I’ve been a fan of Dream theatre since hearing The Killing Words on  a compilation album called Protect The Innocent back in about 1990. Following on from that i then bought  the band's first album (When Day And Dream Unite) about the same time and loved it. It was then a two year wait for their next album the awesome, Images And Words, (To this day still one of my favourite albums) which introduced me to the talent that is James Labrie. (See I was getting to the point!)
Since that time Dream Theatre have continued to release, good and varied albums since and of course all of the band members have their own side projects as well.

James Labrie has released two previous “solo” albums under the name Mullmuzzler and both have their good points. However Elements Of Persuasion is his first release under is own name, and is the closest match to being “Dream Theatre” without actually being called Dream Theatre!

The album opens with 'Crucify', a song that opens with a dark acoustic intro, before evolving into a Metallica inspired thrash style track, complete with heavy as fuck crunching guitars and furious drumming! Next up is 'Alone', a song that changes style completely from Crucify. The number comes across as almost goth inspired, with elements of the sound of Evanescence and features electronic sample and effects quite heavily in the arrangement.

'Freak' is aptly named as once again it features lots of electronic effects under a heavy riff, driven along  by the bass line, whereas 'Invisible' has an atmospheric opening section and more keyboards effects along with phenomenal drumming courtesy of Mike Mangini (Ex -Steve Vai & Extreme) and is reminiscent of 'Pull Me Under'.

'Lost' changes the direction of the album once again and, although still retaining an element of continuity with the previous tracks thanks to Labrie's vocal delivery, has an almost jazzy feel in it's composition and complex arrangement. Spoken voice over passages and a meandering bass line lend an almost breathless feeling to the track.  'Undecided' moves the album back into familiar territory, returning to the hard hitting guitar sounds of the first few songs on the album and LaBrie once again excels in his vocals.

'Smashed' is a piano led track that comes across like Bruce Hornsby and The Range, but with obviously stamped with   James Labire's personality.  'Pretender' proves to be another heavy up-tempo track and then comes 'Slightly Out Of Reach' which is a slow “ballad” type tack and reminds me of a heavier 'Waiting For Sleep'. The Guitar solo is simply stunning!

Rounding out the album are three more heavy tracks. First up is 'Oblivious'  with a quick fire vocal delivery that at times verges on rap. 'In Too Deep' and 'Drained'  both deliver more of the crunching guitar rhythms prevalent throughout much of the album and finish things off in fine style.

With 'Elements Of Persuasion James LaBrie has delivers an album that is really rather good and is must for all fans of Dream Theatre. Once can only only hope the new Dream Theatre album matches these standards and if Dream Theatre everdo decide to call it a day Mr Labrie has found an excellent band to replace them with! All of the contributors to this album have produced excellent performances Guitarist Marco Guillory  may be an unknown to this reviewer, but his performance of the CD he is very much the John Petrucci mould and of the highest quality.

In short 'Elements of Persuasion' is an album custom made for all Dream Theatre fans and and for any fans of excellent, intelligent and challenging music with a broad enough mind to give it a listen.

Let us know your views on 'Elements of Persuasion'

Track List

Crucify
Alone
Freak
Invisible
Lost
Undecided
Smashed
Pretender
Slightly Out Of Reach
Oblivious
In Too Deep
Drained

Line  Up

James La Brie - Vocals
Matt Guillory - Keyboards
Marco Softly - Guitars
Bryan Beller - Bass
Mike Mangini - Drums