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Man, I love The Mars Volta. And when I set out to find a place to discuss The Mars Volta, no thread answered my search queries. I'm sure some other of you cool kids are into TMV so I thought to make this. Who is The Mars Volta The Mars Volta is a Progressive-Rock band with influences in Jazz, Punk, Traditional Hispanic Music and other Prog-Rock sounds and cryptic and at times nonsensical lyrics. The two people you may know in the band are bassist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, who last year released seven albums, and vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala who, like Omar, were both in Post-Hardcore Punk band At the Drive-In. As of 2009 they have released five albums and have a sixth on the way. Why is part of the title in Spanish? Because there is a good amount of songs with Spanish segments and some songs are entirely in Spanish. Releases
Tour Dates They're unfortunately just finishing a tour with only a few more dates left taking place in Hong Kong and Australia. WASDF fucked around with this message at 11:26 on Mar 4, 2012 |
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Aug 13, 2011 04:20
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I loving love The Mars Volta, and personally Deloused in the Comatorium is my absolute favorite album followed by the recent Octahedron. I can't wait to hear what they put out next.
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Aug 13, 2011 05:18
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WASDF posted:The Sixth Album Well that's kind of disappointing  After Octahedron sucked because it felt so accessible and like it was trying to appeal to the masses who hadn't heard TMV yet rather than being innovative like the rest of their releases, I was really hoping their next would be a return to form. Maybe it still will be, who knows. That quote doesn't inspire much confidence, though.Besides Octahedron, I love every single thing they've done and I have since I was around 14 and got into them, right before Frances came out. I still can't really decide what my favorite album of theirs is, though. I used to think for a while that Frances was it, but I love De-Loused just as much, and Amputechture's absolutely a contender as well. Bedlam is loving great and I love it, but I can't say it's my favorite. Listening to it start to finish gives me a headache, honestly. That's because it's such a goddamn aural onslaught, but still. I can pick up De-Loused, Frances or Amputechture and listen to those anytime, whereas listening to Bedlam all the way through is a unique experience that I only partake in every once in a while.
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Aug 13, 2011 07:24
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Omar is definitely not the bassist, though he did play bass on Acrobatic Tenement back in the day! ATD-i was, is, and will always be one of my favorite bands, and the first few TMV albums blew me away. They've been lackluster lately, and none of Omar's solo work has really caught my attention, even back in early high school when I was all about these guys. Bedlam was a step back in the right direction, but the last album they released was just flat out boring to me. Here's to hoping. Oh, and Frances the Mute still might be one of the greatest albums I've ever heard.
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Aug 13, 2011 07:39
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Just to reiterate, Omar is the guitarist rather than bassist, though he has played bass on several of his solo albums, De Facto (a dub project) and as mentioned in At the Drive-In. The new material is sounding pretty fantastic. Cedric is on top form and the new drummer (Deatoni Parks) is fantastic. Some of the highlights - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ablAtMf4i0 Trinkets Pale of Moon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m25z6QmGfc The Malkin Jewel If you like the Mars Volta you'd be doing yourself a great disservice by not checking into Omar's vast side project catalogue. It's a bit overwhelming considering it's size and variety (last year we got 8 albums) but many of it has the same players as the Mars Volta records. A good starting point is Telesterion as it's a best of, but it still misses out on quite a few great tracks. I could go into detail about which albums to look out for spefically if anyone is interested (off the top of my head Xenophanes and Un Escorpion Perfumado), but as you can imagine there's a lot of material to cover. Best of all though, you can check out full albums free streaming from his site - http://omardigital.rodriguezlopezproductions.com/ Bonus videoof Deatoni Parks ripping it up with the Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group before it was official he was in the Mars Volta - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH-VEtS0HzM&feature=relmfu
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Aug 13, 2011 09:56
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Gah. I knew he wasn't the bassist, I think I just got it in my head that he was from ATD-I. I'll fix it. Also, my favorite ORL albums are Un Escorpion Perfumado and Cryptomnesia. Cryptomnesia is basically a TMV album and it's really great if you haven't heard it. WASDF fucked around with this message at 15:54 on Aug 13, 2011 |
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Aug 13, 2011 15:52
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There's an Omar Rodriguez-Lopez thread, but it died right when Omar decided not to release any albums in 2011. I'm really excited to hear any kind of teaser for LP6, since their live show a couple of months back in Atlanta was phenomenal. Having Cedric take his time on getting around to the album has done wonders, as he sounds better live since Frances The Mute. The band has described the album was 'future punk', which I believe is quite accurate. I'm hoping for noodlin' and some kick-rear end jamming, but I'm worried that we're going to get another Octahedron. It feels like TMV is really trying to appeal to the mainstream audience, despite the fact that The Widow (and their older slow songs) did quite well on mainstream radio.
