Official DT Top 50 Thread Mark II (bss4life15 up now - starting page 79)

[iamtheeviltwin]

Forsaken is a highly underrated song.  It has one of JR's most memorable piano riffs, and the lyrics tell a rather interesting story. 

At least the vampire in the song isn't a sparkly Twilight "vampire" and there isn't a werewolf to be seen 

[Tomislav95]

This is going to be unique list
I agree only for Forsaken, on my list others would be higher except Never Enough.

[Scorpion]

Finally something happening on this thread!!! Good thing, too...

Anyway, I basically disagree with pretty much everything that you wrote, but still, you're entitled your own opinion. However, I have to say this: Blind Faith is much too low.

Otherwise, carry on.

[Jaffa]

Forsaken is a highly underrated song.  It has one of JR's most memorable piano riffs

I wholeheartedly agree.   

This is going to be unique list

I think so, yeah.  Hopefully unique in an interesting way rather than unique in a way that makes people want to maim me.  As I get closer to the top ten, I think my choices become a bit more conventional, for the most part. 

Anyway, I basically disagree with pretty much everything that you wrote

I'm honestly expecting to hear that quite a lot.   

[alirocker08]

Glad to see some Forsaken love!

Oh shit...I should get my list finished and sorted :')

[FlyingBIZKIT]

Glad to see some Forsaken love!

Oh shit...I should get my list finished and sorted :')

Get to it!


Looking forward to the rest, Jaffo!

[hefdaddy42]

Well, that was an interesting first group of songs.

[Ħ]

Blind Faith is amazing, as is Space-Dye Vest. Both good picks. The other songs are certainly fun but nothing special, IMO.

[BlackInk]

Nice picks. Blind Faith is amazing. and the others too

[BlobVanDam]

Interesting first group of songs, Jaffa. And nice to see some progress in this thread!

As you have said many would, I'd rank BF way higher, and probably rank TROAE higher too. I like Forsaken, although I think given how many other songs I happen to prefer, it may be in about the right spot.
The others shouldn't even have made a top 50.

[Zydar]

Great to see someone else who doesn't consider Blind Faith to be Godlike. Interesting picks so far.

[Mind Trail]

Great to see someone else who doesn't consider Blind Faith to be Godlike. Interesting picks so far.

[Jaffa]

Thanks for all the responses, guys!  I've definitely gotten more posts than I was expecting to get for the first group, so I guess people are just excited to see progress in this thread.   

I guess I'll get right to it and post the next five. 


45. The Killing Hand
I honestly had a lot of trouble figuring out where to put this on my list.  It has some strange qualities to it – namely the fact that I think it contains both Charlie Dominici's best work with Dream Theater and his worst vocal moment with Dream Theater.  The infamous 'I am the killing haaaaaaaand' ranks for me as one of the most disappointing vocal climaxes ever.  But aside from that moment, I think he absolutely slays in this song – it's the only song on WDADU where I feel like the music really perfectly suits his voice.  And the song itself has a lot of really cool ideas.  A lot of people have talked about WDADU having an attractive 'youthful energy' to it, and this song epitomizes that sentiment for me.  It has a unique atmosphere, vibes that no other DT song really has for me.  It's also one of those songs that is kind of hit-or-miss for me depending on my mood – sometimes I'll just skip it, and other times I'd walk through hell or high water to hear it.  So, overall, I have pretty mixed feelings about this song.  I'll wrap it up by calling it 'quirky and flawed but awesome.'

44. This Dying Soul
My love affair with Train of Thought, and with this song in particular, could have a lot to do with me being a metalhead more than a progger.  Nevertheless, I think this is a great song.  The verses are admittedly questionable, but I enjoy them.  The chorus is excellent.  It makes great use of some of the AA Suite's musical motifs.  I love the song's pace, heavy and frantic and energetic yet with its moments of softer melody (a contrast which is trademark of the whole Suite, and of most of ToT as an album).  I've seen this song catch quite a bit of flak, but I think it is a much, much better song than some people give it credit for. 

