EL CIELO

As I've listened the first time to the entire "El Cielo" by Dredg, I was completely speechless. I've just layed back and wondered what I've listened there right now. To write music inspired by a picture of Salvador Dali means a avant-garde styled kind of music, which Dredg also delivers on here, but is also accessible at the same time. "El Cielo" as a whole is art rock in very true sense of the word with beautifully played parts, a warm and very deep voice in person of Gavin Hayes, very artistic arrangements like a saxophone, piano or mandolin. After listening some more times to the entire disc, there is one thing clear for me: One of the most fullfilled and exciting experiences in terms of rock music I ever went through. The record needs to be heard in full length and acquires some listening sessions to really show off it's intensity in terms of art and ambition that the band presents in a unique form on "El Cielo". No compromises are given to me not giving this beautiful piece of art 5 stars and it really earns it. An album that actually can be called as totally unique and artistically acclaimed masterpiece of modern (not neo) progressive rock. The song that really impressed me the most is the final piece "The Canyon Behind Her", which ends in one of the most haunting and touching finales I've ever heard.

Describing the music on the album wouldn't be representable at all, this must be listened, over and over again in full length, at best under headphones to spend full attention to the sound scapses and melodies, which give the songs the important character and breath of life. It's confirming to see, how this band changes the skin from record to record. Where "Leitmotif" shows the hard edged songwriting skills of the group, lives "El Cielo" through the atmospheres and artistic perfection, and their final album "Catch Without Arms" shows their simplier, lighter and accesible approach. Dredg is a band which is like a chameleon, you don't know what comes next. Dredg has a very promising future, "El Cielo" is their outstanding achivement, but I really enjoy any style of their sound. Truely a progressing band, which seems to be the biggest hope of future prog music as far as I am concerned. Please get this album and take some intensive listens on it. This isn't only music, it's something like conserved art.

9.5/10 points = 96 % on MPV scale = 5/5 stars

point-system: 0 - 3 points = 1 star / 3.5 - 5.5 points = 2 stars / 6 - 7 points = 3 stars / 7.5 - 8.5 points = 4 stars / 9 - 10 points = 5 stars

Essential: a masterpiece of progressive music