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Aug 13, 2011 16:06
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I don't think they're trying to appeal to mainstream audiences. I think Cedric misses their days in ATD-I probably.
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Aug 13, 2011 16:23
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cedric is a scientologist
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Aug 13, 2011 17:15
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Webbeh posted:The band has described the album was 'future punk', which I believe is quite accurate. I'm hoping for noodlin' and some kick-rear end jamming, but I'm worried that we're going to get another Octahedron. It feels like TMV is really trying to appeal to the mainstream audience, despite the fact that The Widow (and their older slow songs) did quite well on mainstream radio. I don't think it will sound anything like Octohedron. No one would describe Octohedron as "future punk", and I have a feeling this new album will sound like nothing they've ever done before, which is great. Omar has released enough noodly Latin psychedlic fusion to keep our ears busy for the next decade I think it's good for TMV to move on to a new sound now
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Aug 13, 2011 18:41
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They definitely don't seem to be appealing to the mainstream. More tracks: Aegis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aDC3qVA-XY&feature=related Dyslexicon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6o3xrIgzNA&feature=related Molochwalk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwmXi_9yCeg&feature=related
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Aug 13, 2011 19:04
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Earwicker posted:I don't think it will sound anything like Octohedron. No one would describe Octohedron as "future punk", and I have a feeling this new album will sound like nothing they've ever done before, which is great. I should clarify: I meant "like Octahedron" in regards to being bland and unfocused. The only tracks that really stood out to me on Octahedron were the latter 4 tracks of the album. And, Omar on backing vocals. About time.
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Aug 13, 2011 19:16
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I'm wondering whether he'll be singing on the album. He did the backing vocals for Octahedron live, but not on the album. He's released a few more albums since then with him singing now though, and with Cedric wanting a fresh sound, it could be that they use his voice.
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Aug 13, 2011 19:32
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I just wish they'd reunite and run a tour with ATD-i so I can sell everything I own and go to every show.
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Aug 14, 2011 06:44
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Webbeh posted:There's an Omar Rodriguez-Lopez thread, but it died right when Omar decided not to release any albums in 2011. I know of this thread, but I hope no one cares if I ask this in here. I loved Cryptomnesia, but I was always reluctant to go for any of his other stuff because instrumentals don't usually interest me. Which of Omar's albums have vocals in them, and how many of the songs have vocals?
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Aug 15, 2011 00:24
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Grab Xenophanes for more Omar goodness, all the tracks have spanish vocals except for two filler tracks. Have a music video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUIg-WMcDIo
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Aug 15, 2011 03:05
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Wiggles Von Huggins posted:I know of this thread, but I hope no one cares if I ask this in here. I loved Cryptomnesia, but I was always reluctant to go for any of his other stuff because instrumentals don't usually interest me. Which of Omar's albums have vocals in them, and how many of the songs have vocals? Rapid Fire Toolbooth has 2-3 songs with vocals with Cedric. Same with Calibration. Xenophanes, Solar Gambling, Los Suenos, and one more or so have Ximena on vocals.
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Aug 15, 2011 04:27
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Wiggles Von Huggins posted:I know of this thread, but I hope no one cares if I ask this in here. I loved Cryptomnesia, but I was always reluctant to go for any of his other stuff because instrumentals don't usually interest me. Which of Omar's albums have vocals in them, and how many of the songs have vocals? The majority of his albums are either instrumental or have Spanish vocals. Here's what I recommend Instrumental: Sepulcros De Miel (was once free, I don't know how SA feels about downloading something that was ONCE free), and another "free" album called Omar Rodriguez & John Frusciante English/Giberish + Noodling: Se Dice Bisonte Buffalo (actually one of my favorites), Calibration Spanish + Noodling: Escorpion Perfumado, Xenophanes, Solar Gambling. and I'd also recommend Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fungus for some high-octane ear gently caress and sweet jams WASDF fucked around with this message at 06:58 on Aug 15, 2011 |
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Aug 15, 2011 06:53
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Yipes, it's only thinking about it that it's already been 2 years since Octahedron. From what I've heard of their live performances this album this will be an enjoyable one, even if they've yet to return to the glory of Amputechture (tell me you don't love that bongo(?) solo in Day of the Baphomets, I dare you).
