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Which is the worst Dream Theater album ?

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Topic: Which is the worst Dream Theater album ?
Posted By: Faaip de Oiad
Subject: Which is the worst Dream Theater album ?
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 11:19
I think Systematic Chaos is the most horrible, I'm not capable to listen to it further than two or three songs.

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Replies:
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 11:47
The Debut.

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Posted By: Abstrakt
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 11:50
I kinda like the debut. But it's been ages since i listened to it.
Classic prog metal > Modern prog metal


Posted By: aapatsos
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 12:09
Strange to see 3 votes for the deebut, some great music in there...

I believe their weakest moment was FII


Posted By: Mr ProgFreak
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 12:17
Why focus on what's bad ... or worse? 

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Posted By: SgtPepper67
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 12:25
How could anyone vote for Scenes from a Memory?
I haven't heard them all but I couldn't stand Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, it's annoyingly too heavy and too long for my taste.


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Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 12:33
Originally posted by Mr ProgFreak Mr ProgFreak wrote:

Why focus on what's bad ... or worse? 
Why not? We all know what is good or best about DT.Wink
 
 
Anyway, Six Degrees for me, though Octavarium is close.


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What?


Posted By: Mr ProgFreak
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 12:35
Ok, so as to not be a party pooper ... my vote goes to Octavarium.

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Posted By: inrainbows
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 12:39
"When Dream and Day Unite" for me

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Posted By: Faaip de Oiad
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 12:43
"How could anyone vote for Scenes from a Memory?"


I wanted to ask the same, I find it astonishing that someone thinks it's the weakest DT album.Confused

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"I don't want it I just need it, to feel, to breathe, to know I'm alive"


Posted By: TGM: Orb
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 12:47
Originally posted by SgtPepper67 SgtPepper67 wrote:

How could anyone vote for Scenes from a Memory?
I haven't heard them all but I couldn't stand Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, it's annoyingly too heavy and too long for my taste.


Because it is the burning ruin of a decent album and a terrible, terrible crime against taste and lyrical intelligence (short version, a long version exists). For the record, I felt the live version was a dungball in a much nicer dress.


Posted By: Drew
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 12:52
I'd like to see this poll without their debut- I don't like S.C, and T.O.T.

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Posted By: Moatilliatta
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 12:56
It's easily BC&SL for me. Their lyrics & musical cheesiness has never been worse before. Systematic Chaos at least has some solid musical moments.

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www.last.fm/user/ThisCenotaph


Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 13:10
It's difficult to vote for which is the worst from a band like Dream Theater(or in other cases, The Flower Kings or the like) since in all of their albums they play really well, however the writing/originality quality tends to vary.

As far as I'm concerned their least original album, and the one that is the farest from sounding like Dream Theater is Octavarium.


Posted By: Luke. J
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 13:41
Originally posted by aapatsos aapatsos wrote:

Strange to see 3 votes for the deebut, some great music in there...

I believe their weakest moment was FII


I can agree for most of the post..
Great music, but, at least in my opinion, not the best vocalist.
I can't really vote now, since I haven't listened their latest yet, but I strongly tend to vote for Systematic Chaos..


Posted By: Tsevir Leirbag
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 14:02
Would it be mean if I say they're all as bad as each other? Ermm
The only listenable album is Images & Words


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Les mains, les pieds balancés
Sur tant de mers, tant de planchers,
Un marin mort,
Il dormira

- Paul Éluard


Posted By: Epignosis
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 14:04
What?  No votes for the angry mush of sound that is Train of Thought?

Well, let me cast the first groan...


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Posted By: Tarquin Underspoon
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 14:14
Gonna go with Octavarium here. I salute them for making an album like this, but aside from the great title track, I've been trying to enjoy this album in vain since its release

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Posted By: Mr ProgFreak
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 14:34
Originally posted by Epignosis Epignosis wrote:

What?  No votes for the angry mush of sound that is Train of Thought?

Well, let me cast the first groan...


Mush of sound? I think the album is very well produced. I also enjoy listening to it a lot ...




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Posted By: WaywardSon
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 14:37
SDOIT is the worst one for me, all the others are good.


Posted By: Epignosis
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 14:45
Originally posted by Mr ProgFreak Mr ProgFreak wrote:

Originally posted by Epignosis Epignosis wrote:

What?  No votes for the angry mush of sound that is Train of Thought?

Well, let me cast the first groan...


Mush of sound? I think the album is very well produced. I also enjoy listening to it a lot ...




You tech-heads...always thinking of how it's produced.

Train of Thought is a mushy mess in terms of composition.  It's noisy, constantly heavy, lacking dynamics, loaded with double bass pedal, and the guitar soloing is constant shredding.  It's a busy, hectic album that I don't enjoy at all.

I suppose all that appeals to some, but not to me.


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Posted By: Mr ProgFreak
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 14:51
^ Dream Theater have proven on their other albums that they are good at balancing their albums (soft/heavy, fast/slow etc.). On this one they wanted to be more heavy, and I really love it. Of course if you don't like metal and are simply tolerating that aspect of their music on their other albums, I can imagine that you don't like the album. But for guys like me, who are metalheads through and through, that album is a really pleasant ride. It's the same with Symphony X's The Odyssey IMO.

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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 14:54
im surprised ToT has little votes, considering the people who hate it or ignore it. i voted the debut though, as all their other albums have many great moments

on my iTunes i have a playlist consisting of the best live versions of each song from the debut in the correct order (kind of like When Dream and Day REUnite, but i know better versions of some of the songs. unfortunately, i dont have any other live versions of some other ones)

THAT i'll listen to. i cant stand the production values and the vocals on the debut


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Posted By: Epignosis
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 14:56
Originally posted by Mr ProgFreak Mr ProgFreak wrote:

^ Dream Theater have proven on their other albums that they are good at balancing their albums (soft/heavy, fast/slow etc.). On this one they wanted to be more heavy, and I really love it. Of course if you don't like metal and are simply tolerating that aspect of their music on their other albums, I can imagine that you don't like the album. But for guys like me, who are metalheads through and through, that album is a really pleasant ride. It's the same with Symphony X's The Odyssey IMO.


As I said, some folks (like you) are into that sort of thing.  I generally am not, hence why Train of Thought is crappy to me.

Musically I'm a very well-rounded person, and I enjoy (not tolerate) metal (still don't take well to the growls though).

I think my favorite Dream Theater albums would go like this:

1. Scenes from a Memory
2. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence
3. Falling Into Infinity

...which I guess says how much of a metalhead I am, but Train of Thought is something I really can't stand (and I rated the beloved Images and Words a two).

