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. ashleyyyyyyy
    Jul 15, 2022
    8
    While this is my favorite TMV album for sentimental reasons, I don't think that it's as objectively good as Deloused or Frances, it is still however undeniably an amazing album and Day of the Baphomets is one of the best songs they've ever made, along with the likes of Inertiatic Esp and L'via L'viaquez. (It also suffers from what I call "Amnisiac sydrome", where it is a phenomenal albumWhile this is my favorite TMV album for sentimental reasons, I don't think that it's as objectively good as Deloused or Frances, it is still however undeniably an amazing album and Day of the Baphomets is one of the best songs they've ever made, along with the likes of Inertiatic Esp and L'via L'viaquez. (It also suffers from what I call "Amnisiac sydrome", where it is a phenomenal album but in direct comparison to their previous album (Kid A for Amnisiac and Frances for Amputecture), can feel disappointing)… Expand
  2. Pixelsaur
    May 15, 2020
    10
    An absolute blast from beginning to end! At first you might be turned off but on 3rd listen it's just so overwhelmingly powerful.
  3. quidnick
    Oct 22, 2013
    10
    Although it may not come together like Frances or De-Loused, the moments where TMV is at their most progressive (Tetragrammaton, Baphomets, Viscera) are some of the best songs that have ever graced my ears.
  4. 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.
  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.
  6. Vampire25
    Dec 2, 2010
    8
    Amputechture takes a step back from De-loused and Frances The Mute, with smoother melodies and more epic guitar pieces. "Vicarious Atonement", the opening track for the album, is such a smooth song and rolls perfectly before the seventeen minute epic "Tetragrammaton". "Asilos Magdalena" is an acoustic song all sung in Spanish and it really shows how beautiful Cedric Bixler's voice is. HisAmputechture takes a step back from De-loused and Frances The Mute, with smoother melodies and more epic guitar pieces. "Vicarious Atonement", the opening track for the album, is such a smooth song and rolls perfectly before the seventeen minute epic "Tetragrammaton". "Asilos Magdalena" is an acoustic song all sung in Spanish and it really shows how beautiful Cedric Bixler's voice is. His voice is a lot more matured in this album than its previous albums. All In All, Amputechture is yet another great album from The Mars Volta. B+… Expand
  7. asad31
    Sep 10, 2010
    9
    THis is without question The Mars Voltas most hated on album but it is still a classic. A couple low points on the album but on the whole this is another work of art from an extremely talented, thoughtful and forward thinking band.
  8. NineteenSank
    Nov 22, 2008
    8
    This is the most chaotic, jumbled Mars Volta album to date, partly due to its lack of a unifying concept. It's not a DRASTIC departure from Frances, but where Frances felt like a focused epic, Amputechture feels like a fragmented account of what happened afterward. The jazz influence is more noticeable here, and the riffs snake through the album with a winding intensity. Cedric has This is the most chaotic, jumbled Mars Volta album to date, partly due to its lack of a unifying concept. It's not a DRASTIC departure from Frances, but where Frances felt like a focused epic, Amputechture feels like a fragmented account of what happened afterward. The jazz influence is more noticeable here, and the riffs snake through the album with a winding intensity. Cedric has some interesting harmonies this time as well. All in all, what it lacks in cohesion and order, it makes up for complexity, depth, and sheer weirdness.… Expand
  9. Einar1J.
    Apr 10, 2008
    10
    Truly beautiful. Amputechture is TMV's most mature work, often flying between rock, jazz and soul. Don't get me wrong, this album sounded awful at first, taking perhaps 15 proper listens to realize its immense beauty. From start to finish I feel the amazing composition and praise cedric's vocals. Of course, this album is far from De-Loused on terms of accessibility, but it Truly beautiful. Amputechture is TMV's most mature work, often flying between rock, jazz and soul. Don't get me wrong, this album sounded awful at first, taking perhaps 15 proper listens to realize its immense beauty. From start to finish I feel the amazing composition and praise cedric's vocals. Of course, this album is far from De-Loused on terms of accessibility, but it shines through in the end. 'Vicarious Atonement' is jaw-dropping perfection, with 'Tetragrammaton' bringing the listener to rollercoasters of sound and distortion. 'Vermicide' is one of those oddly placed accessible songs in an album of distortion, fulfilling its place with simplicity. Next, 'Meccamputechture' sounds great then lags, but mainly due to its immense length. However, you fall in love with any flaws. 'Asilos Magdalena' is a stunning near-acoustic spanish ballad, totally crushing any typical mind-set. 'Viscera Eyes' is jazzed-up for action, crushing the listener with sound. 'Day of the Baphomets' is mind blowing and jammin' fun. The finale, 'El Ciervo Vulnerado' leaves you feeling like you just listened to a materpiece, without knowing what on earth, besides amputation, cedric has been taking about. Takes multiple listens, please take your time with this record, and don't rate a record you've never listened to.… Expand
