Poll: When Was DT's Last True "Masterpiece" ?

[contest_sanity]

Poll stemming from a conversation between myself, SDN, and some others here about the amount of posters nominating TOT in their "best of" lists for 2003:

https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=22071.msg846093#msg846093

Do you think DT's last truly "classic" or "masterpiece" album was 6DOIT (or something earlier), or do you feel like at least one album (or more) since the release of TOT has matched the greatness of the "early" DT period?  I know not everyone will agree with the dividing line between "early" and "later" being placed between 6DOIT and TOT, but there seems to be at least some broad agreement about that distinction.  Please feel free to say so, however, if you disagree.  So yeah -- everybody go ahead and vote and discuss.

[LieLowTheWantedMan]

I'm probably one of the only guys who'd call SC a masterpiece

[bosk1]

I'm probably one of the only guys who'd call SC a masterpiece

I'm not quite there, but it's close.  Still, 10 albums; 9 masterpieces or near-masterpieces (and WDADU is excusable).  That ain't a bad track record.

[contest_sanity]

I'm probably one of the only guys who'd call SC a masterpiece

I'm not quite there, but it's close.  Still, 10 albums; 9 masterpieces or near-masterpieces (and WDADU is excusable).  That ain't a bad track record.

I certainly wouldn't call SC a masterpiece, but I think it's a good record.  TOT and 8VM, though, are in the upper echelon of my DT album rankings (thus my vote for option 2).

[LCArenas]

Option 2 because of Octavarium.

[pogoowner]

SDOIT was their last great album.

[skydivingninja]

My name is not Space Dye Vest goddammit.

And since 6DoiT is my second favorite DT album behind I&W I guess I fall in the first camp, though I do like Octavarium and Black Clouds a lot.

[Global Laziness]

1   Awake
2   Images and Words
3   Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
4   Black Clouds & Silver Linings
5   Scenes from a Memory
6   Train of Thought
7   When Dream and Day Unite
8   Systematic Chaos
9   Octavarium
10   Falling into Infinity

So yeah, 2009 I guess.

[contest_sanity]

My name is not Space Dye Vest goddammit.

Damn, skydivingninj'd.  I just caught that and corrected it.

[SeventhSon]

I would say their last truely spectacular album, end to end, was probably Scenes From a Memory. It's their most recent record where every song just fits, and works, and is great. Each album they've done since has had at least one or two clunkers. Still strong records overall, but a masterpiece album, to me, should have no songs that are significantly weaker than the rest, and I think Scenes was the last time they did that.

[j]

IMO, I&W and Awake are their only real "masterpieces".  FII, SDOIT, WDADU, and I suppose SFAM are very good albums.  The rest are average/mediocre.  DT haven't put out an album I'd label as outright "bad".

I'm probably one of the only guys who'd call SC a masterpiece

I'm not quite there, but it's close.  Still, 10 albums; 9 masterpieces or near-masterpieces (and WDADU is excusable).  That ain't a bad track record.

Sorry, but calling 9/10 DT albums masterpieces is just robbing the word of any discernible meaning.

-J

[bosk1]

Sorry, but calling 9/10 DT albums masterpieces is just robbing the word of any discernible meaning.

-J

Sorry, but no.

[ricky]

When I think DT masterpeice, I don't think 9 albums. to me, a masterpeice is a very uncommon thing that sticks out due to uncontested greatness. Granted, everyone's idea of what a masterpeice is, is different, so you have to incorporate somewhat the general consensus.  for example.

ACOS
6 degrees (the song)

what i mean to say is that while you might not "like" those songs, they are undoubtly some of Dream theater;s best work. So, do i think that dream theater have produced anything comparable to those two since six degrees? in my opinion, no. That's not what to say what they have produced since then isn't awesome, because most of it is awesome.

[SystematicThought]

I'm probably one of the only guys who'd call SC a masterpiece

If it weren't for some of the lyrics and the production value (although I love the punch the drums have) I would absolutely love Systematic Chaos. It's just a plain fun album

[ResultsMayVary]

Voted second option for BC&SL, Octavarium, and ToT.

[j]

Sorry, but calling 9/10 DT albums masterpieces is just robbing the word of any discernible meaning.

-J

Sorry, but no.

Yes huh.

-J

[contest_sanity]

I would say their last truely spectacular album, end to end, was probably Scenes From a Memory. It's their most recent record where every song just fits, and works, and is great. Each album they've done since has had at least one or two clunkers. Still strong records overall, but a masterpiece album, to me, should have no songs that are significantly weaker than the rest, and I think Scenes was the last time they did that.

