James LaBrie Solo

[Dublagent66]

Way.  Better.  Than.  DT12.   

[TheAtliator]

Oh my God how can you even say that?!?! I don't even think I'd say that as a joke.

[Onno]

I think I like it better than DT12 as well.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Ditto. Not even close in my mind.

[ZirconBlue]

Who wrote which lyrics on IR? I can't find it anywhere, but I don't actually have the album, so I don't know if it says in there. I gotta say, the album is not bad (still don't think it's great), but some the lyrics are pretty freaking terrible.

Considering the person who wrote a lot of those lyrics reads this forum, maybe you could try to be a little more tactful.  Personally, I think most of the lyrics are really good, with just an occasional line here or there that doesn't quite work.

[wolfking]

I'd take DT12 over it, but really, both are two completely different albums, and both do what they do exceptionally well.

In regards to the lyrics, the only lyrics I really had a problem with for some is the Three a.m., half asleep, on a beat up couch line of Holding On.  That always sticks out at me for some reason.

[TheAtliator]

ZirconBlue, if any artist I respected was reading my comment on his work, I'd want to be thoroughly honest. When it comes to these guys, none of my criticism comes from spite or maliciousness, just honest thought. Plus, I say as many nice things on this forum about them (or probably more, being DTF is the forum of my favorite band and JLB is my favorite singer ever).

No, I am not a fan of IR. No need to lie and say I am. As I've said, though, the other albums are quite good from everything I've heard!

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

So you like Static Impulse but not Impermanent Resonance? That's interesting.

[TheAtliator]

Haven't heard much of Static Impulse, I don't remember liking it that much either. I may have liked it more than IR though. I'll come back to this thread when I've heard more  I admit my judgements of the JLB solo stuff has been a bit wavering.

[Dr. DTVT]

Who wrote which lyrics on IR? I can't find it anywhere, but I don't actually have the album, so I don't know if it says in there. I gotta say, the album is not bad (still don't think it's great), but some the lyrics are pretty freaking terrible.

Considering the person who wrote a lot of those lyrics reads this forum, maybe you could try to be a little more tactful.  Personally, I think most of the lyrics are really good, with just an occasional line here or there that doesn't quite work.

Attila the hunninator, he's not saying you shouldn't post your opinion, but this isn't the first time you've expressed it in a crass manner.  You repeatedly lack tact when posting criticism.

[BlobVanDam]

Ditto. Not even close in my mind.

Same. IR slays DT12.

[?]

Ditto. Not even close in my mind.

Same. IR slays DT12.

[bl5150]

Oh my God how can you even say that?!?! I don't even think I'd say that as a joke.

   DT need some support.  I only rate the odd track on SI/IR ...........not even close to DT12 in terms of my taste.

[Dr. DTVT]

Throw me in the IR > DT12 by a large margin camp as well. 

[TheAtliator]

Who wrote which lyrics on IR? I can't find it anywhere, but I don't actually have the album, so I don't know if it says in there. I gotta say, the album is not bad (still don't think it's great), but some the lyrics are pretty freaking terrible.

Considering the person who wrote a lot of those lyrics reads this forum, maybe you could try to be a little more tactful.  Personally, I think most of the lyrics are really good, with just an occasional line here or there that doesn't quite work.

Attila the hunninator, he's not saying you shouldn't post your opinion, but this isn't the first time you've expressed it in a crass manner.  You repeatedly lack tact when posting criticism.

  Don't TRRRYYYYYYY and change maayyy

No I'm kidding. Indeed I've gotten that before. I don't think I really see anything wrong with what I said. Maybe I'll look back and think again, but I don't think I'm being rude; just being plain and straight forward.

[aprilethereal]

So you like Static Impulse but not Impermanent Resonance? That's interesting.

Well I'd personally say that SI is miles ahead of IR. They are definitely similar stylistically, but the quality of the songwriting isn't   even close. I'm not saying that IR is a bad album, in fact I do enjoy listening to it from time to time, but both SI and EOP are far superior in my opinion. I adore those two.

