3 by much, I will say that.

The handful of heathens who ranked it in their bottom 5 are to blame.  :censored :censored
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on October 04, 2022, 09:23:43 PM
Just a moment to chime in that Lifting Shadows was already amazing. But that extended intro from the 98 fan club CD? PERFECTION!!!! I almost passed out from too many goosebumps. I consider that to be the definitive version now.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: The Letter M on October 04, 2022, 09:30:24 PM
Coincidentally, today is Awake's 28th birthday! And it placed 4th on October 4th! Weird...

Anyways, given that it is its birthday, I may give it a spin tonight before bed!

-Marc.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#04 featured!!)
Post by: Mladen on October 05, 2022, 01:11:09 AM
Coincidentally, today is Awake's 28th birthday! And it placed 4th on October 4th! Weird...

Anyways, given that it is its birthday, I may give it a spin tonight before bed!

-Marc.
That's fantastic.  :tup
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on October 05, 2022, 05:42:33 AM
03. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3d/Dream_Theater_-_Six_Degrees_of_Inner_Turbulence.jpg)
Number 1 finishes: 16
Last place finishes: 0
Average finish: 4.2


The anticipation of this album was pretty high. Following the awesomeness of Scenes of a Memory, the question was: could the band keep the momentum going and follow up such an iconic record with another great one?  I would say they did.  Some of the songwriting here, especially on the first disc, is some of their most adventurous songwriting to date.  No, I don't think this is a top 3 album by the band, but I ranked it 4th by a pretty comfortable margin.

My top 5 songs from the album:
1. Misunderstood
2. Disappear
3. The Glass Prison
4. Blind Faith
5. Solitary Shell
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on October 05, 2022, 06:02:02 AM
Number 7 for me.  Second disc let's it down but the first disc is where it's at.

Quite surprised at top 3 and especially 16 people having it at the top.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: WilliamMunny on October 05, 2022, 06:06:08 AM
I had 6 Degrees at number 1 (along with a bunch of other voters)—to me, this is the band at their absolute peak. The album synthesizes everything I love about DT and features what I feel is the best production of any metal record I've ever heard. MP's drums have never sounded better.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Podaar on October 05, 2022, 06:06:15 AM
This is my #1, and not just for Dream Theater. For my tastes, this is my favorite album ever.

15   When Dream and Day Unite
14   Dream Theater
13   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
12   The Astonishing
11   Systematic Chaos
10   A View from the Top of the World
9   Distance over Time
8   Falling into Infinity
7    ???
6   A Dramatic Turn of Events
5   Train of Thought
4   Octavarium
3   Awake
2    ???
1   Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Lonk on October 05, 2022, 06:13:12 AM
15. Black Clouds and Silver Lining
14. Dream Theater
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Systematic Chaos
11. Train of Thought
10. Falling Into Infinity
9. A View From the Top of the World
8. The Astonishing
7. Octavarium
6. Distance Over Time
5. A Dramatic Turn of Events
4. Awake
3. ??
2. Six Degrees of Inner Turburlence
1. ??

Had this album at #2. Few years ago, it would have been #4 but it has grown a lot on me. Misunderstood used to be one of my least favorite DT song, and even that has grown on me. Just a great album all around, and disc 2 is just phenomenal.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on October 05, 2022, 06:50:13 AM
This is my # 4.

It has a song that does nothing for me (The Great Debate) and another that doesn't do a whole lot (Misunderstood), but everything else is pretty much gold.  I also love the attitude of experimentation they took with this album.  Also, other than Falling Into Infinity, one of my favorite SOUNDING DT records.

Excellent, excellent, excellent.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 05, 2022, 06:54:50 AM
Also, other than Falling Into Infinity, one of my favorite SOUNDING DT records.

It does sound good, I’ll give it that.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: DreamerTV on October 05, 2022, 06:57:44 AM
1   Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
2   
3   Awake
4   
5   Octavarium
6   Distance over Time
7   A View from the Top of the World
8   Falling into Infinity
9   Train of Thought
10   The Astonishing
11   Dream Theater
12   When Dream and Day Unite
13   A Dramatic Turn of Events
14   Systematic Chaos
15   Black Clouds & Silver Linings

Damn this thing's going fast...

I remember vividly thinking, while listening to it on my grandparents bed in their house in Sicily, there should have been some printing mistake with my copy of Six Degrees.
Somehow James sounded different, and so did the entire band. Maybe it was because at that point - i purchased the album on summer of '02 - i was a fan since about a year and a half, but i really questioned whether i was listening to the same band who did I&W, Awake and Scenes - i had not heard FII at that point.
I was really confused by it, to the point where i wasn't getting it, especially the first disc. But the whole vibe was so interesting to me that i ended up putting this as my favourite album by any band i was, or am today, aware of.

Regarding the others i haven't commented about: especially regarding those from the MM era, but even all those past ToT really, there are choises they've made i really can't connect with. And they're becoming weirder - i.e. the main chorus of transcending time, or its instrumental section. They're not interesting to me, they're just weird choices which drags down cool songs.
I was surprised, well not that much actually, by where ADTOE ended up in my rank. Thing is can't stand most of its songs, BAI being one of the few i reaaaaallly like. At the time i was enthusiast by the general positive vibe surrounding the band, and the tour after that release was amazing - probably on of the best gig of theirs i've seen.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: nobloodyname on October 05, 2022, 07:09:20 AM
Number one for me. Dream Theater at their most creative, majestic, peerless best. Simple as that.

Oh, and the artwork is their best by some distance.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on October 05, 2022, 07:13:23 AM
I had SDOIT at #6 and I think that’s actually too high. Sometimes I think it’s better than it actually is because the title track is so amazing. But disc 1 is disappointing.

Basically this album has two AMAZING songs (SDOIT and TGP)
Two pretty good songs (BF and Misunderstood)
And two not so great songs (TGD and Disappear)

But being as that the really great songs take up more than half the album, it ends up with a higher rank.

I pull out my single disc version of this from time to time. I hate the ending of Misunderstood so I use the radio edit version:

The Glass Prison
Blind Faith
Misunderstood (radio edit)
Disappear
SDOIT

I like this a lot better. But even then, I will often skip Disappear.  This would have made a fantastic 70min album if they had just chopped off the 2nd half of disc 1. (Starting with that horrible ending to Misunderstood) But we got what we got.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: krands85 on October 05, 2022, 07:15:12 AM
This is my biggest divergence from the consensus by a wide margin. I have it 12th, please don't hurt me  :lol It's not like I hate any of the songs, I've just never been able to connect with the album in the same way so many others have.

Where the album suffers for me is that it only has one song that I think is really great - The Glass Prison (and I probably don't even like that quite as much as I used to). Having a few really strong songs tends to elevate an album in my rankings - even if there are a few clunkers - compared to one where all the songs are at least decent, but there's only one real standout.

15. When Dream and Day Unite
14. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. Falling Into Infinity
12. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
11. Dream Theater
10. The Astonishing
9. Systematic Chaos
8. A View from the Top of the World
7. Distance Over Time
6. Awake
5. Octavarium
4.
3. A Dramatic Turn of Events
2. Train of Thought
1.

As mentioned, TGP is my favourite, a cracking way to start the album and the 12 step suite. Such great energy and just pure  :metal Another song that's well overdue a return to the live set. The Great Debate and Blind Faith are next in my rankings, I remember really like the former when I was first getting in to the band, but countless other songs from the discography eventually overtook it. The latter feels like one I should really love, but for some reason I don't.

Disappear is a lovely, touching song. It's never going to be one of my favourites, but it's a shame they only ever played it live a couple of times. Misunderstood is my least-favourite from the first disc, it's certainly an interesting track, but it just goes on for too long.

I like the concept of disc 2 and it has some really good section, but like with the album as a whole, I've never fully connected with it. About to Crash (Reprise) is probably my favourite part.

In writing about all these albums - especially the lower ranked ones - I've felt like I'm being harsh on most of them and that they could probably be higher up my list and that's the case again here. But of course, you can't move everything up a spot or two or you'll be back where you started!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: devieira73 on October 05, 2022, 07:31:24 AM
3.   Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence  (#4); grade (9.5/10)

Top 3 songs:    6 Degrees, The Glass Prision and Blind Faith

It's a monster of a double album!! Perfect? Maybe TGP could have a little edition, maybe I would like (even more) Misunderstood without that fade out/fade in at the end (I hate this effect in ANY song since I've heard KISS's I Love it Loud for the first time!) or maybe I'm not superfan of Disappear. Or maybe, at the end of the day, I just think that DT will never surpass its Top 2 albums and it's not 6D's fault at all.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Lethean on October 05, 2022, 07:38:07 AM
Six Degrees is #2 for me.  I love this album, and I love both discs equally.  Like I mentioned before, I remember a lot of negativity about it on the MP forum about it and I'm so glad that seems to have changed over the years.  This album is an incredible ride and it has it all.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: SwedishGoose on October 05, 2022, 07:41:23 AM
I had SDOIT at number 3. Fantastic album with a great collection of songs on disc 1 and a title song/suite that ticks all of the boxes for me.

How can this not end up as a top 3....

15. Distance Over Time
14. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Systematic Chaos
11. Dream Theater
10.  A Dramatic Turn of Events
9. Falling Into Infinity
8.Train of Thought
7. A View From the Top Of the World
6. Octavarium
5. Awake
4.
3. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
2.
1. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Mladen on October 05, 2022, 07:43:32 AM
Number six for me. The reason it's not higher is probably that I do not listen to the second disc too often. I prefer the Score version. But man, those songs on disc one! The Great debate, Disappear, The Glass prison...  :hefdaddy
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on October 05, 2022, 07:58:56 AM
Two for two on the top four! 

I love this record. I think this is perhaps James' finest hour (Misunderstood is a GREAT vocal, in my opinion).   I think he also sings the shit out of the title track.  This is the first time I've noticed the sort of esoteric nature of John's story telling, but it works.  I think on a double record with all that new material, and so much that is fresh, the more obvious inspiration corner moments - Goodnight Kiss (BoRhap) and Solitary Shell (Solsbury Hill) - fit right in nicely.

1.
2.
3. Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence
4. Awake
5. Octavarium
6. Dream Theater
7. Systematic Chaos
8. Distance Over Time
9. A View From The Top Of The World
10. Falling Into Infinity
11. A Dramatic Turn Of Events
12. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. Train Of Thought
14. The Astonishing
15. When Dream And Day Unite
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on October 05, 2022, 08:08:49 AM
What? This is number 3 over Awake? Nah.

Six Degrees is the album they wanted to make for a while, I guess. But it isn’t that good. Production is up there, some of the tones are pretty great, but idk. There’s something in the writing that doesn’t do it for me. Six Degrees is way too long (there’s a 1 3/4 minute sustained chord ffs!) and then there are songs like Misunderstood that decide to go weird just for the sake of going weird it seems. On the flip side, Glass Prison and Great Debate are epic bangers, with Blind Faith being up the top of the entire catalogue for me!

There was a time when I thought this may be better than Scenes and Images. I now believe it’s a fair bit overrated.

Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
My rank: (fittingly) 6th of 15

Top 5
Blind Faith
The Glass Prison
The Great Debate
Misunderstood
Disappear

My current standing
1.
2. Awake
3.
4. Falling Into Infinity
5. Octavarium
6. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
7. A Dramatic Turn of Events
8. Distance Over Time
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. A View From the Top of the World
11. Systematic Chaos
12. Train of Thought
13. When Dream And Day Unite
14. Dream Theater
15. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: T-ski on October 05, 2022, 08:28:16 AM
#4

I surprised myself when I finished my list and this was #4. This is the one album that continued to get better every single time I listened to it. Absolutely love disc 2.

15. Astonishing
14. Systematic Chaos
13. View From the Top of the World
12. Falling Into Infinity
11. Train of Thought
10. Distance Over Time
9. When Dream and Day Unite
8. Dramatic Turn of Events
7. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
6. Dream Theater
5. Octavarium
4. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
3.
2.Awake
1.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: javidt on October 05, 2022, 09:24:32 AM
My #1

I became a fan just after SFAM, I can remember a tape that a friend of mine recorded for me. I was blown away by Overture 1928 and then I bought the CD and listen to it over and over.

I couldn't wait to hear a new album and the day one I've bought SDOIT. I was expecting some kind of SFAM PT 2 so I felt a little bit disappointed with SDOIT (what the hell were they trying with Misunderstood?!)

But as the years have passed by I've realised that this is, for me, their best effort, very different from the rest but yet you can hear is a DT album.

Never get tired of it. First CD is perfect and the title track is very good. Lots of brilliant moments in Glass Prison, Blind Faith, etc... And, 20 years after, it still sounds fresh.

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: nick_z on October 05, 2022, 09:46:21 AM
Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence - I ranked it #9

Well, I kinda knew SDOIT was highly regarded within the DT community, but I did not expect a top 3 spot when we started the ranking!

I certainly had mixed feelings when I first listened to it. Enjoyed Disc 1 a ton, had plenty going on, some slightly more experimental stuff (not all of it 100% successful but still)...made me eager to go back to it. As for Disc 2 - I distinctly remember thinking, after it ended, it was probably my least favorite thing DT had done up to that point. Especially some of the more "orchestral" stuff - I mean, great work by Jordan and all - it just wasn't for me. It had a certain "cheese" factor (to my ears) that just didn't connect. I thought then (and still think now) Solitary Shell is absolutely lovely, and I've come to appreciate the suite more over the years (some good riffage and great moments, for sure), but it still is a relatively weak point for me.

