EL CIELO

I have a rocky relation with concept albums. On one hand i think that every album is a concept album by virtue of it being able to take you on a musical journey. But on the other, a well crafted concept can make you experience that journey differently. There is a huge difference between an album like "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" wich expects me to take some silly and contrived story seriously, and an album that only teases and hints at a concept, thereby colouring your imagination further whiles enjoying it.

"El Cielo" is definitely one of those latter albums. It is said to be a concept album about Sleep Paralysis, and as someone who has had his share of sleeping problems i can only say that it shows. Everything in this album feels subdued and unreal like you are stuck in the final stages of a lucid dream, or a nightmare. And i meant that as a compliment.

Dredg has a very talented lead vocalist. His voice can set a mood almost immediatly like he does in "Same Ol' Road". There is also a very inspired use of sound effects and samples on this album like a Japanese man talking excitedly, female chanting etc. Other songs i like is "Triangle" wich features a section in 9/8 time and "Whoa Is Me" wich features some very good, Mars Volta-like Sax playing.

This is a remarkable album. It really stayed with me, long after it finished and the only reason that i will not give it one more star is because of its Post Rock influence wich serves to make many of the song sound very similar and weak.

A haunting and beautiful album. Highly recommended.