Picked up "The Bedlam in Goliath" today. - Progressive Rock Music Forum

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heyitsthatguy View Drop Down

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Posted: February 06 2008 at 15:49

I love the new one and Deloused is my favorite
then again I love all their albums
a;lksdjflksdjfldksj

dpedal1

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Posted: February 06 2008 at 15:51

NaturalScience wrote:

dpedal1 wrote:

For me Bedlam takes the best of FTM, the best of Amputechture, throws out any type of filler and adds more focus to the compositions. That's saying alot seeing as how The Mars Volta don't ever really sound like they have a focus.

But in my opinion, this is what sets De-loused higher than the other two - a "structured chaos", if you will.
Your description is exactly what I'm after, and it tells me that it might be worth me picking up the album. Thanks.

Give it whirl then. If you can, try and find the songs I mentioned on the internet to get a taste for the structure of the songs. I know you can find the Goliath and Ilyena videos on YouTube. Let me know what you think.

Snipergoat View Drop Down

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Posted: February 06 2008 at 17:02

Im listening to this album now... I really don't know what to think yet.

JLocke

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Posted: February 06 2008 at 17:09

Ah, laplance, I see you have decided to go through with writing that review! I must say, it is much better than mine, because it at least gives the band credit where credit is due.

I also see that you went ahead with the two star rating afterall. I would be lying if I said I wasn't slightly happy about this, as now the album's overall rating has regressed to a much more realistic rating of 3.7-something, instead of the 4.00 and beyond is was getting only a few days ago.

laplace

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Posted: February 06 2008 at 17:24

Well, I didn't do it to attack the rating. I realised that I'd gotten to the point with the album that I never want to listen to it again, so there was no reason to hold back. =P

Going by my ratings, it looks like I'm not a fan of the band, so there are four star reviews in Comatorium and Frances' future.

Evans

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Posted: February 06 2008 at 17:35

Oh no! I hate to say this, but Bedlam isn't growing at all. I hate it. It's not without, merit (wax simulacra) but... well, almost! It doesn't "rock" at all, it's just disjointed and stupid, with a very irritating atmosphere, and Cavalettas is truly an abomination of nature.

I'm off to listen to Primal Scream...

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

jammun

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Posted: February 06 2008 at 21:41

Wow, I'm surprised how many don't like Bedlam. I realize its in-your-face barrage is not for everyone, but to me it's not all that different from some of the more recent Crimson releases (which, granted, many old-time Crimson fans hate). I hear a lot of the melodicism of FTM in the Bedlam songs -- it's just abstracted, sped up, and played at 10 times the volume. What I don't miss a lot is the electronic noodling found on FTM, e.g., take a stunningly beautiful song like 'The Widow' and tack 2 minutes of noise onto the end of it.

I haven't reviewed any MV albums yet, because I've only been listening to the band for about a year and their music is so dense and multi-faceted (more of the former, less of the latter on Bedlam) that I've not been able to get a real handle on it, to the point where I could post an intelligent review. But then that's why I listen to this stuff. If I wanted something non-challenging I'd pick up Rod Stewart's latest album and be done with it. (By the way, that last comment is not meant as a knock on those who don't like Bedlam...it's just why I'll continue to listen to Bedlam and reserve final judgment on it for a later date.)

heyitsthatguy View Drop Down

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Posted: February 06 2008 at 21:43

I don't get the reaction either- it's not THAT different than their other releases (one of my complaints with it actually) and yet people are reacting like its Love Beach

Sckxyss

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Posted: February 07 2008 at 00:38

NaturalScience wrote:

Can anyone who feels that "De-loused" is still the best work from the Mars Volta comment on how the new album compares? I'll be honest, I haven't been terribly thrilled with the past two releases and I'm hesitant to drop another $12 on this band if it's more of the same.

Be wary, as it really doesn't compare with their first album (that isn't to say it's bad, though). It all depends on what you didn't like about the last two. If you didn't like the ambient noise, then this album might be for you, since there is little to no ambient sections. If, however, you didn't like the unfocused, ongoing nature of the songs, you might not like this album. Same goes for Cedric's voice - if you thought it was annoying on Amp, it's probably even worse this time around.

That said, I love the basslines, drumlines, and complex layering of the music, but I do wish it was a bit more focused.

ProgBagel

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Posted: February 07 2008 at 01:17

Can't we just view this album without comparing it to De-Loused or anything else for the matter. I think that is what the band is trying to achieve.

