one of the most incredible albums i've ever heard. second only to deloused in pure quality and vision. made all the better because it comes after the massive disappointment that was bedlam in goliath. gone are the terrible, disruptive effects on Cedric's voice. now all that remains is pure musical beauty and genius. just the right balance of slow songs and fast songs. if i can level one complaint at this album, it is that there isn't one standout song that is better than the rest. they are all incredible. buy this now or i'll cut you… Expand

It is not the Mars Volta we all know and love, it is however a Mars Volta with all there previous elements combined with a deeper sense of emotion. It shows to me that as a group they are growing and expanding their artistic range, as a die hard Volta fan i love it and think it complements their previous albums beautifully.

No Ripcord have ruined the median score for this fantastic album by offering a score 40 points outside the spectrum of the others.

The Mars Volta were always incredible musicians, technically and creativity. However with this album, for the first time, they have integrated a sense of structure into their compositions which is what brought this album to greatness.

The Mars Volta takes a moment to breath. After the non-stop assault that was The Bedlum in Goliath, this album shows remarkable restraint, particularly from drummer Thomas Pridgen. My initial reaction was slight disappointment, but with repeated listens, this album provides some of the most memorable and disciplined music in the illustrious catolog of TMV.

Can't stop listening to this record...gets better with each listen, pulls me right in. A nice change of pace from MV....perfect music for a messed-up dreamscape.

Another addictive masterpiece that further broadens the band's range.

Not on the level of some of the better Mars Volta albums in my opinion but still a great album to listen to. It shows their versatility and for that reason it is still impressive.

The Mars Volta delivers their most triumphant and cohesive record since Frances The Mute with Octahedron. It retains its listenability long after the initial honeymoon phase is over which is more than can be said for The Bedlam In Goliath, as massive as that album was upon first listen. Octahedron's songs are compelling, bittersweet, and beautiful with the band getting in touch with their more emotional songs. The guitar is used here as an instrument of music more than noise here which bucks the trend of their recent albums. Highlights are Teflon, Since We've Been Wrong, Desperate Graves, and classic TMV track Cotopaxi… Expand

Its sensation consists in both being recognisable in sound as The Mars Volta album, and becoming almost utterly something of a new and unheard quality. Unalterable and mostly slow paces filling Octahedron may not match the band's image at first, but nothing more erroneous. Powerful and melodic at the same time, it is a beautiful combination of Cedric's voice, ranging here from the lowest of all albums to time ("Luciforms") to definitely high-pitched ("Cotopaxi"), and strangely simple-layered melodies dragging into listening them over and over. A great piece of music made by a great band, once again showing us their skills in creating something theirs, and still entirely fresh.… Expand