As for Disc 1 - my favorite here is Blind Faith. Some of my favorite JLB vocal melodies in the pre-chorus, and Jordan's work on this track is brilliant (the piano break almost has a Tori Amos feel to it). MP overplays a bit in certain spots, but that's ok  ;) Speaking of vocal melodies, great ones in Misunderstood too - again, fantastic performance by James on that one. I don't mind the industrial-sounding weirdness in the middle of the song, but the coda does go way longer than it needs to. The Glass Prison is an absolute blast (although I could do without the shredfest of trading solos roughly between the 10 and 11-minute mark). The Great Debate loses a bit of steam somewhere in the middle, but musically there's lots of interesting stuff going on. Disappear is my least favorite, but it has a haunting quality to it, and the arrangement is cool.

Anyhoo...overall good and certainly interesting album...but, as a whole, flawed enough to prevent it from reaching true greatness in my book...

15. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
14. Systematic Chaos
13. The Astonishing
12. A Dramatic Turn of Events
11.  Distance Over Time
10. A View From The Top Of The World
9.  Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
8.  Octavarium
7.  Dream Theater
6.
5. Train of Thought
4. Falling Into Infinity
3. When Dream and Day Unite   
2. Awake
1.   
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 05, 2022, 09:53:12 AM
03. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence

Number 1 finishes: 16
Last place finishes: 0
Average finish: 4.2



I had Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence at #13.

I simply do not understand why this album is so loved.

If I could separate the two discs, I'd put Disc 1 somewhere around 11-ish and Disc 2 LAST.

I remember getting it and being blown away by The Glass Prison. I literally played it again before moving on to the next song. I rate The Glass Prison, from where I started from, to where it is now, as their WORST aging song. It's really a slog to get through.

Blind Faith is awesome.
Misunderstood is cool. I like it, and I'm glad it's in their catalog, but it's never a song I look for.
The Great Debate...I should like it more than I should. I think it's really good.
Disappear is one of my favorite songs by DT. James is amazing and and the atmosphere of the song is gripping.

Disc 2..Oh boy. I think only FII met me with more disappointment, and I'd take FII over these 8 songs any day of the week. And The Astonishing gets accused of being Disney music...well, they must've skipped the 6 D's Overture.
About To Crash has actually aged pretty wel.
War...eh..it's ok
Test..not great
Goodnight Kiss...can we just skip to the solo
Shell..the third best song on the album after Disappear and Blind Faith. Love it!
Reprise and Losing Time....they're fine enough but I'd have to rationalize to say what I liked about them.

Actually, Disc 2 is good for something...

(https://i.imgur.com/y2qntbu.jpg)




15. Falling Into Infinity
14. Dream Theater
13. Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence
12. Distance Over Time
11. Systematic Chaos
10. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
9. Octavarium
8. Train Of Thought
7. The Astonishing
6. A View From The Top Of The World
5. When Dream and Day Unite
4. Awake
3. A Dramatic Turn Of Events
2.   
1.

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Dublagent66 on October 05, 2022, 10:40:00 AM
I had Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence at #13.

I simply do not understand why this album is so loved.

No surprise there Tim.  SDOIT is even better than Power Windows.  :lol :p  However, to be fair, I didn't like it that much at first.  Never thought back then it would end up being my fav. :dunno:


15  When Dream and Day Unite
14  Dream Theater
13  The Astonishing
12  A View from the Top of the World
11  Distance over Time
10  Black Clouds and Silver Linings
  9  Systematic Chaos
  8  Falling into Infinity
  7  Octavarium
  6  Train of Thought
  5  A Dramatic Turn of Events
  4  Awake
  3   
  2   
  1  Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: The Letter M on October 05, 2022, 10:50:18 AM
01. Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence
02.
03.
04. Octavarium
05. Awake
06. A View From The Top Of The World
07. A Dramatic Turn Of Events
08. Train Of Thought
09. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
10. Distance Over Time
11. Falling Into Infinity
12. Systematic Chaos
13. Dream Theater
14. When Dream And Day Unite
15. The Astonishing

I had SDOIT as my number one. It's been in my Top 3 since I discovered DT, but it took awhile to become number one. The whole album is pretty much perfect, a great balance of music and lyrics. I absolutely fell in love with the title track, and the songs before it all have some greatness to them.

I sometimes wish 100-minute CDs were a thing because then there wouldn't be this mindless debate about "disc 1 vs disc 2" or anything like that. It's one album - the constraints of the physical media shouldn't be a make-or-break point for the album. Digitally, for me at least, it's one album with six songs, and I think the band (or at least MP) sees it that way as well. I guess this is how folks might have felt when vinyl transitioned to CD and CD folks saw albums as one whole thing rather than two sides of vinyl (as I'm sure there were plenty of Side A vs Side B debates during the height of vinyl).

At any rate, I'm happy to see so many 1st place finishes for SDOIT! Honestly, my 1st and 2nd place albums could swap and I'd still be happy, but SDOIT just felt right at the top for me.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: mariner on October 05, 2022, 11:00:37 AM
#4 for me.

Top songs are The Glass Prison, About to Crash, and Solitary Shell.

Contrary to a previous poster, this albums DOES connect with me, and the Six Degrees in particular is something I am attuned to with two children with mental illness and one currently in an adolescent treatment unit.

Love the live version of 6DOIT on Score (I was there!) as well.

First disc aside from TGP is less high on my list, but I view 6DOIT as one of their peaks (revealing my other peaks will come with the remaining 2 album reveals  ;)  )
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Adami on October 05, 2022, 11:01:29 AM
1. Awake
2. ???
3. ???
4. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
5. Octavarium
6. Falling Into Infinity
7. A Dramatic Turn of Events
8. Train of Thought
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. The Astonishing
11. Systematic Chaos
12. When Dream and Day Unite
13. Dream Theater
14. Distance Over Time
15. A View From the Top of the World

Amazing album. Glad to see DT doing some real exploration and experimentation. Sadly the fake strings on the title track are distracting and I never really connected to Disappear, and TGP goes on a bit too long, but beyond that it's just a stellar album. Not nearly as good as Awake, but I love it.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: pg1067 on October 05, 2022, 11:06:05 AM
03. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence

...

Number 1 finishes: 16
Last place finishes: 0
Average finish: 4.2


My rankings:

1.
2.
3. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
4. Awake
5. Octavarium
6. Train of Thought
7. Dream Theater
8. A Dramatic Turn of Events
9. When Dream and Day Unite
10. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
11. Distance over Time
12. Falling Into Infinity
13. A View from the Top of the World
14. Systematic Chaos
15. The Astonishing

Lots to say about SDOIT.  I had been a little out of the loop with DT since FII came out.  I didn't go to any shows on the FII tour or SFAM tour (for reasons I don't recall).  But I was for sure into SFAM.  SDOIT came out just a few months after I started my post-law school job.  I had a hellish commute, and I have memories of listening to SDOIT while crossing the Vincent Thomas Bridge over the Los Angeles/Long Beach harbor.

Disc 2 was an IMMEDIATE home run for me.  If we were still in the era for 40 minute albums, disc 2 by itself would have been an amazing album.  So well constructed and has everything that makes DT DT.  Disc 1, on the other hand, did not click with me.  I think the initial heaviness of TGP was a bit off-putting.  I don't know.  Or maybe it was just that disc 2 was SO GOOD that I didn't bother switching discs.  It took a good 5-6 years before anything on disc 1 really clicked for me.  At first, there was a "DT misheard lyrics" video that played the "and still life pushes on" section of Blind Faith.  I thought it was great but didn't recognize it.  Clearly, I hadn't dug into the album sufficiently because I was newly blown away by the song half a decade after it was released.  I then gave disc 1 a more in depth listen.  TGP still isn't a favorite, but I love the intro and outro and a bunch of stuff in between.  Misunderstood is really well done and relatively atypical for me.  On the negative side, TGD is still a gigantic ball of garbled blech (right down there with New Millennium, Repentance and The Mirror).  I initially felt similarly about Disappear, but now I just think it's boring AF.  If they had dropped TGD and Disappear and made this a single CD, it quite possibly would be my #1 DT album.


Disc 2..Oh boy. I think only FII met me with more disappointment, and I'd take FII over these 8 songs any day of the week. And The Astonishing gets accused of being Disney music...well, they must've skipped the 6 D's Overture.

I will grant you that there are aspects of the Overture that have movie score feel, but it's anything but Disney.  I think it's FANTASIC, but I can understand why it doesn't resonate for some.  I wonder...what do you think of the Score version that's performed entirely by the orchestra?  Better?  Worse?  Same?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 05, 2022, 11:12:47 AM

I will grant you that there are aspects of the Overture that have movie score feel, but it's anything but Disney.  I think it's FANTASIC, but I can understand why it doesn't resonate for some.  I wonder...what do you think of the Score version that's performed entirely by the orchestra?  Better?  Worse?  Same?


There is nothing that I find less interesting than when bands play with an orchestra. And nothing pisses me off more than it being ONE track on Score. I've heard it through maybe a couple of times, but for me, as with the 6 D's album, I only listen to the first disc of Score.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Adami on October 05, 2022, 11:17:32 AM
I actually just listened to the Score version of the entire song yesterday.

The band themselves sound great, but the orchestra is just awful on this. They're out of tune, off time, just playing really poorly. This is one I really wish got a great orchestra/symphony to play instead. They didn't sound nearly as bad on the other songs, but on this one? Eesh.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Shalev Amir on October 05, 2022, 11:20:27 AM
Awake - #4, the stretch from Erotomania to Lie is one of their best ever, and the last three songs are great too. The first three haven't aged for me that well though.

6DOIT - #1. Somewhen along the way I realized it's one of the most perfect DT albums. TGP is one of my favourite songs ever, the next four tracks offer great variety, and the title track is very fun to listen to.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Samsara on October 05, 2022, 11:29:58 AM
I had Six Degrees, ironically, at #6.

It's an ambitious album and one I felt was a bit pompous. I really enjoyed the tour. I saw the warm-up show at BB Kings, which was awesome. Then I saw the headline show at Jones Beach with Satriani and King's X.

Favorite tunes:

The Great Debate
The Glass Prison
About to Crash
Solitary Shell

I really felt this record should have been two separate albums. Disc One is its own thing, entirely, as is Disc Two. Maybe a five-track album scared the label or DT off? I don't know. But I just feel like both discs should have been independent releases.

One of the other mistakes I felt the band made during this cycle was refusing to be a on nationally broadcast talk show because they wanted "Solitary Shell" played. My memory could be fuzzy, but I believe MP said that the band didn't want to "compromise who they were" by playing that track live. Which made no sense to me, because one, that song was very much a part of who DT was and is, and two, why in the world would you stupidly turn down that marketing? If I was the label, I would have been HOT. Talk about a missed crossover opportunity.

Anyway, a good release that I don't have nearly as high as others. As I said at the outset, I thought it was a bit pompous of the band following up SFAM with this.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Dublagent66 on October 05, 2022, 11:49:05 AM
SDOIT is perfect as a double album.  :hefdaddy
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Lethean on October 05, 2022, 11:55:00 AM
SDOIT is perfect as a double album.  :hefdaddy

Agreed.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on October 05, 2022, 11:56:42 AM
I believe the song "Misunderstood" is, well, misunderstood. :)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Dublagent66 on October 05, 2022, 12:25:46 PM
Love Misunderstood until the "finger nails on the chalkboard" ending. :eek   Still, great song.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 05, 2022, 12:37:22 PM

One of the other mistakes I felt the band made during this cycle was refusing to be a on nationally broadcast talk show because they wanted "Solitary Shell" played. My memory could be fuzzy, but I believe MP said that the band didn't want to "compromise who they were" by playing that track live. Which made no sense to me, because one, that song was very much a part of who DT was and is, and two, why in the world would you stupidly turn down that marketing? If I was the label, I would have been HOT. Talk about a missed crossover opportunity.


I'm not familiar with this..
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on October 05, 2022, 01:23:38 PM

One of the other mistakes I felt the band made during this cycle was refusing to be a on nationally broadcast talk show because they wanted "Solitary Shell" played. My memory could be fuzzy, but I believe MP said that the band didn't want to "compromise who they were" by playing that track live. Which made no sense to me, because one, that song was very much a part of who DT was and is, and two, why in the world would you stupidly turn down that marketing? If I was the label, I would have been HOT. Talk about a missed crossover opportunity.


I'm not familiar with this..

What was the show?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 05, 2022, 01:37:33 PM

One of the other mistakes I felt the band made during this cycle was refusing to be a on nationally broadcast talk show because they wanted "Solitary Shell" played. My memory could be fuzzy, but I believe MP said that the band didn't want to "compromise who they were" by playing that track live. Which made no sense to me, because one, that song was very much a part of who DT was and is, and two, why in the world would you stupidly turn down that marketing? If I was the label, I would have been HOT. Talk about a missed crossover opportunity.


I'm not familiar with this..

What was the show?

I don't know. I said I wasn't familiar with it.



