Greatest Hit (...and 21 Other Pretty Cool Songs)

So, after the release of Systematic Chaos under the Roadrunner Records label, it seems that the DT history has stretched well over 2 decades that it was finally decided that they would be releasing a compilation album.

Personally, this 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 times stretching all the way to Octavarium. 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 more progressive tracks (including that "greatest hit" being popularly known from "Images And Words".)

The remix tracks of "Pull Me Under", "Take The Time" and "Another Day" are almost the same as the original tracks. I say "almost" because the tracks for this compilation have been mixed a bit louder and clearer, not to mention a minor rearrangement of the latter track's sax solo. But one other particular difference, what most of the listeners/reviewers may have never mentioned: Mike Portnoy's drums have been rerecorded on these tracks, eliminating the drum trigger sounds on the snare and kicks, thus making justice to his intended production ideals.

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 final selections are particularly the best but it works for me. As for The Light Side, it's just a matter of taste when it comes to ballads and songs in poppier formats.

As I am aware of, this compilation album been recieving a great deal of complaints from some fans because it didn't include the most essential songs that defined Dream Theater as progressive as they have truly been. That's much to Mike Portnoy's dismay, who helped arrange the tracks on this compilation, as he weren't allowed by the label to produce a third disc that was intended for epic, progressive songs on it. So you won't find classic tracks such as "Metropolis Pt. 1", "Learning To Live" or "Space-Dye Vest" on this.

Fans that are well familiar to this band won't likely find this compilation particularly special; 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 recommend you checking the full-length albums to find the actual gems that aren't included in this release. Your call!