LaBrie, James: Impermanent Resonance

Elements Of Persuasion and Static Impulse were both such appealing albums by Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie, his latest Impermanent Resonance stays inline with the vocal style of Static Impulse. Drummer Peter Wildoer returns with his death metal style growls and another great performance behind the drums. Keyboardist, songwriter and backup vocalist Matt Guillory is back alongside LaBrie, while bass player Ray Reindeau and guitarist Marco Sfogli also return. So while Impermanent Resonance is of course a solo effort in name it does feels like a band getting together for a new album.

I realise that I am most probably in the minority when I say I was more pumped with anticipation for this album than the upcoming new Dream Theater, overall I have had more enjoyment from James LaBrie's solo albums than DT's recent efforts. Maybe I'm just burnt out on DT and do hope their next album changes my feelings.

As I wrote in my Static Impulse review LaBrie's vocals sounded simply fantastic and this album is no exception as some of his best work can be found on these albums, and his band or should I say "solo" band mates really put in top performances also. Wildoer's growls and rapid drumming soon appear to introduce "Agony" though it's not long before LaBrie's clean vocals are also heard, with songs like this one on Impermanent Resonance and "Undertow" metal fans are well catered for and they are only a taste of what's to come. "Slight Of Hand" is another impressive melodic metal number and "Back On The Ground" has some of LaBrie's best vocals on the album. "Lost In The Fire" is a stellar tune the vocals and music are so captivating, it's not the heaviest song on offer but still so very powerful with a great chorus and potent theme as LaBrie sings "The flames might be growing higher, but I'm gonna stay and fight". Impermanent Resonance is a metal album and then some like metal meets pop and lacking some of that aggression that appeared on Static Impulse.

Impermanent Resonance has LaBrie and crew mainly staying with that which has worked so well on prior albums, the heaviness remains and the songs are as catchy as ever. Dream Theater fans wanting more DT style technical athleticism had better wait for their next album, there isn't the room or need for extended musical wizardry. Not to diminish the talents of those musicians involved on here as this is also one talented group. This is LaBrie's opportunity to do his own thing and record the kind of songs that DT doesn't allow him the freedom to do so, and the result is another great album.

Track Listing
1. Agony
2. Undertow
3. Slight Of Hand
4. Back On The Ground
5. I Got You
6. Holding On
7. Lost In The Fire
8. Letting Go
9. Destined To Burn
10. Say You're Still Mine
11. Amnesia
12. I Will Not Break
Bonus Tracks
13. Unravelling
14. Why

Added: October 8th 2013
Reviewer: Scott Jessup
Score:
Related Link: Artist Website
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Language: english

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