Customer Reviews

Madmen & Sinners

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been listening to progressive metal for over 10 years and it's strange cause I've never heard anything from Tim Donahue before. It's even more strange that he has released six albums already none of which I heard of until Madmen & Sinners came out.

This is so far one of the best progressive metal albums of 2004. I believe one of the factors Donahue has managed to reach a broader audience this time must be the inclusion of Dream Theater vocalist James Labrie. Obviously Donahue wrote this album constantly with Labrie on mind. When he finally got the chance to contact and invite him to sing on this disc, his dreams came true. Honestly I can't fathom a better choice as the singer of this disc since James Labrie does an outstanding vocal performance which matches the atmosphere of the album perfectly.

Madmen & Sinners is a 68-minute long progressive metal album consisting of Tim Donahue on fretless guitar, bass and keyboards; James Labrie on vocals and Mike Mangini on drums. I have been a huge fan of Mangini ever since I first discovered him in Extreme and then Annihilator, Steve Vai and finally Labrie's solo project Mullmuzzler. He recorded his drum parts back in the USA and sent his copies over to Donahue who mixed it at his home studio. The drumming sounds absolutely fresh and creative on the entire disc.

The fact that Tim Donahue has always played fretless guitar gives him his own edge. The sound of the fretless guitar is very distinctive and gives him a lot more freedom in his writing and playing. It has to be pointed out that Donahue's playing is very articulated, smooth and emotionally engaging. Although Madmen & Sinners is primarily his own project, this album in no way sounds like a one-man band project. There is plenty of room left for James Labrie's expressive and dark vocals plus some Gregorian chants which all give this album its own character. James Labrie sings quite differently from his role in Dream Theater and what's so interesting is that whenever Labrie takes part in a side project (Frameshift, Ayreon, Mullmuzzler), he has so much to offer. His singing style shifts from dark soothing vocals on "The End" to a really aggressive style on "Master of the Mind" or "Million Miles". You've never heard him sing the way he sings in "My Heart Bleeds" or "Children of the Flame". It's a pity he is severely criticised by most of his own fanbase for not sounding 'harsh' enough, but at least he has got a 100% James Labrie voice that is instantly recognisable. Instead of sounding like another dated Halford, Dickinson or Kiske clone, he sounds like himself -- the one and only James Labrie.

The first 10 plus times I listened to this album, I was reminded of Dream Theater's SFAM, only less complex and less flashy. But then slowly my opinion started to change and the similarities between to two albums began to wither. This album is definitely its own thing. The added Gregorian chants and fat organ sound with Latin language and the few spoken parts give way to the dark and brooding melodies of the album. You can tell why it took Donahue nearly three years to finish this album since he handled the recording, mixing and production duties solely by himself. Everything is so balanced and each instrument plays in perfect harmony with Labrie's vocals beautifully layered on top of it.

By listening to this album I have realised that Tim Donahue has created a great album and has every right to be proud of it. Hopefully we'll be hearing more from him but I'm in no hurry. This is already one of those discs that I will be playing on and off, for there is so much to discover here. Very highly recommended to prog metal fans who like their music intense, powerful and emotionally charged.

With six releases under his belt, Donahue decided it was time to take his music to the next level. After recording Into The Light (2000) and long before the ever meeting James LaBrie(Dream Theater),Donahue began writing M&S with LaBrie's voice in mind thinking in terms of a progressive metal album in the vein of a bombastic Dream Theater. A chance meeting with a mutual friend of LaBrie's in the summer of 2001, put Donahue in touch with the singer following a spontaneous listening session of the initial demo material. Phone calls were made, LaBrie was suitably intrigued by the offer and Donahue began writing in earnest with realization of the Madmen album in sight.

Guitarist and singer met for the first time in July 2002 to discuss Donahue's musical vision and ideas for Madmen & Sinners. Over the course of their brainstorming sessions Labrie suggested bringing drummer Mike Mangini (Extreme/Steve Vai) on board, having worked with the skinbasher on his Mullmuzzler side project. Recording took place in January 2003,with Mangini put to tape in Boston,LaBrie's vocals recorded in Barrie,Ontario. The year that followed saw Donahue holed up in his home studio playing and recording all the fretless guitar, bass and synth parts,engineering and mixing the album himself,all while having to deal with a temperamental computer intent on eating precious recorded data at random.
Donahue prevailed in the end,coming out of the studio with the best album of his career.

