COTOPAXI

[Judging only by the quality of the song and not the single; singles that are going to be on an album are always one to two stars, for fans and completionists]

If you heartily enjoyed "Bedlam..." then you'll most likely enjoy this song; it is less tortured by electronic manipulation, and slightly less in-your-face, but could be slid straight into "Bedlam..." (maybe right after "Goliath.") The first minute and a half are that same sort of straight-forwardness, then there's a minute where it breaks down into rising guitar notes and speeds back up for the last minute and back to the straight-fowardness. lyrical quality and vocal stylings are similar to "Bedlam..." as well, although not as piercing here (nor as modified.) For me... it's just OK, lessened mostly by what could have been; it comes, it goes, (i sigh), i move on. "Bedlam..." in general was a tiring affair for me and frankly, this song doesn't bode well. I remember saying similar things about "Wax Simulacra." Then again, i said that about "Viscera Eyes" and now i love that album and song.

As a big fan of most of what The Mars Volta does, I must say that this single, and the album it comes from never really thrilled me. Too quiet? Too mellow? Too safe? Not sure but I do know the energy of DE-LOUSED and BEDLAM IN GOLIATH is missing here. "Cotopaxi" is not a bad track and it does fit into the prog category, but at a little over 3 minutes, this single is pretty pointless.This is not "Day of the Bahophets" but then nothing else in their history really is either. Just a short single for collectors only so only 2 stars. Maybe really 2 1/2