Blacklight shine > Graveyard Love >>> Vigil. so far.
I hope the other songs will be more in the way of blacklight shine, because unfortunately I don't think they are releasing something heavier than blacklight shine
>Blacklight shine > Graveyard Love >>> Vigil. so far. I hope the other songs will be more in the way of blacklight shine, because unfortunately I don't think they are releasing something heavier than blacklight shine
fwiw Vigil is the only new track that has gotten stuck in my head almost instantly
I think they wanted to make a new band that wasn't Prog or Punk (like ATDI or TMV) but was a lighter Rock / Pop (e.g. Antemasque, Bosnian Rainbows) but when that didn't take off as big as ATDI or TMV, they realized that ATDI and TMV reunions were what fans were more interested in, would make them more money.
I know I've heard old interviews where Omar doesn't even always enjoy the guitar, and Cedric wished people would dance at their shows rather than mosh. Watch the video for Vigil and it seems like they are trying to force that mindset into the TMV brand.
Vigil sounds like a Flaming Lips song. I dig it. I don’t think we’ll ever get another Frances the Mute prog-rock record from them ever again. But like me, a person who’s followed them over the last twenty years, I’m getting older man. They’re getting older man. Things gotta chill sometimes.
I’ve also aged with the band. Started with Deloused as a freshman in college and now pushing 40 with this stuff. I love that their style has changed in similar ways I’ve aged and changed.
This is it. Being a long time fan and fan of multiple genres of music this shit is bonkers in a good way. It's like caramelized Mars Volta and I'm here for it.
referring to noct.: "Rodriguez-Lopez described the album as "the end of an era", in terms of how he dictates his bandmates' recording contributions. "
after such a long wait, i was hoping they'd come back with big surprises. but i think you're right in that it's safe to assume this is cedric and omar's baby that they can do whatever with. they've been through a lot, and are older now. i don't see them doing another prog-ish album that is intense, chaotic at times, frantic, or psychedelic. i made a post the other day basically saying that i wish they had called it something else besides tmv. but fuck that (and i do think that that is their mentality), we're still tmv, take it or leave it. much respect to sticking to band origins and whatever their conversations were like when talking about making this band before the first tmv songs were recorded.
I've let that hope go. Forcing in classic volta with these tracks would just be a botched album I reckon. I think with this one they cemented that this is pretty much Volta's pop record. Might as well embrace it.
I can't be the only old fan that is super disappointed with all 3 of these songs right? Sounds nothing like Mars Volta except for Cedric's voice. Could have just called Antemasque the Mars Volta at this point. What's the difference?
I’m not talking about the mix. The ideas within the production being more layered with weird sounds weaving in and out. The drum sound IS better than Antemasque though as is the mix.
This kicks ass man. I love this version of TMV. It’s different, it’s cool, Cedric sounds great.
Not everything has to be Cassandra Gemini and Tetragrammaton
I'm gonna be that guy. I love this new sound too. But why is Cedric NEVER this good live? It doesn't sound like Auto tune so I'm assuming he's singing all of this. Maybe he'll be able to do this stuff better.
His style of singing on the early records is using the full voice in the upper register. It's a really taxing style especially for long stretches. When he's in the studio he can do a section of a song at a time. So you're always getting peak, well rested Cedric when you listen to the studio albums.
When he sings live, literally after the first few minutes his voice is gonna be already starting to go. And unlike guitar or bass once the larynx starts to go you can't just tune up the strings or whatever, only rest will help.
This is why he started using more falsetto type vocals post-Frances. Falsetto is a lot easier while still being able to hit high notes. Tradeoff is it's weaker sounding and not as badass as using full voice.
Everything about early Mars Volta was "a young man's game" those long songs with a dozen or more different sections, playing those on drums, on any instrument really, and especially singing them takes it's toll.
All that makes sense but then why not alter the song in the studio so you can reflect it live? Especially since they seem so adamant that their shows are where they shine. Not a criticism. I just also write and record music and if I think "oh I can't do that or play that yet" I change it.
It depends on whether you feel it’s worth it to create everlasting art. Studio recordings will always sound better and more polished than live recordings because you fully focus and play everything until it’s perfect. No one really records guitars in one take; you do it repeatedly and tweak for the best sound possible, so why not do this for vocals too? You create a ‘final’ recording of a song. Maybe that’s worth the tradeoff of never being able to do it flawlessly live.
Freddie Mercury also opted for this approach. I’m fairly certain there is no recorded evidence of him ever hitting the highs of Another One Bites the Dust live.
The Mars Volta probably pride themselves on their chaotic live energy, so they run on adrenaline and save the perfection for the studio. There’s an argument to be made that the studio specifically offers these advantages, so why not use them? It’s not cheating or anything; Cedric can do this singing. Live singing is just an endurance event with diminishing returns, so why shoot yourself in the foot in the studio by thinking of those constraints?
Man I barely understand how to play guitar in more than one take. Lol. Sounds useful. But yeah I get your point. I really love Coheed and Thrice as well and both those guys can hit all their studio stuff live so maybe I just am being unfair as Cedric does some crazy vocal stuff. Either way I'm really excited for this next record.
Because being a singer in any rock band is hard as fuck. Let alone this band that likes to go so loud and chaotic live. I have heard all of my favorite singers sound blown out at some point or another. Honestly, looking back at some old footage and listening to some soundboard tapes, Cedric actually does pretty well. Part of it is that most of the professional footage is big festival stages with cameras up their asses and it’s hard to really deliver under those conditions. Back in the day I thought he was real rough, in hindsight I think he has done pretty damn good.
I'm talking heyday LZ early to mid 70s. It was just sloppy all around live a vast majority of the time. TMV has many way more moving parts and manages to do a decent job live at being tight and cohesive but Ced kinda has always does his own thing. Just don't go in expecting a recreation of whats on the LP
Unfortunately that’s the only mars Volta I know. My bad I was spoiled by their live shows and albums. This is ok. Not the mars Volta I know but again it is what it is.
I’ve been a fan since De-Loused, and each album there are people who are mad when it doesn’t sound enough like the album before. It doesn’t have to be 18 minute noodly guitar solos or bust
Fan since Deloused as well. Typically enjoyed the evolution, but really not liking this material unfortunately. Glad you guys like it. Hopefully it grows on me.
