EL CIELO

My first DREDG experience was their most recent album, "Catch Without Arms". I failed to hear the progressive factor in it, even though after repeated listens the album grew on me and I managed to discover a few hints of greatness.

"El Cielo", on the other hand, is a much more progressive album which also features better songs and more beautiful melodies than its successor. The first thing one notices with this band is the fact that they play simple rock, yet artsy rock at the same time. Songs here are of average length (around 4 minutes), with few (if any) complex sections of odd time signatures or brilliant displays of technique. At first glance, the music is only slightly more prog than in their latest record. But one has to dig, to read between the lines to find the real magic in "El Cielo".

That magic lies in the amazing textures, in the especial details, in the writing of songs that act as part of a bigger whole, a concept album of great emotional impact. The art in DREDG is to write simple songs that build a larger structure, an album structure, one that starts in point A, the first song, to end in point B, the last one, where all parts are steps in a musical ladder, when each of them is dependent of the rest but at the same time can survive as single songs. The album that thus is created feels like a masterfully-planned rock journey, where the climax at the end is the normal, logical consequence of the build-up elaborated from the first track.

The music is very melodic, with strong pop sensibilities. One is constantly reminded of bands like MUSE, RADIOHEAD, but also of artists like DEPECHE MODE. In fact, the vocals bear a very strong resemblance to those of David Gahan, singer of the last-mentioned band. Prog-fans familiar with South- American rock/pop would agree with me that the voice of DREDG's vocalist is almost exact to that of Cuevas from Chilean band LA LEY. The musicianship from the rest of the band is high, especially in the songwriting side of things. These musicians can craft a tune, there's no question about it, and can support it with layers of pianos and guitars that add atmosphere and a special feeling of being high, of being near "El Cielo" (The Sky or Heaven, in Spanish). One feels that clouds and an intense color blue are surrounding the listener at all times.

The album is excellent. My only minor complaints would be the small similarity between many of the songs, which makes it difficult to distinguish some of them. Other than that, a few less-than-great tracks don't warrant bringing the rating down any more than one star. So, 4 stars it is for DREDG's "El Cielo", an album that those who love art-rock that's simple, modern and melodic should necessarily listen to.

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