Track Listing

1. Aberinkula
2. Metatron
3. Ilyena
4. Wax Simulacra
5. Goliath
6. Tourniquet Man
7. Cavalettas
8. Agadez
9. Askepios
10. Ouroborous
11. Soothsayer
12. Conjugal Burns
13. Candy and a Currant Bun

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3339 in Music
• Released on: 2008-01-28
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks
• Dimensions: .22 pounds
• Running time: 78 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
The music of The Mars Volta is probably fairly routinely dubbed "out of this world", but on The Bedlam in Goliath, you can apparently take that as literal. A loose sort of concept piece concerning Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala’s dalliances with an ouija board, an occult device using which you contact spirits–-specifically, the titular 'Goliath’, whose pronouncements from beyond the grave inspired a lot of the album’s lyrics-–the fourth album from The Mars Volta finds them carving their particular niche ever deeper. The likes of "Wax Simulcra" are dynamic prog-rock jams characterised by Bixler-Zavala’s high, nasally voice, screaming saxophone, and guitar solos courtesy of Chili Pepper John Frusciante. "Cavalettas", meanwhile, features flourishes of flute. But if you’ve been worrying The Mars Volta’s voyage into the progressive is in some way at the expense of their straightforward energy, say a silent prayer for the arrival of new drummer Thomas Budgen, whose blend of technical prowess and hard hitting energy feels like a real shot in the arm; indeed, segments of "Agadez" could almost be the work of Cedric and Omar’s former band, Texas hardcore ensemble At the Drive In. Now that’s the spirit. –-Louis Pattison

CD Description
After three well-received progressive odysseys, Texan art-rockers The Mars Volta's fourth LP 'The Bedlam In Goliath' sees them treading similarly dense and intricate ground. More sonically similar to their second album, 'Frances The Mute',it contains the same Latin-influenced guitar experiments and bonkers existential psychedelic lyrics that we've come to expect from the band's two masterminds, Cedric Bixler-Zavalaand Omar Rodriguez-Lopez. Having spent their early career in influential post-hardcore outfit At The Drive-In, the duo's Mars Volta project has seen them become even more successful and significant. 'The Bedlam In Goliath' contains the single Wax Simulacra.

Customer Reviews

Sheer Bedlam indeed!!
There is no let up in this, The Mars Volta's fourth album. From the full on opening rush of "Aberinkula" there is no room to breath throughout the 12 tracks on this monster of an album. The 13th track here is a cover of the Pink Floyd b-side "Candy and a Currant Bun".

The usual frenetic Mars Volta style is here intact, but there is an increasing maturity coming into the maelstrom of sound. This is especially prevalent on the very excellent "Ouroborous" which is wonderfully arranged and executed. This track itself shows a compositional sophistication beyond which the group has rarely achieved before. Brilliant stuff! That's not to say the rest of the album lacks, it doesn't. There are so many great musical ideas on show here. For instance, the strange way throughout "Cavalettas" each verse fades out and then comes back in is inspired and really works.

For me I can always hear in the Mars Volta style King Crimson, Yes circa "Relayer", electric Miles Davis and especially on this album the be-bop thrash of John Zorn's long gone Naked City project. But the band has developed so much throughout their four albums, to a point where anything is possible in the future. "The Bedlam In Goliath" is a truly individual, inspired and exciting rock album from a band who continually push themselves forward. There are very few who are willing to do that nowadays.

The best yet
Well, it's interesting to read reviews, even the guy who made the Radiohead and Cream comment. I'm 54 and saw both bands live, as well as Floyd, Softs, Hendrix, Zeppelin, Pistols etc. I stopped going to live gigs as I felt I was getting a bit old. However, as TMV are without doubt the best band I've heard I went to the Glasgow gig, expecting not too much bearing in mind the complex studio album productions.Wrong: they were superb with the same undiluted energetic commitment (and fun)and I'm glad they are here. Sure, buy Goliath. Most people won't, but that's most people for you.

incredible
I'm sorry to say, i've heard the entire album through a download. It is insane. From the first to last second, this album pummels you with intricately layered music and awesome drumming that is rivalled only by Tool. And this is completely different to the former. I've been a fan for a few years and this is their best work to date. Tickets are on order for their gig in march and i will still purchase this as any group and their record company who are prepared to produce this kind of quality (of which is severly lacking in todays music) deserve a few of my hard earned pennies. BUY IT. You won't be disappointed