Hey guys, I'm new to this forum. Been looking for a while, but I finally decided to create an account here. I'm eager to make a top 50, but it's so much harder for DT than it is for Megadeth or Maiden (my other favorite bands). I got into DT a few years ago when I bought Images and Words on a whim. Since then I've collected every album except for FII and WD&DU. I've listened to both. FII isn't bad, but probably in my bottom half and WD&DU is probably my least favorite. It's just not the same without Labrie and sounds a bit like something Genesis would do. Just not my cup of tea.
Anyway, here's how I rank the albums. Just a little taste of what's to come when I make my top 50 list. Obviously, I'm more of a metal guy, but I love the emotion put into DT's songs. If it sounds like I'm being a bit harsh on them, I'm not. I love every album except for the bottom few. I can't compare anything to DT, because their music is so magical to me. Every album holds something special in my heart (well, almost every album
)
1. Black Clouds and Silver Linings (not the most consistent but a dark, beautiful album that imo hasn't been matched.)
2. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence (about on par w/ #1, but this one has a lighter tone.)
3. Awake (starts off kind of weak, but second half is some of the best work they have ever done)
4. Scenes From a Memory (consistently good, but almost overly so. not many "amazing" tracks on here)
5. Train of Thought (very dark and gritty, most of it works, but not all)
6. Octavarium (some of it is too "commercialized" for me, but a few amazing tracks make this album much better)
7. A Dramatic Turn of Events (definitely a grower. some very good stuff on here, but some filler as well. still growing on me)
8. Images and Words (the album that made me fall in love with DT, but it's a bit overrated, only about half of which I love)
9. Dream Theater (still growing on me, but some songs I really like on here. it still hasn't sank in yet, but it seems ok so far)
10. Systematic Chaos (a few great songs on here, but most of it is hit or miss. not much really stands out for me)
11. Falling into Infinity (like I said, I still have to keep listening to this one. I won't make my top 50 until this one sinks in)
12. When Dream and Day Unite (not my kind of music. I do like Fortune in Lies, though, but that's about it)
Well there it is. The new album and FII still have to sink in a little more for me, but besides that, I'll start making my list, rearranging things as necessary. The list is so hard to make, because most DT songs have their own kind of magic that can't really be compared to each other. I was wondering, why not much love for BC&SL? I constantly see people bashing on it, or putting it in their bottom albums.
Nice to meet you all DT fans!