Originally posted by Mr Ten la brie has gotten better, his range is weak, he used to be pretty poor, especially coming from a band of perfectionists, however, it's too late for dream theater to get anyone else. they're branded with him and a band with no james labrie is no dream theater, in my book. i'd love to hear the band with someone else but it wouldn't be the same band.
I agree. I don't understand the comments about his range either, f he does have it, I haven't heard it yet. I'm no singer and I can hit 2 octaves + 4-5 notes (excluding falsetto). I don't think that's anything special. (Listen to Hansi Kursch of Blind Guardian freakish, that guy...)
That said, he is really good IMO for the slower stuff like Hollow Years, Wait for Sleep, Space-dye Vest etc. However, he seems to be trying to sing classical when he should be "screaming," which does not go well with the music. Again, that's only my opinion. And no, I don't mean hardcore or emo type screaming, but rather the way Chris Cornell does it.
I agree about Rudess also. Kevin Moore was probably the most talented songwriter in DT.