 ;D
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Samsara on October 05, 2022, 01:41:02 PM
lol. I can't remember. Some of the DT historians here HAVE to remember this though. There was a big to-do about it at the time, or at least I thought so. Maybe Setlist Scotty recalls?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on October 05, 2022, 01:42:08 PM

One of the other mistakes I felt the band made during this cycle was refusing to be a on nationally broadcast talk show because they wanted "Solitary Shell" played. My memory could be fuzzy, but I believe MP said that the band didn't want to "compromise who they were" by playing that track live. Which made no sense to me, because one, that song was very much a part of who DT was and is, and two, why in the world would you stupidly turn down that marketing? If I was the label, I would have been HOT. Talk about a missed crossover opportunity.


I'm not familiar with this..

What was the show?

It was The Today Show and I remember that MP specifically sited what happened to Extreme when More Than Words and Hole Hearted became hits. The band was typecast, and MP was of the opinion (as many people are) that having a ballad hit from a metal band is a career killer.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Elite on October 05, 2022, 01:44:43 PM
Poor Awake.

Here's my full list. Would it have helped Awake had I actually sent it?

1   Images and Words
2   Awake
3   Scenes from a Memory
4   Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
5   Falling into Infinity
6   Systematic Chaos
7   A Dramatic Turn of Events
8   Train of Thought
9   A View from the Top of the World
10   The Astonishing
11   Octavarium
12   When Dream and Day Unite
13   Distance over Time
14   Dream Theater
15   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Samsara on October 05, 2022, 01:46:27 PM

It was The Today Show and I remember that MP specifically sited what happened to Extreme when More Than Words and Hole Hearted became hits. The band was typecast, and MP was of the opinion (as many people are) that having a ballad hit from a metal band is a career killer.

Thanks JD. Appreciate that. And it wasn't a career killer at all for Extreme. They exploded in popularity. Mr. Big experienced the same thing. Queensryche experienced the same thing. It did wonders for all of them and more.

To this day, that was a very, very poor decision by DT/MP, IMO. it would never have hurt them. it would have exposed their music to a wider audience. They've done great, obviously, but IMO, that was a huge mistake. A pompous mistake.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 05, 2022, 01:49:02 PM
I wonder if the FII experience scared MP off from doing it. Perhaps it may have been shortsighted, but you (not you personally Sam) gotta respect MP's vision for DT.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: jammindude on October 05, 2022, 01:51:43 PM

It was The Today Show and I remember that MP specifically sited what happened to Extreme when More Than Words and Hole Hearted became hits. The band was typecast, and MP was of the opinion (as many people are) that having a ballad hit from a metal band is a career killer.

Thanks JD. Appreciate that. And it wasn't a career killer at all for Extreme. They exploded in popularity. Mr. Big experienced the same thing. Queensryche experienced the same thing. It did wonders for all of them and more.

To this day, that was a very, very poor decision by DT/MP, IMO. it would never have hurt them. it would have exposed their music to a wider audience. They've done great, obviously, but IMO, that was a huge mistake. A pompous mistake.

I disagree on Extreme. I think the entire thought process is, “Yes. You get explosive popularity IN THE SHORT TERM. But if your next album doesn’t have ‘Solitary Shell Part 2’ then the album flops and you’re done. Because the people listening to the radio just want you to make songs for radio.”

EDIT - and Extreme’s follow up album DID flop in comparison to Pornograffiti, and part of the reason was it didn’t have a follow up single on the radio like More Than Words.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Samsara on October 05, 2022, 02:00:05 PM
Extreme's follow up to Pornograffiti only fell short of those sales because the music climate shifted. That's the ONLY reason.

Your argument "You get explosive popularity IN THE SHORT TERM. But if your next album doesn’t have ‘Solitary Shell Part 2’ then the album flops and you’re done" doesn't hold water, because the follow-up record is going to have all those crossover fans BUYING IT first week, along with the rest of the diehards. So that's not really accurate.

In the end, it's about exposing the band to a potential wider audience. MP and company decided to sit pat, and it didn't hurt them. But those that take advantage of those opportunities are a lot wiser, IMO.

*edited to correct spelling.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on October 05, 2022, 02:24:12 PM
I'm kind of with Samsara here. 

And bear in mind, it's not like they didn't have exposure before; "Pull Me Under" and MTV.  I get protecting your baby, but even the greatest acts have had albums to live up to - Bruce Springsteen is still chasing "Born In The USA" from 1985, REM was chasing "Man On The Moon" up until they called it a day, U2 has been chasing "One" for the better part of 30 years... and all three were or are touring stadiums.  Does Motley have anything as big as "Home Sweet Home"?  They're doing okay.   Fuck, Extreme just opened for Aerosmith at Fenway; their issues are not chasing "More Than Words", as Samsara indicated.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: devieira73 on October 05, 2022, 02:28:44 PM

One of the other mistakes I felt the band made during this cycle was refusing to be a on nationally broadcast talk show because they wanted "Solitary Shell" played. My memory could be fuzzy, but I believe MP said that the band didn't want to "compromise who they were" by playing that track live. Which made no sense to me, because one, that song was very much a part of who DT was and is, and two, why in the world would you stupidly turn down that marketing? If I was the label, I would have been HOT. Talk about a missed crossover opportunity.


I'm not familiar with this..

Maybe I'm wrong, but from what I remember by memory, the real problem wasn't to play a ballad, but that the show wanted DT to play only as an acoustic trio (guitar, piano and vocals)?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on October 05, 2022, 02:35:45 PM

One of the other mistakes I felt the band made during this cycle was refusing to be a on nationally broadcast talk show because they wanted "Solitary Shell" played. My memory could be fuzzy, but I believe MP said that the band didn't want to "compromise who they were" by playing that track live. Which made no sense to me, because one, that song was very much a part of who DT was and is, and two, why in the world would you stupidly turn down that marketing? If I was the label, I would have been HOT. Talk about a missed crossover opportunity.


I'm not familiar with this..

Maybe I'm wrong, but from what I remember by memory, the real problem wasn't to play a ballad, but that the show wanted DT to play only as an acoustic trio (guitar, piano and vocals)?

Now THAT'S a different story. 
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: The Realm on October 05, 2022, 02:54:33 PM
Six Degrees - number 4 for me. A great album, that sounds amazing. I often return to disc 1, not as much to disc 2. I am not a huge fan of some of disc 2 including the overture, but I just think the highs far outweigh the lows on this album.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Samsara on October 05, 2022, 03:29:29 PM

One of the other mistakes I felt the band made during this cycle was refusing to be a on nationally broadcast talk show because they wanted "Solitary Shell" played. My memory could be fuzzy, but I believe MP said that the band didn't want to "compromise who they were" by playing that track live. Which made no sense to me, because one, that song was very much a part of who DT was and is, and two, why in the world would you stupidly turn down that marketing? If I was the label, I would have been HOT. Talk about a missed crossover opportunity.


I'm not familiar with this..

Maybe I'm wrong, but from what I remember by memory, the real problem wasn't to play a ballad, but that the show wanted DT to play only as an acoustic trio (guitar, piano and vocals)?

Now THAT'S a different story.

It would be in my mind as well. But I'm not sure that's correct. Again, memory is a little fuzzy, but I don't remember anything about an acoustic TRIO. I think they were asked as a band to PLAY acoustically.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Dublagent66 on October 05, 2022, 03:43:22 PM
Poor Awake.

Here's my full list. Would it have helped Awake had I actually sent it?

1   Images and Words
2   Awake
3   Scenes from a Memory
4   Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
5   Falling into Infinity
6   Systematic Chaos
7   A Dramatic Turn of Events
8   Train of Thought
9   A View from the Top of the World
10   The Astonishing
11   Octavarium
12   When Dream and Day Unite
13   Distance over Time
14   Dream Theater
15   Black Clouds and Silver Linings

As long as I've been here, Awake has always done very well and it has always been in my top 5.

Probably not by much since it is usually in high regard anyway.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Setlist Scotty on October 05, 2022, 03:58:04 PM
One of the other mistakes I felt the band made during this cycle was refusing to be a on nationally broadcast talk show because they wanted "Solitary Shell" played. My memory could be fuzzy, but I believe MP said that the band didn't want to "compromise who they were" by playing that track live. Which made no sense to me, because one, that song was very much a part of who DT was and is, and two, why in the world would you stupidly turn down that marketing? If I was the label, I would have been HOT. Talk about a missed crossover opportunity.
I'm not familiar with this..
Maybe I'm wrong, but from what I remember by memory, the real problem wasn't to play a ballad, but that the show wanted DT to play only as an acoustic trio (guitar, piano and vocals)?
Now THAT'S a different story.
It would be in my mind as well. But I'm not sure that's correct. Again, memory is a little fuzzy, but I don't remember anything about an acoustic TRIO. I think they were asked as a band to PLAY acoustically.
Andre pretty much is spot on - they weren't going to allow the full band to perform, so that's why the passed on the opportunity.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: devieira73 on October 05, 2022, 04:12:53 PM
I just searched on Lifting Shadows book and there it isn't said anything about it. I think I remember it from the discussions on MP forum at the time.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Samsara on October 05, 2022, 04:15:34 PM
One of the other mistakes I felt the band made during this cycle was refusing to be a on nationally broadcast talk show because they wanted "Solitary Shell" played. My memory could be fuzzy, but I believe MP said that the band didn't want to "compromise who they were" by playing that track live. Which made no sense to me, because one, that song was very much a part of who DT was and is, and two, why in the world would you stupidly turn down that marketing? If I was the label, I would have been HOT. Talk about a missed crossover opportunity.
I'm not familiar with this..
Maybe I'm wrong, but from what I remember by memory, the real problem wasn't to play a ballad, but that the show wanted DT to play only as an acoustic trio (guitar, piano and vocals)?
Now THAT'S a different story.
It would be in my mind as well. But I'm not sure that's correct. Again, memory is a little fuzzy, but I don't remember anything about an acoustic TRIO. I think they were asked as a band to PLAY acoustically.
Andre pretty much is spot on - they weren't going to allow the full band to perform, so that's why the passed on the opportunity.

Thank you Scotty! I knew you'd remember. Ah, okay then. If it wasn't the whole band, but just a trio, I totally get that. I'm guessing that trio did not include MP?  :lol
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Dream Team on October 05, 2022, 05:06:28 PM
#4 for me. Their most experimental and risky album until The Astonishing. Love some of the soundscapes and I hope they try that style again at some point.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: SeRoX on October 05, 2022, 06:29:06 PM
1- Awake
2-
3- Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
4-
5- The Astonishing
6- Falling into Infinity
7- A View from the Top of the World
8- When Dream and Day Unite
9- Octavarium
10- Train of Thought
11- A Dramatic Turn of Events
12- Systematic Chaos
13- Distance over Time
14- Dream Theater
15- Black Clouds and Silver Linings

A great experimental album. The second dics has great tunes but disc one is just superior. I consider SFAM is their second milestone while SDOIT is their peak point at 2000's.

Favoruites
1- Disappear
2- The Glass Prison
3- Misunderstood
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Cool Chris on October 05, 2022, 08:36:49 PM
No way it should be this high.

This album was so bi-polar with me when it was released. I listened to TGP, BF, M, and D all the time, never TGD or 6D. TGD is just a drag, and goddamn all the news audio clips. Enough already. I doubt I've listened to 6D all the way through more than 5 times in my life, probably less for the Score version. Agreeing with TAC (I believe), TGP is among the worst aged songs in their catalog.

1   Awake
2   
3   A Dramatic Turn of Events
4   
5   Train of Thought
6   A View from the Top of the World
7   Systematic Chaos
8   Octavarium
9   Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
10   Dream Theater
11   The Astonishing
12   Distance over Time
13   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
14   Falling into Infinity
15   When Dream and Day Unite
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 05, 2022, 08:38:50 PM
Agreeing with TAC (I believe), TGP is among the worst aged songs in their catalog.

Believe, Brother. Believe!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: geeeemo on October 05, 2022, 09:22:22 PM
6 Degrees at #7.
I love it, and love the 6 ahead of it more. And the 8 after almost as much.  :biggrin:
This one ebbs and flows in how I feel about. I always enjoy it. I agree that Misunderstood goes on a tad much. But I really dig TGD, Disappear makes my heart weep, TGP rocks. 6 Degrees hurts me sometimes. Like another poster, I have a young adult child with mental illness (going on 5 years now), and sometimes its just too close. That's ok though and the song has all the DT facets. Beautiful music, metal, story, ballads and length.
I would love them to include one of the songs from disc one in a future tour.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Ben_Jamin on October 06, 2022, 12:41:46 AM
#03 - Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence (My Ranking: #01)

There's a lot I could say about this album that I am finding it a bit difficult trying to think of what to say about it.

What I like most about this album is the theme of dealing with mental struggles or situations that can test a persons sanity or mental state of mind, or test humanities state of mind. There's lots of great songs here.

The Glass Prison, while being my least favorite, is a fantastic song regardless. The intro with the static of the record playing with the bells, makes me imagine a drunken man wasted, passed out in front of the bar as the last call/church bells ring throughout the street. The mental struggle of dealing with addiction and coming to recognize it is a rough, personal choice for the better. I enjoy each of the sections, and really enjoy the short last section. I just picture the man, in front of the church, begging on his knees, as he sees the light in the door to escape the glass prison walls and walks on through. (I also find it great how it transitions into the next song of the series, and when I saw them live for Gigantour, they did this and I really didn't notice it changed until I heard the riff of This Dying Soul and said to my cousin, "I remember this from Budakon."

