THE DREDGE – Torches

The Norwegian indie rock collective sporting the moniker The Dredge has been around for ages, but it was not until quite recently that this skilled trio finally released its debut offering. Entitled Torches and consisting of eight tunes that are loaded with atmosphere and a subtle sense of melancholy, this is a beguiling piece of work that marries indie rock with alt. rock to great effect while also throwing numerous other influences and ideas into the mix – all of which has resulted in a spirited and highly eclectic output that is surprisingly cohesive and solid considering how musically diverse it is. From explosive and unfiltered outbursts to calm and reflective, these gentlemen cover quite a bit of ground here but are at their best when turning in emotive tracks such as ‘River Twice’ and ‘Torches II – The Future is Burning’ that deliver a prominent touch of introspection and a strangely appealing and relatable sense of world-weariness. The warm sound of the LP only enhances its entrancing atmosphere and Torches is undoubtedly an expertly written record that contains a multitude of interesting flavors, textures, and surprises. Very cool and most definitely worthwhile.