The Mars Volta

[Ksyrup]

De-Loused in the Comatorium was a fantastic album. I only wish I hadn't waited so long to pick it up...which is ironic, considering I "happened" across a copy of the new album, France the Mute, which doesn't come out for a couple of months.

Wow.

Five tracks, 75 minutes...this is some inspiring stuff.

[Anthony]

yuckers. i got it as a Secret Santa gift cuz i told my coworker that John Frusciante and Flea of RHCP performed on it and he knows how much of a RHCP fan i am. complete crap.

[JeeberD]

Some of the guys in the band are from El Paso. That's the extent of my knowledge about them...

[sovereignstar]

Frances the Mute is due out March 1st.

De-Loused in the Comatorium is one of the greatest albums of all-time. Seeing it performed live was the best concert experience I've ever had.

[sovereignstar]

yuckers. i got it as a Secret Santa gift cuz i told my coworker that John Frusciante and Flea of RHCP performed on it and he knows how much of a RHCP fan i am. complete crap.

Red Hot Chili Peppers does seem like a band that would better fit you.

[Easy Mac]

Its still the most played CD in my collection even after about a year and a half. For some reason I always felt that it would make an amazing soundtrack for like an Americanized Japanese action movie (think if they scored the Matrix to it instead of some crappy techno/string infused Burly Brawl crap). Just the way it moves from heavy to light spots is great. I have certain rules for defining a great album. Its either short enough and gets me pumped to where it leaves me wanting more (without feeling like its lacking) or its so exhausting that anything else would just be overload. Franz Ferdinand was the former. It was nice and poppy, pretty fast, but they could have added a few songs and it wouldn't have been overkill (unlike the Killers, where the last few songs were sloppy). On the other side is tMV, where its tiring in a good way.

I heard a bit from one of their new songs on the radio the other day (I caught it near the end, but I knew right away who it was). Sounded pretty good. If you can, listen to a little At the Drive In. Mainly their later stuff. You can see the groundwork being laid for the Mars Volta. I definitely think tMV got the better musical talent when the group "split". Sparta's last album was just boring and uninspired... it was like they had more to prove after tMV's debut, and they failed miserably (enjoyed Wiretap Scars though.).

My birthday is 3 days after the new CD comes out, but I may have to pick it up early.

[Anthony]

i just don't get it. i know music, and i know good music.

that deloused in the craptorium is not good music. ok, maybe the first song is listenable, but the rest is very easily forgettable. had i known they were progressive music i would have calibrated my expectations better. i just wasn't expecting bad music with no melody and random notes.

[sovereignstar]

Wiretap Scars is and will remain as one of my favorite album. I agree that Porcelain was a bit of a disappointment. Though I do like a song or two from it, probably While Oceana Sleeps the most.

Comparing the two bands is like comparing apples and oranges. tMV is a much more technical and progressive band. At least with Wiretap Scars, Sparta is all in your face and just jamming it. I really hope they aren't trying to compete with each other either. That'd be ridiculous. Just play your music dammit.

[Calis]

You know I really loved The Mars Volta album when it first came out and listened to it non-stop for a good solid month or two. I really liked it musically and the vocals were just bordering on the edge of annoying me, but somehow I liked them. Lyrically I was completely lost, it was like stream of consciousness, very peculiar. Somehow it worked for me though.

Haven't really listened to it since, didn't stick with me like I thought it would, but I definitely got my moneys worth out of it. So I'm not sure where I stand on it, I'll probably get the new album though, although I've found so much new music lately that I need to listen to it might get put off a while.

I only have Porcelain from Sparta but I was not at all impressed, seemed very generic to me. I might try to grab this Wiretap Scars.

[Easy Mac]

I dunno, I enjoyed Guns of Memorial Park and Tensioning, but after that it just lost me. I'd say Wiretap Scars is probably top 10 from the last few years (granted I own about 20 whole "cd's" from then on, but WinMx helped back in the day). It felt like more crappy rock, the lyrics just felt like they were shot out by a computer compiling the least interesting lyrics from Lit and Papa Roach. I think the CD shows some promise. I like the guitar work in a lot of the songs. A few times they seemed to try and mimic tMV on their more whimsical songs (Lines in the Sand)... It felt like a group trying to transition to something better, but they hadn't really thought of where they were going.