Blind Faith is a wonderful, beautiful song with some haunting atmosphere that represents that feeling and emotion of a religious/spiritual struggle of faith. This can really weigh a person down and cause one to go through some mental anguish when dealing with these type of situations. "And still life pushes on, with or without you...I am the believer who gives purpose onto you", these lyrics are the heart of the meaning of the song. Even though the spiritual leaders are not having faith, the people still have to carry on, strong in their faith and will. This theme does sort of relate to Misunderstood.

Misunderstood is a nice, slow, calm song that works well with it's lyrics. The music being calm and sort of laid-back in a way is a great background for a person questioning themselves. The gradual rise of intensity in the music presents that anguish well with feeling isolated, and not wanted by the people around you, when they are in fact showing gratitude and care for you. The ending represents that struggle even more to me.

The Great Debate transitions nicely from Misunderstood as the mental crisis continues, only this time, it's a mental crisis for Humanity as a whole, mixing both personal, spiritual mental anguish along with religious, collective mental anguish over what one considers right and wrong. It's amazing how this song really hit hard as well when the Pandemic hit, "Will we turn to our unearthly guide? Or to white-coat heroes, searching for a cure?" spoke to this, and this phrase is the main message and meaning of the song to me. It's about the mental struggle humanity faces when two opposing perceptions of life collide and there ends up being A Great Debate amongst us. I do not feel the influence of Tool and these type of lyrical message was a coincidence. Tool has very philosophical and spiritual lyrics, that TGD's lyrics do not seem to far fetched given that it is influenced by a song called 46&2.

I enjoy how the first disc all culminates to Disappear as it deals with the mental anguish of death. No one wants to lose a loved one, but it's a part of life, and all we humans can do is learn to cope, accept, and move on, be brave to face life without them here. JR's "circus" music parts I do not see as "circus" music. I see it as the music played on a merry-go-round that is gradually slowing in tempo and in turn dying. The merry-go-round being the metaphor for the cycle of life, how merry people become while it's running, and then the sadness involved when the ride comes to a halt. For the last set of lyrics, I prefer the vibe and tone of JLB's backing vocals more so than the lead vocals. They're really haunting and add that emotional aspect of calmly accepting the end, and I love when his vocals get more powerful and higher as the person begins to really show emotion when speaking to the person as they tell them to go into the light, "I gave you my hand, said "It's okay, letting go, time to leave here. And I'll carry on the best that I can without you here beside me."

The final song is the mega-epic about 6 different people and the mental situations they face. I love that happy/sad contrast going on in ATC and ATC(R) with the happy music with the sad lyrics. I love everything about these sections, and the music for each of them fits the lyrics, as well as the type of mental struggle the characters are dealing with. From the heavy, fast-paced, trauma of WIMH/TTTSTA, to the emotional, heartfelt, somber struggle of Post-partum, you feel that love of the mother to the child, and then the ending instrumental is that difficult struggle.

Overall, this will remain my favorite album as it deals with Mental struggles of humanity, and also presents them in a way that is relatable for many. The mix of each instrument is awesome, the production is also great, and the artwork has those great sketches and the way it's designed is awesome with showcasing the mental anguish and the topic of mental struggles humans face.

(I just decided to add my Favorite and Least Favorite songs onto my ranking thoughts, so they're now on my previous posts.)
Favorite: Blind Faith
Least: The Glass Prison


Ranking:
15. When Dream And Day Unite
14. Falling Into Infinity
13. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
12. A Dramatic Turn of Events
11. Dream Theater
10. Train of Thought
9. Systematic Chaos
8. Distance Over Time
7.
6. Awake
5. A View From The Top Of The World
4.
3. Octavarium
2. The Astonishing
1. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Wim Kruithof on October 06, 2022, 12:47:27 AM
This is my # 4.

It has a song that does nothing for me (The Great Debate) and another that doesn't do a whole lot (Misunderstood), but everything else is pretty much gold.  I also love the attitude of experimentation they took with this album.  Also, other than Falling Into Infinity, one of my favorite SOUNDING DT records.

Excellent, excellent, excellent.

I feel the exact same as you. Agree 100%
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Mladen on October 06, 2022, 04:56:46 AM
One of the other mistakes I felt the band made during this cycle was refusing to be a on nationally broadcast talk show because they wanted "Solitary Shell" played. My memory could be fuzzy, but I believe MP said that the band didn't want to "compromise who they were" by playing that track live. Which made no sense to me, because one, that song was very much a part of who DT was and is, and two, why in the world would you stupidly turn down that marketing? If I was the label, I would have been HOT. Talk about a missed crossover opportunity.
I'm not familiar with this..
Maybe I'm wrong, but from what I remember by memory, the real problem wasn't to play a ballad, but that the show wanted DT to play only as an acoustic trio (guitar, piano and vocals)?
Now THAT'S a different story.
It would be in my mind as well. But I'm not sure that's correct. Again, memory is a little fuzzy, but I don't remember anything about an acoustic TRIO. I think they were asked as a band to PLAY acoustically.
Andre pretty much is spot on - they weren't going to allow the full band to perform, so that's why the passed on the opportunity.
Do we know which show it was? If it was Late night with Conan O'Brien, I'm disappointed. Slipknot and King Crimson managed to appear with gazillion band members, and yet Dream Theater got screwed?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on October 06, 2022, 05:19:38 AM
02. Images and Words
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61jPbYoDqTL._SY580_.jpg)
Number 1 finishes: 18
Last place finishes: 0
Average finish: 3.4


On my list of course-changing albums in regards to my musical direction, this is very high on the list. I was never much of a fan of metal prior to hearing this record, and this album isn't even one of their most metal albums, but it was a bit heavier than what I normally liked.  The first three songs all received heavy airplay on KSHE here in St Louis and on MTV.  Funny as it sounds, my initial impression of them was that they were a much heavier Europe. I was a big fan of Europe in the latter 80s, and the use of keys combined with James LaBrie's voice really gave me a strong Europe vibe at first.  I would realize very quickly that those superficial similarities are where the comparisons ended, but it's funny for me to think about.  But anyway, I finally got into metal a little bit thanks to this record.  In short, one of my all-time favorite albums.  A masterpiece on all levels, musically, sonically and lyrically.  There is not a single thing I would change about this record. I ranked it 3rd.

My top 5 songs from the album:
1. Learning to Live
2. Metropolis
3. Take the Time
4. Surrounded
5. Another Day
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on October 06, 2022, 05:39:07 AM
Ok, this was my number 3 choice, but I can see exactly why it’s number 2 here. I’m almost surprised this isn’t number one.

Pull Me Under is the greatest radio hit they ever had (I suppose The Alien is now more successful though), Take The Time is an immense song, Metropolis is the song that I would use to “define” DT in 9 minutes, Under A Glass Moon is one of if not Petrucci’s best solo and Learning to Live is my absolute favourite song the band has ever written. Tie into this Surrounded, which I think is a pretty great tune and you have a pretty great album. I’m not mad keen on Another Day and I pretty much only listen to Wait For Sleep as a part of LtL these days.

The production is pretty wonky though, thanks to the very janky drum triggers. But, mostly, this is great, I just have personal preferences for two albums.

Images and Words
My rank: 3rd of 15

Top 5
Learning to Live
Metropolis
Under A Glass Moon
Surrounded
Take the Time

My current standing
1.
2. Awake
3. Images and Words
4. Falling Into Infinity
5. Octavarium
6.  Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
7. A Dramatic Turn of Events
8. Distance Over Time
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. A View From the Top of the World
11. Systematic Chaos
12. Train of Thought
13. When Dream And Day Unite
14. Dream Theater
15. The Astonishing

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: wolfking on October 06, 2022, 05:49:15 AM
I can't believe this isn't number 1.  I'm genuinely shocked.....

.....can't complain though, I had this at 3 after TOT and Awake.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: T-ski on October 06, 2022, 06:06:11 AM
#1

It’s the album that changed my musical life. When I first heard PMU I was flabbergasted, never heard anything like it. It combined almost everything I love in a song and then some. Then getting the album and hearing Metropolis Pt.1 and Learning to Live. Damn. 

15. Astonishing
14. Systematic Chaos
13. View From the Top of the World
12. Falling Into Infinity
11. Train of Thought
10. Distance Over Time
9. When Dream and Day Unite
8. Dramatic Turn of Events
7. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
6. Dream Theater
5. Octavarium
4. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
3.
2. Awake
1 Images and Words
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: TheCountOfNYC on October 06, 2022, 06:09:42 AM
We knew what the top two was gonna be, it was just a question of what order they would be. For once, my opinion on which is better aligns with the forum. Make no mistake about it though, I adore Images and Words, and if it wasn’t for their 2005 album having my all time favorite song, this would be my number two as well.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: Podaar on October 06, 2022, 06:15:14 AM
#7 for me. At the time this came out, it was a musical revelation. These days, I just don't reach for it that much and would rather listen to so much more of their catalog.

15   When Dream and Day Unite
14   Dream Theater
13   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
12   The Astonishing
11   Systematic Chaos
10   A View from the Top of the World
9   Distance over Time
8   Falling into Infinity
7   Images and Words
6   A Dramatic Turn of Events
5   Train of Thought
4   Octavarium
3   Awake
2   
1   Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: Lonk on October 06, 2022, 06:19:11 AM
15. Black Clouds and Silver Lining
14. Dream Theater
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Systematic Chaos
11. Train of Thought
10. Falling Into Infinity
9. A View From the Top of the World
8. The Astonishing
7. Octavarium
6. Distance Over Time
5. A Dramatic Turn of Events
4. Awake
3. Images and Words
2. Six Degrees of Inner Turburlence
1. Metropolis Pt. II - Scenes From a Memory
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: Dream Team on October 06, 2022, 06:35:47 AM
Number 1 for me, always has been despite being briefly threatened by Scenes and The Astonishing. They had YEARS to hone these amazing songs which really paid off.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on October 06, 2022, 06:44:32 AM
Too early to ask what’ll be next in these rankings, Kev? Not the DT ones, but like are we gonna do the Maiden and VH albums next?
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: ReaperKK on October 06, 2022, 06:45:31 AM
Just catching up on the last two posts

Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence : This was my first DT album I got into. It was their most recent release when I discovered them. I remember getting rocked by The Glass Prison, I must've spun it 6 times in a row before moving on. If the album was only disc 1 it'd be near perfect and would be ranking number 1 but unfortunately there is another disc. SDOIT is an absolute chore to get through, it's not particularly memorable and it doesn't work as a single song, or broken up into smaller tracks. It's because of this i rated SDOIT #3.

Images And Words: I think this album suffers from being overplayed. For a long time it was one of my favorite albums but I just got tired of the music on there. The album is solid if not a bit dated. DT starts it's trend of writing notsogreat ballads. I had this at #6
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: devieira73 on October 06, 2022, 07:02:44 AM
2.   Images and Words (#2); grade (10.5/10)

Top “4” songs: (ACOS), Metropolis pt.1, Learning to Live and Take the Time.

It’s one of their more than perfect masterpieces, so it has to be a bit above the scale! hahaha. The first DT album that I’ve heard (in 93) and it was clear immediately that I found my favorite band of all time, that PMU intro just gave me automatic chills...

Just a quick comment about A Change of Seasons, "my" best DT song: I consider it as a part of my personal I&W complete experience, since I heard it for the first time in the The Dance of Eternity bootleg, from the I&W Tour, and before Awake was released. The amazing icing in the already glorious cake. :hefdaddy
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on October 06, 2022, 07:22:47 AM
Kev, you've been perfect on all these rankings so far, but you've clearly made a mistake.  I like how you released Number ONE first since by doing Number Two, we'd automatically know what's the number one.  :) :) :):)

I'm in denial, that's all.  This is a game-changing, seminal record for me.  It's not my favorite record of all time - that's still Going For The One - and it's not even my favorite Portnoy record - that's Innocence and Danger - but it is my favorite Dream Theater record. SFMA is very, very close, but it's still sort of viewed and valued in comparison to I&W, which is the flagship, the blueprint, the operating agreement. This changed the game for me.  Everything I thought about music sort of changed with this.  I knew bands with high levels of skill and precision - I had already gotten into prog at this time - but most of what I was listening to was of a theme, was pretty well aligned and sort of not that far afield.   I hadn't really appreciated bands like Journey yet.  I hadn't really gotten to understand bands like Metallica. 

So everything was in terms of "Zeppelin" and "Beatles" and was based on that British rock hierarchy of Beck/Page/Blackmore.  Even the prog stuff had those kind of roots (Genesis:  basically came from the Beatles; Yes: basically came from the Hendrix/Page school of rock; Crimson was it's own animal, but I hadn't really gotten full on into them at that point).  This album change that; this was Rush meets Maiden with Steve Perry singing, and it was a revelation. 

I know this sounds sort of stupid now, in hindsight, but not then.  Not to a 23-year-old who was still finding his (musical) way.