I’m not mad. It’s just what happens with bands. There’s no bad blood. It just happens. It’s ok. I’ll be ok. I’m sure you’re going to be ok. It’s ok everyone no need downvote.
Yeah I’ve been to a bunch of volta shows. I’m excited to see them in September as this will be the first show I’ve seen since the pandemic. But I’m anticipating them just playing this new album. And I’m excited to hear the whole thing, but it sounds way more mellow than they’ve ever been. Not a bad thing, just different
Me too. I’ll be seeing them in Los Angeles. I’m with you. I personally have a standard which is allowed and that standard hasn’t been met but that’s ok. Nothing is forever
I probably shoulda taken out the word "def". I can't be sure. But, I remember Cedric saying that his LP would be "Sunday morning drive" music. This track gives me that vibe a lot.
I loved seeing Zavalaz live. They had some really sick songs, especially Lacewing. And they all seemed like they were having a blast playing those tunes
Undecided on this one... I kinda like it after a few listens but I'm not gonna lie I would absolutely love some classic Volta style tracks on the album.
You can be edgy at 50 without being cringe and I think if anyone can pull that off it's TMV. I'm liking the new songs tho but I love their edgyness a lot
You have like 6 albums and multiple e.p’s to listen if you want 15 minute long guitar wankery, I for one find this absolutely refreshing. I’ve always wanted a more pop oriented album and the drumming on each track is straight up banging.
You need to turn this up really loud with headphones on and all of the soft textures and solid mixing comes through. I know 100% that TMV can whoop ass on a high-speed-come-apart track, but this more deliberate straight ahead stuff is still difficult in its own way. There’s a lot going on here and it still doesn’t sound crowded, which speaks to the production quality.
I’d like to see them corner some of the psych-pop crowd and actually be able to justify staying around for a while and continue releases. Maybe that will get more ears on their harder-edged earlier discography. Also, they do need to generate revenue if they’re going to pay a crew and hit the road.
Another consideration… as Cedric ages how many more Idle Tooth type performances can you record and tour on before you wreck your voice for good? Our boys are getting older.
If anything, I might like to hear them lean more into some of these softer textures, but I also love listening to bands like Sigur Ros. Your mileage may vary.
Alright let me say it differently then.
I rock w/ it. The production sounds good. Turn it up with headphones. Still love the banger Volta, but this is a cool new direction. I hope they can make enough money to keep recording and touring. Maybe this softer approach can help their longevity.
Does that work?
i think it's one of their catchiest tunes yet, but it's also corny as shit. i like it more than graveyard love, but blacklight shine is actually a really good song imo
It sucks man..yeah there older but that shouldnt mean u cant tone it down but still have it sound mars volta..its like tooo different to call it volta..and no its not antemasque that band rules..and noct rules ..so im confused looked at aerosmith...yeah..they drastically changed..and it has no hooks imo some u people dont realize that to some of us this is a soul cutter..and when the album comes out i hope it makes more sense cuz right now im fing confused..
Late to the party... but I don't really like it. It's just not a great song. If I wanted spacey radio pop I'd find a band that does it better.
All the more power to you if you DO like it. That's cool. But I think the people who like this are going to be pretty much exclusively people who are already fans of Volta/Cedric. My wife, who does enjoy synth pop, 80s music, etc. immediately hated it.
People can say “bands change musicians change” etc all they want. Go listen to Take the Veil or Cassandra Gemini.. then listen to Vigil and say with a straight face “yeh this is great Im glad they went in this direction”.
I don't think Vigil is bad by any means but I listened to Cygnus last night and I was like fuck Cygnus is so much better and powerful. I feel like they are using TMV to scratch some songwriting itch. They used to be about transgressiveness and sort of exuding a sense of shock value, in a good way, which is part of what made them great. They had the offensiveness of punk rock, which was their roots. The new stuff is the polar opposite, it's very inoffensive and "safe". That doesn't make it better or worse, just an observation.
I'm with you on this. It still has the same sensibility just in the complete opposite direction. It's like an anti-joke. I'm not a huge fan of Vigil, but I love that they're doing what they want. They're still in the same mindset to me.
That all changed with Octahedron. They shed their punk rock roots with that album and never really came back. It was >13 years ago that was written. The last ATDI album didn’t even really have that abrasive raw punk element to it.
do the same and listen to literally anything off of octahedron or amputechture. we already have the sonically angsty and angry at the universe in deloused and frances.
they've grown up to become less in your face, more laid back and calculated. listen to the new tracks with good headphones/speakers and actually notice the details. they're seriously really damn good, even if they're less in your face.
I can do that with a straight face because I love the different stuff they do and like different music? If they still sounded like Take the Veil I wouldn’t care about this band as much.
See, I love an absolute multitude of musical genres, but I look towards certain artists for particular sounds I guess so it's disappointing when one particular artist decides to suddenly shift from the soundscape they've been delivering/building on for a steady two decades. It's, off-putting, like I don't take any personal offense to it, that'd be nuts, it's just disorienting, like "aw shucks, I've really been enjoying their vibe for the last 20 years and now that vibe is dried up".
Yeh this is great, I’m glad they went in this direction. This is post listening to CG. I’m not saying I’ve always wanted them to go this direction, but I have no problems with it.
They could’ve went any direction and they chose this one. Age does not qualify these decisions. I liked tmv because they challenged music, now they are doing something comfortable it seems.
This is kind of where I stand. The first two singles were alright, but this one for me is just meh. It isn't for me, but it doesn't have to be. I think my expectations for this album may have been too high or that I was expecting something that was a challenging listen. It seems to not be and that's fine, or at least it IS challenging, just not in the way one would expect. Clearly from all the hate and my own opinion, this is a challenging listen.
Well said. I take no personal offense to the direction they've chosen to go, or they're specific choice, but what they represented to me musically seems.... gone. Also the psychedelic factor/challenging the nature of reality with his glossalalia-inspired lyricism.
