Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy

[UrSaviour]

Re: Album Discussion: Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy

Interesting.

I would go El Cielo, Leitmotif, TPTPTD, CWA, and then good ol Chuckles.

I just think as far as a concept album and from start to finish El Cielo is the album of many decades for me. Not a bad song on it in my opinion.

As far as TPTPTD, it didn't feel AS cohesive and i was not a fan of the Stamps either (except for the last one)... thought they were a waste and felt out of place on the album. Also, besides the middle part that was cut out of the radio single, Information is unlistenable to me.

Even thought this is in the wrong thread. I'm curious to hear your stance on which album has the better ending... El Cielo or TPTPTD? When i say end i mean It Only Took a Day/Whoa Is Me/Canyon Behind Her vs. Quotes/Down to the Cellar/Horizon.

I am UrSaviour and I approve this message!

[Gnomad]

Re: Album Discussion: Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy

That was a thought out review, ANKoF. I agree with you on a lot of your points. Even on Where I'll End Up. I really don't think this song was butchered, and the more I hear it, the more I like it. Still, while I enjoy it, this isn't my favorite album.

And new dredg is new dredg. Good or bad, I'll take it. Still, I can't help but agree that they've abandoned better songs compared to half the album.

[Volvox]

Re: Album Discussion: Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy

They have 86ed songs that are better than 2/3 of this album, and that's a shame.

so true!

[AnewKINDofFEELING]

Re: Album Discussion: Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy

I have now listened to the album a few times in single listens and decided to give my opinion now. My feelings have changed quite a bit since first listens, but some things still don't change.

Another Tribe:
I think it is a very interesting opener for the album, even if a little underwhelming. Gavin's whispered vocals do work within the song, but are also rather cheesy and cliche. Lyrically it is one of the best pieces on the album. Gavin's voice just doesn't seem suited to the vocal style in the chorus. By the end of the song, I'm fighting off the temptation to skip to the next song, unfortunately. They should have ended it around the 3:00 mark.

Upon Returning:
This song really stands out on the album for me. The problem is, that guitar tone will always be trash on the verses. It just doesn't work. It sounds like they compressed that track 8 times over and then ran it through a compressor. Lyrically, I like it. I've seen my good friends face the same thing after returning from battle. A good friend was the sole survivor of an attack. Had to load his buddies' bodies into a Humvee and guard them all night. Then he came back and people had the nerve to call him a warmonger. Fuck them.

Back to the song, just as it gets a little repetitive, the bridge kicks in and saves the day. I think this is one of 3 well-written songs on the entire album.

The Tent:
So, Dan the Automator took a Mike Patton song and asked Gavin to sing it. The vocal track sounds like trash here. I get the cheeky delivery given the lyrics, but Gavin just doesn't have the voice for it. It sounds very forced.

Then, The Chorus, dear god. Probably the worst thing dredg has ever recorded. This chorus alone makes me want to call them assholes for ditching FAR better songs like On Again, Off Again, etc. This song, quite frankly, should have never been made. Since it was made, it should have been deleted. It is just bad.

Somebody is Laughing:
The best guitar work on the album and it really makes me like the song. It actually sounds like this is the pinnacle of what they were trying to do on the album. Very poppy, yet dredgy. I haven't listened too closely to the lyrics, but the vocal delivery is not at all cheesy to me. I really like this song.

Down Without a Fight:
This song is the first thing I heard that actually drew me in. It sounds so un-dredg, but yet very interesting. The synth line is very VETO-sounding, and I like it. I like the lyrical theme, but some of the lines are just bad (chorus). Then you have a great, classic Gavin line like "Believing positivity breeds positive happenings." Great fucking line, even if a little corny. Overall, this is a keeper that will end up on many playlists.

The Ornament:
If this was my first time hearing this song, I would think meh. It sounds like Sting ass-raped Phil Collins and this is the resultant chum-baby. They took a fantastically moody song and turned the cheese to 11. I am glad I still have the original recording from Chicago. That is by far the best version of the song. They just need to leave this song alone from now on, as it is regressing. The sparseness was its beauty. Now you have a forced vocal line that just doesn't work.

The Thought of Losing You:
I hated the song at first, but it has grown on me. Not much, but it has. Still, I think it is not up to par with the rest of the dredg library. It just seems very "by the books" pop rock and that isn't good. It's really just a boring song to me.

Kalathat:
I like it. Very much owed to Elliott Smith, but it is a solid track. I think this is actually the most unlike dredg, which I'm totally cool with. Gavin sounds great, but again, the track sounds like shit. I'm hoping the streaming rip has something to do with it. Other than that, this makes me want an acoustic dredg album.

Sun Goes Down:
I don't hate it, but I'm never going to yearn to hear this song. Candy pop. I could actually see this song being a hit, but that's not to say the song is great. It just is.

