New James Labrie - Seems pretty good for once!

[guitarguru777]

Sounds like DT wrote a real heavy album .... lol

http://www.revolvermag.com/music/detail/james-labrie/

 

[slashvanyoung]

Uh-hum: http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/andy-sneap/611132-new-james-labrie-record-mixed-mastered-j-bogren.html

 

[TheWinterSnow]

Sounds like the old DT, which I really miss. For whatever reason, when each member improv by themselves they play like the old DT, but as soon as they get together, they try to do some wierd, Frank Zappa meets Metallica thrash and electronica with Portnoy ranting and raving about Machine Head and Meshuggah. James needs to get more involved in the DT writing process, and Rudess needs to start bringing forth more piano (not synth) improv work (which I absolutely love) and the whole band should drop the novelty electronica shit they have developed over the past few albums and maybe they might have something worth rockin out to.

 

[slashvanyoung]

I don't think James does much if any writing on his solo records. Lyrics excluded.

 

[TheWinterSnow]

To quote LaBrie

The difference between DT and my solo music is my full involvement in the writing process. Matt Guillory and I collaborate with the music, melodies, and lyrics

durning the actual music writing process for DT, its just Portnoy, Petrucci and Rudess hammering shit out, Myung in a corner by himself quietly doing his thing, and LaBrie is nowhere to be found until they are rehearsing for the studio which he sits off writing lyrics and trying to come up with melody ideas.

 

[slashvanyoung]

Alright, didn't read that.

But concerning DT, I don't think they need James' input so much but rather a good external producer again who tells them to cut the crap and to write before hitting "record", having time to let the material sink in.

It worked on the first few records, making them masterpieces. But then they also had a certain keyboarder who is a songwriting genius and a way better lyricist than all of his former colleagues together.

 

[TheWinterSnow]

But concerning DT, I don't think they need James' input so much but rather a good external producer again who tells them to cut the crap and to write before hitting "record", having time to let the material sink in.

Well I thought that too, but when his solo project sounds more "Dream Theater" than DT's newest music says that James has a lot more to do with their older sound and the more he falls into a more passive roll with DT, imo the less desirable their music gets.

It worked on the first few records, making them masterpieces. But then they also had a certain keyboarder who is a songwriting genius and a way better lyricist than all of his former colleagues together.

Kevin Moore was a genius and IMO a huge core of the Dream Theater sound. Hell I like that Derek Sherinian tried to imitate him and did so quite well while he worked with them, and so did Jordan for the first album he was on. What I can't seem to understand though is why Jordan tried to create his own sound with Dream Theater when at his core as a pianist, sound almost identical to Moore's style more so than Sherinian but completely stays away from it when hes writing for DT. Like I said before every member when they impov to themselves sound just like their music did during the Moore era, but they completely change style when they all get together like it is taboo to sound the way they naturally do when they are playing to themselves.

If they got rid of the excessive wacky electronic stuff and brought more of their natural improve back to the table and had James more involved than he usually is, then they would sound a hell of a lot better. It seems now like they are trying to be something that they are not. I remember in an Interview Portnoy said that every album they feel that they have to discover new territories and push themselves as musicians. Thats fine but when the territory sounds fake and not from the heart as a musician you loose interest. Then you have them listening to other bands and going in the next day saying, "I heard this part from this band I am listening to that I though was cool, we should try incorporating that into one of our songs", and eventually you do that enough times and you loose all conviction that you have as a musician. Thats the problem with their new stuff, it doesn't have the conviction, the emotional kick that the old music once had.

Black Clouds and Silver Linings did show that they were on their way back to a more true sound, but I still have my doubts.

 

[Ola Englund]

who is doing the screaming before the chorus? pretty cool song btw.

 

[grywolf627]

Wow...I like this so immensely more than anything DT has put out post Kevin Moore. This actually put a on my face to hear this, unlike any Rudess period DT has done.

