Mars Volta, the El Paso duo consisting of At The
Drive in Alums; Omar Rodgriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala released their
final album (as The Mars Volta) on March 26th 2012. The band has a reputation for
experimental sounds that sometimes run on longer than their songs with
traditional structure. In the past
the band has gone through varying degrees of self-indulgence on their studio
albums. It seems as though they
went a slightly different route with Noctourniquet. Forsaking the shoe gaze-y acid induced noise tracks for more
strait forward song form, it feels like the bands most cohesive album yet.
There
are still the bizarre instrument tones that we have come to expect from the
band, and just as many interesting sections and “oh…WHAT?” moments as previous
albums, but more concise and to the point. It seems like The Mars Volta had something to say and came
right out and said it, rather than hiding behind the veil of guitar feedback
and reversed vocal tracks.
"It's about embracing life for
what it should be. There's a view of the elitist lifestyle - that being an
artist is unattainable. I'm trying to write this story that reminds people that
we're all artists." According to Zavala. The band says the album is based on the
children’s nursery rhyme Soloman Grundy and the Greek myth of Hyacinthus. It is this aspect of the band that has
always attracted me to their music. I think the Mars Volta would be hard
pressed to release something that wasn’t a concept album, but that isn’t a
criticism, in fact it is consistently impressive.
Listen to the album in headphones
for a special sonic treat. We can
all be heartbroken at the loss of one of the decades most interesting bands,
but we can all look back with fond memories thanks to a satisfying farewell
with Noctourniquet.
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