AMPUTECHTURE

This album was a huge surprise for me, only a year and some months after their gigantic epic album "Frances the Mute" the Mars Volta brought out another new release. This being rather fast for bands nowadays (hardly anybody brings out 3 albums in 3 years), I assumed this release perhaps could sound a little rushed. So when the thing was leaked I downloaded and listened to it as fast as I could. It didn't felt like a rushed album, instead it felt like a completely new experience and a new sort of music. After their switch in styles from Deloused to Frances, the Mars Volta again "reinvented" their sound. Instead of the post-hardcore sound on Deloused and the ambience/psychedelic sort of style on Frances there is a lot a room for influences from Free-jazz on this album. They play long jams with long solos which sound improvised when recorded so raw. The entire album is a guitar orgy, with solos everywhere.

The album takes of with a rather slow song called "Vicarious Atonement". I haven't got a clue where the lyrics are about or what the song titles even suggest but the Mars Volta isn't really my lyric band, for me they are pure about the music. The song is a very nice intro into the album and quite beautiful. It somehow picks up where Frances left with "Cassandra Gemini". The next track however is a lot faster and changes pace about 500 times. The track jumps up and down and up again the entire time and I must say it's a thrilling listen, the entire 16 minutes. Then comes a short track which could be a nice single, but they've chosen another track. This is sort of "the Widow" from this album except for the ambient noises in the end. Speaking of ambience, it's hardly here on this album which will please a lot of fans who thought Frances was horrible because of its ambient parts. The next track sort of is the title track and stands for another 11 minute of true musical bliss.

Four tracks into the album the music only get better and better with the next 4 tracks. The first half was good and all but the last 40 minutes is the part what really counts. The tracks don't really get lengthier but they do get extended jams and solos in them. The riffs get even better and the music sometimes stays in it's pace, fast or slow, instead of going in any direction possible as on the first half. The second half starts with the song they've chosen to be their single. I'd say it's a weird choice since the third song "Vermicide" is a lot more radio friendly. This track is completely sung in Spanish a mostly consists of acoustic guitars supporting Cedric's vocals. It's a beautiful track, but wouldn't by my choice for a single. Up next is song consisting of 2 parts. First is the part with the awesome riffing, later switching into a part with a 2 minute guitar solo. It's a mayor highlight for me, but nothing compared to the next track with stands as the grand epic from the album. Day of Baphomets (what a title again) has lot's and lot's of music transitions and lot's of styles going right through each other. On some parts the first things that comes to mind is "King Crimson". It's seems only logical that they're influenced but damn this song looks a lot like "21st Century Schizoid Man" on some parts with the sax. It's damn good nevertheless. The Album closes in the same style as it begun. With a relax kind of song with nice solos. Think Shine On You Crazy Diamond yet in Mars Volta style.

After Frances being my top album of 2005, this album so far is my strongest contender for album of the year. Really I'm a huge Tool fan but 10.000 days doesn't feel as great as this albums feels. I don't know for sure yet but I think the Mars Volta have outdone themselves once again. Amazing album, very long (76 minutes) but highly recommended)

written for www.musicmademe.com