I know I'm in the minority here, but I can't stand the approach that LaBrie is taking with his newer material. I've defended him as a singer for years, and I believe that his Mullmuzzler albums were seriously overlooked. On those albums, he managed to stay within the progressive metal genre while having a sound that didn't simply mirror that of Dream Theater. "Elements Of Persuasion" was a little more straightforward by comparison, but still absolutely awesome. "Static Impulse," was a major letdown for me, and this upcoming album is shaping up to be another disappointment. I've never been a fan of extreme vocals, but even if I were, I would have to agree with The Metal Madman and AeonicSlumber when it comes to this material. If you're a well-known singer from a well-known band and you release a solo album, shouldn't the focal point of the music not be someone else's voice? Aside from that, the songs really do bear more than a faint resemblance to those of Soilwork, and that's not what I want from LaBrie. I really only enjoyed half of "Static Impulse" (thankfully, James knew better than to let Peter Wildoer's voice taint every song), and I never thought I would say that about any album featuring the singer who made me want to be a singer.
Stay metal. Never rust.
Albert