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Aug 15, 2011 12:25
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WASDF posted:The majority of his albums are either instrumental or have Spanish vocals. Here's what I recommend Absence and Old Money are both amazing solo albums that are more or less the "TMV sound" without Cedric's vocals. The rest have a bit more experimentation and exploration, sans Se Dice and Calibration. And yes, Tesseraction, the bongo surprise in the breakdown of Day of the Baphomets is incredible, especially when you consider the song takes lyrics from an old Deloused-era b-side.
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Aug 15, 2011 17:02
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I think Amputechture's greatest moment is Day of the Baphomets right when the congas start and on. I find a lot of Amputechture unfocused and the parts where they jump into an entirely different thing in a song aren't as effective as they are in say Frances the Mute. Gimme one page gimme one page...
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Aug 15, 2011 20:40
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it's so strange when people say amputechture was unfocused and then refer to frances the mute being moreso. frances the mute bores the hell out of me, which puts it at the bottom of my list. the new album sounds like a mix of octahedron and amputechture which is cool, amputechture is my favorite and octahedron was solid.
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Aug 15, 2011 20:52
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I think Amputechture is boring in a lot of places. A lot of the songs go on for way too long and like I said, I think they're unfocused. Octahedron would be pretty boring if it weren't just 50 minutes as I find that album extremely simple, which is fine. I think Bedlam in Goliath and Frances are TMVs most exciting. Frances get's a little boring near the last two Cassandra Gemini songs)
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Aug 15, 2011 21:42
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I think Day of the Baphomets from Amputechture is still one of the best songs TMV has ever done, and Meccamputechture is pretty good as well, but yeah I'd agree as an album it's not very musically cohesive compared to others, and the other tracks are good in parts but have a lot of weak spots. Bedlam is their most consistantly "on" album IMO but these days if I am in the mood for that sort of music I will more likely listen to Omar's Old Money or one of his other albums. Cedric kind of grates on me after a while.
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Aug 15, 2011 22:12
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WASDF posted:I think Amputechture is boring in a lot of places. A lot of the songs go on for way too long and like I said, I think they're unfocused. Octahedron would be pretty boring if it weren't just 50 minutes as I find that album extremely simple, which is fine. Not to mention "The Widow" is by and far the worst song ever written by Omar and played by the band. I just felt like Amputechture was pretty much the pinnacle of their growth. The band was the biggest it has ever been and there were so many different things going on that made it unique. The horn section was phenomenal. "Asilos Magdalena" is probably their best slow song, besides "Vicarious Atonement" and it didn't scream "THIS IS THE ALBUMS SINGLE" like "The Widow" or "Vermicide". Also, someone mentioned it not feeling "musically cohesive", but I thought that was what they were trying to do with that album? I remember them saying they viewed the songs as seperate from eachother, because they all told a different story,... or something. Could be wrong. "Cassandra Gemini" only holds my interest through a couple of the movements, although I really like "Miranda.." and "Cignus..". I'm still bitter they cut "L'via.." so much for the video, too. I remember that really pissing off quite a few people. Either way though, Frances had a couple of really good moments but everything else about it seemed way too... bad, I guess. To each their own.
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Aug 15, 2011 23:09
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warzero. posted:Not to mention "The Widow" is by and far the worst song ever written by Omar and played by the band. I don't see anything wrong with The Widow, I really love that song. I really don't agree with you on any of what you're saying, but just because their intent was to distinguish each song doesn't mean that was a good decision. There's no flow in Amputechture even in the songs; it jumps around far too much to even be interesting.
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Aug 15, 2011 23:20
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I saw them live (for the fourth time) in Melbourne last Sunday, and it was pretty epic. All the new stuff sounds fantastic, Deantoni Parks is amazing, and the three 'classic' songs they played - Inertiatic ESP, The Widow, and Goliath - were all the best versions I've ever heard live. And they all look like they're having a ton of fun on stage, especially Juan and D. I miss Ikey though.
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Aug 16, 2011 01:51
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They only played three old songs?  I mean, I'm sure their sets can be only a few songs long if they play a few of their longer tracks. But those three combined are <20 minutes long.
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Aug 16, 2011 02:08
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Must've been new album + old songs
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Aug 16, 2011 02:48
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I gotta admit, I don't get this band at all. All my friends are on their dick. To me, it's all annoying as poo poo.I like schizophrenic, abrasive and avant-garde music, but this is just so wanky and...irritating. The vocals are probably the worst part for me. That said, I do admire the instrumental aspect of a lot of their songs, minus the really drawn out ambient/noise parts. Is there a special MV release that I might like more, or would I do better to look up some of the sideprojects?