Edit: To be fair, I have not heard the debut, which I hear is bad, but I figure nine out of ten albums is enough to render a vote.



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Posted By: Mr ProgFreak
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 15:02
^ I really like the debut ... IMO they really haven't put out a bad album yet, you'll see on the chart that I posted that I gave all their albums at least 8/10. The debut simply suffers from a vocalist who doesn't really fit (great effort though) and sub-par production compared to the other albums.

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Posted By: Badabing666
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 15:10
When Dream and Day Unite

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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 15:29
aside from the debut, i agree with Mr ProgFreak. i enjoy all their albums, i think i only skip tracks twice on FII, the others not really (i do skip Prophets of War on SC)

then again, i havent properly listened to a studio album in a while, been basically listening to their live albums (especially Score!) and the new album.


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Posted By: Conor Fynes
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 15:39
It pains me to see people give crap to the debut and Scenes From A Memory... The worst is Train of Thought, it is the one DT album I truly hate. It makes me realize just why so many people have bad feelings towards the band. It's thoughtless except for a few songs, and there isn't much to explore in it.


Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 15:46
Octavarium, a truly terrable album.

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Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005



Posted By: Mr ProgFreak
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 16:04
Originally posted by Conor Fynes Conor Fynes wrote:

It pains me to see people give crap to the debut and Scenes From A Memory... The worst is Train of Thought, it is the one DT album I truly hate. It makes me realize just why so many people have bad feelings towards the band. It's thoughtless except for a few songs, and there isn't much to explore in it.


If you don't like it then that's that, but IMO all of the songs are quite memorable ... and they grew on me. There's no track on the album that I would want to skip.


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Posted By: progkidjoel
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 16:05
Systematic Chaos here... Although Octavarium was close behind.

EDIT:

Good that there's no votes for Awake or I&W, my two favourites

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Posted By: toolis
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 16:08

aaah, a moral victory, so far, for I&W and Awake, two monumental albums....

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sometimes amateurs turn us on, even more...



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Posted By: Epignosis
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 16:13
Originally posted by progkidjoel progkidjoel wrote:

Systematic Chaos here... Although Octavarium was close behind.

EDIT:

Good that there's no votes for Awake or I&W, my two favourites


Were it not for Train of Thought, that's precisely where my vote would have went.


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Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 16:17
Originally posted by Mr ProgFreak Mr ProgFreak wrote:

Originally posted by Epignosis Epignosis wrote:

What?  No votes for the angry mush of sound that is Train of Thought?

Well, let me cast the first groan...


Mush of sound? I think the album is very well produced. I also enjoy listening to it a lot ...



When it first came out I remember the huge dislike for it on this very forum...as you do too no doubt.

I agree with you. Well produced great album.


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Posted By: progkidjoel
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 16:17
Originally posted by Epignosis Epignosis wrote:


Originally posted by progkidjoel progkidjoel wrote:

Systematic Chaos here... Although Octavarium was close behind.

EDIT:

Good that there's no votes for Awake or I&W, my two favourites
Were it not for Train of Thought, that's precisely where my vote would have went.





Train Of Thought is the one DT album I've yet to own, but I'm really losing touch with the band (unless its those two albums) so I don't think I'll bother getting ToT. A friend said its their most metal based, but I don't generally like metal anyway.

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Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 16:23
Originally posted by progkidjoel progkidjoel wrote:

Originally posted by Epignosis Epignosis wrote:


Originally posted by progkidjoel progkidjoel wrote:

Systematic Chaos here... Although Octavarium was close behind.

EDIT:

Good that there's no votes for Awake or I&W, my two favourites
Were it not for Train of Thought, that's precisely where my vote would have went.





Train Of Thought is the one DT album I've yet to own, but I'm really losing touch with the band (unless its those two albums) so I don't think I'll bother getting ToT. A friend said its their most metal based, but I don't generally like metal anyway.

It's up to you of course, but I think it's a brilliant album


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Posted By: progkidjoel
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 16:27
Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:


Originally posted by progkidjoel progkidjoel wrote:

Originally posted by Epignosis Epignosis wrote:


Originally posted by progkidjoel progkidjoel wrote:

Systematic Chaos here... Although Octavarium was close behind.

EDIT:

Good that there's no votes for Awake or I&W, my two favourites
Were it not for Train of Thought, that's precisely where my vote would have went.





Train Of Thought is the one DT album I've yet to own, but I'm really losing touch with the band (unless its those two albums) so I don't think I'll bother getting ToT. A friend said its their most metal based, but I don't generally like metal anyway.

It's up to you of course, but I think it's a brilliant album



Well now I'm confused
If I find it at a low price, I'll get it. However, I will DEFINITELY borrow it from a friend and listen to it. Its rated higher than Falling Into Infinity, so I don't think it can be that bad.

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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 16:31
ToT is fine. In fact at least 4 songs on there are some of DT's best. But i understand where people are coming from if they arent big on metal.

But Octavarium as one of their worst? there's only one track that's throwaway and it's "I Walk Beside You". Some dont like "The Answer Lies Within" but i think it's a beautiful song. It contrasts the opening heavy hitter "The Root of All Evil" very well. The album has great atmosphere and some ambience, something you only find on SDOIT disc 1. Not to mention it contains DT's best epic in the title track.

If "Forsaken" and "Phrophets of War" were taken out of SC, it'd be one of their best, and would still be over an hour long! Wink I can stand Forsaken sometimes though...

New album is perfect. Best 2000s album for them IMO which is good cause this decade is kind of coming to a close.....


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Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 16:38
Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:

ToT is fine. In fact at least 4 songs on there are some of DT's best. But i understand where people are coming from if they arent big on metal.

But Octavarium as one of their worst? there's only one track that's throwaway and it's "I Walk Beside You". Some dont like "The Answer Lies Within" but i think it's a beautiful song. It contrasts the opening heavy hitter "The Root of All Evil" very well. The album has great atmosphere and some ambience, something you only find on SDOIT disc 1. Not to mention it contains DT's best epic in the title track.

If "Forsaken" and "Phrophets of War" were taken out of SC, it'd be one of their best, and would still be over an hour long! Wink I can stand Forsaken sometimes though...

New album is perfect. Best 2000s album for them IMO which is good cause this decade is kind of coming to a close.....


You know my thoughts about Octavarium very well if I'm not mistaken, and that is that Octavarium is plain un-original.


Posted By: The T
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 17:15

6 Degrees of Inner Turbulence's first disc is the closest DT has come to atrocious level... but the second disc is fantastic so in general I'll have to say Train of Though, though is still growing with me...