Where I'll End Up:
So many people dislike this song. I think it may be my favorite song on the album. I like the upbeat sound of it. I think this actually would have been a great closing track. It seems like a dredg closer for some reason. Really, I love this song. One of the only times on the album that you can hear Drew being Drew, which was always one of my favorite things about dredg.

Before It Began:
It is a decent track, but those that said Jimmy Buffett are correct. This sounds like it could have fit on any Buffett album from Barometer Soup to Far Side of the World. It sounds like it could almost be a straight ripoff of Buffett. I've always loved that era of Jimmy Buffett's music, though. So I actually do enjoy the song. It just isn't at all original and a very weak closing track.


Overall, I am greatly disappointed in this "album." There are songs that I really enjoy, and others that make me cringe. I don't mind the poppier sound, but I take some offense to the fact that they elected to churn out an EP and call it an album. They have 86ed songs that are better than 2/3 of this album, and that's a shame.

[halcyon712]

Re: Album Discussion: Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy

Every time The Ornament comes on when I'm listening to CAMS, I start singing "Lady In Red", haha. It's that horrible synthetic shaker that does it in for me. I just wish they would lay the song to rest already. Otherwise, it kinda feels like Coheed's albums with the same song re-recorded a few times.

[InfraredDream]

Re: Album Discussion: Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy

Very difficult for me to compare both, so different, so unique and such masterpieces! Can't even say for the endings. From Quotes onwards, this is an amazing ending, just the way the energy flows and fades... It is beyond words really. Love it very much!
I guess this gives my answer to Lara as to why people have such expectations towards dredg. I guess that's why.
---
Eagle Morph, just read your review. With a little bit of adjustments here and there, this is pretty much how I feel. Especially in the part about the talent. And about missing Dino and Mark. I do like Gavin vocals for the most part, he does some incredible stuff here, he is very confident with his voice and I love that most about the album. But same with me, very sad there are so many songs I can't really force myself to listen That never happened for me before and I don't like this new kind of feeling. I also see I am not the only one who is not happy with the added beat in the beautiful Ornament and feeling that actually takes out the emotion. Yesterday I felt I was the only one feeling that way.
Overall, pretty much my take on the album.

[penguinintheroom]

Re: Album Discussion: Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy

El Cielo is a clear No. 1 to me, but the second half of PPD is the best half of an album I've ever heard. From R U O K onward, the diversity, flow and storytelling is remarkable.

[Gnomad]

Re: Album Discussion: Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy

I've listened to it on vinyl and never noticed that... New perspective.

[Sittingsideways]

Re: Album Discussion: Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy

Hmm... never looked at it that way. Im a douchebag and have the vinyl and have never opened or listened to it. Maybe i should to experience it? Maybe with a joint? haha.

[Ars Sycro]

Re: Album Discussion: Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy

As far as TPTPTD, it didn't feel AS cohesive and i was not a fan of the Stamps either (except for the last one)... thought they were a waste and felt out of place on the album. Also, besides the middle part that was cut out of the radio single, Information is unlistenable to me.

I think it may be a difference of how I listen to the album. Maybe it was the vinyl that really pulled it out, since it's the way it's lined up, but I view it in 4 different pieces, each ending with a stamp. Each section is pretty cohesive, and I think it's telling 4 different points (from at least 2 viewpoints) of a larger story.

[Sittingsideways]

Re: Album Discussion: Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy

El Cielo without a doubt.

again... interesting. I would agree.

Even though... loving postrock like i do. Down to the Cellar is fucking AWESOME. Didn't expect that out of them.

[Ars Sycro]

Re: Album Discussion: Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy

El Cielo without a doubt.

[Sittingsideways]

Re: Album Discussion: Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy

TPTPTD and then Leitmotif.

Interesting.

I would go El Cielo, Leitmotif, TPTPTD, CWA, and then good ol Chuckles.

I just think as far as a concept album and from start to finish El Cielo is the album of many decades for me. Not a bad song on it in my opinion.

As far as TPTPTD, it didn't feel AS cohesive and i was not a fan of the Stamps either (except for the last one)... thought they were a waste and felt out of place on the album. Also, besides the middle part that was cut out of the radio single, Information is unlistenable to me.

Even thought this is in the wrong thread. I'm curious to hear your stance on which album has the better ending... El Cielo or TPTPTD? When i say end i mean It Only Took a Day/Whoa Is Me/Canyon Behind Her vs. Quotes/Down to the Cellar/Horizon.

[Ars Sycro]

Re: Album Discussion: Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy

TPTPTD and then Leitmotif.

[Sittingsideways]

Re: Album Discussion: Chuckles and Mr. Squeezy

El Cielo is 3rd on my dredg list.

BLASPHEME!!!

Just for my own information... what is above El Cielo? Leitmotif has to be right?