tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785582.post116450854931659129..comments2023-10-14T04:06:12.866-04:00Comments on Letters From A Tapehead: The Not-so Progressive Mars VoltaSean Caldwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14515711172848590436noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785582.post-91289315841690326262007-12-26T23:41:00.000-05:002007-12-26T23:41:00.000-05:00To Kristopher:Honestly, it'd been so long since I ...To Kristopher:<BR/><BR/>Honestly, it'd been so long since I wrote this up I had to reread it.<BR/><BR/>I see your point about TMV possibly reflecting versions of themselves conceptually with every album they release. My point was basically that I want them to slow down a little bit and not exhaust themselves of ideas. Granted, and you're right, it's important that TMV keep themselves interesting and not release new versions of <I>De-Loused</I> every time they hit the studio. However, my problem with their last two records was that they felt bogged down with too much to say, too much to do and too much (not spread out, mind you) crammed into their albums. I just think that they'd benefit from some focus.<BR/><BR/>But, it is just one man's opinion.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for reading,<BR/>Letters From A TapeheadSean Caldwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14515711172848590436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785582.post-64592946908196856632007-12-21T20:38:00.000-05:002007-12-21T20:38:00.000-05:00I think the problem most people have with The Mars...I think the problem most people have with The Mars Volta in general is that the ideas on album are far too spread out - but for some people, that's the entire purpose of the band in the first place. Each album is distinctly different, inasmuch as each piece has a distinctly separate inspiration and "spirit" if you will. De-Loused (and to a point, it's predecessor EP Tremulant) focused on driving, punk rock influenced prog rock. Frances the Mute was about atmosphere and clash, such as the clash in dynamics between Sarcaphogi and Umbilical Syllables. When you look at the Mars Volta, you can never really say, "oh, this isn't as good as De-Loused", because in many ways...well, TMV isn't the same TMV that did De-Loused. With Amputechture, this new version of TMV are the Spanish speaking, hip gyrating latin kings of prog rock that call up equal parts of Tito Puente rythms and Robert Fripp complexity.<BR/><BR/>In summation, I suppose as a fan of De-Loused, I agree with your review. But as a fan of The Mars Volta, i very much disagree, if that makes any sense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785582.post-1164922792724321402006-11-30T16:39:00.000-05:002006-11-30T16:39:00.000-05:00New Layout - good job. Me Likes.KelliNew Layout - good job. Me Likes.<BR/><BR/>KelliAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785582.post-1164719884101943082006-11-28T08:18:00.000-05:002006-11-28T08:18:00.000-05:00Hey "Lease,"Thanks for reading the overblown entry...Hey "Lease,"<BR/><BR/>Thanks for reading the overblown entry, despite your ADD. <BR/><BR/>I think "Amputechture" is better than "Frances The Mute" and there are a couple songs on here worth checking out. So, being a Mars Volta fan, I'd pick it up. Frusciante makes a return.<BR/><BR/>Sincerely,<BR/>Letters From A TapeheadSean Caldwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14515711172848590436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27785582.post-1164560537274904662006-11-26T12:02:00.000-05:002006-11-26T12:02:00.000-05:00although my ADD won't allow me to read this blog i...although my ADD won't allow me to read this blog in its entirety, i think i get the idea. and i totally agree. <BR/><BR/>de-loused had an emotional fluidity that made the whole album seem like one song, making it pretty much impossible to get the same effect while listening to the tracks on their own. <BR/><BR/>when francis came out, i couldn't get to the record store soon enough. but like most people, i was disappointed. while it had all the same musical and technical elements (and FLEA), it just didn't make me FEEL anything. <BR/><BR/>and now... though i'm still a self-proclaimed TMV superfan, i have yet to buy or even listen to amputechture. but i will. eventually. and i will sing all the spanish lyrics as if i know what they mean. and then you can call me a hypocrite. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com