The Bedlam In Goliath - The Mars Volta
User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 132 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 118 out of 132
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 132
  3. Negative: 8 out of 132

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  1. AJW.
    Feb 15, 2008
    9
    This is the first Mars Volta album I've heard, and I genuinely thought it was excellent. It's absolutely insane and frenzied, and for that I love it.
  2. DennisO
    Feb 1, 2008
    10
    By far the best album to date. I missed the drum-heaviness on bot Frances and Amputechture. Now it's back with an inhuman effort from Thomas Pridgen. Insanely chatchy. And when they sink into the trademark schizophrenic dissolvement of the music into fractured soundscapes, it actually works, which, in my opinion, it didn't on Amputechture. They toned down on the brass as well, I like that very much. I fail to see how the could have done any better.… Expand
  3. FoleyH
    Feb 2, 2008
    10
    LOVE IT!!!! My fav out of all 4 albums. Agadez has got to be one of the best tunes ever created.
  4. MichaelS
    Feb 2, 2008
    10
    This is their best album since Deloused!
  5. PerS.
    Feb 8, 2008
    9
    It's funny.. I recall getting a bit worried when I heard through this CD the first couple of times. First of all I felt that the drums were abit too intense, like they were present constantly and going at full speed.. also I didn't like the vocals all that much. And like Amputechture, that the album felt like it had been "built", following a certain recepy. However, just like with all the earlier records (Except maybe De-Loused, that one was easy to get into) a lot of things are revealed only after you have spent a little time with it. It's certainly a lot more intensive than Frances the Mute or Amputechture all in all, but it's packed with a lot of groovy funk, incredibly explosive solos (be it a bass, saxophone, guitar, drums or vocals) and it's all weaved together in a package of well-written songs. Personally my favorite Mars Volta CD was Frances The Mute, I loved how they took their time on that album and how psychedelic build-ups lasting for 10 minutes finally blasted out, reaching their climax. On this CD it's shorter between the "climaxes" and with exception of one song (11th out of 12) I like the rest extremely well. A solid record, a must-buy for any Mars Volta fan/listener but to me this CD doesn't represent The Mars Volta. For new listeners I would recommend checking out the three previous records before jumping into this one.… Expand
  6. mikeh.
    Jan 30, 2008
    10
    This is my favorite Mars Volta album so far. It's ridiculously catchy, heavy, jazzy, and funky all wrapped up in one. screw the critics who praise formulaic radio rock. This album is amazing.
  7. Mislav
    Feb 1, 2008
    9
    If you've ever liked anything by this band, you will like this CD.
  8. WhatWhat
    Feb 12, 2008
    10
    Mycle S. Stop being such an elitist, over-opinionated idiot. Good job on essentially fitting the absolute stereotype of "Radiohead fan" - one who thinks they know what good music is, and places themselves on a pedestal. Either way, the fact is, TMV shouldn't be compared to Radiohead anyway. They are two different bands. Entirely different. I wouldn't want any association between the two - TMV have never once mentioned Radiohead as any form of influence and likewise, so let's keep it that way. PS: Brilliant Album.… Expand
  9. MichaelW.
    Feb 1, 2008
    9
    Their best since DeLoused. The culmination of their career thus far. Pure gold for Volta fans.
  10. Briank
    Feb 1, 2008
    10
    Mark G said it best, this album gets better with every listen it is deep, visceral, heavy, and brilliant, I can't stop listening to it. Mars Volta and Omar Rodriguez can do no wrong.
  11. Bob
    Feb 18, 2008
    10
    Amazing album. It started making sense after second listen. Don't judge it after only one listen. Every second is great and that
  12. EvanL.
    Feb 20, 2008
    10
    The new drummer tears it up.
  13. Pavers
    Feb 5, 2008
    10
    Fantastic album. Takes a few listens to fully appreciate. Though wow... buy this album now, you won't regret it.
  14. MikeS.
    Mar 3, 2008
    9
    Mars Volta is a love-em-or-hate-em kinda band. The last record, Amputechture, was fairly week in many parts, mostly sounded kinda rushed. This record does sound kinda muddy with the millions of instruments going on, but still pretty solid. They don't intend to sell a million records. So don't expect pop music.
  15. JacobS.
    Apr 13, 2008
    10
    I dont even understand how anyone could be so hard against the volta. I think they are getting nothing but better as time goes by. Cedric and Omar really hit the mark, as far as what i was expecting of a new Volta CD. Some people just have a hard time getting into it, but once you look at the complexities, and layers upon layers of great instrumentals and vocal tracks, i dont see how you couldnt at least give them credit for doing what they do best; make music that has created a new genre of its own: THE MARS VOLTA.… Expand
  16. PAbraham
    Apr 3, 2008
    9
    Mars Volta is a truly original band and this album in my opinion is their best work. The people who give this a low score must really dig unimaginative mainstream rubbish. 9/10 for this one & nothing less !
