(Progressive rock) The Mars Volta - De-loused in the Comatorium [Archive]

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manuscriptreplica

11-16-2003, 07:25 AM

http://www.marshallamps.com/images/marshalllaw/news/artistpix/marsvolta.jpg

After the demise of indie band At the Drive-in, Cedric Bixler and Omar Rodriguez (the guys with the afros) created the new, progressive rock outfit that is the Mars Volta. After hearing the stunning Tremulant I was hooked on their music. Instead of riding the success they had with At the Drive-in, the unique hardcore/indie style, they tried new things, and the results are splendid. Take such examples as ‘Eunuch Provocateur’ (my personal all-time favourite Mars Volta song) ‘Cicatriz Esp’ (the 12 minute epic featuring Red Hot Chili Peppers’ John Frusciante on guitar) and ‘Roulette Dares (the haunt of)’, and it’s clear that they succeeded with their plans, and as soon as their first album. Comprising of only 8 tracks (with 2 fillers) and running a tad over an hour, their shortest song is 4 and a half minutes long, so get prepared for some epics.
As you may have heard, De-loused in the Comatorium is based on a character called Cerpin Taxt, who goes through a journey throughout the album, and eventually commits suicide. Cerpin Taxt, in turn, is based on a friend of Cedric and Omar's who committed suicide, Julio Venegas. Off the Tremulant EP, 'Concertina' was based on Julio and the man they allege to have caused his suicide (he did other things, like nearly make Jim Ward (Other guitarist in ATDI) have a nervous breakdown, and tried to get Omar to leave ATDI) and Cedric felt like he needed to dedicate an entire album to him.
Unfortunately for the band, especially considering live shows, Jeremy Ward died shortly after the release of ‘De-loused’ because of a heroin OD. Whilst not appearing to be an essential member, Jeremy was always backstage during live sets, setting up the band’s sounds and adding ambience music, and will be sorely missed (you can find an R.I.P notice for Jeremy on the clip to ‘Inertiatic’). Paul Hinojos (Bassist of Sparta) is the new sound guy.
And one final mention must go to the rest of the band. This band wouldn’t be half the band they are without the drumming services of Jon Theodore. He is an amazing drummer, and constantly keeps rhythm, even with the odd time signatures. Flea’s bass playing is not the slap-happy funk style you would expect from a Red Hot Chili Peppers album, but it is still excellent. As always, Cedric Bixler’s energy and strange lyrics are a highlight of the album, and Omar Rodriguez’s guitar and composing skills are nearly unmatched.

Song list on ‘De-Loused’
1. Son et Lumiere
2. Inertiatic Esp
3. Roulette Dares (the haunt of)
4. Tira me a las Aranas
5. Drunkship of Lanterns
6. Eriatarka
7. Cicatriz Esp
8. This Apparatus Must be Unearthed
9. Televators
10. Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt

Composed by Omar Rodriguez and Cedric Bixler

Vocals – Cedric Bixler
Guitars – Omar Rodriguez
Bass – Flea
Drums - Jon Theodore
Keyboards – Ikey Owens
Sounds – Jeremy Ward

Son et Lumiere (1:35), Inertiatic Esp (4:24)
Son et Lumiere is basically an intro to Inertiatic Esp, that is why I have merged them. To begin this album, a faint wind sound is heard, following by a keyboard pulsing out some chords. There is nothing really to say about Son et Lumiere, except that ‘son’ in Spanish means ‘are’ in English, and that it is a great lead in song to Inertiatic Esp.
We’ve had the entrée now it’s the main course. Inertiatic is a great song. It is the only song to be released by the Mars Volta, and is a good choice. Whilst clearly not the best song on the album, it is the easies to listen to, and is the highest pace, and is upbeat, so it’s a good get-into-us song. The song begins with a snare drum roll, and the lyrics ‘Now I’m lost’ which begins the journey of Cerpin Taxt, who obviously gets lost somewhere, presumably his mind. The sound is quite similar to At the Drive-in sort of, it has obvious influences, which is always good. A good opening track.

Roulette Dares (the haunt of) (7:31)
Very Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon-esque as the tracks roll smoothly into one another. This song is the first of many long-ish songs, and is a stunner, my 2nd favourite song off the album. It begins relatively simply, with background music and a synth to make it sound cool. It has a good intro bit, very fast, and then enters a slow verse, and the transition is excellent, aided by Omar’s amazing guitar fills. Omar has an insanely high riff count in this, and Flea pumps the bassline like no one else can. At about the 1:25 the lead in riff to the chorus is quite memorable. The bridge part (about 2:10) is the first experimental phrase of the CD, with Omar and Ikey going nuts, and Flea and Jon holding beat expertly. Another experimental bit is further on down the track, and ends the song well. A near-perfectly constructed song, and you will wish it went for longer than its already huge 7:31.

Tira me a las Aranas (1:28)
Another filler track. I’m not sure if it leads into ‘Drunkship of Lanterns’ so I didn’t fuse the two. Tira me a las Aranas would be cool if it was a real song, but it’s too short. It’s sort of an Indian-sounding solo from the guitar, and it flows into the next song quite well, so the two songs are probably linked, but oh well.

Drunkship of Lanterns (7:05)
Many people that enjoy the Mars Volta that I talk/chat to seem to think that this is an excellent song, but I don’t agree with them. While the talent taken to write this song is blatantly obvious, I can’t seem to enjoy it, no matter how many times I download it. However, I must say, I do enjoy the polyrhythm bit (first heard at 0:38) it is marvellous. And the guitar solo at about 5:00 is amazing.

Eriatarka (6:20)
The beginning of the song sounds remarkably like ‘Inertiatic Esp’, with the guitar and drum roll, but again, that’s a good thing. A slower song by the boys, initially. It gets good (well, better than it already was) at about 1:30 mark. This song was the song that made me say ‘Flea I ****ing hate you for being so ****ing **** good’. An excellent track, but not one of my favourites for me. It fluctuates immensely throughout, making it interesting to say the least. The chord progression from about 1:10 is sublime.

