Elements of Persuasion
Encyclopedia
Elements of Persuasion, released March 29, 2005, is Dream Theater
lead singer James LaBrie
's third solo album, his first two being Keep It To Yourself
and MullMuzzler 2
, which were released under his band MullMuzzler
.
Unlike his previous solo works, this one is released under his name - as suggested by his publisher. He also hired some new musicians, among others the new guitar virtuoso Marco Sfogli
from Italy and Richard Chycki as sound engineer, resulting in a different sound. Despite the changes, the album is still based on the same general style used on the past two albums, although with a much heavier sound. And this is the last James LaBrie's solo album to feature drummer Mike Mangini on drums.
The pair knew that they wanted to produce a “very aggressive and heavy album” focused on vocal melodies and lyrics. The lyrics of the songs discuss a range of issues from organized religion to dictatorial oppression. “LaBrie explains Elements of Persuasion as the things that guide us during our lifetime and how at each stage of life certain things become much more important than others”.
, and LaBrie’s Elements of Persuasion were both released in 2005, with fans awaiting the release of each. In an alleged attempt to strike back at fans illegally downloading Dream Theater’s music before their albums were actually released, Mike Portnoy intentionally leaked several tracks from Elements of Persuasion citing them tracks from Octavarium. This leak led to confusion amongst some fans at concerts and even some DJs playing incorrectly labeled tracks.
Dream Theater
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to further concentrate on the band that would...
lead singer James LaBrie
James LaBrie
Kevin James LaBrie is a Canadian vocalist who is best known as the lead singer of the American progressive metal band Dream Theater.-Early life:...
's third solo album, his first two being Keep It To Yourself
Keep It to Yourself
Keep It To Yourself is the debut album by MullMuzzler . It was released on August 24, 1999.-Track listing:# "His Voice" - 3:43 # "Statued" - 3:23...
and MullMuzzler 2
MullMuzzler 2
MullMuzzler 2 is the second solo album by Dream Theater lead singer James LaBrie with his band MullMuzzler...
, which were released under his band MullMuzzler
MullMuzzler
MullMuzzler was the name of the progressive metal solo side project by James LaBrie, the lead singer of Dream Theater, before recording under his own name in 2005. The band consisted of James LaBrie, Bryan Beller, Matt Guillory, Mike Mangini and Mike Keneally. The record company wouldn't allow...
.
Unlike his previous solo works, this one is released under his name - as suggested by his publisher. He also hired some new musicians, among others the new guitar virtuoso Marco Sfogli
Marco Sfogli
Marco Sfogli is an Italian rock guitarist. He has appeared on several albums.- History:Born in 1980, his first attempt with music came in 1984 when he played with his parents in Schwetzingen, Germany during an encore. But the story starts in 1989 when he received his first electric guitar as a...
from Italy and Richard Chycki as sound engineer, resulting in a different sound. Despite the changes, the album is still based on the same general style used on the past two albums, although with a much heavier sound. And this is the last James LaBrie's solo album to feature drummer Mike Mangini on drums.
Concept and Making
Elements of Persuasion was written over a period of two years primarily by James LaBrie and keyboardist Matt Guillory with production taking place any time LaBrie had “down time” from Dream Theater or other obligations. The pair would begin to construct songs together, then independently grow and evolve the works. This process was facilitated by the pair sending MP3s back and forth to one another.The pair knew that they wanted to produce a “very aggressive and heavy album” focused on vocal melodies and lyrics. The lyrics of the songs discuss a range of issues from organized religion to dictatorial oppression. “LaBrie explains Elements of Persuasion as the things that guide us during our lifetime and how at each stage of life certain things become much more important than others”.
Influences
LaBrie cites several bands as influences for Elements of Persuasion, such as Mudvayne, Meshuggah, Linkin Park, and Sevendust, commenting “Those bands were saying something to us, and I like the way they were approaching their music. I thought it was refreshing, intelligently done and just had a feel of its own.” The direct influences of these bands can be seen in songs such as “Lost”, with its jazz-fusion vibe or “Smashed” with its Bruce Hornsby inspired piano melody. Indirect influences include literature which LaBrie reads, social issues, personal observations, and integration within relationships.Confusion with Octavarium
Dream Theater’s eighth studio album, OctavariumOctavarium
Octavarium is the eighth studio album by American progressive metal band Dream Theater. Released on June 7, 2005, it was the band's final release with Atlantic Records. Recorded between September 2004 and February 2005, the album holds the distinction of being the last album ever recorded at The...
, and LaBrie’s Elements of Persuasion were both released in 2005, with fans awaiting the release of each. In an alleged attempt to strike back at fans illegally downloading Dream Theater’s music before their albums were actually released, Mike Portnoy intentionally leaked several tracks from Elements of Persuasion citing them tracks from Octavarium. This leak led to confusion amongst some fans at concerts and even some DJs playing incorrectly labeled tracks.
Track listing
- "Crucify" (Music: Guillory, LaBrie, Lyrics: Guillory) – 6:03
- "Alone" (Music: Guillory, LaBrie, Lyrics: Guillory) – 5:36
- "Freaks" (Music: Guillory, LaBrie, Wherry, Lyrics: LaBrie) – 5:38
- "Invisible" (Music: Guillory, LaBrie, Wherry, Lyrics: LaBrie) – 5:42
- "Lost" (Music: Guillory, LaBrie, Lyrics: Guillory) – 3:41
- "Undecided" (Music: Guillory, LaBrie, Wherry, Lyrics: LaBrie) – 5:30
- "Smashed" (Music: Guillory, LaBrie, Lyrics: LaBrie) – 5:31
- "Pretender" (Music: Guillory, LaBrie, Wherry, Lyrics: LaBrie) – 5:36
- "Slightly Out of Reach" (Music: Guillory, LaBrie, Lyrics: LaBrie) – 5:51
- "Oblivious" (Music: Guillory/LaBrie/Wherry, Lyrics: LaBrie) – 5:20
- "In Too Deep" (Music: Guillory/LaBrie, Lyrics: LaBrie) – 6:56
- "Drained" (Music: Guillory/LaBrie, Lyrics: LaBrie) – 5:14
- "Understand" (Music: Guillory/LaBrie, Lyrics: LaBrie) – 4:36 (Japanese Bonus Track)
Personnel
- James LaBrieJames LaBrieKevin James LaBrie is a Canadian vocalist who is best known as the lead singer of the American progressive metal band Dream Theater.-Early life:...
- vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Marco SfogliMarco SfogliMarco Sfogli is an Italian rock guitarist. He has appeared on several albums.- History:Born in 1980, his first attempt with music came in 1984 when he played with his parents in Schwetzingen, Germany during an encore. But the story starts in 1989 when he received his first electric guitar as a...
- lead and rhythm guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s - Matt GuilloryMatt GuilloryMatt Guillory is an American musician. He mainly plays keyboards and tends to write progressive metal. He has often been compared to the Swedish keyboard player Jens Johansson, famous for his work in the power metal band Stratovarius. Matt Guillory has worked for Mike Varney, appearing on several...
- keyboardKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
s, additional guitars - Bryan BellerBryan BellerBryan Beller is an American bass guitarist known for his work with Mike Keneally, Steve Vai, Dethklok, James LaBrie of Dream Theater, and Dweezil Zappa.-Career:...
- bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Mike ManginiMike ManginiMike Mangini is an American drummer, and the current drummer for the progressive metal band Dream Theater. He has played for Annihilator, Extreme, James LaBrie, and Steve Vai, among others. He lectured at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and is also known for his work as a session musician...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....