Systematic Chaos, on the other hand, started great but each time I like it less.... it's one of the weakest


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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 17:27
Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:

ToT is fine. In fact at least 4 songs on there are some of DT's best. But i understand where people are coming from if they arent big on metal.

But Octavarium as one of their worst? there's only one track that's throwaway and it's "I Walk Beside You". Some dont like "The Answer Lies Within" but i think it's a beautiful song. It contrasts the opening heavy hitter "The Root of All Evil" very well. The album has great atmosphere and some ambience, something you only find on SDOIT disc 1. Not to mention it contains DT's best epic in the title track.

If "Forsaken" and "Phrophets of War" were taken out of SC, it'd be one of their best, and would still be over an hour long! Wink I can stand Forsaken sometimes though...

New album is perfect. Best 2000s album for them IMO which is good cause this decade is kind of coming to a close.....


You know my thoughts about Octavarium very well if I'm not mistaken, and that is that Octavarium is plain un-original.


for the most part i agree. I remember around the time it was released, i think Portnoy had made a comment in an interview about how they 'wear our influences on our sleeves" and it's true. The album clearly shows U2, Muse, and Linkin Park influences, and with the title track it's a "pick a classic prog band" influences. But there is some creativity going on, what with TROAE; expanding on the 12 Step Suite, Panic Attack being one of their best songs, same with Sacraficed Sons (both songs i have a hard time hearing the influences) and the great arrangment of Octavarium. Sure you can hear Floyd, Genesis, Yes, Crimson, ELP, etc... but the way it's put together and the lyrics (which reference prog bands too, so it seems very intentional) make up for it.

That's kind of why i love Score so much. everything leads up to the title track (i used to think if DT broke up after Octavarium, at least they went out on a good note with that song.


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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 17:29
Originally posted by The T The T wrote:

6 Degrees of Inner Turbulence's first disc is the closest DT has come to atrocious level... but the second disc is fantastic so in general I'll have to say Train of Though, though is still growing with me...

Systematic Chaos, on the other hand, started great but each time I like it less.... it's one of the weakest


haha i had the same thing with SC. Then i didnt listen to it or the band for almost 2 years. Now i think it's an awesome album and never gets old.


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Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 17:36
Their debut is very good, just the production quality is laughable. Falling Into Infinity is their worst IMO.

-Jeff


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Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 17:38
Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:

Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:

ToT is fine. In fact at least 4 songs on there are some of DT's best. But i understand where people are coming from if they arent big on metal.

But Octavarium as one of their worst? there's only one track that's throwaway and it's "I Walk Beside You". Some dont like "The Answer Lies Within" but i think it's a beautiful song. It contrasts the opening heavy hitter "The Root of All Evil" very well. The album has great atmosphere and some ambience, something you only find on SDOIT disc 1. Not to mention it contains DT's best epic in the title track.

If "Forsaken" and "Phrophets of War" were taken out of SC, it'd be one of their best, and would still be over an hour long! Wink I can stand Forsaken sometimes though...

New album is perfect. Best 2000s album for them IMO which is good cause this decade is kind of coming to a close.....


You know my thoughts about Octavarium very well if I'm not mistaken, and that is that Octavarium is plain un-original.


for the most part i agree. I remember around the time it was released, i think Portnoy had made a comment in an interview about how they 'wear our influences on our sleeves" and it's true. The album clearly shows U2, Muse, and Linkin Park influences, and with the title track it's a "pick a classic prog band" influences. But there is some creativity going on, what with TROAE; expanding on the 12 Step Suite, Panic Attack being one of their best songs, same with Sacraficed Sons (both songs i have a hard time hearing the influences) and the great arrangment of Octavarium. Sure you can hear Floyd, Genesis, Yes, Crimson, ELP, etc... but the way it's put together and the lyrics (which reference prog bands too, so it seems very intentional) make up for it.

That's kind of why i love Score so much. everything leads up to the title track (i used to think if DT broke up after Octavarium, at least they went out on a good note with that song.


The Root Of All Evil has a great riff, and was probably the first pure metal song I ever enjoyed, but now I find it pretty repetitive even if the strength of the riff still is there. And if I'm not mistaken, the riff is taken from the previous AA song on Train of Thought..

Sacrificed Sons is indeed the most original song in there and that's why it's my favorite. However it's not out-of-this-world compared to those long songs featured in Images & Words or others.

And I understand what you mean about the composition from the title track, pretty much true I got to say. Still, even if how it is constructed is original what fills the structure is, like you said "pick a classic prog band" influences.

Like I said in my review, I do enjoy listening to Octavarium because it's well played and barely find a flaw from the musicians, but I really can't say this is Dream Theater playing.


Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 17:49
Originally posted by J-Man J-Man wrote:

Their debut is very good, just the production quality is laughable. Falling Into Infinity is their worst IMO.

-Jeff


Angry

Falling Into Infinity > Octavarium and Scenes attached

TAKE THAT YOU FOOL! Wink


Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 17:58
Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:

Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:

ToT is fine. In fact at least 4 songs on there are some of DT's best. But i understand where people are coming from if they arent big on metal.

But Octavarium as one of their worst? there's only one track that's throwaway and it's "I Walk Beside You". Some dont like "The Answer Lies Within" but i think it's a beautiful song. It contrasts the opening heavy hitter "The Root of All Evil" very well. The album has great atmosphere and some ambience, something you only find on SDOIT disc 1. Not to mention it contains DT's best epic in the title track.

If "Forsaken" and "Phrophets of War" were taken out of SC, it'd be one of their best, and would still be over an hour long! Wink I can stand Forsaken sometimes though...

New album is perfect. Best 2000s album for them IMO which is good cause this decade is kind of coming to a close.....


You know my thoughts about Octavarium very well if I'm not mistaken, and that is that Octavarium is plain un-original.


for the most part i agree. I remember around the time it was released, i think Portnoy had made a comment in an interview about how they 'wear our influences on our sleeves" and it's true. The album clearly shows U2, Muse, and Linkin Park influences, and with the title track it's a "pick a classic prog band" influences. But there is some creativity going on, what with TROAE; expanding on the 12 Step Suite, Panic Attack being one of their best songs, same with Sacraficed Sons (both songs i have a hard time hearing the influences) and the great arrangment of Octavarium. Sure you can hear Floyd, Genesis, Yes, Crimson, ELP, etc... but the way it's put together and the lyrics (which reference prog bands too, so it seems very intentional) make up for it.

