2009 Album Releases: THE MARS VOLTA - OCTAHEDRON

Prog-rockers The Mars Volta release their fifth, Octahedron on June 22nd worldwide and in the US on the 23rd. I'm amazed by the fact that these guys have almost released an album every year and they were talking about this record in Jan 2008, the same month they were to release The Bedlam in Goliath. This is so unusual as bands usually focus on one record at a time but these guys have stated that their next two albums have already been recorded. AWESOME for us fans!! I have gained an appreciation for these guys over the years because it is a bit different from other rock bands and nowadays with the onslaught of electro-pop/punk sounding records they are, dare I say it; a breath of fresh air.

This record is supposed to be less heavy than their previous work and Omar Rodríguez-López went so far as to say it was their acoustic album. However, don't expect a typical acoustic record! If you can't wait to hear what they are doing you can get a taste with their first single 'Cotopaxi' below. The sound quality is actually quite good.

Tracklisting:

1. Since We've Been Wrong
2. Teflon
3. Halo of Nembutals
4. With Twilight as My Guide
5. Cotopaxi
6. Desperate Graves
7. Copernicus
8. Luciforms

FYI, I didn't get AC/DC tickets even to the two other shows that were subsequently released the same day. I knew they would sell out quickly and I didn't feel like camping out for them...will only do that for one band and did it once already!