Album: Catch Without Arms Artist: dredg Number Of Tracks: 12 Release Date: June 21, 2005 Genre/s: Art Rock Label: Interscope Standout Tracks: Catch Without Arms, Jamais Vu, Hungover On A Tuesday
I had heard a mention of dredg multiple times before I decided to check them out. Their biography told me they begun as a Nu Metal band that gradually moved away to bigger and better things, which is shown by the quality of each album released after their initial EP. I was still reluctant go get a dredg album at the time because usually I get lied to through such band reviews. I had the same initial paralysis with the Exies (I'll review an Exies album sometime) but in the end I gave in when it came to dredg. I had never heard any of their songs before so I didn't know what to expect or where to begin. Deciding to follow the advice of the reviews I got myself Catch Without Arms which was at the time their most recent album. I began to listen to what would eventually become the only album to ever live up to Queen's The Works album. And here is why. The album begins with "Ode to the Sun" which comes in sounding almost creepy, but then a sort of depressing guitar comes in. When the song picks up the listener is already kissing dredg's album cover saying "worth every cent!" The lyrics are consistant throughout the song and there is absolutely no annoying repedative noises or parts to the song. Everything fits in nicely and before you know it the next song has begun. When I say it's much the same thing for the next song I don't mean they are the same song on different tracks like Versus The World's album, I mean it is just as impressive. The album flows amazingly and once done there is nothing you'll want to do more then listen to it again. There is something new to gain from it every listen. "Catch Without Arms", the title track of the album is the third on the disc. The track begins really well. The vocals cut in absolutely perfectly and I can't beleive I'd be saying this, but the mixing is as close to perfect as I've ever heard. It's rare to hear me talk about an album or a song without paying it out for one reason or another (even ask Jack) so I have to say the one thing I dislike which shows why I can't and won't give this album a perfect score. The vocals, although interesting aren't perfect. There are occasions when you want to hear something a little different but you just don't get it. I don't want to take anytihng away from this band though, if your looking for a new artist to hang posters of on your wall, buy their cds, join their fan club etc. make it dredg for being masters of music creation. Their music is too good for mainstream which is why you'll never see them played on TV. Back onto the tracks I suppose. The next big track is Jamais Vu which serves as track number 10. The lyrics couldn't be better in my opinion. dredg's style can't be compared to anything, it's simply too good. Everything is in perfect order except of course for the very small vocal problem mentioned earlier. There is an absolutely awesome bassist in this band, and in this song he really shines. If you pay attention you'll hear that the bass in this song is what of the main reasons it sounds so interesting. Hungover On A Tuesday is the next standout song but it is simply too difficult to review it properly because I can attach so much emotion to it. I couldn't make it out in a negative way without feeling stupid and hypocritical. So I won't bother trying, I'll just tell you to buy the album and listen to it! According to the lead singer of the bnd Gavin Hayes, the album is in two parts that contrast each other. Lyrics were written about conversations and arguments, which were then turned into the Catch Without Arms album. Tracks 1 to 7 are labelled as PART 1 and 8 to 12 are PART 2. This is a very interesting concept for an album which only adds to it's greatness. It would be difficult to compare dredg to any band that i've ever heard of but if I had to look deep into the music and the odd style I would compare them most to another favorite band of mine. The Deftones and dredg both have very interesting styles, they both make albums that tend to reflect the mindset of the band members at a certain time in some way and their bands both start with the letter d. dredg though, in my opinion, are a much better band in that their lyrics are better, their music is easier to listen to at any time and they simply know how to place tracks in an album way better. Catch Without Arms is a GREAT example of dredg at their best. dredg are lyrical God's in my opinion. Their lyrics make up the bulk of their style, their style makes you think. I can stress the fact that this is one of the two best albums ever released, and taking away personal feelings it really truly IS the best album of all time. Every time I listen to it I get something new and special from it, which for someone like me is a rare thing. I will review their latest album sometime soon and let you know how that matches up to this masterpeice, but I can promise you that I have doubts anything ever will live up the the greatness of this album. If you don't have it, get it. If you don't like it, get out! Peterdea's rating: 9/10
Well I have to say that even though I like dredg, their debut is the best album by them for me. I got three of their albums from the debut until this one but this I haven't really given much of a listen since it just doesn't strike me like their previous efforts - probably because their first two albums were more complex. And I do disagree on them being lyrical Gods. To me, it's just not even close. Andrew Schwab (from Project 86) is way better imo and I'm just exploring different musical styles and genres so I bet in ten years I can name several other names. Chino Moreno (from Deftones, I liked your musical comparison by the way) is the kind of lyricist that I also appreciate a lot, and I don't think much of dredg in the side of him. Anyhow, dredg is indeed a great band worth to check out, I only wish they wouldn't have made that simplicity move. They take time but it's worth it.
As for the review itself, I think you have a good touch what comes to making them but you should try looking at things a little more objectively. Maybe it's just me, don't take it the wrong way, ok? Hoping to read more in the future and feel free to check out some of my reviews.
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Dreaming of Zion, Awake Sleeping Awake.
"We’ve never tried to come off as better than our fans, our fans... when they come to see us play, they’re actually a part of, you know, us playing. Sonny, the way he is on stage, he connects with them, emotional and in every kind of way you can imagine, you know, musically, and I think that they can see that it’s not, you know, a put on, it’s not something that’s fake, it’s real." - Mark Daniels of P.O.D.
Well I guess poetic lyrics just aren't for everyone.
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Dreaming of Zion, Awake Sleeping Awake.
"We’ve never tried to come off as better than our fans, our fans... when they come to see us play, they’re actually a part of, you know, us playing. Sonny, the way he is on stage, he connects with them, emotional and in every kind of way you can imagine, you know, musically, and I think that they can see that it’s not, you know, a put on, it’s not something that’s fake, it’s real." - Mark Daniels of P.O.D.
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Hoping to read more in the future and feel free to check out some of my reviews. 