Cicatriz Esp (12:29)
Cicatriz Esp. Cicatriz Esp. Cicatriz Esp. My favourite track off the album, and it is not hard to see why. This track is just so **** good. It has everything a music lover could ask for, guitar solos (by Mr. Frusciante from Chili Pepper – amazing guitarist) guitar riffs, excellent bass, insane rhythms from Jon.
I love the intro to this song. “Do you recall its name?” It’s like a psychiatrist is questioning Cerpin if he is sure he saw something. I love it! It gets excellent after the helicopter bit, the chorus is very high paced, and easy to listen to. But after this is where the real magic begins. The jam session! Ahhhhhh. Some of the most amazing things I have heard come out of the 6-stringed instrument we call a guitar are in this jam. It shows you how good John Frusciante is. To be honest, the first time I heard this, I fell asleep! But I was tired. The only problem I have with this song is the bit in the middle of the song, it gets very quiet, and sounds like the microphone is underwater. A cool effect, but it goes for about 2-3 minutes, far too long. But the following guitar solo makes up for the wait. If you allow yourself the 12 minutes to listen and appreciate this track, you will see how very good it is. It ends with the vocals out, similar to Pink Floyd’s jams in The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.

This Apparatus Must be Unearthed (4:57)
Hmm. It’s funny how Cedric Bixler can write two songs, one can be decent, and one can be a complete failure. Oh well. I really dislike this song, and there is nothing in it that can convince me otherwise. This song is monotonous, bland, and overall, very boring. Thankfully it only takes up under 5 minutes of the 1 hour masterpiece.

Televators (6:18)
This delightfully named track starts off quite slow, just ambience music really. Guitars enter at about 0:30, and an acoustic (that’s right) comes out to play. This is 2nd prog rock song I’ve heard (Comfortably Numb) that has an acoustic in it. Whilst quite slow, I enjoy this song, and I feel it sort of wrecked it when it gets heavier. It would be an excellent track if Cedric didn’t start wailing in some parts. A good, relaxing track nonetheless.

Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt (8:42)
This song is nothing short of awesome. The intro is the best on the album. In some sense, this song is similar to the first song, Inertiatic, in that it is high paced, and is heavily At the Drive-in sounding. The line “You take the veil” PROBABLY means to commit suicide, but I am not sure. (I wish they would hurry up and release the booklet!) I love the jam in this, mainly because it has a BASS SOLO! Yayyy. First bass solo in the history of prog rock no doubt. And what a solo it is. I wish I were as good as Flea. The guitar solo, heavily underrated because of the mighty BASS SOLO (I wish) is quite good. Whilst not very easy to listen to, you can appreciate it if you are a musician. Then, 4:36. The BASS SOLO! Flea, you are a genius. Even though it only goes for about 20 seconds it is still masterfully done. Another guitar follows this one, this time much more easier to listen to, and in my opinion, much better than the first one. The bongos give it an added effect as well, instead of just normal drums. The lyrics come back around the 7-minute mark to conclude the album. The album finishes with Cedric Bixler screaming “you brought me here!” whatever than means in the story of Cerpin Taxt.

My rating you ask? This is an album that helped me really get into prog rock. Now I like bands such as Yes, Rush and Dream Theater (I’ve always been a fan of Floyd). So my rating is 5/5. Buy this album and love it, but DON’T expect At the Drive-in, they are two completely different bands.

FillInTheBlankHere___

11-16-2003, 04:12 PM

Kaden

11-16-2003, 04:38 PM

I love Cicatriz ESP too, but I would never compare it to "Gates of Delirium". I thought the best song was "Take the Veil, Cerpin Taxt". I really loved it when the song went into the huge jam, and at the end of the jamming part, there was this awesome riff that they repeat a bunch of times before going into the chorus again. Well, when they played that riff that ends the jam, I had a huge musical orgasm. Amazing

YDload

11-16-2003, 05:02 PM

It's John Frusciante who does the additional guitar in Cicatriz; Jon Theodore's the drummer.

But thanks for the review! I asked, and received. Could you edit it later to add reviews of the rest of the tracks? You forgot my personal favorite, "Eriatarka."

el doctor

11-19-2003, 08:10 PM

Originally posted by Kaden
I love Cicatriz ESP too, but I would never compare it to "Gates of Delirium". I thought the best song was "Take the Veil, Cerpin Taxt". I really loved it when the song went into the huge jam, and at the end of the jamming part, there was this awesome riff that they repeat a bunch of times before going into the chorus again. Well, when they played that riff that ends the jam, I had a huge musical orgasm. Amazing
That was definitely the perfect ending for the album. The song goes through so many different styles it's incredible. I know exactly the part you're talking about in the end where they repeat the riff. Right at the veery end. Awesome, it's good enough to make me listen to the whole rest of the song in anticipation for that. I also really like at about 4:30 in, after it goes from craziness, to this real smooth kind of jam and then everything gets pieced back together leading to the madness again.

BirdsOfFires

11-19-2003, 08:20 PM

ODIN947 II

11-19-2003, 10:34 PM

Flea plays bass for them?? In the album it said some hispanic name.

Moroii

11-19-2003, 10:59 PM

Originally posted by BirdsOfFires
Ya know, I'm a huge prog fan and all, but I really don't like this band.
I basicially see them as crappy punk rockers who smoked too much pot so they tried to make a prog album. It has some nice moments, but as a whole it's really not that impressive to me. Especially musicially.

*comfortably awaits flames*
:) Elaborate for us. What are the flaws with De-loused, or anything Cedric and Omar have ever done (ATDI) for that matter?

d0ped0g

11-20-2003, 02:37 AM

flea played bass on the ALBUM
their actual bassist (i.e. the person who plays for them at gigs and ****...) is that hispanic guy.

Kaden

11-20-2003, 02:45 PM

Originally posted by el doctor
That was definitely the perfect ending for the album. The song goes through so many different styles it's incredible. I know exactly the part you're talking about in the end where they repeat the riff. Right at the veery end. Awesome, it's good enough to make me listen to the whole rest of the song in anticipation for that. I also really like at about 4:30 in, after it goes from craziness, to this real smooth kind of jam and then everything gets pieced back together leading to the madness again.

Yeah, that's a great song:thumb:

YDload

11-20-2003, 05:41 PM

I like Omar because he's left-handed like me. I'd go as far as saying he's the third best left-handed guitarist after Hendrix and Iommi, because I don't know that many others except Tim Armstrong.

Zappa

11-20-2003, 05:45 PM

Originally posted by BirdsOfFires
It has some nice moments, but as a whole it's really not that impressive to me. Especially musicially.

Especially musically? As apposed to what? Visually? Texturally? Smell? Taste?

Kaden

11-20-2003, 05:55 PM

Originally posted by Zappa
Especially musically? As apposed to what? Visually? Texturally? Smell? Taste?

:lol::lol:

I laughed so hard reading that, cause I thought the same thing but didn't say anything.

SubtleDagger

11-20-2003, 06:05 PM

Originally posted by YDLoad
I like Omar because he's left-handed like me. I'd go as far as saying he's the third best left-handed guitarist after Hendrix and Iommi, because I don't know that many others except Tim Armstrong.

