THE BEDLAM IN GOLIATH

It is easy to hear why so many prog fans are so divided on this album, and this band, for that matter. The Bedlam in Goliath is The Mars Volta's noisiest, most restless, messiest album to date, but if you're anything like me, that's perfectly fine.

After listening to their first two albums (I don't have Amputecture), it seemed to me that they had a real knack for the type of dissonant-and-sloppy-yet-musical heaviness that King Crimson featured (especially with Wetton-era albums). I feel as if their spacey, relaxed sections are better done by many other bands. This album is their "noisiest" and "sloppiest", but not in a bad way. It just seems that this style is not everyone's cup of tea.

Bottom line: if you enjoy the "loud" sections of their first two albums (and others, too....I'm only citing what I've actually heard!), then you should find that this album delivers. If you prefer the other side of TMV, I suggest you look elsewhere. I will admit that this album suffers from excessive length. This barrage is not meant to be taken for a solid hour, guys! When used in moderation, however, The Bedlam in Goliath is a great, original prog album from one of the premier bands of the new millenium.