1. IMAGES AND WORDS
2.
3. Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence
4. Awake
5. Octavarium
6. Dream Theater
7. Systematic Chaos
8. Distance Over Time
9. A View From The Top Of The World
10. Falling Into Infinity
11. A Dramatic Turn Of Events
12. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. Train Of Thought
14. The Astonishing
15. When Dream And Day Unite
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: The Letter M on October 06, 2022, 07:30:40 AM
01. Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence
02.
03. Images And Words
04. Octavarium
05. Awake
06. A View From The Top Of The World
07. A Dramatic Turn Of Events
08. Train Of Thought
09. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
10. Distance Over Time
11. Falling Into Infinity
12. Systematic Chaos
13. Dream Theater
14. When Dream And Day Unite
15. The Astonishing

I almost figured this would've been number one, but I guess not! Then again I had it at number 3, but that isn't to say it isn't good or even great. It is definitely a landmark album for the band, and for the genre itself, with some amazing compositions and performances. I just liked my top 2 more so.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: Adami on October 06, 2022, 07:34:21 AM
1. Awake
2. ???
3. Images and Words
4. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
5. Octavarium
6. Falling Into Infinity
7. A Dramatic Turn of Events
8. Train of Thought
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. The Astonishing
11. Systematic Chaos
12. When Dream and Day Unite
13. Dream Theater
14. Distance Over Time
15. A View From the Top of the World

Don't have much to add that hasn't been said and overstated a billion times by now. It's a really good album with fantastic songwriting and performances. I'm surprised it didn't make number 1 but am happy it didn't. Obviously my top 3 are my own, but I really wish Awake as top 3. Other than that, and placing the last three albums anything above the bottom 3, it's a good list. Good job Kev!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: krands85 on October 06, 2022, 08:00:07 AM
I expected this to come out on top ahead of Scenes, up until the little hint that Kev gave a few days ago  ;D After that, I thought it would probably be the other way round.

It's number one for me, has been for many years and I just can't see it being surpassed as my favourite album of all time any time soon. It did take me a little while to fully appreciate when I first started getting in to the band and the genre, but once I did, no other album has since come close.

Everyone is firing on all cylinders, James is at his peak, great songwriting and a great mix. All the instruments are given room to breathe and I've never had a problem with the triggered drums - I much prefer the sound of this album to the overly compressed, more guitar dominated production of most of their recent efforts.

15. When Dream and Day Unite
14. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. Falling Into Infinity
12. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
11. Dream Theater
10. The Astonishing
9. Systematic Chaos
8. A View from the Top of the World
7. Distance Over Time
6. Awake
5. Octavarium
4.
3. A Dramatic Turn of Events
2. Train of Thought
1. Images and Words

Every track is stellar, Learning to Live is my favourite song of all time, Metropolis (which was overtaken by LTL a few years back) is my number 2. Take the Time is probably 6th in my DT song rankings - featuring my favourite keyboard solo ever - and Under a Glass Moon completes my big 4 of the album, this time with one of my favourite guitar solos ever.

Pull Me Under is just iconic, a brilliant way to kick-start the new era of the band. It's not quite as strong as the previous 4, but still a great song and so important in the trajectory of the band. Perhaps unsurprisingly for me, the three shorter, softer songs are at the bottom of my rankings for the album, but they are three of the best examples of those types of songs in the bands catalogue. They're all still wonderful and I probably favour Another Day of the 3, with Wait for Sleep my least favourite, mainly just due to it's length.

What an album  :metal :hefdaddy
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: Mladen on October 06, 2022, 08:21:54 AM
I kind of knew Scenes would take the cake. Over the years, I've been seeing people on the board ranking I&W slightly lower, mostly due to its sound, whereas Scenes rarely ends up outside of top five on people's lists. Either way, both albums are tremendous.  :tup
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: Samsara on October 06, 2022, 08:36:53 AM
Images and Words is #1 in my book.

I think Scenes beating it out for the top spot is a combination of a couple of things.

1. It's a great record, obviously.
2. With the Internet now at the disposal of almost everyone by a landslide in 1999/2000, things changed, and the hype for SFAM was very real, very online, and it brought a whole new level of exposure to Dream Theater. In essence, it grew to be the "entry point" for many, many fans. I'd argue even more than the commercial exposure I&W received.
3. It's a concept album, and people that appreciate the more intellectual side of hard rock and metal gravitate toward those things.

I can't argue with folks who put Scenes #1. I get it completely, and the whole "entry point" thing is very real.

Anyway, regarding Images and Words, there is nothing on the album, at all, that isn't absolutely great. It is a complete album listen from front to back, with nothing I'd change. Everyone sounds great, the record sounds really good (not really sure what the complaints are - it's not Empire from a sound perspective, but it's damn good, particularly for 1992), and the performance of JLB just takes it to a whole different level. A complete game changer. Just the perfect blend of Rush, Metallica, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Queensryche, and Fates Warning. It took what QR, FW, and Crimson Glory really sort of molded here in the U.S., and took it up a notch from a technical perspective. Set the tone for so many bands to follow.

Suffice it to say, Images and Words is an absolute classic. And should be required listening for anyone with in an interest in progressive rock and metal.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: hefdaddy42 on October 06, 2022, 08:39:11 AM
On any given day, I&W and Awake are 1A and 1B for me.  Game changer.  This album literally changed my life.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: TheCountOfNYC on October 06, 2022, 08:45:41 AM
Even though I have it ranked third as an album, I consider Images and Words to be the best collection of songs in Dream Theater’s discography. For me, Scenes From a Memory and Octavarium offer a better full album experience, but if we’re judging things by songs alone, Images and Words takes the cake. I remember when I did my first top 50 Dream Theater song list back when their self titled album came out, Images and Words was the only album with every song represented in my list.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on October 06, 2022, 08:52:02 AM
Images and Words is #1 in my book.

I think Scenes beating it out for the top spot is a combination of a couple of things.

1. It's a great record, obviously.
2. With the Internet now at the disposal of almost everyone by a landslide in 1999/2000, things changed, and the hype for SFAM was very real, very online, and it brought a whole new level of exposure to Dream Theater. In essence, it grew to be the "entry point" for many, many fans. I'd argue even more than the commercial exposure I&W received.
3. It's a concept album, and people that appreciate the more intellectual side of hard rock and metal gravitate toward those things.

I can't argue with folks who put Scenes #1. I get it completely, and the whole "entry point" thing is very real.

Anyway, regarding Images and Words, there is nothing on the album, at all, that isn't absolutely great. It is a complete album listen from front to back, with nothing I'd change. Everyone sounds great, the record sounds really good (not really sure what the complaints are - it's not Empire from a sound perspective, but it's damn good, particularly for 1992), and the performance of JLB just takes it to a whole different level. A complete game changer. Just the perfect blend of Rush, Metallica, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Queensryche, and Fates Warning. It took what QR, FW, and Crimson Glory really sort of molded here in the U.S., and took it up a notch from a technical perspective. Set the tone for so many bands to follow.

Suffice it to say, Images and Words is an absolute classic. And should be required listening for anyone with in an interest in progressive rock and metal.

And... 3... 2... 1... "Triggered drums discussion".    Which I for one think is a ridiculous discussion.  I do agree that Mike refined his sound later, for the better, but I find nothing off-putting about the sound of that record.   I love it as-is.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: devieira73 on October 06, 2022, 08:57:53 AM
A complete game changer. Just the perfect blend of Rush, Metallica, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Queensryche, and Fates Warning. It took what QR, FW, and Crimson Glory really sort of molded here in the U.S., and took it up a notch from a technical perspective. Set the tone for so many bands to follow.

Agreed with all of that, but I think the key element that DT entered with full force, that was missing in those proto-prog metal bands, was the massive presence of the keyboards, with the same relevance and virtuosity as the guitars. Hence I consider DT as the truly fathers of prog metal.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: SwedishGoose on October 06, 2022, 09:12:57 AM
Images & Words..... wow!!! This album was what brought me into the folds.

Sat up late on a sunday night watching Headbanger's Ball on MTV when Wanessa Warwick presented Pull Me Under. Was totally floored and had to call my friend who I knew was also watching. We were both awestruck... he actually had When Dream & Day Unite but thought this was almost another band.

Got to see them in a small club in Stockholm about 6 months later. Never looked back since.

Still master piece as this is they have outdone themselves thrice since in my view.

But 4th place in DTs catalogue is very very high i total....


15. Distance Over Time
14. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. When Dream and Day Unite
12. Systematic Chaos
11. Dream Theater
10.  A Dramatic Turn of Events
9. Falling Into Infinity
8.Train of Thought
7. A View From the Top Of the World
6. Octavarium
5. Awake
4. Images and Words
3. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
2.
1. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: Stadler on October 06, 2022, 09:28:07 AM
A complete game changer. Just the perfect blend of Rush, Metallica, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Queensryche, and Fates Warning. It took what QR, FW, and Crimson Glory really sort of molded here in the U.S., and took it up a notch from a technical perspective. Set the tone for so many bands to follow.

Agreed with all of that, but I think the key element that DT entered with full force, that was missing in those proto-prog metal bands, was the massive presence of the keyboards, with the same relevance and virtuosity as the guitars. Hence I consider DT as the truly fathers of prog metal.

For me, it was the vocals.   All the rock/metal I listened to had vocals that could be fairly characterized as "metal".   I'm not being facetious when I say that for me DT was Rush/Maiden with Steve Perry singing.  FOR ME, there was no one like James in the music I listened to. MAYBE Joe Lynn Turner, but JLT is nowhere near the singer that James is, as much as I love him.  I don't put James in the same bucket as guys like Bruce or even Rob Halford.  I don't consider James a "metal" singer in that vein. 
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: Lethean on October 06, 2022, 09:28:37 AM
It was #5 for me, but that's not a negative and I love the entire album.  Learning to Live is probably my favorite song.  All of the other songs are incredible.  I just like my top 4 a little more - Scenes, Six Degrees, The Astonishing, and Awake.  But I wouldn't change Images and Words and I think it's awesome.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Dublagent66 on October 06, 2022, 10:00:37 AM
15  When Dream and Day Unite
14  Dream Theater
13  The Astonishing
12  A View from the Top of the World
11  Distance over Time
10  Black Clouds and Silver Linings
  9  Systematic Chaos
  8  Falling into Infinity
  7  Octavarium
  6  Train of Thought
  5  A Dramatic Turn of Events
  4  Awake
  3   
  2  Images and Words
  1  Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: ZirconBlue on October 06, 2022, 10:40:57 AM
Images and Words is #1 in my book.


I thought your book was about Queensryche?   :P
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: ZirconBlue on October 06, 2022, 10:44:00 AM
1   Awake
2   Images and Words
3   Falling into Infinity
4   
5   Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
6   A Dramatic Turn of Events
7   Train of Thought
8   Octavarium
9   Dream Theater
10   Systematic Chaos
11   Distance over Time
12   The Astonishing
13   A View from the Top of the World
14   When Dream and Day Unite
15   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: SeRoX on October 06, 2022, 10:44:20 AM
I can't believe SFAM is number 1.

I mean SFAM is also masterpiece but even though I rank I&W at number 2 I thought most DT fans would rank it number 1 and tbh it deserves. I love both Awake and I&W equally. Admit that SFAM is their second peak point and let them gain many new listeners but come on now! Is it better than Awake and I&W?

OK, tastes differ.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: pg1067 on October 06, 2022, 10:51:46 AM
02. Images and Words

...

Number 1 finishes: 18
Last place finishes: 0
Average finish: 3.4



My rankings:

1.
2. Images and Words
3. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
4. Awake
5. Octavarium
6. Train of Thought
7. Dream Theater
8. A Dramatic Turn of Events
9. When Dream and Day Unite
10. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
11. Distance over Time
12. Falling Into Infinity
13. A View from the Top of the World
14. Systematic Chaos
15. The Astonishing


I&W was such a game changing album.  After having heard OF DT in a 1989 MTV snippet about "other bands you might like if you like Queensryche" (which led me immediately to Fates Warning), FINALLY hearing something from the band three years later was like the end of a quest.  By the summer of 1992, I was depressed by the state of the music scene.  Four of the five most recent Rush albums were (at the time) their bottom 4 albums (and the then most recent album still remains as Rush's album #19 of 19).  Iron Maiden had released three progressively disappointing albums and then Fear of the Dark, which seemed to be a slight improvement over its predecessor.  Empire was a drop off for Queensryche and, while it was still pretty good, the slick production didn't sit well.  Only Judas Priest and Fates Warning were on an upswing musically, but Rob Halford had just left the band.  And then I heard Pull Me Under on KNAC.

I was amazed by PMU.  Musicianship like no other - including the bass!  Keyboards on seemingly equal footing with the guitar.  And those vocals.  I bought the album immediately and learned that PMU wasn't even close to the best thing they had to offer.  Absolutely every song was amazing on its own.  Another Day?  This HAD TO BE destined to be a hit on the level of Silent Lucidity (oops!).  Take the Time...funky...jazzy...metal.  Surrounded...one of the best prog ballads I've ever heard.  Calling UAGM my least favorite song on the album is like talking about my least favorite player on the 2012 LA Kings.  And the two most epic of all epics...Metropolis and Wait for Sleep/Learning to Live.  HOLY CRAP!!!  In 30 years, I've heard those songs hundreds, if not thousands of times, and I still never tire of them.  If I recall correctly, I once described Metropolis to my now-wife as "the song I wish I had written."

And to think that they released something that I regard as "better" than this!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: pg1067 on October 06, 2022, 10:52:34 AM
Too early to ask what’ll be next in these rankings, Kev? Not the DT ones, but like are we gonna do the Maiden and VH albums next?

If you're so inclined, you could participate in the Fates Warning countdown that will start next week (lists due this Saturday).   :biggrin:
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: Dublagent66 on October 06, 2022, 11:02:35 AM
I can't believe SFAM is number 1.

I mean SFAM is also masterpiece but even though I rank I&W at number 2 I thought most DT fans would rank it number 1 and tbh it deserves. I love both Awake and I&W equally. Admit that SFAM is their second peak point and let them gain many new listeners but come on now! Is it better than Awake and I&W?