That's kind of why i love Score so much. everything leads up to the title track (i used to think if DT broke up after Octavarium, at least they went out on a good note with that song.


The Root Of All Evil has a great riff, and was probably the first pure metal song I ever enjoyed, but now I find it pretty repetitive even if the strength of the riff still is there. And if I'm not mistaken, the riff is taken from the previous AA song on Train of Thought..

Sacrificed Sons is indeed the most original song in there and that's why it's my favorite. However it's not out-of-this-world compared to those long songs featured in Images & Words or others.

And I understand what you mean about the composition from the title track, pretty much true I got to say. Still, even if how it is constructed is original what fills the structure is, like you said "pick a classic prog band" influences.

Like I said in my review, I do enjoy listening to Octavarium because it's well played and barely find a flaw from the musicians, but I really can't say this is Dream Theater playing.


what riff in TROAE are you talking about? the first main riff after the intro? (that intro is from This Dying Soul) i dont think that one is in the previous one, but they do play one of the main motifs from This Dying Soul in the middle of the song. but thats the point of the suite, to take riffs and melodies from previous songs and expand on them, The Shattered Fortress being the ultimate one.

i think we're in agreement with everything else. i think if the band learned from their mistakes with that album, they could have went on to make a masterpiece, but they decided to change their sound again. Im telling you, they could make a highly superior symphonic prog album


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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 18:00

btw what i love about the 12 Step Suite is Octavarium is referenced musically in it at least twice, which makes the whole full circle concept even more intriguing


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Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 18:00
^something like Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, you mean?Wink


Posted By: topofsm
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 18:01
I voted Scenes from a Memory. At times I've wanted to record an overdub of my voice on the album commenting on every single stupid thing I've found on it, sarcastically pointing out everything from the cheesy lyrics to pointless meter changes just for fun, though obviously few people would appreciate it and/or get the jokes.

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Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 18:02
Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

^something like Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, you mean?Wink


what? Confused


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http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm



Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 18:03
Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:

Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

^something like Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, you mean?Wink


what? Confused


Ooops....

"I'm telling you, they could make a highly superior symphonic prog album"

^something like Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, you mean?




Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 18:03
o wait, yes. i know what you mean.

yea and The Count of Tuscany proves that too (though not lyrically...)


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http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm



Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 18:04
Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:

Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

^something like Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, you mean?Wink


what? Confused


Ooops....

"I'm telling you, they could make a highly superior symphonic prog album"

^something like Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, you mean?




yes (see above)

i thought you were talking about The Root of All Evil haha

SDOIT (song), 8V (song), The Count of Tuscany, and maybe ITPOE are some of the best examples of modern symphonic prog rock, MUCH better than anything TFK or Spock's Beard come up with IMO. Another reason DT should stop worrying about what genre of music each of their songs are, and just be a band


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http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm



Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 18:05
Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:

o wait, yes. i know what you mean.

yea and The Count of Tuscany proves that too (though not lyrically...)


I didn't like The Count of TuscanyEmbarrassed


Posted By: darkshade
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 18:10
Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:

o wait, yes. i know what you mean.

yea and The Count of Tuscany proves that too (though not lyrically...)


I didn't like The Count of TuscanyEmbarrassed


boooooo! Thumbs Down Nuke

haha jk

besides the lyrics how come you dont like it (i didnt like the chorus at first, but i warmed up to it. that chord progression works really well at the end after the spacy section.)


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http://www.last.fm/user/MysticBoogy" rel="nofollow - My Last.fm



Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 18:15
Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:

Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by darkshade darkshade wrote:

o wait, yes. i know what you mean.

yea and The Count of Tuscany proves that too (though not lyrically...)


I didn't like The Count of TuscanyEmbarrassed


boooooo! Thumbs Down Nuke

haha jk

besides the lyrics how come you dont like it (i didnt like the chorus at first, but i warmed up to it. that chord progression works really well at the end after the spacy section.)


I barely found anything worthwhile, seriously.


Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 18:18
Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by J-Man J-Man wrote:

Their debut is very good, just the production quality is laughable. Falling Into Infinity is their worst IMO.

-Jeff


Angry

Falling Into Infinity > Octavarium and Scenes attached

TAKE THAT YOU FOOL! Wink


Sorry Pablo, but you're not the typical DT fan. If you love Falling Into Infinity and hate Scenes From A Memory YOU'RE the foolWink


-------------

Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime


Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 18:20
Originally posted by J-Man J-Man wrote:

Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by J-Man J-Man wrote:

Their debut is very good, just the production quality is laughable. Falling Into Infinity is their worst IMO.

-Jeff


Angry

Falling Into Infinity > Octavarium and Scenes attached

TAKE THAT YOU FOOL! Wink


Sorry Pablo, but you're not the typical DT fan. If you love Falling Into Infinity and hate Scenes From A Memory YOU'RE the foolWink


Of course I'm not, and always admitted thatWink

I might not even consider myself a DT fan, but Falling Into Infinity is really superb for me, also is Images & Words. Awake and A Change of Seasons come close.

Not a metal fan, probably explains the reason.


Posted By: J-Man
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 18:23
Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by J-Man J-Man wrote:

Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by J-Man J-Man wrote:

Their debut is very good, just the production quality is laughable. Falling Into Infinity is their worst IMO.

-Jeff


Angry

Falling Into Infinity > Octavarium and Scenes attached

TAKE THAT YOU FOOL! Wink


Sorry Pablo, but you're not the typical DT fan. If you love Falling Into Infinity and hate Scenes From A Memory YOU'RE the foolWink


Of course I'm not, and always admitted thatWink

I might not even consider myself a DT fan, but Falling Into Infinity is really superb for me, also is Images & Words. Awake and A Change of Seasons come close.

Not a metal fan, probably explains the reason.


Once again, we don't agree on anything!!LOL


-------------

Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime


Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 18:24
Originally posted by J-Man J-Man wrote:

Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by J-Man J-Man wrote:

Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by J-Man J-Man wrote:

Their debut is very good, just the production quality is laughable. Falling Into Infinity is their worst IMO.

-Jeff


Angry

Falling Into Infinity > Octavarium and Scenes attached

TAKE THAT YOU FOOL! Wink


Sorry Pablo, but you're not the typical DT fan. If you love Falling Into Infinity and hate Scenes From A Memory YOU'RE the foolWink


Of course I'm not, and always admitted thatWink

I might not even consider myself a DT fan, but Falling Into Infinity is really superb for me, also is Images & Words. Awake and A Change of Seasons come close.

Not a metal fan, probably explains the reason.


Once again, we don't agree on anything!!LOL


Cheers for that! Approve


Posted By: mistertorture
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 20:14
C'mon Train Of Thought is a complex-metal fest with some prog moments. I love it.

