::Goliath will be passed along to you by reading this review::
Written: May 17 '08 (Updated May 17 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: ::Simply addicting music, guitar/drum work create a furiously paced album::
Cons: ::This music will not strike the same "chord" with everyone::
The Bottom Line: ::Be prepared to listen on "repeat" for a few months::
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| SParkfan77's Full Review: The Bedlam in Goliath [PA] by The Mars Volta |
Yes, this is a bit of a departure for me. While I usually tell you how I feel about some current (and not-so-current) videogames on Epinions, I have felt inspired to talk about the latest album from the band that is quickly scaling my list of favorite bands. The Mars Volta have been at it now for about fives years starting with their three-track Tremulant EP and subsequently their debut LP that is still considered a progressive rock masterpiece known as De-Loused in the Comatorium (2003). While everything since this time, their entire catalogue has been spinning nonstop in my stereo and/or iPod when I wish to listen to something that will absolutely take me to imaginary places not all of which are painted with pretty colors but are often frightening worlds. The masterminds behind this group are non other than Cedric Bixler-Zavala (vocals, lyrics) and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (guitar, writer). Yes, two leads in this group with hyphenated last names and they have remained a constant throughout the often-changing lineup of musical talent from album to album since beginning. Their latest effort and forth full-length album, The Bedlam in Goliath speaks a possessed spirits looking for a host body named “Goliath” that the band reportedly woke up while playing a oujia type game between live shows one tour a few years back. While the recording sessions were apparently cursed with losing a sound engineer in the process and having the bands recording studio flood during these sessions, Omar and Cedric have unleashed “Goliath” on the listener on 13 incredible tracks.
While the synopsis of how they got there seems laughable, it’s a story that the band is sticking with through numerous interviews about coming up with the inspiration for such a sadistic theme for the album. But it’s that same cursed feeling this album has that gives it a real raw power and takes the band into territory I’ve never heard them before.
For those that have reference to their previous works may be familiar with TMV’s love for long, drawn out ambient movements between parts of songs. While this technique could not be ignored on their last two albums, it is almost non-existent on here unless it absolutely has to be. My point being is that you will hear from start to finish a very tight album; and clocking in at 75 minutes and change, you may be surprised at how fast the album flies by.
The album kicks off with two tracks that really go hand-in-hand much like the first two tracks from “De-Loused….” had “Son et Lumière” and “Inertiatic ESP” transition so well together. This time around, we are sucked in immediately to the song with an equally hard to spell and pronounce name called: “Aberinkula.” The collaboration between Cedric’s vocals, Omar’s guitar work and the several other members that make up TMV is simply a powerhouse that cannot be stopped and only rolls through to the track called: “Metatron,” one of the tracks that wakes me up during an overnight shift.
A song some may recognize by now is their first single off the album which is the shortest full song TMV has put together entitled: “Wax Simulacra.” As far as singles go, it’s wrapped up in a decent run-time that does not feel rushed and to me really serves as a set up to the track entitled “Goliath” that will only enthrall you even more. Its hooks during the chorus are undeniable and feature an outro that is lyrically bizarre but if you interpret Cedric’s vocals as coming from the “Goliath” it tells quite a demented story. Lyrics throughout this entire album could certainly be up for interpretation as many Mars Volta works are, and The Bedlam in Goliath is no exception.
Some other stand-out tracks consist of “Ouroborous,” “Soothsayer” and the final track entitled: “Conjugal Burns” which really sets this album off with some high-energy from the band and leaves the listener with the desire to press the “repeat” button on their stereo.
The biggest complaint I hear from my friends when I bring up TMV is that their music is either too odd, or that they often over-extend their music to go on for too long. To me, a well-constructed 13-minute track can pack more of a punch than three songs totaling the same length; but others can’t stand this when it comes to music. While their 2005 release: “Frances the Mute” was an incredible follow-up album, the major quarrel people had with it was that it took too long to get to where it needed to go. This is where you separate the people who are listening to get to the pay-off and the elitists that will swear up and down that they enjoy listening to literally minutes of some sort of tree frog ribbet during one of the final tracks (no, I’m not kidding). I fall somewhere in between I suppose, so it was a welcome change that there are really no hiccups to be found in this album. Even though it runs over 75 minutes in length, you’ll be hard pressed to more than one instance of this happening on “Bedlam….” Some parts on the final few tracks will wear the patience of some listeners but the payoff is well worth it in the end. Overall though, this is the perfect album to have someone who have never heard of TMV before to listen to first since it is probably the most accessible.
In the end, I do not wish to post entire choruses because it would only be a small peephole in what is a story that I still don’t fully understand myself. Luckily like all of the Mars Volta’s previous works, their fervent fans have done this interpreting for us. Just don’t ask them to elaborate or contribute any ideas of your own on their fan message boards or you’ll get flamed out (in true internet fashion). While I love TMV, they have some fans that are as elitist as those of Radiohead; yea, it’s that bad.
Cedric and Omar once stated in an interview that they have planted traps in the album to somehow rid off the spirit of Goliath that has cursed them and give it to the listener. I hope to have the same effect by writing this review because it's all I have been wanting to listen to for months now...If you’re looking to see if I would recommend this album to you or any music fan in particular that wants to have their auditory senses and imaginations blown away, you’ve guessed correctly if you thought so. The mere fact that I have not written a music review on Epinions for almost four years but The Bedlam in Goliath has driven me to do so. Not only have I been listening to it several times a week since it was released in January, but it’s closely approaching my #1 most played album on my iPod and that’s saying a lot. Please feel free to leave feedback; any is appreciated since it’s my triumphant return to music reviews. Thanks for reading!
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Listening
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Epinions.com ID:
SParkfan77
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Member: Dan Schiller
Location: Long Island NY
Reviews written: 376
Trusted by: 193 members
About Me:
::After 3 years, I changed my avatar!::
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