DE-LOUSED IN THE COMATORIUM

The Mars Volta is a very admired band around this places and this is one of the highest rated albums from the century so I'm been analyzing this album last couple of days trying to get what's so special about it. Special? Yeah, sure... in a good way? Well...

In this album, the band presents a strange and somewhat original combination of progressive complex arrangements with alternative rock flavor, some latin phrases (bad constructed in my opinion) and a lot of noises surrounding the compositions in a suffocating way. They are talented musicians, yes, sure they are but the music is not that good. Seems like music without direction and cohesiveness (that word exists?)

Now, my first complain is the singer. Of course that is something subjective but I can't really dig in more with his annoying lead vocals, too much theatrical and exaggerated. The music did not seem to flow that well. Sometimes you wait for the noises to stop and the music actually continues... The sound is more close to alternative rock than to prog, which is not necessarily bad but then again, the suffocation of the music is under all that noises that do not seem to have a purpose more than annoy the listener.

I advise this album for fans of heavy prog, who want to have something more elaborated or complex than the late 90's and 00's bands that seems to be comfortable with a relaxed (kind of boring) alternative rock with some long arrangements. This music is sure not meant to anyone, because it gets really annoying after a complete listening. I didn't felt good about it, but I understand that the concept seems to shake other people. The mix is saturated, maybe is on purpose, but it sound unproffessional mixing. The sound is annoying as well, so, maybe the good ideas get down during the process.

Try a couple of tracks first... If you can deal with the singer vocals, you can progress with them. But for the production and the not stimulating formula they use (at least in me) I think this band can be ignored or passed down. I'm curious about their rest of the material, but I doubt I will like them more. Who knows. Two stars if fair, music is not that bad (when there are no noises around) and I know fans are worshiping this production, but it don't move me, just made me want to push stop several times.