The Bedlam In Goliath
by The Mars Volta
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 153 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 133 out of 153
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 153
  3. Negative: 8 out of 153

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  1. quidnick
    Oct 22, 2013
    10
    This fourth epic tale from the Mars Volta does not have the sprawling 10 minute plus tracks of it's predessesors... but that's completely acceptable given the presence of tracks like 'Goliath', 'Cavalettas' and 'Metatron' which give no quarter to 4/4. 'Ilyena' paints a soundscape of it's own in 5 minutes, and 'Conjugal Burns' wraps it all up in a red bow. Let's talk about the cover art,This fourth epic tale from the Mars Volta does not have the sprawling 10 minute plus tracks of it's predessesors... but that's completely acceptable given the presence of tracks like 'Goliath', 'Cavalettas' and 'Metatron' which give no quarter to 4/4. 'Ilyena' paints a soundscape of it's own in 5 minutes, and 'Conjugal Burns' wraps it all up in a red bow. Let's talk about the cover art, too. Man! There hasn't been album art this great since ELP's 'Tarkus'. If you happen to come across 'Bedlam' on vinyl, frame that baby!… Expand
  2. skyminster
    Aug 23, 2013
    10
    The Bedlam In Goliath is mental, for that, and many other reasons I love it! The Mars Volta are one of my favourite bands, and this is my favourite album by them. It's the most insane, most funky, and has the least amount of weird noises of any Mars Volta album (except from maybe Noctourniquet... But that's different). This album is consistently brilliant and is ever changing with it'sThe Bedlam In Goliath is mental, for that, and many other reasons I love it! The Mars Volta are one of my favourite bands, and this is my favourite album by them. It's the most insane, most funky, and has the least amount of weird noises of any Mars Volta album (except from maybe Noctourniquet... But that's different). This album is consistently brilliant and is ever changing with it's styles and lyrics. The best songs are Goliath, Metatron, Wax Simulatra and Agadez.
    The Bedlam In Goliath reperesents The Mars Volta at it's very best, with consistently brilliant songs. So I give this album a... 99/100!    … Expand
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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-
  6. 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.
  7. dharp2793
    Sep 6, 2010
    6
    this album had incredible potential. it could have been the best Mars Volta album since Deloused. the combination of Omar's incredible, busy, almost schizophrenic (in a good way) songwriting, and Pridgen's considerable drum talent, this album could have been phenomenal. however, the constant effects on Cedric's voice ruin the entire experience for me. don't get me wrong, i like some of thethis album had incredible potential. it could have been the best Mars Volta album since Deloused. the combination of Omar's incredible, busy, almost schizophrenic (in a good way) songwriting, and Pridgen's considerable drum talent, this album could have been phenomenal. however, the constant effects on Cedric's voice ruin the entire experience for me. don't get me wrong, i like some of the songs. i love Wax Simulacra, Goliath, Things Behind the Sun, and half of Tourniquet Man. However, i will take the beautiful, unadulterated vocals of Octahedron a thousand times over before this.… Expand
  8. 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 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
  9. 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 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
  10. KayY
    Apr 13, 2008
    8
    I love this band for trying not to recreat or repeat what they've already done in the past, or copy the others like all those current "indie" bands out there. They're one of the few bands that constantly change and show me a new world everytime they put a new record. I just can't wait to see what's waiting for us at the end of this roller coaster. A generous applause I love this band for trying not to recreat or repeat what they've already done in the past, or copy the others like all those current "indie" bands out there. They're one of the few bands that constantly change and show me a new world everytime they put a new record. I just can't wait to see what's waiting for us at the end of this roller coaster. A generous applause and 8 for their bravery.… Expand
  11. EinarJ.
    Apr 10, 2008
    6
    The album isn't bad, and is great music, but, to be frank, it is just not appealing. They seem to be starved of their previous creativity and it's by no means immense. 'Ilyena' is quite amazing though.
  12. 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 !
  13. 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.
  14. NoelS.
    Mar 28, 2008
    0
    They were cool when they first came out, now they're just kind of trying too hard.
