ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FUNGUS

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez

Eclectic Prog

3.57 | 28 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

This album was eventually released in 2008 has been in the making since around 2002.With the break up with At The Drive and the beginning of The Mars Volta you could view this album as a documentation of Omar's evolution as an artist.From the very start of the record you get the feel of the opening track Hands Tied to the Roots of a Hemorrhage could of featured on a At The Drive In album or perhaps The Mars Volta's Tremulant EP.Though a great song this may be the reason for the albums weak point which would be consistency.

I must say though,this is among my favourite Omar solo records and experimentation and dissonance features very heavily throughout the album.This album certainly has to be one of Omar's most experimental.This features heavily in the albums sound almost making it more a complete experimental/psychedelic record if it weren't for songs such as Tied Prom Digs on the Docks and Hands Tied to the Roots of a Hemorrhage learning towards Prog Rock (which are also my favourite tracks) This combination of psychedelia and rock could almost be comparable to a modern Syd Barret era Floyd (Whom influenced Omar tremendously).Omar has the tendency to play various styles and has no exception here.The songs seem to flip back and forth from styles and you find yourself often confused by the beginning of a song taken an unexpected turn to somewhere you never expected.But the great thing with this record is though you have no idea where the songs are taking you and it's the journey it takes in which you benefit, which is the great thing about it.There is no doubt this is a strong album with strong songs it just lacks a very slight theme and overall tonality.This isn't to say I expect every song to intertwine with one another but these various songs over a period of time have been placed onto an album which gives it the feel of a compilation album.

So for Mars Volta fans who disliked the avant & ambient moments in Frances,this album may not be for you.Otherwise Omar & Mars Volta fans alike will love this.

mrcozdude | 4/5 | 2009-5-13

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