The Mars Volta - Amputechture
 

Amputechture is the latest release by Funky Prog Metal Salsa Fusion outfit The Mars Volta. Without speaking at length (since for all I know this will sink to the forum abyss), I'll say that this is a very strong third album, and Guitarist/Producer/Mastermind Omar Rodriguez is really getting the hang of the production thing. There are no crappy five-minute noise intros/outros a la Frances the Mute. Ultimately this release falls a bit short of their mind-blowing first album, but I have a good feeling about the next one if the progress made between Frances and Amp is any indication.

Highlights: Ikey's organ, insane drumming, John Frusciante (Red Hot Chilli Peppers), a lot of sick non-guitar solos, jazz influences, dissonance!

Failings: Vocals are pitchy, a bit too many octave splits, drums are downmixed a bit too much, weak last song, too much dissonance =/

Yeah, this'll sink. But the album won't. First you've gotta realise though, that there's nothing 'metal' about TMV, it's just progressive rock.

I like this abum, like I did with the first two. Like it more than the second album, but it's not quite on the same mindblowing level with the debute.

This is not a lengthy review (therefore no shit about the arty fagsy music I tend to like). Groovy to the core. 4½/5 stars.

Edit: Hah. Didn't remember there already was one. Guess they'll be merged when a mod wakes up.

already made

It's kind of weird how depending on the nature of the first post a thread will be moved to album comments or be kept here. I guess "HEY I'M EXCITED" is more media-center oriented?

But yeah, it's a fucking great album.