That's an interesting perspective in that (while I personally rank SFAM much lower than most people) it is arguable that they had a certain "sound," or perhaps "focus" would be a better word, which came to fruition with SFAM that has not really materialized since.  Also, you could describe the move towards "balls-n-chunk" with TGP as being the beginning of so-called "recent" or "new" Dream Theater.

Also, @ the absurdity of calling a 2002 or 2003 (depending on your perspective) album "new" Dream Theater, even if I totally understand the usefulness of the "old" and "new" categories in reference to DT's material.

[ricky]

does it have to be an album? or does a song qualify as well?

[SeventhSon]

I also consider a 'masterpiece' album to, as part of its status as such, to be indicative of the band at its best, and showing off different aspects of the band's sound, as they may be. Scenes From a Memory has heavy stuff, soft stuff, straightforward stuff (by Dream Theater standards anyhow) and some of the most over-the-top instrumental pyrotechnics the band's ever produced. To me, it's everything Dream Theater is about; light and shade, subtly and bombasticity.

[contest_sanity]

does it have to be an album? or does a song qualify as well?

Well, the original discussion was about albums, and I think that is a more interesting question, since it's much easier for a fan primarily into "old" DT to perhaps equate one song -- let's say 8VM (the song) -- with ACOS than it is to say that 8VM the album rivals Awake or whatever.

[ricky]

does it have to be an album? or does a song qualify as well?

Well, the original discussion was about albums, and I think that is a more interesting question, since it's much easier to equate, say, 8VM (the song) with ACOS than it is to say that 8VM the album rivals Awake or whatever.

maybe awake. in my opinion though, the whole of 8v doesn't match ACOS the song.

Their last masterpeice eitherway, though, wes 6 degrees. *insert politicallly correct* in my opinion *end*.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

Hell... I don't even know what a "masterpiece" is, so I'll just say that their last 4.5 (out of five) was 6DOIT and before.

[contest_sanity]

Hell... I don't even know what a "masterpiece" is, so I'll just say that their last 4.5 (out of five) was 6DOIT and before.

That's as good a definition as any.  I agree "masterpiece" is a very subjective term, but I didn't know how else to really word it.  I guess you could also go with thumbs up or down and say they haven't had a great album since Siskel was still alive.

[SnakeEyes]

Six Degrees and earlier.  I just can't take any of their "masterpieces" seriously anymore.  They seem to have gotten better at writing shorter, standalone songs, but their epics have become goofier and goofier. 

[Jamesman42]

I consider 8VM the last masterpiece (seriously, it is a true work of art with its themes and music). SC was sort of a dud for me, with some cool stuff, and BC&SL was a sweeping return to great form. But BC&SL was just that (I still love that album to death), not a masterpiece. Just a very great album. ToT isn't a masterpiece for the same reason, but I still love that album as well.

[ricky]

I consider 8VM the last masterpiece (seriously, it is a true work of art with its themes and music).

you know what the strange thing is? while i intensley dislike 8v on a personal opinion level, i sort of agree with you. maybe i just haven't understood the "logic" behind the album yet.

jamesman <3. only you could make me admire an album i don't like.

[Aniland]

SC was a masterpiece, for sure. Octavarium held a masterpiece track.

[ricky]

SC was a masterpiece, for sure. Octavarium held a masterpiece track.

the thing about 8v is you have to look at it as a whole. if you think 8v "the track" was great, understanding how it fit within the complex of the album will make you appreciate it even more.

[ReaPsTA]

ToT and after, because of Octavarium (the song).

[mrjazzguitar]

album wise, the earlier, but the song Octavarium is a true masterpiece.

[Ben_Jamin]

Octavrium and Black Clouds both were classic albums.

8VM had its epic concept and BL had the best music I've heard from DT since Scenes.

[The Silent Cody]

LOL, equal I think that TOT was one the most badass albums that DT ever will release, great sound and epic compositions, it's surely masterpiece. Octavarium, great concept, maybe sometimes too sweety but very solid album. Systematic, has some masterpiece moments. Black Clouds is a masterpiece. For sure the best album from DT since 6DOIT.

[jsem]

8vm was decent except for title track
BCSL was a great album, but not a masterpiece.

TOT and SC are definitely not masterpieces imo. So definitely SDOIT and before

[Ben_Jamin]

What ya talkin bout willis?

8VM's title track being the weakpoint....hahaha ok. You understand the point of the album, right?

[jsem]

I don't recall any1 in this thread calling 8vm the song the weakpoint of the album....