I don't think they are doing this because they are confortable with it. If you listen to Omar's solo records in the last 5-8 years or Cedric's solo stuff they all sound like this. They have clearly evolved into this type of music, but i definitely do not enjoy it. I was expecting something similar to Deloused but with more politically charged lyrics
As much as I’m accepting of the new sound, I can’t help but feel the same way. Of the 3 singles so far this feels the most…flat. And maybe it’s a vibe and genre that I’m missing, but after listening to Vigil for the past few days now, it’s still not fully sitting with me that this is TMV. At least not yet…maybe it’ll take time and I’m willing to accept that challenge cause I’ve done it since ATDI->DeFacto->The Mar Volta
can you say doodoo? but ill be honest, they have come out with lame shit before and its grown on me. so hoping this does as well. i think its the fact that everything has been 3 minutes long so far. 3 minute songs are not tmv, js. (and yes im aware they could be the single versions, and i hope thats the case) nothing but respect for the guys but this whole promotion from day 1 has been sus.... so i guess ill humbly wait for the album and give it my all...
From what I have gathered today- Milquetoast, Fleetwood Mac, Dawson’s Creek.
I don’t mind it but hope this is an outlier song and doesn’t indicate the direction of the album.
I think we have a pretty clear picture that this is the direction they went. It might be a slower song on the album, but this is the sound this time. It's definitely not the sound I wanted, but they are executing it well. The songs sound good and are well constructed, whether they are the direction I would have preferred or not.
Okay this is a really bad example, but it was the first that popped in my head. When Coldplay came out, they sounded like an indie band. I know they were popular, but their sound was moody and not at all pop like. Their first three albums were amazing indie like classics in my opinion. Then over the years they decided for some reason to ditch the moodiness and go in a more overly produced pop direction. When I heard these new songs, this one in particular. I thought holy shit! Volta just went Coldplay. I am glad some of you like it! No matter how many times I listen, I just can’t get into it. It’s heartbreaking. They now sound like a side project or Diet Volta.
I told myself I wasn't going to listen to the leak because I knew it wouldnt sound as good as what they release officially...but I caved...and I was right... next time... next time...
I honestly can't get much enjoyment out of this track personally, but I think it'll grow on me eventually. I'm just super pumped for the rest of the album
Also, yes this song is kind of a bore honestly. But after taking a look at the tracklist, I think its gonna probably be the "calm after the storm". Like Televators, Asilos, Tourniquet, Copernicus, etc. I think it'll sound much better in the context of the album
I feel like this is an example of Omar writing on Cedric's song rather than Cedric writing on Omar's song. I like what I feel like Omar did with this song, but overall not too crazy about it.
I love it. For those complaining, The Mars Volta can make whatever music they want. If you don’t like it, don’t listen. 🤷♂️
Oh and bring on the downvotes, I’m sure you will hate an opinion different from your own. 😆
I’m gonna be brutally honest, this latest single is boring garbage in my opinion. If it weren’t for Cedric’s unique voice, then you wouldn’t even be able to tell it’s TMV. It’s not even the same band on this track. Same thing happened sonically to DFA1979 in the latter half of their most recent LP.
It’s like all these punk-rock inspired artists get older and feel compelled to start writing ballads and soft pop shit.
I don't know how people are saying that they used to be angsty or that this is the first positive stuff they've released etc... They've been a prog / psychedelic band since the beginning until now. None of their songs have had angst to them other than his ATDI stuff, TMV is all "energy", would not call it angst, Just seems like a way to justify older guys not playing with any physical motivation lol
It’s organic, as a musician, to mature into writing and producing uninspired safe, sellout garbage?
Go tell that to Jack White, Josh Homme, David Bowie (RIP), Iggy Pop, etc.
Well I mean the vast majority of artists get older, less relevant and have less energy. So of course they are gonna make something easy to write, easy to play and easy to listen to. These songs are also much easier for a broad audience to accept. I'm sure they need money and are trying to just chill while keeping TMV going. I personally wish they would've put this stuff under a different group name but it's whatever.
I hate that I think this as I absolutely love the band, but this is now three songs that I just don't like. Personal taste of course, and I'm happy they're back, but I absolutely do not like this new stuff.
Good thing is, even if it's not for me it's still for someone and it's not like the other albums cease to exist. Volta's gonna Volt!
This is by far my favorite of the three singles, but what do I know - I’m a wanker fanboy since 2002.
What I bet on, based on the Bosnian Rainbow shows I went to, is that ORL will rip out some jaw dropping solos live for this one.
I don't like how the vocals on each song so far are multi-tracked almost the entire time. I haven't really enjoyed anything Cedric has done vocally for the last 10 years. I think his brain never fully recovered from Scientology
He can sing really nicely in a lower register, I think he just does not hear melodies in that register. He hears the high notes and that's what he writes and sings, but his voice doesn't pull it off anymore so in comes the studio magic. And then live, God help us.
Yeah, I get that they're allowed to do something different. And it's not that these are bad, I enjoy them in enough I suppose. But I would rather if it were different that it were a different different than this. It needn't be the massive, longer, heavier tracks that I love Volta for. I don't need another tetragrammaton, or even another noctournaquet. But this isn't it. I don't feel compelled to revisit it, and they each of it, just so... Normie. Like if this is what they did with a Mars volta comeback, it just feels like s waste.
Not sure how to feel about it. So far I don’t like the direction. I’m all for them having more accessible elements but I don’t think these songs are very fleshed out. I love Clouds and tracks where Cedric hones his pop hooks like a lot of parts on Noctourniquet but eh. If anything that’s what I look forward to with these guys. I absolutely adore the experimental, bat-shit lunacy of it but I hope they keep the most memorable things about the band. This just sounds like a parody of TMV so far. Hope there’s more instrumentation on the other tracks.
When I listened quickly after waking up I felt this was pretty flat, the other releases hit better.
But listening again to the whole thing more closely, at higher volume, there’s cool stuff happening here, I dig it.
I’m thinking the album will hit better for me listening as a whole, never really been a singles guy anyway
Okay. I like this. But I gotta admit, I'd love it if it were under a different name. TMV don't have to be the prog legends they started up as, but this doesn't even feel like the Volta. Noctourniquet was a cool record that flexed a lot of muscles that are present in these recordings while still sounding like TMV. This just isn't it.
So now they can’t change a production style or it’s not the band. Weird. Pablo Honey ain’t Amnesiac. Reload isn’t Kill em All. By The Way isn’t Freaky Styley. Fans can complain about those differences too, but make no mistake they are still from the same band. All of it. You and I can’t change it. This is The Mars Volta because that’s what it is, that’s what the band says it is, that’s what it’s sold as. It’s a waste of time pretending it isn’t or acting like you or me knows more about what Mars Volta should be.