Excellent album by the way.

JLocke

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Posted: February 07 2008 at 01:32

heyitsthatguy wrote:

I don't get the reaction either- it's not THAT different than their other releases (one of my complaints with it actually) and yet people are reacting like its Love Beach

Well, I've only listened to "De-loused" additonally, but from what I heard on there I have to say, yeah, "Bedlam" really is THAT different.

TheProgtologist View Drop Down

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Posted: February 07 2008 at 08:49

p0mt3 wrote:

Ah, laplance, I see you have decided to go through with writing that review! I must say, it is much better than mine, because it at least gives the band credit where credit is due.

Remember that ratings malipulation is a SERIOUS breach of site rules here.

Jared

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Posted: February 07 2008 at 08:56

Ghost Rider wrote:

I really don't get it... There are lots of bands around I don't like, even if people praise them to high heaven. I'll give you a personal example: many members here consider Scenes from a Memory by Dream Theater an absolute masterpiece. I bought it, listened to it once, and was so underwhelmed I never wanted to put it on again.

Is there anything wrong with me?

...absolutely, Raff...

get help...seek counselling..or talk to others on PA about your problems before its too late...

Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson

Soldier_Of_Fortune View Drop Down

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Posted: February 07 2008 at 11:16

It certainly has it's moments, but falls a bit short. You are right, it's simply TOO much.

It would make a good 55 minute album, rather than an average 75 minute album which it is.

Philéas

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Posted: February 07 2008 at 11:24

I don't like the new album. It sounds almost like som generic radio rock band trying to copy TMV. Omar's latest solo album (Calibration) is much better. I like all the other TMV albums, but this latest one was a bit of a let down. They can do much better.

JLocke

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Posted: February 07 2008 at 13:13

TheProgtologist wrote:

p0mt3 wrote:

Ah, laplance, I see you have decided to go through with writing that review! I must say, it is much better than mine, because it at least gives the band credit where credit is due.

Remember that ratings malipulation is a SERIOUS breach of site rules here.

Oh, no I didn't, but either way that wasn't what I was implying Laplace was doing, or even I wanted to do, I was just commenting that now that the hysteria over this album is appearing to die down a bit, the ratings are beginning to balance out, and we now have a much more realistic overal number for it, that's all.

Hope I made myself clearer this time around, as I don't want anyone to think I am trying to break the rules.

ProgBagel

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Posted: February 07 2008 at 14:48

It's a better version of the past two attempts minus the bullsh*t that was thrown in. Like uncapturing ambience and useless noodling. It was a tight album indeed.

micky

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Posted: February 07 2008 at 15:35

p0mt3 wrote:

TheProgtologist wrote:

p0mt3 wrote:

Ah, laplance, I see you have decided to go through with writing that review! I must say, it is much better than mine, because it at least gives the band credit where credit is due.

Remember that ratings malipulation is a SERIOUS breach of site rules here.

Hope I made myself clearer this time around, as I don't want anyone to think I am trying to break the rules.

probably not.... there is a basis for those who manipulating the ratings....some do it for spite... others...to 'see the overall rating adjusted to what one thinks is realistic overall number'. Can't blame him or others for being suspicious..personally I think your review was shotty and half ass, a real hatchet job... count how many times you said....horrible. LOL

I don't care either way or not. I'm not a fan of the group. Just so that much is clear.

The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip

JLocke

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Posted: February 07 2008 at 16:11

micky wrote:

p0mt3 wrote:

TheProgtologist wrote:

p0mt3 wrote:

Ah, laplance, I see you have decided to go through with writing that review! I must say, it is much better than mine, because it at least gives the band credit where credit is due.

Remember that ratings malipulation is a SERIOUS breach of site rules here.

Hope I made myself clearer this time around, as I don't want anyone to think I am trying to break the rules.

I don't care either way or not. I'm not a fan of the group. Just so that much is clear.

Why do you enjoy hurting me? You've done this in two threads now.

Edited by p0mt3 - February 07 2008 at 16:16

micky

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Posted: February 07 2008 at 16:15

not picking on you personally... none of this is personal. Just understand where the site comes from.. you may not have.. but others have played games with the rankings or ratings. When you put as much venom into a review then harp about how the album is grossly over-rated as you say. You invite suspicion. My advice.. it is much more productive to stick to what you like.... surely there is stuff you like.. makes you a bit more interesting.. and beneficial to have around.

my two cents.. take it or leave it Clap

The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip