an avalanche of taunted bones
while the mars volta's talent hasn't come close to diminishing over the course of their last six years, i haven't taken much to their last few studio releases... the passerby will hear the chaotic guitar/drums/brass on all three, and miss some of the more subtle mood revealed on each disc. personally i've been a bit disappointed - frances was just pretty good and amputechture was a little weaker, and i have been clamoring for a return to de-loused's stunning whirlwind.
the bedlam in goliath is pretty darn close - more consistent than the last two discs, certainly less contemplative, a bit of an easier listen, and still it'll give you whiplash like few other rock albums on the shelf. omar's staid, furious guitar (supported brilliantly once again by john frusciante) hearkens to jimmy page; cedric drops some unnecessary effects on the vocals; overall an inspired return to form, incredibly satisfying for any fan of the genre.
I couldn't get into Frances the Mute. I'm usually pretty open to new stuff, but it just didn't do it for me. I've been digging Of Montreal (Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?) lately. Some great tracks on that disc, mixed in with quite a few I generally skip over. But the good ones are really good.
I wasn't aware that anybody I knew actually listened to this band like me. I agree, though. De-Loused was definitely way better than the more recent ones. They were in Columbus not to long ago. My sister was supposed to take me, but she had to work. what a jerk