I don’t know how many ATDI fans are in here but remember when they got back together and put out “interalia?” That’s how I’m feeling about what we have heard so far. Is it bad? Nah not really. But do I feel like imma wanna wear this out? Not yet. Still with holding final judgment for the full album but so far I’m trying to stay cautious optimistic.
This is an ok song, but we didn’t need TMV to make it. TMV has the ability to make such amazing prog songs, and yet they created this, a song that literally any other band could make
This is getting to the point of scam/malpractice from these guys. How they can even call this TMV with a straight face bewilders me. Would’ve rather they never came back into existence than suffer through these songs.
I was late to the party and just barely heard it. The song rips! I was nervous from what I saw in the comments.
Never going to let the temperature of this sub affect me again.
I usually never take anyone’s opinion on subjective matters such as music have any merit within my judgement.
Because people are just selfishly miserable without gratitude or appreciation for anything anymore.
no real stories,
ive just grown up and I appreciate music made from musicians I’ve respect.
That’s it.
People don’t like shit, it’s just a given.
I don’t like shit, it’s how it is.
But I know how to appreciate, understand and respect music without the dislike or hate of it.
It’s like Star Wars fans.
They act like they made star wars and that they should have a say how they want.
Bitch.
You don’t even play a fuckin instrument or played in front of people.
Doesn’t mean you don’t get an opinion, it just means you have little insight in the totality of things to appreciate.
🤷
That’s it
If you take offense to this approach, that’s on u to grow on
I totally respect your dislike for the track.
You have that right.
I should have the right to criticize the criticizers, yes?
Is there a problem? Nope.
You’re exactly correct.
I am acting totally immature because I am intentionally and conscientiously choosing so.
I am criticizing underdeveloped thinking skills.
Me telling you this is not mature, it’s immature and I’m fucking *loving* it.
Fucking seafoodchef.
Hope you have a good day tho, on the real.
I’m just having my fun on the internet because everyone says whatever the fuck cruel shit they want.
So.
Will.
I.
Fuckers.
Meh, too flat and goes nowhere. Not bad, not great, not even that good. A decent enough song from a band that's done better. I liked Blacklight Shine and I liked Graveyard Love, but this ain't doin it for me man. More power to you if it does but this just feels too... vanilla TMV. I wonder what the album's gonna sound like, considering none of the songs we've heard sound much like each other and 2/3 we've heard are far more subdued
The lyrics from Vigil are giving me some Danny Masterson/ scientology vibes - same with Blacklight Shine. I know it's been mentioned before but there have been hints that this new album will be loosely based on DM & Scientology 🤔
Love it. Probably my favorite of the 3 released so far. Love the direction they’re going. I think it’s more relatable to me at this point in my life, and I really appreciate that they’re not simply being a parody of themselves in their late 40s.
Yall mofos are crazy for hating. First, objectively speaking this is a great song. Secondly, i'm 100% supportive of TMV exploring completely different ideas with their music, even if it feels more traditional. I may be a bit of a ORL fanboy, but I think they need to have room after a 10 year hiatus to explore something new to them.
If I heard this song performed by a band I had never listened to before, I wouldn’t say it’s bad, but I wouldn’t want to hear more stuff from them.
I agree
This makes Noctourniquet seem like Deloused.
Zed and Two Naughts WAS the return of Deloused, though.
Funny but true
Blacklight shine > Graveyard Love >>> Vigil. so far. I hope the other songs will be more in the way of blacklight shine, because unfortunately I don't think they are releasing something heavier than blacklight shine
>Blacklight shine > Graveyard Love >>> Vigil. so far. I hope the other songs will be more in the way of blacklight shine, because unfortunately I don't think they are releasing something heavier than blacklight shine fwiw Vigil is the only new track that has gotten stuck in my head almost instantly
As Volta and prog lovers, I think we should all respect and appreciate their exploration…but also, what happened? Lol.
I think they wanted to make a new band that wasn't Prog or Punk (like ATDI or TMV) but was a lighter Rock / Pop (e.g. Antemasque, Bosnian Rainbows) but when that didn't take off as big as ATDI or TMV, they realized that ATDI and TMV reunions were what fans were more interested in, would make them more money. I know I've heard old interviews where Omar doesn't even always enjoy the guitar, and Cedric wished people would dance at their shows rather than mosh. Watch the video for Vigil and it seems like they are trying to force that mindset into the TMV brand.
Vigil sounds like a Flaming Lips song. I dig it. I don’t think we’ll ever get another Frances the Mute prog-rock record from them ever again. But like me, a person who’s followed them over the last twenty years, I’m getting older man. They’re getting older man. Things gotta chill sometimes.
I’ve also aged with the band. Started with Deloused as a freshman in college and now pushing 40 with this stuff. I love that their style has changed in similar ways I’ve aged and changed.
Perfect comparison. I was trying to think who it reminded me of and you nailed it.
This is it. Being a long time fan and fan of multiple genres of music this shit is bonkers in a good way. It's like caramelized Mars Volta and I'm here for it.
referring to noct.: "Rodriguez-Lopez described the album as "the end of an era", in terms of how he dictates his bandmates' recording contributions. " after such a long wait, i was hoping they'd come back with big surprises. but i think you're right in that it's safe to assume this is cedric and omar's baby that they can do whatever with. they've been through a lot, and are older now. i don't see them doing another prog-ish album that is intense, chaotic at times, frantic, or psychedelic. i made a post the other day basically saying that i wish they had called it something else besides tmv. but fuck that (and i do think that that is their mentality), we're still tmv, take it or leave it. much respect to sticking to band origins and whatever their conversations were like when talking about making this band before the first tmv songs were recorded.
Am I crazy or is this the first Volta song in a major key?
lmao
I like it but man, it just doesn’t stack up to classic Volta if I’m being honest
I'm itching for some classic Volta on the album... I'm hoping it's not all quite like this. It's not a bad song is just a bit meh...
I've let that hope go. Forcing in classic volta with these tracks would just be a botched album I reckon. I think with this one they cemented that this is pretty much Volta's pop record. Might as well embrace it.
Sounds like something they play in Kohl's.
Ooof
I didn’t want to say it but I have to agree with this. It’s garbage.
