Mars Volta Are The New Rush
Every couple of years, some music journalist heralds the return of prog. Here's one from Sunday's NY Times: Strike Up the Band in 13/4 Time: Progressive Rock Returns. Prog has been good to some bands (Green Day, Radiohead), and bad to just as many (Sunny Day Real Estate), but after reading Pareles' article I was curious enough to listen the Mars Volta for the first time. The band's five-part conceptual opus Frances The Mute shifts genres every couple of minutes and has track titles like "Cygnus... Vismund Cygnus." ("The lyrics are both copious and hermetic," Pareles notes.) It's a grating, difficult listen ... not the Lamb Lies Down On Broadway 2005 I was hoping for. A concept album this ambitious requires a dozen more listens. Any Mars Volta fans out there? Please tell me whether or not to waste my time with Frances.
Also: curious how the cover shares a red hood with Spoon's new one.
Posted at 2:29 PM
I thought their first album was really good, but I haven't heard all of the new one yet. Most reviews I have read of "Frances the Mute" say the same thing, that it's hard to listen to and ultimately not that worthwhile, but I plan on giving it a fair chance.
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if you're going to listen to mars volta for the first time, listen to de-loused. not frances.
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yeah i agree, the first album is awesome.
i need to set some time aside to listen to frances though... its hard for me to just casually listen to it since most of the songs are over 10 minutes
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Is Deathcab going to be on the OC?
http://jumpoutyourwindow.blogspot.com/2005/03/california-california.html
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can't say i'm that impressed with the new spoon (unfortunately), and i've listened to it a few times.
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> Is Deathcab going to be on the OC?
Apparently yes!
Probably not Mars Volta, tho.
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You have to listen to De-Loused first, and, it's true, Frances isn't an easy record to get down with. But, in my opinion, it's the most complex and freakin' ballsy record I've ever heard.
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the volta sucks. if you like self-indulgent solos and general wankery and the accompanying goings-on then frances the mute is for you. but if you have any sense of style or restraint you will stay away from these misguided, albeit good hearted, young men.
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De-Loused was amazing album, i have listened to Frances a few times and it has it moments but ultimately the songs are unneccesarily long and lyrics incomprehensible, not their best sadly!
Death Cab Rule!!!!!
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I just bought it at lunch and am listening to it now. It is definately not the album to play when you are looking for hooks or sing-alongs, and in that sense, it doesn't hold up well. On the flipside though, there is some amazing musicianship on this album, as well as the one before, and they truly do explore some far reaches of how modern rock music can be interpreted. Yes, it's pretentious (as is most "indie" rock), but I find it very interesting and challening, which for me will warrant future spins.
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They are a great band but I can't say I am too hot on their new album. I have had their new album for a month and a half now through a leak. It is an un-mastered version so the low end sounds really horrible (I am assuming they have yet to apply 35hz filters and stuff)
I still get songs from their first album stuck in my head though
I will warn you, they suck horribly live
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Don't forget The Red Skull.
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Here's that link...
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/4775/skull.html
And mre on the red-head theme...this totally gross goblin cake...
http://kimberlychapman.com/crafts/cakes/cakegoblin1.jpg
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Mars Volta is an amazing band. If you appreciate talented people playing their hearts out, then pick up a copy. It took me a while to digest their first album, and its taking me a while to digest this one too. Its no lamb, but its a new music thats different.
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Short answer: Francis is great. Get it.
I liked At The Drive-In. Then they split up 2 ways.
I liked Sparta
I never liked Mars Volta, they didn't do it for me.
This new album is very out there and might take about 30 listens to get ya - but DO go get it, burn it whatever. It will be regarded as an important album.
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I really enjoy 3 of the 5 songs on the new mars volta, and i think 1 song is just ok. For me, overall, I think it was worth getting because sometimes it's enjoyable to listen to long songs and look for technical changes.
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Look at the new Early Day Miners release for ANOTHER CD cover sporting a red hood. Strange. Maybe all these guys are on the same drugs or something!
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ever notice how the cover of Spoon's Kill the Moonlight is almost exactly like Spiritualized's Amazing Grace?
