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The Mars Volta - Scab Dates

I picked this up today, its their new live album. It's pretty sweet. Juan Alderete locks in with Jon Theodore real tight. Its got some pretty sweet jams on it too, they improvise like crazy muthas all the way through. The lead singer's voice isn't bad either, he occasionally falls a little flat, but I was quite impressed. Anyone else planning on picking this up?
 
Tbirdbassist said:
But apparently they have played some really bad shows and really great ones.
That's what I heard too. When they toured with SOAD over the summer I saw them and they were great. The only problems were that in the begining of "Cynus...Vismund Cygnus" (the song they opened with) they were mixed poorly but the next song (IIRC, La Villa de Viaquez ?) they came in strong so whatever the problem was, disappeared.
 
marcusalan said:
Saw them live when they were doing headlining state-side gigs for Frances, and it was by far the worst show I've ever been to in my entire life.

I'll just stick to their recorded material...

Nah, the live album is equally as good as their recorded stuff. I dunno if they made a special effort because it was being recorded or something, but they're really, really tight.
 
marcusalan said:
At the Roseland ballroom back in May, right?

Yeah, that show was atrocious.


Um...

There were two shows, both at Roseland, one on Thursday the 5th, and the other on Friday the 6th. I went to the Friday show and everything to me sounded great. My only complaint iis that they play a bit faster live then they do on the albums. I really noticed this after seeing the Electric Ballroom show on TV (not so much when I saw them live, I was too excited to even care).

Which one did you go to? Fig told me he went to the one on the 5th and said they played great as well.

:eyebrow: :smug:
 
I was at the friday show as well.

For one, their sound was awful live. I have no idea who was in charge of sound checking them, but they really ought to be fired.

The bass was just a loud thud. No dynamic whatsoever. In fact, Juan could've played open notes the entire night and as long as he followed the rhythm, it would've sounded the same.

Next... the "effects" were turned up far too high. All of the ambient electronic sound was remarkably loud, and the guitars really needed to drop down a few levels. It was painful to listen to, no matter how far you were from the stage.

Last... the keys, sax, and percussion were completely inaudible.

Add them all up and you've got a steamer.

Not to mention they played about four songs or so and just wanked the rest of the night.
 
marcusalan said:
Next... the "effects" were turned up far too high. All of the ambient electronic sound was remarkably loud, and the guitars really needed to drop down a few levels. It was painful to listen to, no matter how far you were from the stage.

Glad I brought my ear plugs that night. They are without a doubt the loudest band I have ever heard. And I've been to close to 50 concerts.