Dream Theater Reccomendations

Images & Words is an excellent starting point.

Scenes from a Memory is also an incredbile album,and my personal favorite.

Images & Words and Scenes from a Memory are (IMHO) the best picks
Also Octavarium is a good showcase for their talents, containing heavy riffs (The Root of all Evil, These Walls, Panic Attack), slow melodic pieces (The answer lies within) as well as more complex efforts (the title track epic and Sacrificed Sons)

Images and Words first...

 

 

 

 

 

 

then, Scenes From a Memory, then Awake. Cant go wrong with those.

~Rael~ wrote: So, you would say Images and Words is probably the best starter?

It would be helpful if you told us which songs you downloaded, and which one you like best (or worst).

Perhaps it'd fall in more adequate levels to experience Awake, whilst composing your prelude to appreciation. I had started to take Dream Theater into highly revered affinity, within the album's content and I don't think it'd be that bad of a start, since you seem to enjoy Tool and Porcupine Tree (I apologize, should I be precocious as to imply erroneous remarks), whereas Awake most probably bears DT's darkest ambience (oftenly confused, many tend to yield such label onto Train of Thought, though I believe that record detains a closer approach to metal itself, than a virtuously knaved, sullen demeanour), in refined awareness of qualitative structure, coherent with progressive essence, yet including many accessive tracks, deprived of whichever complexity a fan could surfeit of. Nevertheless, Images and Words wouldn't fall much behind an impressive preface to addiction, in spite of whatever dislike you'd encounter in primeval DT. I would have to agree with MikeEnRegalia, also, since the band's work is perpetually dynamic as to achieve starkly different sets, crafted along with its stable, conspicuous identidy, opposed to some statements, bedecking forums with hatred (or simply divergent opinions). Even better to help others help you, you could come to express your preference, in specific terms, so as to correlate them to DT.

I don't like Images and Words!  Start with Scenes from a Memory.

~Rael~ wrote: Well, I downloaded Images and Words, and I can't get into that.  Too upbeat, and too muc of that 80s like scream

I just bought it, and experienced the same...

Images & Words and Awake are excellent starting points!!

I guess SDOIT would be the next step. If you couldn't get into I&W I don't think that for example Awake, Falling Into Infinity & A Change of Seasons will be the best albums you'll ever hear

If Images and Words was too upbeat and 80s sounding for you, go with Awake or Scenes from a Memory.