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M.V.'s not for everyone, if you the new album inaccessible, you'll get more out of At The Drive In.
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If you FIND the new album inaccessible...
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Albums like Frances the Mute (long songs, multiple movements) are guaranteed to be mocked (usually by me as well,) so it's obvious they care not what most folks will think of either them or the album... it's ballsy, stubborn and incredibly self-indulgent. And I love it.
I'm no fan of doodling guitar solos and prog-rockers Rush, Yes and EMP mostly depress me, but it's not as simple as that. It's possible that this falls only into that narrowest of categories of 'music for musicians', but there's something else underneath all the chaos that hits me in a way I can't shake.
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At the drive-in sucked. Mars volta sucks. That's all there is to it.
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in order for the Mars Volta to be a pleasurable experience you must be :
a) riding leisurely in a car (cadillac preferred) in the spring/summer with it blasting… add a bit of whacky tabacky and a nice breeze
b) sitting at home in the dark craddleing a bottle of Jack Daniels
c) indulging in the best sex ever… out porning the best porn… multiple partners are a plus
in other words… you have to be in the midst of some sort of escapism to truly appreciate the Mars Volta… it just isn’t for a normal mind state… thankfully
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Wait -- when has Green Day ever been remotely prog?
Was that a joke?
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robb--since when is most indie music pretentious? you've got pretentious underground artists, as well as pretentious mainstream artists. i don't think you can characterize the majority of independent musicians, nor independent music (whatever that means in this context), as pretentious.
the mars volta might be talented, but even talented people need editors. and occasionally, talented people put out shite because they are bright enough to see what they're shooting for but not yet up to the task. i think that's the problem with mars volta. i personally don't like their work very much, but if they hang around for a few more albums, perhaps they will find their groove.
i don't see how either of the mv albums will be remembered as important in the future. not unless they make an incredible album on their third or fourth go.
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green day? radiohead? prog? Wow I must be getting old. At The Drive-In was one of the most compelling live shows I've ever seen. They seemed bent on self-destruction. They were opening for Tenacious D at Irving Plaza and David Bowie was there. Something had to give. Sparta kinda sucks and with The Mars Volta we see where the talent was coming from. De-loused in the Comatorium is an extaordinary record. I agree that marijuana and car trips are about the only way to enjoy this(you really think you're girlfriend likes this shit?).I don't, however find it pretencious. If anything, it's kinda nerdy. Like Rush. They rule. It's okay to be nerdy I think(look at the fashion kicking on Bedford).
Having said all this, I've been looking forward to Frances for a LONG time. Thanks all of you for the brilliant insight and opinions on it. Quite a critical lot.
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been listening to FRANCES THE MUTE for several months now.. a really, really amazing record. a total mindfuck, and a complete masterpiece of an album. i can't say enough about it. the release date was today and i went out and bought my copy. amazing coverart as well. pick it up!
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De-Loused was a terrible half-assed attempt at prog that kept punk around as a safety net.
Frances the Mute, however, is a full-on prog album that is utterly amazing. It's shocking how much the band has improved. My only beef are the ambient interstitials, which are pretty boring.
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"suck horribly live"???
I thought they were tremendous. Their drummer was fierce while omar & cedric flail around like men possessed. I guess to each his own.
I agree that they need to tone down some of their more indulgent tendencies, but all in all a promising group. Really like the Tremulant EP & De-loused, am undecided on the Mute, but have only heard it 2x. Not as immediately gripping I suppose.
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if you're looking for another punky-poppy-rocky album in the line of more Death Cab, save your quarters. . .
At The Drive In was great.
Mars Volta was like a half-assed attempt at the greatness of At The Drive In. . . until they finally went their own way with "Frances." it is not some album to put on and dance around your bedroom to, like in some bad teen movie. but then again, neither was DJ Shadow's "Entroducing." Mars Volta asks a bit of their audience with this album, and not surprisingly get smacked around for not delivering the more easily-digested "sounds-a-lot-like-___-but-with-some-___" stuff. if your musical tastes transcend more than one or two genres, you'll probably find this album definitely has it's place.
and i agree with the driving comment, but with a slight change. . . instead of a warm summer day, try a cold dark snowy night in the mountains. i had that experience back in january, and it was amazing. highly recommended.
and Green Day = prog??? wtf?
