Trancepedia Entry

While some musicians retire just to get back in the game some five years later, other retirements require a lot more pushing and shoving to get over.

Progressive house duo Gabriel & Dresden has been silent for 11 years. In fact, the pair has only ever released one true LP, a self-titled debut that helped push Gabriel & Dresden to win back-to-back "Best American DJ" awards from the International Dance Music Awards in 2006 and 2007. In 2008, the duo called it quits following its performances at Miami's Winter Music Conference. The scene was changing, and so were the friends as individuals and artists. They sought the solo path separately, but the love of their fans called them back into the studio nearly a decade later.

To be fair, they haven't been totally silent. The friends reunited for tours in 2011, but it's still been a long time coming for a sophomore album release. Wait no longer. You're finally going to get that follow up, next Friday, Dec. 15. It's called The Only Road, and the guys couldn't have done it without your help.

“Melody and emotion are making a comeback," the duo says. "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.”

Studio sessions and other recording expenses were covered by a Kickstarter campaign. The duo originally asked for $30,000 as a gauge of interest. It ended up raising $73,000 from 700 backers, with rewards ranging from production credits to signed CDs, and even a four-hour house party wherever the rewarded fans chose.

“We didn't just make this record for us, we made it for all of the people that had faith in our music," the duo says in a joint statement. "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.”

Gabriel & Dresden tease the album with a cool, rock-inspired bit of sythpop on single "You." The melody builds on organic guitar notes, while a dark bass counter builds an alluring foundation for the show-stealing synth hook. Jan Barton's gritty vocals cast a slightly-haunting spell on the track that definitely gives some Depeche Mode vibes. It's deliciously lush and definitely danceable, with just a touch of darkness.

Mark your calendar for The Only One out on Anjunabeats Friday, Dec. 15.

Tracklist:
01 ONLY ROAD FEAT. SUB TEAL
02 FREE YOUR MIND
03 WHITE WALLS FEAT. SUB TEAL
04 THIS LOVE KILLS ME FEAT. SUB TEAL
05 UNDERWATER FEAT. JAN BURTON
06 HOSPITAL PIANO
07 YOU FEAT. JAN BURTON
08 SEQUOIA
09 OVER OCEANS FEAT. JOSH GABRIEL
10 WAITING FOR WINTER FEAT. JAN BURTON
11 JUPITER
12 I’M NOT LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE FEAT. SUB TEAL