Who do you think is a more technically skilled vocalist? (objectively)

[obscure]

I've always been amazed by and respected BD's energy on the stage... and capabilities... but I can't compare his rolling, jumping, singing to JLB's one look.....
objective?

of course not....
it's love 

[scoutmasterdave]

JLB is clearly the more highly trained, more technically proficient singer, especially pre-injury.  He struggles when he gets sloppy with his technique, and that certainly happens on occasion.  I think BD is more consistent and is CLEARLY the better frontman, but his particular vibrato always bugged me for some reason and he has a tendency to go sharp (above the pitch).  I'm a classically trained singer myself, and as such I tend to be pretty critical of vocalists, but JLB and BD are both pretty damned awesome.

[InertSolo]

From a technical perspective, LaBrie obviously has more traditional training than Bruce so there's no contest there but when it comes down to performance there's no topping Bruce in a live setting. He bring so much more to the stage presence and overall show than LaBrie ever has.

[PS Head]

James Labrie by a country mile.......especially after his contribution on ADTOE which he sounds bloody awesome on.

[obscure]

I just wanted to point out again... how much I like James.... his voice.... his stage presence... his manners.... everything....


"Without music, life would be a mistake." -Friedrich Nietzsche. "......
.... and without James, music would be a mistake....



actually this is going to the sig....

[H IS GOD]

This is a ridiculous question, and the results are even more ridiculous. Bruce is a better composer, his lyrics are better, he sings better, performs better... I understand that this is DT forum, but c'mon, be reasonable.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

H IS GOD OLOL

This is a ridiculous question, and the results are even more ridiculous. Bruce is a better composer, his lyrics are better, he sings better, performs better... I understand that this is DT forum, but c'mon, be reasonable.

People happen to have opinions, you know. You're naturally going to find JLB fans here because, as you may have noticed, this is a Dream Theater forum. I happen to like JLB's timbre more (in the prime days), and technically he was very very impressive (Not to say Bruce wasn't, when you have two enormous talents like JLB and Bruce, you just have to pick your favorite). If we're talking about stage presence and being a frontman, Bruce takes the entire cake for himself (Among most metal vocalists, for that matter).

[H IS GOD]

I like James LaBrie's vocals before his food-poisoning incident in 1994 (he was better at that period than Bruce at that period, vocally at least), but after that, well, not much. But the question is "Who is more technically skilled?" not "Who do you like better?"

[Mosh]

Exactly. Bruce is technically better.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Yup, I get that.  What I implied at the end of my post, is that in their prime both vocalists were beasts with their highs and lows, so in some point it becomes a matter of taste.


Just adding in that back then, Bruce had some really awful nights haha
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm2_cpljz2M

[Mosh]

And James had some really awful nights too.

And I agree, which is why I think that the poll should've been, who do you like better? Which is just as stupid since we all know who everyone is going to vote for.

[obscure]

Have I mentioned that James is technically better?? ??

just wanted to make sure.....

[Ravenheart]

Meh, I still think this is kind of a bad question.

I can only take Bruce in small doses. James may not be able to wail like he used to, but he adapted to the change, and his "lower" register works well with the music from the food poisoning incident and onward.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

And James had some really awful nights too.

And I agree, which is why I think that the poll should've been, who do you like better? Which is just as stupid since we all know who everyone is going to vote for.

I'd  like to differ with that JLB thing. Before the accident, he was a monster live. The raw power and intensity of his voice was just stupid. His live problems began after rupturing his vocal chords, so that's one plus for JLB. Bruce Dickinson (as far as I'm informed) never had vocal health issues, so there you go.

I'm not trying to defend JLB or imply that "HES THE BETTER VOCALIST LOL", just defending my points. Hell, I didn't even vote. 

[Mosh]

Around 1986 Bruce had a throat operation. You can tell on SIT boots that it affected his voice. I'd take 1996+ Bruce over every era of LaBrie to be honest. That's not to say that he isn't a good singer though.

[YtseJam]

Am I the only one that doesn't buy the food poisoning story?

Anyway - Labrie - is technically better in terms of range and when he's on he's awesome. So to answer the question correctly -Labrie

Dickinson - Easier to listen to live even if he's sucking b/c Labrie tends to lose it in the upper range

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Around 1986 Bruce had a throat operation. You can tell on SIT boots that it affected his voice. I'd take 1996+ Bruce over every era of LaBrie to be honest. That's not to say that he isn't a good singer though.

Alright. That's good to know.

[Gadough]

This is really difficult. If we're comparing I&W-Awake Labrie with "Golden Era" Dickinson, I don't think I can choose.

[Tomislav95]

I like James too much, I can't vote against him
JLB was best singer in the world in I&W-Awake era

[Kosmo]

I guess Bruce.

[obscure]

won't anybody say JLB is best them?

[Jaffa]

won't anybody say JLB is best them?

...75% of the votes have gone to JLB...

[Slain]

Key words here are "In his prime"

Easily JLB, but Bruce is still great though.