ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FUNGUS

Released in 2008, 'Absence Makes the Heart grow Fungus' has been sitting in Omar's locker for seven years. Therefore it was recorded well before Omar's quintet/group formed. The two other people who appear on the album are Jon Philip Theodore and Sara Christina Gross. Jon was the original drummer with Omar's main project The Mars Volta until being replaced by Thomas Pridgen. Meanwhile Sara plays the saxophone on 'Fungus'. Sara met Omar as Sara's band 'Radio Vaya's' only album was produced by Omar. Finally Omar plays guitar along with providing all the other effects on the album.

The album begins with 'Hands tied to the roots of haemorrhage'. For starter the track sounds like a game of space invaders before exploding into a fantastic tune. Omar's guitar playing is brilliant and really sets the album alight from the off. It has a heavy feel about it and is very accessible for an Omar track! Second track 'City dreams inside a truck'. In complete contrast is back to weirdness in the extreme. Thankfully it only lasts one minute forty-four as it just feels like there is no structure and almost feels like random plucking with no thought behind it. Third track, 'Sex, consultation for misery' has some nice guitar work and is also a lot more laid back with some neat effects.

Most of the songs on the album average about four minutes apart from track 4, 'Tied Prom digs on the docks' which stands at over eleven minutes. This is the first track in which Sara's saxophone can be distinguished. The track starts off with energetic bursts and could be mistaken for a track off Bedlam of Goliath without being one of the tracks as it has the same sort of sound. That is until the three minute mark where things get really frantic with explosive drumming before settling down again, as Omar uses guitar effects pedals to create a spacey like feel which lasts for the next six minutes of the track. Then the drums regain the rhythm while the saxophone meanders in and out. The guitar comes in to finish off the track which for me along with 'Hands tied to the roots of haemorrhage' are the highlights of the album. Great stuff.

However this is where the album peaks and the rest of the album is nowhere near the same standard. Sixth track 'Mood swings' starts off with what sounds like someone falling down a flight of stairs. Then there is these really uncomfortable noises followed by beeping. Then around the three minute mark it sounds like about ten people falling down the same flight of stairs at the same time. There are also parts of the track which sound like a tape on fast forward where you can hear the voices in a squeaky fast forward mode. I can't even envisage this track being a grower and turns this album in to an album to wake you up in the mornings rather than relax you enough to get to sleep at night. 'An Ancient Shrewdness' continues in the same vein. It is like they did one take for the this track and 'Mood Sings' and decided that it will do. Whereas the reality is they are very difficult to listen to with awkward noises all the way through these tracks.

Track eight 'A story teeth rotted for' comes as a relief more than anything else. The drumming is consistent bringing structure to the song while the guitar effects create a medieval feel. The track is still not a glimpse of the earlier tracks but nevertheless a very listenable track much like album closer 'Of Ankles to Stone'.

Overall this is a fairly good album. There are moments of Omar genius and there are literally moments of madness. As Omar continues to tread that fine line between the two; you know there is always going to be a few tracks at least to hang about for. For me the best album he has done so far is 'An Apocalypse inside of an orange'. There are some tracks on this album that are up there with standard set on that album but others almost fall into the 'Omar and Jeremy Ward ' category. Which if you have not heard it, try to keep it that way!

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.

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Posted Wednesday, May 13, 2009 | Review Permalink

After a few albums of ORL getting into the more abstract territory with his music it's honestly pretty nice for him to put out a more straightforward listening experience, especially one as good and distinctive as this one. The more stripped back, focused sound presented here goes a long way as well, with a more psychedelic edge without often delving into the completely experimental, bizarre territory, instead focusing far stronger on some great rhythms and melodies with the soundscapes taking a bit of a backseat in favour of this more accessible and fun jamming. Despite all this talk about simplicity and taking a step back, I also cannot say that this is devoid of its more complex and wildly creative moments as well, whether it's through these longer tracks that are able to tell a bit or a story with its ebb and flow, having these long stretches of atmosphere broken up by intense flurries of intensity, something that's especially notable on the 11 minute Tied Prom Digs on the Docks. Some of the tracks focused very tightly on specific ideas are great as well, especially Mood Swings, which embodies its title to the fullest extent, being a disorienting ride through so many different tones and atmospheres that it's insane. Overall this is just a very, very solid album that reins in some of the more aimlessly experimental tendencies of Omar and is an amazing palette cleanser after the consistent strangeness of the past few albums, all while being a great time in its own right.

Best tracks: Sex, Consolation for Misery, Tied Prom Digs on the Docks, Mood Swings