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Aug 16, 2011 03:26
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the Bunt posted:I gotta admit, I don't get this band at all. All my friends are on their dick. To me, it's all annoying as poo poo.I like schizophrenic, abrasive and avant-garde music, but this is just so wanky and...irritating. The vocals are probably the worst part for me. http://omardigital.rodriguezlopezproductions.com/album/telesterion This should be a good starting point for Omar's albums. e: How did I miss until just now that a Cryptomnesia song is on Telesterion? God I love that side-project, I really wish we'd get the other album and live touring that was teased last year.
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Aug 16, 2011 03:44
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They kinda lost me with last year's onslaught of Omar albums (I think I just got burned out trying to keep up with them) but it's been a while since I really dug into these guys and "future punk" sounds like a pretty interesting concept, so I'm kind of excited for this. Amputechture and Octahedron didn't really stick with me as much as Deloused, Francis, and Bedlam, so hopefully I dig this when it comes out.the Bunt posted:That said, I do admire the instrumental aspect of a lot of their songs, minus the really drawn out ambient/noise parts. Is there a special MV release that I might like more, or would I do better to look up some of the sideprojects? FakeEdit: or what Webbeh said, yeah
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Aug 16, 2011 03:51
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I'm just starting to get into these guys. My friend gave me De-Loused and I love the poo poo out of it, mostly through Cedric's singing. I got Amputecture or whatever and it doesn't seem to be sticking with me as well, I don't like the production as much and I don't feel like Cedric gets as much of a chance to shine, he's by far my favorite part of the band. Is there another good album for Cedric singing?
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Aug 16, 2011 04:11
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Bruce Boxliker posted:I'm just starting to get into these guys. My friend gave me De-Loused and I love the poo poo out of it, mostly through Cedric's singing. I got Amputecture or whatever and it doesn't seem to be sticking with me as well, I don't like the production as much and I don't feel like Cedric gets as much of a chance to shine, he's by far my favorite part of the band. Is there another good album for Cedric singing? Maybe you should check out At The Drive-In, Cedric and Omar's primary pre-Mars Volta band.
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Aug 16, 2011 04:15
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De-Loused in the Comotorium is one of the best albums I've ever heard, but I really can't get into most of what The Mars Volta put out. I still try though! -Atom- fucked around with this message at 04:30 on Aug 16, 2011 |
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Aug 16, 2011 04:21
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Bruce Boxliker posted:I'm just starting to get into these guys. My friend gave me De-Loused and I love the poo poo out of it, mostly through Cedric's singing. I got Amputecture or whatever and it doesn't seem to be sticking with me as well, I don't like the production as much and I don't feel like Cedric gets as much of a chance to shine, he's by far my favorite part of the band. Is there another good album for Cedric singing? Frances the Mute has some excellent amazing Cedric vocal work. You would definitely want to check out the b-side to the album (the track "Frances the Mute") after finishing the album too. Octahedron is certainly Cedric's album, since the vocals are about the most interesting thing about the album.
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Aug 16, 2011 04:42
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-Atom- posted:De-Loused in the Comotorium is one of the best albums I've ever heard, but I really can't get into most of what The Mars Volta put out. Absolute agreement. If you have a substance of choice, take such substance and realize the concept of the album. Put some headphones on and fall into the blackness. It's a man fighting against the demons of his drug overdose while in a coma. "Now I'm Lost" Just the first words conjure up such meaning in context. It's an album where you have to listen in full the first time with the meaning in your mind, then listen again. It's beautiful. I hate sounding like a weird hippy, but close your eyes and listen to this album and enjoy the visuals. I'm paraphrasing the actual meaning of the concept, but I feel I've got the gist of it. It's one of the best albums I've ever come across.
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Aug 16, 2011 05:03
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bunky posted:"Now I'm Lost" The first words of the album are actually "Clipside of the pink eye fight, I'm not the percent you think survives, I need sanctuary in the pages of this book"  Though that interpretation makes sense.
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Aug 16, 2011 05:12
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Happy Hippo posted:Maybe you should check out At The Drive-In, Cedric and Omar's primary pre-Mars Volta band. Webbeh posted:Frances the Mute has some excellent amazing Cedric vocal work. You would definitely want to check out the b-side to the album (the track "Frances the Mute") after finishing the album too. EDIT: I feel like sharing this. I randomly found this girl on myspace and she has some pretty killer piano/vocal covers of Tetragrammaton and Miranda. Check her piano run of Tetra's opening riff, pretty awesome. http://www.myspace.com/conniehan
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Aug 16, 2011 05:13
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Rageaholic Monkey posted:The first words of the album are actually "Clipside of the pink eye fight, I'm not the percent you think survives, I need sanctuary in the pages of this book" Ah poo poo, I forgot about the vocals in the intro track. Oh well!
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Aug 16, 2011 05:16
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