Quote Originally Posted by eestlinc View Post
I really dislike just about everything involving the Mars Volta. I think their aesthetic is very unappealing, the music is tediously too much at once, and their hideous album names are a good example of their lack of a sense of beauty.
How many of their songs have you listened to exactly? I think it's a little ignorant to make such bold claims about a band without at least delving into all the material they have to offer. All of their albums are very different, ranging from classic rock to jazz to latino. I can see why you might see it as "too much", but I don't think it is at all. The band is about breaking new ground in music, and they have been very succesful with that. Upon first listenings, I didn't like them very much, they annoyed me and it made no sense. But after a few repeated listenings, I began to understand what they were trying to do, and I realized it most definetly was not just insanity for the hell of it, but really mind-bendingly complex and incredibly well thought out music. Listen to Cassandra Gemini and tell me that is not well concieved music.

What is this of hideous album names? How is Amputechture, Frances The Mute, or Deloused in the Comatorium hideous? Did you ever consider that maybe these albums have a concept to them, that they are very appropriately titled for the message they convey? Yes, it is very hard to understand exactly what theyre saying, but it most definetly is not impossible, as evidenced by the countless threads on thecomatorium.com. It is supposed to challenge you, both musically and lyrically. Some people aren't up for that challenge, or simply find it as pretentious wankery in an attempt to be deep. The albums are not supposed to be beautiful, theyre supposed to be angry, dark, and thought provoking. There is beauty to be found (just look at The Widow, Miranda That Ghost, or Asilos Magdalena), you just have to dig into it to find it.

Give TMV another shot. Listen to Deloused to start with, yes the whole album, and I'm sure you will realize its far from tedious wankery. You may not like it, and that's justifiable, but you cannot deny the pure talent Omar and Cedric have. They're making some of the greatest and most original rock out today, and I hope people will take the time to listen and discover everything they have to offer.