Of course if you can't stand a heavy album you shoul avoid it, but then again you should avoid Dream Theater anyway (maybe except FIF and 8V).

FIF is so underrated, it has an unique sound and some amazing songs. Ok there's some filler there too, but it is not a bad album by any means. The same goes for Systematic, with ITPOE and Mynistry being great songs, making more than half of the album.

My vote is between the debut and BC & SL.

But, WDADU is in fact a very good album considering it's a debut, and with a better production could be a lot more enjoyable. BC & SL is hit & miss all the time, the thing is that almost all its "hits" , while beatiful, are predictable and nothing new, and the "misses" are really lame and immature (discussed too many times already).

So my vote goes to BC&SL


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Posted By: terryl
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 21:03

Octavarium for me. 

For me DT's decline started when Kevin Moore stepped out of the picture. They were then looking for a new balance with Derek Sherinian and now Jordan Rudess. Both are amazing keyboard wizards, but I think the band suffers the domination of JP and MP. With other albums there were glimpses that they might have found a direction, but the brilliance are often abandaoned, unfortunately not fully developed in the next albums. Octavarium, i think, is the culmination of their directionlessness.

Octavarium is where I gave up. Maybe the last two could have been better, but i have littel money and too many other bands are on my wishlist. Besides, looking at this poll, it will be some time before I buy yet another DT CD.



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And who are we to justify the right in all we do
Until we seek, until we find Ammonia Avenue

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrmJ39j58W0


Posted By: moreitsythanyou
Date Posted: October 04 2009 at 21:27
Train of Thought is unlistenable save Stream of Consciousness.

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<font color=white>butts, lol[/COLOR]



Posted By: Progosopher
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 00:27
When Dream and Day Unite - everything that's bad about prog, and nothing that's good about it.

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The world of sound is certainly capable of infinite variety and, were our sense developed, of infinite extensions. -- George Santayana, "The Sense of Beauty"


Posted By: jampa17
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 10:39

Interesting... according to the reviews... Falling into Infinity could lead this challenge... but at the end of the day people still like it a lot... my vote is for Systematic Chaos -funny, I'm hearing it right now- guess the music is great as always but the lyrics are so out of place here... and the drums sound isn't  that well... and Portnoy trying to sing... yes.. I don't like that... Then I like a lot every single album from them... interesting answers guys...!!!



Posted By: frbassdevil
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 10:42
Originally posted by SgtPepper67 SgtPepper67 wrote:

How could anyone vote for Scenes from a Memory?


I'm one of those who voted for SFAM. It's not easy to explain. I'm such a huge DT fan, I really love all of their outputs, but for me SFAM is by far the least interesting. I could try to show all my reasons to say that, but it would take me a long time to write and a long time for you all to read. Tongue

Originally posted by toolis toolis wrote:

aaah, a moral victory, so far, for I&W and Awake, two monumental albums....


I'm guessing none of these albums are getting any votes by the end of the poll, which is great. Two truly masterpieces. Clap

Originally posted by J-Man J-Man wrote:

Sorry Pablo, but you're not the typical DT fan. If you love Falling Into Infinity and hate Scenes From A Memory YOU'RE the fool


In this case, I'd be a fool, as well. LOL
What's the point on labeling typical fans? I quite never undertood that. I know, it'd be odd, for example, if I was a Yes fan who thinks CTTE to be their weakest release. But music is still a matter of taste, isn't it?
I understand the fact that most DT fans love SFAM, but I don't think this means I can't be a big fan like them just because I don't think this album is that good. Always keep in mind that I never said it's bad. I think it's very good, but weaker in comparision to other DT albums.


The only sad thing about this poll is to find WDADU as the most disliked album. Ouch
There's a lot of good stuff in this album. Of course it's atrociously bad produced and the vocals are not that good too (even though Charlie Dominici is not a bad singer at all), but musically there are several memorable moments, IMO.


Posted By: jampa17
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 11:02
Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by J-Man J-Man wrote:

Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by J-Man J-Man wrote:

Their debut is very good, just the production quality is laughable. Falling Into Infinity is their worst IMO.

-Jeff


Angry

Falling Into Infinity > Octavarium and Scenes attached

TAKE THAT YOU FOOL! Wink


Sorry Pablo, but you're not the typical DT fan. If you love Falling Into Infinity and hate Scenes From A Memory YOU'RE the foolWink


Of course I'm not, and always admitted thatWink

I might not even consider myself a DT fan, but Falling Into Infinity is really superb for me, also is Images & Words. Awake and A Change of Seasons come close.

Not a metal fan, probably explains the reason.
 
Agree with Pablo... But I consider myself a die hard fan... and still love the FII... God, I like all their repertorie from the 90's... and a little less their 00's albums... But as Pablo said, you can see the sound from Octavarium in Falling... yes... Octavarium is in fact, a try to make a good -not so criticable- Falling into Infinity... both albums are great... as simple as that...  Smile


Posted By: Padraic
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 11:22
Their latest.


Posted By: TheCaptain
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 11:30
I voted for Systematic Chaos. It's been a while since I listened to it but I can't remember a single positive moment in the entire album. Falling Into Infinity had Trial Of Tears and a few other pretty OK songs and Train Of Thought had the superb Stream Of Consciousness and a few other good songs. Their debut also had a few moments of greatness scattered throughout.
As my memory currently stands, SC would get a one star from me. One of these days I'll get around to relistening to it and hopefully my mind will change.


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Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal.


Posted By: angelmk
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 13:15
i choose Octavarium , i don't like it .. 

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www.last.fm/user/angelmk


Posted By: white_russian
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 13:41
octavarium by far for me. I like most of the other stuff they have done, but I never got into this one. 

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http://www.last.fm/user/white_russian">



Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 15:34
Originally posted by jampa17 jampa17 wrote:

Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by J-Man J-Man wrote:

Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by J-Man J-Man wrote:

Their debut is very good, just the production quality is laughable. Falling Into Infinity is their worst IMO.

-Jeff


Angry

Falling Into Infinity > Octavarium and Scenes attached

TAKE THAT YOU FOOL! Wink


Sorry Pablo, but you're not the typical DT fan. If you love Falling Into Infinity and hate Scenes From A Memory YOU'RE the foolWink


Of course I'm not, and always admitted thatWink

I might not even consider myself a DT fan, but Falling Into Infinity is really superb for me, also is Images & Words. Awake and A Change of Seasons come close.

Not a metal fan, probably explains the reason.
 
