It all started in November of 2016, when Josh Gabriel and Dave Dresden decided to try and raise $30,000 dollars on Kickstarter to fund a new album after 11 years off of making music. Originally asking for $30,000 dollars to meet their goal, Gabriel & Dresden ended up with nearly three times the pledge amount (over $73,000 dollars) from 700 backers. Pledge rewards were also unique in nature, ranging from backers producing an album track “Free Your Mind” and “Jupiter” with Gabriel & Dresden, one supporter gaining ownership of Dave Dresden’s personal CD collection spanning the 1980’s – 2005 (4,000 pieces in total) and a four-hour house party at the location of the backers’ choice. Now, on December 15th 2017, we have received “The Only Road,” one of the most beautiful albums I've ever listened to.
“What makes The Only Road special is that it was fan-supported and fan-inspired. We didn’t just make this record for us, we made it for all of the people that had faith in our music. For us, it isn’t just an album — it’s our soundtrack of the past 11 years — the beautiful, the ugly, the melancholy and the hopeful. It’s something we’re proud to share because it represents who we are and the long road we traveled to get here, or should we say…the only road.”
Now on to my full opinion/review of the album. Honestly, from start to finish this whole album is incredible. It takes you on a musical journey throughout the entire album. From the singles that we've already heard, to the new tracks just unveiled today, it's a hit all around. Listening to it from start to finish, is for sure how this was intended to be listened to. You don't hear single tracks, instead you feel the emotion Gabriel & Dresden send forth in the album. For those that tend skip around, listen to it from start to finish, and take the everything in, you will not regret it.
“Melody and emotion are making a comeback, this re-awakening inspired us after 11 years to make a new album. We wanted to get back to our roots and make something that celebrated our past while at the same time, giving us a chance to look to the future.”
Overall this album is a 5 out 5 and is one of the top 5 Anjunabeats albums ever released. I've already listened through the album 3 or 4 times since receiving it and it gets better with each time. Gabriel & Dresdan, I salute you, and thank you for such a masterful piece of art.