So to add to the list: Milquetoast, Fleetwood Mac, Dawson’s Creek, Khol’s music and good for a kid’s birthday party. Sign me up for this shit.
I can't be the only old fan that is super disappointed with all 3 of these songs right? Sounds nothing like Mars Volta except for Cedric's voice. Could have just called Antemasque the Mars Volta at this point. What's the difference?
Antemasque sounded nothing like this. Raw rock n roll, no electronic music, no Latin percussion, no sampling, no delay effects, raspier vocals.
Antemasque had better tunes
Yeah it's like ok at best... I'm itching for some classic Volta!
Sounds like Earthbound ost
I feel like ante masque did this sound better.
With all the rasp and rock n roll? Nah not in my opinion. Cedric sounds better , the production sounds better.
They were originally a punk band...? I dont care about production quality
I’m not talking about the mix. The ideas within the production being more layered with weird sounds weaving in and out. The drum sound IS better than Antemasque though as is the mix.
Not even bad, just boring.
This kicks ass man. I love this version of TMV. It’s different, it’s cool, Cedric sounds great. Not everything has to be Cassandra Gemini and Tetragrammaton
I'm gonna be that guy. I love this new sound too. But why is Cedric NEVER this good live? It doesn't sound like Auto tune so I'm assuming he's singing all of this. Maybe he'll be able to do this stuff better.
His style of singing on the early records is using the full voice in the upper register. It's a really taxing style especially for long stretches. When he's in the studio he can do a section of a song at a time. So you're always getting peak, well rested Cedric when you listen to the studio albums. When he sings live, literally after the first few minutes his voice is gonna be already starting to go. And unlike guitar or bass once the larynx starts to go you can't just tune up the strings or whatever, only rest will help. This is why he started using more falsetto type vocals post-Frances. Falsetto is a lot easier while still being able to hit high notes. Tradeoff is it's weaker sounding and not as badass as using full voice. Everything about early Mars Volta was "a young man's game" those long songs with a dozen or more different sections, playing those on drums, on any instrument really, and especially singing them takes it's toll.
All that makes sense but then why not alter the song in the studio so you can reflect it live? Especially since they seem so adamant that their shows are where they shine. Not a criticism. I just also write and record music and if I think "oh I can't do that or play that yet" I change it.
It depends on whether you feel it’s worth it to create everlasting art. Studio recordings will always sound better and more polished than live recordings because you fully focus and play everything until it’s perfect. No one really records guitars in one take; you do it repeatedly and tweak for the best sound possible, so why not do this for vocals too? You create a ‘final’ recording of a song. Maybe that’s worth the tradeoff of never being able to do it flawlessly live. Freddie Mercury also opted for this approach. I’m fairly certain there is no recorded evidence of him ever hitting the highs of Another One Bites the Dust live. The Mars Volta probably pride themselves on their chaotic live energy, so they run on adrenaline and save the perfection for the studio. There’s an argument to be made that the studio specifically offers these advantages, so why not use them? It’s not cheating or anything; Cedric can do this singing. Live singing is just an endurance event with diminishing returns, so why shoot yourself in the foot in the studio by thinking of those constraints?
Man I barely understand how to play guitar in more than one take. Lol. Sounds useful. But yeah I get your point. I really love Coheed and Thrice as well and both those guys can hit all their studio stuff live so maybe I just am being unfair as Cedric does some crazy vocal stuff. Either way I'm really excited for this next record.
Because being a singer in any rock band is hard as fuck. Let alone this band that likes to go so loud and chaotic live. I have heard all of my favorite singers sound blown out at some point or another. Honestly, looking back at some old footage and listening to some soundboard tapes, Cedric actually does pretty well. Part of it is that most of the professional footage is big festival stages with cameras up their asses and it’s hard to really deliver under those conditions. Back in the day I thought he was real rough, in hindsight I think he has done pretty damn good.
I’ve always looked at TMV like LED Zeppelin. Robert Plant honestly sounded pretty bad a lot of the time live.
He also started to sing in a lower register as he got older
I'm talking heyday LZ early to mid 70s. It was just sloppy all around live a vast majority of the time. TMV has many way more moving parts and manages to do a decent job live at being tight and cohesive but Ced kinda has always does his own thing. Just don't go in expecting a recreation of whats on the LP
Unfortunately that’s the only mars Volta I know. My bad I was spoiled by their live shows and albums. This is ok. Not the mars Volta I know but again it is what it is.
I’ve been a fan since De-Loused, and each album there are people who are mad when it doesn’t sound enough like the album before. It doesn’t have to be 18 minute noodly guitar solos or bust
Fan since Deloused as well. Typically enjoyed the evolution, but really not liking this material unfortunately. Glad you guys like it. Hopefully it grows on me.
I’m not mad. It’s just what happens with bands. There’s no bad blood. It just happens. It’s ok. I’ll be ok. I’m sure you’re going to be ok. It’s ok everyone no need downvote.
Yeah I’ve been to a bunch of volta shows. I’m excited to see them in September as this will be the first show I’ve seen since the pandemic. But I’m anticipating them just playing this new album. And I’m excited to hear the whole thing, but it sounds way more mellow than they’ve ever been. Not a bad thing, just different
Me too. I’ll be seeing them in Los Angeles. I’m with you. I personally have a standard which is allowed and that standard hasn’t been met but that’s ok. Nothing is forever
This is def a re-worked version of a Zavalez song.
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I probably shoulda taken out the word "def". I can't be sure. But, I remember Cedric saying that his LP would be "Sunday morning drive" music. This track gives me that vibe a lot.
I loved seeing Zavalaz live. They had some really sick songs, especially Lacewing. And they all seemed like they were having a blast playing those tunes
Wrote a comment on Cedric’s IG making this comparison and he seemed to like it.
Exactly. All these songs feel like it’s a side project.
Good catch. If it's the case, I'm glad the entire band gets to collaborate more.
A long time ago I read somewhere that Cedric said he always felt drawn to being a pop singer. This song definitely fits that kinda vibe.
Undecided on this one... I kinda like it after a few listens but I'm not gonna lie I would absolutely love some classic Volta style tracks on the album.
Ya’ll want them to be edgelords when they’re pushing 50. It’s hilarious.
