Labels: Rodriguez Lopez
Review by: Oli Saunders
Whilst At The Drive In got a lot of reviews on CZ back in the day by a variety of people, no one really wants to discuss The Mars Volta. Which is a shame because they are one of the best “big” bands in the punk realm of recent times in my opinion. Truly pushing the boundaries of music and undoubtedly full of talent, every release has been different and I have enjoyed every one. A lot of effort goes into the music and the packaging. At times it’s a little gimmicky sure, The Bedlam In Goliath has that completely uneccessary heart shaped vinyl and this one has 3D inner sleeves complete with 3D glasses. But still, it’s pretty much a vinyl lover’s dream.
As is standard, this album is quite different from the others, whilst remaining a challenging and enjoyable listen. The songs were conceived soon after Octahedron but ended up taking another three years to be completed. The first track is a bit tame by usual standards but by the second song ‘Aegis’ the band has stepped it up a gear; a definite highlight of the album. The record remains a little uneven as it progresses, with standouts and then some slightly underwhelming tracks. ‘Empty Vessels Make The Loudest Sound’ hugely contrasts the other songs, and I love the start, before it loses me somewhat. ‘The Malkin Jewel, released as a single, harks back to De-Loused more than most. ‘Lapochka’ is straightforward but effective, leading into ‘In Absentia’ which treads a fine line between being unlistenable and amazing. In a weird way it’s probably my favourite on here. Overall this is certainly not their best release but it remains excellent and any record by The Mars Volta is always welcome.
24th June 2012