CHUCKLES AND MR. SQUEEZY

When "The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion" came out I was a little frightened. There's a reason people say, "I like their early stuff" when talking about almost any band. It's because 90% of the time it's true. With early albums the sound is fresh, a band is able to explore and experiment as they seek out their sound, and the listener is blessed with a variety of fresh flavors. The first three Dredg albums were exactly that, each alike yet vastly different from the next in execution. The reason why I was scared when "The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion" was released was because Dredg had finally been around awhile, and were moving away from "early album" territory. Much to my surprise The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion" exceeded expectations. It was another beautiful installment, which I likened to "El Cielo", an album I still consider one of the greatest rock albums, and easily the best of their musical career. Not even a year and a half after the release of "The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion" my fears were realized again as Dredg announced they were already back in the studio for their fifth album. I thought it was much too soon, and the album took hardly anytime in the studio to finish. You know, I really don't care if a band changes their style. In fact, I welcome most bands doing so, and recognize most bands will gradually change their style probably without even realizing it. I figured I'd buy it anyway. Trust me - my problem isn't that the album has an electronic or "pop" style overtone at all. I knew only one of two things could come of this "new sound": either this album was going to be mind-blowingly good, or just a waste of time. Now, I understood there would never be another, "El Cielo" or "Catch Without Arms". Never would there be another song like, "The Canyon Behind Her". I dealt with the fact that it would be near impossible to recreate anything in the Dredg discography. But that doesn't mean the CD could not have the same strength. This album is probably the weakest among the five albums. The clever song writing that could be found on the other four albums is not there. It doesn't have the same heart behind it. The fantastic opening tracks and strong conclusions I had become accustomed to were now dulled. The songs sound like they have no substance or feeling, something I am not used to saying about Dredg. Everything is bland and unfocused. This, however, does not mean the album is a complete waste of time. If you're willing to take the time and listen, Dredg is still there. Still, some tracks, like Another Tribe, Kalathat, Where I'll End Up and even the final reworking of "The Ornament" i found to be something Dredg fans should enjoy. |But at the same time as a Dredg fan, I feel I need something else. When the last track was finished I thought, "That's it? We're just going to stop right there?" Maybe I was so used to the 16 track "El Cielo" or the ambitious 18 track "The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion". I feel like I wanted something emotional, but instead recieved a cold shoulder. I didn't get what I was expecting or what I was in the mood for. If it were a debut album from another band this CD I might be a little more into the music, but it's the soul of Dredg fans wanted, which, for the most part, cannot really be found on this album. In closing the album is very flat, has very few layers and many uninteresting songs. It also suffers from poor production - the album sounds and feels rushed, from the cover to the packaging to the music.

For collectors and fans only.