MINOR CUTS AND SCRAPES IN THE BUSHES AHEAD

Released in 2008, 'Minor Cuts and scrapes in the bushes ahead' was recorded just after The Mars Volta released the Tremulant EP back in 2001. The album 'Absence makes the Heart grow fungus was released at the same time as this album and likewise was recorded back in 2001. While 'fungus' was a more guitar/saxophone led album; 'Minor cuts' is more experimental in its sounds with Omar using drum loops, sequences, synths, keys and programming.

Omar is joined on the album by now deceased Jeremy Michael Ward who appears with Omar on vocals for track 6 'Thankless serpent' and on his own on track 11 'Atrotecism Fenleon'. While Omar's brother Marcel Rodriguez Lopez once again takes up drum duty. Unlike the other album Jeremy appeared on, the self titled 'Omar Rodriguez Lopez and Jeremy Ward'; this album is a lot more listenable. Particularly the second track and longest track on the album 'Trident resting on the pulse' has a nice beat to it with some cool effects which are pre-dominant throughout the album.

Although there are some nice guitar parts on track 'Pawn shop blues' delivered by Omar himself. The album on the whole is difficult to get into and is not one I will be listening to regularly. Track 4 'Electidorphines' is a particularly in-audible track as the effects are just too high pitched and will make you squirm. Compared to 'Fungus' the tracks don't feel as complete making the album a lot harder to get into because of this.

The vocals on track 6, 'Thankless serpent' is just talking to randomly placed effects. It doesn't work nearly as well as the stuff he did with Lydia Lunch. The keyboard appearance on track 7 'Devouring a sibling' is a welcome break from all the mad effects. Just a simple piano sound and as the track goes on the effects come in. This time though the effects are better placed making it one of the better tracks on the album. Track 10 'Pinching invention' is another track which works well and is nice chilled out track without being drowned out by the distorted effects. The drumming is a particular highlight on this track although I'm not sure if it is Marcel drumming here or Omar is using a drum loop.

Overall this is far from one of Omar's better albums. There are a few good tracks and certain instruments in certain tracks which sound great but are often drowned out by other effects. It is much better than 'ORL and JW' album but to be honest it is not hard. If you want experimentation created from synths, programming and anything else Omar could get his hands on, check this out. But if you want to hear Omar in his prime I would recommend the albums which he has recorded more recently; especially those in the Amsterdam series.

Honestly this is the first time I feel like there's not a whole lot to say about one of Omar Rodriguez Lopez's releases , even though he's made some far weaker material. I think the main reason for this is that it has a lot of common ground with a couple of his previous works but not quite as interesting. It's got the aggressive pursuit of surreal atmosphere and eclecticism that Manual Dexterity focused so strongly on, yet this one doesn't quite have the same level of atmosphere, just the weirdness. At the same time, I feel like this could also be compared to Calibration with its more abstract approach to songwriting that takes a few listens for it to truly click, yet it doesn't really have that same level of focus or anything that feels all too emotionally resonant or anything of the sort. Minor Cuts and Scrapes in the Bushes Ahead sounds a bit like a compilation of a fair few of Omar's previous ideas but not as good as on those counterparts, and while you have a few amazing things here and there such as with the bassline on Pawn Shop Blues, this album still doesn't really feel at all essential on any level. I'd recommend it if you really enjoy Omar's other work and feel the need to listen to even more of that, because it's perfectly serviceable stuff, but don't lose any sleep over the potential of missing much if you decide to skip this one either.

Best tracks: Trident Resting on the Pulse, Pawn Shop Blues