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Octahedron [CD]

The Mars Volta | Format: Audio CD
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
Price: £6.36 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Frequently Bought Together

Octahedron + Amputechture + Frances the Mute
Price For All Three: £18.75

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  • Amputechture ~ The Mars Volta Audio CD £6.87
  • Frances the Mute ~ The Mars Volta Audio CD £5.52

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Product details

  • Audio CD (22 Jun 2009)
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Mercury
  • ASIN: B0024NKK1U
  • Other Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 65,434 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

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Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s

Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or view the MP3 Album.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Samples
Song Title Time Price
Listen  1. Since We've Been Wrong 7:20£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  2. Teflon 5:04£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  3. Halo Of Nembutals 5:30£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  4. With Twilight As My Guide 7:52£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  5. Cotopaxi 3:38£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  6. Desperate Graves 4:56£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  7. Copernicus 7:22£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  8. Luciforms 8:21£0.89  Buy MP3 

Product Description

BBC Review

The fifth studio album by America's premier nu-prog exponents may not, as predicted, see them exactly 'mellow out', but it certainly sees them rein in their more histrionic tendencies.

While the album doesn't come close to vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala's description of it as 'acoustic' you do see what he's getting at. Unlike their classic work such as Drunkship Of Lanterns (from De-Loused In The Comatorium) or Francis The Mute's two multi-part suites, this is slightly more subdued fare, with the more ambient moments allowed to hang in the air for extended periods (cf: the segue between Copernicus and Luciforms).

Of course when talking of the work of Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Bixler-Zavala it's always necessary to tick off the prog tropes: Impenetrably, vocabulary-wideningly cryptic lyrics? Check. Worryingly garish sleeve art featuring sixth form surrealism? Check (though, thankfully, they've replaced the bafflingly popular kitsch of Hipgnosis' Storm Thorgerson with the work of painter Jeff Jordan). Playful sonic trickery? (the barely audible extended intro to Since We've Been Wrong) Check.

Since We've been Wrong is a strangely close cousin to Metallica's Nothing Else Matters, albeit far more musically accomplished. With Twilight As My Guide has hints of fantasy/medievalism, while Rodriguez-Lopez's guitar recreates the seagull squawks of David Gilmour. Copernicus tempers Cedric's tendency to be overly fraught in the vocal department by dealing out the fever dream creepiness that their most reflective moments can induce.

Yet there are still the stop-start thrills of Cotopaxi and Luciforms, as well as the effects-fest of Desperate Graves to keep the noiseniks happy.

Octahedron shows the band maintaining a frighteningly productive work rate (this follows Omar's fabulous solo album Old Money, and a follow-up is apparently already in the can, as well as a self-made documentary film) while continuing to mature. Their motives still seem slightly self-important, yet that's the paradoxical appeal of this kind of music. Its vaulting ambition demands over-inflated self-confidence. And MV have that in spades. --Chris Jones

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CD Description

Octahedron is the stunning new album from The Mars Volta. An album heady with the emotion and high-drama that has always been the band's trademark, their newfound simplicity and focus has delivered some of the most immediate and powerful songs in their discography. The album opens with the tender ache of "Since We've Been Wrong", Cedric's keening vocal establishing a mood that's deeply blue, powerfully melancholic, a suckerpunch that hits every bit as hard as Octahedron's unashamed rockers (the gleaming futuristic funk of "Teflon", the tense chase-music of "Cotopaxi"). Pulling back from the full-tilt experimentation of previous releases, the album invests its energies in Omar's gift for songcraft, for swooning guitar runs of high tension and emotive power ("Luciforms"' epic riffage), and for the nagging hooks and melodies that wreath the churning rhythms of "Desperate Graves".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Another surprise 23 Sep 2009
By Redshark
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
A veer towards the mainstream perhaps, generally with softer melodies and less experimental sounds. But this is still the Mars Volta and maintains their character. The vocals are unusual but beautiful. The melodies are excellent, though the first 90 seconds of the album could have been ommitted. This is still the band that has brought me more joy than any other. What will they do next?
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not their best. 30 July 2009
By Wonko
Format:Audio CD
Having been a fan of The Mars Volta for some time (since Deloused in the Comatorium) , and after being blown away by their previous album, The Bedlam in Goliath, I was slightly disappointed by Octahedron. While still musically brilliant, some of the energy from their recent albums seems to be missing. If you like some of the slower, more ethereal songs from the previous albums, then this should be to your liking.

Chances are, if you are a fan, then you are fairly open to 'different' music, in which case, give it a go, but approach with and open mind.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Different to what went on before. 16 Aug 2009
By PalominBeaut
Format:Audio CD
The album is full of nice songs, but does not excite. There are very few twists and turns and only glimpses of the past. The album is not bad by any means, but by The Mars Volta standards it is very ordinary fare. Maybe a few more listens may bring out that something that seems to be missing at the moment.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply awesome
In my opinion their best album since Deloused... The 1 and half minutes of silence at the start are worth the wait for what is to follow!
Published on 20 Nov 2010 by John Hammond
4.0 out of 5 stars Octahedron CD
This CD is worth a listen and some passages are good. Not something I'd listen too very often.
Published on 8 Sep 2010 by Deeky
5.0 out of 5 stars Just a couple of points to reinforce what others have said
Firstly, songcraft on this album is their best yet. By this I mean, giving each song what it needs, to be the best it can be. No less, no more, no filler. Read more
Published on 9 July 2010 by Supermonkey3
5.0 out of 5 stars TMV
One of the best releases of the year! Who said pop can't be good? Really good!
Published on 23 May 2010 by Bruno Martins
5.0 out of 5 stars One of their best ever
Octahedron is the definition of a grower, each listen brings the album closer to your heart and rewards you with a deeper and fuller appreciation of the superb music and lyrics on... Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2010 by Gentlegiantprog
4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, and a logical step forward
Contrary to other reviews of 'Octahedron', I wasn't a fan of The Bedlam In Goliath. I found it to be a messy album, with flashes of brilliance bogged down in noise and... Read more
Published on 14 Dec 2009 by B. Rose
4.0 out of 5 stars SWEET
Definately a lot more ambient that other Volta albums, with a couple of trademark tracks. Certainly worth owning
Published on 8 Oct 2009 by Mark Ranger
5.0 out of 5 stars The Mars Volta Live
Another great performance by The Mars Volta but this time live. The concert shows again how great these guys are musicly. It would be great if they done more live albums. Read more
Published on 8 Sep 2009 by Jon
4.0 out of 5 stars Both Haunting & Disturbing...mostly in a good way.
I've been a fan of The Mars Volta since "De-loused in the Comatorium". This album definatly more mellow than the others with the exception of "Cotopaxi". Read more
Published on 4 Aug 2009 by Smartypants
4.0 out of 5 stars Impressive album - I'll never understand them though.
I was introduced to The Mars Volta a few years ago through an article in Classic Rock magazine exploring modern Prog bands. Read more
Published on 30 July 2009 by R. Wiles
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