Apparently, I just perceive music entirely different from most people. I know the reality that something is up with JLB's voice, that in itself is not going to put me off from seeing the band live. That is due to my perception of the band being a lot more than just about the vocals. There's reasons why I love this band a lot.
Vocals/Singing are just one aspect of the entire whole of music for me. There's also the tones, the way the music progresses, the emotions of these progressions, the meanings of the words, how the music creates an atmosphere to present the words, how the music along with the words help to explain what the song is trying to say.
I love the way Dream Theater does all of those things. I don't know why, but the band just hits that spot for me. Even though I wish the band would address the situation with JLB's vocals, I dont care if they don't address it at all and continue the way they are right now. I never had a problem with JLB's backing tracks. Knowing that the songs have some great vocal melodies, it would be nice if JLB wouldn't stray too far away from them when he "alters" certain vocal melodies. That way I don't sound off when I'm also singing along, because I love the melodies.
This is a worthy post. Aside from the whole "audience participation" angle (which I have to say that this is very individual - as an introvert, I will be standing but you won't find me singing or clapping along, but instead deeply enjoying the entire experience by taking it all in), there's something about the whole "vocals" argument that I feel needs mentioning, in general.
Now this is not to say that I think everything is perfect with James (it's not, and as I always say, I just want the best for him and his angelic voice - he will always be my favorite). But I was watching another band's concert on YouTube last night. I won't say whom, because I don't want to come across as unnecessarily critical, but this is a band that is at least 15 to 20 years younger than DT, a band whose studio albums are brilliant and I really enjoy. But honestly, the singer's live delivery
really disappointed me. As in,
he sounds like he just gargled with nails level of disappointing. And the thought that hit me in that moment was this...
That we Dream Theater fans are
so freaking spoiled.
Spoiled,
rotten. To the core. We are so used to the sheer
high level of music, of technicality, of precision, of
perfection that our favorite band delivers, that it's just so incongruous and glaringly obvious to us if even one little thing is out of place. Now that's not to say that there
isn't a problem, or room for improvement, or something that needs attention. It's just so jarring because we're so used to the highest level of perfection that five humans under heaven can possibly create.
I just wanted to come in and drop this little perspective bomb, just for everyone's consideration.
(Myself included.)
Who are
we mere mortals to criticize, at all?
Who are we.