[Ksyrup]

tMV isn't for everyone, I will grant you that. So that might explain you, HA. And for what it's worth, you can know good music and still not like something that is popular (either with the masses or critically). I've never "gotten" U2, but that doesn't mean it's not good music. It's just not my type of good music. Or Radiohead. I've tried and tried, and I can't get into them.

tMV, though...if I had to try to describe it, it would be - an alternative Led Zeppelin-influenced band with heavy progressive tendencies, fronted by a Jeff Buckley disciple.

I just like the fact that they've pretty much shunned the traditional album - sure, they've got the 6 minute single, but the rest are pretty much not going to be on the radio unless they are severely edited (the last track clocks in at just under 32 minutes). Pure album rock.

[Leonidas]

tMV, though...if I had to try to describe it, it would be - an alternative Led Zeppelin-influenced band with heavy progressive tendencies, fronted by a Jeff Buckley disciple.



I would say your a bit off on the descpription. The chops for tMV are all 70's King Crimson. I'd swear their guitar player graduated from the Robert Fripp academy. And the percussion is undoubtedly heavily influenced by Bill Bruford.

As for some folks "knowing good music" but "not getting" tMV, that's the way the arts can go when people with traditional flavors encounter something new. To this day lots and lots of people "don't get" Picasso or Jackson Pollack because what they did was so radically different than the norms. Just because you are not used to the style does not mean the art is bad. And you have to admit the incredible talent driving tMV, even if it doesn't fit your perceptions on what music should sound like. The guys clearly have huge skills.

If you really give it a fair ear you will acknowledge what they are playing is extremely difficult to play. The vast quantities of timing changes, differing keys, etc that are totally counterintuitive to traditional music norms are extremely difficult to play. I'd like to see The Hives, Wilco, White Stripes or one of these other critically acclaimed bands running around today and try and play this stuff.

[sovereignstar]

Has anyone else seen them live? It is a must see show. Cedric can move like no one I've seen on the stage. They will be going on a N. American tour very soon. I'll post the tour dates in here if ya'll are too lazy to check up on them.

[Ksyrup]

I would say your a bit off on the descpription. The chops for tMV are all 70's King Crimson. I'd swear their guitar player graduated from the Robert Fripp academy. And the percussion is undoubtedly heavily influenced by Bill Bruford.
That would be the progressive tendencies. I agree with the King Crimson references, but to me, the entire flavor of the sound has a definite Zeppelin vibe, mixed with a jazz vibe (which is the King Crimson connection).


If you really give it a fair ear you will acknowledge what they are playing is extremely difficult to play. The vast quantities of timing changes, differing keys, etc that are totally counterintuitive to traditional music norms are extremely difficult to play. I'd like to see The Hives, Wilco, White Stripes or one of these other critically acclaimed bands running around today and try and play this stuff.
You'll get no argument from me on that point.

[Calis]

Has anyone else seen them live? It is a must see show. Cedric can move like no one I've seen on the stage. They will be going on a N. American tour very soon. I'll post the tour dates in here if ya'll are too lazy to check up on them.

Yep I was going to mention this, one of the best live shows I've ever seen, saw them open for A Perfect Circle last year and they completely stole the show. Tons of energy.

[Leonidas]

Yep I was going to mention this, one of the best live shows I've ever seen, saw them open for A Perfect Circle last year and they completely stole the show. Tons of energy.

tMV and APC, drool, drool.

[Easy Mac]

I almost went to see them when they were in Atlanta with the Chili Peppers, but then I remembered RHCP sucked and I couldn't waste $50 seeing the opening act.

I did was $20 Sunday night seeing Keane and The Zutons. I went for the Zutons (semi-opening act), and they were amazing. best live show I've seen in a few years. Not much of a Keane fan though, like a poor mans Coldplay or Travis.