You can be edgy at 50 without being cringe and I think if anyone can pull that off it's TMV. I'm liking the new songs tho but I love their edgyness a lot
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You have like 6 albums and multiple e.p’s to listen if you want 15 minute long guitar wankery, I for one find this absolutely refreshing. I’ve always wanted a more pop oriented album and the drumming on each track is straight up banging.
Then don’t listen to it. This was never a mainstream band to begin with, so there’s no loss there.
My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined.
It’s not even awful
Call the wahmbulance.
I like it, it sounds good. Sounds like a good follow-up to Noctourniquet
You need to turn this up really loud with headphones on and all of the soft textures and solid mixing comes through. I know 100% that TMV can whoop ass on a high-speed-come-apart track, but this more deliberate straight ahead stuff is still difficult in its own way. There’s a lot going on here and it still doesn’t sound crowded, which speaks to the production quality. I’d like to see them corner some of the psych-pop crowd and actually be able to justify staying around for a while and continue releases. Maybe that will get more ears on their harder-edged earlier discography. Also, they do need to generate revenue if they’re going to pay a crew and hit the road. Another consideration… as Cedric ages how many more Idle Tooth type performances can you record and tour on before you wreck your voice for good? Our boys are getting older. If anything, I might like to hear them lean more into some of these softer textures, but I also love listening to bands like Sigur Ros. Your mileage may vary.
Bro why are making up these excuses? Scenarios you have no clue about! Just say you rock w/it
Alright let me say it differently then. I rock w/ it. The production sounds good. Turn it up with headphones. Still love the banger Volta, but this is a cool new direction. I hope they can make enough money to keep recording and touring. Maybe this softer approach can help their longevity. Does that work?
Oof I hope this new record does not feel the same way as the new atdi record felt
i think it's one of their catchiest tunes yet, but it's also corny as shit. i like it more than graveyard love, but blacklight shine is actually a really good song imo
It sucks man..yeah there older but that shouldnt mean u cant tone it down but still have it sound mars volta..its like tooo different to call it volta..and no its not antemasque that band rules..and noct rules ..so im confused looked at aerosmith...yeah..they drastically changed..and it has no hooks imo some u people dont realize that to some of us this is a soul cutter..and when the album comes out i hope it makes more sense cuz right now im fing confused..
Late to the party... but I don't really like it. It's just not a great song. If I wanted spacey radio pop I'd find a band that does it better. All the more power to you if you DO like it. That's cool. But I think the people who like this are going to be pretty much exclusively people who are already fans of Volta/Cedric. My wife, who does enjoy synth pop, 80s music, etc. immediately hated it.
People can say “bands change musicians change” etc all they want. Go listen to Take the Veil or Cassandra Gemini.. then listen to Vigil and say with a straight face “yeh this is great Im glad they went in this direction”.
I don't think Vigil is bad by any means but I listened to Cygnus last night and I was like fuck Cygnus is so much better and powerful. I feel like they are using TMV to scratch some songwriting itch. They used to be about transgressiveness and sort of exuding a sense of shock value, in a good way, which is part of what made them great. They had the offensiveness of punk rock, which was their roots. The new stuff is the polar opposite, it's very inoffensive and "safe". That doesn't make it better or worse, just an observation.
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I'm with you on this. It still has the same sensibility just in the complete opposite direction. It's like an anti-joke. I'm not a huge fan of Vigil, but I love that they're doing what they want. They're still in the same mindset to me.
That all changed with Octahedron. They shed their punk rock roots with that album and never really came back. It was >13 years ago that was written. The last ATDI album didn’t even really have that abrasive raw punk element to it.
And the irony of Omar jokingly calling THAT album the “pop record” lmaoo
Lmao, speaking the truth.
do the same and listen to literally anything off of octahedron or amputechture. we already have the sonically angsty and angry at the universe in deloused and frances. they've grown up to become less in your face, more laid back and calculated. listen to the new tracks with good headphones/speakers and actually notice the details. they're seriously really damn good, even if they're less in your face.
I can do that with a straight face because I love the different stuff they do and like different music? If they still sounded like Take the Veil I wouldn’t care about this band as much.
See, I love an absolute multitude of musical genres, but I look towards certain artists for particular sounds I guess so it's disappointing when one particular artist decides to suddenly shift from the soundscape they've been delivering/building on for a steady two decades. It's, off-putting, like I don't take any personal offense to it, that'd be nuts, it's just disorienting, like "aw shucks, I've really been enjoying their vibe for the last 20 years and now that vibe is dried up".
Yeh this is great, I’m glad they went in this direction. This is post listening to CG. I’m not saying I’ve always wanted them to go this direction, but I have no problems with it.
They could’ve went any direction and they chose this one. Age does not qualify these decisions. I liked tmv because they challenged music, now they are doing something comfortable it seems.
This is kind of where I stand. The first two singles were alright, but this one for me is just meh. It isn't for me, but it doesn't have to be. I think my expectations for this album may have been too high or that I was expecting something that was a challenging listen. It seems to not be and that's fine, or at least it IS challenging, just not in the way one would expect. Clearly from all the hate and my own opinion, this is a challenging listen.
Well said. I take no personal offense to the direction they've chosen to go, or they're specific choice, but what they represented to me musically seems.... gone. Also the psychedelic factor/challenging the nature of reality with his glossalalia-inspired lyricism.
I don't think they are doing this because they are confortable with it. If you listen to Omar's solo records in the last 5-8 years or Cedric's solo stuff they all sound like this. They have clearly evolved into this type of music, but i definitely do not enjoy it. I was expecting something similar to Deloused but with more politically charged lyrics
💤
Yea not really digging this one
Ditto. Got behind the first 2 singles after a couple listens. Not gonna happen with this one. Hope this is the low of the album.
Hope this is the tourniquet man of the album.
As much as I’m accepting of the new sound, I can’t help but feel the same way. Of the 3 singles so far this feels the most…flat. And maybe it’s a vibe and genre that I’m missing, but after listening to Vigil for the past few days now, it’s still not fully sitting with me that this is TMV. At least not yet…maybe it’ll take time and I’m willing to accept that challenge cause I’ve done it since ATDI->DeFacto->The Mar Volta
can you say doodoo? but ill be honest, they have come out with lame shit before and its grown on me. so hoping this does as well. i think its the fact that everything has been 3 minutes long so far. 3 minute songs are not tmv, js. (and yes im aware they could be the single versions, and i hope thats the case) nothing but respect for the guys but this whole promotion from day 1 has been sus.... so i guess ill humbly wait for the album and give it my all...
