Reviews

“That’s what happens when you play catch without arms.” Dredg gets an extra gold star just for that line, because it’s clever. I’m just going to dive right into this and say that this release is a fantastic work of art.  There of course, are bound to be a thousand individuals with differing opinions, but the bottom line is that this band has produced an album that breathes air into the lungs of progressive rock. Lyrically, vocally, musically and artistically, the members of Dredg alongside producer, Terry Date are right on the money with this one. 
 
Dredg is probably one of the undergrounds’ best kept secrets, but once this sound leaks out into the airwaves, the floodgates will open and the secret will be out. As a follow up to “El Cielo,” “Catch Without Arms,” pulls together everything that was great about that album and everything that was missing and fine tunes it into something delicate and enchanting, yet simultaneously explosive.  “Ode To Sun,” gets the blood flowing with energy and vocals pleading “Please accept this offer/This is all for you.” Immediately following is “Bug Eyes,” which you can listen to on the Dredg’s site right now. 
 
The title track to this album is one of my favorites, featuring the aforementioned lyric as well as “I’m not your star/I’m not that beam of light here to save your life/To make your wallet fat while mine is on a diet…. I’ve given up trying to sing about love/and sing about lust so they will care/they are the same difference/well that’s what happens when you compromise your art/it’s what sets us apart…” I think that we all have a lot to learn from Dredg, from this song, and from the point that they’re attempting to get across. 
 
I could probably go on forever about the rest of these songs, but it’s not necessary.  “Catch Without Arms” is a perfect package, down to the magnificent artwork. I was going to end this by saying that we need more bands like Dredg, but then I thought about it and I realized that music like this is a treasure and a rare find in these times of artistic impersonation and most jewels shine brighter if you keep them safe and hidden. Go buy this album!