Kurt Cobain?

*snickers and flames another Nirvana thread poster in Rock & Metal*

manuscriptreplica

12-12-2003, 08:27 AM

ok guys i completed the review.. finally

(shameless bump)

Cecillianne

12-12-2003, 09:52 AM

thx dude. great review :thumb: i just got into the Mars Volta, and this album totally got me into it. my favorite song in the album is 'Take the Veil Carpin Taxt'. the band is simply an incredible band.

BirdsOfFires

12-12-2003, 11:36 AM

Originally posted by Zappa
Especially musically? As apposed to what? Visually? Texturally? Smell? Taste?

Meh. What I MEANT was:

Alot of people say they love this band because they're all "insanely talented musicians" and from what I've heard (this album) isn't all that technical really. I was just stating that unlike some people's views on this album, I wasn't impressed on a sheer technical level.

I AM a Huge prog fan, King Crimson, Yes, WYWH-Era Floyd, and all those other good bands are among my favorites.

This album just didn't apeal to me, I think mostly because of the over-produced sound.

SubtleDagger

12-12-2003, 07:12 PM

This is a very good review, now that you've updated. I agree that "Apparattus" is the black sheep of the album, but I personally don't think Cicatriz is the best (though it's very good), just because it goes off into weird quiet stuff for a little too long.

I used to think "Take the Veil" was the best, but now it's a tie between "Televators" and "Eriatarka".

YDload

12-12-2003, 07:48 PM

"Drunkship" is a great song! Don't dis it!

manuscriptreplica

12-13-2003, 02:00 AM

^^ i didnt dis it - i said i couldn't get into it.

SubtleDagger

12-13-2003, 10:09 AM

BTW, you seem to know much already about Julio. Can you give me any evidence of what I've been hearing lately, that he comitted suicide by jumping off an overpass into traffic? It would make sense in TMV's music, but I can't find any proof of the matter. If you knew about it, that is.... it makes Televators make a lot more sense, as well as Embroglio.

moderaterock222

12-13-2003, 04:33 PM

great review, probably the best ive read so far since i completely agree

Kaden

12-13-2003, 07:04 PM

Originally posted by manuscriptreplica
Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt (8:42)First bass solo in the history of prog rock no doubt.

Not really.

Yes-Sound Chaser
Dream Theater-Dance of Eternity, Metropolis Pt. 1
Steve Miller Band-Shu ba da du

I know there's more, but I can't think of them right now. The rest of the review was good, but that statement was waaaaay overrating TMV. Great band, great album, gets a 5/5 from me.

manuscriptreplica

12-14-2003, 12:06 AM

Originally posted by SubtleDagger
BTW, you seem to know much already about Julio. Can you give me any evidence of what I've been hearing lately, that he comitted suicide by jumping off an overpass into traffic? It would make sense in TMV's music, but I can't find any proof of the matter. If you knew about it, that is.... it makes Televators make a lot more sense, as well as Embroglio.

he shot up rat poison (i'm pretty sure that's how he died, i haven't heard anything about jumping off an overpass!). what lyrics make you say that he jumps off an overpass?

p.s. i REALLY now wish they would hurry up and release the booklet!!!!!!!

wheelz

12-14-2003, 03:37 AM

i also remember reading rat poison somewhere

SubtleDagger

12-14-2003, 11:24 AM

The rat poison he shot into his right arm after the coma, when he lost all feeling in his right side. It shriveled up and he couldn't use it.

Listen to "Embroglio" (by ATD-I) and "Televators" for more on what happened at the overpass.... I believe "Embroglio" actually mentions the street name as well. I'll give you a quote from one of Cedric's close friends as soon as I can.

And that booklet does need to come out. :angry:

SubtleDagger

12-14-2003, 11:42 AM

Here you go... this is a quote from a member at www.thecomatorium.com, at a message board for song meanings.

Julio went into underground seclusion, right before killing himself. When he was meditating in solitude, Ben visited Julio for four days and left on March 14. On March 15, Julio came out of subterranean isolation and jumped off of the Mesa street bridge, onto the highway below. He was hit by three cars, two of them running his body over completely.
Two songs also directly back up my story: "Concertina" ("On the 14th you stole what hasn't grown old") and At The Drive-In's "Embroglio" ("He's stranded on the Mesa Street exit").

If you don't know who Ben is, it's the guitarist who was kicked out of ATD-I for technically near breaking up the band... he was mentally ill, and tended to be violent. He's often cited as the person who pushed Julio to suicide.

Not to mention "Televators" which clearly mentions images of the same context ("just as he hit the ground"; "chalk outline"; numerous mentionings of "concrete" and "asphalt"). "Three half-eaten corneas" is a mention to the three eyes Julio often put in his art. That song and "Embroglio" are the biggest pointers to the incident.

YO_bass

12-14-2003, 05:09 PM

I love that album, and am a hardcore fan of the band, but that was one of the weaker reviews i have read. Flea's basswork on that album is nothing special at all. I dont consider myself a good bassist by any standard (i cant touch Classical Thump, Portrait of Tracy etc.) but i could play everything flea did on that album with no problems, including that bass solo in Take the Veil. Eva Gardener (the bassist on Tremulant) did a MUCH better job. Just another small flaw, Jeremy Ward died about a week before the release of the album, not afterwards. Furthermore, Televators isnt the only song with an acoustic, Tira me a las Aranas is played with a classical guitar.

In regards to Julio. He shot up rat poison and went into a coma for a week. That is what the bulk of the album is about, Julio's experiences while in a coma. In real life, he woke up from the coma, then jumped off a bridge into intersecting traffic. That is what track 10 is about. When he wakes up and then chooses to die. The album itself is a fictional account of the adventures he might have had when he was in a coma. His choosing to die marks hte completion of his journey. The song "Concertina" is basically Cedric accusing Ben of driving Julio to suicide ("on the fourth day you stole what hasnt come home").

