Elements of Persuasion, released March 29, 2005, is Dream Theaterlead singerJames 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 virtuosoMarco 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. This is the last of LaBrie's solo albums to feature drummer Mike Mangini, who would join Dream Theater five years later.
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.
Dream Theater’s eighth studio album, Octavarium, and LaBrie’s Elements of Persuasion were both released in 2005, with fans awaiting the release of each. Elements of Persuasion was leaked prior to release by an unknown source and intentionally mis-labelled as Octavarium. Due to the album featuring LaBrie's vocals many fans believed the leak to be that of Dream Theater, which subsequently led to confusion among some fans at concerts and even some DJs playing incorrectly labeled tracks.
Matt Guillory - keyboards, second guitar solos on "Crucify", "Alone", "Freaks" and "Oblivious", first guitar solos on "Undecided" and "Slightly Out of Reach"