[Anthony]

I would say your a bit off on the descpription. The chops for tMV are all 70's King Crimson. I'd swear their guitar player graduated from the Robert Fripp academy. And the percussion is undoubtedly heavily influenced by Bill Bruford.

As for some folks "knowing good music" but "not getting" tMV, that's the way the arts can go when people with traditional flavors encounter something new. To this day lots and lots of people "don't get" Picasso or Jackson Pollack because what they did was so radically different than the norms. Just because you are not used to the style does not mean the art is bad. And you have to admit the incredible talent driving tMV, even if it doesn't fit your perceptions on what music should sound like. The guys clearly have huge skills.

If you really give it a fair ear you will acknowledge what they are playing is extremely difficult to play. The vast quantities of timing changes, differing keys, etc that are totally counterintuitive to traditional music norms are extremely difficult to play. I'd like to see The Hives, Wilco, White Stripes or one of these other critically acclaimed bands running around today and try and play this stuff.

i guess we look for different things in music. i'm not looking to see guitar wanking. just wanna rock. the musicians in Metallica are just as proficient as what Mars plays, but Metallica (not my cup o tea) sounded good. there is feeling, emotion, in the songs.

i'm not gonna get into a RHCP vs. Mars Volta debate (i'm biased anyway), but fwiw John Frusciante is mostly regarded as a musical genius and Flea's abilities speak for themselves. Flea is a member of Mars Volta on that Craptorium album. JF solo work has an amazing following of which i'm a part of, and also has huge ties to Mars Volta. i just don't get their music. like i said had i known they were a progressive music band i would have stayed away. i'm not looking to be wowed by intricate time signatures or whathaveyou. i want to be wowed by great melodies and harmonies and songwriting.

there's more to playing music than wanking your instrument, if that's the case Yngwie Malmsteen would be a household name.

i could care less about Mars Volta, i just don't like someone insinuating RHCP is music for simpletons or that someone who's not into a band catering to a niche audience doesn't know what he's talking about. i'll give that craptorium album another listen to see if i'm missing something, but it's not likely to be any better a 2nd go round.

[sovereignstar]

You should find some Mr. Bungle next, hell craplantic. I heard their lead singer gets along real well with Anthony Kiedis.

[Anthony]

RHCP has been around for 22 years. they're doing something right.

[Leonidas]

i guess we look for different things in music. i'm not looking to see guitar wanking. just wanna rock. the musicians in Metallica are just as proficient as what Mars plays, but Metallica (not my cup o tea) sounded good. there is feeling, emotion, in the songs.

i'm not gonna get into a RHCP vs. Mars Volta debate (i'm biased anyway), but fwiw John Frusciante is mostly regarded as a musical genius and Flea's abilities speak for themselves. Flea is a member of Mars Volta on that Craptorium album. JF solo work has an amazing following of which i'm a part of, and also has huge ties to Mars Volta. i just don't get their music. like i said had i known they were a progressive music band i would have stayed away. i'm not looking to be wowed by intricate time signatures or whathaveyou. i want to be wowed by great melodies and harmonies and songwriting.

there's more to playing music than wanking your instrument, if that's the case Yngwie Malmsteen would be a household name.

i could care less about Mars Volta, i just don't like someone insinuating RHCP is music for simpletons or that someone who's not into a band catering to a niche audience doesn't know what he's talking about. i'll give that craptorium album another listen to see if i'm missing something, but it's not likely to be any better a 2nd go round.

Don't hang the anti-RHCP rhetoric on me. I love 'em and I agree that Frusciante is one of the best axemen currently in the game.

[Anthony]

the word "axemen" hasn't been used since 1991. please refrain from using it again.

[Leonidas]

the word "axemen" hasn't been used since 1991. please refrain from using it again.

Oops, I forgot Kurt Cobain had it officially changed to Sludgerod Rider.

[Anthony]

Kurt Cobain was single handedly responsible for the dead of the heavy metal/hair band guitar solo that was a must-have in every song back in those days. he showed you could write awesome rock songs and not be Yngwie Malmsteem. just check out "Come As You Are".

[Anthony]

btw, i'd give anything to go back to the early 90's and just relive that entire period.

[tanglewood]

Kurt Cobain was single handedly responsible for the dead of the heavy metal/hair band guitar solo that was a must-have in every song back in those days. he showed you could write awesome rock songs and not be Yngwie Malmsteem. just check out "Come As You Are".

Nirvana has plenty of guitar solos. It's just that they suck.

Edit: Nirvana as a band do not suck (I think they are good, but not really that great or talented). I was strictly commenting on the guitar work.

[Leonidas]

Kurt Cobain was single handedly responsible for the dead of the heavy metal/hair band guitar solo that was a must-have in every song back in those days. he showed you could write awesome rock songs and not be Yngwie Malmsteem. just check out "Come As You Are".

And don't forget he made it cool to have low self-esteem.

[Karlifornia]

Ok, so I heard "The Widow" on the radio and it blew my mind enough to make me pick up De-Loused. Really cool. I don't really know why I didn't have this already. I went out to buy "Relationship Of Command" by atdi, but two record stores didn't have it, and the other two around here were closed. Bummer.

The Widow is just an amazing song, though, and I can't wait to get Frances The Mute when it comes out.

[Ksyrup]

Kurt Cobain was single handedly responsible for the dead of the heavy metal/hair band guitar solo that was a must-have in every song back in those days. he showed you could write awesome rock songs and not be Yngwie Malmsteem. just check out "Come As You Are".
The solo is dead. Long live the solo! (not necessarily the Yngwie-solo, but some sort of guitar chops are sorely lacking these days...)

[Cecil Fielder]

The new Mars Volta is unbelievably good. So is the new Queens Of The Stone Age.

[Julio Riddols]

Both The Mars Volta and At The Drive In.. I've only been lucky enough to see their live shows via the internet but it is 100 percent clear to me that they do the best live show I have seen.. There's not really any band that compares much.. I saw Insolence live twice, but they are a very remote distance from being even comparable, although their bassist and singer were going apeshit the whole show..

That said, I think the best way to first experience The Mars Volta or At The Drive In, is to see a live show before you listen to the record.. it gave a perspective to me of what theyre about.. Which in essence, to me, is playing rock music.

Theirs is a new breed that takes some time to understand and get used to, but ultimately, I have to agree they are one of the most talented bands out there. They play for the music, not for the people, and thats about all I can ask for.

[Hurst2112]

De-Loused in the Comatorium was a fantastic album. I only wish I hadn't waited so long to pick it up...which is ironic, considering I "happened" across a copy of the new album, France the Mute, which doesn't come out for a couple of months.

Wow.

Five tracks, 75 minutes...this is some inspiring stuff.

Ok, K....time to fork it over, for the sake of rock. ;)

[email protected]

[Subby]

i guess we look for different things in music. i'm not looking to see guitar wanking. just wanna rock. the musicians in Metallica are just as proficient as what Mars plays, but Metallica (not my cup o tea) sounded good. there is feeling, emotion, in the songs.

i'm not gonna get into a RHCP vs. Mars Volta debate (i'm biased anyway), but fwiw John Frusciante is mostly regarded as a musical genius and Flea's abilities speak for themselves. Flea is a member of Mars Volta on that Craptorium album. JF solo work has an amazing following of which i'm a part of, and also has huge ties to Mars Volta. i just don't get their music. like i said had i known they were a progressive music band i would have stayed away. i'm not looking to be wowed by intricate time signatures or whathaveyou. i want to be wowed by great melodies and harmonies and songwriting.

there's more to playing music than wanking your instrument, if that's the case Yngwie Malmsteen would be a household name.

i could care less about Mars Volta, i just don't like someone insinuating RHCP is music for simpletons or that someone who's not into a band catering to a niche audience doesn't know what he's talking about. i'll give that craptorium album another listen to see if i'm missing something, but it's not likely to be any better a 2nd go round.
Wow. This is your best post ever and pretty much sums up my thoughts. It's like you are my alter ego or doppleganger or long lost twin or something. The evil version, anyway.

