James LaBrie Solo

[DarkyDan]

Hi guys, new to the boards (found this forum searching for reviews of IR)

I've listened to it a few times, and quite enjoyed it.

First impression was that it wasn't as "deathy" as Static Impulse (which I thoroughly enjoyed).  The production and synth stylings sounded pretty old school and interesting.  Definitely a lot more of a pop influence on this one.

I thought the lyrics to "Back on the ground" were corny when I first heard it but they are also quite clever when you think about it, I've definitely warmed to the song and lyrics.  I also felt that "magic wand" lyric in one of the other songs was a bit cheesy... but I have to overlook any cheese because of how catchy and memorable those lines are in hindsight!

I think the songs sound more layered than SI, which I thought was a lot more guitar biased and punchy (I'm a guitarist so I was drawn to that) 

I would say that I directly compared it to SI initially and was underwhelmed but I haven't stopped listening to it at all so it must be good! 

Currently I'd rate it below SI but above EOP. 

[YtseJamittaja]

Great post Dan!! 
and



By the way, I just ordered the clear vinyl!!  Does anybody know how many they have made these?

The site where I ordered says 200 but I can't believe it's so rare.

[JRuless]

Great post Dan!! 
and



By the way, I just ordered the clear vinyl!!  Does anybody know how many they have made these?

The site where I ordered says 200 but I can't believe it's so rare.

If i'm right I will receive my clear vinyl today! I will check if it is numbered...

[JRuless]

it isn't numbered, so I can't verify if the clear vinyl edition is as rare as told....

[Elite]

Just got this one in the mail today. Will listen tonight.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Stupid America......

[Elite]

It's not out yet in NA?

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Nope. Released August 6th, I believe.

[Mebert78]

I'm in North America and I'm trying not to listen online.  I've heard the two tracks released by the label, and I've allowed myself to hear "Holding On."  That tune kills!  I can't stop listening.  The rest of the album I'm waiting until it arrives.

[?]

I live in Finland and I won't get the album until August 9

[BlobVanDam]

August 2nd here in Australia (at least, that's when the one physical store that stocks good music says they'll have it in).

[Perpetual Change]

So after 2-3 listens, I like the album, though it feels really short. Also, while the music and melodies and vocals are all great, there's just a couple lyrical passages which totally take me out of the element.

[OsMosis2259]

Just noticed the similar ending for Agony and I Will Not Break. I wonder if it was intentional ha!

[TioJorge]

That's what the '..yeeeahhh..' in Agony is for, to differentiate! 

[wolven74]

I've been trying to find the album on iTunes, but apparently it's not available through them? WTF? I was interested in keeping my collection going, but from what I've heard of the two songs released early, and the fact that it's unavailable through my main source of music, I guess I'm fucked. So... 

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

iTunes.... how I detest it.

[drew512]

I've been trying to find the album on iTunes, but apparently it's not available through them? WTF? I was interested in keeping my collection going, but from what I've heard of the two songs released early, and the fact that it's unavailable through my main source of music, I guess I'm fucked. So... 

The album releases in the US on August 6th (next week), so the US iTunes store wouldn't have it up yet. The folks who have it already are probably outside the US. I'd expect it to be available on iTunes next Tuesday.

[wolven74]

I've been trying to find the album on iTunes, but apparently it's not available through them? WTF? I was interested in keeping my collection going, but from what I've heard of the two songs released early, and the fact that it's unavailable through my main source of music, I guess I'm fucked. So... 

The album releases in the US on August 6th (next week), so the US iTunes store wouldn't have it up yet. The folks who have it already are probably outside the US. I'd expect it to be available on iTunes next Tuesday.

Yeah I just saw the release date for the states on Amazon. 

[OsMosis2259]

I'm in the US and it's on Spotify if you just wanna stream it for now.

[Rhayader]

Very shitty album to say the least.

[cyberdrummer]

Very shitty album to say the least.

Pourquoi?

[Scorpion]

While I wouldn't put it quite as harshly as Rhayader, I have to say that I'm underwhelmed as well. This was my first exposure what JLB and Matt do together and it just didn't capture my interest enough. I enjoyed each track seperately, but taken as an album, it did become a little samey. Agony and Undertow are killer though.

That said, I might come back to this to see if my opinion changes, because, on paper, I feel that I should like this a lot more than I do.

[Syzzle]

Very shitty album to say the least.

What great constructive criticism

[bosk1]

Very shitty album to say the least.

I strongly suggest you read the forum rules.  All opinions are welcome, but criticism should be constructive and not outright bashing.

[?]

Very shitty album to say the least.

What great constructive criticism

Especially considering that two of the musicians appearing on the album have posted in this thread and may see that...

[Rhayader]

Very shitty album to say the least.

Pourquoi?

