But wait, the band makes for years what they want and is not afraid to subvert expectations.
Progressive You have long no longer, and at least since "information" we know that the Americans also have fun at pop songs.
Still sounds "Chuckles & Mr. Squeeze" to forced otherness. The trademark of the band, slide guitar and the powerful drumming Dino Campanella were thrown overboard uncompromising. Instead prevail synthesizers and programmed sounding drums.
This works in some cases, as in "Down Without A Fight", in which the influence of producer Dan The Automator from every note seems to hear. In general, the new catchiness not necessarily have mass commodification, but forms the interface to more "The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion" (eg "Somebody Is Laughing", "The Thought Of Losing You")
What is Dredg, however, thought the opener "Another Tribe", which deters just boygroup'esk or "Where I'll End Up", a song that would enrich each Schlagerparty remains a mystery.
With so much anger fade even supposed acoustic gems as "Kalathat" that touched me far less than, say, the soul-stirring "Cartoon Showroom" or gitarrenlastigere, the blueprint of collaboration Dredg / Dan The Automator well suited "Upon Returning".
Too Bad. I myself am a big fan of electronic influences, Dan The Automator has created in collaboration with DJ Shadow, the trashy-entertaining "Bombay The Hard Way" and to tread new paths I like more and more as a constant self-citations and sticking to past exploits.
Nevertheless acts "Chuckles & Mr. Squeeze" as an experiment of experimentation due. It is acting in spite of sterile instrumentation not even soulless, yet it can be cold. Guitarist Mark Engles said himself that "Chuckles & Mr. Squeeze" is rather seen as a project of producer and band, what could possibly have anything to do with the next release, which leaves open the question why it "Dredg "publishes.
I myself do not go all the way, Creating the my favorite bands and therefore this album is for me right now the disappointment of the year.
