Suggestions for my 1st DT cd?

[wired]

I don't own any Dream Theater cds & want to check them out. The only song I'm really familiar with is "Pull Me Under" from many years ago. The only band I listen to that could maybe be considered somewhat progressive is Tool, which I love.

What's a good one to pick up 1st?

 

[petruccirocks02]

Me, being a huge DT fan, I would say either get Images and Words (the cd that has "Pull Me Under" on it, or their latest album, "Systematic Chaos." Systematic Chaos is amazing and I doubt you'd be disappointed. Hope that helps. Also, if you wanna buy a really good Dream Theater live DVD, get "Score", it has songs from all the different era's played live at Radio City Music Hall.

-Phil

 

[INMT]

I'll go on the assumption you enjoyed Pull me Under...? The give the cd "Images and Words" a try.

 

[fsmith]

I have all of their CD's and I really love live stuff so if it was me I'd buy:
1. Live Scenes From New York
2. Score
3. Live at Budokan

Then I'd go back and get
Images and Words
A Change of Seasons
Train of Thought
Octavarium
Awake

Oh and don't forget the official bootlegs,
Dark Side of the Moon
Number of the Beast

Oh just get 'em all!!!

 

[robelinda2]

Images and Words for sure, for the most accessible tunes, then Awake I reckon. For more prog rock stuff their later stuff is the go. I prefer the older stuff.

 

[Paul in WV]

Actually, as a first, you may want to try Scenes from a Memory. It's some kind of recording!

I would say that Images and Words, their 2nd album, is as good a place to start as any. Systematic Chaos is great too but I swear it's so different than their other albums I almost don't believe it's them sometimes! I love it though...all of it!

Hell...I'm just a DT freak so I'm not sure I can honestly recommend only ONE...Get them ALL...That's what I did!

Also, that Score DVD is totally fantastic and sounds GREAT!

 

[jappy]

Scenes from A Memory for sure!

 

[JasonT]

What kind of music do you generally like? If Tool is your reference point, I think Train of Thought would probably be most similar to that style. If you're looking for a good example of what DT is all about, Images and Words. If you like concept albums, Scenes From a Memory is great. An album few DT fans seem to like, but one I like a lot is Falling Into Infinity. It's probably the most accessible to an average music listener.

 

[the24thfret]

I can't believe only two people said Scenes from a Memory!!!

I will add...

SCENES FROM A MEMORY!!! BUY IT!!! It's their best album by far.

 

[73h Nils]

SFAM, ToT and SC.... Actually, get SC, it's still pretty cheap compared to the others.

 

[the24thfret]

Also, that Score DVD is totally fantastic and sounds GREAT!

:: opens can of worms ::

I went to the show, and they did perform an unbelievably near-perfect show... but they dubbed a couple small parts which I remember were messed up during the live show. But overall a fantastic DVD, great souvenir of the performance.

 

[marduke]

i would start from the beginning (like i did) then you can follow how they have changed/progressed over the last 20 odd years

but like afew others have said 'Scenes from a memory' is probably their best sofar.

 

[JohnnyD19]

Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence is pretty good too don't forget that one. but to start out i would go with Images and Words and work your way up or Systematic Chaos and work your way down.

 

[morsecode]

I've been a DT fan since I first heard Images and Words shortly after it came out and was instantly hooked. Outstanding album with an outstanding range of tunes. Accessible very listenable tunes such as Surrounded and Another Day. Cutting and edgy tunes with a hint of prog in Take The Time and Pull Me Under. Longer epic like songs in Metropolis Pt 1 and Learning To Live. What a great CD that was!

Scenes From A Memory ranks right up there for me as well. I believe that is the first CD whereby JP is using Music Man. I drove 12 hours each way through a blizzard to see them in Minneapolis on that tour along with the Dregs.....best show I've seen in my life.

Try picking up the DVD from that tour.....Scenes From New York.

I'm loving the new one as well a bit of old school DT with a very modern prog metal sound to it.

 

[Vito Porkleone]

Awake was the first one I bought, and it is still my fave. I&W, and SFAM are very good as well.

 

[the24thfret]

Actually yeah 6doit is one of my favorites too next to Scenes From a Memory

 

[73h Nils]

I think, in short, get any album except FII (most controversial release, my and many DT fans' least favourite), then pick them all up in whatever order you please... Because you will get hooked.

 

[roburado]

I'd say this. Get "Live at Budokan" first. DT doesn't have a greatest-hits compilation. The live discs are closest to that. For my ears, "Budokan" is the best, cleanest sounding live album they have.

"Score" is also a good choice, but I think the sound isn't as clear. There's something a little muddy about it in comparison to "Budokan." Then, go from there. I'd say pick the songs you like best from those CDs. Find the albums that they're on, and go pick those up next.

For me, the first tier of DT studio albums includes (in no particular order):
1. "Systematic Chaos"
Good mix of the heavy and the progressive. Similar to "Awake" in that sense, but it's a bit more epic. JP seemed to really step it up on this album. Plus it's the newest and feels the freshest, but some people take issue with the production on this one. They feel it was printed to hot, and therefore the sound suffers some.

2. "Train of Thought"
Almost all-out heavy stuff. JP gets to rip big-time. So does keyboardist Jordan Rudess.

3. "Images and Words"
Wide variety of feels, very indicative of the breadth of DT's style. Plus, it has a song you're familiar with.

4. "Scenes from a Memory"
Concept album, very cohesive thematically. Plus, it has the classic "The Spirit Carries On," a big fan favorite. Fantastic JP solo in that one.

5. Awake
Darker than Images and an almost concept-album feel. Album seems divided into 3 separate sections with somewhat different moods. Section one is seemingly just a bunch of tunes. Section 2 is a 3-song suite. Section 3 has a lot of repeating themes, and seems very cohesive in that sense.

 

[the24thfret]

Scenes From A Memory ranks right up there for me as well. I believe that is the first CD whereby JP is using Music Man. I drove 12 hours each way through a blizzard to see them in Minneapolis on that tour along with the Dregs.....best show I've seen in my life.

He was still using the Ibanez JP's for the recording and half the tour... he switch to the EB sig model halfway through and in time for the Live DVD.

 

[marduke]

A Change Of Seasons is also a good one just because the title track is soo long and amazing!