James LaBrie, known internationally as the vocalist for
progressive metal icons & Grammy-winners Dream Theater, embarks on
uncharted waters with his fourth solo album, titled ‘Beautiful Shade of Grey’ (click here for the review),
out now! To celebrate the release, they have launched a special 30min look at
the making of the album, and you can watch that now here:
James comments of the
album release: “Paul, Chance, Marco and Christian.
Can you feel the
magic!!!
Man, I can’t believe
it’s been two years since Paul and I hooked up on this thrilling journey.
Paul’s musicality and
his innate understanding of what I wanted to create in making these songs what
they are, is simply a whole new experience for me. Being on the same page from
the moment we put this into motion and concluding with such results, I’m speechless.
Seamless and
enlightening, undoubtedly one of kind this beautiful human being.
Chance, working with
you has been immeasurable beyond words and in no conceivable way would they do
justice in conveying all I feel.
I’m soaring with
pride Son. You rose to the occasion and some.
Marco what a treasure
you are. I am constantly reminded and humbled by your command on your
respective instrument. So immense my appreciation for you.
Can’t imagine anyone else
being in your integral role. You are gem. Thank you
Christian.
Wow!! Knowing your
style as a keyboardist, and having worked with Paul for many years, you brought
exactly that.
The depth, feel and
soundscape surrounding these songs was so damn beautiful and on the mark, thank
you!!!
Lastly, you the fans
are the reason any of this exists or is a subject of conversation.
I am forever indebted
to your support, dedication and love.
Enjoy!!”
Paul Logue adds: “Two
years in the making and the day is finally here! James, Chance, Marco, Chris
and I put our hearts and souls into this record, leaving no stone unturned. It
shows a new side to James' solo work with a collection of some of the most
personal lyrics and songs he has written. His sense of melody and collaborative
nature made writing with him an absolute joy ... beautiful in fact! I have
never been prouder in my musical career. Crank it and enjoy!”
Watch the recently
released video for ‘Am I Right’ here: https://youtu.be/apZ0JTG91qs
The climax of the song
features the gorgeous voice of Theresa Thomason, famous to Dream Theater fans
for her participation on ‘The Spirit Carries On’ from the bands lauded ‘Scenes
From A Memory’ concept album.
Watch the previously
released video for the track ‘Devil in Drag’ here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwDfh5Mvd0o
Watch the previously
released vide for ‘Give and Take’ here: https://youtu.be/-cxWibWBi_o
The new endeavor sees
him traverse personal maturation, loss, a myriad of complex relationships, and
most importantly – LaBrie’s burning passion for music. On paper, the latest
studio offering from the Canadian singer first took shape shortly after the
global pandemic began to emerge. But in reality, LaBrie formed a bond with his
fellow collaborator, bassist Paul Logue (Eden’s Curse), nearly a decade
earlier.
The two first met in
2011, when James would lend his voice to a feature for Logue’s band, UK melodic
metal outfit Eden’s Curse, on the song “No Holy Man”. As years went by the two
remained in touch, occasionally kicking the tires on the idea of working
together on another project. But when Dream Theater performed in Glasgow during
the late winter of 2020, LaBrie and Logue would run into each other at the
airport – once again asking the question. But this time, armed with the
knowledge that a drastic change in the world was all but imminent, LaBrie made
the decision to set things in motion.
On the album, Logue
plays acoustic rhythm guitar (both six & twelve string) and acoustic bass,
while guitarist Marco Sfogli, who’s contributed on all of LaBrie’s solo albums
since 2005’s ‘Elements of Persuasion’, handled the leads and solos. Logue
recruited Eden’s Curse keyboardist Christian Pulkkinen to lend his playing on
the record, while the suggestion to recruit James’s son Chance to play drums
would also come from Paul. ‘Beautiful Shade of Grey’, as LaBrie describes it,
was a title that only came to him once he identified the record’s two core
themes throughout its track list. “A lot of these lyrics are dealing with
the beauty of human beings, and a lot are dealing with the grey areas of the in
between. You’re not exactly happy, but you’re not exactly sad, either.”
The record starts off
(and ends) with the track “Devil In Drag”, which emerges as a wall of
synthesizers and acoustic strumming before exploding into a full-blown
ensemble. LaBrie expresses that the song was written about “someone who
started out as a decent human being, but along the way lost touch with their
roots – overtime becoming self-serving, narcissistic and devoid of principles
or values.” Going on to say, “’Devil In Drag’ is written from the
perspective of someone who’s known them all their life and, seeing them now,
asking ‘what happened?’”
‘Beautiful Shade of
Grey’ will be released as a Limited CD Digipak, 180g LP + CD & as Digital
Album, with artwork by Thomas Ewerhard. Order now here: https://jameslabrie.lnk.to/BeautifulShadeOfGrey
Find James LaBrie
online:
https://www.facebook.com/officialjameslabrie
https://www.instagram.com/jameslabrie.dt/
https://twitter.com/jameslabrie
InsideOutMusic online:
www.youtube.com/InsideOutMusicTV