  17. JohnB.
    Jan 30, 2008
    10
    This album blows me away. The experimentation in song structure and technical precision of Amputechture combine with the fury and intensity of Frances the Mute along with the shortness of songs similar to Deloused in the Comatorium. This isn't to say that the Bedlam in Goliath isn't original because there are plenty of fresh ideas thrown around. It feels as if what hasn't been popular in the past has been excluded on this album (Not much ambiance, abrupt endings). I will take the side that this album isn't as accessible as people believed it would be simply because it is far from being identifiable. It demands attention to get into aside from maybe a few of the early songs. The Bedlam in Goliath won't convert people suddenly to this band but never has there been a better time to dive in. I will note briefly that the production of this album is absolutely superb and greatly enhances the sound Omar was going for. It is aggressive, heavy, and ominous. You will feel the very spirit of Goliath grabbing you by the throat and throwing you to the floor.… Expand
  18. MarkG
    Jan 30, 2008
    9
    The reviews remind of me of what rick Rubin said about this band when they made their first album. They will be loved or hated, because only the best bands are capable of inspiring such polar reactions. TBIG is no different. It's an incredible album that some hipster critics are too shallow and small-minded to get their heads around. There are more ideas, ability and passion in the second song 'Metatron' than what the majority of what passes for modern rock has conceived in the space of a decade.… Expand
  19. Tyler
    Jan 30, 2008
    9
    This album is amazing! Definitely pick this album up if you haven't already, This is mars Volta's 2nd best album next to Francis the Mute.
  20. JerryJ.
    Feb 16, 2008
    9
    Take the time to crack this record. The rewards are great. And terrifying. An adventure to absorb. A triumphant return from the awkwardly a-tonal (and admittedly disappointing) Amputechture. My favorite since Deloused.
  21. Joe
    Feb 29, 2008
    9
    So much music. More than 1 listen required.
  22. DjntiS
    Feb 6, 2008
    9
    I was a fan on comatorium. Then Frances and Amputechture arrived, and the tunes' quality went down favouring "the concept" which i don't really like. Along came Goliath and made me remember what is it that I like about this band, they've returned to shape and amazed me in the process!
  23. DaveB.
    Mar 29, 2008
    9
    Awesome. Almost as good as Frances the Mute. These guys are one of the best bands out there - amazing musicians.
  24. DustinC
    Mar 3, 2008
    9
    Just goes to show you that the uber-hip critics at TMT and Pitchfork want nothing more than to take a metaphorical dump on anything that rises from beyond the underground to a more mainstream audience. This album is the culmination of everything the Mars Volta have been doing since their inception. To say its nothing more than endless noodling and prog-rock cliches is a slap in the face to anyone trying to create good, creative, accessible music.… Expand
  25. ShlomiA
    Mar 9, 2008
    9
    It's a great Mars Volta album(its not everyones cup of T :) )
  26. JayL
    Apr 22, 2008
    9
    This album has to be described as incredible. "Prog Rock Cliche" is hardly a fitting title, as some of the negative reviews have donned this. This album is not De-Loused in the Comatorium, and you shouldn't expect it to be. This may be the first album that people who don't enjoy more etheral tones will appreciate, but that doesn't subtract from the funk-rock madness that drives at hundreds of miles per hour thanks to Thomas Prigden's drum talent. Whether or not you've liked Volta in the past, Bedlam is worth a couple of listens.… Expand
  27. asad31
    Sep 10, 2010
    10
    Their hardest album and another classic. Great funk influence on this album and it is really strong from start to finish with the exception of TM. Needs to be listened to several times before making a decision.
  28. Vampire25
    Dec 4, 2010
    10
    The Bedlam In Goliath takes me back to The Mars Volta's first album, De-loused In The Comatorium. More rock, less ambient. The opener Aberinkula, right off the bat, just starts out hard. Goliath, Wax Simulacra, and Ilyena are all great tracks. All In All, The Bedlam In Goliath is in my top three favorite Mars Volta albums. A-
  29. j30
    Dec 1, 2011
    9
    The Bedlam In Goliath is Mars Volta's best body of work to date. The songwriting and music is as good as it's ever been. I absolutely love this album.
  30. Itzkannious
    Nov 21, 2011
    9
    The first few listens might not capture your attention, but after that you won't be able to stop listening to this album. It never quite reaches the brilliance of Frances the mute but it comes damn near to it. Sounding more like dream theater because of the heavier direction of the music, TMV leaves the 'titans of prog' in the dust and never looks back.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
66 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 31
  3. Negative: 4 out of 31
  1. All Music Guide
    90
    This should have been the album where the Mars Volta either wore the formula down to nothing or abruptly turned in a different direction, but instead the band created an album that nearly perfects what they've been working toward.
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  2. Billboard
    80
    Most of the time, however, the band makes a righteous racket that straddles the worlds of prog rock, funk, fusion jazz and world music, with Eastern motifs spicing 'Aberinkula' and a bit of cosmic blues making its way into 'Conjugal Burns.'
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  3. Drowned In Sound
    80
    For the most part, this is the heaviest record that they’ve recorded and the most far-out as well.
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