Customer Reviews

Winter Rose

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

 

 

Released in 1989 (and reissued by InsideOut in 1997), the self-titled debut album from Winter Rose features none other than Dream Theater's James LaBrie on vocals.

This album has probably freaked out its fair share of Dream Theater fans. We tend to be an obsessive lot, and when we hear that (insert Dream Theater member here) performed on an album, we usually chase that album down. That's the only reason for most people to hunt down a copy of Winter Rose. I think that a lot of the serious progressive metal fans who pick this album up are going to be sorely disappointed.

Winter Rose is not prog by any stretch of the imagination. This is a total hair metal album from start to finish. It's essentially Bon Jovi's New Jersey with a more unique vocalist (seriously, does anyone sound quite like LaBrie?). I love this kind of music, so I got a kick out of LaBrie's work in a different musical style. I'm guessing he never had to leave the stage for an 18-minute guitar and drum solo when he was in this band!

Overall, Winter Rose is a solid hair metal album. It's upbeat and melodic, and has a good mix of party anthems and power ballads. If you like this kind of music, you'll probably enjoy Winter Rose. If you're a progressive metal fan tracking this down to complete a Dream Theater collection, then you're not likely to spin this disc more than once before filing it away.

I love this cd. There I said it. As I was becoming a dream theater obsesser(as many DT fans are) i started finding all projects that I could. My interest in DT lies primarily in the voice of James LaBrie. I could listen to this guy sing anything. When I found out there was a cd out there of his voice singing 80s Hard Rock(my favorite music) I was very excited. I picked up this cd and totally dug it. It was everything I could have asked for.
The songs are catchy and fun. This may or may nto be for Dream Theater fans at large. But if you have a soft spot for thistype of music then you will love it. I am hard pressed to find a finer overall performance from James than on "Saved By Love." He is just incredible on this one and all over the chart. "I'll never Fall In Love Again" was also an early favorite. It could have been a hit in 1989/90 and a big one. You could almost see the video. SLow motion effects, black and white. All the best! I do of course love the song "Rough Boys", which it should eb noted the bands backup vocals sound anything but rough. It is a silly tune that works well and has quite the hook.
Like i said, this cd is not for everone, but if you ike this music or just want to see a different side to the greatest voice in prog rock, check this out.

Dream Theater is one of my favorite bands because the instrumentals are espectacular but i always think what would happen if James LaBrie gets fired?? NOTHING, because dream theater are basically the other members, but man!!, Winter Rose rocks!, and in this band James really demonstrates his potencial, James, please make more albums with Winter Rose It's a MUST HAVE ALBUM!!!!

I love this cd. There I said it. As I was becoming a dream theater obsesser(as many DT fans are) i started finding all projects that I could. My interest in DT lies primarily in the voice of James LaBrie. I could listen to this guy sing anything. When I found out there was a cd out there of his voice singing 80s Hard Rock(my favorite music) I was very excited. I picked up this cd and totally dug it. It was everything I could have asked for.
The songs are catchy and fun. This may or may nto be for Dream Theater fans at large. But if you have a soft spot for thistype of music then you will love it. I am hard pressed to find a finer overall performance from James than on "Saved By Love." He is just incredible on this one and all over the chart. "I'll never Fall In Love Again" was also an early favorite. It could have been a hit in 1989/90 and a big one. You could almost see the video. SLow motion effects, black and white. All the best! I do of course love the song "Rough Boys", which it should eb noted the bands backup vocals sound anything but rough. It is a silly tune that works well and has quite the hook.
Like i said, this cd is not for everone, but if you ike this music or just want to see a different side to the greatest voice in prog rock, check this out. The bonus disc in this particular edition is a waste but if you like the bands or want a prog sampler, it is worth it.

the current Dream Theater singer flexes his vocal muscles in this well crafted album. Song after song the talent of this man hits you square in the face