The Mars Volta's live set is SO much better than the recording. I saw them when they were headlining a tour, and it was intense. Their new bassist (Juan Alderate) is much better. During the bass solo in take the Veil, he started the solo, and the rest of hte band left, and he did this awesome 5-minute solo before the rest of hte band came on and finished the song with him. My only beef with this album is how boring Inertiatic is, and how quiet Ikey is. They need to turn him up becuase he is incredible. If you wanna talk about the Mars Volta, IM me at YObassist.

manuscriptreplica

12-15-2003, 12:46 AM

ok cheers (for the julio info)... i don't really pay much attention to lyrics and song meanings because i'm not that interested, but it's nice to know. I have not heard Embroglio so i will download it now. i heard about the rat poison from www.themarvolta.com but now that i read it he clearly didnt die from it.
i dont think eva gardener played THAT much better than flea did. i never stated that fleas work was that hard either. i can play portrait of tracy rather easily, are you saying that is not a masterpiece? the solo in take the veil is a gem. eva kept the beat, that is all, and added quite a few cool riffs. Flea did the same, but i feel in a better fashion, but meh.

p.s. another good mars volta site: www.inertiatic.com

YO_bass

12-15-2003, 04:16 PM

I think that it was wrong of me to say that it was a weak review, reading it a second time, its actually quite good, although i disagree with a couple of things said. I think Eva's work on Concertina and Eunuch Provocateur are much better than anything flea did on the album. Flea did a great job of holding hte beat, as did Eva, but the only thing impressive about Fleas work was that one bass fill in Drunkship, and the solo is OK, but really nothing that mind blowing. I wasnt saying earlier that PoT isnt a masterpiece, because it definitely is, I was just saying that im not a good bass player, but that album was nothing special as far as TECHNICAL bass playing goes. The bass playing on tehre is still phenomenal in the sense that it fits the song. I visit www.inertiatic.com on a somewhat regular basis. I also am part of the 'official' street team, and i used to post on that message board regularly, before i found this place.

manuscriptreplica

12-16-2003, 12:04 AM

^^^ Concertina IS a wicked bassline, and so is Eunuch Provocateur, I wonder why they got rid of her?

YO_bass

12-16-2003, 06:36 AM

yeah, its funny how they got rid of her and ikey at the same time but they took ikey back. Apparently, as far as theory is concerned, she was a genius.

manuscriptreplica

12-16-2003, 06:49 AM

yeah i read somewhere that she had multiple music degrees, and when cedric discovered her she had just completed a degree in indian ancient music or something

Neon Dub

12-19-2003, 05:19 AM

Well I'll be ****ed, I didn't know that.

Delirium

12-23-2003, 08:21 AM

yeah i read somewhere that she had multiple music degrees, and when cedric discovered her she had just completed a degree in indian ancient music or something

Some info about Eva from an interview with the band...

From Interview with Cedric Bixler, Mon 24.03.2002, Leeds Cockpit (http://www.91781.com/tmv/interviews/01.htm)

People:
CB - Cedric Bixler
MR - Mike Randall
DA - Dicky Allen

DA - So how did the Mars Volta line-up get together?
CB - Well, we were just kinda doing Defacto and we wanted to expand on what Defacto does, but in a rock sense, and take it a little further, and not just keep it dub-orientated, which can only lead you to so many places. And so Ikey, our keyboard player, introduced me to Eva. Eva was in the process of graduating from UCLA, and she has a degree in Ethnomusicology, which is all, you know, I'm sure people reading this will be like "so what?", but to us it was a big deal because she understood the guajiro salsa. She understood a lot of what we were looking for.

MR - Shes got fantastic rhythm.
CB - Yeah, exactly. And on top of that it was especially important that she was a woman, you know, and it was especially important that Ikey is black, and its especially important that the people we play with are from ethnic backgrounds. It was very, very important. It wasn't a calculated move, but at the same time, the fact that they were naturally coming in the band, I felt like it was important, like it was something special that was happening, and we couldn't just let it go.

MR - So it was kind of to mix everything up?
CB - Yeah. Yeah, I mean, we listen to Sly and the Family Stone, you know, and that to me is an important influence, because sometimes musically I don't like them, but when I see them; I saw what Sly and the Family Stone did, and it was very, very, very important at the time, San Francisco, where they're from, blah blah blah, where we're from, what we're doing, you know, I think its very important that Eva liked what we were doing. The first time we played with Eva everyone improv'd for about two hours straight; like two hours straight of just pure improv. It was like going, "Hey, what's up? My name is so-and-so, I'm a blah blah blah, I like this, I like that.", but musically, and I haven't done that since our friend Julio was alive. So it was important to touch upon that again because I wanted to do that again and bring back a natural organic dance rhythm and a natural organic rock, you know? So Eva really clicked well, and we ended up talking to her more and more. She has such an amazing history already, you know. Her father was bass player for the Birds, the English Birds, her father was bass player for the Creation, her uncle is the engineer for Led Zeppelin albums and **** like that, so shes kind of like British rock royalty, you know. But she keeps it very low-key and lets her playing do the talking and the most we ever get out of it is to hear cool stories about her growing up and having these people around, the more and more I think about it, and the more and more I listen to like Biff, Bang, Pow or, you know, Making Time ... anything by the Creation, anything by, like, the Birds, you know, its like, I have my Nuggets box-set, I'm just like, "God ****, Eva, you play so much like your dad." And its an honour. Its a total ****ing honour, because on our first tour her father passed away, and so she had to fly home and everything, and I was like, for her to come do this, she was doing what her dad was doing at that age, and its really important for her to do it now because her dad told her. Her dad was like, "Go. Do what I was doing at that age. Don't worry about me." And I felt like, I just felt honoured that we're in a band with her, because in a way shes carrying a torch for that, you know, and its really important. Because I listen to that ****, you know, and then she lets it on like, "Oh, by the way, my dad is blah blah blah", and we're like, "Oh my God! Thats awesome!"

MR - Yeah. Where do you see The Mars Volta going in the future? Do you have anything planned for the near future? Do you have a game-plan for the next couple of years?
CB - ....Like since Eva graduated from UCLA she has extensive knowledge of Balinese music and stuff like that, so we are in the process of experimenting with that. So when you hear our full-length, it may not even be remotely what it sounds like on stage, which was what we used to brag about with At The Drive-In, "Okay, this album was gonna be blah blah blah", and then it never ended up that way. This time we kind of put our money where our mouth is and actually do it....

manuscriptreplica

12-23-2003, 08:57 AM

"Eva was in the process of graduating from UCLA, and she has a degree in Ethnomusicology"
thats what i meant from Indian degree.... :lol:

"Hey, what's up? My name is so-and-so, I'm a blah blah blah, I like this, I like that."
for some reason, this had me laughing for quite a while

Mekkalayakay

12-23-2003, 11:06 AM

My brother is getting me this album for Christmas. From what I've heard from you guys and others, this is supposed to be a great album.