OK, tastes differ.

Doesn't surprise me that it is the best them.  :metal
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: The Realm on October 06, 2022, 02:47:10 PM
Images & Words - number 1 for me and I am genuinely shocked this isn't number 1 overall. Just a perfect album. 
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 06, 2022, 02:57:47 PM
02. Images and Words

Number 1 finishes: 18
Last place finishes: 0
Average finish: 3.4


I had Images And Words at 1. My favorite album of all time.



15. Falling Into Infinity
14. Dream Theater
13. Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence
12. Distance Over Time
11. Systematic Chaos
10. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
9. Octavarium
8. Train Of Thought
7. The Astonishing
6. A View From The Top Of The World
5. When Dream and Day Unite
4. Awake
3. A Dramatic Turn Of Events
2.   
1. Images And Words
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on October 06, 2022, 05:31:08 PM
Too early to ask what’ll be next in these rankings, Kev? Not the DT ones, but like are we gonna do the Maiden and VH albums next?

https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=57791.0

After that, I have a few ideas for what will be next.  :hat :hat

Kev, you've been perfect on all these rankings so far, but you've clearly made a mistake.  I like how you released Number ONE first since by doing Number Two, we'd automatically know what's the number one.  :) :) :):)

I'm in denial, that's all.  This is a game-changing, seminal record for me.  It's not my favorite record of all time - that's still Going For The One - and it's not even my favorite Portnoy record - that's Innocence and Danger - but it is my favorite Dream Theater record. SFMA is very, very close, but it's still sort of viewed and valued in comparison to I&W, which is the flagship, the blueprint, the operating agreement. This changed the game for me.  Everything I thought about music sort of changed with this.  I knew bands with high levels of skill and precision - I had already gotten into prog at this time - but most of what I was listening to was of a theme, was pretty well aligned and sort of not that far afield.   I hadn't really appreciated bands like Journey yet.  I hadn't really gotten to understand bands like Metallica. 

So everything was in terms of "Zeppelin" and "Beatles" and was based on that British rock hierarchy of Beck/Page/Blackmore.  Even the prog stuff had those kind of roots (Genesis:  basically came from the Beatles; Yes: basically came from the Hendrix/Page school of rock; Crimson was it's own animal, but I hadn't really gotten full on into them at that point).  This album change that; this was Rush meets Maiden with Steve Perry singing, and it was a revelation. 

First off, your participation is definitely needed in the Neal Morse album ranking, since the album you mentioned above could use a little help. ;)

Second, I get what you mean about James.  I have mentioned before, but his voice and Kevin Moore's keyboards were what grabbed me when I first heard Pull Me Under.  Even the music was heavier than what I was used to or liked, JLB's voice was so amazing that it hooked me right away. That is why I disregard all the "I'd like Dream Theater if they had a different singer" blather, because I for one know I likely wouldn't have become a fan in 1992-1993 without his voice.  And really, their brand of hyperactive prog metal is not really something I normally like, but James' voice just made it special.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: nick_z on October 06, 2022, 06:01:29 PM
Images and Words - I ranked it #1

Noooooooooooooooooooooo (screaming fading in the void)  :biggrin:

Well, a quick look at the missing spot in my ranking below makes it obvious this is a pretty hard disagree for me. I mean, I love SFAM, but I don't consider it a stone-cold DT classic, at least not the same way as the majority here. That's a conversation for tomorrow, though.

What else is there to say about I&W that hasn't been said before? It is my overall #1 album. When I first heard it, in the Fall of 1992, it's fair to say my musical "journey" was changed for good. As far as I'm concerned, it's as close as it gets to a flawless album.

15   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
14   Systematic Chaos
13   The Astonishing
12   A Dramatic Turn of Events
11   Distance Over Time
10   A View from the Top of the World
9   Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
8   Octavarium
7   Dream Theater
6   
5   Train of Thought
4   Falling into Infinity
3   When Dream and Day Unite
2   Awake
1   Images and Words
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 06, 2022, 06:09:33 PM
It's not that I&W finished one spot behind what it did that's mind boggling. It's the fact that it only finished ONE SPOT AHEAD of what it did that blows my mind.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: Adami on October 06, 2022, 06:54:57 PM
When will we know what number 1 is??!?!

I'm at the edge of my seat!!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 06, 2022, 06:58:00 PM
(https://media0.giphy.com/media/13Cmju3maIjStW/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on October 06, 2022, 07:42:54 PM
Just remember, the reveal of the number 1 album is not the end, but only a transition.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 06, 2022, 07:55:51 PM
We'll finally be free of this countdown.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on October 06, 2022, 07:57:30 PM
Yes, but you have to endure another reveal, just one last time.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: TAC on October 06, 2022, 07:59:04 PM
Strange. It's like having Deja Vu.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: The Letter M on October 06, 2022, 08:00:46 PM
It'll be like coming Home.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: The Realm on October 06, 2022, 10:51:11 PM
And we will be finally free from this countdown.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: TheCountOfNYC on October 07, 2022, 12:26:02 AM
Even though this countdown might be coming to an end, it’s spirit will carry on.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#02 featured!!)
Post by: Ben_Jamin on October 07, 2022, 12:48:51 AM
#02 - Images and Words (My Ranking: #07)

Although Pull Me Under was the first song I heard by the band, this album was not my first I heard.

One day, me and my cousin were hanging out as his house listening to the radio. The opening notes to Pull Me Under came on and my cousin said to me, "You hear these guys?" I replied, "NO", he then turned it up and said, "They're pretty good, you might like them." What hooked me into the song was the guitar solo and the part leading up to it. The keyboards, bass, and the drums created this calming atmosphere. I also remember enjoying the way it ends suddenly.

The rest of the songs I first heard from Live In Tokyo and LSFNY. Learning to Live used to be my favorite, but I soon listened to Surrounded more and fell in love with that one.

What I enjoy most from the album are the keyboards, the bass, and the vocals. It ranks where it's at only because I just enjoy the others a bit more. It took me a while to really get into Take The Time and Under A Glass Moon. Both of those songs are great live, and it was fun chanting "Take The Time". The anniversary shows they did were awesome and a nice way to celebrate it, I am so glad I went because it is a great album and these songs all deserved to have been played, even if it ends up being the last time for some of them.


Favorite: Surrounded
Least: Under A Glass Moon


Ranking:
15. When Dream And Day Unite
14. Falling Into Infinity
13. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
12. A Dramatic Turn of Events
11. Dream Theater
10. Train of Thought
9. Systematic Chaos
8. Distance Over Time
7. Images and Words
6. Awake
5. A View From The Top Of The World
4.
3. Octavarium
2. The Astonishing
1. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Modify message
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#01 featured!!)
Post by: KevShmev on October 07, 2022, 05:42:11 AM
01. Scenes from a Memory
(https://dreamtheater.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/metropolispart2.jpg)
Number 1 finishes: 14
Last place finishes: 0
Average finish: 2.7
*finished top 5 in 59 of the 65 lists


Even though this was only my number 2 album, its greatness is undeniable. 1998-2000 was probably the height of my fandom for the band in the sense that it was difficult for other bands to push them out of my CD player and get a lot of playing time, as we got in that span, the 5 Years in a Livetime VHS, the two LTE records (which just felt like Dream Theater doing instrumental albums even if not DT in name), Scenes from a Memory, and then the Metropolis 2000 tour (I saw two shows of this in the spring of 2000).  Rush has been my favorite band since late '91/early '92, with no one ever overtaking them for even a day, but Dream Theater came dangerously close after the release of Scenes, which was instantly awesome.  Like most great concept albums, it flows really well (mostly; I still feel that The Dance of Eternity feels a bit out of place), and everything is top notch, from the melodies to the storyline to JLB's vocals to the playing.  Amazing record.

My top 5 songs from the album:
1. Home
2. Fatal Tragedy
3. The Spirit Carries On
4. Finally Free
5. Overture 1928

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: wolfking on October 07, 2022, 05:56:25 AM
Number 4 for me.  Indeed a near perfect album.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: Deadeye21 on October 07, 2022, 06:04:35 AM
I don’t think the songs are the best on this album. I don’t think the production is necessarily the best on this album either. But the concept, the performance and the way it all flows pushed this one to the top of my list.

Scenes From A Memory
My rank: 1st of 15

Top 5
Home
Beyond This Life
The Dance of Eternity
Overture 1928
Finally Free


My current standing (because this is so gonna change again and we all know it!)
1. Scenes From a Memory
2. Awake
3. Images and Words
4. Falling Into Infinity
5. Octavarium
6. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
7. A Dramatic Turn of Events
8. Distance Over Time
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. A View From the Top of the World
11. Systematic Chaos
12. Train of Thought
13. When Dream And Day Unite
14. Dream Theater
15. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: evilasiojr on October 07, 2022, 06:08:28 AM
I placed it at #1. But it's funny, it changes for me from time to time. My top 3 is Scenes, Six Degrees and ToT and they are practically interchangeable.

But overall, this is as close to a perfect album as they ever got or will get imo.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: krands85 on October 07, 2022, 06:28:27 AM
The album cover isn't showing for me - if I open the link to it separately, Firefox gives me a security warning for some reason.

Anyway, it's my number 4, but is still a prog-metal masterpiece. A similarly important album in their career to I&W, following the issues with the previous album and having a new member again, but it couldn't have worked out much better. Speaking of which, I love the sounds Jordan uses on this album.

It's definitely a case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. I wouldn't have any of the songs as among my all-time favourites, but as a whole package, it's just fabulous and it doesn't have any weak songs either. Had just a couple of the tracks been in say, my top 20, then it'd probably be my number 2 album.

15. When Dream and Day Unite
14. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13. Falling Into Infinity
12. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
11. Dream Theater
10. The Astonishing
9. Systematic Chaos
8. A View from the Top of the World
7. Distance Over Time
6. Awake
5. Octavarium
4. Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory
3. A Dramatic Turn of Events
2. Train of Thought
1. Images and Words

I've never been totally sure what my favourite track on the album is, I'd probably say Fatal Tragedy these days, though for a while it was Beyond This Life (The Budokan version is especially awesome). Home and Finally Free are next, a little ahead of the rest of the pack.

The album's so consistent though, there isn't much to separate the rest. Strange Deja Vu is great, the instrumentals are great and so are the mellower tracks. Just a wonderfully crafted album from start to finish.

Thanks to Kev for organising this and to everyone for sending in their lists and posting their thoughts  :tup
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: Lonk on October 07, 2022, 06:35:16 AM
I still remember the first time I heard this album. I knew TSCO and Through Her Eyes, but nothing else from the album. I was sitting on the couch playing some Call of Duty, the moment I heard "Close your eyes and begin to relax" I was intrigued. It was an experience, and when Finally Free played, my jaw dropped. The change in mood from TSCO made this the perfect closer for a perfect album. I played the album again right after. It's been my favorite album since.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: nobloodyname on October 07, 2022, 06:48:22 AM
I placed it at #1. But it's funny, it changes for me from time to time. My top 3 is Scenes, Six Degrees and ToT and they are practically interchangeable.

But overall, this is as close to a perfect album as they ever got or will get imo.

They're my top three, too, and I also think they're interchangeable. Just excellent albums. I think on this occasion the order I went with was Six Degrees, Train of Thought and Scenes.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: devieira73 on October 07, 2022, 06:53:30 AM
1.   Scenes from a Memory (#1); grade (11/10)

Top 3 songs: Beyond This Life, Home and Through My Words/Fatal Tragedy

At the time, after the 2 amazing LTE albums, I was so excited with Jordan joining the band and the result was beyond expectations. It’s like DT had taken all the best things from their previous albums and more than perfected them in Scenes, with the LTE extra sauce, awesome!!

Thanks again, Kev, for the great job!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: NoFred on October 07, 2022, 06:54:24 AM
Front side of SFAM is my favorite run of music anywhere. I’d take back side of I&W next. These guys wrote some unbelievable stuff :hefdaddy
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: geeeemo on October 07, 2022, 07:02:00 AM
Scenes #1.
That summer after I discovered DT in Jan (2016), and went to see The Astonishing (first concert in more than 15 years), I got this cd. I already knew and loved Home, but I was curious about a concept album by DT. It was love at first listen and never has changed. It was just exactly the music I had always wanted to hear. Heavy, melodic, atmospheric, an interesting story, great singing. I listened to nothing else for at least 3 mos. Seeing it live gave me goosebumps and I was fortunate enough to travel to London for the recording. A perfect album!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: Adami on October 07, 2022, 07:39:45 AM
1. Awake
2. Scenes from a Memory
3. Images and Words
4. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
5. Octavarium
6. Falling Into Infinity
7. A Dramatic Turn of Events
8. Train of Thought
9. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10. The Astonishing
11. Systematic Chaos
12. When Dream and Day Unite
13. Dream Theater
14. Distance Over Time
15. A View From the Top of the World

Amazing album with two throwaway tracks and one song I wish they'd finally throw away. And even though the story is dumb, it's at least interesting and different and dealt with well lyrically. Musically it's ambitious and a homerun. Can always go back to this album and enjoy it.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: Mladen on October 07, 2022, 07:47:19 AM
Number one? I love it when people are correct.  ;D

Thanks for doing this, Kev.  :tup
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: TheCountOfNYC on October 07, 2022, 08:03:23 AM
Now that the official countdown is finished, I’ll post my personal ranking.

