The Mars Volta's Octahedron

Today was the release of the brand new The Mars Volta's record, Octahedron.

However, feedback we had from the band - which is acknowledged by the liner notes - show that this album was record nearly one year ago... Apparently, their record label would not let them release two albums in the same year. Thus, this album comes a year and a half after Bedlam in Goliath.

Other feedback that we were hearing was that this was supposed to be an unplugged. But in Mars Volta terms, unplugged did not necessarily mean playing with acoustic guitars. At a first hearing, the album clearly seems to focus less on dynamics, but more on ambiance. This doesn't mean that there is no rocker or any aggressive tendencies however...

Here's my track by track review:

1. Since We've Been Wrong
Starts slowly with a droning pad, then, after over a minute, a simple acoustic guitar gives, along with Cedric's voice, the tone of the song... melancolic and ambiant. When the chorus hits, it feels like The Mars Volta traded their usual electric guitars for toned down arrangements, but it does not feel weird at all - it actually breathes (barely breathing would be better fit for the tone of the song) more than The Mars Volta ever did breath.

Then, drums hit hard, with bass, filling the mix, leaving guitars behind. Interesting production decision, yet it is quite effective in bringing a crescendo in the song.

Clearly, we are in for a different record from the Mars Volta... we recognize the textures, but the overall feel seems more mature...

2. Teflon
Going into a rocker it seems, by the drums coming in... However, it mostly remains spacey, kicking into the choruses, but much less than the Mars Volta is used to. Yet, this is a stready progression into higher gear, but the song writing seems more much present than aggression...

3. Halo of Nembutals
Sound effects at first, then guitars-bass kick in. This one feels like it is coming from Frances the Mute - a lot of focus on ambiance. But then it kicks in a 6-chords chorus, yet it feels like a song instead of an epic. Good thing, in my opinion.

At first, the end lost me a bit there though... before coming back in the chorus, for a powerful ending...

4. With Twilight As My Guide
A slow one there, with plenty of delayed electric guitars filling behind the acoustic forefront. The focus is on vocals and ambiance here, acoustic guitar providing a nice layer on which the song moves.

A great melodic break (or chorus?), gives is power without changing anything in the dynamics of the song.

Even if this one is actually close to the feeling of 'The Widow', it is more felt, and seems to me like a superb evolution from their previous work.

5. Cotopaxi
Ah... we get a break here from slow, ambiant songs with the album's rocker. This one could fit on any of their previous 2 albums - it is also a complete, short and powerful song that is not too far from their At-The Drive-In past, which is definitely a good thing. The break there sound just like King Crimson...

6. Desperate Graves
The second 'rocker' from this album, yet it does not have the aggression of similar songs from previous Volta albums - clearly, this one shows that they can achieve the same feeling without always trashing everything around.

After one hearing, the verses of this song are probably one of the powerful moment of this album.

7. Copernicus
Again, this one relies on vocals, but this time, there is not much ambiance other than that provided by the clean electric guitar (until drums-bass and other arrangements slowly come into sight). Nice piano at the end... feels like a different band on this one.

8. Luciforms
Starts with synth-pads for over a minute... nothing else. Would this have been a previous Mars Volta records, we would have been swimming in overdub sea by then - nice change.

But still it shifts into high-gear for a while, the drumming being to me the center piece on this one - the snare can be heard more clearly than all other instruments, bringing a rhythmic pulsation that drives all the rest in verses that only offer sparse instrumentation.

However, the ending doesn't do much to me... until the solo gets in! Yeah, this feels like I am playing guitar - all emotion. Sounds like Omar was feeling it all the way.

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Well... these were just first impressions, and I can't wait to listen again for a more refined hearing. Still, this band does not disappoint, as it feels as good as any of their previous albums (have they made any 'bad' album according to their standards ?!? - yet, each of their work stands on their own).


What can be noticed is, for a second album in a row, great drumming from young prodigy Thomas Pridgen (won a Guitar Center nation-wide US contest at age 9... he is now just 26).

Instead of being just part of an album, songs from this record feel like individuals that breathe compared to any of their previous work. Still, these songs relate to each other. In general, toned down arrangements make it seem like they must have commited to song writing rather than aggression, and this feels good from such talented arrangers - now we know they can also write songs rather than always go for the obvious aggression they are known for...

Again, they came up with a weird cover... My first reaction: "Man, y a une gousse d'ail sur la pochette!!"... :P

No, This Blog Is Not Dead

Hi folks,

if some of you have been wondering, no, this blog is not dead. It just took a somewhat longer than expected hiatus, while Plum Shark was taking the time to finish tracking, and then mixing it's second album. Lots of things to talk about there, but it all should unravel in the coming weeks.

Just to keep you up to date, the mix is nearly finished - we've spent 2 crazy days mixing at 'Studio Victor' in Montreal, and the result is impressive. Here's a quick glimpse of the sessions...

Meanwhile, in the music world, here's a few tidbits to look at the coming months, and that I should be commenting on in the near future...

- Pearl Jam new album and concert in Toronto.

- Alice in Chains' incoming new album (this one I have high hopes for).

- Soundgarden reunion tour in the works?

Also, more comments regarding recording, Plum Shark, etc...:

- Gear, gear and more gear... what I've been playing with in the past few month.

- A look back at Plum Shark's recording sessions.

- Plum Shark rehearsals.

Talk to you soon!