The Mars Volta

[Chief Illinimac]

Anyone here a fan of The Mars Volta? I saw them open for System of a Down about 2-3 years ago, and didn't really dig them live - I had never heard them before, and they definitely sound better on recordings. However, I've recently started listening to their albums, and I just have to say... WOW.

They definitely aren't mainstream due to their progressive style and large use of ambience (especially on Frances the Mute). I've never heard a band integrate so many styles of music so successfully. There is a great sense of dynamics and transition on their albums.

Anyway, they've pretty much become my favorite CDs to listen to on long drives or whenever I have 80 minutes to spend listening to them. What do you guys think?

If I had to pick a favorite album, it'd probably be Frances the Mute, but Amputechture and Deloused in the Comatorium are pretty damn good too.

[J.R. Locke]

Re: The Mars Volta

Yeah definitely one of the better rock bands out there.

The way in which they record is strange. At least on one album they recorded snippets of songs rarely ever playing as a full band. Then pieced it all together.

i have never seen them live but they certainly are pretty innovative and one of my favorites.

[Chief Illinimac]

Re: The Mars Volta

Yeah definitely one of the better rock bands out there.

The way in which they record is strange. At least on one album they recorded snippets of songs rarely ever playing as a full band. Then pieced it all together.

i have never seen them live but they certainly are pretty innovative and one of my favorites.

Yeah, they did what some old jazz musicians would do: record individual parts without hearing the context of other parts.

I think I read that on the new album they have coming up in January, they recorded more as a band, but I'm not totally sure.

[Birdsonbat]

Re: The Mars Volta

I am a fan, but their albums do not get nearly as much play as my At the Drive-In collection. That was the first time a band breaking up really disappointed me. I appreciate that Omar and Cedric wanted to go a different direction, but I just wish I could have seen ATDI live.

And Deloused is still my favorite.

[Chief Illinimac]

Re: The Mars Volta

I don't know much At the Drive In stuff, but was looking to give them a listen. Any recommendations on what album to start with?

[joer625]

Re: The Mars Volta

start with relationship of command. TMV is my favorite band ever. some of the new songs leaked and are incredible. pm me if you'd like. deloused still my favorite cd of all time tho

[TheMatrix31]

Re: The Mars Volta

I too saw Mars Volta open for System, and they were AWFUL live.

I assumed their music just translates better when you listen to studio recordings.

[MC Fatigue]

Re: The Mars Volta

I too saw Mars Volta open for System, and they were AWFUL live.

I saw them open for The Red Hot Chilli Peppers twice. One of the worst bands I've ever heard. They played what sounded like one song for 20 minutes basically. It was utter crap.

On top of that - at the last show, RHCP come out for the encore and don't play Around the World and instead jam with the guitarists from Mars Volta in what was 30 minutes of epic bull crap.

It was the most disappointing encore I've ever witnessed.

I guess they never played GH... "No one paid to hear you jam."

[Chief Illinimac]

Re: The Mars Volta

Yeah, they aren't good live, but I can see why. They have so much stuff going on at once that I can't imagine how hard it is to stay in time with each other.

[KobeBryant]

Re: The Mars Volta

I saw them live at the Tabernacle in Atlanta and they were great, if they open for another band they are not excited and usually play half-assed. The show I was at they were the only band playing and they played for 3 hours and it was the best show I've ever seen. I've seen Clapton, dredg, the Thrills, Oasis, Dave Matthews Band, the Eagles, My Morning Jacket, and many others and TMV was the best.

[joer625]

Re: The Mars Volta

Saw them live about 3 years ago, right after frances the mute came out, in a solo show...played for about 2.5 hours. it was musically tight and phenominal. Saw them open for System and the sound system was horrible, very forgettable. Is tere something wrong with 0 minute songs? I can understand if its retarted noodling, which Omar used to do sometimes, btu a legit 20 minute song can be amazing. (see Cassandra Gemini)