[JayOctavarium]

IR is miles ahead of DT12

[wolfking]

ZirconBlue, if any artist I respected was reading my comment on his work, I'd want to be thoroughly honest.

You haven't even purchased the album, have you??

[senecadawg2]

Who wrote which lyrics on IR? I can't find it anywhere, but I don't actually have the album, so I don't know if it says in there. I gotta say, the album is not bad (still don't think it's great), but some the lyrics are pretty freaking terrible.

Considering the person who wrote a lot of those lyrics reads this forum, maybe you could try to be a little more tactful.  Personally, I think most of the lyrics are really good, with just an occasional line here or there that doesn't quite work.

Attila the hunninator, he's not saying you shouldn't post your opinion, but this isn't the first time you've expressed it in a crass manner.  You repeatedly lack tact when posting criticism.

  Don't TRRRYYYYYYY and change maayyy

No I'm kidding. Indeed I've gotten that before. I don't think I really see anything wrong with what I said. Maybe I'll look back and think again, but I don't think I'm being rude; just being plain and straight forward.

Your opinions are not going to get a lot of support around here when you post them very bluntly as if they are irrefutable facts. It comes across as confrontational and maybe a touch arrogant. I'm not saying you are arrogant and confrontational, just that here on the internet we have nothing to judge you by except for your words. So it's extra important here that I choose my words carefully, and the same goes for anyone else I haven't personally met or talked to whose opinion is floating around the internet. So while there's nothing wrong with not liking some of the lyrics, you're not going to generate a lot of discussion about them if you just say they're 'freaking terrible' and leave it at that. It goes without saying that you're posting your opinions, that's not the issue. I guess it's just a matter of whether or not you want to actually discuss those opinions (as opposed to argue back and forth for a couple of posts with someone willing to take the time). With all of that being said, I can assure you that I'm often guilty of the exact same thing when I post. Especially when I don't choose my words carefully. I don't consider myself to be a really confrontational or arrogant person, and I'd hope that people I know or who I've talked to don't think so either, but I wouldn't blame the rest for thinking so sometimes.

I'm not a big fan of some of the lyrics, myself. Most of them seem very appropriate for the catchiness of the vocal melodies, and I appreciate that. I find it really easy music to song along to. But the actually lyrics themselves are not really my cup of tea. The same could be said for a lot of Dream Theater lyrics. Speaking of which, I'll throw my lot in with the crowd that's saying IR>DT12. I certainly listened to it a lot more!

Any news on a possible JLB tour in the future? I was so bummed when the last one was canceled.

[Bolsters]

AFAIK there has been no mention of a tour yet. Last I heard there was another EP due eventually, and I believe Matt is also working on a solo album.

[cramx3]

Another EP?  They have more unreleased material?

[mikeyd23]

As much as I like IR I'd still say DT12>IR.

[cramx3]

As much as I like IR I'd still say DT12>IR.

This.  Both are great albums IMO.

[?]

James said the plan is to record a new EP and get on the road next year after the DT tour is over.

[cramx3]

James said the plan is to record a new EP and get on the road next year after the DT tour is over.

Thanks, that sounds awesome

[ZirconBlue]

Who wrote which lyrics on IR? I can't find it anywhere, but I don't actually have the album, so I don't know if it says in there. I gotta say, the album is not bad (still don't think it's great), but some the lyrics are pretty freaking terrible.

Considering the person who wrote a lot of those lyrics reads this forum, maybe you could try to be a little more tactful.  Personally, I think most of the lyrics are really good, with just an occasional line here or there that doesn't quite work.

Attila the hunninator, he's not saying you shouldn't post your opinion, but this isn't the first time you've expressed it in a crass manner.  You repeatedly lack tact when posting criticism.

This.  One can be honest and still be tactful.  "Freaking terrible" is not constructive criticism, it's just insulting someone's work.

