Favorite "traditional" epic

[bosk1]

First and foremost, I am not trying to "one-up" the other poll.  I just want to see how the votes shake out with the list done a bit differently.  Feel free to vote/discuss in both threads.

There may perhaps be some debate over whether a couple of the choices above quality or why something else wasn't on the list.  But while there are pretty standard, agreed-upon criteria for what may or may not make a song an "epic," when you get close to the edges, I think the lines become a bit blurry.  So while I recognize that this list may not be agreed on by everyone, it is what it is.  I'm perfectly fine for someone arguing that some other song should quality or that any of the above do not.  But, again, with the acknowledgement that there is not really a bright line to tell what is "in" and what is "out," I can easily justify everything that is on and off this list.  Yes, some shorter songs certainly qualify as being "epic," but are they epics?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  But this collection of songs, in my mind, mostly clearly qualify, and over the history of the band will probably most universally and consistently be thought of as the band's "epics."  Opinions may vary.

Also:  https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=13921.0

[hefdaddy42]

EVE IS EPIC WHY ISN'T IT HERE

Oh, and I voted A Change of Seasons.

[bosk1]

EVE IS EPIC WHY ISN'T IT HERE

[hefdaddy42]

*post that I would make if I weren't banned*

[Nick]

Octavarium, A Change of Seasons, The Count of Tuscany, Six Degrees, In the Presence of Enemies.

All top 10 DT songs for me.

[Dublagent66]

ACOS, even though SDOIT is my favorite album.  Tough choice.

[King Postwhore]

Like Nick said, all top ten for me but I can never get enough of OV8.

[Zydar]

Six Degrees

[Jamesman42]

Tick Toctavariumbrella.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Six Degrees

'tis this.

[tri.ad]

I still don't think that TCOT is an epic, but it's my favourite song of the ones in the poll.

[Dcrupi]

Six Degrees. 

Really come to appreciate this song lately, my favorite always used to be 8vm, but recently have become obsessed with Six Degrees.

[moffatt]

Octavarium

[lateralus88]

Octavarium is the only proper choice.

[yeshaberto]

I like Octavarium and SDOIT equally, but go with SDOIT simply because it is quantity

[glaurung]

I still don't think that TCOT is an epic, but it's my favourite song of the ones in the poll.

How is it not an epic?

[Adami]

I vote ACOS. I still view 6doit as a collection of songs, despite their claim that it's one song.

I also think that 8VM set up the formula for all future epics, where as ACOS doesn't follow any formula and it just rules.

[robwebster]

I also think that 8VM set up the formula for all future ballads

I know that I can often be a bit facetious, but sincerely, what does that even mean? Authentically curious.

[Adami]

I also think that 8VM set up the formula for all future epics

I know that I can often be a bit facetious, but sincerely, what does that even mean? Authentically curious.

Well 8vm, ITPOE and TCOT follow a somewhat similar formula. Where as ACOS just kind of does its own thing.

[contest_sanity]

There's just something about "Octavarium."  Also, I think there's something to be said for "In The Name Of God" as an epic, and it might have garnered my vote had it been present.

[bosk1]

I also think that 8VM set up the formula for all future epics

I know that I can often be a bit facetious, but sincerely, what does that even mean? Authentically curious.

Well 8vm, ITPOE and TCOT follow a somewhat similar formula.  

 Really?  How so?  Other than some very superficial similarities (long introductory section that is primarily instrumental, long-ish instrumental section about 1/2 - 2/3 of the way in, gradual building in intensity with a climax/resolution toward the end--all of which are also shared by ACOS, I might add), I don't really see anything resembling a pattern.

[orcus116]

I still don't think that TCOT is an epic, but it's my favourite song of the ones in the poll.

How is it not an epic?

It just doesn't have the same quality or feel as the others. The only part of the song that comes close is the great instrumental intro which devolves into the rest of the song, which is fairly average DT musically speaking. I wonder if it got the epic label because of the song comparisons Portnoy was throwing out before the release of Black Clouds. I'm getting the impression that whatever the longest song on any new DT album will be called an epic regardless.

[ScioPath]

I still don't think that TCOT is an epic, but it's my favourite song of the ones in the poll.

How is it not an epic?

TCOT has a great intro and some genuine keyboard magic but other thatn that, i dont feel that its a very epic.

[contest_sanity]

I still don't think that TCOT is an epic, but it's my favourite song of the ones in the poll.

How is it not an epic?

One might also point out that it lacks explicitly defined "movements."  But then, "The Killing Hand" has those, so is it an epic?

[Mladen]

A Change of Seasons

[toro]

Octavarium is the only proper choice.

[Dublagent66]

I'm listening the LSFNY version of ACOS right now.  Fuckin' amazing!!  


EDIT:  At the end James says, "Sorry about the short set."   

[bosk1]

I'm listening the LSFNY version of ACOS right now.  Fuckin' amazing!!   

It's almost not even fair to all the other epics in the world that that version exists.  SO good!

[ZBomber]

First and foremost, I am not trying to "one-up" the other poll.  I just want to see how the votes shake out with the list done a bit differently.  Feel free to vote/discuss in both threads.

No offense, but the songs you didn't list here got about 5 votes total in the other thread... I don't think the votes will "shake out" any differently.

But I voted for Octavarium.

[hefdaddy42]

I still don't think that TCOT is an epic, but it's my favourite song of the ones in the poll.

How is it not an epic?

One might also point out that it lacks explicitly defined "movements."  But then, "The Killing Hand" has those, so is it an epic?

No.

[Marvellous G]

It just doesn't have the same quality or feel as the others. The only part of the song that comes close is the great instrumental intro which devolves into the rest of the song, which is fairly average DT musically speaking. I wonder if it got the epic label because of the song comparisons Portnoy was throwing out before the release of Black Clouds.

This. The verses lack any magic or interesting musical ideas, as does the chorus. Actually, that means it's the entire middle section of the song basically. The intro, instrumental section and outro are all epic and wonderful and magical yadda yadda, but the actual meat of the song (arguably) is just not good enough. IMO.

My pick is Octavarium by a decent amount. It's not only the quintessential DT song, it's the quintessential prog song.

[contest_sanity]

I still don't think that TCOT is an epic, but it's my favourite song of the ones in the poll.

How is it not an epic?

One might also point out that it lacks explicitly defined "movements."  But then, "The Killing Hand" has those, so is it an epic?

No.

I wasn't arguing that it was, by the way.  Just debating criteria.

[Dublagent66]

This must be a good day for epics.  I have the entire DT catalog on shuffle and already within just a handful of songs, TCOT, ACOS and 8VM came on.  It's a good day. 

[Adami]

Ohhh look ACOS and 8VM are tied at 14 votes each.

OMG

14+14 = 28
8-2= 6
6-1 =5
6+2=8
2+1=3
3 core membrs of DT that are also in LTE
LTE has 3 letters
LTE has 3 jews
Jews rule the world.


Thank you.

[contest_sanity]

Ohhh look ACOS and 8VM are tied at 14 votes each.

OMG

14+14 = 28
8-2= 6
6-1 =5
6+2=8
2+1+3
3 core membrs of DT that are also in LTE
LTE has 3 letters
LTE has 3 jews
Jews rule the world.


Thank you.