Dreadnaught - "The American Standard"
(Red Fez Records 2001, FEZ-005)
Dreadnaught - "The American Standard"
(Red Fez Records 2001, FEZ-005)
From Aural Innovations #19 (April 2002)
Dreadnaught take their main influences from Primus, Frank Zappa, King Crimson and Nomeansno. Their bio has described the music as progabilly. The music is not overly stuck in the progressive rock arena though and the band adventure out in a lot of different directions. The all instrumental song, "Ballbuster" is quite a number with its complex changes, Primus like bass at times and energy of Nomeansno. The 4 song 20 minute suite called "Deus Ex Machina" is next. The styles vary greatly on this song, with an almost country twang guitar at times but switching back to ska to strange electronica with programmed drums back to the twangy stuff. It is quite an interesting mix of material. Some of the ways the vocal lines are delivered on the few songs with vocals suggest an attempt at a more commercial approach. But no way, the band play the music the way they feel it and take it into whatever direction they please. My wife really loved the unexpected nature of the CD. Whatever you think this CD will be from hearing any one or two tracks, it will not be. The more you hear this CD the more you will discover the unique elements. I enjoyed Dreadnaught very much.
For more information you can visit the Dreadnaught web site at: http://www.dreadnaughtrock.com.
Contact via snail mail c/o Dreadnaught; PO Box 774; Somersworth, NH 03878.
Reviewed by Scott Heller