Band : James Labrie
Album title : Static Impulse
Label : Inside Out Records
Distributor : Century Media – EMI
Release Date : 01/10/2010
Release : CD

Knowing James Labrie from his (fantastic) work with Dream Theater, it was with great expectations that I put this, his second solo CD that he’s brought out under his own name, in my CD player.

I must say I was baffled when I heard the first song.  Was this the James Labrie form Dream Theather?  No, this surely could not be.  Actually the intro was sung, or rather growled, by the drummer Peter Wildoer.  As the song goes on, in comes James’s familiar voice. As on previous solo-albums his partner in crime on this album is keyboarder Matt Guillory,, who besides playing the keyboards, also handles all background vocals and has been co-writing all songs on this album. I admit I had to spin this album a couple of times before it started growing on me.  Besides the occasional grunts, which I really don’t like at all, the album is good.  It’s rather heavy though, so Labrie fans might give it a listen before buying it, as otherwise they might end up disappointed.

Leave the grunts and growls out of the equasion, and this album would have gotten a higher rating.

80/100

Erik Morren.