[Ksyrup]

Ok, K....time to fork it over, for the sake of rock. ;)

[email protected]
I'll send you a copy if you want - no way my email could support some of the file sizes (especially the 32 minute whopper). I found it in the newsgroups, like virtually everything else. I usually buy it all when it comes out, but I enjoy getting the sneak preview a month or two before release. I've also got the new Judas Priest, which is surprisingly good. Admittedly, I'm an old-time fan of JP, but this album is better than I thought it would be.

I'm hoping the new System of a Down makes the rounds soon...

[Hurst2112]

I'll send you a copy if you want - no way my email could support some of the file sizes (especially the 32 minute whopper). I found it in the newsgroups, like virtually everything else. I usually buy it all when it comes out, but I enjoy getting the sneak preview a month or two before release. I've also got the new Judas Priest, which is surprisingly good. Admittedly, I'm an old-time fan of JP, but this album is better than I thought it would be.

I'm hoping the new System of a Down makes the rounds soon...

Just email the link to me and I might be able to get it myself. I will be at the store the morning it comes out anyway too.

[Ksyrup]

There is no link, per se. I'm not sure if you are familiar with newsgroups or not, but what I have is a separate program through which I subscribe to about 8-10 music-related newsgroups and essentially troll for bootlegs and other stuff I'm interested in. Other than making requests for stuff, you only get access to what people post, so in that way, it's not really like the old Napster-type services where you got access to anything you wanted at any time. Basically, every day or two I download the latest headers and see if anything interests me. If not, I don't download anything. Sometimes I hit the jackpot, and other times I can go weeks without really seeing anything interesting.

Anyway, the news Mars Volta showed up about a month ago, so it may or may not still be available (depending on your newsgroup service). Because I download so much, I have a program made especially for newsgroups (one comes with Outlook Express, but it's not very good) and an account with Giganews that lets me download 10GB a month for $12 (in addition to what my ISP allows).

[sovereignstar]

All right.. I found it pretty easily. It's listed on one of the only torrent sites existing. IF you know how to use BitTorrent and would me to point you in the right direction just PM me.

I strongly urge you to buy the CD when it comes out (on March 1st) if you end up keeping the music.

[Anthony]

Wow. This is your best post ever and pretty much sums up my thoughts. It's like you are my alter ego or doppleganger or long lost twin or something. The evil version, anyway.

but i look better in a male thong. :cool:

[Anthony]

Wow. This is your best post ever and pretty much sums up my thoughts. It's like you are my alter ego or doppleganger or long lost twin or something. The evil version, anyway.

fwiw, you're my favorite FOFC member. the feeling i get in my loins when i see a Subby post is trumped only by the feeling i get in my loins when i read the word "gay-chat". i love that word.






gay-chat.

ahhhhhh....euphoria consumes me yet again.

[Ksyrup]

Figured I'd share this email from the Comatorium...


The Comatorium Redesign

If you haven't noticed, The Comatorium is getting a facelift. Please be patient while I get all the sections in.

Insound Coupon Code

If you order Frances the Mute from Insound (http://search.insound.com/search/showrelease.jsp?p=INS25709&from=62736) and use the following coupon code, frances15, you'll get 15% off your purchase. This offer expires 3/15.

Linear Notes & Lyrics

I've posted up all the linear notes for Frances the Mute here (http://www.thecomatorium.com/board/index.php?showtopic=29393). You'll also be able to find out who the guest musicians are on this album, and which tracks they play on.

I have also posted up the lyrics for the new album on the website here (http://www.thecomatorium.com/?page=lyrics). If you'd like to take a stab at song meaning discussion, you can do so in Shrouded in Veils (http://www.thecomatorium.com/board/index.php?showforum=37), our Song Meanings forum.

Release Information

Frances the Mute is turning out to be one of the most confusing set of releases I've seen in a long time. Frances the Mute currently exists of three releases: Frances the Mute (The Album), The Widow (The Single), & Frances the Mute (Decoder)

Each country is seeing a different release of these things, so to make sense of it I've created a topic here (http://www.thecomatorium.com/board/index.php?showtopic=29465). It's still a work in progress, but it should give you an idea of what's being released in your country as of now. Check back for updates.