43. Prophets of War
And with this, Zook leaves the thread and abandons me forever.

I probably shouldn't even bother talking about this one, because I know that no matter how many nice things I say about it, most people are still going to have problems with it.  And that's fine; I completely understand it.  This is a song where DT stepped out of their comfort zone and made some questionable decisions with their music, and a lot of people hate the result.  It was an experiment of sorts, and many would say it failed.  As for me, I enjoy it.  For all its flaws (or perceived flaws, as the case may be), it's just fun.  I feel like I'm unique in that this song's 'cringeworthy' moments don't make me cringe at all.  I actually adore the audience chants; I feel like they add a lot of atmosphere to the song.  Even Portnoy's rap – okay, it's not exactly a lyrical masterpiece, but I still get a kick out of it.  I guess I just think this song deserves more love than it gets.  It is a change of pace and style for the band, and overall, it's just a fun song to listen to.

42. Ytse Jam
The first of many DT instrumentals, Ytse Jam is special in its own way.  Remember that youthful energy I mentioned with The Killing Hand?  I should probably come up with a better way to describe that, because here it is again.  I guess the best way to put it is that in this song, everyone feels like they're having fun.  It never feels stale or forced in any way.  It's exciting and surprising and interesting, and everyone plays their parts well.  Especially Myung, because in my opinion this contains some of his very best bass work, especially the solo.  All in all, a great song. 

41. Pull Me Under
Ladies and gentleman, introducing James Labrie.  This was not the first Dream Theater song I heard, but it was the one that made me fall in love with JLB – that 'watch the sparrow falling' section is simply outstanding.  And aside from that, he does a damn good job on the whole song.  Of course, that's not to take anything away from the other band members – everyone does a great job in this one.  It's got plenty of riffs, all of them memorable, and some really cool solo work.  A lot of people complain about the triggered snares, but despite that, I think this song's drumming is definitely great.  And while this isn't the showiest song in terms of keyboards or bass, they do their jobs very well, and they do have their moments to shine.  It's no surprise to me that this became the MTV and radio hit it was, because it deserves that level of attention – arguably one of Dream Theater's most accessible songs, this is a truly great progressive metal tune.  Also, the ending is pretty-

[theseoafs]

50. Blind Faith

49. Forsaken

46. Never Enough

43. Prophets of War

All aboard the failboat.

Just kidding of course. But seriously, I'm looking forward to your top 5, which will have ACOS at no. 2 and You Not Me at no. 1.

[Jaffa]

All aboard the failboat.

Just kidding of course.

No you're not.   

But seriously, I'm looking forward to your top 5, which will have ACOS at no. 2 and You Not Me at no. 1.

[BlobVanDam]

Come on, I know DT have more than 50 songs better than TKH and POW.

[Jaffa]

I'm glad to see that smilie.  I'd thought you might legitimately attack me for TKH.   

[BlobVanDam]

I'm glad to see that smilie.  I'd thought you might legitimately attack me for TKH.   

BlobVanDam - legitimately attacking people for incorrect opinions since 2005.

I actually don't mind TKH at all (at least, the Marquee version). I just don't think it's even top 50 material.

[BlackInk]

I used to like The Killing Hand more but it has recently slipped down due to bad sound quality.

And I have never understood the hate for Prophets of War, I like that one.

[Tomislav95]

The Killing Hand is not favorite DT song at this community and it's not my favorite but TKH is lyricaly and musicaly one of their best works.
PoW is ok song but too high IMO.

[Elite]

All four of those songs do not warrant a place higher than The Killing Hand. Phooeeey

[Ben_Jamin]

Yay some PoW love

[theseoafs]

All aboard the failboat.

Just kidding of course.

No you're not.   

[iamtheeviltwin]

Good to see someone besides me appreciates the songs where DT moves "outside the zone" so to speak.  PoW is one of those songs that I have always enjoyed, it has a great feel and the word play entertains me.

