THE BEDLAM IN GOLIATH

The Mars Volta don't mess about on The Bedlam in Goliath, or to put it another way? they most certainly do. The album is the most instant Mars Volta album to date; literally, Opener 'Aberinkula,' seems to burst out of the speakers like its trying to escape from something dangerous, appearing almost to start before you've hit the play button.

Gone are the slow burning intros, the slow electronic pieces between songs weaving a subtle web around the album, instead the listener is greeted to pure punk fury basically the whole record, albeit with a proggy aftertaste. The album is heavier than all the other Mars Volta albums, but contains just as much trippy saxophone solos (with a particularly excellent one towards the end of the aforementioned 'Aberinkula') Latin percussion, synthesizers, backwards music and bizare lyrics as you've come to expect from this unique band.

The Bedlam in Goliath has shifted its focus from 'Epic,' to 'Immediate,' and while this takes some getting used to, it is an excellent record that any serious fan should be able to enjoy.

Highlights include the catchiest ever Mars Volta song, 'Goliath,' which is a drumming masterpiece, as well as the haunting, effects soaked slow number 'Tourniquet Man,' and the supremely interesting 'Agadez.'

At first listen, the album is very brash, noisy and 'In Your Face,' with many high pitched screeching instruments competing for space in a busy stereoscopic environment that seems to be almost exclusively inhabited by things designed to hurt the human ear. Once you get past the distractions however there is a fantastic album to be enjoyed, and one that I would gladly recommend to you. If you like The Mars Volta's faster or Heavier moments, this is the album for you