Which Dream Theater album to loan to prog rock fan?

[SeaStorm]

So, I have a co-worker who, while he isn’t into metal, likes to ask me about "my music" all the time. He’s about 45 and his musical tastes seem to revolve around 1970s rock and prog rock. His metal knowledge seems to be limited to the hit songs from the some of the bigger bands of the 70s (Priest, Maiden, and the like).

He's loaning me some of his CDs. He wants to borrow one CD to hear what prog metal sounds like. Most of my collection is power - not a lot of prog. I do have most Dream Theater and many Threshold discs. Which one DT disc would you suggest for someone who’s never heard prog metal, but is into prog rock?

Personally, SFAM is my hands-down favorite, but I’m not sure that’s the best one for him.

Suggestions?

 

[Cheiron]

Just give him Images and Words.

 

[SavaVIDude]

Just give him Images and Words.

What they said.

Chris

 

[RagePSV]

SFAM made me a Dream Theater fan. I can't get into any of the other albums like I can that one.

 

[mëtålspëd]

Just give him Images and Words.

Smrt feller right there!

 

[Yippee38]

Just give him Images and Words.

++

 

[AMBR]

Just give him Images and Words.

Yea, that's the gateway drug.

 

[edgeofthorns]

I have to disagree with everyone so far. I say toss Awake his way. To me, Awake is hands down their best release and will give this guy a healthy dose of the band.

~Brian~

 

[SeaStorm]

A landslide, so far.

Let me also toss out that I have every Queensryche album and one Fates Warning album (Parallels), if anyone thinks there’s a better selection there.

 

[edgeofthorns]

A landslide, so far.

Let me also toss out that I have every Queensryche album and one Fates Warning album (Parallels), if anyone thinks there’s a better selection there.

I'd toss Parrallels his way from Fates Warning. As for Queensryche, screw em'!

~Brian~

 

[Mooseknuckle]

Oooh. Parallels would be good too. Not in your face metal, but an awesome prog disc. That was actually one of my introductions to progmetal. As for DT, Images and Words and SFAM are good choices...

 

[Bryan316]

Just give him Images and Words.

End of thread.

 

[actordude]

Images and Words - the best work DT has put out. Period. Give him that one for sure........

 

[Savage Pumpkin]

Just give him Images and Words.

What he said. That is all!

 

[Dustro25]

Awake and SFAM.

 

[Metaldrumz]

Yo Seastorm by brotha! Id recommend Images and Words, Awake, and SFAM!

I actually got Kathy (from my radio show chatroom) interested with SFAM and just sold her a ton of my DT CD's! Shes officially hooked!

 

[TychoCelchu]

Awake might be a good one to give a fan of prog rock, especially the moodier kind like Crimson, early Genesis, Marillion's "Script..." etc. because of Awake's generally dark feel throughout. On the other hand, I don't see Awake showcasing the layered arrangements that I think of as a classic prog rock hallmark - I&W or SFAM are better ways to pursue this angle. For a Yes fan I'd say I&W is the shoe-in.

Also, I'm sure NOBODY will agree with me on this but Octavarium would be a good one because, to my ears contains the widest spread of DT styles on a single album (weepy ballads, melodic rockers, proggy stuff, and heavy headbangers) so it makes a really good overview -- even if the quality of the songs themselves is a bit spotty. Plus isn't there a lyrical reference to Genesis in the title track?

 

[metal_tc]

I agree, actually. 8V and FII are their most 'Prog Rock' with hints of metal discs as compared to their 'Prog Metal' with hints of rock other cd's. I'd go with 8V or FII, plus Fates Warning Parallels is a good one to start with too.

 

[VenomGA]

Images and Words is THE gateways album for Prog metal....

 

[urinalcakemix]

I say Awake THEN Images. Awake just seems to be a little more classic prog rock friendly to me, and then I+W would be the transition from 70's Prog to intro to DT to The balls of DT.