James deserves more credit.

[BlobVanDam]

Does he tire out quickly on tour? I was under the impression that he gets better as the tour progresses.

He definitely improves at the start of the tour as he gets more practiced. Sometimes by the end of a tour it can take its toll, but he's fairly consistent these days.

[reneranucci]

As a studio singer? Yes, he's great.

As a live performer/frontman? hmm... I've had better.

[El JoNNo]

As a studio singer? Yes, he's great.

As a live performer/frontman? hmm... I've had better.

Oh Jesus, I thought that was coming from Nicki Spansomeletters for a moment 

[ZirconBlue]

Bowie and Lennon had very limited technique, so they developed their style to work around these problems, which made them sound good in the end.

I always thought Bowie had very limited technique, until I heard "Nature Boy" (from the Moulin Rouge Soundtrack).  Impressive range that I hadn't ever heard from him elsewhere.

[Cyclopssss]

Not even on Wild is the wind? or word on a wing?

[genome]

I give him great credit. I mean, not only does he front the biggest progressive metal on Earth, but he even finds the time to run a B&B back in Canada.

He's had problems with scaring the guests, though. I understand when they check in, he stares at them and shouts "HEED MY WORDS, BREAKFAST WILL BE SERVED"

[Enalya]

I give him great credit. I mean, not only does he front the biggest progressive metal on Earth, but he even finds the time to run a B&B back in Canada.

He's had problems with scaring the guests, though. I understand when they check in, he stares at them and shouts "HEED MY WORDS, BREAKFAST WILL BE SERVED"

LOL seriously? 
If so, I'd love to visit.

[Cyclopssss]

'So, how about some fried eggs and Franks, eh?' Especially Special!! 

[robin5749]

he is simply amazing on the astonishing my 11 year old likes him that's not easy but with songs like chosen, and off his great solo effort back on the ground, our car journeys are more varied at least I get the kids into it

[Architeuthis]

I give him great credit. I mean, not only does he front the biggest progressive metal on Earth, but he even finds the time to run a B&B back in Canada.

He's had problems with scaring the guests, though. I understand when they check in, he stares at them and shouts "HEED MY WORDS, BREAKFAST WILL BE SERVED"

That's a place where you quietly lay and wait for sleep, and the alarm goes off at 6'o'clock!

[Mladen]

What the hell? How did this happen? 

[PetFish]

I wouldn't say James deserves more credit but he definitely deserves less blame.

The guy hits one wrong note and gets jumped on for it.  People who slag him for mistakes seem to forget that the human voice is affected by pretty much everything... age, cankers, temperature, humidity, smoke, altitude, health, etc whereas physical instruments will sound the same no matter what and it takes an actual injury to the player to mess that up.  Look at Petrucci:  he had a cold during SCORE and I've read other times when he's been too sick to do much other than go right to bed after a show to rest but during the show you'd never even notice.

I think it's cuz everyone has a voice but not everyone plays an instrument.  What I mean is that, as a guitar player, I can hear when Petrucci or Satch or Blahblah mess up, but a non-guitar player (certainly a non-musician) might not be able to unless it's huge flub.  People can relate to vocals and therefore can more easily pick out any mistakes.  It's also why I think shows like The Voice are so popular, cuz everyone can relate to them, but similarly-based instrumental shows would fail except for people who can.  I'm not a drummer but I always read about the drummers here pointing out little flubs MP and MM do, things I could never pick out unless someone told me.

So, yeah, not more credit, but way less bashing.

[rumborak]

I am watching a YT video of a show in Hannover right now, and the vocal performance is very similar to the Boston one. Good to excellent in the mid-to-low register, struggling throughout the high register.