Your Controversial Opinions on DT

[Kotowboy]

It is true that non DT fans dislike him...

However I think this is mostly due to them following a trend of hating on LaBrie as it automatically comes up whenever DT is mentioned.

I've never had a problem with LaBries voice.

It doesnt sound like your typical metal singer and THATS why I like it,

It doesnt sound like some 6ft 6 body builder with hair down to his knees with one foot on the monitor giving the crowd the middle finger and saying fuck every other word.

[Cedar redaC]

I like that about him. He's not a traditional metal singer. He presents himself with a great deal more class and finesse.

[Kotowboy]

And you don't get the feeling that it's all machismo and front.

[Cedar redaC]

Exactly.

o/

[SeRoX]

Some of listeners are definitely precarious when JLB and his voice matter. When they watch his performances from 1990-94 era they fall in love right away. They think he is God in that era but some unfortunate circumstances happened and changed JLB's life in some extent. This include his voice. True that his voice has never sounded same, that wild and rough. But he is still James LaBrie. And when some of fans consider his actual voice (including 95-02 era) they turn into vocal expert and criticize him unfairly like his is the weakest link of the band, he always sounds awful.. ect. Well I'm the one, thinks that his 2010-2012 era is his best in this condition.

The thing is about him not the wild voice or random screams which he used to do. His timbre is unique. That's why I love him and I'm sure most of you love him for that reason. There is no James LaBrie out there. He can have off nights but who doesn't? Saying that he is not my cup of tea is completely understandable but saying that he is not a good singer is somewhat odd knocking.

[Mindflux]

The thing is about him not the wild voice or random screams which he used to do. His timbre is unique. That's why I love him and I'm sure most of you love him for that reason. There is no James LaBrie out there. He can have off nights but who doesn't? Saying that he is not my cup of tea is completely understandable but saying that he is not a good singer is somewhat odd knocking.

There is no spoon?


FWIW I don't find too many flaws in his voice.  Though I think his work on Images in Words (Another Day specifically) really shines. I don't recall many other tracks SFAM and onward with the range he sings in Another Day.

[PetFish]

My only controversial opinion with LaBrie, and it's a big one, is that he looks like he'd rather be anywhere else than on stage.

He looks soooooooo bored and uninterested.  He's the fucking Front Man and he needs to fucking OWN the stage and the crowd.  Without actually saying it, he needs to say to the crowd "we're fucking Dream Theater and we're gonna fucking OWN you tonight".  Instead he finishes his lyric, looks down and walks off stage, then comes back looking like he just woke up from a nap or something.  He's the only one who has true freedom on stage to go anywhere and do anything while performing.  He's not bad for the first few songs then he just starts slowly strolling around and zzzzzzzzzzz....

I'm not saying for him to be a Jon Bon Jovi or a Freddie Mercury, but come on, we're excited to be here and for a lot of people it's their first DT show or maybe they only see DT once every few years.  OWN ME, JAMES, ROX MY SOX OFF!

I was hoping with pseudo-Front Man MP gone he'd step up but he really didn't.

[Mindflux]

I'm not saying for him to be a Jon Bon Jovi

So you want him to suck even more?

[Jaffa]

I'm not saying for him to be a Jon Bon Jovi or a Freddie Mercury, but come on, we're excited to be here and for a lot of people it's their first DT show or maybe they only see DT once every few years. 

For what it's worth, I saw DT for the first time on the ADToE tour, and I thought James was fine.  Certainly not the most engaging frontman in history, but not boring, either. 

[SeRoX]

PetFish, yes I agree some of your points.

But this more than he names himself as a fucking frotman and I'm sure he knows that but you know this band has been had 2 frotmen for years. I believe this case limited his freedom on the stage, even from the beginning. I've never seen him completely free frontman until 2011-12 era.

From what I watch on youtube or read comments about the recent performances he fucking owned the stage and crowd.

[Pols Voice]

Here's my controversial opinion: stage presence is overrated. For me, the music is the important part. I don't care if the guys on stage are sorta boring as long as they play well. Robert Fripp plays sitting down and looks like an old grump, but he's a phenomenal musician. Would I prefer engaging performers? Of course, but it's not that big a deal.

But anyway, James does fine.

