ELEMENTS OF PERSUASION
When a band's singer branches out to do a solo disc, the result is either refreshing or unimpressive.
Elements Of Persuasion by DREAM THEATER frontman James LaBrie is neither. It's nothing that is going to make you jump up and say "Holy shit! This is the guy from Dream Theater?!?!?" ...and it's also not going to make you retch. It's a solid offering by a guy who can sing his ass off, and write a decent heavy rock song.
Halfway through "Crucify", I'm thinking to myself that LaBrie obviously had a hankering to do some thrashy material, because the riffs sound like they're straight out of METALLICA's
Ride The Lightning or TESTAMENT's
Souls Of Black....then it drifts right into prog-rock, Dream Theater territory with an acoustic guitar/synth breakdown. Honestly, if he's going to make this kind of music, why not just write another DT disc? Then it struck me that maybe these are songs that didn't make it onto the last Dream Theater disc, and he's releasing it just to show people what he can do. I'm full of theories, but light of facts, folks...as you can see.
No one can dispute that James LaBrie surrounds himself with quality talent; appearing on
Elements Of Persuasion are Mike Mangini, and other transplants from STEVE VAI's backing band. There's nothing sub-par about the performance or production on this disc.
He drifts into LINKIN PARK territory with "Alone", and to be honest, I think it sounds forced. The scratching and samples sound like they was just layed on top of the mix. I'm sure there was every attempt to make them sound organic, but they just don't seem to fit.
I absolutely LOVE the main riffs in "Freak" and "Invisible"... speaking as a guy who spends several hours a day doing radio production, I love it when these little nuggets come along...saves me the time of having to fabricate them myself.
Just when you think LaBrie is going to blow out another thrashy scream-fest, "Lost" comes along and disarms you with it's very catch melody, which he sings beautifully.
"Slightly Out of Reach" showcases his ability to deliver a catchy, poppy chorus, and "Undecided" sounds like it was ripped right off a RAMMSTEIN disc. James LaBrie is nothing if not diverse.
Elements Of Persuasion is exactly what you would expect from a guy who has fronted Dream Theater for several years. Top-notch musicianship, excellent production, and well-crafted songs. I don't think it stands much of a chance on rock radio, but who needs radio when you have an Ipod or a satellite receiver?
