James' vocals in the last chorus of Beneath the Surface

[senecadawg2]

I think it's perfectly fine...

[SeRoX]

I still don't know what the people are talking about.

It sounds perfectly right to me.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

I have to agree.....the start of that high tone sound's always wrong to me! 

[TheGreatPretender]

If anything, I'd say Bridges In The Sky sounds wrong, the second time he says, "Shaman take my hand" the hand part, the way it drops is the most anti-climactic ending of a song ever.

[goo-goo]

I think the ballads are the highlights of this album. The vocal melodies are a bit more refreshing compared to the traditional DT songs.

I can see what most of you guys are talking about (about jlb sounding a bit off). I think it's part of the song. Loved the emotion on this song in particular. Love how music is subjective: some people love this song, and others don't. Very interesting points of views shown in this thread. And even I can seem to agree on some.

[Eldomm]

I still think he sounds phenomenal. I didnt notice it being "off pitch" or anything...

This.

[Ħ]

If anything, I'd say Bridges In The Sky sounds wrong, the second time he says, "Shaman take my hand" the hand part, the way it drops is the most anti-climactic ending of a song ever.

Definitely agree with you on this one. I thought that the first time I heard the song, and I think it now.

[TheSilentHam]

If anything, I'd say Bridges In The Sky sounds wrong, the second time he says, "Shaman take my hand" the hand part, the way it drops is the most anti-climactic ending of a song ever.

Definitely agree with you on this one. I thought that the first time I heard the song, and I think it now.

Except that what you are describing isn't actually the ending.  The actual ending is instrumental and does build to a climax, which IMHO is a good one.

[Ħ]

Still sucks.

[chrisbDTM]

someone's being a little dramatic over 1 note

[Implode]

I kind of agree with Ħ. It's just not enough to ruin the song for me because I understand why they did it.

[MirzekDT]

If anything, I'd say Bridges In The Sky sounds wrong, the second time he says, "Shaman take my hand" the hand part, the way it drops is the most anti-climactic ending of a song ever.

Definitely agree with you on this one. I thought that the first time I heard the song, and I think it now.

Interesting it's one of my favorite parts of the song that last note is awesome ending especially because of the music that follows it and that note is perfect for that transition into that final part of the song. I seriously don't get what is anti-climatic about it but okay, whatever...

[Adami]

I have 0 problem with either vocal not being discussed here.


However, when he says "take me HIGHER" in Bridges, then it sounds off key to me.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

If anything, I'd say Bridges In The Sky sounds wrong, the second time he says, "Shaman take my hand" the hand part, the way it drops is the most anti-climactic ending of a song ever.

Definitely agree with you on this one. I thought that the first time I heard the song, and I think it now.

Interesting it's one of my favorite parts of the song that last note is awesome ending especially because of the music that follows it and that note is perfect for that transition into that final part of the song. I seriously don't get what is anti-climatic about it but okay, whatever...

Yeah, that note fits the harmonies perfectly!

[wolfking]

Do they sound... off pitch to anyone? I'm talking about the part where he sings the whole chorus an octave or so higher... When I first heard it, I was kinda blown back a bit because I thought he sounded off. Then I got used to it. Only now, I'm not really sure what to make of them. I feel like they sound a little bit off, but it also sounds like it might be intentional. I mean, when he's singing he sounds like his throat is kinda tight, as if he just got done a cry session or something.

These are just the scattered observations of someone who knows nothing about singing. Hoping others more informed than I will chime in.

I hate this section.  IMO James sounds terrible.

[Priest of Syrinx]

Wow, this is still being discussed? 

I guess James felt he had to scream just to be heard.

[wolfking]

If anything, I'd say Bridges In The Sky sounds wrong, the second time he says, "Shaman take my hand" the hand part, the way it drops is the most anti-climactic ending of a song ever.

Definitely agree with you on this one. I thought that the first time I heard the song, and I think it now.

I thought this too.  I always wondered why he went up in the first chorus but down on the last, just leaves you deflated.

[FlyingBIZKIT]

I think it's perfectly fine...

[Ħ]

If anything, I'd say Bridges In The Sky sounds wrong, the second time he says, "Shaman take my hand" the hand part, the way it drops is the most anti-climactic ending of a song ever.

Definitely agree with you on this one. I thought that the first time I heard the song, and I think it now.

I thought this too.  I always wondered why he went up in the first chorus but down on the last, just leaves you deflated.

Yeah, you would think it would be the opposite.

