New James Labrie track

[AeonicSlumber]

...

How are the screams THE FOCAL POINT?!

On Static impulse, there are TWO, count em TWO songs on the 12 track album where the verses are screamed and James sings the chorus/bridge. Even in those tracks James is still very much the focal. There are 4 or 5 songs (at least) where he sings by himself and for the rest of the tracks the screams are in the background or only a couple lines. Doesn't sound like the focal point to me.

Now, if every song was scream the verse james sings the chorus then that would definitely be more of a focal point.

IMO the screams sound a bit forced in general from Wildoer. It's almost as if James is trying to be extra "cool" or whatever. I don't even think Wildoer is all that great as a screamer to begin with, which is ironic because Darkane has never been shy at picking the best.

That aside, I think that their point is kind of valid, maybe not so much about screaming vocals in general, but the idea that this is James' band and yet he has so many people writing stuff for him. It's just weird, and it shows. Like I said, musically this stuff and the previous album could have easily just been Soilwork albums if Speed sung on them and people would be none the wiser. I'm not saying that's BAD, but it's just kind of sad because there are enough Soilwork knock off bands these days as it is you know?

It's the same thing with my least favorite DT records, Systematic Chaos and Black Clouds and Silver Linings. It's obvious Mike was trying way too hard to be "relevant" and "modern" or whatever it didn't work. DT, and James, will never be a modern or cutting edge. Sure the musicianship craze as of late has taken off and helped their success tremendously, but that's got nothing to do with their sound as a whole in my opinion. If you ask me, these guys should just be themselves and stop pretending to be someone else because they're not even doing a good job at being "extreme" or whatever.

Like, when Rhapsody tried it, I thought it was super cool, because Rhapsody is a "metal band" first and foremost and clearly those guys understand what works and what doesn't in that arena.

Maybe that's just me though. My 2 cents either way, haha.

 

[AeonicSlumber]

What am I thinking? Thinking the artist should be allowed to choose their material.......

Not that anyone said that artists shouldn't be allowed to choose their material or anything, so your hostility is unnecessary, but let's be real - alot of the time some artists - even pros - have no idea what the fuck they want. St. Anger? Cold Lake? Queensryche's last 20 years of albums?

 

[dcowboys311]

Hey, don't bring Cold Lake into this.

 

[AeonicSlumber]

2 l8 m8

 

[dcowboys311]

I said hey.

 

[Comic Book Dude]

Not that anyone said that artists shouldn't be allowed to choose their material or anything, so your hostility is unnecessary, but let's be real - alot of the time some artists - even pros - have no idea what the fuck they want. St. Anger? Cold Lake? Queensryche's last 20 years of albums?

I think the artists know what they want....it's just not what YOU may want. There is a difference.

 

[Sir Exar Kun]

Not that anyone said that artists shouldn't be allowed to choose their material or anything, so your hostility is unnecessary, but let's be real - alot of the time some artists - even pros - have no idea what the fuck they want. St. Anger? Cold Lake? Queensryche's last 20 years of albums?

No hostility intended; sarcastic derision perhaps..... :Smokedev:

Big difference in your analogy is that those are established bands, which strayed (to varying extents) from their trademark sound or style. When a member of any band goes off to do a solo or side project, any preconceived rules about what it "should" sound like should be thrown out the window.

In this case, I personally don't think James is the most adept songwriter, so he is looking for something to work with that he would enjoy, embodying a sound he wants to emulate. In this case, that happens to be Soilwork.

Maybe his next album will be bluegrass ala Robert Plant...... Who knows?

 

[cslebn]

Maybe his next album will be bluegrass ala Robert Plant...... Who knows?

I thought PoS had that covered already

 

[Bear]

Ahh look, a combination of two posts that make no sense back to back!

Make that three :Smokedev:

 

[AeonicSlumber]

I think the artists know what they want....it's just not what YOU may want. There is a difference.

