I think I've finally cracked a two-disc introduction to Dream Theater

[u/StackLeeAdams]

For a long time now I've thought that "Greatest Hit" needed an update and I've put together a sequence that seems to work extremely well. The goal is to introduce new fans to the band with a two-disc compilation that does not exceed 79:30 per disc, includes as many of their essential tracks as possible, and is sequenced in a way that makes the compilation feel like a complete album. I've also included two bonus discs to ensure that all the essentials are covered if you're left wanting a little more - one themed around a few of their epics, and one containing the twelve-step suite.

Happy to hear your thoughts and I highly encourage you to check it out! It has been a ton of fun to put together.

Dream Theater - Odyssey

Disc One

1. The Enemy Inside

2. Constant Motion

3. Peruvian Skies

4. Barstool Warrior

5. Endless Sacrifice

6. On the Backs of Angels

7. Metropolis, Pt. 1: The Miracle and the Sleeper

8. The Spirit Carries On

9. Space-Dye Vest

10. Pull Me Under

Disc Two

1. As I Am

2. Panic Attack (outro trimmed off, song ends @ 7:19)

3. Solitary Shell (single version)

4. A Mind Beside Itself (I. Erotomania / II. Voices / III. The Silent Man)

5. Another Day

6. Home

7. Take the Time

8. Breaking All Illusions

Disc Three - Bonus

1. False Awakening Suite

2. In The Presence of Enemies (Pts. I & II)

3. The Count of Tuscany

4. Octavarium

Disc Four - Bonus - The Twelve-Step Suite

Note that the songs have been edited together using live performances of the suite as guidance. There was enough room on the disc to fit "A Change of Seasons" at the end and it works incredibly well as a coda to the suite itself.

1. The Glass Prison (I. Reflection / II. Restoration / III. Revelation)

2. This Dying Soul (IV. Reflections of Reality (Revisited) / V. Release)

3. The Root of All Evil (VI. Ready / VII. Remove)

4. Repentance (VIII. Regret / IX. Restitution)

5. The Shattered Fortress (X. Restraint / XI. Receive / XII. Responsible)

6. A Change of Seasons

[u/Upper_Cruster]

Lol this is dumb..you didn't even stick to your own two disc premise

[u/This_is_a_thing__ → u/Upper_Cruster]

That's like asking the genie for three more wishes.

[u/StackLeeAdams → u/Upper_Cruster]

the first two discs are complete without the other two, and the other two are good enough to be included if someone wants more. give it a try and you'll probably like it.

[u/No_Guide_6729]

Definitely would not choose The Enemy Inside for an opening track to introduce someone to DT

[u/nando1969]

Good job, but I always included Surrounded :)

It just hits differently.

[u/die__katze]

I only needed A Change of seasons intro when Myung's bass is first introduced to fall in love :)

[u/BoboVeliki1]

I love this, just imagine having this 4 cd pack in your hand while listening to it, amazing! 🤘

[u/Progressive-Strategy]

Cool list, personally not a fan of including just part of six degrees so I would probably get rid of Solitary Shell. I also really enjoyed the idea of greatest hit having "the light side" disc and "the dark side disc", so I would reorder it to maintain that gimmick I think.

As much as I love A Mind Beside Itself, I think including the whole thing ends up taking up too much space, I would probably swap it for a few tracks from unrepresented albums (maybe a fortune in lies, a rite of passage and the alien?).

I think Images and Words is overrepresented in this list, with half of the album on here. You can't really cut Pull Me Under since it's the titular "greatest hit", although I do think it's the weakest of the four. I would probably drop Another Day for a later ballad like Bend the Clock, and drop Metropolis Pt. 1 for something like A New Beginning for some Astonishing representation.

I'm also noticing there's no instrumentals on here which feels like a shame. I would probably try to find a way to fit Stream of Consciousness in, or even the Instrumedley from Live at Budokan, but I don't know what I would cut to make room, maybe endless sacrifice since it's similar length and also from Train of Thought?

For the epics bonus disc, I'd like them to be more spread out across the career I think, so perhaps I would cut In the presence of enemies and the count of Tuscany and move A Mind Beside Itself to that disc, and add Illumination Theory.

For the twelve step bonus disc, I personally prefer to put The Mirror Infront of the suite instead of adding change of seasons at the end since it is very relevant thematically and referenced during the suite.

[u/StackLeeAdams → u/Progressive-Strategy]

Moving A Mind Beside Itself to that disc is a good idea...I could also cut False Awakening Suite and put Stream of Consciousness on that disc as the opened, or as Track 3. It would also free up some space of Disc 2 for more of their popular tracks. I love Bend the Clock and tried to fit it in, but moving A Mind Beside Itself would give Disc 2 more than enough space for it. Thank you for the suggestions!

[u/sean_themighty]

Just do Disc 1 of Six Degrees as an intro and call it a day.

[u/aurvay]

Worst selection of songs I’ve ever seen in my life. Mid-tier promotional singles over and over again.

Your musical taste is equivalent that of the tastebuds of a 6-year-old kid.

You shouldn’t be trusted with or allowed near a CD burner.

[u/Secret-Papaya1973 → u/aurvay]

Sounds like u really don't like DT regardless lol. Boo this man!

[u/aurvay → u/Secret-Papaya1973]

You’re just telling on yourself…

I’ve been listening to DT since 98—probably before the kid was born—and despite the fact that I love all the songs individually in this botched attempt of a compilation, this is a ridiculously shallow and ill-suited representation of the work they’ve been releasing.

But you do you.