It's not a must that a well-known name and a label that stands for quality on highest levels, are always conterminous with a blockbuster-release. Actually this is obvious when it comes down to JAMES LA BRIE's new solo-album Elements Of Persuasion. On his third effort the Dream Theater-frontman is trying to explore musical fields that don't suit him and seem to have seduced him to release a quite average album. No matter if the disastrous opener Crucify that could not be worse with its thrashy 08/15-riffs and uninspired singing or the suc(k)ceeding Gothic-influenced Alone with a chorus I have heard about 100 times on other releases, LA BRIE is not able to create a red thread on his solo-effort and fails to offer catchy ideas. Especially the electronics he's using may be nice but seem quite misplaced on this cd. The best songs are the quiet ones, like the chilling Lost, reminding of Chroma Key, or the Dream Theater-influenced ballad Smashed, which unfortunately both are devastated by the monstrous drum-sound - here electronics and samples would have made sense but are absent.
JAMES LA BRIE is wanting too much on Elements Of Persuasion, tries to suit everybody and ends up with an chaotical album that offers elements from various styles but won't really please anybody. I had definitely expected more...