JAMES LABRIE
Elements of Persuasion
Inside Out Music 2005
www.jameslabrie.com

What’s the 4-1-1?
First official solo album from the Dream Theater vocalist. His previous side projects were under the Mullmuzzler moniker.

Genre
Hard rock / metal / prog-metal

The Good
“Crucify” opens with clean arpeggio guitar work that blends into some heavy riffing and licks. At about the 1:15 point, get ready for an all-out aural assault that consists of thunderous thrash riffs mixed with subtle keyboard effects. It sounds a lot like every good thrash band that came out of the Bay Area in the eighties and a little Nonpoint. When the powerful, high-range vocals kick in, you know it could only be James LaBrie. “Alone” uses percussive sampling effects and combines them with more meaty riffs. The solo is as explosive as anything Dream Theater has laid down.

LaBrie’s progressive roots are still intact on “Freak”, a song about misunderstanding the homeless who have feelings like the rest of us. James uses an evil, raspy vocal effect to emulate his subjects. Did I mention how heavy the riffage is on this album? Soft keyboard tones, prog effects, and samples are essential in the song “Lost”. “Undecided” is dominated by a wailing guitar effect that sounds like the third coming of Godzilla. The track continues with down-tempo chugga-chugga riffs and frantic guitar soloing.

Deep whisper-like vocals associate well with tribal drum patterns on “Smashed”. “Pretender” is another thrash assault with an enduring vocal delivery. “Oblivious” has an echoed vocal effect and riff-riff-wail pattern to it. “In too Deep” is about an undercover agent infiltrating the mob and getting caught. The piano piece toward the end signals a sad conclusion for our hero.

The Bad
Nothing

The Verdict
James LaBrie really impressed me with his flair for metal. Who knew he could be so heavy? Elements of Persuasion is powerful, intense, and jaw-dropping.

Did You Know?
A debilitating vocal chord rupture nearly ended James LeBrie’s career.

Rating: out of 5

Related Reviews:
Dream Theater - Octivarium

--George Dionne