Tracklist Split

If you have been following this album, you would know that it consisted of five tracks. Upon release of the Japan edition of the album, we noticed that five quickly changed to twelve. Apparently the last track, Cassandra Gemini, was split up into eight parts. Omar sums up the split in a recent article:

The supposed concept behind the slightly difficult-to-understand division of the CD - 5 main sections with 15 titles, while the CD-player only shows 12 tracks - is quickly explained: "There are only 5 Songs on the Album", says Omar. "But an album with only 5 tracks is legally an Ep, no matter how long it is. So we had to have more than 5 tracks, otherwise the record company would have only paid for an EP, even though we delivered 80 minutes worth of music." He laughs and adds: "Besides, I didn't want to be their slave; at some point they would've walked up to us and said 'Hey, you still have an album to deliver, the last one was only an EP, after all.'" Apart from that, the relationship between band and label is brilliant: "They don't ask questions, give us the money to record our music and release it then."

Influx in Articles

Speaking of articles, if you haven't been to the forums lately, you have been missing out on a huge influx of articles regarding this release and the band. Check out our main Mars Volta discussion forum here (http://www.thecomatorium.com/board/index.php?showforum=4), and look for all the topics with article in the title.

US Tour

Tour dates will be announced soon after the US release of Frances the Mute. According to other sources, the band will kick off their tour on April 22nd. The band plans on putting all the tickets on sale the same day, like old school style.

Japan Tour

Did you go to one of the latest Japan shows? How was it? Did you record it? We would like to know ([email protected]).

Peace,

Theory

[Anthony]

i'm in Royalties, and i read the language in artist contracts that clearly defines what constitutes an EP and a LP. basically all the contracts i've dealt with thus far only pay for LP's, stuff like Greatest Hits or Live albums don't count towards the artist's deal. if the deal calls for 4 albums you gotta release 4 albums of original content. makes sense, you don't want an artist with a 4 record deal releasing only 2 albums worth of original music and then putting out 2 greatest hits albums. double albums only count as one, but i'm sure you guys knew that.

[Butter]

That's not true for everyone, though, is it? I mean The Cure have put out something like 800 greatest hits albums with one or two new songs on them to try and fulfill their contract. I don't know if they're done yet.

BTW, De-Loused is a terrific album, and I'm anxiously awaiting the new one. And I didn't know QotSA were coming out with a new album, I thought they had split?

[Ksyrup]

Just the bassist split from QotSA. It was probably considered big news, though, because he and Homme go back to Kyuss. I think I downloaded the new QotSA last week, but I haven't gotten around to listening to it yet. I'm still a Kyuss guy, frankly.

[Anthony]

That's not true for everyone, though, is it? I mean The Cure have put out something like 800 greatest hits albums with one or two new songs on them to try and fulfill their contract. I don't know if they're done yet.

BTW, De-Loused is a terrific album, and I'm anxiously awaiting the new one. And I didn't know QotSA were coming out with a new album, I thought they had split?

indeed, it's not true across the board. each lable is different in what it deems to be considered an album. take Mariah Carey, for example. i took a look at her contract and she had a deal in place for that bad movie "Glitter" (originally was gonna be called "All That Glitters"). she had the option of releasing a soundtrack album first (with a min. of 8 of her songs) OR an entirely new album. after that she would have to put out 4 albums over x amount of years. if she released the entirely new album first she was able to use the soundtrack album to count as one of the 4 upcoming albums.

so i'm sure every artist has different scenarios as to when they can release greatest hits/live albums and if they count against the artist's obligations.

[Cringer]

The Mars Volta, heard some of it, not my thing I guess. Not very memorable to me.

[Ksyrup]

And I didn't know QotSA were coming out with a new album, I thought they had split?
I did download this one. Lullabies to Paralyze. Pretty good. Still like Kyuss better, though.

[Ksyrup]

Couple of bootlegged Mars Volta DVDs for download if interested:

http://www.easytree.org/torrents-details.php?id=28131&hit=1

http://www.easytree.org/torrents-details.php?id=28241&hit=1

Enjoy!