Amputechture
by The Mars Volta
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 130 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 112 out of 130
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 130
  3. Negative: 11 out of 130

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  1. j30
    Dec 1, 2011
    6
    This roller coaster ride of a third disc disc, from the Mars Volta, is hard to look away from, but nearly crumbles under it's own ambitions.
  2. MikeC
    Sep 11, 2006
    5
    This is definitely the lamest thing they've done. This album reeks of John Frusciante's input and it bores me in comparison to De-Loused and Frances The Mute. I'd rather listen to Tremulant...and I HATE Tremulant.
  3. jims
    Sep 12, 2006
    4
    To respond to Lewis T's review, first of all, TMV were against labeling themselves as a prog rock band, because of all the negative connotations surrounding the name. They felt they were progressive in the true sense of the word, pushing the boundaries of music. So, while prog rock bands make long, noodling songs, a progressive band would challenge expectation and defy those and To respond to Lewis T's review, first of all, TMV were against labeling themselves as a prog rock band, because of all the negative connotations surrounding the name. They felt they were progressive in the true sense of the word, pushing the boundaries of music. So, while prog rock bands make long, noodling songs, a progressive band would challenge expectation and defy those and similar notions. But the TMV aren't really innovative, the more they talk about how prog they aren't, the more they seem to fall into its cliches. This album really sounds like its recycling the dinosaur prog from the last 4 decades instead of really breaking new territory. I'm all about music being bombastic and pulling us out our daily life experiences, instead of relating to them, but this album just sounds silly. And boring. If it was at least exciting, I'd be more ok with not liking it, but flat production (where'd the drums go?) and super mellow/cheesy ballads make this neuteured experimentation for the masses. Originally, I thought this album was a 2 tops, but I'm now able to enjoy it more like I would Trapped in the Closet. There's plenty to laugh at, like the intro the Meccamputechture, and the rest quickly fades from memory. I woudln't be bothered with people like TMV so much if they stopped talking about how much OMGFZTHEYROXX!!!, because they really don't anymore, and how they combine all these crazy genres together, because again they don't. It's prog + salsa, not that hard to figure out.… Expand
  4. CraigR.
    Dec 22, 2007
    5
    I haven't listened to this album, but I do own the first two Mars Volta albums (didn't care much for either, but the first one was decent enough), but I really just wanted to comment on the ridiculous number of "if you don't like it, you're not smart enough to understand it" remarks". Since when do we use a person's inclinations towards prog rock to determine a I haven't listened to this album, but I do own the first two Mars Volta albums (didn't care much for either, but the first one was decent enough), but I really just wanted to comment on the ridiculous number of "if you don't like it, you're not smart enough to understand it" remarks". Since when do we use a person's inclinations towards prog rock to determine a person's intelligence? Based on my previous experiences with the Mars Volta, I've found them to be rather indecipherable, and really requiring way more time than I'm willing to invest in a band. Is it not acceptable that someone may not want to approach his or her music the same way they approach a college course on metaphysics? The Mars Volta are ultimately a band that I can appreciate for their technical ability and willingness to try new things, but they're certainly not a band that I would want to sit down and listen to. I get enough headaches from my college curriculum, thanks.… Expand
  5. Itzkannious
    Nov 21, 2011
    6
    This is the mars Volta's only misstep in their career and it's not even that bad. The main issue with this album is the sudden changes which grate horribly on the ears and make it challenging to listen to. Day of the baphomets, Tetragrammaton, viscera eyes and vicarious atonement are fantastic where the other songs never truly take off.

Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Most Discussed Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 28
  3. Negative: 3 out of 28
  1. Observer Music Monthly
    100
    This early-Roxy-Music-meets-late Led-Zep-style third studio album finds the band stepping back from total impenetrability with a pithy, eight-song, 76-minute set, guaranteed to restore the faith of those whose confidence in this grand enterprise was waning.
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  2. Uncut
    60
    It initially seems as if the moments of inspiration between self-indulgences are becoming scarcer. A bracing middle section resuces Amputechture. [Sep 2006, p.89]
  3. Blender
    80
    It’s epic, mercurial, high-impact progressive rock that moves like a whirlwind.
    Read full review
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