01: Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From a Memory
02: Octavarium
03: Images and Words
04: A Dramatic Turn of Events
05: A View From the Top of the World
06: Awake
07: Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
08: The Astonishing
09: Distance Over Time
10: Train of Thought
11: Black Clouds & Silver Linings
12: Dream Theater
13: When Dream and Day Unite
14: Systematic Chaos
15: Falling Into Infinity
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: javidt on October 07, 2022, 08:16:37 AM
#2
Perfect album. I played it and LSFNY  endlessly. I've always regret not having seen it performed live....until D/T tour :)

Overture 1928 was the first song I've ever heard of DT so I'll choose it as my favourite of the album.

Thanks for the countdown, it's been great read every post and re-listen to the albums.

My ranking:
15 Systematic Chaos
14 Black Clouds and Silver Linings
13 When Dream and Day Unite
12 Distance over Time
11 The Astonishing
10 Octavarium
09 Train of Thought
08 Falling into Infinity
07 A Dramatic Turn of Events
06 Dream Theater
05 A View from the Top of the World
04 Images and Words
03 Awake
02 Scenes from a Memory
01 Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (#03 featured!!)
Post by: Dublagent66 on October 07, 2022, 08:26:57 AM
Any of my top 3 could easily be #1.  Congrats to SFAM.  :2metal:

15  When Dream and Day Unite
14  Dream Theater
13  The Astonishing
12  A View from the Top of the World
11  Distance over Time
10  Black Clouds and Silver Linings
  9  Systematic Chaos
  8  Falling into Infinity
  7  Octavarium
  6  Train of Thought
  5  A Dramatic Turn of Events
  4  Awake
  3  Scenes from a Memory
  2  Images and Words
  1  Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: HOF on October 07, 2022, 08:35:02 AM
I didn't participate since I don't have enough interest in the albums after Octavarium to really opine on those albums' rankings, but my list would have looked something like this:

15. Systematic Chaos
14. 
13. 
12. 
11. 
10. 
 9. 
 8. Train of Thought
 7. Octavarium
 6. When Dream And Day Unite
 5. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
 4. Scenes From A Memory
 3. Images and Words
 2. Falling Into Infinity
 1. Awake
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: nick_z on October 07, 2022, 09:23:25 AM
Scenes From a Memory - I ranked it #6

I said yesterday (and a few other times) - this is a fantastic album, and obviously a crucial one for the band. Just not a top, top DT record for me. It was of course incredibly exciting to finally get a "Part 2" for one of their classics - and a whole album to boot! And you have to love that the band is letting loose here. The first few tracks are incredible. Man, the Overture...that's how you do it! Not a huge fan of Beyond This Life and Dance of Eternity...the latter I used to like much more, but the "wow" factor of the technical stuff faded a bit over time...

I mentioned it earlier in the thread, but for me the biggest departure from consensus is with The Spirit Carries On...I don't know, I never really liked it. I tried - fans obviously hold it in extremely high regard and seem to consider it one of DT's emotional peaks. It never clicked with me.

Doesn't really matter. There's a lot to enjoy here, and SFAM certainly gave DT the boost they needed to keep going.

Thanks so much for doing this, Kev!

My complete ranking:

15   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
14   Systematic Chaos
13   The Astonishing
12   A Dramatic Turn of Events
11   Distance Over Time
10   A View from the Top of the World
9   Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
8   Octavarium
7   Dream Theater
6   Scenes from a Memory
5   Train of Thought
4   Falling into Infinity
3   When Dream and Day Unite
2   Awake
1   Images and Words
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: kipkjustm on October 07, 2022, 10:17:53 AM
15   When Dream and Day Unite
14   Dream Theater
13   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
12   The Astonishing
11   A View From the Top of the World
10   Falling Into Infinity
9   Systematic Chaos
8   Octavarium
7   Awake
6   Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
5   Train of Thought
4   Distance Over Time
3   A Dramatic Turn of Events
2   Images and Words
1   Scenes From A Memory
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: pg1067 on October 07, 2022, 10:21:54 AM
Like most everyone else, I was wondering about Met2 ever since I bought I&W.  It's hard to remember what I did and didn't know at the time.  Although I was all over the internet in the mid-'90s, I was in a bit of a vacuum musically.  I wasn't on any discussion groups/message boards at the time, there were no local radio stations playing or talking about DT, and MTV had become a total joke.  DT was showing up occasionally in guitar magazines, but there was little or nothing in the way of news.  So, when I bought SFAM, it was a complete surprise to see "Metropolis Part 2"!

What's there to say about SFAM that hasn't already been said.  Completely epic from start to finish.  The only song that didn't grab me from the start was BTL, but it grew on me after a while.  Derivative story?  Yeah, but it's still cool, and I didn't see Dead Again until about 5 years ago, so I really didn't care.  I also didn't completely understand the story until I listened to the band commentary on LSFNY.

Thanks again, Kev!


My rankings:

1. Metropolis Part 2: Scenes from a Memory
2. Images and Words
3. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
4. Awake
5. Octavarium
6. Train of Thought
7. Dream Theater
8. A Dramatic Turn of Events
9. When Dream and Day Unite
10. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
11. Distance over Time
12. Falling Into Infinity
13. A View from the Top of the World
14. Systematic Chaos
15. The Astonishing
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: The Letter M on October 07, 2022, 10:25:22 AM
01. Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence
02. Scenes From A Memory
03. Images And Words
04. Octavarium
05. Awake
06. A View From The Top Of The World
07. A Dramatic Turn Of Events
08. Train Of Thought
09. Black Clouds & Silver Linings
10. Distance Over Time
11. Falling Into Infinity
12. Systematic Chaos
13. Dream Theater
14. When Dream And Day Unite
15. The Astonishing

It landed at number 2 for me, but SFAM is a landmark album. Admittedly, I haven't listened to the original version in a very long time. Once the Bottrill mixes were released by Ytse Jam Records, I pieced together an alternate version that, IMO, is a bit better. It's still .ostly the same music though, with some added vocal bits here and there (most notably the opening of "Fatal Tragedy") and some tweaks to the instrumental mix.

At any rate, I was pretty sure this would be number 1, and if not, definitely top 3.

Thanks for running this Kev! Felt like it was over too soon, but waiting 2 days between each reveal would've stretched this out to a month, so I could see that being a bit too long.

-Marc.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: mariner on October 07, 2022, 10:26:16 AM
15.  When Dream and Day Unite
14.  The Astonishing
13.  Dream Theater
12.  A View From the Top of the World
11.  Distance Over Time
10.  Systematic Chaos
9.   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
8.   Awake
7.   Falling Into Infinity
6.   Train of Thought
5.   A Dramatic Turn of Events
4.   Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
3.   Octavarium
2.   Scenes from a Memory
1.   Images and Words

Tough call between #1 and #2; Scenes was my first DT album (Fatal Tragedy was the first song I heard on the radio); actually LSFNY was my first purchase and I did buy it on 9/11/01 - while waiting for my wife to get home from NYC.  Yes, I have the famous cover that was replaced.  SFAM is my favorite, but...

Images and Words is so iconic, that I couldn't place it anywhere but #1.

Images and Words favorites:  Pull Me Under, Metropolis Part 1, Wait for Sleep/Learning to Live, Take the Time (but really, all of them)

SFAM favorites:  The Spirit Carries On (my all-time favorite DT song; still can't listen to it without tearing up), Fatal Tragedy, Overture 1928, Home, Finally Free
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: DTwwbwMP on October 07, 2022, 10:26:35 AM
My ranking:
15 The Astonishing
14 Distance over Time
13 A View from the Top of the World
12 Dream Theater
11 When Dream and Day Unite
10 Black Clouds and Silver Linings
09 Systematic Chaos
08 Octavarium
07 Falling into Infinity
06 Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
05 A Dramatic Turn of Events
04 Train of Thought
03 Awake
02 Images and Words
01 Scenes from a Memory
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: Lethean on October 07, 2022, 10:55:34 AM
#1 for me.  I didn't get into DT until 2002, so I didn't have the history about Metropolis Part 1 or any of that stuff.  But my first listen was a mix of WTF is this, wow that's pretty cool, eh, I dunno about that, and then some unexpectedly emotional reactions.  The more I played it, the more I liked it and then I loved it and it's just fantastic.  I'm so happy they did that anniversary tour and I loved every second of it.


15. When Dream and Day Unite
14. Systematic Chaos
13. Train of Thought
12. Falling into Infinity
11. Octavarium
10. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
9. A View from the Top of the World
8. A Dramatic Turn of Events
7. Dream Theater
6. Distance over Time
5. Images and Words
4. Awake
3. The Astonishing
2. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
1. Scenes from a Memory
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: wolfking on October 07, 2022, 01:50:34 PM
I didn't participate since I don't have enough interest in the albums after Octavarium to really opine on those albums' rankings, but my list would have looked something like this:

15. Systematic Chaos
14. 
13. 
12. 
11. 
10. 
 9. 
 8. Train of Thought
 7. Octavarium
 6. When Dream And Day Unite
 5. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
 4. Scenes From A Memory
 3. Images and Words
 2. Falling Into Infinity
 1. Awake

How do you know you can rank SC a definite last when you can't even rank or have interest in 6 of their albums?  :lol
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: Dream Team on October 07, 2022, 02:01:07 PM
Had it at #2 behind Images. Not totally flawless, Through Her Eyes is way too schmaltzy for me but so much great stuff on this record. This is still my #1 Petrucci album - meaning it's my favorite for his riffs & solos. Probably my #2 MP album, so much great drumming.  :metal
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: HOF on October 07, 2022, 02:21:09 PM
I didn't participate since I don't have enough interest in the albums after Octavarium to really opine on those albums' rankings, but my list would have looked something like this:

15. Systematic Chaos
14. 
13. 
12. 
11. 
10. 
 9. 
 8. Train of Thought
 7. Octavarium
 6. When Dream And Day Unite
 5. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
 4. Scenes From A Memory
 3. Images and Words
 2. Falling Into Infinity
 1. Awake

How do you know you can rank SC a definite last when you can't even rank or have interest in 6 of their albums?  :lol

Oh, I've heard enough of them all to know SC is a definite last!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: wolfking on October 07, 2022, 02:23:45 PM
I didn't participate since I don't have enough interest in the albums after Octavarium to really opine on those albums' rankings, but my list would have looked something like this:

15. Systematic Chaos
14. 
13. 
12. 
11. 
10. 
 9. 
 8. Train of Thought
 7. Octavarium
 6. When Dream And Day Unite
 5. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
 4. Scenes From A Memory
 3. Images and Words
 2. Falling Into Infinity
 1. Awake

How do you know you can rank SC a definite last when you can't even rank or have interest in 6 of their albums?  :lol

Oh, I've heard enough of them all to know SC is a definite last!

Fair enough then.  Poor SC.  :lol
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: The Realm on October 07, 2022, 02:46:20 PM
Scenes - number 2 for me. Great album.

My rankings:

1   Images and Words
2   Scenes from a Memory
3   Train of Thought
4   Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
5   Awake
6   Falling into Infinity
7   Octavarium
8   A Dramatic Turn of Events
9   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
10   Distance over Time
11   Systematic Chaos
12   A View from the Top of the World
13   The Astonishing
14   Dream Theater
15   When Dream and Day Unite
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: T-ski on October 07, 2022, 02:48:34 PM
#3

I remember going to Wee-Bee CD’s on my way to work to get this album. I had a 40 minute commute so I was pumped to listen to what was being hyped as a return to form after FII.

It did not disappoint.

15. Astonishing
14. Systematic Chaos
13. View From the Top of the World
12. Falling Into Infinity
11. Train of Thought
10. Distance Over Time
9. When Dream and Day Unite
8. Dramatic Turn of Events
7. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
6. Dream Theater
5. Octavarium
4. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
3. Scenes From a Memory
2. Awake
1. Images and Words
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: Cool Chris on October 07, 2022, 07:08:18 PM
1   Awake
2   Images and Words
3   A Dramatic Turn of Events
4   Scenes from a Memory
5   Train of Thought
6   A View from the Top of the World
7   Systematic Chaos
8   Octavarium
9   Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
10   Dream Theater
11   The Astonishing
12   Distance over Time
13   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
14   Falling into Infinity
15   When Dream and Day Unite

I forgot where I ranked this, and thought it was lower. Weird. For as much as I listened to it when it came out, it was never going to replace 1 and 2 on my list, and today ultimately suffers from a bit of fatigue, along with the Live Scenes DVD. I don't revisit either much at all, so a bit of a nostalgia boost in the ranking. As others have said, definitely a whole > sum of parts effort. It didn't sound like I&W or Awake pt2, but it did sound like the next logical step this band would take, as opposed to FII, which felt like a National Lampoon's Vacation-level detour.

Thank you again to Kev for another fun countdown!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: Ben_Jamin on October 08, 2022, 02:45:39 AM
#01 - Scenes From A Memory (My Ranking: #04)

This is one of the first albums I heard from the band. While in High School, my friend was obsessed with this album and posted the lyrics to our group forums he used to run. I read them and found the concept intriguing. The lyrics that really caught my interest were on Home. One of my other friends had the cd so I asked if I could borrow it. I put on Home and fell in love with it, I also was into Tool at the time and instantly recognized the 46&2 influence, but that didn't bother me at all, it fits the vibe well and makes sense within the concept.

The rest of the album is just as good. First, the way the first act seamlessly, musically flows from scene to scene is awesome. Ending act 1 with Through Her Eyes is lovely. I love that song and enjoy the guitar solo intro with Teresa Tompson's soulful voice. I do wish the sax solo from the demo was included because it just adds that extra bit of emotion and atmosphere to the song.

