DREAM THEATER — Greatest Hit (...and 21 Other Pretty Cool Songs) (review)

DREAM THEATER — Greatest Hit (...and 21 Other Pretty Cool Songs) album cover

Boxset / Compilation · 2008 · Progressive Metal

2.5/5 · 2012-07-22
Kustin

'An introduction to the prog metal titans meant for the casual listener or a faithful collector.'

Honestly, this compilation album ain't nothing to recommend for any other than casual listeners who would like to get an insight of what Dream Theater has been about during their earlier times (just before the Systematic Chaos-era). I believe the "Light Side" will appeal to those who are non-metal fans as every track in there seem to be ready for air-play, while the "Dark Side" is a collection of heavier and progressive tracks (including the "Greatest Hit" we know as the opening track here as it was on "Images And Words".)

The remix tracks of "Pull Me Under", "Take The Time" and "Another Day" are pretty much the same as the original tracks. I said "pretty much" since these tracks on this compilation have been mixed to sound louder and slightly clearer, not to mention a minor rearrangement of the latter track's sax solo. Another particular difference is that, what most of the reviewers have missed out on: Mike Portnoy's drums (prominently snares and kick drums) have been rerecorded on these tracks, eliminating the drum trigger sounds and the odd production that differs from the tracks of the later era.

The selection of tracks and the categorization going between the two discs are pretty well thought out, if yet for the sake of inviting new listeners in. The Dark Side disc has a number of tracks that leave the clues about how DT's sound from each of the albums have changed, in a chronological order. Not all are really great but decent enough, I guess. I'll say the same about The Light Side, with some tracks that divide the listeners at times.

As I am aware of, this compilation disc has been taking a great deal of beating from some fans because it didn't include the most essential songs that proved that Dream Theater were able to bring out some real gems. That's much to Mike Portnoy's dismay, who helped arrange the tracks on this compilation, as the label didn't allow him to include a third disc that was intended to have the epic, most progressive songs on it. So you won't find tracks such as "Metropolis Pt. 1", "Learning To Live" or "Space-Dye Vest".

Fans that are well familiar to this band will rarely find this compilation any interesting (besides the b-side track (no pun intended) "To Live Forever"; the remix tracks aren't worth it any more than what you can get for the originals on Images And Words and so are the unnecessary radio edits on a number of songs (regardless if it helps make room for more songs in there). It only makes it worthwhile if you are new to Dream Theater and want an easy-going synopsis of their musical career, especially if you aren't a fan of prog. But if you are, I'd rather suggest you to check their full-length albums to find the REAL gems that aren't included in this release.