Thoughts:
The Whip Hand: Kind of an unusual track. I really liked the synth/dubstep thing going on in the background here, but the melody seemed kind of aimless, which is a problem I've been having with recent Volta. Didn't really like it this time around, but that might change with more listens.
Aegis: Now this is what I'm talking about. Good track, good groove; the ambient rock style is something TMV does particularly well. The chorus and outro are my favorite moments here.
Dyslexicon: ... What? This is unlike anything I've ever heard. I really like it, though. My favorite of the first three tracks, definitely. The drums really stand out here. This is the kind of track I was looking forward to hearing when I heard the new album was coming out. This is the kind of mania that was sadly absent on Octahedron (which is a fine album, but I want more classic, brain-exploding Volta).
Empty Vessels Make the Loudest Sound: We've got another insanely cool ambient groove. Sort of has an Eria Tarka thing going on in the verses, and I absolutely love that track. We've got another melody problem, though; the melody, particularly in the chorus, doesn't really go anywhere. It's a darn shame. Cool lyrics though, and I rather like the bridge.
The Malkin Jewel: Ah, this one again. I like Malkin, and it was a good choice for the single. The outro is particularly spacey and cool. CLICKETY CLACK
Lapochka: Yuck. This song did nothing for me whatsoever. Positively boring. I'll give it another couple listens, but I'd be surprised if I ever really started digging this one.
In Absentia: So we've got a song divided into two distinct parts, neither of which did much for me this time around. The intro, I felt, was overly long, and the climax was unsatisfying. I feel like I just don't get this one yet. In time, I will learn to love you, In Absentia.
Imago: A rather cool track, I suppose, but it doesn't reach the highs of a few others I've heard yet.
Molochwalker: Pretty cool, as TMV rockers go. I prefer the chorus.
Trinkets Pale of Moon: I'd heard the live version of this already, and wasn't particularly excited by it. I thought hearing the studio version might fix this, but that doesn't seem to be the case right now. Musically, this piece is uninteresting, and the melody, once again, is rather lame.
Vedemalady: What a cool track! The groove during the chorus is sweet and savory, and the harmonies during the bridge are perfect. An early favorite.
Noctourniquet: I expect a lot from a title track, and this one didn't do anything for me.
Zed and Two Naughts: We round out the album with a familiar track. I really like this tune, though I feel like it could have gone on a bit longer.
All in all, it's okay. It definitely did not live up to my expectations. TMV have taken a step away from proggy craziness here and are looking to make easily digestible songs. Unfortunately, this is not something that they have ever done well. I talk a lot about melody here, and maybe that's wrong of me, but, across the board, the melodies are really weak and aimless, and it's impossible for me to enjoy songs when I can't grasp the musical idea at hand. I'll definitely give it another listen later, and who knows, maybe all it needs is time. I was lukewarm on Bedlam before falling in love with it too. From my very first listen, Noctourniquet gets 7/10.
Topic: The Mars Volta Thread (the band has un-broken up) (Read 109550 times)
