Dream Police recently released their first album Hypnotized, and it is a physcadelic trip full of electronic riffs and strong bass, which propels this album into a place all its own. With that being said, it unfortunately lacks an identity due to the album’s overambitious attempts to cover too many different sounds within an eight track album.
Made by two members of a existing band called The Men, Nick Chiericozzi and Mark Perro have refused to take a break, as this three year side project has been the work of these two musicians clearly passionate for their art. Though the project stumbles at various point, when it is accomplishing what it seeks out to do it does so very well.
The title and opening track “Hypnotized” is an example of what can go right when the two artists accomplish what the album is trying to do. From the song’s great riffs to its strong use of the retro sounds that flows out of the synthesized beats the song sounds right out of a ’80s radio with all the trimmings. Additionally, another notable track is “Pouring Rain” that will create a sense nostalgia so large you can not help but smile to the retro feeling that the song embodies so well.
On the other side is where, unfortunately, the tracks breaks downs into two separate categories. First is a lyrically weak track that features a singular beat glaringly made by two artist whom are novice to the style they are trying to mimic. Second is a very out of place track that will make you question why it was ever included in the first place.
An example of a song that matches the first category is “My Mama’s Dead.” Not only is the indiscernible voice, which screeches through the song with a static filter, take away from the very simple and repetitive nature of the entire song, it just does not work well with the song in whole.
As for the second category “Sandy” fits the criteria for something that sounds more at home on a folk album than on Hypnotized.
In conclusion, those seeking for a retro sound should give a few of the songs a listen to, while those looking for a well-packaged piece that captures the sound Dream Police intended to produce should keep searching.
Grade C-
