OCTAHEDRON

This is a clear step down in speed and complexity from Mars Volta, enough to make this album very diffrent from any album they did before. At first that comes as a shock, but after only a few listens, its a pleassent surprice. Not that this is the Mars Volta i prefer from everything else they did, but in the way that change is great, and after 4 full lengt albums of 120% complexity, a bit of simplicity is nice. Mars Volta have shown on every recording that they can write a melody of a quality that very few band can. On this record that is excatly what they are doing, over and over.

The opening track "Since We've Been Wrong" a slow ballad, based on a beautiful accustic guitar melody, with a lead guitar hanging under the vocal. Full band kicking in after about 5 min., the kind of song you will find yourself singing in the bathroom.

After that "Teflon" with more tempo, Bass/Drum driven Rock, but still not as complicated as we are used to with Mars Volta. Anyway a heavier track, Cedric hitting a higher pich, and more "acid" keyb., again a very strong melody. "Halo of Nembutals" is the track that reminds most of early Mars Volta, melodi is not the main thing here, and the arrangement is more complicated, with the drummer at hard work for the entire 5,30 min, need to mention an underlying jazz'y piano at the end, reminding me of Crimsons Cat Food.

"With Twilight as My Guide" another supreeme melody, slow ballad speed, again with a very beautiful acc. guitar base, and a beautiful emotional keyboard, combined with Rodríguez Giutar "sounds" giving the track a space-rock feel, that you would find on early Floyd.

"Cotopaxi" is the albums Heavy upspeed track, with odd times, sudden breaks, and Drumm/Bass/Guitar driven Rock riffs. Only about 3,30 min, but clearly a HIT in my book.

"Desperate Graves" Again a track that remind of Mars Volta in their early days. But somehow not the track that stands out.

"Copernicus" the slow track that i love the most atm., the melodi is so strong it make me shit my pants every time . Songwriting of the highest level. Would be a 6 stars out of 5, if they had not used electronic drums in the middle of the track. Something that i simply dont understand on a song like this one . That said still a wonderfull song !!!! Great accustic piano sound at the second half.

"Luciforms" the ending track. Stands out, with a more freeform rock, the tracks got a "jam- session" feel to it, even though its clearly not. Solo's are more evident than on other tracks. Vocal more an instrument than a melodi, and there is a clear build up over the "sesion".

In my opinion a great album, that i would hate to have missed. A Bedlam II might have turned me of from Mars Volta, i need change, but with this realease i just cant wait for more.

I would like to give it 5 stars, but i know they can do even better, so i'll keep the last star for the next one d:)

4,5 rounded down