The Hawkeye

Issue date: 11/11/09 Section: Freestyle

After Mars Volta's previous explosive album release, The Bedlam in Goliath, the band decided to attempt an acoustic album: Octahedron. Comprised of only eight songs, this record takes great liberty with the usage of their artistic license. However, the band enjoys creating different kinds of music. Therefore, a different concept to the term, "acoustic" album.

Fans everywhere surely gave a sigh of relief at the production of this album. In albums past, individual tracks would easily reach an astonishing ten minutes, and if that wasn't enough, song breaks for each of the bands musician's creativity would continue on into a seeming eternity. Mellow and straightforward, Octahedron becomes much more palatable for Mars Volta connoisseurs.

The Mars Volta was founded by Cedric Bixler-Zavala (vocalist) and Omar Rodríguez-López (guitarist). This dynamic duo previously appeared in a band named At the Drive-In, which featured the single, "One Armed Scissor."

The Mars Volta could easily run off of the energy that Cedric and Omar bring to the band. No one need know that there are any other band members with those two guys around (They are iconic).

Before I go any further with this notion, I need to introduce the other pivotal members of the band. Juan Alderete de la Peña provides major support for the band through his amazing bassist abilities; Thomas Pridgen plays alongside Juan on the drums. Thomas is easily one of the most accomplished drummers to date. Isaiah "Ikey" Owens lays down some seriously off the wall sounds on the keyboard, and Marcel Rodriguez-Lopez provides some percussion in the background.

On a very important note, each of these musicians play at the very top of their game. Therefore, Mars Volta only produces music that is not only brilliant, but also seeks a creativity level that most bands will never achieve. Sadly, this creativity may limit their following as their music could be compared to a fine wine; an acquired taste for those listeners with an experienced palette.

Octahedron begins with the splendid melody, "Since We've Been Wrong" contributing to the album's acoustic sound. However, this charade does not last long as "Teflon" and "Cotopaxi" continues in the footsteps of The Bedlam in Goliath. A few of these songs could be likened to a glorified improv session similar to the band's previous albums. Not to worry though, only a couple songs follow this formula.

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