Dream Theater

Ambient Hurricanes wrote: Junges wrote: AlexDOM wrote: I agree Score does sound better, need to release that one on blu ray though. Although I still feel this is Labrie's best performance on any live release. When he sang Surrounded, WOW!!! I was transported back to Images and Words. The performance on that song was unbelievable. Best performance? It is by far his worse. He cannot sing even close to what he used to. In that video, he actually sounds a lot better on Live at Luna Park than he does on Chaos in Motion. Labrie obviously doesn't have near the voice he had in the early years; age and illness have done away with that for good.  He does the best he can with what he has left, which to be honest is pretty good.  I think he's refined his technique a bit over the years to the point where he can make up (to an extent) for what he's lost in his voice.  I would agree with Austin that he's probably the weakest aspect of their live shows (from what I can tell from footage, having never seen them live in person) but I wouldn't call him weak on their studio albums.  He certainly stands out, for better or for worse.

Very valid point. Considering who the other members of Dream Theater are, it doesn't say much calling him the weakest link.

LaBrie doesn't sound the same as he did in the early 90's. But he does sound better than he has in the last 5-10 years, especially live.

Horizons wrote: LaBrie is possibly the worst part of DT.

Metalmarsh89 wrote: Ambient Hurricanes wrote: Junges wrote: AlexDOM wrote: I agree Score does sound better, need to release that one on blu ray though. Although I still feel this is Labrie's best performance on any live release. When he sang Surrounded, WOW!!! I was transported back to Images and Words. The performance on that song was unbelievable. Best performance? It is by far his worse. He cannot sing even close to what he used to. In that video, he actually sounds a lot better on Live at Luna Park than he does on Chaos in Motion.Labrie obviously doesn't have near the voice he had in the early years; age and illness have done away with that for good.  He does the best he can with what he has left, which to be honest is pretty good.  I think he's refined his technique a bit over the years to the point where he can make up (to an extent) for what he's lost in his voice.  I would agree with Austin that he's probably the weakest aspect of their live shows (from what I can tell from footage, having never seen them live in person) but I wouldn't call him weak on their studio albums.  He certainly stands out, for better or for worse. Very valid point. Considering who the other members of Dream Theater are, it doesn't say much calling him the weakest link.LaBrie doesn't sound the same as he did in the early 90's. But he does sound better than he has in the last 5-10 years, especially live.

In my opinion I think he sounded absolute best on AWAKE for studio album and then oddly enough his best live performance as some already know from me was from 2006 THE SCORE. I really can't figure out how he sounded that good, but oddly enough again he looked really ill during that performance!!! His color was off and he was a lot thinner than I have ever seen him, yet the whole time he was completely healthy. Lol. Just goes to show ya that the evening was magic baby and LaBrie and Portnoy really stole the show for me. Just awesome.

Andy Webb wrote: From someone who has seen DT in concert a fair number of times (3), he is the weakest part of the performance. This doesn't mean he's a bad performer, though. He's phenomenal. They all are. Sometimes his voice just wavers in a register it really shouldn't waver in for a bit too long. His vibratto is also a bit jarring. But other than that, he's impressive and immensely talented. He's an integral part of DT's sound and they would sound very weird without his signature voice, however.

Agreed.  I also think that Labrie is essential to the band in that he is the most stylistically unique member; the other guys are incredible musicians but none of them individually really have that signature distinctive sound a la Howe, Hackett, Banks, Squire, etc.  Labrie does, and I think that's part of what makes the band stand out so much.

Ambient Hurricanes wrote: Junges wrote: AlexDOM wrote: I agree Score does sound better, need to release that one on blu ray though. Although I still feel this is Labrie's best performance on any live release. When he sang Surrounded, WOW!!! I was transported back to Images and Words. The performance on that song was unbelievable. Best performance? It is by far his worse. He cannot sing even close to what he used to. In that video, he actually sounds a lot better on Live at Luna Park than he does on Chaos in Motion. Labrie obviously doesn't have near the voice he had in the early years; age and illness have done away with that for good.  He does the best he can with what he has left, which to be honest is pretty good.  I think he's refined his technique a bit over the years to the point where he can make up (to an extent) for what he's lost in his voice.  I would agree with Austin that he's probably the weakest aspect of their live shows (from what I can tell from footage, having never seen them live in person) but I wouldn't call him weak on their studio albums.  He certainly stands out, for better or for worse.

Horizons wrote: Alrighty, i apologize for my interesting posts. I was in quite the mood last night. And i do not antagonize.. too much :[[[[ I was genuine about my disliking of LaBrie. I feel like he would be better in a Crossover-like band. I don't think his range really holds up with much power that i feel a typical Prog Metal band looks for. Whenever he does his "aggressive" tones, or whatever you call it - it comes off very plastic to me. I have to say though, over time i feel like as a vocalist he has improved because i think he has realized what restrain is, so he isn't trying to go all above the clouds and whatnot.  I understand the whole "One mans trash is another man's treasure" parallel here, because my favorite vocalist gets both high praise and bashes too - Cedric Bixler Zavala of TMV fame.  Pertaining to most signature member that Hurricanes brought up, i'd have to say either Rudess or Myung. Though Myung can barely count because of he glorious mixing job he is subjected to.  Also: the whole "You try to sing like LaBrie is a silly argument, but i don't think that was much of a serious point".

