Released 24 years ago this October
El Cielo
Dredg · 2002
57 min · 16 tracks · alternative rock
A fusion of progressive rock intricacies and emotive melodies, creating a labyrinthine soundscape that guides listeners through introspective journeys.
Top tracks — play these first
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Same Ol' Road — This track stands out with its dynamic shifts between reflective verses and powerful choruses, embodying the album's thematic exploration of life's cyclical nature.
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Sorry but It's Over — Its haunting melody and poignant lyrics capture the essence of heartache and resolution, making it a poignant centerpiece of the album's narrative.
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Eighteen People Living in Harmony — The song's intricate instrumentation and layered vocal harmonies create a rich auditory experience that showcases the band's artistic ambition and complexity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's intricate structure and thematic depth create a compelling listening experience.
What we noticed
- The album features multiple interludes titled 'Brushstroke' that serve as transitions between the main tracks, creating a cohesive narrative flow.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like pacing with interludes
- immersive emotional soundscapes
- reflective moments of solitude
- dynamic journey through moods
Maybe skip if you
- desire for instant gratification
- preference for standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- El Cielo is Dredg's second studio album, released in 2002, following their debut, Leitmotif. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their identity within the alternative and art rock scenes, exploring deeper themes and more complex arrangements compared to their earlier work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Mars Volta· Coheed and Cambria· Porcupine Tree
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Brushstroke: dcbtfoabaaposba 0:57
- 2 Same Ol' Road 5:14
- 3 Sanzen 4:34
- 4 Brushstroke: New Heart Shadow 1:33
- 5 △ 5:03
- 6 Sorry but It's Over 4:08
- 7 Convalescent 3:32
- 8 Brushstroke: Walk in the Park 1:40
- 9 Eighteen People Living in Harmony 4:28
- 10 Scissor Lock 3:23
- 11 Brushstroke: Reprise 1:32
- 12 Of the Room 3:44
- 13 Brushstroke: An Elephant in the Delta Waves 1:47
- 14 It Only Took a Day 3:16
- 15 Whoa Is Me 5:36
- 16 The Canyon Behind Her 6:39
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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