Summary:Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante guests on the prog-rock band's third studio disc, which features eight tracks clocking in at an epic total of 76 minutes.
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.
The album is little different than their two previous atom bombs, De-Loused in the Comatorium and Frances the Mute -- tense and anxious, continually pushing the boundaries of extreme production, with long periods of dynamics that rise ever higher, followed by an explosion of release (usually screaming hard rock with storms of atonal brass and horns).
It seems to prove a cardinal rule about art and ambition; if you paint in too many colors, you end up with mud brown. The Mars Volta could fill up whole galleries with canvases this color, and with Amputechture, have constructed another monochromatic monument to wild, uninhibited excess.
Truly beautiful. Amputechture is TMV's most mature work, often flying between rock, jazz and soul. Don't get me wrong, this album 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
To Lewis T: First of all, Amputechture is absolutely amazing. I am a biased souce though since TMV is my favorite band and I crave for any To Lewis T: First of all, Amputechture is absolutely amazing. I am a biased souce though since TMV is my favorite band and I crave for any new material all the time. Even now, I can't wait for ANOTHER release. But you included some bashes in your review which I thought were unnecessary. Radiohead overrated? not in the slightest. Where do you get off saying that load of BS? They're making music for the same reason as TMV.. through feeling and a love for music. Go listen to OK Computer and come back and talk your crap with some actual support and maybe, just maybe, you won't look like a douche bag.…Expand
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 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.…Expand
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 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
The mars volta come back once again, witrh a piece of modern art transfigurized in music. Their progressive rock sounds stronger and more The mars volta come back once again, witrh a piece of modern art transfigurized in music. Their progressive rock sounds stronger and more cohese then ever, with Omar's amazing riffs assaulting my senses in the best possible way. Cedric's Lyrics continue with his unique terminology that reminds me the surreal writtings of William S Burroughs, transforming our very own reality. One thing that i had against Frances the mute was the long electronic skits, a problem that was corrected in this current album, with the electonic "riffs" complementing Omar's raging guitar. Its a really GREAT album, more cohese and thoughtfull then their previous works. I'm sorry for the bad english, but, fuck man, i'm portuguese, and my english is much better then your portuguese. Peace out! One last thing: i compare listening this album with listening john coltran's kulu se mama. Dysfunctional melodies, a concept that i never thought possible.…Expand
The best new test to the age old question: am I a poser? Best found by answering the question: do I like this album? Nothing reedeming. The best new test to the age old question: am I a poser? Best found by answering the question: do I like this album? Nothing reedeming. Talented musicians dissapearing into their own indulgences. They've always sound like they're masturbating... it's just that now, they don't even sound like they're enjoying it.…Expand
