The Mars Volta Thread (the band has un-broken up)

[twosuitsluke]

It has definitely grown on me, and I'm really enjoying it. For me TMV have been a band that I've dedicated time listening to, mainly because they are so revered within the prog community.

I really like some songs and albums, but none would come near my top 100 albums. This album has helped me 'get' the band in a way I haven't previously. I'm excited to listen to all their music again, delve into the lyrics and immerse myself in where they are at right now.

You know how sometimes you can try and try with a band, and then some perfect storm of where you are, where the band is, where the community is, the imagery of the band etc, just works for you. I'm on the cusp of that right now and that's what I love about music.

You can't bottle it, and most of the time you can't even pinpoint what was 'right'.

Do I think this album their greatest? No. Has it sucked me in and started to the process of converting me to a more hardcore fan? Absolutely. Can I stop spinning it? Nope.

I do agree with some of your points Zantera. It's the overall mood/vibe that I like on this record. I love Cedric's vocal performance as well. I don't usually watch Fantano"s reviews, but I did watch this one. I mainly see where he is coming from.

As for the extreme reactions, TMV strike as a band who have the sort of fans who make the band their whole persona. Like, the sort of person who basically only listens to TMV. Based on the fact that this album is also the first in over 10 years, some fans would have been expecting this to be some perfect second coming or something.

Add to the fact it is more pop orientated and accessible, this had the potential to make certain fans real salty. They likely have a vision of what a TMV album in 2022 looks like, and they don't actually want it to be accessible or mainstream in any way.

I'd understand if some are feeling this album is a cash grab or something, but it truly feels to me like it is just the album they wanted to record.

That's why I love artists like Devin Townsend. He does what he feels, and fanbase be damned. But through that he's left with a really open minded fanbase who embrace whatever he does, because even if you don't particularly like it, you know it's fucking genuine!

[NoseofNicko]

Great post, twosuitsluke! I also love this album!

[ariich]

That's why I love artists like Devin Townsend. He does what he feels, and fanbase be damned. But through that he's left with a really open minded fanbase who embrace whatever he does, because even if you don't particularly like it, you know it's fucking genuine!

In Devy's case, I think it also helps that 1. his stuff is SO varied that who even knows what he'll release next, and 2. he is outrageously prolific, which means that even if he releases something that doesn't do it for you AT ALL, chances are he'll release something you like within a year.

[ariich]

By the way, thank you to whoever it was earlier in the thread (I'm guessing Soundscape but can't be bothered to check ) who recommended The Mask of the Phantasm. Finally got round to checking them out and the album is fantastic.

[Zantera]

Whether people like or dislike the new album it almost feels like the band themselves don't like it considering it gets roughly 6 minutes of representation in their live setlist on the album tour. 

[Fritzinger]

bump.

anyone ever heard of ex-TMV members Thomas Pridgen and Adrián Terrazas-González new band

THE MASK OF THE PHANTASM ?

I know it's not TMV, but I was just suggested this album over the weekend and I am rather hooked!

Think The Mars Volta with a vocalist somewhat like Courtney Swain from Bent Knee, and using really tasty Saxophone at times. Like many, many Sax breakdowns.

The debut album from The Mask of the Phantasm "New Axial Age" was released in 2021, and is about 42 and a half minutes, so it hardly drags on much. But it's rather non-stop with riff after riff and breakdowns with a lot of soaring female vocals.

Very recommended for The Mars Volta fans



https://tmotp.bandcamp.com/album/new-axial-age
https://open.spotify.com/album/3HJOxfI1xGnrAzg3JjVf8b

Listening now as well!! I'm at song #4 and this album is pretty good! The opener immediately had me hooked and the singer is fantastic. I'm curious how I'll find the rest.

[Zoom E]

I don’t care for that album cover. It looks like a wad of dryer lint 

I will check it out though, as your description of their sound is intriguing.

