James LaBrie Solo

[adastra]

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?

Very shitty album to say the least.

So if I understand correctly Do i get warning if i say "Very good album to say the least:" ?
There's nothing constructive in that.
Same thing, different opinion. 

[aprilethereal]

I think you can figure out the difference between "shitty" and "good" (besides the different meaning) for yourself.

[?]

We were talking about constructive criticism vs bashing, positive comments are a different thing.

[Elite]

Well, I'm a bit in love with this album here. I must be careful not to overplay it, I guess.

[JayOctavarium]

SI inties were not so specific on writing so my brain just filled it in as the same writing dynamics as EoP/earlier, so this definitely cleared stuff up in my mind! I gotta say three things:

1) File under *not genre snobism/preference for distorted guitars in my music*: there's like 89385729 lessons for modern pop composers to be learned from the pop you guys do.

2) You're absolutely better at writing with James' voice in mind that anyone who's ever done that. Highlighting everything awesome about it in 3-4 minutes, then repeating it during each song on the album while ample space is left for other important stuff is not an easy balance to achieve.

3) Aaaaaaare you by chance going to sing on your solo album you've been mentioning? I recently introduced my ex-boyfriend to JLB-the-band (as in, a couple of weeks ago, after a few years of "you're totally gonna love this why aren't you checking it out already"), he's paid special attention to EoP and SI and recently he's asked me about "who sings the Jeckyl & Hyde demo" and then we both concluded the world needs to hear you sing lead in a more "officially official" capacity

Re 1: You're way too kind. Definitely the other way around! There is so much to be learned about modern pop songwriting and production. I will always be a student of it. I could go on and on for days talking about it because it's really where my heart is, but I'll spare you all. I will say this though... from my own personal experience, it's *WAY* more challenging for me to sit down and write something that's catchy/simplistic/memorable than anything that I would consider "progressive" or "technical." OMG it's crazy difficult! But that's why it's so appealing to me. (I'm only speaking for myself.)

Re 2: That's very nice of you to say, but I think there are some very good and capable writers in DT When I'm writing a song, I absolutely *have* to be able to sing it. If I'm not feeling it and it's not working for me first, then it's more than likely not going to work for James either.
Re 3: That's the plan. Hmmm maybe I'll get James to do backgrounds? LOL j/k!
Cheers,
Matt

I can't wait to hear it

[cramx3]

So I gave the album a few listens yesterday as I did work around my new house and I very much enjoyed the album. I knew it would sound poppy from what I read but it was a bit more than I really anticipated. Not a complaint but just took a listen or two to digest and then I was totally hooked. Really enjoyed it. Since I listened while doing stuff, I don't really know which songs were which but over a few more listens I'll probably be able to start fighting out what songs I really like.

[Ben_Jamin]

I don't mind when bands do simple pop structures and keys,  because you know its gonna be better than most pop songs. 

[YtseCullen]

I can't stop listening to this album! Every time I listen to music all I want to do is listen to this album. So catchy, melodic, and great musicianship! Love it!

[Matt]

You're an inspiration, Matt. Now that I remember, I saw some youtube videos of you singing some Static Impulse songs...that was amazing. Any plans for you releasing some more of these treats to your fans? It's great to hear you singing your stuff, your voice is great. I'd love to hear you going lead for once 

Thank you! Perhaps after Impermanent Resonance has been out for a bit, I could throw some demos up on my YouTube channel.

Cheers,
Matt

[TheGreatPretender]

Hey, Matt.
I was wondering how you felt about potentially releasing some instrumental mixes or even just instrumental demos. I'd love to use your music for vocal training and such. And I know Dream Theater has been releasing Instrumental Mixes for the past couple of albums, and I thought it was a great thing to do on their part. So I was wondering if there were any chances of that happening with Static Impulse or Impermanent Resonance, through Digital Distribution or even just on Youtube?
Thanks!

[YtseJamittaja]

Perhaps after Impermanent Resonance has been out for a bit, I could throw some demos up on my YouTube channel.

Cheers,
Matt

[JayOctavarium]

Perhaps after Impermanent Resonance has been out for a bit, I could throw some demos up on my YouTube channel.

Cheers,
Matt

So this. I finally sat and listened to the J&H demo...

and then again, and again... Love it

[Matt]

Hey, Matt.
I was wondering how you felt about potentially releasing some instrumental mixes or even just instrumental demos. I'd love to use your music for vocal training and such. And I know Dream Theater has been releasing Instrumental Mixes for the past couple of albums, and I thought it was a great thing to do on their part. So I was wondering if there were any chances of that happening with Static Impulse or Impermanent Resonance, through Digital Distribution or even just on Youtube?
Thanks!

I don't have any instrumental demos readily available. Most of the stuff was written on an older computer of mine that I have since "retired." It's quite possible that the label might do something like that though. I know they were planning on releasing some remixes of some of the SI songs and they needed the mix stems to do it.

Cheers,
Matt

[TheGreatPretender]

I don't have any instrumental demos readily available. Most of the stuff was written on an older computer of mine that I have since "retired." It's quite possible that the label might do something like that though. I know they were planning on releasing some remixes of some of the SI songs and they needed the mix stems to do it.

Cheers,
Matt

That's good to know. I'll remain hopeful. Thanks!

[Mebert78]

I'm so addicted to "Holding On," it's ridiculous.  I think I'm obsessed.  This song is like a drug.  For me, it's easily the best JLB solo song of all time.  This album can't arrive soon enough.   I've been listening to "Holding On" and a few others online, but am depriving myself of the rest.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

I've only heard the two singles so far. Really looking forward to hearing the rest.