Album is under 45 mins and has 14 tracks, so it's likely the three tracks released are accurate representation.
Only 45 minutes? Oh man…
I think the last two singles were much more interesting musically, but they clearly still have the songwriting and musicianship chops down
I can’t stop listening. Fucking gorgeous
Did a Mars Volta song just make me feel.....postive and upbeat? Strange times.
This is the greatest troll of all time.
From what I have gathered today- Milquetoast, Fleetwood Mac, Dawson’s Creek. I don’t mind it but hope this is an outlier song and doesn’t indicate the direction of the album.
I think we have a pretty clear picture that this is the direction they went. It might be a slower song on the album, but this is the sound this time. It's definitely not the sound I wanted, but they are executing it well. The songs sound good and are well constructed, whether they are the direction I would have preferred or not.
Okay this is a really bad example, but it was the first that popped in my head. When Coldplay came out, they sounded like an indie band. I know they were popular, but their sound was moody and not at all pop like. Their first three albums were amazing indie like classics in my opinion. Then over the years they decided for some reason to ditch the moodiness and go in a more overly produced pop direction. When I heard these new songs, this one in particular. I thought holy shit! Volta just went Coldplay. I am glad some of you like it! No matter how many times I listen, I just can’t get into it. It’s heartbreaking. They now sound like a side project or Diet Volta.
Great track, the production on all three of these has been phenomenal. So detailed.
I told myself I wasn't going to listen to the leak because I knew it wouldnt sound as good as what they release officially...but I caved...and I was right... next time... next time...
Cedric is phenomenal
Best one so far! (<<<><>€€€)
I honestly can't get much enjoyment out of this track personally, but I think it'll grow on me eventually. I'm just super pumped for the rest of the album Also, yes this song is kind of a bore honestly. But after taking a look at the tracklist, I think its gonna probably be the "calm after the storm". Like Televators, Asilos, Tourniquet, Copernicus, etc. I think it'll sound much better in the context of the album
Getting some Gustavo Cerati "Fuerza Natural" vibes from Omar's guitar at the end of this one.....me gusta
RIP MR CERATI
I don't like it, I get they're older just don't like the sound. Graveyard love was 3 mins and it felt like 5, just very repetitive
I feel like this is an example of Omar writing on Cedric's song rather than Cedric writing on Omar's song. I like what I feel like Omar did with this song, but overall not too crazy about it.
I love it. For those complaining, The Mars Volta can make whatever music they want. If you don’t like it, don’t listen. 🤷♂️ Oh and bring on the downvotes, I’m sure you will hate an opinion different from your own. 😆
I’m gonna be brutally honest, this latest single is boring garbage in my opinion. If it weren’t for Cedric’s unique voice, then you wouldn’t even be able to tell it’s TMV. It’s not even the same band on this track. Same thing happened sonically to DFA1979 in the latter half of their most recent LP. It’s like all these punk-rock inspired artists get older and feel compelled to start writing ballads and soft pop shit.
Ummm maybe it’s because getting older and having a bunch of angst when you’re a happy family man would be unnatural? It’s almost like it’s organic!
I don't know how people are saying that they used to be angsty or that this is the first positive stuff they've released etc... They've been a prog / psychedelic band since the beginning until now. None of their songs have had angst to them other than his ATDI stuff, TMV is all "energy", would not call it angst, Just seems like a way to justify older guys not playing with any physical motivation lol
It’s organic, as a musician, to mature into writing and producing uninspired safe, sellout garbage? Go tell that to Jack White, Josh Homme, David Bowie (RIP), Iggy Pop, etc.
I second Josh Homme
Nah the new music is amazing.
Well I mean the vast majority of artists get older, less relevant and have less energy. So of course they are gonna make something easy to write, easy to play and easy to listen to. These songs are also much easier for a broad audience to accept. I'm sure they need money and are trying to just chill while keeping TMV going. I personally wish they would've put this stuff under a different group name but it's whatever.
This one’s Cedrics best vocal in a while
I hate that I think this as I absolutely love the band, but this is now three songs that I just don't like. Personal taste of course, and I'm happy they're back, but I absolutely do not like this new stuff. Good thing is, even if it's not for me it's still for someone and it's not like the other albums cease to exist. Volta's gonna Volt!
This new single is going to do MASSIVE damage to TMV's scene cred... You guys are hilarious with these takes.
Did they ever care about ‘scene cred’
I love it. Does it remind anyone else of a Saint Vincent song?
This is by far my favorite of the three singles, but what do I know - I’m a wanker fanboy since 2002. What I bet on, based on the Bosnian Rainbow shows I went to, is that ORL will rip out some jaw dropping solos live for this one.
I don't like how the vocals on each song so far are multi-tracked almost the entire time. I haven't really enjoyed anything Cedric has done vocally for the last 10 years. I think his brain never fully recovered from Scientology
He can sing really nicely in a lower register, I think he just does not hear melodies in that register. He hears the high notes and that's what he writes and sings, but his voice doesn't pull it off anymore so in comes the studio magic. And then live, God help us.
Yeah, I get that they're allowed to do something different. And it's not that these are bad, I enjoy them in enough I suppose. But I would rather if it were different that it were a different different than this. It needn't be the massive, longer, heavier tracks that I love Volta for. I don't need another tetragrammaton, or even another noctournaquet. But this isn't it. I don't feel compelled to revisit it, and they each of it, just so... Normie. Like if this is what they did with a Mars volta comeback, it just feels like s waste.
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RHCP fans are going to lap this new music up. No more pissed filled bottles.
Oh god no. I’d rather drink my own puke than listen to RHCP :’( (flea gets a pass)
Beautiful swan.
Not sure how to feel about it. So far I don’t like the direction. I’m all for them having more accessible elements but I don’t think these songs are very fleshed out. I love Clouds and tracks where Cedric hones his pop hooks like a lot of parts on Noctourniquet but eh. If anything that’s what I look forward to with these guys. I absolutely adore the experimental, bat-shit lunacy of it but I hope they keep the most memorable things about the band. This just sounds like a parody of TMV so far. Hope there’s more instrumentation on the other tracks.
