Noctourniquet released early!

[BioDriver]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Noctourniquet is now going to be available one day earlier on Monday March 26th. All pre-orders will be delivered at that time except vinyl, which ships on May 28th.

Can't wait! From what I've heard it sounds fantastic Now if only they'd announce tour dates....

 

[Terry Funk]

Awesome! Can't wait. I've been jamming Telesterion (the comp of Omar's solo stuff) heavily over the last few weeks in anticipation.

 

[ocoaibass]

Well, it's out. Thoughts? I've listened to it a dozen times or so, & although some of it has grown on me, honestly I'm put out with them. Call me boring or closed minded but there's barely any of what I love about the Volta. Not enough guitars, no Ikey, not groove, no Latin, no freak outs, no instrumental breakdowns/passages/what have you. Yes, Cedric has outdone himself but he's singing over noise half of the time. I buy their records for a journey, not a simple pop album disguised as art by lots of samples, bleeps, synths, & noise. It's like they took all the weird passages that used to come between the songs & decided to plop it down on top of the songs. It sounds as though I'm listening to two albums being played at the same time. I really dig a few of the songs, but as a whole it's kind of crap. And their new drummer, although inventive & frustratingly on point, seems to be flexed like a muscle the entire time. No push & pull. It's as though they decided that because Thomas Pridgen was all over the place with too many polyrhythms & ghost notes that this guy should be stripped down & focused to a pinpoint, while still playing too many polyrhythms & ghost notes.

And where the hell is the BASS in the mix? Juan is buried under a blanket...

 

[ChrisDieci]

I've listened to it many times in the last days, and I'm liking it quite a lot.

It sure is a "different" album, at times there's an electronic vibe to it. I also dig the new drummer, Pridgen was a beast and his work on Bedlam is something incredible imho, but I welcome the change, and Parks is amazing in its own way.

Calling it a pop album seems a bit too much, frankly

I don't agree with the bass mix comment though, I seem to hear it just fine, and as usual Juan plays some really sweet tones...

Also, check out his recent (yesterday) interview on noTreble: Bassist Redefined: An Interview With Juan Alderete

It's a bit weird that the album is out now but was written three or four years ago, who knows where Omar is right now with his mind...

 

[Graykong]

I'm over the moon with the record.
I can't stop listening to it.
Every album they have released so far is so different... Just constantly inventive.
It really is music you can get your teeth into, there is so much going on!
And the bass...

 

[Teknoman]

Get guitar world mag .Nice article in from Omar the guitarist .Apparently he writes everything including the drum parts!Admits to being an egomaniac of the first order(most geniuses are).I won,t bore you, but he claims the album is three years old!Apparently Cedric is somewhat of a diva and it took him three years to write the lyrics and do the vocals!They have had several fights over this.Omar claims they have a unique relationship.Read into this what you,but they are my favorite band next to King Crimson.Omar says he,s ready to have a permanent band,and admits his ego has cost him some great musicians.Also will be appearing at Coachella headlong with his old band At the Drive In.Gotta check them out .Hopes this helps!If you cannot get the mag, I read it thoroughly and will be glad to pass on info.

 

[ocoaibass]

He's been that way for years, directing the musicians. He usually doesn't even let them hear what the other musicians are playing. Also, he has been writing records way before releasing them, since Deloused. Seems like every time they put out a record, he comments about it sounding old to him, because it is. Supposedly the ORL Group releases have tracks on them originally intended for TMV that he decided to scrap. I've hoped for years that he'd get over himself & collaborate with the talented musicians he works with. The last time he did they released Deloused...

I'm really glad you guys like the album. I mostly think its crap. And believe me, NO ONE wants to like it more than me. Every time they release an album I'm arguing with people about how I love it & they need to give it another chance. Unfortunately this one just bores me to tears. I've been listening to some of the live versions & I enjoy them a bit more because there's not such a cacophony of electronica under them. I will admit that I don't like much in the way of that stuff, but I love Radiohead, Bjork, Squarepusher, & other musicians who use that stuff in conjunction with real instruments. Just seems forced here.

TP was definitely too much, IMO. Bedlam was amazing but he was terrible on Octahedron. If he isn't pooping the bed with a million fills i think he fears he may explode. Just an example of overplaying. I too welcome the change, as I remember DP's first tenure with the band (he filled in for a short while after JT quit, but declined their offer to join full time), but honestly, he's capable of more. I'm sure it was Omar's direction that he play that way because on the live shows from 2006 I've heard DP on, he's a multi-textural musician who can play anything.

Again, I'm glad those of you that like the album are getting your Volta fix. I'll keep spinning the 3-4 songs I do like & pretend it's an EP...

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

I for one really love the new record, I've been a fan since Deloused.
The world needs more Mars Volta. IMO one of the most important bands in recent history.

 

[BioDriver]

I've been listening to it since release and here's my final verdict:

It's a good record. Not mind-blowing insanity a la De-Loused or Bedlam, but exactly what Cedric would say it would be - toned down. I'd say it's worth picking up, whether you're new or have been with them since Tremulent. Is it as good as their old stuff? IMO, no. It's different, to be sure, and sometimes it falls flat on its face (I typically skip Lapochka as soon as I hear "How long must I wait?"). That being said, I can still see a stellar live show from this album's tour.

 

[fenderhutz]

Awaiting a new At The Drive In album.............

 

[BioDriver]

I know they're playing a few reunion shows but Omar has been very explicit about the possibility of new album:

Invalid Link Removed

Can't say I'm surprised considering Omar and Cedric's egos.

 

[handofseven]

Diggin' it for sure. This is more the Mars Volta I fell in love with on Deloused. Interesting, Malkin Jewel has a real BAUHAUS vibe to it...

 

[sloppy_phil]

Well, it's out. Thoughts? I've listened to it a dozen times or so, & although some of it has grown on me, honestly I'm put out with them. Call me boring or closed minded but there's barely any of what I love about the Volta. Not enough guitars, no Ikey, not groove, no Latin, no freak outs, no instrumental breakdowns/passages/what have you. Yes, Cedric has outdone himself but he's singing over noise half of the time. I buy their records for a journey, not a simple pop album disguised as art by lots of samples, bleeps, synths, & noise. It's like they took all the weird passages that used to come between the songs & decided to plop it down on top of the songs. It sounds as though I'm listening to two albums being played at the same time. I really dig a few of the songs, but as a whole it's kind of crap. And their new drummer, although inventive & frustratingly on point, seems to be flexed like a muscle the entire time. No push & pull. It's as though they decided that because Thomas Pridgen was all over the place with too many polyrhythms & ghost notes that this guy should be stripped down & focused to a pinpoint, while still playing too many polyrhythms & ghost notes.

And where the hell is the BASS in the mix? Juan is buried under a blanket...

This is, by and large my opinion as well. I guess you can chalk it up to a prog band just progressing with their sound, but i find it totally lacks the character and groove of their older stuff. shame, i've been wanting to like the new stuff... they're just making it hard on me!