Reviewed by Judasfry
Okay, kiddies, first a bit of musical history on what has to be one of the most incredible rock bands ever (that's right I said ever, and if you don't agree, your taste is all in your mouth!).
There once was a band called At The Drive-In from El Paso TX, and they were great pop-punk for the 90's. Unfortunately, they were kinda locked into repetitive style by the limits of marketing, members skills, style, etc. But the genius portion of that band (Cedric Bixler-Zavala, and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez) parted ways from ATDI and formed a project called De Facto (a free-form jazz, dub reggae like group). De Facto didn't blossom, and so they sought out some other like-minded musicians and formed what could only be called this generation's Led Zeppelin: THE MARS VOLTA.
De-Loused was their first full length release (an earlier 3 song EP called Tremulant was the actual first release of this seminal band). It is a concept album about a man (Cerpin Taxt) who attempts suicide, and while in a week-long coma experiences a multitude of other-worldly sights and sounds. Loosely based on an artist friend of the band Julio Venegas.
Completely unfettered by the limits of corporate rock and radio edits (although one track Televators was edited sadly for radio-play for the purposes of exposing the dopey masses of eleven-teen year olds), it takes us on a journey through the depths of the sorrows that led our hero to this decision, and the heights that may possibly be his redemption. Omar, being the maestro, beautifully opens with what can only be understood as the interpretation of the sound of a heart monitor and the chaos of an emergency room, Cedric, chiming in with a bit of an introduction to our hero's current state of mind and body,
"Clipside of the pinkeye flight
I'm not the percent you think survives
I need sanctuary in the pages of this book
Gestating with all the other rats
Nurse said that my skin will need a graft
I am of pockmarked shapes
The vermin you need to loathe..."
From there the pace quickens, maddeningly, and doesn't stop until we get to the perviously mentioned "ballad" of the album, Televators. They made a video for this that features a tarsier (a tiny primate known for committing suicide when in captivity), that eventually leaps to his death from a tree branch, a reference to the end that Cerpin takes himself.
Clocking in at an hour, it's a wild ride that shows the ferocious abilities of the incredible performers. I wish I could declare a favorite tune, but this is something that must be experienced as a whole to truly enjoy. Like dropping that hit of acid, you need to prepare for the whole ride. I've seen this band live twice, and they not only re-create the sounds of their albums perfectly, but go into extended jams that put them even further above most of what we are being force-fed by corporate owned radio, and major labels.
Imagery, and sound being perfectly blended is all I can say, so do yourself a favor and check this out ASAP if you haven't already.
'Nuff said!'
[The "Real" Music Nerd says:
Dude, you and Zep. They were not the only band. I was thinking Black Sabbath, Rush, and early Peter Gabriel, too. Not just Zep. You need more than just one old beat up Zep record, hippie.]
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