It's a free country - but what the fans want, aka the people who buy their records and ultimately finance their artistry, should always come before what the artist wants.

 

[Met-Al]

Orcslayr23, you're right about James's voice being the dominant one in terms of the quantity of vocals performed throughout the album. However, I'm convinced that LaBrie has won a number of his detractors over simply by allowing Wildoer to regurgitate on the microphone. I have nothing but respect for the man as a drummer. His performances on his main instrument speak for themselves. However, even though I'm not a fan of extreme vocals in the least, I can distinguish between a well-done growl and a vocal queef. I wholeheartedly agree with AeonicSlumber on the quality (or lack thereof) of Wildoer's screams.

I know a number of people who have ripped James a new asshole over his vocal approach in Dream Theater and on his three previous solo albums. These same people now think that James sounds great on "Static Impulse." The funny thing is that his approach to singing hasn't changed much over the last decade. The one major thing that has changed is the inclusion of these harsher vocals, which aren't his own. The people who like that particular vocal stying are fixating on it when they listen to the album. That's why it's a focal point.

I also understand that LaBrie wanted to do something different. I know that he appreciates music with harsher vocals. The man listens to everything from Coldplay to Napalm Death! If he enjoys what he's doing with his new music, then who am I to tell him to do things differently? That doesn't mean that I have to like it. I've given the songs a good listening, and I think that they would sound fine with only James's voice. In my opinion, Wildoer's vocals only hurt the songs.

On a final note, AeonicSlumber, I agree with you to a great extent on your last point. Some artists really don't think about the respective sounds they may have established and how taking very sharp creative turns can turn off the very people they initially won over. I think that a more gradual change of pace from album to album, a la Fates Warning and early Queensryche, is a respectable way of going about it. I feel that even with your Dream Theater example, Portnoy may have forced some modern elements that weren't always necessary, but he always remembered not to let the band's sound stray too far from where it started.


Stay metal. Never rust.
Albert

 

[Diamond45]

Looking forward to this release. I have Static Impulse and thought that was good also. Will probably pick this one up at PP USA in September.

 

[lane_miller]

Loving this! Can't wait to get it in my grubby hands.

 

[dcowboys311]

I honestly thought Aeonic was trolling. I am surprised that people actually agree with that. It's a disgusting sentiment.

 

[Mardoch]

I honestly thought Aeonic was trolling. I am surprised that people actually agree with that. It's a disgusting sentiment.

This.

 

[orcslayr23]

Orcslayr23, you're right about James's voice being the dominant one in terms of the quantity of vocals performed throughout the album. However, I'm convinced that LaBrie has won a number of his detractors over simply by allowing Wildoer to regurgitate on the microphone. I have nothing but respect for the man as a drummer. His performances on his main instrument speak for themselves. However, even though I'm not a fan of extreme vocals in the least, I can distinguish between a well-done growl and a vocal queef. I wholeheartedly agree with AeonicSlumber on the quality (or lack thereof) of Wildoer's screams.

I agree with you that the quality of the screams on Static Impulse aren't fantastic. They are a nice offset to James' voice, but they don't stand alone too well. The screams on the new song sound much better imo.

When a member of any band goes off to do a solo or side project, any preconceived rules about what it "should" sound like should be thrown out the window.

Exactly. People start side projects (generally) to explore new musical ideas that don't fit with the style of whatever their primary band is.

"OH MY GOD IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE DREAM THEATER!!!"

Pretty sure that's what James was going for fellas...

 

[jem777az]

Another new Labrie track released today. I'm really loving this one.

 

[KingsGene]

Labrie interviewed here...

JAMES LABRIE - A Second Round Of Static

 

[nomisofsiman]

Agreed on all counts. He's a really solid songwriter too. D

I've always thought he was an underrated songwriter. I tend to like the few tracks he's penned for Dream Theater throughout the years. I really wish he would be more prominent of a writer for them.

 

[nomisofsiman]

Damnit! Video can't be viewed.