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: : Musica en Flagrante : :
Treading the fine line between art rock and avant-garde pastures, nineteen tracks
that tend to go all over the place represent the musical project known as
Dreadnaught. Odd instrumental arrangements, improvisational jamming, and a rock
backdrop create this psycho jazz record filled with schizophrenic alchemy that, in
essence stays interesting throughout.
Doing the typical balancing act between the two most known art records, Trout Mask
Replica and The White Album, the transition moves with complete contrast from track
to track, opening up with the cocktail trip hop of “R. Daniel Olivaw,” the Yes
related jam session of “Tiny Machines,” the dark atmospheric “Are You Pants Down,”
the porno jazz of “Threnody for…,” the eased back blues of “The Boston Crab,” or the
experimental jazz metal of “Royal Jelly;” with the diversity within each cut making
for one different record, so to speak.
Complete with soloing from guitars, fuzz bass,
and saxes/woodwinds; not to mention the synth pads and sub hip hop beats providing
atmosphere and backdrop to this record, provided with discrete production with
precisely added effects and engineering techniques to round out the recording. It’s
defiantly ear candy for some of the Berklee/MI students, especially for those who
are into making experimental soundtrack music, which now leads to the discussion on
how Musica en Flagrante could easily fit like a glove in many indie films that lean
towards dark, avant-garde, and experimental themes, just like all the music
represented here.
In general it’s complex, haunting, and enjoyable, with some cuts here and there
being a little out there or just too noise related, then again, there are not many
musicians who can create material as well as these guys can.
6.5 out of 10
stars.
Reviewer: Tommy Hash
: : Visit the Artist’s Website : :
: : Discography : :
Dreadnaught - 1998
Una Vez Mas - 2000
The American Standard - 2001
Musica en Flagrante - 2004
Purchase Dreadnaught music at
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