  15. Sense!
    Mar 24, 2008
    8
    Any mars volta album is an album to buy. Recently the only good stuff coming out is f*cking folk music and its soooo booooring! This cd tears apart everything you know about music and mashes it up - you need to repeat it several times -- only old people won't like this music - IT IS FANTASTIC!
  16. KGFReeze
    Mar 17, 2008
    7
    Way better than Amputechture but still not as worthy as De-Loused. I'm cool with going "out" i just need the playing to have a purpose and sometimes Omar, I'm gonna be honest with ya, you lose me, and it didn't always used to be this way. Hone it in, blow yourself and all of us away. And you don't need 63 records a decade to impress us, you're good, we get it, now Way better than Amputechture but still not as worthy as De-Loused. I'm cool with going "out" i just need the playing to have a purpose and sometimes Omar, I'm gonna be honest with ya, you lose me, and it didn't always used to be this way. Hone it in, blow yourself and all of us away. And you don't need 63 records a decade to impress us, you're good, we get it, now make a FLAWLESS record. The talent's there, stop meandering.… Expand
  17. ShlomiA
    Mar 9, 2008
    9
    It's a great Mars Volta album(its not everyones cup of T :) )
  18. GlenH.
    Mar 8, 2008
    6
    Some very strong musicality on this record, most evident perhaps from TMV's new drummer. Still, I'm unable to see what all the hubub is about. The vocal 'melodies' are contrived, repititious, and boring. Sure the band rocks, but the frontman lets me down. If TMV could take one step back from being so 'experimental' and write something not quite to "far Some very strong musicality on this record, most evident perhaps from TMV's new drummer. Still, I'm unable to see what all the hubub is about. The vocal 'melodies' are contrived, repititious, and boring. Sure the band rocks, but the frontman lets me down. If TMV could take one step back from being so 'experimental' and write something not quite to "far removed" from whatever they're trying so hard to be removed from, I think they would really break into the hearts of so many more music lovers (not necessarily the masses).… Expand
  19. 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 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
  20. 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.
  21. NoelW.
    Mar 2, 2008
    8
    Hmmm.... challenging music, complex and far removed from pop structures. But it rewards multiple listens, and then it opened up, suddenly, and I found myself listening to individual songs as if they were entire albums. Don't be fooled by the noisy attack--- this is a clever, thoughtful album.
  22. Joe
    Feb 29, 2008
    9
    So much music. More than 1 listen required.
  23. JA
    Feb 27, 2008
    4
    Someone call Rick Ruben to save TMV from Fusion of confusion.
  24. TimP
    Feb 21, 2008
    8
    It is tough for me to comprehend the inherent backlash of critics against every Mars Volta album. I have not been there from the beginning so I wouldn't call myself a FAN but this album is undeniably great. Weirdness offset by some truly classic hard guitar, drums, and high pitched vocals. Most of the time people on these sites and critics especially truly indulge what is weird, for It is tough for me to comprehend the inherent backlash of critics against every Mars Volta album. I have not been there from the beginning so I wouldn't call myself a FAN but this album is undeniably great. Weirdness offset by some truly classic hard guitar, drums, and high pitched vocals. Most of the time people on these sites and critics especially truly indulge what is weird, for the Volta, I think this (lyrics aside) is one of there more mainstream albums. Not to say that it isn't very unique. Why the hate?… Expand
  25. HC
    Feb 20, 2008
    4
    Like Muse, you can only take it in bursts. But since the songs are like 7 minutes long, it's almost no good at all.
  26. EvanL.
    Feb 20, 2008
    10
    The new drummer tears it up.
  27. 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
  28. 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.
  29. AidanK
    Feb 16, 2008
    4
    I found this record really disapointing, the tracks seem to sound very similar to one another, which is reall yquite surprising for this band. I think their first two albums are much better,
  30. 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.
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Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Most Discussed Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 31
  3. Negative: 4 out of 31
  1. AllMusic
    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.'
    Read full review
  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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