Cool, Kev, thanks for sharing the rest of the rankings! I'm going to comment on all the ones that made my list.
First, I suppose it's just an artifact of what happens when zero or almost zero people include a song on the list, but it's weird to see The Answer, Regression, Whispers on the Wind, Brother Can You Hear Me and Astonishing down below, like, Raw Dog. Those are perfectly good songs, IMO, just not quite top 100 material. Astonishing came close for me, though (#104).
142. The Road to RevolutionMy ranking: #76
I know there's somewhat of a sentiment here that the first disc should have just ended with A New Beginning, and that may be behind the low ranking of this one. I couldn't disagree more. I really like "recap" songs like this, and I think this one is not only really well done, but actually full of awesome musical and character moments. The whole intro, especially the guitar part right before the vocals come in is awesome. And I actually think every vocal part is awesome, both from performance-wise and lyrically. "If love's a risk, it's worth a chance" is great, and honestly, "Arhys, time is running out / What will your decision be? / If you still have any doubt / Think about Evangeline" and "Change my mind / A waste of time / For soon he will be mine" are two of the top ten or so parts on the album that I find myself singing most often.
This is a really good song on its own, a great song in context, and doesn't deserve to be down in the 140s.
139. Losing FaytheMy ranking: #97
I suspect the low placement of this one has a lot to do with "ballad fatigue" on
The Astonishing, because I think it's a good song and a really important character moment for Nafaryus.
Honestly, this one snuck into my top 100 in large part on the strength of reprising significant parts of Chosen, which is one of my favorite songs on the album. But I also think the last section is really powerful, and quite emotional in the context of the album.
138. Begin AgainMy ranking: #74
So I guess I'm just more of an Astonishing-ballad fan than the average poster. Another really good song here—I think #74 might have been a little overzealous, but I still think it's top 100. A lot of great stuff from Jordan in the intro, and a strong James performance. Best moments are "In an instant... life could change" and "I dream of peace above all else."
135. A Tempting OfferMy ranking: #56
This is one of my favorite songs on
The Astonishing. I really like the confrontation between the two characters here. James really chews some scenery as Daryus, and I am here for it. "When Daddy does arrive... He's in for a surprise" into that little instrumental section, and then the back-and-forth, with "You do know who I am" as Daryus's best line and "This fight's not his to lose" as Arhys's. And then the final section where Daryus describes his motivation is definitely among those top ten memorable moments on the album for me. Love this one.
132. The Walking ShadowMy ranking: #86
Another good song coming at an important moment in
The Astonishing. This one is pretty heavy and intense, and offers the opportunity for James to chew more scenery as Daryus. This song definitely milks the drama of the mistaken identity situation, which I actually think is earned storywise because it results from and heightens the contrast between the siblings' reasons for coming to Heaven's Cove. And the music fits it well.
Listening to it again now, I think I should have had
My Last Farewell in the top 100, too. For some reason, when I made the list, I was thinking of it as a really short transition, but it's actually a full companion piece to The Walking Shadow. "Have I wandered into someone's nightmare," "How many more have to die before you will open your eyes" and "All your life... don't let go" are great moments. And the music absolutely carries this crucial story moment, with a lot of dynamics between the soft intro and some of the heaviest moments on the album. Not including it is a definite miss by me. Should probably be in the 70s or so.
127. Enigma MachineMy ranking: #96
I get the sense that this song is not especially popular, almost hated in some quarters, and I've never really gotten that? I'd have it somewhere around the middle of the pack on DT12. I think it has a fun main motif, and a lot of entertaining moments. Is it as strong an instrumental as the likes of Erotomania and Overture 1928? No. But it's an enjoyable song.
125. The Ones Who Help to Set the SunMy ranking: #100
Couldn't resist sneaking this one in my final spot. I think this song has so much potential, and doesn't quite come together to become all it could have been. For one thing, I absolutely concede that it takes too long to get started. But once it gets going, there are some really awesome parts. The "There must have been a time when I thought that you were watching" verse builds a ton of tension." And the "chorus" ("In higher lives we seem to be...") is really good. I feel like it could have been more—I hear a full choir on that part, or at least a power metal multi-layered part—but it's good even as is.
123. When Your Time Has ComeMy ranking: #82
Most of this one is a bit straightforward, and might be a little high at #82, but it's good straightforward, and it's elevated by the story context, and it's a good JLB performance. The song is further elevated by the Faythe part at the end—"On the worst of days when I felt most alone" is really good.
114. Heaven's CoveMy ranking: #75
A piece from
The Astonishing that I've long felt was under-discussed. I think this is just a beautiful scene-setting song. Really like the choir/guitar riffs combo here.
112. Far From HeavenMy ranking:
#25Out of all my disagreements with the list, this is the one that breaks my heart. I think this is an absolutely beautiful piano piece with an incredible JLB performance. It helps that I really emotionally connected with the lyrics when I was younger. But I think I would still find it a beautiful song. The best part is the change leading into "You can't imagine the hell I'm going through."
111. ParalyzedMy ranking: #98
What is this, a
Distance over Time song that I put higher than the consensus? I did not expect this at all. This is in the top half of the album for me. I like this slower, heavier piece that really leans all the way into the direction they were going on this album instead of just going halfway.
110. Take Away My PainMy ranking: #63
I've never understood the hate for this song. I think it's a really beautiful piece. Just gorgeous, emotional vocal melodies. I like the album version, but I would agree it's not the best version of this song because of the vaguely Caribbean vibe which is a bit out of place.
106. EveMy ranking: #68
I understand why this didn't make the list: It's not the easiest song to get your hands on, and it's way different from DT's usual sound. But I think it's a beautiful piece of music. I prefer the version without the samples, from the Silent Man single. Lovely slow playing from Petrucci, and the kind of piano that only Kevin Moore did.
104. Along for the RideMy ranking: #91
This is one where I'm not going to argue much with the final ranking—13 spaces isn't much of a difference in the context of this list, particularly when we're in the 90-110 range, which is sort of the top of my "good but doesn't stand out" range. This is near the very top of that range because I think the second verse is really good and the bridge is excellent. The keyboard solo is kind of Beneath the Surface solo part 2, but it's still good the second time.
102. ChosenMy ranking: #51
After Far From Heaven, this is the ranking I disagree with second-most. IMO, this is a top three
Astonishing song. It's easily the best-executed ballad on the album, with every element of the song working to create a really uplifting effect. Wholeheartedly agree with Ben_Jamin that "I can't climb this mountain without you" is an incredibly powerful chorus. The whole part from the first iteration of that chorus through the solo, the "Reason now I see" chorus, and the bridge is incredible. Just one of the absolute highlights of the album.
As we get ready for the top 20, here is how the rankings looked outside of the top 100 for all songs that got votes, but didn't make the list.
129 Just Let Me Breathe
This is the most offensive result of the rankings. I’m confident had the amount of submissions been much higher that it would’ve made the top 100, but I’m still shocked! This is such a fun song!!I had it at 29 and hope they put it back in the set someday.
I think this is a really fun song, but I couldn't quite justify it. On a good day it'd be in there for me.
Topic: Top 100 Dream Theater songs countdown (Top 2 revealed!!) (Read 53514 times)
