What happened to The Mars Volta?!

Octahedron · August 2022

Well, I used to like them. Not keen on this new stuff though.

How bands go from this:
https://youtu.be/VUBQLnEGHNk

Epic, moody, guitar driven prog rock...

To this alternative/techno synth driven shite?
https://youtu.be/yQCMNYTVBmA

The latter is unlistenable!

prowla · August 2022

I saw them a few years back - the sound was awful.

Placidcasual79 · August 2022

Octahedron said:

Well, I used to like them. Not keen on this new stuff though.

How bands go from this:
https://youtu.be/VUBQLnEGHNk
Epic, moody, guitar driven prog rock...

To this alternative/techno synth driven shite?
https://youtu.be/yQCMNYTVBmA

The latter is unlistenable!

I don't think they're the sort of band who worry about leaving people behind - they follow their muse - which I imagine is more rewarding for them personally and more interesting for us. Too many rock bands churn out the same stuff either for fear of alienating their 'fans', loosing sales or simply because they lack the imagination to explore......

When they first appeared I quite liked the abrasive and chaotic approach - but found the music a bit too cerebral... more exclusive than inclusive (which of course is an entirely valid position, just not one that chimes with me).....

I much prefer the new tune you've posted, its melodic, texturally and compositionally interesting as well as being a little more inviting/accessible. Thank you.....

monquixote · August 2022

Techno?!?!!

It's a mid paced rock ballad.

It's not all that different to the widow from their second album.

DefaultM · August 2022

Saw them 4 times and every time was great. First time they'd just released the EP and they were supporting RHCP. They didnt go down well at all but I thought it was the best thing I'd ever heard in my life.
I didn't get to see them on the Noctourniquet tour, but I wasn't fussed for that album anyway.
I've not listened to any new stuff but it wouldn't surprise me if they've carried on with the type of stuff they were doing before they split.
I saw Antemasque at the Brudenell in Leeds and I didn't find it particularly memorable. In fact all I do remember is Cedric intentionally knocking in the ceiling tiles on the stage and thinking it was a bit sad.

thecolourbox · August 2022

I quite liked Mars Volta and At The Drive In at the time, but largely forgotten about them since. Thanks for the reminder - I really like discordant difficult listens like that sometimes, when certain moods take me.

prowla said:

I saw them a few years back - the sound was awful.

That could just be what they sound like

lustycourtier · August 2022

Im more concerned how they went from At the Drive-in to that tbh.

DefaultM · August 2022

I listened and I'm not sure I agree with your description, but it wasn't exactly groundbreaking stuff either way.

Edit: Not keen on the other 2 new ones either.

Philly_Q · August 2022

thecolourbox said:

I quite liked Mars Volta and At The Drive In at the time, but largely forgotten about them since.

Likewise. I'm not sure what I'd make of them now, I think my musical tastes have become less sophisticated.

monquixote · August 2022

lustycourtier said:

Im more concerned how they went from At the Drive-in to that tbh.

I think the first Mars Volta album is quite a logical progression from At The Drive In while being a bit more proggy.

I didn't really enjoy any of their follow up albums anywhere near as much.

Deadman · August 2022

One of the best bands I’ve ever seen live.

I think the problem is with Omar isn’t it? He was hanging around with John Frusciante a bit too much and it (during that dodgy synth period) seems to have rubbed off on him. John seems to have got it out of his system in the last couple of years thankfully.

fretmeister · August 2022

Octahedron said:

Well, I used to like them. Not keen on this new stuff though.

How bands go from this:
https://youtu.be/VUBQLnEGHNk
Epic, moody, guitar driven prog rock...

To this alternative/techno synth driven shite?
https://youtu.be/yQCMNYTVBmA

The latter is unlistenable!

The first one is awful.

The second one is significantly less awful. But still awful.

duotone · August 2022

More commercial/radio friendly? Chasing the $?

Their debut ‘De-Loused in the Comatorium’ is a fantastic album, but their follow up ‘Francis The Mute’ was one that I could never really get into.

Octahedron · August 2022

And nobody has pointed out my username is the title of a Mars Volta record

I just thought it was cool.

Anyway, the point is I'm not digging this!

thecolourbox · August 2022

I've finally listened to that second one, I see what you mean. Sounds like the no-name musak they play in Poundland. It (this discussion, not that song) has motivated me to give their old stuff a play through again on my phone though

Sporky · August 2022

Octahedron said:

To this alternative/techno synth driven shite?
https://youtu.be/yQCMNYTVBmA

The latter is unlistenable!

"Shite" and "unlistenable" I'd agree with (for both of those), but have you ever heard techno?

Placidcasual79 · August 2022

yeah I mean techno it ain't - but techno/synth/alternative is a broad church and not a byword for poor - I sometimes get the impression that anything that's DNA isn't transparently traceable (preferable in, at most, one easy step) to some very traditional form of guitar centric music is regarded with deep suspicion.

Danny1969 · August 2022

I prefer the 2nd video, it's a better song IMHO ... in fact that's going on my mellow playlist so pretty glad I click on it. The first song was OK but prefer the 2nd ...

TTBZ · August 2022

Deloused was awesome. I find with their other albums they have their good moments but for me there's a lot of filler. Not keen on the sound of the new stuff at all!

Cirrus · August 2022

They got fat

JezWynd · August 2022

First number was a sugar rush. Second was a single malt.

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What happened to The Mars Volta?!

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