Act 2 is where it's at for me though. Beginning with Home, then into the awesome The Dance of Eternity (fitting title as Home is the one song that recalls Metropolis Pt.1 the most) which represents Love. I would consider this "Love" to include Victoria, Julian, and Edward. The more chaotic aspects of the song I attribute to Edward and his love for Victoria, which is the motivation for the events that occur in Finally Free. One Last Time is one song I really loved because it fits great after TDOE. The vocals are amazing, and I love the ending melody with the following guitar and keyboards.

The Spirit Carries On is a lovely ballad that talks about the question we all wonder..."Where do we go when we die?" How the songs lyrics convey this along with the music is one reason, I feel, many people love this song. It's touching because rather than being sad and heartbreaking, like Disappear, it's Triumphant and uplifting. It's about a feeling of content about being alright if one was to die tomorrow, and it's speaking of not weeping or grieving when they do go as they will be okay, because their spirit will continue, and that's all their loved ones should consider so they can continue to live happy and prosperous.

Finally Free is one of Dream Theater's best songs. The emotion it conveys along with it's storytelling is why I love it a lot. The vocals showcase a lot of JLB's range going from soft, warm to his high, powerful tones. The band is showcased a lot here as well. If there is one song I would showcase to people to show that Dream Theater does have emotion, it would be this song.

I was really glad to see this album live, twice. I wasn't old enough to witness it in 2000, so I was filled with glee when they announced they were performing it in full again. My other friend, Anthony, who also enjoys SFAM went with me to Denver and my other friend, the one who is obsessed with SFAM, of course went with his girlfriend. We met the night before to eat and then met again to hang out a bit before the show and pre-game. I had a blast and of course I sang my heart out, and also bawled a bit when THE, TSCO, and Finally Free were played. It was awesome having this show be the first time hearing TSCO, it was just amazing hearing that followed by Finally Free and knowing the album is over. It was bittersweet, but it was among my favorite shows from the band. Since they were playing At Wit's End on the 2nd leg, of course I had to go, I did not mind seeing the entire show again.


Favorite: Finally Free
Least: Beyond This Life


Ranking:
15. When Dream And Day Unite
14. Falling Into Infinity
13. Black Clouds and Silver Linings
12. A Dramatic Turn of Events
11. Dream Theater
10. Train of Thought
9. Systematic Chaos
8. Distance Over Time
7. Images and Words
6. Awake
5. A View From The Top Of The World
4. Scenes From A Memory
3. Octavarium
2. The Astonishing
1. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: KevShmev on October 08, 2022, 06:51:27 AM
Total points:

01 Scenes from a Memory            863
02 Images and Words               822
03 Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence      766
04 Awake                      747
05 A Dramatic Turn of Events         575
06 Octavarium                  553
07 Train of Thought               540
08 A View from the Top of the World      484
09 Distance over Time            456
10 Falling into Infinity               401
11 Dream Theater               363
12 Black Clouds & Silver Linings         344
13 The Astonishing               335
14 Systematic Chaos               330
15 When Dream and Day Unite           221

Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: KevShmev on October 08, 2022, 06:53:48 AM
Total 1st place votes:

01 Scenes from a Memory            14
02 Images and Words               18
03 Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence      16
04 Awake                      8
05 A Dramatic Turn of Events         1
06 Octavarium                  2
07 Train of Thought               1
08 A View from the Top of the World      0
09 Distance over Time            0
10 Falling into Infinity               1
11 Dream Theater               0
12 Black Clouds & Silver Linings         2
13 The Astonishing               1
14 Systematic Chaos               1
15 When Dream and Day Unite           0
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: krands85 on October 08, 2022, 08:01:52 AM
I&W with more first place finishes than the albums from 4th to 15th combined  ;D
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: Revenge319 on October 08, 2022, 05:11:07 PM
Distance Over Time: I ranked this at #7. It doesn't have any all-time classics like a lot of DT albums have, but I think it's one of their most consistently enjoyable albums.

Top 5: Pale Blue Dot, Barstool Warrior, Fall Into the Light, S2N, Room 137


AVFTTOTW: I ranked this at #11. Similarly to Distance Over Time, I think this another one of the band's most consistent albums. However, I find that this album has the lowest highs of any DT album, so it's tough to justify ranking it higher.

Top 5: Sleeping Giant, Transcending Time, A View From the Top of the World, Awaken the Master, Answer the Call


Train of Thought: I ranked this at #12. I love almost every song on this album, but Honor Thy Father is my least favorite Dream Theater song, and it really drags this album down in my rankings. Really great album otherwise; if I made my list on another day, I could have easily ranked this two or three spots higher just on the strength of how awesome the rest of these albums are.

Top 5: This Dying Soul, In the Name of God, Stream of Consciousness, Endless Sacrifice, As I Am


Octavarium: I ranked this at #4. The title track is easily the highlight of the entire album (and one of the greatest songs in DT history), but I also enjoy everything else on this album. Sure, there are some songs that I don't really listen to often, but I think they're still pretty good as well. Even if I disregarded the title track, this album would be #6 or #7 at worst.

Top 5: Octavarium, The Root of All Evil, Panic Attack, Never Enough, These Walls


A Dramatic Turn of Events: I ranked this at #6. Generally, I think this is a very strong album. There's a lot of memorable songs here, like On the Backs of Angels, Bridges in the Sky, and especially Breaking All Illusions. It's not quite one of my favorites, but there's a lot to like and not really anything to dislike.

Top 5: Breaking All Illusions, Bridges in the Sky, Outcry, This is the Life, Build Me Up, Break Me Down


Awake: I ranked this at #10. This album has some great songs, but there's also a few songs that are just okay. It's a very good DT album for sure, but I wouldn't rank it as one of their best. The "A Mind Beside Itself" suite is one of the greatest things the band has ever done, and if I were to consider it one song in my song rankings, it would absolutely be in the Top 10.

Top 5: Voices, Erotomania, The Silent Man, The Mirror, Innocence Faded


Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence: My favorite Dream Theater album of all time. I'm surprised it got to #3, I was expecting Awake to beat it! Every song on here is perfection, except for The Great Debate which is merely close to perfection. There is so much I love about this album that it would take a very long time to explain. This is Dream Theater at their absolute best, and Dream Theater's best is a level of greatness that very few things can hope to compare to.

Top 6: Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, Disappear, The Glass Prison, Blind Faith, Misunderstood, The Great Debate


Images and Words: I ranked this at #9. Most of the songs on this album are ones I would consider DT classics, but for some reason or other, this album as a whole has never grabbed me in the way that a lot of other DT albums have. I don't think I'd ever rank this album as highly as most others do, but I say it's still very deserving of all the praise it gets.

Top 5: Surrounded, Learning to Live, Metropolis Part 1, Another Day, Wait For Sleep


Metropolis, Part 2: Scenes From a Memory: I ranked this at #3. This is an album where every so often I think about it and say, "it's good, but it's not THAT good". And then I listen to it again and say, "nevermind, this really is that good." What a fantastic album this is. It's got everything I could possibly want from a Dream Theater album, and I really like that the band kept going in this direction of songwriting for a long time. I love long and technical instrumental sections, and I think Dream Theater consistently do these sections really well. The performances by everyone is amazing, and there's a lot of emotion. Just a great album overall, and I am very content that this is the album that made it to the top spot of this community ranking list.

Top 5: Finally Free, The Spirit Carries On, Home, Beyond This Life, Fatal Tragedy



Thank you for hosting this, Kev! I thought this was pretty fun. :)
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: Wim Kruithof on October 08, 2022, 10:37:40 PM
Here's the list that made it after the ranking-machine. I feel they could easily change a few spots on any given day, but in general they're around where they used to be. I am more sure 'bout the bottom-part than the top.

15) Falling Into Infinity
14) When Dream and Day Unite
13) Distance Over Time
12) The Astonishing
11) Systematic Chaos
10) Dream Theater
09) Black Clouds and Silver Linings
08) Octavarium
07) A View from the Top of the World
06) Train of Thought
05) A Dramatic Turn of Events
04) Scenes from a Memory
03) Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
02) Images and Words
01) Awake

Thanks Kevin, was fun reading other members point of view. If you ever do a top 25 or 50 Transatlantic-songs (they got 68 official songs totally, incl covers), I am yours!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: nobloodyname on October 09, 2022, 02:32:38 AM

13 The Astonishing               335
14 Systematic Chaos               330

Interesting. While there are a few very enthusiastic voices here in support of The Astonishing, this points tally reflects my perception of the album's reception in the wider DT community. My suspicion is if it were somehow possible to poll the entire DT community, The Astonishing would finish 14th.

And here are my rankings (confirmation bias ahoy! :lol)

15 The Astonishing
14 Dream Theater
13 When Dream and Day Unite
12 Systematic Chaos
11 Awake
10 Black Clouds and Silver Linings
9 Distance over Time
8 Falling into Infinity
7 A View from the Top of the World
6 A Dramatic Turn of Events
5 Images and Words
4 Octavarium
3 Scenes from a Memory
2 Train of Thought
1 Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence

I'd have been happy with 1, 2 and 3 in any order.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: pg1067 on October 09, 2022, 05:36:15 PM
The margins between Awake and ADTOE and between SC and WDADU...wow!
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: Cool Chris on October 09, 2022, 06:24:53 PM
The margins between Awake and ADTOE and between SC and WDADU...wow!

Indeed.

Glad he posted the albums receiving first place votes. A couple of those are mind-boggling, but I get that tastes can heavily depend on when someone is first introduced to a band.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: RoeDent on October 10, 2022, 02:23:10 AM
Interesting that ADTOE ranked so high despite only getting one first-place ranking. Proof of a consistently solid album.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: DreamerTV on October 10, 2022, 03:32:46 PM
1   Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
2   Images and Words
3   Awake
4   Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory
5   Octavarium
6   Distance over Time
7   A View from the Top of the World
8   Falling into Infinity
9   Train of Thought
10   The Astonishing
11   Dream Theater
12   When Dream and Day Unite
13   A Dramatic Turn of Events
14   Systematic Chaos
15   Black Clouds & Silver Linings

Scenes I think is the most known album among non DT fans.
Despite its theme there's a lot of joy in it and it holds a place on its own in their catalog: very different than what they had done before, definitely different than everything that has come after it - although they've tried to repeat the formula in various forms thereafter.
Home is my go to song when I want something to sing over while I'm driving.
I had it on 4th, but it could have been n3 or 2.

Thanks Kevin for putting this together, it was really funny.
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: KevShmev on October 10, 2022, 05:27:47 PM
Thanks for all the thanks, folks!  :tup :tup
Title: Re: Official Dream Theater studio albums countdown thread! (number 1 revealed!)
Post by: sylentman on October 15, 2022, 04:50:23 PM
A little late, but wanted to post my ranking anyhow :). I tried to follow the nominations and the comments as much as I could, so it was fun as usual. Thanks again KevShmev!

Rank   Album
15   The Astonishing
14   When Dream and Day Unite
13   Systematic Chaos
12   Black Clouds and Silver Linings
11   Octavarium
10   Falling into Infinity
9   Dream Theater
8   Distance over Time
7   Train of Thought
6   A Dramatic Turn of Events
5   Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
4   A View from the Top of the World
3   Scenes from a Memory
2   Awake
1   Images and Words

My #1 very likely will remain I&W, as some have pointed out a perfect Album, also containing some of my Fav tracks (Metropolis, Learning to Live, Take the Time). Awake sits firm at #2, being the one i discovered DT with plays a role, plus the combination of different factors such as having James with his full voice, having Kevin Moore's magic, plus the music itself of course, make both I&W and Awake my firm #1 and #2.

I can understand why some have SFAM as #1 thought, it stands in my solid Top 3. I still remember buying SFAM CD at a CD Store near home, and putting it in my Radio CD Player...When Overture 1928 kicked in I had some kind of sense of relief (if that is the correct way to explain it), and already felt it was going to be a great album...With the 'sense of relief' comment i kind of mean having a feeling it was going to be an album along the lines of I&W and Awake and different vs the road they had taken with Falling into Infinity (no disrespect to Falling into Infinity and those who have it at the top...I like all DT albums and Falling Into Infinity is within my current Top 10).

AVFTTOTW right now sitting at #4, think i mentioned that in a post about that album some time ago, being their latest, how good it sound, all tracks being solid to my liking, play a factor of it being so high right now. 6DOIT is the one that fell 1 spot, indeed one of their top, but has some tracks that i sometimes want to skip (of my fav are The Glass Prison, Blind Faith, Solitary Shell, About to Crash...).

Will just finish with some random comments to not go album by album:
Octavarium not higher due to the other tracks besides the Title track (which is of course one of their best songs).
From Falling Into Infinity i think i am of the few people that like You Or Me.
The Astonishing, i also remember the first time hearing it...i will not lie and say i felt kind of 'dissapointed' as i was expecting a 2x album with their usual music (had heard the singles The Gift of Music and Moment of Betrayal and they sounded along the lines of what you normally expect from a DT kind of song), i kept hearing it and once i gave it a full spin in a relaxed environment reading the lyrics i came to like/appreciate it...still remains my least favourite as I like the others more :). and is indeed a difficult album to hear in one go (i have many times stopped listening around the start/mid disc 2).

15 albums of very good music, and hope they give us many more!