[SystematicThought]

I do wish JLB would spend some more time on stage. But there really isn't a whole lot he can do, but maybe engage the audience some more before walking off

[Nekov]

Don't get me wrong, I realize that he is a very good singer but I'd love to hear him sing low tones a lot more. I just feel like the guy knows he's really good at something and just sticks to it instead of trying to go for new horizons

[LieLowTheWantedMan]

Thanks for the suggestions, I think I'll just work my way up from Images and Words.

Neat username. VdGG used to be my favourite band back when I was a prog nerd. My tastes branched out a lot, but I still love them to death.

[TheGreatPretender]

Don't get me wrong, I realize that he is a very good singer but I'd love to hear him sing low tones a lot more. I just feel like the guy knows he's really good at something and just sticks to it instead of trying to go for new horizons

Seriously? I feel like on ADTOE, there were by far not enough high parts from him. He just stayed in a relatively comfortable mid-range. I wanted to hear more high vocals like at the end of This Is The Life.

[MoraWintersoul]

About frontmanship - I'm pretty sure not even Bruce Dickinson would stay on stage stomping around if Maiden were playing five minute solos

[TheLordOfTheStrings]

About frontmanship - I'm pretty sure not even Bruce Dickinson would stay on stage stomping around if Maiden were playing five minute solos

I think he remains mainly stationary because, as we all know, he is very into professionalism, and as far as properly breathing while singing is concerned, you can't exactly do that while running and jumping around on stage while you're trying to sing. I think he just remains stationary because he wants to give his best performance vocally. Just my opinion though.

[?]

Here's my controversial opinion: stage presence is overrated.
Would I prefer engaging performers? Of course, but it's not that big a deal.

Agreed. I'd rather see a band with an excellent singer who stands still for 1,5 hours instead of a band with a shitty vocalist who runs around the stage all the time. However, connecting with the crowd is an important thing IMO - not necessarily moving on the stage, but interacting with the audience and paying attention to them.

Also, if James' stage presence isn't good enough, then what should he do during the instrumental section of Metropolis or Outcry - do the court jester dance for 5 minutes?

[Cedar redaC]

He should get a team of backup dancers and shuffle, jerk, dougie, and gangnam style for five minutes in 13/8.

[wasteland]

His stage presence is underrated. Wait for the DVD and see what he brings. Of course you can't expect him to yell "Sing for me, Buenos Aires" in the middle of Wait For Sleep! 

[Cedar redaC]

And with the ASHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEESSSSSSS!! *G5*

[Scotto123]

My only controversial opinion with LaBrie, and it's a big one, is that he looks like he'd rather be anywhere else than on stage.

He looks soooooooo bored and uninterested.  He's the fucking Front Man and he needs to fucking OWN the stage and the crowd.  Without actually saying it, he needs to say to the crowd "we're fucking Dream Theater and we're gonna fucking OWN you tonight".  Instead he finishes his lyric, looks down and walks off stage, then comes back looking like he just woke up from a nap or something.  He's the only one who has true freedom on stage to go anywhere and do anything while performing.  He's not bad for the first few songs then he just starts slowly strolling around and zzzzzzzzzzz....

I'm not saying for him to be a Jon Bon Jovi or a Freddie Mercury, but come on, we're excited to be here and for a lot of people it's their first DT show or maybe they only see DT once every few years.  OWN ME, JAMES, ROX MY SOX OFF!

I was hoping with pseudo-Front Man MP gone he'd step up but he really didn't.

I completely disagree with you. Everytime I've seen DT live (5 times), he's been energetic every time. Sure, he's no Bruce Dickinson in terms of energy, but that's not his thing. JLB focuses on giving people a good show, and that's what he does.

As for my "controversial" opinion in regards to DT, I would have to say that they really need an outside producer this time around. I believe they need someone to give them a different perspective. However, hopefully with MM now in the writing fold, that will happen. I think the main detriment to their writing process since SDOIT, was the formula they operated within. The whole go into the studio and write with no pre determined ideas or riffs.

Also, I think they shouldn't be afraid to go against the grain again. ADTOE was a step in right direction after the abomination of BCSL, but I think they should write together more. I remember a quote from JP stating that he was upset when he couldn't write all the lyrics to an album. Which is kind of weird. I think a band should be inspired by each other's ideas.

[Jaffa]

Also, I think they shouldn't be afraid to go against the grain again. ADTOE was a step in right direction after the abomination of BCSL

I don't understand this.  I personally prefer ADToE, but I would say between the two of them, BC&SL was the one that went against the grain. 

[Scotto123]

Also, I think they shouldn't be afraid to go against the grain again. ADTOE was a step in right direction after the abomination of BCSL

I don't understand this.  I personally prefer ADToE, but I would say between the two of them, BC&SL was the one that went against the grain.

Fair enough. BCSL to me was just kind of "eh" and uninteresting. The lyrics were very uninteresting and uninspired IMO. But that's just me. Everyone's tastes are subjective.

[BlobVanDam]

Also, I think they shouldn't be afraid to go against the grain again. ADTOE was a step in right direction after the abomination of BCSL

I don't understand this.  I personally prefer ADToE, but I would say between the two of them, BC&SL was the one that went against the grain. 

So very true. ADTOE is the least "going against the grain" album they've probably ever written.

[Dreamer81]

ADTOE was definitely a step in the right direction, SC and BC&SL were soooo disappointing..

[Mindflux]

ADTOE was definitely a step in the right direction, SC and BC&SL were soooo disappointing..

Funny. I think SC is the last interesting disc they put out.  Never could get into BC&SL or ADToE!

[SystematicThought]

I remember a quote from JP stating that he was upset when he couldn't write all the lyrics to an album. Which is kind of weird.

I remember JLB saying that he had a few other lyrics for ADTOE but they were rejected. I don't remember JP saying that though

[wasteland]

I remember a quote from JP stating that he was upset when he couldn't write all the lyrics to an album. Which is kind of weird.

I remember JLB saying that he had a few other lyrics for ADTOE but they were rejected. I don't remember JP saying that though

Yes, it's the first time I hear of that myself. Ah, I seem to remember that James submitted lyrics for Outcry. Can anyone confirm this or is it a fake memory of mine?

[TheGreatPretender]

Funny. I think SC is the last interesting disc they put out.  Never could get into BC&SL or ADToE!

Well, that's certainly a controversial opinion. But not for me. SC rules! 

[marlencrabapple]

I think that BC&SL had the best overall vocals since Awake, and ADTOE was a huge step back. It was the way that he pronounced words and put emphasis on certain things on BC&SL that made me like it so much. That was something that was missing from most of their post-Awake albums.

And on the front man matter: James should just start dancing again.

[jdprsaga]

first ... I have to jump in into the jlb controversy wagon..

not that i don't like it at all, but all my friends (non are prog fans) say they can't listen to dream theater cause labrie voice is too annoying, specially live.

Second,  i would like one album with less epic, metal, wankery. more hard rock oriented prog  a la FII lines in the sand/trial of tears. getting tire of the wankery, we all know they can wank all day long so epicly, fast and energetic that they can go back in time creating parallel universes with new versions of wankery.

[TheLordOfTheStrings]

I remember a quote from JP stating that he was upset when he couldn't write all the lyrics to an album. Which is kind of weird.

I remember JLB saying that he had a few other lyrics for ADTOE but they were rejected. I don't remember JP saying that though

Yes, it's the first time I hear of that myself. Ah, I seem to remember that James submitted lyrics for Outcry. Can anyone confirm this or is it a fake memory of mine?

I definitely saw this interview. It wasn't a control freak type thing though. He just simply said he would love to be able to write lyrics to every song on an album one day. He said every album he thinks he'll be able to but then someone will say they want to do lyrics for a song and he'll be like "damn". haha. I can tell he just wants to do it for the self satisfaction. As a musician, I totally understand that.

[MoraWintersoul]

He just simply said he would love to be able to write lyrics to every song on an album one day. He said every album he thinks he'll be able to but then someone will say they want to do lyrics for a song and he'll be like "damn".

We need a Polite Pirate James meme

[wasteland]

Well, if he has a coherent story to develope through the songs, or otherwise interwoven lyrics, I think the other would be glad to step down for an album, right? I would for sure. But if that's not the case I would rather have the others contribute as well, and actually step up to even up the lyrics count within each album.