  10. 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
  11. KyleL.
    Nov 16, 2007
    10
    Bash a band for being too experimental and using too many "colors" at least they try, they test themselves every album in an attempt to evolve from the last one instead of re-releasing the same sound in a different package. Omar Rodriguez-Lopez is a genius and i wish it rub off on the frusciante so the chili peppers could quit writing all this poppy crap.
  12. FrankG.
    Oct 16, 2007
    10
    If you never heard TMV befoe don't start here, if you have then its a masterpeice. The whole album is a work of art and I'm tired of people bashing TMV b/c they are not smart enough to get them... if your looking for a pop song.. dont even think about getting this album.
  13. Matt?A
    Jun 10, 2007
    8
    This album, i think, is The Mars Volta's most hardcore album yet. It's pretty hard to listen to, being that it's so hardcore, you know? Yet, in some ways, it's The Mars Volta at their best. Tetragrammaton and Day of the Baphomets are the best TMV songs to date, Viscera Eyes is totally awesome, Vermicide is beautiful, and the accoustic in Asilos Magdelina (or something This album, i think, is The Mars Volta's most hardcore album yet. It's pretty hard to listen to, being that it's so hardcore, you know? Yet, in some ways, it's The Mars Volta at their best. Tetragrammaton and Day of the Baphomets are the best TMV songs to date, Viscera Eyes is totally awesome, Vermicide is beautiful, and the accoustic in Asilos Magdelina (or something like that...) is gangsta-licious. Aside from those songs, though, the others are a bit too lacking in structure. As an album, I prefer Deloused and Frances. However, this album's AWESOME moments do outweigh the uhhh...not-so-awesome. 8.4/10?… Expand
  14. ManuelB.
    May 30, 2007
    10
    podria escribir esto en inglés pero al carajo... Me molesta mucho las críticas estúpidas de tan Baja Nota de 9 hacia abajo en esta OBRA MAESTRA. Solo demuestra la ignorancia y la escasa apreciación de arte que tienen los críticos de esta página. Si no logran VER que este album es una obra maestra de plano ponganse a criticar cosas mas sencillas podria escribir esto en inglés pero al carajo... Me molesta mucho las críticas estúpidas de tan Baja Nota de 9 hacia abajo en esta OBRA MAESTRA. Solo demuestra la ignorancia y la escasa apreciación de arte que tienen los críticos de esta página. Si no logran VER que este album es una obra maestra de plano ponganse a criticar cosas mas sencillas que no requieran talento alguno, como por ejemplo su Culo.… Expand
  15. BobN
    Mar 3, 2007
    9
    The Mars Volta is simply to atmospheric and intelligent for most people to understand, especially shallow Pop-apologist critics. Hence, Pitchfork will continue to trash the Volta while simultaneously giving high fives to no-talent popsters like the Shins.
  16. BrettW
    Feb 10, 2007
    10
    Oh my god, what the hell is wrong with you people?? TMV is THE most progressive and complex groups to hit the scene ever! Amazingly poetic, musically intricate. What more could you ask for?
  17. systool
    Jan 7, 2007
    8
    Obviously not an easy album to listen to. My favourite TMV album is Deloused, but I've really appreciated the more atmospherical latin-oriented Frances the Mute. With Amputechture, the band went into a more prog and technical album, which can seem a big mess at first listen. But after 5-10 times, you eventually begin to like these complex construction, even if some work clearly just Obviously not an easy album to listen to. My favourite TMV album is Deloused, but I've really appreciated the more atmospherical latin-oriented Frances the Mute. With Amputechture, the band went into a more prog and technical album, which can seem a big mess at first listen. But after 5-10 times, you eventually begin to like these complex construction, even if some work clearly just doesn't work (I think, for example, about the messy Days of the Baphomets). Some other tracks like the hysterical Meccamputechture or Viscera Eyes will blow your Mind. A good addition to the TMV work, but in my opinion not the first one to buy.… Expand
  18. brianK
    Jan 2, 2007
    8
    Good, but not amazing. The most glaring issue with this album is that it is no where near as good as Deloused in the Comatorium and Frances the Mute
  19. chris
    Dec 15, 2006
    10
    volta has managed to top themselves again...this is so much different from the albums prior to....but frances was different from de-loused...so i think they're just trying not to confine themselves musically and trying to be as open as posssible...but flemming better be able to make it work chemistry wise of that can be a problem.
