Reviewer: Chris

James LaBrie is one of those singers that mildly impressed me with Dream Theater and Mullmuzzler, which was pretty much from what the current solo project morphed. He is a great vocalist, but for me something was always missing and I couldn’t put my finger on it. Don’t get me wrong, I love Dream Theater, but LaBrie always remained a bit ‘thin’ for me. His first solo CD Elements of Persuasion wasn’t all that promising to me, so I ventured into his latest effort titled Static Impulse with mild trepidation. All I can offer is a resounding ‘wow’ at how great this CD is after one listen.     

Keeping tradition with the D.T. progressive metal feel, Static Impulse is all of the things prog-metal should be: musically diverse, technically resounding and lyrically engaging. James LaBrie impresses the heck out of me with what can only be deemed a stellar vocal performance amidst some very lush music loaded with substance and quality. “Euphoric” is one of the best tracks on the album, revealing a nearly-flawless LaBrie issuance that can easily make AOR life more viable if not for the literal cesspool of garbage permeating the pool. Nonetheless, LaBrie doesn’t need mainstream radio at this point; his ticket is written and has been for years, but make sure you add this latest effort to that mix. Crisp and mentally challenging, Static Impulse is one of the best solo albums from a vocalist from a big-name band that I can remember, the last being Warrel Dane’s solo effort away from Nevermore.

While not exactly conducive to thrashing pricey watercolor reproductions to shreds with random destruction, moments aplenty are found within these tracks that get the blood pumping and elevate me above the traditional exhilaration I feel with a good album. Tracks like “I Need You” are so indelibly heavy and plow through the ears with all of the ease of a Panzer tank. What truly makes Static Impulse so amazing a CD is how LaBrie’s voice has improved over the last couple of years; what was once a strong voice, yet always a bit thin in spots has truly become something of a more powerful tool with an edge not typically associated with his style on past Dream Theater albums. It’s an honest album that quite literally blows his first effort out of the water in terms of power, style and abilities. “Coming Home” is the prime example of this, not to mention it’s a beautiful song.

With all the successes of Dream Theater, the obvious flagship, it would be reasonably suggested that no solo CD could ever match the magic of the collective unit. However, shedding the stigma attached to such a notion is quite easy here with LaBrie’s tremendously well-produced sophomore effort that was well worth the five-year wait between albums. I think this might be a Top Ten for me by year’s end and I’m anxious to add this to my collection as soon as possible.            

Release Date: September 28, 2010
Label: InsideOut Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  One More Time
2.  Jekyll or Hyde
3.  Mislead
4.  Euphoric
5.  Over The Edge
6.  I Need You
7.  Who You Think I Am
8 . I Tried
9.  Just Watch Me
10.  This Is War
11.  Superstar
12.  Coming Home

Total playing time:  50:45

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James LaBrie - Static Impulse

October 2, 2010