If you are a prog metal lover , buy this right away, don't ponder, hit one click.....!!

Donahues arrangements have strong hooks as well as savvy very intriguing arrangements. Manginis work is a bit back in the mix unfortunately but for the discerning ear his work is very solid as always, Labrie lyrics are well thought out, performed and sustainable.

First and third tracks rival Dream Theater arrangement with very strong hooks. You will find yourself wanting to listen to these over and over.

Track 10- Madmen and Sinners is a 9 minute journey that explores many feels with a portion that almost resembles Broadway Melody on Genesis' Lamb.

Track 5 opens with a GORGEOUS haunting melodic chorus that will impress anyone that hears it !!!!

I had known about this disc for quite a while; I had initially just sort of metally categorized it as merely one of many "side-project" releases from the various DT members (in this case James LaBrie), and had neglected to pick it up. After hearing it a few times, I definately feel as though I had been selling the guitarist short, although James LaBrie's contributions are excellent (as always).

A progressive metal/rock epic in the classic sense, "Madmen And Sinners" features great guitar work, operatic vocals from the highly-regarded James LaBrie, intelligent and interesting lyrics and some sound clips and samples which really add to the atmosphere at various times. One thing that really stands out for me, however, is the original sound and style of guitarist extraordinaire, Tim Donahue. In a crowded genre, his playing stands out, mostly because of his unusual style and sound. I know that he is a fretless guitar player, and perhaps that inherently contributes to his somewhat odd sound and style...he certainly has the requisite chops, but he plays in such an unusual and interesting way that is sort of difficult to describe. Suffice it to say that this is an excellent, unusual, and compelling addition to any prog-metal fan's library.

Like most people who bought this disc, I picked it up solely due to the presence of Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie. To be honest, I have no idea where he found the time to participate on this album, given his touring with Dream Theater, his solo career, and contributions to the Frameshift and Ayreon projects. Fortunately for Tim Donahue, LaBrie not only shows up, but delivers a very solid performance as well.

Donahue is something of a fretless guitar hero, though unlike some other guitar hero types who I won't (Yngwie) name (Malmsteen) here, he actually writes good songs, not just vehicles for complicated solos. The progressive metal on Madmen & Sinners is like a more melodic, streamlined version of Dream Theater (or a more complex version of LaBrie's solo material). It's pretty heavy hitting stuff, though always melodic and with the occasional moment of tranquility (see: Wildest Dreams).

I can't see many Dream Theater fans having a problem with this disc. It's technical enough to please progressive metal fans, and it manages to avoid the kind of instrumental pyrotechnics that might overshadow LaBrie's vocal performance. All told, this is my favorite of LaBrie's many side projects that year.

NOTE: If you like what you hear on Madmen & Sinners, you might want to check out Donahue's Into the Light album. Musically it's very similar to this album, and it features former Hurricane (and current Foreigner) vocalist Kelly Hansen.

I purchased this album purely for my appreciation for James Labrie and Dream Theater. I would tend to agree that the vocals on the album do not fully demonstrate the vocal range of James Labrie, however his vocals do complement Tim Donahue's style and tempo on this album. The music is a little different in style and sound and it took a few play to really grow on me. All in all, I really like some of the heavier tracks on this album. If you are looking for an album that is purely a James Labrie showcase, Mullmuzzler or his solo album are the way to go. James on this album does a great job to complement the music style and feel of this album. It is a pretty cool album

I was buying this CD based on reviews only (which is something I've learnt not to do ever again). I was exepticing to put the CD in my stereo and be blown away, but the disappointment was as big as the expectation. The Compositions sound well, if not less, and they are far from showing James LaBrie's vocal talent. Also I was expecting Tim Donahue (which is said to be a talented guitarist) to show his guitar skills but all I heard was simple tunes which every evarage guitarist can play easily.
I'm not saying the album is horrible, there are *nice* songs here and there, but hey, I was expecting more. Especially from an imported album which costs more than every other album and takes a lot more time to get to your house.
vuttom line: Don't base your oppinions on review and try to hear the album before buying it!