Nothing interesting at all. The growl vocals are horrible, they ruin the songs even more. It seems like they downloaded a "Metal Album Generator" and made an album. 3-5 minutes songs with the SAME formula, refrain, refrain, refrain and a guitar solo. If people enjoy it, fine.. I don't. And don't get me wrong.. it is fine if you want to follow the same formula over and over again if you actually write good songs, which is not the case here and in his previous album. It seems to me it was recorded just for the sake of being recorded.

[Perpetual Change]

Very shitty album to say the least.

Pourquoi?

Nothing interesting at all. The growl vocals are horrible, they ruin the songs even more. It seems like they downloaded a "Metal Album Generator" and made an album. 3-5 minutes songs with the SAME formula, refrain, refrain, refrain and a guitar solo. If people enjoy it, fine.. I don't. And don't get me wrong.. it is fine if you want to follow the same formula over and over again if you actually write good songs, which is not the case here and in his previous album. It seems to me it was recorded just for the sake of being recorded.

Puh-lease. What other albums out now sound like this?

[ZirconBlue]

Don't feed the trolls.

[Dark Castle]

Very shitty album to say the least.

Pourquoi?

Nothing interesting at all. The growl vocals are horrible, they ruin the songs even more. It seems like they downloaded a "Metal Album Generator" and made an album. 3-5 minutes songs with the SAME formula, refrain, refrain, refrain and a guitar solo. If people enjoy it, fine.. I don't. And don't get me wrong.. it is fine if you want to follow the same formula over and over again if you actually write good songs, which is not the case here and in his previous album. It seems to me it was recorded just for the sake of being recorded.

Puh-lease. What other albums out now sound like this?

I like the album, but it sounds like Soilwork, which isn't a bad thing in my book 

[Rhayader]

Don't feed the trolls.

Not trolling.. I am actually being sincere, but maybe I shouldn't have posted any opinion since everyone seems to like anything DT-related and the one who criticizes gets attacked.

[bosk1]

Don't feed the trolls.

Not trolling.. I am actually being sincere, but maybe I shouldn't have posted any opinion since everyone seems to like anything DT-related and the one who criticizes gets attacked.

Rhayader, that is simply not true.  You can criticize anything DT-related, provided it is done constructively.  Literally thousands of users on this site do criticize things related to DT without any problem.  Again, it is all in how you say it.  I gave you a friendly informal warning earlier in the thread, but yet you continue to simply bash the album rather than constructively voice your criticisms.  So consider this a formal warning.  If you have questions about how you should be posting, read the forum rules, and then PM either me or a mod.  But if you continue posting the way you have, you will not be allowed to continue posting here.

[ariich]

Don't feed the trolls.

Not trolling.. I am actually being sincere, but maybe I shouldn't have posted any opinion since everyone seems to like anything DT-related and the one who criticizes gets attacked.

Er, no, there is plenty of criticism here, but outright bashing is disrespectful and childish.

Bosk already warned you, so I strongly recommend you take a more constructive and respectful approach to your criticisms or you'll find yourself banned.

EDIT: ninja'd by teh bosk.

[Rhayader]

For what reason did I receive warning if I justified why I didn't like the album? Or is it against the rules not to like/criticize an album?

[Rhayader]

Don't feed the trolls.

Not trolling.. I am actually being sincere, but maybe I shouldn't have posted any opinion since everyone seems to like anything DT-related and the one who criticizes gets attacked.

Rhayader, that is simply not true.  You can criticize anything DT-related, provided it is done constructively.  Literally thousands of users on this site do criticize things related to DT without any problem.  Again, it is all in how you say it.  I gave you a friendly informal warning earlier in the thread, but yet you continue to simply bash the album rather than constructively voice your criticisms.  So consider this a formal warning.  If you have questions about how you should be posting, read the forum rules, and then PM either me or a mod.  But if you continue posting the way you have, you will not be allowed to continue posting here.

Nothing interesting at all. The growl vocals are horrible, they ruin the songs even more. It seems like they downloaded a "Metal Album Generator" and made an album. 3-5 minutes songs with the SAME formula, refrain, refrain, refrain and a guitar solo. If people enjoy it, fine.. I don't. And don't get me wrong.. it is fine if you want to follow the same formula over and over again if you actually write good songs, which is not the case here and in his previous album. It seems to me it was recorded just for the sake of being recorded.

I thought you read what I wrote above...

[bosk1]

Rhayader, that is simply not true.  You can criticize anything DT-related, provided it is done constructively.  Literally thousands of users on this site do criticize things related to DT without any problem.  Again, it is all in how you say it.  I gave you a friendly informal warning earlier in the thread, but yet you continue to simply bash the album rather than constructively voice your criticisms.  So consider this a formal warning.  If you have questions about how you should be posting, read the forum rules, and then PM either me or a mod.  But if you continue posting the way you have, you will not be allowed to continue posting here.