Bedlam in Goliath Lowest Rated Mars Volta Album? - Progressive Rock Music Forum

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jammun

Prog Reviewer

Joined: July 14 2007
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Posted: October 05 2008 at 20:15

I think the problem with Bedlam is that it never lets up. Not that I like the noodling passages of the first two albums -- they are a distraction -- but they served a purpose (blessed relief). But there is a certain sameness to Bedlam -- each song an all out sonic assault -- that is somewhat tiresome, at least to my now 55 year old ears. Still a very good album however, but I'd not rate it over Deloused or FTM.

DJPuffyLemon View Drop Down

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Joined: February 18 2008
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Posted: October 07 2008 at 01:15

sleeper wrote:

~Rael~ wrote:

I don't really see how your first statement can be taken as fact, DJPuffy.

That would be because its opinion, and a pretty vague statment in all.

I would suggest that he never listens to Cynic or Atheist. Wink

I do listen to them, and like them a lot. They aren't the best, but thankfully they don't last that long (Focus and Unquestionable Presence are each like 35 mins right?).

sleeper

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Joined: October 09 2005
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Posted: October 07 2008 at 05:57

topofsm wrote:

ProgBagel wrote:

With every album they stray farther away from the debut album. Sadly, people don't want that.

I disagree with that, mostly because my friends and I haven't heard their previous albums, and we tend to think Bedlam is rather noisy and bland. We definetely have heard a lot of their material before the album was released, so we definetely know what TMV is all about, but we just don't like Bedlam.

There's just too much going on. There are too many instruments trying to play at the same time, too many predictable odd time signatures, and too much repetition amongst elements like that. Every time I listen to it, I get tired and want to go to sleep.

If you havnt heard their previous albums then you're hardly in a position to disagree with PB's statement.

Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005

Evans

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Posted: October 07 2008 at 06:59

I hated the album with a passion for very long, then once i was suddenly in the mood for some noise rock and it fit me just fine. I listened to it every day for two weeks and grew to love it even more for every time. Not even the length annoys me.

'Let's give it another fifteen seconds..'

Gentlegiantprog View Drop Down

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Joined: January 31 2008
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Posted: October 07 2008 at 15:27

Bedlam is wonderful.
Especially the title track. It simultaneously sends shivers down your spine and tears strips of your skin, If ever there was the perfect metal prog crossover, that was it.
Interesting that what is actually prog-metal is the more Iron Maiden+Keyboards stuff.

Let the maps of war be drawn !

http://kingcrimsonprog.wordpress.com/

sleeper

Prog Reviewer

Joined: October 09 2005
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Posted: October 07 2008 at 16:21

^I wouldnt have said there was any metal in any TMV album.

Spending more than I should on Prog since 2005

Avantgardehead View Drop Down

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Posted: October 08 2008 at 03:33

This is my least favorite TMV album as well. The vocals were incredibly grating to me and the music seemed hap-hazard.

http://www.last.fm/user/Avantgardian

topofsm

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Joined: August 17 2008
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Posted: October 10 2008 at 01:24

sleeper wrote:

topofsm wrote:

ProgBagel wrote:

With every album they stray farther away from the debut album. Sadly, people don't want that.

If you havnt heard their previous albums then you're hardly in a position to disagree with PB's statement.

Huh? Maybe I'm misunderstanding something. He's saying that people generally don't like Bedlam because it's not like Deloused or Frances the Mute. I'm saying that I disagree with that because we are able to judge the album on it's own merits without listening to their other albums all the way through.

We have no preconceptions about what the album should sound like because we don't know much about the other albums. We still think it's a rather poor album.

heyitsthatguy View Drop Down

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Posted: October 10 2008 at 01:34

I think I'm the only person alive whose favorite (well, second favorite, Goliath is unbeatable) song on the album is Cavalettas by a long shot
that said I do hope they ease up a little bit on the next album, I liked Bedlam, but it didn't have as much dynamic contrast as their previous albums

Ricochet

Special Collaborator

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Joined: February 27 2005
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Posted: October 10 2008 at 01:48

heyitsthatguy wrote:

I think I'm the only person alive whose favorite (well, second favorite, Goliath is unbeatable) song on the album is Cavalettas by a long shot

Ricochet wrote:

Cavalletas is, by far, one of THE most interesting Mars Volta tracks ever

Goliath is nice, but nothing amazing.

Henry Plainview View Drop Down

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Posted: October 10 2008 at 13:52

Ricochet wrote:

heyitsthatguy wrote:

I think I'm the only person alive whose favorite (well, second favorite, Goliath is unbeatable) song on the album is Cavalettas by a long shot

Ricochet wrote:

Cavalletas is, by far, one of THE most interesting Mars Volta tracks ever

Goliath is nice, but nothing amazing.

I didn't get the love for Goliath either.

My favorite is Agadez, but that's because the writing is very strong. Although you wouldn't know that looking from the reviews. What on Bedlam is noise? People have such low tolerances...

Edited by Henry Plainview - October 10 2008 at 13:57

if you own a sodastream i hate you