 

[Skinny Viking]

damn .. whats with all the Rudess bashing?

 

[grywolf627]

He's a fantastic musician...no doubt, but I don't really like his contribution to DT. I even prefer the Derek Sherinian stuff to Jordan's. Sorry. But then again, I also loathe the production and mix on anything after Awake.

 

[Forceps]

who is doing the screaming before the chorus? pretty cool song btw.

Drummer from Darkane, who also played drums on the album.

 

[Virgil.]

wow... this sounds great! Thanks for posting!

 

[Rob Logic]

who is doing the screaming before the chorus? pretty cool song btw.

I think Peter Wildoer is doing most if not all of the screaming. Least I think that's what I read.

 

[Forceps]

"James LaBrie - Artwork for "Static Impulse" album unveiled; New MySpace page launched; First promo song 'One More Time' online!

James LaBrie is best known for his gig as the lead singer of prog metal titans Dream Theater, and rightfully so. But Dream Theater are recognized mostly for the complexity and density of their instrumentation. With LaBrie's solo album, "Static Impulse", which is due to be released September 27th via InsideOutMusic in Europe & September 28th in the USA, he is able to fully showcase his muscular, soaring voice.

The new album's opening song 'One More Time' is now available on the band's newly launched official MySpace page: www.myspace.com/officialjameslabrie

"Static Impulse" also features the immensely talented longtime songwriting partner and keyboardist Matt Guillory. Another notable performance is Peter Wildoer from metal titans Darkane on drums and screaming vocals. The group is rounded out by Marco Sfogli on guitars and Ray Riendeau on bass and "Static Impulse" was mixed and mastered by the renowned Jens Borgen (Opeth, Katatonia, Soilwork, etc.) in Sweden at Fascination Street studios.

The album's cover artwork was created by Thomas Ewerhard (Avantasia, Threshold, Masterplan, etc.); who had already worked on the artwork for the previous James LaBrie solo effort, "Elements Of Persuasion".

"Static Impulse" Line-Up:
James LaBrie - Lead Vocals
Matt Guillory - Keyboards, Background Vocals
Marco Sfogli - Guitars
Ray Riendeau - Bass
Peter Wildoer - Drums, Screams <===

For additional information feel free to visit:
www.facebook.com/officialjameslabrie
www.myspace.com/officialjameslabrie
www.jameslabrie.com
www.insideout.de "

 

[guitarguru777]

You know the more I listen to this the more I think DT needs to pack it in ....lol

 

[Notuern]

"Static Impulse" was mixed and mastered by the renowned Jens Borgen (Opeth, Katatonia, Soilwork, etc.) in Sweden at Fascination Street studios

And tracked in Studio Mega in Sweden(By my cousin Johan Örnborg, as mentioned in the other thread!).

 

[grywolf627]

You know the more I listen to this the more I think DT needs to pack it in ....lol

You read my mind (and a few other people I've spoken with).

 

[Mr.Skull]

I'm not sure I see the connection between the new Labrie and old-school DT, but it's an awesome track nonetheless. And yea, I'm digging the screaming as well. Looking forward to this release.

damn .. whats with all the Rudess bashing?

Fo rizzeal.

I loved the work Moore did back in the day. Agreed, he was a great songwriter/contributor. But I think Rudess fits like a glove with the virtuoso style of the band. Just look at some of those ridiculous unison/harmony runs they've come up with in recent years (I eat that shit up, haha). And his atmospheric playing on songs like "Ministry of Lost Souls" and "Count of Tuscany" was very inspiring, and I think is often overlooked.

 

[grywolf627]

...the virtuoso style of the band. Just look at some of those ridiculous unison/harmony runs they've come up with in recent years

But this is exactly what I don't like....the direction they've taken. Now, don't get me wrong, I have and will continue to buy every DT album that comes out. But I'm still not a big fan of the stuff. It's just mainly out of some absurd loyalty.