I'm not sure how devotees will take to some of the tracks appearing in edited form, as despite 'The Dark Side' being packed to the gunwhales, there's room to play with over on CD2. And I'm sure they would also have appreciated a couple of genuine rarities to sweeten the deal.
However, any compilation is bound to cause dissent as fans debate inclusions and exclusions, and this one will be no different. But it amply demonstrates just what a great band Dream Theater can be. It's just a shame they couldn't bring themselves to acknowledge their eighties origins and include something from debut album, When Dream and Day Unite.
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Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
Nice review Stuart. I also don't think you have too worry so much about this one pulling the new fans in. My guess is that there are enough newer generation prog fans (courtesy of Porcupine Tree and the like) to check out a compilation like this one based on word of mouth curiosity alone.
My other guess is they will like what they find once they do.
-Glen
2 - Mark Hardy
Great review Stuart - in my opinion this release is for the new Systematic Chaos/Roadrunner fanbase to find out what Dream Theater have been about for the last 20 years.
And to hopefully satisfy your bewilderment, according to their biography 'Lifting Shadows', they are unable to re-release any songs from their first album When Dream and Day Unite due to contractual issues with the label of the time. Which is a really big shame because that album has some fantastic songs which would compliment the Greatest Hit album if they were rerecorded/reproduced to todays standards (with JLB's vocals).
3 - Dewey Fischer
Good review Stuart
Being a DT fan for the past 15 years I agree on your comments as to the incuded /excluded songs.
I always felt that at the 20 yr mark in their collective careers a more comprehensive box set was in order, but I am a rabid DT fan and own all the studio /live releases/DVDs plus a good majority of the YTESJAM bootlegs. Maybe when Mike Portnoy gets some free time that may yet happen but to Mike's credit he toils constantly so who knows. I bought the Greatest Hit to support the band and besides there are remixes that I didn't own