Ah no worries mate. It's just as you said. Once man's trash is another's treasure. It's very true in the world of music, especially in the world of Prog. Also, I was wondering about that since I remember your love for The Mars Volta andno question Zavala would suffer the same hardship as the LaBrie does where by they are both extream aquired tastes for listening and it seems very often in my experience its either a LOVE or HATE with our 2 vocalists mentioned here...there is never any in between. Ever.

AlexDOM wrote: Wow, I seem to think his vocals are absolutely stellar on their latest record. Oh yeah and I saw Horizons mention Cedric, his vocals are tripped up. His vocals in Eriatarka are nuts!!! Oh and I have a LG soundbar with wireless Sub. Love that thing especially when blaring Dream freaking Theater!

I regret not buying wireless speakers and sub. I've got cords running every which way in my living room, but I've got them tucked away neatly as possible. Anyway. LG make some pretty neat sh*t. Sounds dream freaking worthy!!!

progbethyname wrote: Horizons wrote: Alrighty, i apologize for my interesting posts. I was in quite the mood last night. And i do not antagonize.. too much :[[[[ I was genuine about my disliking of LaBrie. I feel like he would be better in a Crossover-like band. I don't think his range really holds up with much power that i feel a typical Prog Metal band looks for. Whenever he does his "aggressive" tones, or whatever you call it - it comes off very plastic to me. I have to say though, over time i feel like as a vocalist he has improved because i think he has realized what restrain is, so he isn't trying to go all above the clouds and whatnot.  I understand the whole "One mans trash is another man's treasure" parallel here, because my favorite vocalist gets both high praise and bashes too - Cedric Bixler Zavala of TMV fame.  Pertaining to most signature member that Hurricanes brought up, i'd have to say either Rudess or Myung. Though Myung can barely count because of he glorious mixing job he is subjected to.  Also: the whole "You try to sing like LaBrie is a silly argument, but i don't think that was much of a serious point". Ah no worries mate. It's just as you said. Once man's trash is another's treasure. It's very true in the world of music, especially in the world of Prog. Also, I was wondering about that since I remember your love for The Mars Volta andno question Zavala would suffer the same hardship as the LaBrie does where by they are both extream aquired tastes for listening and it seems very often in my experience its either a LOVE or HATE with our 2 vocalists mentioned here...there is never any in between. Ever.

I understand where you are coming from with The Mars Volta... but somehow Zavala annoys me much less than LaBrie. I guess he is just more unique, has more personality. LaBrie just sings high notes in a very annoying way... though, acutally, when he is singing softly I really enjoy his delivery a lot, but as soon as he starts singing loudly he loses me, I just can't stand him. Still, I like DT much more than The Mars Volta.

Dellinger wrote: progbethyname wrote: Horizons wrote: Alrighty, i apologize for my interesting posts. I was in quite the mood last night. And i do not antagonize.. too much :[[[[ I was genuine about my disliking of LaBrie. I feel like he would be better in a Crossover-like band. I don't think his range really holds up with much power that i feel a typical Prog Metal band looks for. Whenever he does his "aggressive" tones, or whatever you call it - it comes off very plastic to me. I have to say though, over time i feel like as a vocalist he has improved because i think he has realized what restrain is, so he isn't trying to go all above the clouds and whatnot.  I understand the whole "One mans trash is another man's treasure" parallel here, because my favorite vocalist gets both high praise and bashes too - Cedric Bixler Zavala of TMV fame.  Pertaining to most signature member that Hurricanes brought up, i'd have to say either Rudess or Myung. Though Myung can barely count because of he glorious mixing job he is subjected to.  Also: the whole "You try to sing like LaBrie is a silly argument, but i don't think that was much of a serious point". Ah no worries mate. It's just as you said. Once man's trash is another's treasure. It's very true in the world of music, especially in the world of Prog. Also, I was wondering about that since I remember your love for The Mars Volta andno question Zavala would suffer the same hardship as the LaBrie does where by they are both extream aquired tastes for listening and it seems very often in my experience its either a LOVE or HATE with our 2 vocalists mentioned here...there is never any in between. Ever. I understand where you are coming from with The Mars Volta... but somehow Zavala annoys me much less than LaBrie. I guess he is just more unique, has more personality. LaBrie just sings high notes in a very annoying way... though, acutally, when he is singing softly I really enjoy his delivery a lot, but as soon as he starts singing loudly he loses me, I just can't stand him. Still, I like DT much more than The Mars Volta.

So I take it a song like Caught in A Web or Dark Eternal Night would send you through the roof.

verslibre wrote: Why does James' voice sound so weird on Chaos In Motion? It doesn't even sound like him. He sounds like somebody trying to sound like him, and failing.

Bad stage techs and sh*tty Mics. Also, LaBrie really wasn't at his best for a while after Octavarium, vocally. Trying a more harsh, dark tone at times in songs really didn't work very well. I think systematic Chaos and Black Clouds are by far, his 2 worst albums vocally. Actually, to be fully honest I am delighted to have that 3 disc deluxe version of Black Clouds&Silver Linings because disc 3 was an instrumental album version and its so much better than with LaBrie on it.
For instance. Wither is a great piece of music, but with vocals it's definitely not as enjoyable....at least for me.

I am so glad LaBrie is mainly sticking to what he is good at and that is being more melodic with less angry vocals. Just doesn't work for him.