Stitch on 28/1/2008 at 16:24
Quote Posted by PigLick
So in the end fucking I am off my tits but my statement still stands godammit
While I understand the inherent ridiculousness of self-important nerds TALKING SERIOUS ABOUT MUSIC, the fact is that there's a lot of discussion to be had if your interaction with music extends any deeper than the surface level of "I like" vs. "I don't like."
It's also a healthy dialogue because understanding why someone else is drawn to a certain band can grant inroads to your own personal appreciation. Internet discussion has opened me up to many bands I wouldn't have otherwise given a chance, and also rewarded me with new levels of appreciation for music I already enjoyed.
Having said all that, fuck me if I can explain why certain songs make me want to RUN THROUGH WALLS.
Kuuso on 28/1/2008 at 17:48
Quote Posted by fett
Ya know, this is one of those bands I really really want to like, but I just can't seem to get into. Album recommendations for a newbie?
The Mars Volta divides opinions radically. For example, I've seen reviews of the newest album to be either 1 star or 5, no in-between. Anyways, it can take time to get into them (I had Frances the Mute, their second album, for over an year before I started enjoying it. Now it's one of the best albums I know). I reckon the easiest to get into is their debut, De-Loused in the Comatorium. It's bit of a mix of everything they are. Also the newest album is worth a try, but it can be quite "dazzling", if you're not used to that kind of music.
Quote Posted by frozenman
I grabbed this album off the (internet) about a week or two (believe me I'd buy it if I could but i'm so broke)- and hm,
First of all Theodore is sorely missed IMO. The new drummer is certainly way capable, but he's very precise, lots of double kick-drums. It begins to sound like Dillinger Escape Plan at some points.
Second: This one is way more intense than the previous if not all albums. It's got a Cut That City pace throughout the
whole album. That's fine by me because I can't fucking stand the BALLADS that littered Amputechture (there's only one to be found on this album and boy is it a stinker).
A (
http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/4067) review I read this morning said it best: "This nonsense has gone on long enough. Mars Volta, it's time to shit or get off the prog-rock pot."
All in all I liked it better than the last, but there's not too much promise left in it. "Wax Simulcra" is a really rad song but I can imagine people not wanting to spread the word on this song because it's called WAX SIMULCRA and it has lyrics like "If you could see where I've been you'd touch the hand that's touching sin" huhughugh. Oh there's also a song that reminds me of Megaman boss battles.
Thomas Pridgen does stuff that Theodore couldn't even dream of. I was quite sceptical, if they could replace Theodore when he left, but Pridgen is just out of this world. Immense drummer. My only gripe with the drumming on Bedlam In Goliath is that the drumwork is obviously done with just one kit with similar sounds and it gets a tad repetitive. Still fantastic to listen to though.
I am nearly ready to say that this is TMV's best album to date. It's littered with incredibly catchy songs, but the album still flows greatly. I think they've found a great compromise between the nearly ambient-pieces they've had and the straight latin-rock songs.
Cedric's vocals can be bit of a turn-off for some, since the heavy use of effects and the weird "self-harmonizing" they do, but I didn't find it bothering. The main gripe I have with this album is about it's length and immense tempo. It's 76 minute blast of fast-paced rhythms and it sounds very loud. It can get quite tiresome for the ears and listening the whole thing through, and concentrating on it, is a worthy feat.
For invidual songs, I am love with Ouroborous, Metatron, Wax Simulacra and Tourniquet Man to some extent. The last one is a well-needed break in-between the heavier songs and it works nicely.
I wrote quite a detailed entry of this into my blog, but it's in Finnish unfortunately.
Quote Posted by Jepsen
Relationship of Command.
Heh.
Edit: Though, I have to mention that I enjoy Omar Rodriquez-Lopez's latest solo-album over this.
Mr.Duck on 28/1/2008 at 22:24
Oh shi, oh shi, oh shi, oh shi!
:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
I'm soooo -in-
And don't fret, Stitcheroo, I also enjoyed Amputechture, but I've yet to hear it from start to finish, uninterrupted to fully appreciated, though my favorite continues to be De-loused. Great times.
<3
PigLick on 29/1/2008 at 02:23
haha Stitch you make way too much sense. You are totally correct, of course.
ercles on 30/1/2008 at 00:52
Quote Posted by fett
Ya know, this is one of those bands I really really want to like, but I just can't seem to get into. Album recommendations for a newbie?
It depends on how heavily into the prog-side of things you are, both De-Loused in the Comatorium and Frances the Mute are amazing, but De-loused is a little more approachable with shorter songs and a little less noodling.
I have found that with all TMV albums it has taken me a lot of listenings to really get into them. But once Cassandra Gemeni (on Frances the Mute) or the last 3 minutes of Cicatriz (on De-Loused) gets under your skin words cannot explain how fucking mind-blowing it all is.
I just picked up TBiG today and have just listened to it, its awesome in parts, but I think it will take time to really figure it all out.
On the topic of drummers, although Pridgen is great, he simply isn't Jon Thomas, and I know it's incredibly unfair but its just the damn truth. Check out (
http://youtube.com/watch?v=GHS9vp1NVvY) this clip of them performing at the Lowlands festival, he's just so fucking brutal, but yet completely restrained and in control at the same time. In (
http://www.spin.com/reviews/2008/01/0801_the_mars_volta/) this review it was put quite well that Thomas always kept it grounded in the hips, once more I point towards the last three minutes of cicatriz esp, which is just sweltering. After both seeing him perform with the group last year live, and listening to this new album, Pridgen seems flashier, and seems to have more of a wet sound from his crash hats thats not as clear cut and gutteral as Thomas. I still like the new drummer, and I like the new album, but I am just resigned to the fact that we'll not see the likes of Frances the Mute again.
That said Frances the Mute certainly wasn't without its faults, the main one being too much white noise and really long tracks make the album almost impenetrable at first, but when it was on god it was glorious.
Here's to hoping they're back down under soon enough, I can't wait for the live DVD filmed in Sydney/Melbourne 2007 expected late this year...
Now time to dive back in for another listening!
Shug on 30/1/2008 at 06:52
Quote Posted by PigLick
haha Stitch you make way too much sense. You are totally correct, of course.
Hang on, none of this backing down bullshit
piggin it to the bitter end
PigLick on 30/1/2008 at 13:31
I know when I am beaten
PigLick on 30/1/2008 at 13:32
I know when I am beaten
PigLick on 30/1/2008 at 13:39
I know when I am beaten
Stitch on 30/1/2008 at 15:25
Like hell you're beaten, putting nerds in their place is quite possibly the most valuable service (among many*) that you perform around here!
*greasy cocks insertion, for example
