Review: The Mars Volta - Amputechture (or) hush the wind the music died

Posted on 12 September 2006 | 2 Comments

Filed Under: Album Reviews, Noise, Post Rock, World Music

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Amputechture. A combination of the words amputate and architecture, but (even so) what does it mean? Is it a reference to designing and engineering artificial limbs? Maybe constructing structures from leftover body parts? Perhaps we can all find out by listening the The Mars Volta’s adventurous third full-length album conveniently titled Amputechture.

The music of The Mars Volta is the creation of Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (both ex-members of post-hardcore mega stars At The Drive-In). But it is (in most ways) almost completely dissimilar to the work of their former band. Both musics are intense and impassioned, but musically speaking (as most of you know), The Mars Volta has jumped headfirst off the ledge. Amputechture is even more far-out than their last studio album Frances The Mute (an impressive accomplishment indeed).

Amputechture is not an easy listen. The first time I put it on the stereo, I eagerly anticipated the end of the record for a little aural and mental relief. I couldn’t (and still really can’t) wrap my head around the album. Gone are the concise (relatively speaking) songs from De-loused. The interludes have gotten longer and the freakout jams have grown more intense. When you think a song should naturally end, it doesn’t. To even think in terms of songs will simply confuse you more. Blending elements of rock, dub, Latin music, free jazz, funk, flamenco, and more, the Mars Volta creates a complex, cacophonous, and oftentimes chaotic album, but is it necessary? Is it all gratuitous?

At first, I kept thinking that Amputechture had devolved into pretentious sonic noodling and guitar wankery. It seemed to me that Omar & Cedric had become a little too free-spirited without Jim Ward (former ATDI guitarist and current Sparta frontman) to impart a little structure on the songs. But I kept listening, and then listened some more. I heard horns blaring in a wash of squelching feedback. I heard the psychedelic dissonance of John Frusciante’s ever-present guitar riffage. I heard a lot that I had a hard time fully making sense of.

I like fee jazz as much as the next guy (OK, probably more than the next guy), and like so many great albums and great artists of that genre, The Mars Volta’s Amputechture can be a difficult and exhausting listen. The music takes time to seep into your mind and into your soul, but once you finally “get it” the music becomes magical, almost like an escape from reality. This is a rich, dark, and complex album that is like treasure chest filled with the world’s greatest riches. But it’s up to you to find the key.

The album is out September, 12th (tomorrow) and will feature the first single “Viscera Eyes,” which evolved from a song that was originally intended for At The Drive-In. The Mars Volta will also be on tour with the Red Hot Chili Peppers for most of the fall. Check their Myspace page for tour dates.

MP3 | The Mars Volta – Viscera Eyes Amputechture

Comments

1 wifey - 813 days ago i'm surprised that i'm the first to comment. beautifully stated, darling.

2 Anonymous - 813 days ago I picked up the Mars Volta CD in the store today, thought about how many times I listened to their last one, and put it back down. I decided I needed to listen to "Frances The Mute" one more time before I consider the new one. I thought "Frances The Mute" was interesting and I felt like a better person for having listened to it BUT I got wrapped up in some probably more accessible recent purchase. I never went back to it. Thanks for reminding me to give it another listen. I was already listening to the new TV on The Radio and had forgotten my intentions. Excellent blog, by the way!