Damn, James, what have you done? This CD fucking ROCKS.It's funny to think of Labrie as anything other than the Canadian vocalist from Dream Theater. It's not like he just joined one of the biggest bands in the prog metal scene (try the last 20 years). But his solo work is relatively sparse for a singer with his talent. After a couple of albums as "Mullmuzzler", James has finally accepted his role as leader of the James LaBrie band. And their latest effort, Static Impulse is, in a word: incredible.
LaBrie has slowly been gathering an amazing group of musicians with which he's forged a tight, melodic - and now heavier than ever - band worthy of a big tour. I mean it, this album sounds like it deserves a place on the shelf next to In Flames as well as Dream Theater. Though many side projects become another "guy from a popular band does his own thing" self-centered solo CD, James and Matt [Guillory, keyboardist extraordinaire, of Dali's Dilemma] are a great song-writing team, crafting songs with punch while maintaining a lyrical sophistication that transcends most solo efforts from lesser musicians.
The Bottom Line: I can't stop listening to this CD. James and company have made an incredible album that incorporates all of the best elements of his solo work to date in a tightly focused musical force. If Ragman hadn't already declared a CD Of The Month (the bastard), this would be it for me.
- Genghis is cranking up "Mislead" for the third time...