DE-LOUSED IN THE COMATORIUM

In Mars Volta first album, progressive rock alarged its horizons. They fused brightly the unthinkable concerning progressive rock: punk. Well, actually, not punk in its essence form, but its stereotypes towards music - don't get me wrong, this in no way resembles a trivial hard-core or mainstream punk disc. Adding that, some jazzy textures and latin taste, blended with psychadelia and Cedric Bixler-Zavala afro-caribbean-reggae style of singing, the result is somewhat revolutionary.

The music is full of transitions, the energetic combination of modern distorted guitar interplaying is almost always present, along with vocalist emotional singing (though not all may like it). Mellower feeled parts, where even space for sullen guitar solos, are also present, mixed with explosions of energetic emotion, as in "Roulette Dares". Latin influences, specially rythmically are present in "Tira Me a Las Aranas" and "Drunkship of Lanterns". In this last, some psychadelic elements are also found, creating distorted ambiences. Once more, psychadelia is found in "Eriatarka" making remember Pink Floyd's Ummagumma."The Apparatus Must be Unearthed" shows perhaps the catchiest melody, in the vein of the first tracks. In fact, the band does not seem to be trouble in creating catchy melodies or instrumental passages as well. "Cicatriz ESP" is the one which resembles more to progressive rock classics, due mainly to its length and a little more conservative approach of their style, allied with some remmant clasic keyboards. The result seems a great voyage to the core of past in the meandres of a revolurionaty style. The mellow "Televators" leads to the album conclusion with "Take the Veil Carpin Taxt", another energetic well achieved song, one of the best, mixing a bit of all, in a heavy-riff oriented manner.

The creative aspect of the band is undoubtfully evident as their ambition, reinventing progressive rock. May not be for all, but still the band's credit must be recognized. Once more progressive rock sees new horizons, since the post-rock revolution. Masterpiece.