I can't rate it yet, but I will when christmas comes. :thumb:

wheelz

12-23-2003, 05:27 PM

i even like apparatus... so you know how much i loved this cd :D

Jojobee

12-23-2003, 08:15 PM

This CD is disturbing yet i can't stop listening to it. Ive listened to the final track dozens of times because its so smooth. Some of the songs on this album are kinda boring though like the intro and tira me a las aranas. I also thought apparatus was weak, mainly because the guys voice is really annoying and at times the music is too chaotic. Overall though this is definately one of the best CDs of 2003.

knifeparty

12-24-2003, 10:46 PM

this is one of the only album and band that got me un-controlably into music

great review

Maveryck

12-25-2003, 12:23 AM

I just got this album this morning for Christmas, and I must say it's easily one of the best I've heard lately. The way the Mars Volta can merge addictive vocal melodies and complex, engaging rhythm work so smoothly, and keep up a brilliant and somewhat confusing lyrical concept throughout an hour-long album is a testament to their genius.

This one's gonna stay in my stereo for a very long while.

5/5

YDload

12-25-2003, 10:37 PM

Amen to that Maveryck. I finally took it out because I got some new albums for X-mas, but I actually wasn't tired of it yet. I guess I'll put it in later if and when I get tired of my new picks (80s Metallica and Maiden, you decide).

Mobys_Reject

01-16-2004, 10:38 AM

Album: Mars Volta: De-Loused in the Comatorium

Genre: Too hard to describe.

Tracklisting:

1. Son Et Lumiere
2. Inertiatic Esp
3. Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of)
4. Tira Me A Las Aranas
5. Drunkship Of Lanterns
6. Eriatarka
7. Cicatriz Esp
8. The Apparatus Must Be Unearthed
9. Televators
10. Take The Veil Cerpin Taxt

The Band:

Omar a Rodriguez-Lopez (Guitar)
Cedric Bixler Zavala (Vocals)
Jon Theodore (Drums)
Jeremy Michael Ward (Sound manipulation/Keyboards) (Now deceased)
Flea (Bass)
Ikey Isaiah Owens (Keyboards)

Guest spots by:
Jon Frusciante (Guitar on Cicatriz ESP)
Lenny Castro (Percussion)
Justin Mendel Johnson (Stand-up bass on Televators)
Rick Rubin (Producer)

Overview:

De-Loused is an hour-long concept album which takes you through the journey of a man's drug overdose-induced coma and the hallucinations he experienced.

The music:

As MV said themselves, 'we're a rock band who wants to be a salsa band'. Clearly showing their Mexican heritage in this album, a few select tracks have a distinct driving Latin beat while maintaining the hardcore elements that At the Drive In was known for. (For those of you who don't know, ATDI split into two bands: MV and Sparta.) However, if that isn't your taste, you have nothing to worry about. This album is far from Latin with a rock groove; it's more like rock and sometimes a little voice in the back of your head says 'Hey... does that sound like Latin to you?' and you say 'Eh... a little maybe.'

This album is guitar fueled 90% of the time, and the keyboards bring back memories of Pink Floyd. For example, there is one guitar solo on Roulette Dares towards the end of the song that, if I did not know it was MV, I would guess that it was Floyd. Rodriguez-Lopez is a true genius on the guitar, and his riffs control the song without dominating or self-indulging. Theorore's drum work perfectly compliments the rest of the band, although like most great drum work, it is easily ignored when you're listening to Zavala singing. His voice is almost feminine in nature, and while he does no screaming, the power and emotion in his voice as he wails things like "I'm lost" in Inertiatic ESP is extremely moving. The real news musically is Flea's contribution to the album on every track minus Televators, on which Johnson's stand-up work is barely audible but still suitable. Flea's signature slap-pop is nowhere to be found on the album. The musical maturity that Flea has acquired is fully present on this album. He has mastered the art of knowing when to sit back, while still being a vital part of the song and maintaining his Flea voice. (I actually thought it was Flea when I listened to it before I read the album notes.) Each member of the band is perfectly suited for the other 4, and it is a joy to hear them work together.

The lyrics:

The musical elements of the album are important, of course, but the true genius of this album is found in the lyrics. This album was written by Lopez and Zavala about their deceased friend and continual inspiration, Julio Venegas, who commited suicide in '93. He was a continual drug-user, who even experimented shooting up rat poison which caused a complete withering of one of his arms. One day he attempted suicide by giving himself an overdose of morphine, but he was found and his life was saved; however, he went into a coma, which is where the majority of the album takes place. Lopez and Zavala imagine the hallucinations that Venegas might have had during his coma, and musically document it with extremely odd yet understandable and touching mental images of a man standing on an infinite plain, surrounded by shipwrecked boats, completely alone. After coming out of the coma, Venegas knows the truth about himself due to the hallucinations that explored the light and dark sides of his mind. Venegas hurls himself over a bridge onto a freeway during rush-hour traffic.

The lyrics are hard to understand while listening. As of today, MV is still awaiting the release of a book written by Zavala and Lopez documenting the album's making and meaning. If you want, you should get the lyrics online. My favorite set of lyrics that i think are 99% accurate are found at www.inertiatic.com .

Conclusion:

Between the chemistry of the individual band members, and the intense and moving musical journey accompanied by the lyrics, it's no wonder that the band is frequently compared to Pink Floyd. I see it as what Pink Floyd would be if they were hardcore. Don't take that to the bank, though - I played the album for my dad, a 55-year old music junkie and huge Floyd fan, and he was downright insulted. Regardless, ATDI, Floyd, and fans of almost anything that requires talent (Ahem... pop-punk fans may look elsewhere) would enjoy this album. Even if you're uninterested in the lyrical and artistic elements of the album, they rock, plain and simple. And even if you hate the music, you can't deny the power of the concept.

Score:

5/5

References:

www.themarsvolta.com (official website)
www.thecomatorium.com (album interpretations, interviews)
www.inertiatic.com (bio, lyrics)
www.goldstandardlabs.com (record label; go there for info about the book)

Thank you for reading. My AIM name is HolySkinnyAgent and my e-mail address is kingsleyanthony@hotmail.com if you want to make some input. But you should probably just post here. Bye.

moderaterock222

01-16-2004, 11:34 AM

its an excellent album and i agree with most you have written..the links are a nice touch also. it would just have been a better review if you reviewed every song seperatley

Ganondorf

01-16-2004, 12:16 PM

Good review, but I like pop-punk and like TMV, so shut up :thumb:

SoulOnFire

01-16-2004, 12:21 PM

Great review, i'm a huge fan and I think you did it justice there.

Mobys_Reject

01-16-2004, 12:41 PM

its an excellent album and i agree with most you have written..the links are a nice touch also. it would just have been a better review if you reviewed every song seperatley

i was actually considering doing that, but i was afraid that i'd be doing too much direct interpretation of each song, and i think that some should be left to the listener. also, one of the reasons that I like concept albums is that it's really one song but with multiple movements, like a symphony.

