Disco de The Mars Volta: “De-Loused in the Comatorium”

I just got this CD and have not been able to tear myself away from it. Work and sleep are now merely times I can not listen to "De-Loused."

This album definitely takes some patience and some getting used to, but isn't that true of all your favorite albums? A lot of the songs have some strange bridges and tempo shifts, but then shots of amazing melody that makes the whole song make sense...if that makes any sense. I'm still having a hard time with track 5 (sorry, don't know names). I instantly liked Track 2, still my favorite track. Tracks 3, 6, and 10 are also standouts, although it's really hard to find a bad track on this album. I'm sure eventually I'll even dig Track 5

If you're like me, you're constantly in the market for new music, and are constantly being disappointed...but this is hard rock, prog rock, whatever you want to call it at its very best. It's loud, smart, unique, melodic....just BUY IT.

The Mars Volta, as I'm sure you already know, contains 1/2 of ATDI's members. According to Cedric, he left because he felt they had reached somewhat of a musical stalemate and they would keep making "the same album". "De-Loused in the Comatorium" is definitely not that. Although there are numerous comparisons (although somewhat well-founded) to ATDI's work, this music is all around different. There are, however, elements of ATDI's trademark post-hardcore sound, especially on tracks like "Inertiatic Esp" and to an extent in "Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt". Not to say that this is a bad thing. "Inertiatic Esp" is one of my favorite tracks.

More prevalent than the former musical elements are the inclusion on a somewhat more psychadelic approach. In areas the music is reminiscent of Led Zepplin and Cedric sounding like Geddy Lee.

But The Mars Volta puts a much more modern twist on it. Combing frenetic sampler beats and distortion as well as almost Doors-esque jazz.

And of course, there is the brilliant, yet often inexplicable, lyrics. Self-admittedly selfish, Cedric lyrics cater to his own sensibilities with an attitude of "If we get it, somebody else will". Knowing that the album is dedicated and based upon the life of Julio Venegas helps to act as a loose guide in decrypting some of the lyrics. Even those that one isn't able to annunciate the meaning of still have their own way of touching you in a very personal way. A way that couldn't have been put better. In these sense the abstract, occasionally disjointed nature of the lyrics acts simultaneously to both generalize and specify a particular emotion or event to the listener.

I got SOAD tickets and noticed that two bands: Hella, Hella and The Mars Volta were the opening acts. I'd never heard of either so I browsed the internet and found The Mars Volta. I tripped around their site, listened to a couple of the tracks and though there were some odd effects and bridges there was a quality in the nuances that made it very appealing. When I arrived at the concert and saw them play I was blown away. They were so $^~#!#% unbelievable live that I knew I was really hearing and watching my new favorite band for the first time and it was live and LOUD and I was loving it. They ROCKED! SOAD was awesome too, but this band just blind sided my synapses. I immediately ran out to get everything I could and began to wrap my head around De-Loused in the Comatorium. The music is so completely unique and different than anything I've ever heard. Unbelievably talented musicianship and songwriting make this album an undisputed new rock "Masterpiece" from my perspective. This album contains a seemless blending of different musical genre, haunting, melodic hooks that keep drawing you back in for more, along with odd, yet appropriate sound effects that tie transitions together. Absolutely remarkable quality. The guitarist Omar is truly gifted, and Cedric's voice is explosive, even Flea appears on the album and has some very awesome and unforgettable bass riffs, especially on track 10 Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt. Some of the standout tracks to me are track 9 Televators (haunting), Track 10, Track 7 Cicatriz ESP and the blend of 4 Tira Me a Las Aranas with 5 Drunkship of Lanterns but I love the whole album. A truly talented group of musicians that hopefully will collaborate for years to come. If you are starving for some quality and gifted talent this album is a MUST that will satisfy your appetite. A MUST for any music aficionado. 5 out of 5 stars all the way.

At the Drive-In went prog? If you were an avid listener of ATDI throughout their run you probably noticed that Relationship of Command was their first album that started shifting from Indie rock to a more experimental fusion of many genres. And when I heard the band had split into two different camps, I knew TMV was going to be the better half by far.

So Tremulant comes and goes, and while it was a brilliant EP, I knew it was just TMV's warm up. De-loused in the Comatorium confirms that in every way.

Containing a sound more akin to Led Zeppelin, Yes, King Crimson, early Santana, and Syd Barret era Pink Floyd mixed together, then the post hardcore of ATDI; it's hard not to label it as a mass fusion of what made the 70's the best period in music history. But instead of ripping off all of their different influences, the band has created one of the most original styles I've ever heard.

The prog/salsa of Drunkship of Lanterns is the best potrayal of the bands sound, a grooving bass line, both trippy and driving guitars, and incredibly tight drumming, not to mention Cedric wailing his lungs out. Words cannot express just how much Omar and Cedric have both improved. Omar has become the single most inspiring guitarist since Jimmy Page, and Cedric has changed his vocals from an energetic rap/shout to beautiful wailing that can only be described as being akin to Robert Plant in his prime.

In true prog fashion the album follows the storyline inspired by a childhood friend of Omar and Cedric's, Cerpin Taxt's story is one of sorrow but the music for the most part is incredibly upbeat and lyrically the William Burroughs inspired stories create imagery that brings the songs to life.

It may take a few listens to sink in, but once it does, it'll be the only cd you'll listen to for months. Easily one of the best albums ever created.

The album wasn't something I got into immediately. In fact, the first time I heard what I now find to be the best song on the album, I hated it. It's the kind of album that you've got to listen to several times before you actually like it enough to by it (which means you should probably borrow it first). Don't feel too bad if you never grow into them, though, because it seems they aren't one of those bands that are "just okay".

The lyrics are oddly enticing. They hint at the band's insights, perhaps beginning to divulge some sort of message, but then keep things private, not defining anything for sure. Between the songs there is no noticeable pause, adding to the flow of the album, which is especially amazing. The songs by themselves are incredible enough, but the album as a whole is miraculous in the way it ties into itself and just runs through, sometimes making it hard to tell when one song ends and another begins, but never sounding like a previous song.