Good job, Tony. Your reviews are always complete and cover everything you need to know.

I think some of the vocals on this record are the catchiest vocals that cedric has produced thus far. I don't really see how anyone can consider this mainstream or more mainstream because in my opinion it's their oddest and most diverse release yet. De-loused was not produced by Omar, every album produced after De-loused is what the Mars Volta truly intended to be.

Originally Posted by UndertheTELE

I think some of the vocals on this record are the catchiest vocals that cedric has produced thus far. I don't really see how anyone can consider this mainstream or more mainstream because in my opinion it's their oddest and most diverse release yet. De-loused was not produced by Omar, every album produced after De-loused is what the Mars Volta truly intended to be.

Agreed. I don't think De-loused is all its cracked up to be anyway... Its really digestable and dare I say boring. I think Frances kills that album in every respect but that's just me... TBiG is actually getting close to Frances as far as how these albums rank for me anyways.

That's a good review, man. I'd give it a higher rating just cause I'm a fanboy, but I'm in love with this album.

Pretty good album but I hate his new vocal style.

Good review. I was very interested about this album, and considering it is the mars volta, you never know what you are in for.

Originally Posted by SteveLikesMusic

Pretty good album but I hate his new vocal style.

What new vocal style?


I thought the review is good, but you did set off a firestorm with me. TMV and Co&Ca do not feature the same vocal styles at all. As much as I love Claudio, I don't think Claudio has the talent that Ced has to control his voice, even when it's at one end of the spectrum or the other. It's just not a fair comparison.

I think this is their best album since Deloused personally, the last 2 TMV albums weren't my style at all.

Originally Posted by Julia Conny

Good job, Tony. Your reviews are always complete and cover everything you need to know.

Aw, thanks, Julia.

Originally Posted by guitarnick20

Definitely a well written review and I agree with a good majority of what was said/given points wise for the album. I think the vocals need to be categorized in two sections however: Melodies and Performance. Ceddy's performance leaves much to be desired but I think that his vocal melodies and harmonies are his best to date. They're really creative and blend a whole lot of genres while still making it all work together somehow.

The vocal performance on the disc becomes more standable and even enjoyable/likable after sustained listening. This album is definitely a grower...

If you don't like it though honestly, just listen to Thomas Pridgen's drumming, the man is a fucking machine. I think this album was something that could've been released prior to De-loused and Frances. It sounds like they've regressed back into ATD-I to me, which is totally a breath of fresh air I think. This album is just a lot of fun.

The vocals are creative, but at times it feels like he doesn't try as hard. Part of the band's appeal has always been the vocals, and there are songs where he makes me as the listener not care what he's singing about, and that's what disappointed me.

And Thomas Pridgen is the man. I'm glad that he came through big on this CD because I remember when he joined, the people arguing that he wasn't good enough.

Originally Posted by UndertheTELE

I think some of the vocals on this record are the catchiest vocals that cedric has produced thus far. I don't really see how anyone can consider this mainstream or more mainstream because in my opinion it's their oddest and most diverse release yet. De-loused was not produced by Omar, every album produced after De-loused is what the Mars Volta truly intended to be.

But this album isn't an hour of noise and crazy stuff going on mixed with a majority of near-unintelligible lyrics. Frankly, that's a good thing. I like being able to sing along with some of this CD, even if it feels like sometimes what I'm singing is nonsensical. But maybe that's just me.

Originally Posted by GiggsOho

I thought the review is good, but you did set off a firestorm with me. TMV and Co&Ca do not feature the same vocal styles at all. As much as I love Claudio, I don't think Claudio has the talent that Ced has to control his voice, even when it's at one end of the spectrum or the other. It's just not a fair comparison.

They're both strong vocalists, but my biggest gripe with Coheed's new album is that Claudio toned down his voice...there's less yelp to it. Likewise, it feels that some of the songs on The Bedlam have Cedric's vocals with a little more of a "rock" sound to them, and it ends up being boring or getting on my nerves after a while. Of course on the other hand, it means it'll be easier for a lot of people to get into the band because they can understand and follow the singing and lyrics better. It's kind of a catch-22, I won't argue that.

Originally Posted by Scott Weber

I think this is their best album since Deloused personally, the last 2 TMV albums weren't my style at all.

TMV is a band I was never truly into until a few months ago, but when you get in the mood for them, they're great. I'd rather that a band take their time and completely blow their fans' minds than to release a couple of albums just to get the songs out there. I had a good time reviewing this (it was really tough, though) because it's definitely out of the element of what I regularly listen to.

personally, this album just came off as more of the same. i don't really know what i'm expecting from TMV, but i feel like the past two albums haven't really been making great strides in the advancement of music which TMV has become known for. I cannot deny their talent but there was nothing shocking on this record.

I'd have to also agree with most of the posts on this thread on the topic of Cedric's vocals. I don't think he's gotten worse, just exploring new avenues but unfortunately, it's not something that pleases me as a listener.

Despite all of this, I'm sure they are very happy with their record so congrats.

I'd really like to see what Rick Ruben can do with this band now...

Originally Posted by GiggsOho

What new vocal style?


I thought the review is good, but you did set off a firestorm with me. TMV and Co&Ca do not feature the same vocal styles at all. As much as I love Claudio, I don't think Claudio has the talent that Ced has to control his voice, even when it's at one end of the spectrum or the other. It's just not a fair comparison.

Well stated. The only thing they have in common is Latino heritage. ( Puerto Rican and Mexican)
Embarrassingly, Ive seen co&ca twice, prolly seen volta half a dozen times, and live, their is no comparison. in that register, like you said, it is all about control. To be fair, it would be fucking impossible to recreate either of their recorded sounds live. (layering, overlap, multiple tracks, etc)

I'm realizing, amongst the hoard of fans whom are collectively AP.net, a very minute percentage are musicians. Not to fault anyone, but IMO, until you have at least a shred of knowledge about theory, you simply cant begin to appreciate/criticize Bedlam or Volta's body of work. This is certainly not to say, that fans, or anyone else, cant enjoy the music, after all its universal. Omar has said, that during the recording process, he tells everyone their parts, and they are forced to record separately from the rest of the band. (amp. frances) This is perhaps, one of the most remarkable things about volta, these complex, and ever changing arrangements, never exist on staff paper. Heart of any rock band, arguably, is drums and bass, tmv's bass player was in Racer X with paul gilbert, go look it up. Thomas, was sponsored at 8, and a full scholarship to Berklee at 15. Sorry to ramble, Most underrated band around today, in terms of just raw fucking talent. so long sorry.
p.s. if you want to understand volta, listen to their first e.p. tremulant.

Tony, brilliantly executed review sir, eloquent, tasteful, and thorough. Do you truly believe that this album can be summed up in its totality in three or however many paragraphs? You could listen to any song on it, fifteen times, and find something agreeable and unique the first and fifteenth time. I strongly believe that this review demonstrates your crippling adoration of men and boys.

Nice job on this review.

I think you have redeemed yourself from that horrible AVA writeup. ;)

But YES, I agree with everything you've said, aside from the 'bland vocal' comment. The second half of Metatron beats the shit out of the first half, and Aberinkula drags on too long.

Nice!

AP gave this a 5/5.

I found that very interesting, but probably deserving. I'll have to check this out.