Kaden

01-16-2004, 02:07 PM

This review was done quite a while ago, and it's grown to considerable size.

Search for the review first, rulebreaker.

sting-ray

01-16-2004, 11:18 PM

i merged the two threads.

Mobys_Reject

01-17-2004, 08:52 AM

thanks, stingray! sorry i didn't see this thread earlier.

x1337x Evo

01-20-2004, 03:32 PM

amazing cd wish they were still ATDI and awsome review

Cort2003

02-19-2004, 07:15 PM

dude I had no idea flea played bass for them

Crocto

02-20-2004, 01:20 PM

Luxor

02-20-2004, 02:50 PM

I baught this album not too long ago, and it never leaves my CD player.

I love it.

nyzfreakx01

03-15-2004, 07:51 PM

this cd is a masterpiece.

Kaden

03-15-2004, 08:15 PM

Tomahawk

03-15-2004, 08:34 PM

saw the mars volta open live for the queens of the stone age and red hot chili peppers. possibly the worst band i have ever seen in my life. they sounded like crap, didn't really play anything, and had no personality. they really didn't care what the crowd thought of them which is terrible.

in short i've seen local bands that can barely keep time that are better than these guys. but if you like them that's cool, you're just wrong :P. no flames!

Really? Thats odd, especially the no personality bit. When I saw them live they were amazing, with Cedric jumping everywhere, climbing up the side of the stage and throwing his microphone around. I think the show would have been weird if I hadn't heard the album first, but since I knew what to expect I absoloutely loved it.

Oh and since this is the review thread, I think the album is fantastic.

wheelz

03-16-2004, 05:28 AM

it never gets old.

the cd that is...

sweboy

03-16-2004, 07:45 AM

This album is amazing, i cant wait for their next one.

manuscriptreplica

03-16-2004, 07:55 AM

have you all heard? omar is doing a solo record, and TMV are doing a new album - both set to be released this year! yayy!

they do NOT suck live! (or whatever you said) full of energy, a great connection with the audience, and kept me thoroughly entertained throughout.

Omega Red

03-30-2004, 01:13 AM

This album is the best album sence dark side of the moon, and is just as origional. best band ever

tommyd_rhcp

04-06-2004, 01:09 PM

i saw them live at the london astoria when they were they

it was the gig i have ever been to

you could see all were putting in 110%. The person i was most impressed with was jon theodore(the drummer) he ****ing killed the drum set.

Then Omar on guitar - wow ****ing amazing - IMO one of the greatest man still making music today

omar plans to release a solo record which john frusciante and flea are both appearing on. I forgot the name - but its due out autumn i think. Im looking forward to it so much!

Enfilade atdi

04-07-2004, 11:45 PM

Since buying this album around 4 months ago or so (can't remember exactly) it has become one of my favourite albums ever, easily in my top 3. It is just amazing, not one song lets you down. If you don't have this album i highly HIGHLY recommend you getting it, you won;t be dissapointed.

Vespa

04-08-2004, 01:42 PM

Awesome CD, and great review. :thumb:

To those who saw Mars Volta open for Red Hot Chili Peppers and Queens of the Stone Age and weren't impressed by them, give it another try. Their music doesn't translate very well on that tour. I saw it myself, and thought nothing of them, but later bought the CD after hearing good things about it, and the price was right (about 11 bucks CDN).

I thought that after seeing them live before Chilis- I gave them another chance and boy is it the best album ive heard in a long time. :thumb: great review threadstarter.

Ganondorf

04-08-2004, 02:21 PM

Aweome album, great review

wheelz

04-09-2004, 10:43 AM

omar plans to release a solo record which john frusciante and flea are both appearing on. I forgot the name - but its due out autumn i think. Im looking forward to it so much!

it's something like "a manual dexterity soundtrack vol 1"

which is a good title, because it sounds like there'll be more than one solo album from him.

Apocalypse King

04-16-2004, 07:34 PM

There is nothing really to say about Son et Lumiere, except that ?son? in Spanish means ?are? in English, and that it is a great lead in song to Inertiatic Esp.

This might have been mentioned already, I didn't have time to read the whole thread, but 'Son et Lumiere' means 'Sound and Light', I'm not sure what language it is, either French or Latin. This does explain the cover art a little though :).

Excellent review though, and a great album.

Moroii

04-17-2004, 12:16 PM

I actually heard about this work by a Romantic period composer in my Music Apprec. class, about this guy who overdoses on opium and has this crazy trip. Each piece is about a different world he visits, and the whole thing is a concept. The only difference is it's all mostly about a girl he was in love with, and she was presented in a different way in each piece/world. So maybe the concept of De-loused isn't as novel as I thought, but it's still beautifully done. I don't know the name of that composer or the work, and I haven't heard it myself, so don't quote me on all this, I'll check with teacher on it later. However, alot of rock concept albums borrowed the conceptual ideas from Romantic period classical music, which also focused heavily on the middle ages and fantasy stuff, so the Mars Volta may just be carrying on prog. rock tradition here (perhaps unknowingly).

ANyway, I really love De-loused and can't wait for the new releases. I just thought TMV fans would be interested to know this.

DFelon204409

04-17-2004, 04:37 PM

Omar Rodriguez writes pretty much everything but you can label Cedric as the genius. To me he is just the man with the inhuman voice.

pixiesfanyo

04-17-2004, 09:45 PM

Zappa

04-17-2004, 10:01 PM

I'm bored with it now. Too many cliches, not enough variation on timbre and basic style.

manuscriptreplica

04-18-2004, 03:06 AM

^^ Yeah same (im bored with it too). I only like 3 or 4 tracks on it now. Oh well... that's what happens if you listen to it too much!

DFelon204409

04-18-2004, 03:39 AM

I think Omar and Cedric are just one of the best combinations of vocalist and guitarist you can find. From ATDI to The Mars Volta you can really see no matter what type of genre they play they excel greatly at it.

No. You're stupid. It's not like they are consciously shifting genres or they've made this drastic change into a territory they've never gone before. They've had De Facto and when in ATDI they wrote **** original stuff and in their spare time dabbled in a variety of music but were generally stifled but the more straightforward and less flamboyant musical directions of the rhythm section.

Ganondorf

04-18-2004, 04:26 AM

I still love it, but I don't listen to it as much :confused:

Big Tube

04-18-2004, 02:27 PM

Ya know, I'm a huge prog fan and all, but I really don't like this band.
I basicially see them as crappy punk rockers who smoked too much pot so they tried to make a prog album. It has some nice moments, but as a whole it's really not that impressive to me. Especially musicially.