  20. GaborA
    Dec 7, 2006
    1
    I used to hate mars volta for what they were, over pretentious art house nerds desperatly trying to redifine "progressive music" but ultimately only embarassing it and themselves. With the new album, though, everything changes. I don't hate them anymore for i cant take them seriously. Amputechture is laughable at best. Either these guys are doing a thesis on how insultingly pompous I used to hate mars volta for what they were, over pretentious art house nerds desperatly trying to redifine "progressive music" but ultimately only embarassing it and themselves. With the new album, though, everything changes. I don't hate them anymore for i cant take them seriously. Amputechture is laughable at best. Either these guys are doing a thesis on how insultingly pompous they can make their music while still retaining the devotion of ignorant college students. Or they have gone insane. Either way, no one should be listening to this.… Expand
  21. BigTomCasual
    Dec 7, 2006
    7
    I thought this album was supposed to be a return-to-form after Francis? Maybe a little, but I still can't get into it like I could Deloused.
  22. NelsonD
    Dec 5, 2006
    7
    The songs 6 and 7 are the best. The others songs are less. Not so good than the 2 first album.
  23. janaef
    Nov 28, 2006
    10
    This is the great album. What more can i say
  24. coling
    Nov 22, 2006
    10
    They might not have had a narration for this album, but it still blows you away!
  25. MichaelT
    Nov 11, 2006
    10
    The Mars Volta can do no wrong in my book all the bad reviews seem to slag it off for all the reasons I love it one review and I think it ws uncut said it sounded like seventies pink floyd gone mariachi. And since when was that a bad thing. Can't wait to see them touring this record.
  26. Crabsody
    Nov 11, 2006
    7
    Not so good as previous albums of the band but still one of the best of this very mediocre year. Viscera Eyes is great
  27. YourBoss
    Nov 4, 2006
    10
    Omar Rodriguez-Lopez is a musical Orson Welles. This is what mastery, artistic integrity, and real passion can produce, in a world of celebrated clones playing the game of who is the best clone? (My Chemical Romance seems to be the current leading contender, with Panic! At the Disco and Fall Out Boy catching up). The Mars Volta are playing games with The Doors, Pink Floyd, Joy Division, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez is a musical Orson Welles. This is what mastery, artistic integrity, and real passion can produce, in a world of celebrated clones playing the game of who is the best clone? (My Chemical Romance seems to be the current leading contender, with Panic! At the Disco and Fall Out Boy catching up). The Mars Volta are playing games with The Doors, Pink Floyd, Joy Division, The Pixies, and all the great bands that never cared about what was expected of them, just about thier art and refused to comprimise.… Expand
  28. JonL
    Nov 4, 2006
    9
    It's not a perfect album, and it is somewhat inferior to Frances and De-Loused. But who cares? There are still tons of enormously jaw-dropping sections here (see Day Of The Baphomets, Meccamputechture) and you will not find another album this year with this amount of attention paid to the composition (something severely lacking in most prog-rock bands who deliver wankery, but not It's not a perfect album, and it is somewhat inferior to Frances and De-Loused. But who cares? There are still tons of enormously jaw-dropping sections here (see Day Of The Baphomets, Meccamputechture) and you will not find another album this year with this amount of attention paid to the composition (something severely lacking in most prog-rock bands who deliver wankery, but not music that actually goes anywhere). Is it self-indulgent? Yes. Difficult? Certainly. Cheesy? A bit. Does everything work? No. But if you are willing to just sit down and listen to where most of the album goes, you'll be pleased.… Expand
  29. AliceR
    Nov 3, 2006
    7
    As intense and as polished as always - it gets better and better with every listen.
  30. danf
    Nov 2, 2006
    9
    Not as good as Frances, much better than deloused, the volta start out weak with Vicarious Atonement. They then launch into the amazing tetragrammation and dont burn out until the final track... which is just kind of random noises and a guitar solo. Fantastic album for those willing to give it a shot, for those who aren't... i dunno go listen to yellowcard or something you wankers.
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Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Most Discussed Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

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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.
    Read full review
  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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