Has anyone given credit to how amazing JLB sounds on this album?  (Suave me if necessary, but I wanted to recognize this guy myself ) I get a serious Mulmuzzler vibe from time to time while listening and can't help but acknowledge how JLB's solo albums have definitely matured him as a true vocalist and not just a singer for the band.  I love how they layer some of his parts and his dynamics are truly magnificent on this one.  You can tell how the music is written, that James' ablities play an important role in how the songs are structured and presented.  Amazing work James! Very \m/\m/

ORIGINAL: ThXinc

Has anyone given credit to how amazing JLB sounds on this album?  (Suave me if necessary, but I wanted to recognize this guy myself ) I get a serious Mulmuzzler vibe from time to time while listening and can't help but acknowledge how JLB's solo albums have definitely matured him as a true vocalist and not just a singer for the band.  I love how they layer some of his parts and his dynamics are truly magnificent on this one.  You can tell how the music is written, that James' ablities play an important role in how the songs are structured and presented.  Amazing work James! Very \m/\m/

Amen to that bro!

ORIGINAL: ThXinc

Has anyone given credit to how amazing JLB sounds on this album?  (Suave me if necessary, but I wanted to recognize this guy myself ) I get a serious Mulmuzzler vibe from time to time while listening and can't help but acknowledge how JLB's solo albums have definitely matured him as a true vocalist and not just a singer for the band.  I love how they layer some of his parts and his dynamics are truly magnificent on this one.  You can tell how the music is written, that James' ablities play an important role in how the songs are structured and presented.  Amazing work James! Very \m/\m/

dude..if you are amazed by his vocal talents (get Frameshift if you dont have it), read the lyrics carefully, either the ones from EoP or 8V. They are excellent!!!

Um...GOT EM already.....duh.......

This album and Scenes are definately his top efforts.

I couldn't agree more, guys.

My best friend and I have been listening to Octavarium nonstop since it came out, and we both have agreed that JLB's voice is purely outstanding in this album.

Honestly, my favorite part in the album doesn't occur at a drum fill, or a piano break, or even a guitar/bass riff--it's JLB's vocal line in "Panic Attack" when he sings:

"Run, Try to Hide..."

The first time I heard that, I crapped my pants (well.....uh......not really)!

I'm glad that I finally get to say that my favorite part of a DT song (album for this occasion!) is JLB's voice. This is especially awesome since so many people today are trashing on his voice. When I hear that stuff, I disagree that he sucks as a singer--but I do agree that he's the weakest of the five members of the workhorse, which is pretty crappy for whoever is being compared to them in the first place!!

I'd also like to add that I really enjoy DT's choice of direction on this album. It seems that for a band to get their name known, and known....and more known in the world today, they need to sacrifice ALL musical talent to please the people. I honestly would say (just like I'm sure many will agree) that that has got to be one of the most difficult decisions to make as an artist today (those who don't want to sacrifice their musical talent, that is!)

I firmly believe that DT sacrifice's no musical talent for this album. They up their emotional aspect of the music (right on!), and they slightly change their style just a tad.....

No, ya' know what?--They don't CHANGE their style a bit--they ADD to their style. So many people on here make it sound like they lost what they had, and put something in its place. We all know that that didn't happen with this group of masterminds!

By the way, I hate trying to disprove other people's opinions (because that won't ever happen, they can only be changed, and changed on their behalf--not mine or anyone else's), and I don't try to here, but I'd also like to say that I believe that DT has consistently added to their sound/style/etc. with each new album since the first album. For us to say that they "changed" in a way that we don't like is something that is fine (it's inevitable), but also realize that before that decision was made, knowing that DT adds to their sound/style/etc. for each new album--perhaps that decision would've been prolonged or even nulled if we coulda' remembered that idea before we just shot down what they do differently than the previous album.

Finally, I'd be pretty bored of DT if they kept what they did in the last album for the new album, and so on and so forth. However, DT DOES do that, but, like I said earlier--ADDS to it each consecutive album!

THANKS DREAM THEATER!!

ORIGINAL: ThXinc

Um...GOT EM already.....duh.......

cool..

but i'm trying to say that not only his vocals are amazing, but his lyrics as well. Sacrificed Sons (8v) and Smashed says it all

I predicted in 2001 that DT would write a song about 9/11.  I'm glad James took the lyrics!

That's one of the most noticeable things in the album me thinks. I've always thought that JLB's vocal lines could have been better, but this time they did. The vocal lines sound awesome, are memorable and instantly singable  (maybe not so much on some of the high notes), and the choruses are catchy as hell.

I think JLB's voice contributed to the sound of Octavarium much more than it did with any past DT album. JLB definitely ROCKS!

Believe me, there is always a method to my madness...
MP

James is simply amazing in this album.  When Train of Thought came out, I felt that was James' best performance, but to me he is even better in Octavarium.  Much better b/c he shows so much range in this album and goes places where we have never seen him go before and does it with ease.  To me, he just keeps getting better and better.