*comfortably awaits flames*
:)

Agreed, I'm listening to it now and it's really not that groundbreaking. It could be done easily with enough money for the studio time and effects. The concept however I love. The excecution isn't bad either, it's just not my cup of tea... Cedric's voice is annoying to me, I don't like it when I have to strain to hear/understand the lyrics. The guitar work is nice, but hey a bunch of echoes, a few reverbs, delays, phasers, flangers, and a nice amp and you could do it too. It's not that difficult. Fleas bass work isn't anything special.

And most importantly I'm not really enjoying the listen, it's not like when I put in The Wall or Meddle. It's cool if that's you're thing, but I just can't see listening to it often.

manuscriptreplica

04-19-2004, 07:32 AM

OrbDragon

04-19-2004, 09:48 AM

firedancer

04-20-2004, 08:37 PM

el doctor

04-20-2004, 09:35 PM

I saw TMV the other night, they opened for A Perfect Circle. They played 2 songs in an hour. I was torn. They were very high energy, stage presence was like that of the doors, especially the singer, jim morrison on a whole lotta crack, lol. They had some good old classic rock sounds workin for them, but no structure. It was as if everyone was playing a solo all at once. for a really long time. Overall I was not thrilled with their performance, but I saw the potential, so based on these reviews, I'm buying this album tonight.
I've downloaded a few boots off of STG of the Mars Volta and it's really like one big jam session. In a lot of the shows Cicatriz take up a good 20 minutes or more; one particular concert I have is two songs in 40 minutes, with Cicatriz taking up 30 minutes of that. Mixed feelings on that, but it is great to know that they can actually play live and that the album isn't just an overproduced studio work, although some may argue that it still is.

Big Tube

04-21-2004, 01:59 PM

^^ No way. Omar is one of the most innovative guitarists around. With all that equipment you have listed, hardly anyone can create the mastery that he can create. But the Wall does own this album, as does many Pink Floyd albums. But remember, it is 1. their 1st album and 2. a concept album. They can only use limited ideas with their lyrics, as there is only really one subject they can discuss.

With a studio full of the stuff I listed it could be done. The guy IS good, but in all honesty prog. isn't that difficult to play. I'll half-way agree with you on that. I still think it's interesting, but just no fun to listen to.

manuscriptreplica

04-22-2004, 04:02 AM

Prog isn't hard to play!??! !L@KHOIP#@HT!!! What you say, boy?!

I'd say it's one of the hardest. Look at most genres today. Take thrash for example, my favourite. All it is is playing the E about 50 times then filtering in a riff. OK, it is done at about 240 BPM, but it's not that hard to play. Punk. OK, again it can be relatively fast, but few solos and all they do is play chords, and riffs (probably more, but the only punk I've heard is the Ramones - sorry punkers) but PROG! All the different time signatures, the jam sessions, the tempo changes, the solos, it's one of the hardest genres to play. I can't even play one dream theater song on bass (I've attempted only two, but that's beside the point) I can play most of Floyd's stuff, but it is harder for guitar. And while Flea's bass work is not rocket science to figure out, it does fit the music superbly, especially on the track Eriatarka.

Oh well, their new album is due out this year. It's not a concept album, so it will be interesting to see what they can do. And Omar's got a solo album going. Should be good!

Moroii

05-06-2004, 03:21 AM

I had to re-buy this one after losing it in the train a few weeks ago. It's worth it...but I still don't think they are as original as many of the people in this thread claim.

I think "Cicatriz Esp/Cut That City" is their best track...lots of "rock"-purists hate the ambient part...but in my opinion the ambience in the middle is what makes that track a gem.
I thought "the jam" was the best part about that track, it's one of the coolest double guitar solos ever. I love how the guitars will harmonise in unison for a moment then both go back to doing their own things, just weaving back and forth, over and under each other.

And yes, The Mars Volta are overrated, but they're still magnificent. Make sense?

Oh yeah, and that piece I was talking about was called "Symphonie Fantastique" though I might be off with the spelling. I forgot the composer's name again.

robnathanson

05-16-2004, 08:31 AM

in taking a real risk (all of 10.00) and havibng never heard anything by THe Mars Volta before, I bought this cd, based on this review, and other comments about this band made in these forunms, and all I can say is I agree 100% with your review and rating.

mathewmcdermid

06-18-2004, 04:32 AM

While it was sad to see At the Drive-in break up, it may have been the best thing that ever happened to late 90s, early 00s music, because it gave way for The Mars Volta. I am obsessed with this band. I saw them play at the Big Day Out festival on the Gold Coast, Australia. Wow. At the Drive-in played the same festival a few years earlier (missed them unfortunately, they walked off after about 10 minutes playing in Sydney because everyone was crowd-surfing and they kept telling them to stop cause they were hurting people but no one listened. Their loss), then Sparta played the year before Mars Volta, and Mars Volta blew them away. An hour set, which comprised of only 3 songs, roulette dares, drunkship of lanterns and cicatriz esp, and a hell of a lot of improvisation. cedric's live energy is unmatched by anyone ive seen play before, ranging from fear factory, to metallica, to RHCP, audioslave, james brown, michael franti and spearhead. he has more energy than any of these bands. Incredible. I cant express how much i love this band. Geez, am i rambling or what.

PS. i love the mars volta

ThursdayRules

06-21-2004, 09:51 PM

incredible..... one of the most musical cds out.. everything about it is good.. it was goin to be hard changing from at the drive in but they pulled it off with an excellent cd

warningpunk

07-24-2004, 01:59 AM

pixiesfanyo

07-24-2004, 07:15 AM

^ At all the concerts I've seen I have always seen people drawn in by TMV and the few outcasts bashing because they can't deal with 10 minute jams

YDload

07-24-2004, 02:06 PM

This album sounds like a hampster screaming while being grounded up in an amplified blender. The band's not popular, except in little indie circles, is because they're not accessible by any means, their lyrics are nonsensical and cryptic like an unwanted game of Jenga, and the music is so random, there's so sense of rhythm to any of their songs. I admire them for trying to do something different, but this falls on its face. All I'll say is that when they opened for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, about ten minutes into the set, there was approximately <b>10</b> people paying attention to them. I invite you to roast me and ask me questions about what I like, I just don't think this is good by any means.

I think I've seen you post your feelings about the Mars Volta before. While I don't agree with them, you've certainly got a right to express them.

Basically, this is a band that doesn't do so well live because they never seem to actually play their songs; opting instead to have extended jam sessions and experiment with their sound in any way they can. However, on the album everything works perfectly thanks to all the "sound engineering" that sews the songs together with an electronic thread.

