Dreadnaught
"The American Standard" CD
Red
Fez Records
Genres: rock, alt. rock
Dreadnaught
PO Box 774
Somersworth, NH
03873
Sep 16 - 22 2002 |
To
tell the truth, I wasn't expecting much from this album. While the
cover art is impressive and everything, the promo sheets that came
with the package weren't all that great. However, the band surprised
me, as the music contained on this disc is actually very
enjoyable.
Dreadnaught are a guitar-based band that has been doing both
instrumental and vocal pieces for years. The American Standard
contains thirteen songs, six of which are merely parts of the album's
two "movements," "Deus Ex Machina" and "The
Pumphaus Suite." While the guitar-heavy tunes may not be to
everyone's taste, the band does prove that they are very talented
musicians and songwriters, and that their arrangements, influenced by
everyone from Frank Zappa to Black Sabbath, are
surprisingly tight. "Ballbuster", for example, completely
blows you away, rushing forth with spastic guitar riffage and the
craziest stop/start drumming this side of the Pacific before switching
suddenly in to a calm, strings-y mood.
Meanwhile, "Deus Ex Machina", their 20 minute, four-part
movement, explores even more terrain. The first part starts off with a
funk-influenced riff and then jumps into a fast-paced, uppity number
featuring pop-punk-esque guitars and happy vocals, while still
retaining the band's zest for complex rhythms. The second part doodles
around a bit with drum loops and synths, and the third has a bit of a
metal influence to it. Then, of course, comes the final part, an
eight-minute epic that spans the whole spectrum of styles: fast, slow,
energetic, laidback, funky, and everything in between.
Dreadnaught are fun because they aren't boring. They're lively,
they're entertaining, and instead of playing tiresome, basic pop
songs, they just let loose and play some of the most complex, bizarre
compositions I've ever heard. While this is nice and everything (their
live shows must awesome!), those expecting something that they can hum
along to should look away. Otherwise, though, this is a top-notch
release.
85%
Matt Shimmer [Vitals:
55 min 14 sec; 13 tracks; distributed by CD
Baby;
released 2001] |