Dreadnaught is the type of prog band that forces you to think long and hard about why you like prog in the first place; they refuse to follow any rules--written or unwritten--that attempt to define the genre. This is a band that has a simple mission statement: "Listen and Enjoy." Being self described as "Zappa meets Yes at Willie Nelson's BBQ" should give you a general idea of where the stress level is within the band. Time to plunge headlong into the music and marinate a bit...
The first cut on the album is aptly titled "Have A Drink With Dreadnaught" and it leaps through the headphones like a corvette maneuvering a double "S" curve on Mount Everest. The mood is fast and loose as the band primes your ears and mind for a wild romp through many sections of the prog garden. Dreadnaught are masters of their craft without all the stuffy hobnobbery...you remember the kid in physics class with the faded Yes T-shirt that always aced the exam? Well, he started a prog band...
Moving the stylus deeper across the vinyl, I find another interesting nugget; "Gets The Grease." I am immediately taken to a smoke filled jazz lounge as a piano/sax duet open the piece. I search the room for the Wurlitzer from which the music is emitting...but alas all I see is the old Victrola...Dreadnaught has an uncanny ability to leap across the prog garden with giant steps yet they are as fleet afoot as a butterfly in a meadow, flitting from song to song as they lead you on a prog journey exploding with sounds, emotions, and exhilaration.
Liner Notes...Dreadnaught is Bob Lord on bass, Justin Walton on guitar, and Rick Habib sitting behind the drum kit. A musical trio as diverse and unafraid as a Vietnamese restaurant in Macon GA, Dreadnaught changes tempo, mood, and time signatures much the way Imelda Marcos used to change shoes. Hailing originally from Portsmouth NH, they have traveled the planet for over twenty years, putting on exhibitions as opposed to mere concerts or shows. Nothing is simplistic yet everything is fun. Additional musicians on this album include Chris Dow on flute, Andy Happel on violin, and Jonathan Wyman ripping a solo on "That's The Way That You Do It (Your Way)."
Don't be fooled or lulled into a false sense of incoherence; Dreadnaught is comprised of serious musicians who are merely unable and unwilling to take themselves too seriously. You may not catch yourself singing along, but you will notice an inability to avoid tapping on the dashboard, playing air guitar, or just moving with the beat. If only Dreadnaught would tour with Adrian Belew; now that would light up the prog garden...
You can purchase "Hard Chargin'" at the band's website Dreadnaught, their record label Red Fez Records' website Red Fez Records, and Dreadnaught's Bandcamp website Dreadnaught BC. Most of the Dreadnaught library is available on all sites and I implore you to check it out. You will also find Dreadnaught on iTunes and Amazon. Find out more about Dreadnaught on Facebook at Dreadnaught FB and try keeping up with them on Twitter @dnaughtmusic . This is the music your parents warned you about, only to discover that they themselves enjoy the stripped down straightforwardness Dreadnaught invokes with every tune.
One last song for review and it is another dandy; "Express Delight." This piece sets up camp in the metal section of the prog garden and refuses to play nice. I pick up strong aromatics of The Sex Pistols and The Clash having a reverb contest as the song opens...and then top notes of Traffic begin to float across the top as mayhem takes a backseat to fine tuning. Dreadnaught seems to enjoy playing with your senses; all that is missing is the carnival ride through a haunted house with strobe lights wailing to bring this to a rolling boil, and that is the point. Dreadnaught doesn't want to explode all over the room--the full simmer that keeps your attention is the real fun.
Another review for the prog faithful reaches the end of the disc. As has become my custom with album reviews, no clip to seduce your listening sensors; 'tis better to purchase the entire album and enjoy within the confines of your home, office, car, boat, backyard, or anywhere you feel the urge to let loose the prog garden magic.
And once again we reach the end of the post...for now. Dreadnaught was the frozen margarita required to kick the summer prog season into overdrive. There is so much more new music, great bands, and as yet undiscovered artists lurking throughout the prog garden just waiting for discovery. Of course I am only too happy to oblige and keep the search for all things prog going full throttle. In the meantime please enjoy Dreadnaught and all the artists you have discovered here in The Closet Concert Arena. Until next time...
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