Inappropriate reviews

Art Rock
(Studio Album, 2005)

   Never having been a huge At the Drive In fan (who strangely enough are rarely mentioned in the reviews above) I came to the Mars Volta with an open mind. Having read some of the reviews by the more conservative (one could almost say reactionary) reviewers I had to write my own.

Anyone who expects a classic prog-rock album from these guys will be sorely disappointed, yes Storm Thorgerson/Hipgnosis did the art, yes there are multi part epics, yes there is wild variation in dynamics/tempos, but remember the album was recorded in 2004, not 1974. It is therefore completely ridiculous to compare it to albums and standards from the classic prog era. I'm talking those who complain that only kids and 'fanboys' could possibly dig this as they are the only ones 'immature' enough to like it. This is elitist claptrap. Mars Volta are as prog as you can get in 2005 without being a throwback or revivalist group, they are trying to do something new and injecting life into a tired genre (and selling a lot of records too). For this progressive fans need to be thankful as TMV will bring new fans and interest to the genre which has in the last couple of decades become marginalised an irrelevant to the majority of rock music listeners out there. Remember if you want the music you like to grow and continue, new people may actually have to listen and contribute. I think TMV help in this regard.

Mars Volta can play their instruments, there may not be a virtuoso in the band but does there need to be? They can write intricate and engaging songs that are simultaneously difficult and listenable (i.e Cygnus... or the closing Cassandra... epic). Not an easy thing to do (though they do get lost from time to time in the noisy bridging sections). They can also write a decent pop song (the Widow), and of course thats the entry point for new fans. There's plenty to like here, it may not be 'old school' but it's pretty good.

Nonetheless one must keep in mind that times have changed, bands of today have a much different musical upbringing to those of the classic era. Remember Mars Volta came from a punk/hardcore background (anathema to many of the readers here, yes?) so their approach will be different (ATDI sounded like a pumped up Fugazi to me - which is not a bad thing at all), celebrate this difference. Isn't that the point of progressive rock, to progress? to incorporate a wide range of influences and ideas into a new, challenging and creative whole... perhaps not be stuck in the strictures of 1974, to use ideas that others wouldn't, like TMV do.

I find it odd that the self-proclaimed 'true' progressive fans seemingly don't want the genre to change, develop - to progress. This conservatism is the opposite of art and creativity, this emasculates the genre and makes it irrelevant when it's reason for being is gone. "Frances the Mute" should be lauded for bringing progressive music back to the general consciousness and expanding the audience it has.

TMV are good, not yet great. But they could be. Give it a go.

 —  I've long considered Camel a second-tier band within the 70s prog scene, and this album does nothing to change my opinion, as it simply does not stand the test of time in terms of freshness and originality (and I doubt those qualities were prominent even when it came out in the early 70s). . The vast majority of the record is spent (wasted) in a rather hopeless pursuit of interesting harmonic ideas which, upon being discovered , are quickly drowned by filler. Thus, what we have here is hardly different from the self-titled debut (which is nothing special either) in terms of sound and approach - the melodies are mostly forgettable, the chord progression simplistic and predictable , Andy Latimer's vocals tired and bland, and the jamming over-extended and rather uninspired. In a way, every track provides hope with harmonic findings that could be turned into something far better if worked upon, but unfortunately, but the band doesn't bother to develop them any further, thus leaving "Mirage" thin and boring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And also, while I'm at it, take a look at this guy

 

   Not many words to say about this album... Everyone who has listened to it more than a thousand times knows... Incredible maturity and passion with theatrical elements makes this maybe the first prog metal album for someone to buy. Masterpiece of all times...

 

 

Fanboyish..