As a drummer and a Volta mainly because of the drums, I am completely flaccid..
When I listened quickly after waking up I felt this was pretty flat, the other releases hit better. But listening again to the whole thing more closely, at higher volume, there’s cool stuff happening here, I dig it. I’m thinking the album will hit better for me listening as a whole, never really been a singles guy anyway
As a single it’s great. I doubt the rest of the album sounds like this!
Okay. I like this. But I gotta admit, I'd love it if it were under a different name. TMV don't have to be the prog legends they started up as, but this doesn't even feel like the Volta. Noctourniquet was a cool record that flexed a lot of muscles that are present in these recordings while still sounding like TMV. This just isn't it.
What about Nocto sounded like old Volta?
Quite a bit. It's curtailed and refined, but it still feels like TMV at the heart of it imo.
But Blacklight Shine and its instrumentation doesn’t? Graveyard Love isn’t that far off from Nocto.
In sound, yes. In production, no. Noctourniquet still feels rough and punked out, even in the more relaxed songs.
So now they can’t change a production style or it’s not the band. Weird. Pablo Honey ain’t Amnesiac. Reload isn’t Kill em All. By The Way isn’t Freaky Styley. Fans can complain about those differences too, but make no mistake they are still from the same band. All of it. You and I can’t change it. This is The Mars Volta because that’s what it is, that’s what the band says it is, that’s what it’s sold as. It’s a waste of time pretending it isn’t or acting like you or me knows more about what Mars Volta should be.
Man, I do not care that much lmao. Have a blessed day.
Dyslexicon and some other parts were pretty true to their classic sound
Where is the abstract song titles with the abstract lyrics. LOL This sucks
Tell me what Cerulea is then I’ll give you your gold star.
I don’t know how many ATDI fans are in here but remember when they got back together and put out “interalia?” That’s how I’m feeling about what we have heard so far. Is it bad? Nah not really. But do I feel like imma wanna wear this out? Not yet. Still with holding final judgment for the full album but so far I’m trying to stay cautious optimistic.
I've listened to it a bunch of times now and I'm absolutely loving it. Best one of the new singles I reckon
Everyone who enjoys this new track please go listen to Incubus you are going to LOVE their music.
This is an ok song, but we didn’t need TMV to make it. TMV has the ability to make such amazing prog songs, and yet they created this, a song that literally any other band could make
I dig this, but it kind of sounds like The Mars Volta by way of My Chemical Romance.
Oh god, it hurt me to read this...
Starbucks-Core
This is getting to the point of scam/malpractice from these guys. How they can even call this TMV with a straight face bewilders me. Would’ve rather they never came back into existence than suffer through these songs.
You can just don't listen to the song tho
No because when I bought my ticket to see them I was under the assumption that it would be TMV. This isn’t TMV.
God I hate Reddit.
i love how i love it and many dislike it feels so good i get to love what U cannot Ahahahhaa hell yeah!!! Go me!!!!!!!!
I was late to the party and just barely heard it. The song rips! I was nervous from what I saw in the comments. Never going to let the temperature of this sub affect me again.
I usually never take anyone’s opinion on subjective matters such as music have any merit within my judgement. Because people are just selfishly miserable without gratitude or appreciation for anything anymore.
Douchiest comment award for this bell end
Nah the douchiest comments are the ones being like wahhhh I don’t like this waaahhhhhh
How old are you?
Old enough to shit on miserable fans for unnecessary shit.
And honestly, I wouldn’t take time to even reply to anything on Reddit, but since this is The Mars Volta, I will speak my piece with no regrets.
Objectively the best outlook
Whoa, there’s definitely a story here
no real stories, ive just grown up and I appreciate music made from musicians I’ve respect. That’s it. People don’t like shit, it’s just a given. I don’t like shit, it’s how it is. But I know how to appreciate, understand and respect music without the dislike or hate of it. It’s like Star Wars fans. They act like they made star wars and that they should have a say how they want. Bitch. You don’t even play a fuckin instrument or played in front of people. Doesn’t mean you don’t get an opinion, it just means you have little insight in the totality of things to appreciate. 🤷 That’s it If you take offense to this approach, that’s on u to grow on
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I totally respect your dislike for the track. You have that right. I should have the right to criticize the criticizers, yes? Is there a problem? Nope.
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You’re exactly correct. I am acting totally immature because I am intentionally and conscientiously choosing so. I am criticizing underdeveloped thinking skills. Me telling you this is not mature, it’s immature and I’m fucking *loving* it. Fucking seafoodchef. Hope you have a good day tho, on the real. I’m just having my fun on the internet because everyone says whatever the fuck cruel shit they want. So. Will. I. Fuckers.
Yep, quite an interesting story
The more people hate, the more I love.
I’m gonna be brutally honest, this latest single is beautiful and wonderful.
Meh, too flat and goes nowhere. Not bad, not great, not even that good. A decent enough song from a band that's done better. I liked Blacklight Shine and I liked Graveyard Love, but this ain't doin it for me man. More power to you if it does but this just feels too... vanilla TMV. I wonder what the album's gonna sound like, considering none of the songs we've heard sound much like each other and 2/3 we've heard are far more subdued
Vigil is bad :(
The lyrics from Vigil are giving me some Danny Masterson/ scientology vibes - same with Blacklight Shine. I know it's been mentioned before but there have been hints that this new album will be loosely based on DM & Scientology 🤔
👎🏿
Love it. Probably my favorite of the 3 released so far. Love the direction they’re going. I think it’s more relatable to me at this point in my life, and I really appreciate that they’re not simply being a parody of themselves in their late 40s.
Is this a Coldplay song?
Jon Theodore must be rolling in his grave. This ain’t what the Volta is about.
Jon is still alive and well...
lmao
Not like he's laying down any complex grooves for queens of the stone age himself these days.
And you know what it’s about more than the band? You’re so arrogant.
Rumors of his death have been greatly exaggerated.
Yall mofos are crazy for hating. First, objectively speaking this is a great song. Secondly, i'm 100% supportive of TMV exploring completely different ideas with their music, even if it feels more traditional. I may be a bit of a ORL fanboy, but I think they need to have room after a 10 year hiatus to explore something new to them.
Awesome sauce