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Artist: James Durbin
Album: Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster
Label: Wind-Up Records
Release Date: November 21, 2011
Tracklisting:
James LaBrie of Dream Theater. It took me most of the day to put 2-and-2 together but after listening to James Durbin's debut album "Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster" his tone and higher vocal range sound EXACTLY like James LaBrie...and that's definitely not a bad thing.
James Durbin, yes, the "metal guy" from this past American Idol, has managed to do two surprising things; not sign with Interscope Records, and putting out a solid debut rock record, which is not an easy thing to do, considering the last few recent Idol debuts (sans anything country) have not lived up to the hype and are currently label-less. Maybe that's why James signed with Wind-Up Records, a "rock" label with such acts as Seether, Bayside and, of course, Evanescence, knowing exactly who he is and where he fits in the music scene.
With an array of late-80's/early 90's vocals, including the aforementioned Dream Theater influence, supported by a hard rock sound, "Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster" definitely has it's share of stand-outs; "Higher Than Heaven", rockin' start to the album, "Love In Ruins", with it's strutting vocal lines and swinging rythym section, and ending with the party atmosphere/arena-rock-ready "Stand Up".
I always have heard that writers usually write their first story in an autobiographical way, which is kind of expected considering they're going to write about what they know. Same could be said for debut albums; as I said, it is a solid debut but does fall under the cliche's like most first outings do with very straightfoward, could-be-more-creative lyrics and subject matters, and sometimes too glam-y rock.
"Memories" is a solid debut album, a good rock album, and James Durbin fans will not be disappointed. Even with the occasional cliches, James has set his sites on a clear and long career down the path of rock and roll.