Bedlam in Goliath Lowest Rated Mars Volta Album?

I was completely astounded to see Bedlam as the lowest rated Volta album. Maybe I am missing something, because this album incorporates everything that is prog to me. Complex songs, astounding instrumentation, bizzarre and off beat time signatures. It is one of the most original albums of the decade. I am just confused on this one.

There is topic similar to this, it would be good to look it up.

I too felt TBIG was amazing, with only a few flaws perhaps, but otherwise good enough for 5 stars IMO.

I thought it was quite good. Although I'm a fan of all their albums. DO NOT agree with the "most original album of the decade" statement.

It could be something to do with the fact that it also has the lowest number of ratings, which may affect the algorithm.

Bedlam, taken one song at a time is not bad at all, however the whole album gets same-y and boring. A whole hour of noise and weird vocals/time sig changes gets repetitive. (FACT)

I thought the album was horribly shrill and relied on uncompulsive and stilted rawk riffs, which I hate ;P

Moatilliatta wrote: ProgBagel wrote: With every album they stray farther away from the debut album. Sadly, people don't want that.   And they get less and less accessible. I thought it was a fantastic album, with only a couple of weak spots in the middle. Oh well.

Good point there actually.
The reason why I liked TBIG so much, was because it just got even less accessible sounding but not at the expense of having great replay value, which I think many prog artists should be aiming for.

Ghost Rider wrote: I wouldn't go as far as to say that TBiG is TMV's best album (I believe they haven't topped De-loused yet), but I disagree with those who think it's their worst. As Harry and Chris (Moatiliatta) said before me, it's definitely their densest, least accessible offering so far, and also a tad overlong (as I pointed out in my review). However, when it's good, it's REALLY good (see "Goliath" or "Aberinkula", one of the most explosive openers ever), and it's undeniably a very progressive record. To be fair, though, I realise the band's whole output can be a bit of an acquired taste - no gentle, soothing harmonies in the style of Genesis or Camel here!

I don't like the openers or the Goliath hit so much as other, more worthy tracks: Cavalletas is, by far, one of THE most interesting Mars Volta tracks ever, Ourobous has that grave, almost mythological edge, Soothsayer finally blends the MV sound with that Muslim suggested one - and 12 Conjugal Burns ends it victoriously, the kick in it (both vocals and instrumentally) finally reminding of the good ol' De-Loused times.

True, there are not many contrasts to the loud, dense and bombastic music, however that doesn't mean some don't actually exist! There are two or three tracks where things cool off into dark, frozen or vibrating mementos. Not to mention, I believe the short Torniquette Man is appreciated for its more alternative sound, the clearer lyrics and for such...which doesn't make it actually special to my ears, because it's quite ordinary compared to the rest of the album!

I've got used to the length, and I even enjoy that it captivates you the whole way till the end. This is certainly a rare thing in Mars Volta music, since, back in Amputechture, I cross the line of boredom long before the half point of the album, Frances is overall intriguing but I mentioned Cassandra Gemini's handicap, plus De-Loused officially ends its gems after Cicatriz (so it is said, but I love it too much to agree with that...).

DJPuffyLemon wrote: .... same-y ....

First of all, great word, it has a ring similar to "truthiness". 

same-y; adj. - 1. to have the characteristics of redundancy  2. to appear exactly like, but not really


As far as the subject at hand, I would rate TMV albums in the following order from most to least favorite. And I totally agree that Bedlam... listened straight gets very same-y.

1. Frances the Mute
2. De-Loused in the Comatorium
3. Bedlam in Goliath
4. Amputechture

The last I find virtually unlistenable.

Moatilliatta wrote: ProgBagel wrote: With every album they stray farther away from the debut album. Sadly, people don't want that.   And they get less and less accessible. I thought it was a fantastic album, with only a couple of weak spots in the middle. Oh well.

I agree, if you take Torniquete man and Cavaletas out you end up with a very solid 4 star album, but instead it´s more of a 3,5 in my opinion. It stars and finished great but the middle is so so...