[MoraWintersoul]

I like how this forum self-regulates

anyway, the new EP has been tentatively placed by both Matt and James at about early 2015, and we're not sure how much longer will the DT tour last (maybe mid-2015?). James is in Europe in September 2015 for the Theater Equation thing, so maybe he'll schedule a Europe tour around that.

[bosk1]

One can be honest and still be tactful.  "Freaking terrible" is not constructive criticism, it's just insulting someone's work.

This.

I spoke to Matt ever so briefly in S.F. a couple of months ago.  And while I did not ask him about any definite plans, I think I recall him saying something in general about having some things planned in general.  But I do not believe he said anything more than that, and it was a very short conversation that was mainly focused on me telling him how much I really enjoyed the album and how we missed him around these parts.

[Madman Shepherd]

As much as I like IR I'd still say DT12>IR.

Agreed.

IR has some great moments but overall the pop-rock-metal songs of IR requires more of the right mood than DT12 which I can listen to at any given point throughout the day (as I can with most DT)

[TheAtliator]

Who wrote which lyrics on IR? I can't find it anywhere, but I don't actually have the album, so I don't know if it says in there. I gotta say, the album is not bad (still don't think it's great), but some the lyrics are pretty freaking terrible.

Considering the person who wrote a lot of those lyrics reads this forum, maybe you could try to be a little more tactful.  Personally, I think most of the lyrics are really good, with just an occasional line here or there that doesn't quite work.

Attila the hunninator, he's not saying you shouldn't post your opinion, but this isn't the first time you've expressed it in a crass manner.  You repeatedly lack tact when posting criticism.

This.  One can be honest and still be tactful.  "Freaking terrible" is not constructive criticism, it's just insulting someone's work.

1. I don't think James LaBrie and Matt Guillory go on Dream Theater Forums for constrictive criticism 

2. Thus why I only claimed it to be "honest" criticism. If they, or anyone else, went on here for an accurate depiction of just how many and what type of Dream Theater fans like the album, and to what extent, they would find exactly that.

3. I said in context, "the album is not bad (still don't think it's great) but some [of] the lyrics are pretty freaking terrible". Which is more specific and meaningful than just two words. And I'd say it is about an accurate statement; I don't mean bad, I mean terrible. I don't mean all, but some. I don't mean the album sucks, but it's O.K.


On topic- I am definitely looking forward to a possible tour. I'll be there for sure if they come by Los Angeles! I sure hope it happens, and I hope to get a nice spread of songs from the albums. A long show would be nice too  .

[bosk1]

And none of that is relevant to the fact that "freaking terrible" is not acceptable criticism on this forum.

[TheAtliator]

I didn't realize that. What rule did I break? I've read through them and I don't see any rule I've broken. And if I did, then I guess I disagree with the rules for the reasons I've stated, but obviously I'll follow them anyway.

[bosk1]

Rule #12:

12. Insults or senseless bashing of the current or former band members of Dream Theater and/or their music will not be tolerated.  Honest, open critique is always allowed, provided it does not cross the line and become bashing, belittling, etc.

If any further discussion is necessary, it should be via PM and not in the thread.  Let's get the discussion back on topic.

[goo-goo]

While I love both SI and IR, I keep playing SI more often than IR. Seems for me that IR was "too melodic" if that's the proper way to describe it. It seems the melodies in SI are a bit more complex and better constructed imo. Both are great releases though (EoP included).

[TioJorge]

I love all of them, and honestly I only listened to one song from DT12 when it first released so I won't comment on whether I like JLB solo albums or that more... But suffice it to say that while I may have moved on from DT's style of playing, I still love the guys and quite honestly, JLB was a huge part of why I loved DT in the first place. So to have him sing on another album with a very different style to DT is a real treat. I absolutely love all the albums but after a good amount of time with them all, I still think EOP is my favorite. But I have to say, Matt and James truly opened my mind and made me feel the feels big time. I didn't like the screaming aspect much at all at first and then one day it just clicked. Kudos; it's both difficult but also very rewarding whenever a new aspect of music previously sour becomes oh so sweet one day.