The Mars Volta Octahedron Review

For a band as talented and multi-layered as The Mars Volta, they never seem to be without content. It seems as if just as I am familiar with their latest album, the announcement of a forthcoming release is shouted from the rooftops. As a fan, I can never be one to complain. However, given the amount of musicality that goes into each album from The Mars Volta, I wonder a little more each time when timing might affect the output.

With "Octahedron", their 5th album since 2003, The Mars Volta was said to have leaned more acoustic. For me, their previous album "The Bedlam In Goliath" was a musical fireworks display, rife with mind blowing technicality combined with undeniable groove. Admittedly, I believe it to be their finest work and one that would be very difficult to outdo. So, right from the outset, "Octahedron" has its work cut out for itself.

Almost immediately, a difference can be heard from the opener "Since We've Been Wrong". It is a slower and more soulful tune in the vein of "The Widow" from "Frances The Mute". Though not immediately, this track hints the listener of the overall feel of the album to come.

The second track "Teflon" is my favorite with a solid, driving rhythm over a modest tempo. It is a very catchy track that becomes more infectious with each listen. However, it paints a more solid picture of the album overall in terms of being a less temperamental album.

Track 5 "Cotopaxi" is the closest relative to the more complex and driving Mars Volta tracks of yore. It is the closest "Octahedron" comes to channeling the hyper-progressive tendencies of songs such as "Drunkenship Of Lanterns" or "Ilyena". Rather than bear a number of time changes that stretch over 9-plus minutes, the song is a quick punch to the gut, keeping with the "less is more" approach.

The remainder of the album is more methodical, dreamy and psychedelic. It finds occasion to explore harder surfaces, but it seems to have a more laid back swing feel overall. The desire to call this a masterpiece is clearly there. It just hasn't fully registered as of yet. "Octahedron" has the vibe of an album that will take a little more time to find it's way into my psyche.