DREAM THEATER's James LaBrie: "This Is The Best Album We've Ever Written"
by Martin PopoffDREAM THEATER vocalist James LaBrie talked to BW&BK recently with respect to the band's follow-up to Train Of Thought. In accordance with band policy not to say to much on these matters prior to release, James struggled to keep it a bit vague... and succeeded!
"Well, I'm doing my vocals right now. And then back in the studio in a couple hours and I'll start singing. That's what we're doing; we're doing vocals right now. I'm three songs done and working on the fourth song today and I should be done by around the 25th of February. I'm taking a couple days off here and there. I can't tell you a lot. I can safely say that (laughs). But I can tell you that, that where we've gone with this album... oh geez, without giving anything away, it's very exciting for us all. We really feel that this is the best album we've ever written, for sure; I mean, without a doubt. I think that musically speaking, it's progressive. I can tell you that much. It's very progressive. And it's heavy as well. I don't know, I think we've struck an incredible balance of styles on this album. And I think we've really kind of pushed the envelope a lot, which we always love to do. And I think people will really experience that when they hear this."
Is it not as dark and heavy as the last one?
"I think there are moments where it is. But I don't think that's the focus on this album. I mean, I don't really want to say anything more than that."
Look for an "end of May, early June" release date, and in the meantime, catch James on tour for his third solo album, Elements Of Persuasion. See www.dreamtheater.net for more.