[Nel]

I don’t care for that album cover. It looks like a wad of dryer lint 

I will check it out though, as your description of their sound is intriguing.

But it DOES look like an image TMV might have used for an album cover had they not switched to the illustrator. 

[SoundscapeMN]

Lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCuFCEDKd44

[SoundscapeMN]

Que Dios Te Maldiga Mi Corazon coming April 21st

https://us.cloudshillshop.com/pages/homepage

A few months after their self-titled seventh album announced the return of Omar Rodríguez-López and Cedric Bixler-Zavala as The Mars Volta, the group present a potent reimagining of that reunion opus. Much more than a simple “unplugged” reading of The Mars Volta’s 14 songs, this acoustic rendition furthers the mission of the source music, which drew into sharper focus the traditional Latin influences that have always inspired their music. This is, says Rodríguez-López, The Mars Volta’s version of a “folk record”, tracing the melodies and rhythms of the parent album back to their traditional Caribbean roots and challenging listeners to hear the group in an entirely new light.

[MinistroRaven]

Que Dios Te Maldiga Mi Corazon coming April 21st

https://us.cloudshillshop.com/pages/homepage

A few months after their self-titled seventh album announced the return of Omar Rodríguez-López and Cedric Bixler-Zavala as The Mars Volta, the group present a potent reimagining of that reunion opus. Much more than a simple “unplugged” reading of The Mars Volta’s 14 songs, this acoustic rendition furthers the mission of the source music, which drew into sharper focus the traditional Latin influences that have always inspired their music. This is, says Rodríguez-López, The Mars Volta’s version of a “folk record”, tracing the melodies and rhythms of the parent album back to their traditional Caribbean roots and challenging listeners to hear the group in an entirely new light.

Here's my review of the album:

https://www.sonicperspectives.com/album-reviews/the-mars-volta-que-dios-te-maldiga-mi-corazon/

[twosuitsluke]

From The Mars Volta Sub Reddit…

Omar & Cedric - IF THIS EVER GETS WEIRD

*Kept this a secret for five years. From fall 2018 until NOW!Clouds Hill Film’s documentary „Omar & Cedric - IF THIS EVER GETS WEIRD“ will premiere during Raindance Filmfestival October 28th 2023. Make sure to get your tickets! 🍿*

[https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxISnVWM3eA/?utm\_source=ig\_web\_copy\_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxISnVWM3eA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D) 


\----- 


 **Director:Nicolas Jack DaviesGermany/United Kingdom2023127** **minutesWorld Premiere**

### Events

October 28, 20239:00 pmGenesis Cinema

**Content Warnings** – graphic descriptions of drug use, death, discussion of cult conditioning, sexual assault, racist discrimination, and brief nudity

A film that charts the artistic and personal relationship between two era-defining artists, Omar Rodríguez-López and Cedric Bixler-Zavala (At the Drive-In / The Mars Volta), told almost entirely through hundreds of hours of self-shot footage filmed by Omar over the last 40 years. 


[https://raindance.org/festival-programme/omar-and-cedric-qa/](https://raindance.org/festival-programme/omar-and-cedric-qa/)


Looks real interesting!

[SoundscapeMN]

documentary premiering in February

https://program.goteborgfilmfestival.se/program/omar-and-cedric--if-this-ever-gets-weird

[twosuitsluke]

documentary premiering in February

https://program.goteborgfilmfestival.se/program/omar-and-cedric--if-this-ever-gets-weird

Bring it!

[SoundscapeMN]

US premiere at SXSW in March
https://www.instagram.com/p/C1760iPscTJ/

[SoundscapeMN]

https://variety.com/2024/film/news/mars-volta-doc-omar-and-cedric-if-this-ever-gets-weird-1235870798/

[SoundscapeMN]

short review.."Look Out for it This Summer"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX4101GYw_w

also an interview with the director at SXSW.
It sounds like interviews were shot but then not used, which sucks in some ways. I hope they will be available to see at some point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBEPQYJ0JH0