Agree with Pablo... But I consider myself a die hard fan... and still love the FII... God, I like all their repertorie from the 90's... and a little less their 00's albums... But as Pablo said, you can see the sound from Octavarium in Falling... yes... Octavarium is in fact, a try to make a good -not so criticable- Falling into Infinity... both albums are great... as simple as that...  Smile


Huh? Where did I say that?Confused

Don't consider Octavarium to sound anything like Falling Into Infinity....


Posted By: Bj-1
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 15:42
Octavarium.. though all their albums after ToT haven't impressed me much really. DT have somewhat stagnated with their ideas since.

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RIO/AVANT/ZEUHL - The best thing you can get with yer pants on!


Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 15:59
I haven't rated Train of Thought on Mike's site yet, but it is my next listen from my re-listening to DT.  I'm not sure where it will fall.

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Posted By: stonebeard
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 16:07
Systematic Chaos. It's very, very heartless, remote, routine, and screams "out of ideas."

I'm also willing to say Falling Into Infinity is a better album than Scenes from a Memory, or at least just as good. I like most of the shorter songs on FII, and it doesn't have random honkey-tonk crap from Rudess.


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http://soundcloud.com/drewagler" rel="nofollow - My soundcloud. Please give feedback if you want!


Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 16:12
Originally posted by stonebeard stonebeard wrote:

Systematic Chaos. It's very, very heartless, remote, routine, and screams "out of ideas."

I'm also willing to say Falling Into Infinity is a better album than Scenes from a Memory, or at least just as good. I like most of the shorter songs on FII, and it doesn't have random honkey-tonk crap from Rudess.


Clap (sort-ofWink)




Posted By: jampa17
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 16:19
Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by stonebeard stonebeard wrote:

Systematic Chaos. It's very, very heartless, remote, routine, and screams "out of ideas."

I'm also willing to say Falling Into Infinity is a better album than Scenes from a Memory, or at least just as good. I like most of the shorter songs on FII, and it doesn't have random honkey-tonk crap from Rudess.


Clap (sort-ofWink)


 
Agree...!!! totally... just that Scenes is a little better for the whole concept... but in sound and the ideas of Rudess... darn...!!! Sherinian is so underrated... he's great... and has a different vibe in his performance, that makes DT solos really interesting... not just "The fastest, the thoughest, the meanest...."


Posted By: jampa17
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 16:23
Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by J-Man J-Man wrote:

Their debut is very good, just the production quality is laughable. Falling Into Infinity is their worst IMO.

-Jeff


Angry

Falling Into Infinity > Octavarium and Scenes attached

TAKE THAT YOU FOOL! Wink
 
Here you said it... right...??? or what do you mean then...??? not that have the same sound but that the ideas from the Falling into Infinity where long developed in those two albums... right...??? jejeje... if it's not what you meant... jejeje.. sorry...!!! Embarrassed


Posted By: rdtprog
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 16:31
Falling to Infinity. The only cd they did with the pressure of a record company to make some hits. But ironically, the longest tracks are the worst songs on the cd!

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Music is the refuge of souls ulcerated by happiness.

Emile M. Cioran









Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 16:37
Originally posted by jampa17 jampa17 wrote:

Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by J-Man J-Man wrote:

Their debut is very good, just the production quality is laughable. Falling Into Infinity is their worst IMO.

-Jeff


Angry

Falling Into Infinity > Octavarium and Scenes attached

TAKE THAT YOU FOOL! Wink
 
Here you said it... right...??? or what do you mean then...??? not that have the same sound but that the ideas from the Falling into Infinity where long developed in those two albums... right...??? jejeje... if it's not what you meant... jejeje.. sorry...!!! Embarrassed


No, that's not what I meantWink

I meant that Falling Into Infinity is better than Scenes and Octavarium. And no, I do not think that in Scenes and in Octavarium the ideas from Falling Into Infinity are developed at all.


Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 16:39
Originally posted by rdtprog rdtprog wrote:

Falling to Infinity. The only cd they did with the pressure of a record company to make some hits. But ironically, the longest tracks are the worst songs on the cd!


What I find ironic is that under the pressure of the record company to release a somewhat 'commercial' album, they made one of their best albums, definitely better than all those made with Rudess Wink (not being sarcastical or joking)


Posted By: rdtprog
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 16:45
Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by rdtprog rdtprog wrote:

Falling to Infinity. The only cd they did with the pressure of a record company to make some hits. But ironically, the longest tracks are the worst songs on the cd!


What I find ironic is that under the pressure of the record company to release a somewhat 'commercial' album, they made one of their best albums, definitely better than all those made with Rudess Wink (not being sarcastical or joking)


I got the impression you don't like the heavier side of DT!Wink


-------------
Music is the refuge of souls ulcerated by happiness.

Emile M. Cioran









Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 16:47
Originally posted by rdtprog rdtprog wrote:

Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by rdtprog rdtprog wrote:

Falling to Infinity. The only cd they did with the pressure of a record company to make some hits. But ironically, the longest tracks are the worst songs on the cd!


What I find ironic is that under the pressure of the record company to release a somewhat 'commercial' album, they made one of their best albums, definitely better than all those made with Rudess Wink (not being sarcastical or joking)


I got the impression you don't like the heavier side of DT!Wink


That's one part, but the main issue is the unoriginal side of DTWink


Posted By: johnobvious
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 17:01
I only have six of them but I can safely vote for Octavarium.  Just so dull.  And the title track that everyone raves about as being the saving grace ain't no great shakes IMHO.

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Biggles was in rehab last Saturday


Posted By: jampa17
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 17:04
Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by jampa17 jampa17 wrote:

Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by J-Man J-Man wrote:

Their debut is very good, just the production quality is laughable. Falling Into Infinity is their worst IMO.

-Jeff


Angry

Falling Into Infinity > Octavarium and Scenes attached

TAKE THAT YOU FOOL! Wink
 
Here you said it... right...??? or what do you mean then...??? not that have the same sound but that the ideas from the Falling into Infinity where long developed in those two albums... right...??? jejeje... if it's not what you meant... jejeje.. sorry...!!! Embarrassed


No, that's not what I meantWink

I meant that Falling Into Infinity is better than Scenes and Octavarium. And no, I do not think that in Scenes and in Octavarium the ideas from Falling Into Infinity are developed at all.
 
got ya...!!! Ok... at least we agree that Falling into Inifinity is way better than their last four albums... right...??? nothing to do with heaviness but with their tired ideas with the solution of monsterfull and fast solos.. right...???


Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 17:05
Originally posted by rdtprog rdtprog wrote:

Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by rdtprog rdtprog wrote:

Falling to Infinity. The only cd they did with the pressure of a record company to make some hits. But ironically, the longest tracks are the worst songs on the cd!


What I find ironic is that under the pressure of the record company to release a somewhat 'commercial' album, they made one of their best albums, definitely better than all those made with Rudess Wink (not being sarcastical or joking)


I got the impression you don't like the heavier side of DT!Wink
I won't say it is 100%, but I have noticed that if a song's lyrics are written by Mike Portnoy, I tend to like those songs less then those songs whose lyrics are written by Petrucci or LaBrie.  I think the songs with lyrics written by Portnoy tend to be the heavier tracks with harsher vocals and I don't think that LaBrie sings as well on those songs as he does on the songs where he or Petrucci wrote the lyrics.

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Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 17:13
Originally posted by jampa17 jampa17 wrote:

Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by jampa17 jampa17 wrote:

Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by J-Man J-Man wrote:

Their debut is very good, just the production quality is laughable. Falling Into Infinity is their worst IMO.

-Jeff


Angry

Falling Into Infinity > Octavarium and Scenes attached

TAKE THAT YOU FOOL! Wink
 
Here you said it... right...??? or what do you mean then...??? not that have the same sound but that the ideas from the Falling into Infinity where long developed in those two albums... right...??? jejeje... if it's not what you meant... jejeje.. sorry...!!! Embarrassed


No, that's not what I meantWink

I meant that Falling Into Infinity is better than Scenes and Octavarium. And no, I do not think that in Scenes and in Octavarium the ideas from Falling Into Infinity are developed at all.
 
got ya...!!! Ok... at least we agree that Falling into Inifinity is way better than their last four albums... right...??? nothing to do with heaviness but with their tired ideas with the solution of monsterfull and fast solos.. right...???


EDITED: MISUNDERSTOOD EVERYTHINGEmbarrassed

Yes, we do agree! haha, I definitely do not like the excessive aimless guitar solos and restless drumming, neither do I like James (and much less Portnoy's!) nowadays vocals, seem pretty un-recognisable.


Posted By: jampa17
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 17:15
Originally posted by rushfan4 rushfan4 wrote:

Originally posted by rdtprog rdtprog wrote:

Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by rdtprog rdtprog wrote:

Falling to Infinity. The only cd they did with the pressure of a record company to make some hits. But ironically, the longest tracks are the worst songs on the cd!


What I find ironic is that under the pressure of the record company to release a somewhat 'commercial' album, they made one of their best albums, definitely better than all those made with Rudess Wink (not being sarcastical or joking)


I got the impression you don't like the heavier side of DT!Wink
I won't say it is 100%, but I have noticed that if a song's lyrics are written by Mike Portnoy, I tend to like those songs less then those songs whose lyrics are written by Petrucci or LaBrie.  I think the songs with lyrics written by Portnoy tend to be the heavier tracks with harsher vocals and I don't think that LaBrie sings as well on those songs as he does on the songs where he or Petrucci wrote the lyrics.
 
I feel exactly the same... really... with the exception of The Best of Times, every song from Portnoy is heavy and mean... that's why their first albums where better... more Moore and Petrucci... but now is only Portnoy and Petrucci... and that's too metal oriented for me... is not that metal is bad... just that Mike don't write that well... and his melodies are kind of... nu metal wannabe... not that great...  


Posted By: jampa17
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 17:31
Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by jampa17 jampa17 wrote:

Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by jampa17 jampa17 wrote:

Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by J-Man J-Man wrote:

Their debut is very good, just the production quality is laughable. Falling Into Infinity is their worst IMO.

-Jeff


Angry

Falling Into Infinity > Octavarium and Scenes attached

TAKE THAT YOU FOOL! Wink
 
Here you said it... right...??? or what do you mean then...??? not that have the same sound but that the ideas from the Falling into Infinity where long developed in those two albums... right...??? jejeje... if it's not what you meant... jejeje.. sorry...!!! Embarrassed


No, that's not what I meantWink

I meant that Falling Into Infinity is better than Scenes and Octavarium. And no, I do not think that in Scenes and in Octavarium the ideas from Falling Into Infinity are developed at all.
 
got ya...!!! Ok... at least we agree that Falling into Inifinity is way better than their last four albums... right...??? nothing to do with heaviness but with their tired ideas with the solution of monsterfull and fast solos.. right...???


mmm....no....LOL  We don't agree on anything, haha..well almost...

For me it's :

Pre-Scenes(90's, excluding Scenes) > Post-Scenes (Scenes onwards)

For me, with the entry of Jordan Rudess, Dream Theater started to focus on just Petrucci and Portnoy while the rest just backed up some mediocre stuff compared to what they're capable. Also the fact that in recent albums they've been needing ideas from other bands to make a song isn't something I enjoy.

To sum up the 90's albums:

Images & Words has the most creative compositions and solos, however has obvious flaws like Portnoy's excessive double-bass drumming and LaBrie's total high-pitch vocals.

Awake has the flaws from I&W mastered, but the compositions aren't as strong.

A Change of Seasons has the Dream Theater song.

Falling Into Infinity is Dream Theater playing Prog Rock with some varied styles(not using the ideas from other bands to then develop their songs like they would do later) It also features James' strongest vocals IMO, and from the rest of the band it's all simply great.
 
Funny... I see your points now... as I see it...
 
-Their 90's albums are all great, don't mind bout doble bass ussing -in fact, I love it- and Labries high notes are quite ok, but now adays do not like it as ten years ago, guess I'm getting old, or at least my ears does...
 
-Their 00's era is like you said, Portnoy and Petrucci's ideas... yes, we noticed the ausence of Myung in the writing... but I say the problem is Rudess... he's kind of out of his element here... He just uses strange keyboards and stuff just to feel he's bringing something besides his strange patches that don't fit with the band sound. I see Awake as perfection of sound of keyboards in rock... and Falling as a fresh alternative... but He can't do that without fill any spot with crazy solos...
 
-Still, I do believe their are the best rock band in history, and everything they do is interesting... but they put their standards too high with Awake and I&W, and it's so difficult to reach it, that many people has felt let down... but still their worst album is quite interesting in fact...


Posted By: The Quiet One
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 17:39
^ agree completely on both first points.

Not much in the 'best rock band in history' part, not even close IMOWink  Still, like I said somewhere else, Dream Theater is a band with some really gifted musicians which you really don't know if they're planning to work as a team making wonders like Images & Words and Falling Into Infinity, or work seperately and create a wack fest.


Posted By: jampa17
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 17:58
Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

^ agree completely on both first points.