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Vinnie- I do happen to find a lot of indie music pretentious. One needs to look no further than some of Pitchfork's top rated records to see why. I love a lot of indie rock, but when people embrace albums that sound to me like a lo-fi, poorly produced version of a bunch of hipster art students in a basement, attempting to play guitar and be clever or funny, it gets annoying. Especially when they claim to be making some bold, artistic statement, when in fact, no one will remember them in a year. For a lot of acts, it seems like the "indie" badge has become some elitist excuse to put out bad, poorly produced records, and when someone calls them on it, to put their nose in the air and question the listeners credibility. Yes, there are pretentious artists of all levels, mainstream and what not, but this site doesn't focus on them, and I don't really follow them. I agree that once MV find their niche, they will put out some amazing records, but to me, their two existing ones are pretty interesting. Few bands have the talent that MV does, but yeah, maybe they need someone to help them make it a more focused effort, ie. an editor.
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Okay, let me set it straight. The Mars Volta is undoubtedly the best band in America. Listen to Frances. Even if you don't like some songs but like others, take this into account: The last song on the album clocks in at over twenty min. If every other song on the album is the most igsignificant, self indulgent music that you've ever heard (hypothetically speaking, because they are all good) the last song is half the album and is the most incredible music that has dared to appear in our lifetime. Thats all you need to know. This is the album that we have all been waiting on.
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Er...um...well, it surely isn't what I've been waiting for, and I really really wish they hadn't taken the dare. I'm not sure which is worse: Cedric's atonal bleating or Omar's onanistic guitar wanks. Ugh. How did these guys NOT get dropped from their label? Who buys this crap? And who really listens to it all the way through more than once? With a straight face? And sober? With their credibility in tact? .... If I want half hour self indulget unlistenable album closing tracks, I'll stick with the Liars, thank you... er, well, maybe they're a bad example....
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THE MARS VOLTA FUCKING ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Just saw then last Sunday here in Milan - Italy.
Great show although the general crowd comment at the end was that they should drop the "long songs". I loved it cause it was very King Crimson based ....which is wierd!
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It's worth it.
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Stick to Yes and Rush if you're actual Prog Rock fans...
Nonsensical lyrics had a place in the acid-soaked 1960s. Not today. Yes, TMV has a great sound, but when it comes down to it, you realize they left SO much of the work up to the sound engineer.
There are more dubs on this album than there are fuckups on an early Alan Parsons production. No joke.
The album is almost unlistenable with the constant tedium and uninspired lyrics.
If you're looking for a real trip, and have an appreciation for a real psychedelic subculture, lean toward Yes's early albums such as 'Tales from Topographic Oceans' or 'Time and a Word'.
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this whole isues againts and pro the new frances indicate only that it lights up passion in the people conciousness meaning they are here to stay.... rock on THE MARS VOLTA......
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I loved "Frances The Mute" from the very first time I heard it, and the album's tremendous merits and sprawling creativity luckily motivated me to stop reading that ridiculous online music rag, Pitchfork (2.0? What the fuck was Sam "I love the Strokes" Ubl on?).
"Pretentious," "wanking," "noodling," whatever. The same people who bitch and rave about the Mars Volta's indulgences probably think that the uber-boring, VERY pretentious "Kid A" is the greatest album ever made, or, on the other hand, that a lot of these faceless "indie" bands who write serviceable, generic two-minute songs are the saviors of music.
"Frances" definitely has its flaws--I could've done without the frog-intro to the first part of "Miranda.."--but musically it's top notch. Omar and Cedric are each at the top of their game, and they've definitely fleshed-out some great new ideas here, moving beyond the more conventional sound of their debut. It's not a masterpiece, but it's better than most of the other albums released this year.