[TioJorge]

I'm so addicted to "Holding On," it's ridiculous.  I think I'm obsessed.  This song is like a drug.  For me, it's easily the best JLB solo song of all time.  This album can't arrive soon enough.   I've been listening to "Holding On" and a few others online, but am depriving myself of the rest.

Ditto! 

[nikatapi]

Really enjoying the album, so many catchy and powerful songs, my favorites are: I Got You, Lost In The Fire, Say You're Still Mine(incredible song).

Matt, i have to say that i think your keyboards sound much better (and more involved) giving a great vibe to the songs. I feel like it's a big improvement over the previous album.

[wasteland]

There's definitely a big improvement, although I wish Matt were given (or gave himself) a somewhat larger solo space. I really like his playing and his choices of sounds.

[aprilethereal]

Totally agree, his keyboards are absolutely outstanding on IR

[tjanuranus]

I'm so addicted to "Holding On," it's ridiculous.  I think I'm obsessed.  This song is like a drug.  For me, it's easily the best JLB solo song of all time.  This album can't arrive soon enough.   I've been listening to "Holding On" and a few others online, but am depriving myself of the rest.

Agreed Holding on is my favorite Labrie solo song of all time I think.

[Matt]

James and I have done a crazy amount of interviews together over the past few weeks. For those of you who are interested, here is one we did for Rocking.gr.

https://www.rocking.gr/interviews/en/James-LaBrie-interview/16954/

Cheers,
Matt

[MoraWintersoul]

Wow, that one's great, had a huge smile on my face while I was reading it

[Onno]

James and I have done a crazy amount of interviews together over the past few weeks. For those of you who are interested, here is one we did for Rocking.gr.

https://www.rocking.gr/interviews/en/James-LaBrie-interview/16954/

Cheers,
Matt

Great read

[aprilethereal]

Really interesting interview

[Nel]

Bonus track version just showed up in the maaaaaiiiiiiiilllllll! 

Ready to finally give this a listen. I've (by sheer laziness) avoided all the previews. I know not one note of this album!

[Madman Shepherd]

Bonus track version just showed up in the maaaaaiiiiiiiilllllll! 

Ready to finally give this a listen. I've (by sheer laziness) avoided all the previews. I know not one note of this album!

Are you in the US and where specifically if you don't mind me asking.  did you order through Century Media?

Edit: Your profile says Milwaukee.  I'm in Iowa.  Hopefully I get mine tomorrow.  BTW, I almost always attend DT shows in Milwaukee which is a much more pleasant drive than the equidistant Chicago traffic madness. 

[Matt]

Audio interview that James and I did for Metal Shock Finland.

https://metalshockfinland.com/2013/08/02/audio-interview-james-labrie-and-matt-guillory-talk-impermanent-resonance/


-Matt

[ronnibran]

Ordered through the link provided by Matt/James and arrived today!!!  Killer album!  James is lucky to have such amazing people to work with!  They totally kicked my arse with this album.  So far my favorite is probably Back On The Ground.  But I've been listening to that song a lot since they released that one.  The rest of the album is going to take some time to digest.  Just from one listen, I'm thinking Undertow may end up my favorite.

This could easily end up my favorite James solo (Mullmuzzler included) release. 

[Nel]

Bonus track version just showed up in the maaaaaiiiiiiiilllllll! 

Ready to finally give this a listen. I've (by sheer laziness) avoided all the previews. I know not one note of this album!

Are you in the US and where specifically if you don't mind me asking.  did you order through Century Media?

Edit: Your profile says Milwaukee.  I'm in Iowa.  Hopefully I get mine tomorrow.  BTW, I almost always attend DT shows in Milwaukee which is a much more pleasant drive than the equidistant Chicago traffic madness.

Yes and I did order through CM.  Matt was right about them sending the pre-orders the bonus track version in the US.

[Madman Shepherd]

Fuck, mine better show up tomorrow! 

Great interviews, Matt!

[TheGreatPretender]

Hey, Matt. Just wanted to say thanks so much for posting those interviews. I'm definitely interested in more, if you feel like posting some.

[robwebster]

2) You're absolutely better at writing with James' voice in mind that anyone who's ever done that. Highlighting everything awesome about it in 3-4 minutes, then repeating it during each song on the album while ample space is left for other important stuff is not an easy balance to achieve.

Re 2: That's very nice of you to say, but I think there are some very good and capable writers in DT When I'm writing a song, I absolutely *have* to be able to sing it. If I'm not feeling it and it's not working for me first, then it's more than likely not going to work for James either.

Good writers in DT - deffo! But there's something in these solo discs, where James' voice really shines through. Which is absolutely appropriate, since it's his solo disc, so the voice is (quite rightly!) more of a centrepiece, but I'm in awe of James' voice on a regular basis on these solo albums. I think he's great in Dream Theater, too, but not so routinely incredible - the voice is part of the ensemble, rather than a focal point.

I'd say that, in these albums, you can always tell James is a virtuoso. And I think that's something your band's better at showcasing than DT are - and, as lead songwriter, I reckon you have to take a lot of the credit for that.

[MoraWintersoul]

This interview, JAMES LISTENS TO BRING ME THE HORIZON AND TWO DOOR CINEMA WHAT THE

[wasteland]

Thanks Rob for giving form to a thought that was still in embrional form within my brain. That's definitely true, especially with Impermantent Resonance. But hey, the new DT is coming soon, maybe it will make us change our minds!