[wolfking]

If anything, I'd say Bridges In The Sky sounds wrong, the second time he says, "Shaman take my hand" the hand part, the way it drops is the most anti-climactic ending of a song ever.

Definitely agree with you on this one. I thought that the first time I heard the song, and I think it now.

I thought this too.  I always wondered why he went up in the first chorus but down on the last, just leaves you deflated.

Yeah, you would think it would be the opposite.

Yep.  This first time I heard the first chorus, I though "wow that was cool"  then when the second climax of the chorus, I though "holy shit, James is gonna go even higher, this is gonna be great" then.......

[Implode]

Wow, this is still being discussed? 

I guess James felt he had to scream just to be heard.

[KevShmev]

If anything, I'd say Bridges In The Sky sounds wrong, the second time he says, "Shaman take my hand" the hand part, the way it drops is the most anti-climactic ending of a song ever.

I cannot disagree more.  The first time, it perfectly leads into the instrumental section, and the second time, it has that kind of wistful tone, which is perfect for the ending.  It's almost like the middle of the song IS the climax of the story, and then the ending is like the aftermath, and that final line is a wistful recollection or something. That is how I see it. 

[BlobVanDam]

To me it doesn't feel like BITS is intended to have a typical climactic ending, so I think the ending succeeds perfectly at what DT set out to do with it. It feels a bit inconclusive and uneasy, and somewhat cyclical with the reuse of the intro sample to finish it off, and I think that fits the nature of the song well.

[bosk1]

If anything, I'd say Bridges In The Sky sounds wrong, the second time he says, "Shaman take my hand" the hand part, the way it drops is the most anti-climactic ending of a song ever.

I cannot disagree more.  The first time, it perfectly leads into the instrumental section, and the second time, it has that kind of wistful tone, which is perfect for the ending.  It's almost like the middle of the song IS the climax of the story, and then the ending is like the aftermath, and that final line is a wistful recollection or something. That is how I see it. 

I think you're right.  But it still just feels odd simply because the typical approach for a repeated chorus for the last time through to either duplicate the earlier one(s) or take it up a notch, whereas this one goes in reverse.  You're right that, technically, the way they did it more closely matches what is going on lyrically, but it still feels a bit strange.

[TheSilentHam]

OK, you all turned me around on this one.   The nerve of those guys doing something odd in a piece of progressive music!  Those jerks.

[Scorpion]

[PetFish]

... I couldn't care less ...

  for using this cliché correctly.

[SnakeEyes]

I made a thread about this very topic a while back.  Yes, you're right - the vocals are, 100%, out of tune in the last verse.  Not the whole thing, but specifically the first note ("be-GAAAANNNN") he sings in the higher octave and a few other notes that aren't as badly out of tune as the first one.  But, yes, that first one is just awful.  Beneath the Surface is probably my favorite song on the album and I want to cry every time that part comes up because the song is so good and that one out of tune note destroys the whole impact.  I don't know how the hell they missed that one. 

[Ħ]

Is it, in fact, out of tune? I think it's actually autotuned and that's why it sounds...unnatural.

[TheGreatPretender]

Yeah, I really doubt it's out of tune. I mean, I think that he's singing exactly what the band wanted. It still sounds right.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

I made a thread about this very topic a while back.  Yes, you're right - the vocals are, 100%, out of tune in the last verse.  Not the whole thing, but specifically the first note ("be-GAAAANNNN") he sings in the higher octave and a few other notes that aren't as badly out of tune as the first one.  But, yes, that first one is just awful.  Beneath the Surface is probably my favorite song on the album and I want to cry every time that part comes up because the song is so good and that one out of tune note destroys the whole impact.  I don't know how the hell they missed that one.

This

[Priest of Syrinx]

FFS, people, stop being so damned linear, just stop it.......

[theseoafs]

Is it, in fact, out of tune? I think it's actually autotuned and that's why it sounds...unnatural.

No, it's not out of tune. In fact, it is autotuned, so if anything it's too in tune.

[SnakeEyes]

I love you guys, I really do..... and I want to say this kindly.....

IT'S OUT OF TUNE

Let's stop debating the issue.  James' intonation is off, primarily on that one note.  Don't give me the, "it's auto tuned, so it sounds out of tune because of that" argument.  It's out of tune because he SANG it out of tune.  I'm not even criticizing LaBrie for it.... he's human, people make mistakes.  What I don't understand is why they didn't fix it....

[theseoafs]

IT'S OUT OF TUNE

It's not.

What I don't understand is why they didn't fix it....

They did; it's pretty heavily autotuned.