BY ELGIN SMITH
When I first considered doing a review of the Mars Volta, a few thoughts came to mind: Being a fan of progressive rock, I thought it would be an exhilarating concert to attend - one that could achieve sensory overload. Listening to the band's studio releases sometimes gets me to the point of disinterest, but, I thought, seeing a live show could sway me into putting the Mars Volta into the you've-gotta-see-them-in-concert category. Thankfully, I was right. (Although I do wish earplugs had been available at the venue.)
From the onset, the Mars Volta was very much on point, bringing the prog to KC like few bands have in recent years. Guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez played with such ear-melting precision it was hard to keep up. Coupled with lead singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala's vocals, the two frontmen absolutely reproduced the power and technical precision that marks the records, along with progressive rock in general.
The prog label is still applicable to the Volta, but the group has certainly evolved in a different direction from traditional practitioners of the genre. MV has the firepower to rival longtime prog acts like King Crimson, but because of the dark abyss the group's compositions create -- along with Bixler-Zavala's soulful vocals -- the band seems to be more like a mishmash of Van der Graaf Generator and Black Sabbath. No matter what the Mars Volta's category, the show featured music that was as creative as any listener could expect, while thriving on the precision that the Volta has become known for.
The diversity of the set list was one of the most refreshing aspects of the show. While you might expect the band's new album, Octahedron, to dominate the show, listeners were treated to a solid mix of old and new. There were four from the new LP, but there were also four from the band's 2003 debut, De-Loused In the Comatorium.
While the band did perform a few of their more easily recognizable numbers, such as "Roulette Dares (the Haunt Of)", they consistently seemed to follow up with breakdowns into absolute guitar shredding action that Rodriguez-Lopez has come to be known for. "Viscera Eyes" was just one that stuck out as technically astounding.
Bixler-Zavala, after doing his best Roger Daltrey take on microphone swinging, informed the audience as to the historical significance of a track that was composed before two members left the original band's lineup. His description of those two members was a bit more colorful, and the audience certainly appreciated his sentiment. The set also included tracks from three of the Volta's other albums, leaving none of their studio catalog untouched.
An hour and 40 minutes after the ear-piercing cohesiveness that is the Mars Volta's live show concluded, I was definitely heading in the direction of the you-gotta-see-them-in-concert fan. Although the band's studio releases are nothing short of amazing, the pure skill demonstrated on stage is certainly worth seeing.
I do suggest bringing earplugs, though.
Set List
Son Et Lumiere
Intertiatic E.S.P.
Goliath
Cotopaxi
Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of)
Viscera Eyes
Halo Of Nembutals
Eunuch Provocateur
Ilyena
Teflon
Drunkship Of Lanterns
Luciforms
The Widow
Wax Simulacra
Showing 1-4 of 4
Gutes Thema. Bin zwar nicht ganz eurer Meinung, aber das ist ja auch kein Forum hier. Bleib am Ball.
Yea, Cedric wasn't real clear on who he was talking about, but I do agree that At the Drive-In definitely had some quality stuff. The track that followed his rant (really the only talking he did during the show) is from the Volta's "Tremulant" EP, though.
"historical significance of a track that was composed before two members left the original band's lineup. His description of those two members was a bit more colorful, and the audience certainly appreciated his sentiment"
factual error here. The two "F-Ups from our last band" as Cedric described, referred to himself and Omar, who were previously in an amazing band called At The Drive-In. Check them out sometime.
like
dislike
