THE BEDLAM IN GOLIATH

Well... it had to happen eventually. No group can sustain the volcanic creative potential Mars Volta displayed on their 3 previous albums forever, and after many listens I can sum up my experience with Bedlam as: it might have been worse.

The problem is the albums general lack of direction and antics for the sake of antics. While not quite as big a blunder as Dream Theatre's Systematic Chaos-- Bedlam shows us what happens when an incredibly talented group of musicians forget what to do with their skills. Almost all of the songs on this album are loud, unsubtle, and soulessly complex-- not to mention repetative. I challenge the listener to remember any melodies or hooks about these tunes; you may really dig Rodriguez's frantic jams when they happen, but aren't anything new. And don't get me started on the album's ending! Yuck!

Worst of all, is Zavala's voice which is completely uninspired-- before I didn't have any idea what he was talking about, but at least I got into it... I couldn't care less what he's shrieking about now; he's just annoying here. That falsetto has got to go.

As someone who explodes with euphoria when I listen to the band's other albums, I have hope they'll get back on track. Maybe they should have taken more time to focus their ideas after the stellar Amputecture? At any rate, do yourself a favor and listen to Frances the Mute again.

Songwriting: 2 Instrumental Performances: 3 Lyrics/Vocals: 2 Style/Emotion/Replay: 1