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Mars Volta is just shit period. Listen to the Dead Boys or Johnny Thunders. Listen to real rock-n-roll. And try not to wear a white belt
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Every few years a band comes along that certain music lovers declare to be a sort of renaissance. bright eyes comes to mind. and, also showing up on rollingstone's and spin's insipid magazines with conor oberst are the mars volta.
ok...you cant defend their lack of artfulness with the whole "its long on almost every track!how do they do it!" crap. just because somebody can play for 13+ minutes per song doesnt make it genius. neither does writing incomprehensible lyrics. and the mars volta does both. (and so does bright eyes, except, on the occasion that he does seem comprehensible, he comes across as arrogant and ignorant of whatever he's whining over in his cracking voice.) so, simply put, i wouldnt waste my money on the mars volta. ever.
incomprehensibility does not a genius make.
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Frances is a good album but like the rest of their albums some songs have a few minutes of sounds that are hard to listen to but if you can look past that and listen to the good parts the album and overall mars volta are a really good band and really can't be compared because they add something new to their songs each time. If i had to compare them to anyone it would be a cross of Zeppelin and ....not sure
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In first listening to the The Mars Volta's De-Loused. I was captivated by the amount energy they pushed out. I was on the edge of my seat... I was not very impressed with Frances The Mute. However, I will give this album a chance to grow on me..
RushFan2112
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I'm baffled out of my fucking head about the guy that said they suck live...holy shit
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De-loused was a decent album. But frances....folks, frances is a godamn masterpiece. Timeless, classic....damn near perfect. There aren't really words eloquent enough to describe the majesty of Frances the Mute. Just buy it and shut the hell up.
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i was also and still am captivated by de-loused. i think its one of the more perfect records of all time. frances the mute wasnt the greatest follow up. the raw energy and drive of de-loused was for the
most part absent. mars volta's music is multi-layered and at first seamingly unstructured. it takes time to figure out. anyone who doesnt appreciate tmv likes music spoon fed and shallow.
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wow. mars volta is the worst band i have ever heard in my life. they sound like premature eunich ass-cruncher girl cats getting their abdomen kicked out of them. they are horible like when you make mac and cheese, and it grows mold on it, so you cant have it for lunch tomarrow, but you microwave it, and have one piece and almost barf. oh but the band sucks worse. they must spit alot from all of that sucking.
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What everyone is forgeting is that the albums they produce are based on real life events that have meaning to them and only them, what everyone get's out of it is up to that person only.Not everyone is going to love it not everyone is going to hate it but understanding the meaning of why the songs are so long or why the lyrics make no sense are things that not everyone thinks about or understands!
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I just saw the MArs Volta open up for the Chili Peppers in Philly on Monday night. I was curious to see what they would sound like since i have heard sme of their songs and though they sounded interesting. Their show was absolutely horrible. Most definately the worst concert i have ever heard. I had to leave 4 mins ino the first song. They are they worst most talented band i have ever heard.
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I would also like to say they are EXTREMELY LOUD!! This actually is the downfall of their live shows. That kinda of music at that volume is nausea inducing. I can i like interesting music and bands like Pink Floyd went through their experimental/strange noise/a-tonal jazz influenced period before they made beautiful music. But i hope the songs they played last night were just a stage of their career and not a permanent path. I can't tell you how much i hated their performance, there was elements of promise i can respect what theyare tryng to do bt i think they are the WORST LIVE PERFORMANCE I HAVE EVER SEEN. PLease WEAR EAR PLUGS IF U SEE THEM LIVE!!!!!! THEIR MUSIC MAY INDUCE SEIZURES!!!
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The CONCERT SOUNDED LIKE THE END OF THE WORLD!!! IF you can survive their live show you can survive death.
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The eternal bullshit about music. The main thing here is all these bands you talk about are out there recording gigging making money and having a good time and you losers (like me) are reading and writing all this nonsense because we are all frustrated that its not one of us out there selling records.
Turn you PCs off and start creating. Judging is easy.
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Fuck all you people who think MV sucks...I would sell my soul for concert tix
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Someone suggested I check this band out, and I did. Wow, what a hunk of shit! Sounds like cats fucking, only worse.
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