As for TKH...this is actually one of the lowest ranking pieces for me on WDADU.  It has everything in it that was wrong with DT at that moment in time.  Rambling instrumentals, Forced lyrics, Terrible Melody and Vocal Phrasing...not to mention CD's moment of FAIL.

PMU is too low

[alirocker08]

It's great to see a controversial list!

[Ħ]

The Killing Hand is an awesome song It reminds me of Queensryche for some reason.

[hefdaddy42]

Well, Ytse Jam is fantastic.

[Mladen]

Ooh, this is already going. Great read so far, Jaffa. 

[Jaffa]

Thanks for the feedback, people! 


40. Endless Sacrifice
I think the coolest thing about this song for me is the way it starts off building momentum at a very slow and gradual pace, and then just explodes into the chorus.  Literally, the first time I heard this song, the chorus shocked me – from the first two minutes of the song, I had been expecting a relatively mellow song.  Then, BOOM!  "TRY!  To stay alive!"  The way it stays heavy throughout the chorus and for a short while after, then slows back down to its initial quieter melody until the next chorus... it just gives the chorus a really explosive quality.  I guess I just love the whole pace of the song, the way the momentum highlights the chorus in a really powerful way.  Now, admittedly, the instrumental section is a bit wackier than it needs to be, but at the same time, I don't really consider it 'wank', because I think it sets up for the end of the song beautifully, getting gradually more powerful until the vocals return with a bang, and.... I don't know.  I think it's a very well-constructed song, and very fun to listen to.  Also, one of their best live songs, in my humble opinion. 

39. New Millennium
I honestly have no idea what to say about it.  It's a song that stands out as unique in the DT discography.  They experimented with this song a little bit, abandoning what you might call the standard DT 'vibe.'  I think it's a song that you either like or don't, and the 'why' is, for me, an intangible quality.  As for me, I like it.  It's just a really cool song throughout, with a captivating intro that got my attention right away on first listen.

38. Panic Attack
Another great intro.  This is a song that is, in my opinion, quite underappreciated.  I guess maybe it's not the most musically interesting song of theirs, but I think it's musically very good.  It's jam-packed with energy, never a dull moment in the whole thing.  I think it also deserves special praise for the fact that the song really captures the subject matter of the lyrics.  The frantic pace and chaotic vocal style really expresses the idea of a panic attack well in my mind.  It feels panicked.  As for the lyrics themselves, they are somewhat choppy in style, but I feel like that's in keeping with the theme, because, again, it feels panicked.  It feels to me like this is a song where they were more committed to a theme than usual, and it really comes across well for me.  Overall, I think this is a very good song.

37. As I Am
This is another one I was conflicted about in terms of rankings: the metalhead in me wants me to put it higher on the list, while the Dream Theater fan almost left it off entirely.  I don't have much to say about it; there's nothing particularly special here.  To be perfectly blunt, it just rocks.  And if that's not enough of a glowing testimonial, it rocks hard. 

36. Wait For Sleep
What do you say about this song?  It's beautiful.  Hauntingly so.  Very nice lyrics, gorgeous piano work, wonderfully tender vocals.  Not to mention that its melody is reprised stunningly in a song which may or may not appear on my list (ha).  This is a simple song in a lot of ways, but it is about as pretty and as poetic as Dream Theater ever gets. 

[FlyingBIZKIT]

 

[BlackInk]

Really solid group there. Endless Sacrifice, As I Am and Panic Attack are very good.

Just remembered As I Am, haven't listened to that in a long time..

[Elite]

I don't think I'd have any of those in my top 50, save WFS 

I dislike Train of Thought, New Millenium has never really gotten my interest and Panic Attack is one of least favourite DT songs.

[BlobVanDam]

A nice collection of songs. As I Am, Panic Attack and maybe NM would end up higher on my list. WFS is a great little tune, but on its own I wouldn't rank it too high compared to their other songs. Never much cared for Endless Sacrifice, although I don't really dislike it. I'm kind of indifferent to it.

[Mind Trail]

Five mediocre DT songs

[Mladen]

Panic attack and Wait for sleep are brilliant.