The Mars Volta readies Octahedron
To say Omar Rodríguez-López is an overachiever would quite possibly be the biggest understatement in history. Having released two solo discs already this year, with another on the way (Cryptomnesia on May 5th), The Mars Volta frontman has been one busy man, and that’s even without mentioning that his main outfit is also gearing up for the release of its own new album. But, alas, that’s exactly why I’m writing.
Yes, The Mars Volta will be soon be releasing a new studio, and yes, it will be here before you know. Entitled Octahedron, the followup to last year’s The Bedlam in Goliath is currently scheduled to hit music shelves on June 19th via Warner Bros. Records. Once again, Rodríguez-López will be at the production helm, as he has been with every album since De-Loused in the Comatorium - if you’re counting, this marks four straight Volta albums he has had produced.
Musically, the new record is supposed to be “much more accessible than the previous four,” according to the bands label, which is a fairly ambiguous statement from a company that wants to sell as many records as possible, but whatever. Rumors have the album at eight songs resulting from the talents in a quintet structure. The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ John Frusciante is also said to be involved.
Rounding out the details, Octahedron will feature artwork of Jeff Jordan, who also designed the covers for Amputechture and The Bedlam in Goliath. The Mars Volta is expected to tour in support of the album, however, as of now, only European dates and one U.S. date, Bonnaroo, have been announced.
The Mars Volta 2009 Tour Dates:
06/13 - Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music Festival
06/20 - Scheessel, DE @ Hurricane Festival
06/21 - Tuttlingen, DE @ Southside Festival
06/23 - Zurich, CH @ Volkshaus
06/26 - Milan, IT @ Idroscalo Festival
06/28 - Paris, FR @ Olympia
06/29 - Dusseldorf, De @ Stahlwerk
07/02 - Arvika, SE @ Arvika Festival
07/03 - Roskilde, DK @ Roskilde Festival
07/05 - Werchter, BE @ Rock Werchter
07/06 - Luxembourg @ Den Atelier
07/08 - Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso
07/10 - Kinross, IE @ T in the Park
07/11 - Dublin, IE @ Oxegen
Accessible? Hahahahaha that’s a funny word to hear from TMV. But hey it will be great music no matter what direction they decide to go in.
Ill tell you what, Omar is a fantastic songwriter, but guess what, he cant play 8 instruments at the same time. to say he is the greatest blah blah blah its just ridiculous.. every band has its key players but what makes a band truly great is the essence they create TOGETHER, he may write it all but he doesnt play it all. BTW jon theodore was the BEST TMV drummer yet.
Omar is undoubtedly the leader of the mars volta. He provides a direction for the band. However, without the band Omars music could not be given life. They feed off eachother
HAH - GAGGED
RE: Dandelion on Mar 31st, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Cedric also writes the vocal melodies
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NEGATIVE - cedric hits the recording both and writes melodies over music and then applies his writings to the tracks.
dumb fucks called you ‘Retarted.’ lol
it is no big deal, and it is just a discussion. no need for the hostility guys. but i do hope they play some De-Loused songs at bonnaroo and some amputechture. it will be a good show regardless
you guys are retarted. they say omar is the frontman because he the main guy in the mars volta. without him there is not tmv. he writes there music, etc.
frontman = lead singer
You guys are extremely gay for arguing about the term “frontman”. Who gives a damn.
BBBBOOOONNNNAAARRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I agree Caleb, it’s a weird term. But just don’t take it to mean “main member,” it just stems from the tradition that a vocalist would, for most 20th century music ensembles, be positioned front and center on stage when an ensemble performed live. Even if someone else lead the band, the singer still stood in the front, you know?
Anyway… yes, I hope they do play some new stuff at the Roo. But not TOO much. I don’t like bands playing too much new material live, especially for a band like this… and when I saw them on New Years a couple years ago, it was more than half new material, and it was kinda a bummer. But 1 or 2 new songs would be great.
Honestly, frontman is a worthless term when it comes to bands. i only see frontman accurrately used when for example you Say Ben Harper is the frontman for BEN HARPER and the relentless 7, or some shit like that…and even then it is pointless b/c it takes the band to make the music, not just one guy.
with that rant…im stoked to hear a new TMV album. im ready to see more of what prigeon can do. and i hope they play some new shit at bonnaroo, and have a nice tour through the US so i cant hopefully catch them again before the end of the summer or year atleast
Cedric also writes the vocal melodies
Ryan your mistaken. Omar does write most of the Mar Volta’s music, you are correct with this, but the band members within it take what Omar has to offer and they, collectively give it a bit of a twist. Not only that, but lyrics count as music and Cedric is only one who writes that without any help from Omar.
Actually that’s not totally accurate, because Omar writes 100% of the music, and Zeppelin was a collaborative songwriting group.
The word “frontman” indeed is synonymous with “lead vocalist.” Just sayin.
Jimmy Page : Robert Plant :: Omar : Cedric
please. who cares who is the frontman. frontman is a word.
Isn’t Lars Ulrich the frontman of Metallica?
I don’t know if I’d call Omar the frontman since he’s not the singer (Cedric is). He’s the main songwriter & producer, but at best it could be said that he co-fronts the group.
Wow, totally unexpected! Very cool…
And Bonnaroo…
Jun 10th, 2009 at 8:25 am
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