Your live experience has probably soured your opinion of them forever, so you probably wouldn't like the album anyway. Thanks for your input though.

Lumiere

07-24-2004, 02:49 PM

I love this album, Mars Volta are one of the best new bands.

I disagree with your comments on Apparatus, manuscriptreplica. It's a bloody song with an awesome chorus.

Zappa

07-24-2004, 05:56 PM

el doctor

07-24-2004, 06:23 PM

You remind me of a rock critic. Completely cynical towards anything and everything, and excellent at expressing disdain.
I agree. :p I'm actually glad he wrote his opinion on it though because as good as I think the album is, there's no doubt that tons of people will hate it. The album is really prog at heart and in the history of music there's always been tons of people that hate the indulgence and expansive nature of progressive rock, while others love it. Some see it as incredibly structured while others see it as total anarchy. Not sure if this is totally relevant to the review but I just felt like adding that in response. ;)

atdi come back

07-24-2004, 06:24 PM

You remind me of a rock critic. Completely cynical towards anything and everything, and excellent at expressing disdain.

agreed, critics diss the **** out of new stuff, then they realize people actually like it and dont care about what they say, and then they come back saying WHOAH THIS IS A CLASSIC

a la beatles, zep, sabbath etc. etc.

YDload

07-24-2004, 07:39 PM

You remind me of a rock critic. Completely cynical towards anything and everything, and excellent at expressing disdain.

But you seem to act a lot like that too! Or maybe you're just Dr. David Thorpe of Something Awful's "Your Band Sucks." He can hate anything.

Knifeboy

07-24-2004, 07:52 PM

But you seem to act a lot like that too!.

Beat me to it!

warningpunk

07-25-2004, 06:39 PM

I'm not a rock critic. My ex-roomate in college played them ad nausem 24/7 for an entire semester, I know the band and I've heard their music. I know that to the band's fans "this is the greatest album of all time", this is so because there are always going to be people that feel they need to be different by liking something that no one else likes. With Mars Volta, this seems to be the case. I'm not the only one who thinks this, in fact, I'm among the majority. I give the band props for at least being original and the beat a lot what's on the radio these days. But in the end, people want to listen to something that moves them like Jane's Addiction or Soundgarden, not something that gives them a headache. the Mars Volta were better off as At The Drive In, at least the old version had soul to it. I'll leave you guys alone now to pick me apart.

YDload

07-25-2004, 06:43 PM

I'm not a rock critic. My ex-roomate in college played them ad nausem 24/7 for an entire semester, I know the band and I've heard their music. I know that to the band's fans "this is the greatest album", this is so because they're always going to be people that feel they need to be different by liking something that no one else likes. I'm not the only one who thinks this, in fact, I'm among the majority. People want to listen to something that moves them like Jane's Addiction or Soundgarden, not something that gives them a headache. the Mars Volta were better off as At The Drive In, at least the old version had soul to it. I'll leave you guys alone now to pick me apart.

I understand the pain of having to listen to someone else's music for way too long. You opinion is valid.

Zappa

07-26-2004, 12:08 AM

But in the end, people want to listen to something that moves them like Jane's Addiction or Soundgarden, not something that gives them a headache.

"Superunknown" and "Nothing's Shocking" are both much better than "De-Loused..."

If man is 5...

07-26-2004, 04:34 AM

[QUOTE=warningpunk]But in the end, people want to listen to something that moves them like Jane's Addiction or Soundgarden, not something that gives them a headache. [QUOTE]

On a completely different tangent (well, almost) i found it quite easy to get into mars volta and currently find it pleasurable to listen to because i love the way the songs are built and the latino influence is put to excellent use (unlike that ****head band ill nino hahahaha).

However i cannot, however i try, get into soundgarden or janes addiction as i find them both painfully bland i.e rusty cage, what the **** is that?

Anyway, going slightly off topic.

D!nandtott!

07-26-2004, 06:04 PM

jane's addiction and soundgarden hahaha
lol

uhmm...

no?:p

SubtleDagger

07-26-2004, 06:11 PM

jane's addiction and soundgarden hahaha
lol

uhmm...

no?:p
Dude...

Where have you been?

pixiesfanyo

07-26-2004, 06:25 PM

He's been around..this ol' faded town.

He posted a new song a couple weeks back.

the call of kthulu

09-12-2004, 07:01 PM

if those of you who don't know who the mars volta is, they kick ***! the guitar on this record is some of the best i've heard in a while. its definitly an excape from all these pop-punk bands. this band is worht checking out.

Bartender

09-12-2004, 07:10 PM

Threads merged. Check out the How To Review A CD sticky thread before trying again, and always check if a review has been done (like this one) before posting one. If it has, comment in the thread.

Malakian Worshipper

10-28-2004, 03:41 AM

mars volta is awesome, de-loused is one of the most impressive cds ive ever heard. rick rubin helps make this record what it is imo.

Sep

10-28-2004, 04:55 AM

Good review. I agree with Roulette Dares and Take The Veil, Carpin Taxt being the best songs.

Lumiere

10-28-2004, 09:53 AM

This album is scary and interesting when you are drunk.

Especially Cicatriz ESP.

choke383

12-03-2004, 04:32 PM

a great album, fav song are
Roulette Dares
Eriatarka
take the veil cerpin taxt

Manimal

12-03-2004, 04:55 PM

I absolutely love The Mars Volta. They have been my favorite band since deloused was released over a year and a half ago. But I have to disagree with everyone that is saying that Omar's guitar work makes the band. He's an ok guitarist, and one of my favorites to listen to, but Jon Theodore makes The Mars Volta what they are. His drumming is outstanding.

Omar is good, but he is actually probably the weakest link in the band. Juan Alderte is a profesionally schooled bass player, I've already talked about Theodore, and Ikey Owens plays keyboards, and if you play keyboards you have to be trained.

If you watch some of the live concert videos, Omar would be the loudest one on stage, and Juan, Jon and Ikey would be getting into a groove while improvising, and Omar would just come in with a bunch of noises and just ruin it. When he plays hes pretty good, but I'd like to see a little less *screeeeeech, extremely delayed-reverb pick slide noise* type stuff and more melodic playing.

Granted that is Omars style though, and don't get me wrong I love the weirdness in his playing, but too much of something can be a bad thing.

Anyhoo, Mars Volta rock!!!!

pixiesfanyo

12-03-2004, 08:41 PM

Juan does loud banging effects more than Omar.

mainesnowrider

12-18-2004, 11:43 PM

I have the entire album "Frances the Mute" and wow, you guys are in for a treat!

These guys approach the JH Experience as the best band ever...