AMPUTECHTURE

When I originally reviewed Deloused in the Comatorium, I rated it as a masterpiece without really understanding what made it so. At that point in time, I was content that it was one of the more musically satisfying pieces of modern music I had ever heard. Well, now I can tell you why it is a masterpiece - it is the best example of a successful fusion of modern indie-punk and progressive rock. I am happy to say that Amputechture is quite different on many levels, but is similar in DitC's high-energy approach. Apparently Omar A. Rodriguez Lopez learned from the poor reception of Frances the Mute's excessive repetition.

Song by song, this album is quite varied, though it takes more of a formulated stylistic approach than DitC - where the concept of consistent style was completely thrown out the window (to great success, I might add). Let me approach Amputechture on a track-by-track basis.

Vicarious Atonement - 9/10

Likely one of the most laid-back peices ever written by Omar A. Rodriguez Lopez. It is a very surprising choice for an opener, since the slow tempo and consonant chord progressions are quite unlike the tense "Son et Lumiere" or intense "Cygnus... Vismund Cygnus". What grabs me in this piece is its spaciness - it's almost Floydian in approach, though the guitar stabs and riffs are slightly less lingering. The reason I don't rate it a 10 is because of its similarity to Floyd - though it's an excellent song in its own right, it is not anything ground breaking.

Tetragrammaton - 10/10 Essentially the "Cassandra Gemini" of this album, though far better. I used to love Cassandra Gemini for its length, but again, that piece was plagued by the consistent repetition characteristic of FTM. Tetragrammaton shows us that The Mars Volta realized that variety and quick changes in energy are key to an enjoyable epic. From the opening dissonances to the melodic riffs and the sharp contrasting sounds, Tetragrammaton did not dissapoint me at all throughout its duration.

Vermicide - 7/10

A ballad, nothing more, nothing less. I enjoy it more than "The Widow" because it has more complex chord progressions and a slightly more interesting guitar solo, but nothing more. In the context of the album, especially after Tetragrammaton, it's a good change in energy and an enjoyable tune.

Meccamputechture - 10/10

Again, like Tetragrammaton, this is an epic of a piece that shows The Mars Volta is capable of more variety within a piece that clunkers like "L'via L'viaquez" or "Cassandra Gemini". It is controlled, the singing is excellent, and most of all, it keeps me interested. Quite a nice piece that picks the energy back up after Vermicide.

Asilos Magdalena - 9/10

A Spanish ballad at first glance, but an exhibition of techincal prowess on the second. Both Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodriquez Lopez show their mastery on this piece. The very spanish/mexican acoustic guitar is top notch, spot on, and a pleasure to listen to. Bixler-Zavala is also a pleasure to listen to - and he shows that his range of control is not just at the fortissimo end of the dynamic spectrum, but also the piano/pianissimo end. A very nice little electric guitar solo shows that Omar, though he's content to play acoustic rhythm guitar, still has the means to provide a contrast to Cedric's melodic crooning.

Viscera Eyes - 7/10

This is a harsh rating for this song in the eyes of many fans, but I find that it has the same problems as "L'via L'Viaquez" or "Cassandra Gemini" - the repetition. I'm very happy when TMV jams in concert, but not so much on a studio release. Though the sections of this tune are all interesting, they wear quickly and do not improve with age. While the techincality of the tune and the originality of the riffs are right up there with the rest of the album, they just go on for too long.

Day of the Baphomets - 10/10

Wow! This goes up there as one of TMV's most progressive tunes, along with "Take the Veil" or "Cicatriz ESP". The rhythmic variations are many and the key/meter changes abound! I was very happy to hear this song for the first time because not only did it show the proficiency of all the individual members (guitar, sax, percussion, bass) but also the proficiency of the band as a whole. Not only do they have the chops to solo, but the chops to create some spectacular music together! Definitely the highlight of the album.

El Ciervo Vulnerado - 9/10

Another top-notch, slow-tempo, space-rock piece. Many people compare it to the beginning but it has enough differences to be fresh. The use of the sitar instrumentation (or at least something that sounds like it) and spacey melodies are well-done. Again, see my justification for rating Vicarious Atonement a 9/10 - my explanation here is the same. It isn't earth-shattering, but a very pleasant and well executed piece.

Overall: ( 9+10+7+10+9+7+10+9)/8 = 8.875/2 = 4.4375, rounded down to 4. Again, basically as good as DitC but not as groundbreaking.

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