Not much in the 'best rock band in history' part, not even close IMOWink  Still, like I said somewhere else, Dream Theater is a band with some really gifted musicians which you really don't know if they're planning to work as a team making wonders like Images & Words and Falling Into Infinity, or work seperately and create a wack fest.
 
I am really unrespectable of history... so I can say that DT is my favorite band and no other band can make me feel that great... I could say Elvis Presley is the best in Rock and Roll cause all his contribution in the 50's... The Beatles following close in the 60's and Van Halen for the revolution of the late 70's and 80's... I know some should say I'm crazy... but is difficult to make me change my mind about it... DT rules man...!!!


Posted By: Anguiad
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 19:05
Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by rdtprog rdtprog wrote:

Falling to Infinity. The only cd they did with the pressure of a record company to make some hits. But ironically, the longest tracks are the worst songs on the cd!


What I find ironic is that under the pressure of the record company to release a somewhat 'commercial' album, they made one of their best albums, definitely better than all those made with Rudess Wink (not being sarcastical or joking)


One of their best compared to nowadays CD's perhaps. And I can't disagree more with "the longest tracks being the worst" : one of the highlights during their Systematic Chaos tour was the revival of Lines in the Sand, which has lots of vibe and emotion despite having guest vocals. New Millenium and Trial of Tears have great instrumental passages, sorely missed on their latest albums.




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"Tis your birth and faith that wrong you...not I."


Posted By: Anguiad
Date Posted: October 05 2009 at 19:21
Originally posted by rushfan4 rushfan4 wrote:

Originally posted by rdtprog rdtprog wrote:

Originally posted by The Quiet One The Quiet One wrote:

Originally posted by rdtprog rdtprog wrote:

Falling to Infinity. The only cd they did with the pressure of a record company to make some hits. But ironically, the longest tracks are the worst songs on the cd!


What I find ironic is that under the pressure of the record company to release a somewhat 'commercial' album, they made one of their best albums, definitely better than all those made with Rudess Wink (not being sarcastical or joking)


I got the impression you don't like the heavier side of DT!Wink
I won't say it is 100%, but I have noticed that if a song's lyrics are written by Mike Portnoy, I tend to like those songs less then those songs whose lyrics are written by Petrucci or LaBrie.  I think the songs with lyrics written by Portnoy tend to be the heavier tracks with harsher vocals and I don't think that LaBrie sings as well on those songs as he does on the songs where he or Petrucci wrote the lyrics.


This is true, Portnoy follows some kind of pattern which makes LaBrie's singing a little awkward on his songs. And Myung, what the hell happened? Has he just resigned  to be another back-up  bass member in  music?


Oh by the way, my vote went for the Systematic Chaos. Even though it is not bad per se, it feels rather empty and forced to be likeable. In the Presence of Enemies is somehow the standout track, even though this epic falls short compared to their prevoius ones.

I also think When Dream and Day Unite is a strong album, despite being a messy debut. That energy of the early days will always be remembered Clap


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"Tis your birth and faith that wrong you...not I."


Posted By: HeroOfYesterday
Date Posted: October 06 2009 at 08:55
I like how no-ones voted for Images & Word and Awake!

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http://www.last.fm/user/HeroOfYesterday


Posted By: Roj
Date Posted: October 06 2009 at 10:37
^ OK, I'll be the first then (runs for cover!) Wink.
 
Images And Words is my least favourite of the DT albums I've heard.  There, I've said it.  The only ones I don't know are the debut and Falling Into Infinity.
 
IAW is good and there are some great tracks on there but to me it just doesn't knock me out the way I expected from all the glowing reviews.  I was expecting something incredible, and that's just not how I see IAW.  Everybody seems to rave about IAW and it just hasn't hit me at all.  I have to say that Pull Me Under and Metropolis are superb though and easily my favourites from IAW. 
 
Testimony to DT's quality is I'd still give IAW 3 stars, not bad for a band's "worst album" Wink.
 
IMHO, after this album they improved greatly on Awake which is a much better album.  I easily prefer DT from SFAM onwards, that's by far my favourite DT era.  I do though appreciate I'm probably in the minority in this view........


Posted By: guitarherosucks
Date Posted: October 12 2009 at 22:36
Originally posted by HeroOfYesterday HeroOfYesterday wrote:

I like how no-ones voted for Images & Word and Awake!


Can't believe no one else voted Awake.  Its definitely their worst album, extremely inconsistent. The Mirror is easily the worst song DT has ever written, Voices close behind it.  1st 4 songs are really good, thats about it.


Posted By: jampa17
Date Posted: October 14 2009 at 20:55
Originally posted by guitarherosucks guitarherosucks wrote:

Originally posted by HeroOfYesterday HeroOfYesterday wrote:

I like how no-ones voted for Images & Word and Awake!


Can't believe no one else voted Awake.  Its definitely their worst album, extremely inconsistent. The Mirror is easily the worst song DT has ever written, Voices close behind it.  1st 4 songs are really good, thats about it.
 
Guess you like Systematic chaos and the last one... right...??? I cannot tell you what I think... because I'm putting on my AK-47 just now to go and hunt you down...
 
 
 
not really...!!! Wink


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Change the program inside... Stay in silence is a crime.


Posted By: camilleanne
Date Posted: October 14 2009 at 21:20
Wow somebody voted for SFAM that's  unusual..ShockedWell I think their worst album is BC&SL well I really can't stand some lyrics in The Best of Times and The Shattered Fortress..DeadLOL

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The planet is fine the people are f**ked.
-George Carlin-


Posted By: topofsm
Date Posted: October 14 2009 at 21:26
^I voted SFAM Tongue You can read all about it in my review.

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Posted By: Petrovsk Mizinski
Date Posted: October 15 2009 at 00:21
Debut is okay.
Images and Words, best DT album ever
Awake, second best.

And indeed probably 2 of the finest prog metal albums ever.
ToT, third best, but the gap between their first and second best is larger between Awake and ToT for me though.
FII is their 4th best.

SFAM is honestly not a 5 star thing for me at all, most like 3.5 at most. Dance of Eternity is a truly awful song, and the album has some other boring numbers. But the guitar solo on The Spirit Carries On is Petrucci's best studio guitar solo ever, so that alone bumped it up to 3.5 from what could have otherwise been a 3 star album for me. Finally Free also has some super tasty guitar work too and is the best track on the album.

The rest, honestly I don't even listen to anymore (except for perhaps The Glass Prison from Six Degrees).
Black Clouds took the band to even greater depths of sh*ttyness, so it gets my vote.





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