7 hours with the Mars Volta

On Wednesday as I was leaving for class, I decided to listen to nothing but the Mars Volta until I finished listening to their discography (in chronological order, of course)*. Though TMV was one of my favorite bands in years past (especially freshman and sophomore year of high school), I hadn't listened to some of their albums in months and months.

It took me about 7.5 hours of listening to get through the 5 studio albums, ep, and live album that comprise the Mars Volta's discography (in addition, there is live ep, but I haven't snagged it yet). Going back to old favorites was incredibly rewarding. While I won't say that all (or many) of my friends these days would be super-keen on them (i know #johnhashtag isn't), I am a big big fan of the insane drumming of Jon Theodore, the quiet/loud/quiet louds, the over-the-top lyrics, and Omar Rodríguez-López's otherworldly guitar playing. I haven't been able to see them live yet, but I would certainly travel to see them play.

If you haven't listened to the Mars Volta (or if you don't know them from The Zutons), you really ought to give them a try. Also, if you're reading this and are a fan, you should let me know so we can bro down to Tremulant EP.

Concertina (from Tremulant - 2002)

Cygnus Vismund Cygnus (from Frances the Mute - 2005)**


*took me less than two days
*fun fact: my myspace url is myspace.com/cygnusvismundcygnus1251, after this song (and the strokes' 12:51, obvs) .Yes, I had to spell that out for people often.

voxtrot in chicago - 1/14/10

Most every time I get to work, I check the Chicago Reader's Early Warnings page. I don't make it down to chicago that often to catch shows, but it's good to keep up to date on what's going down there. Today's peruse through the newly announced dates proved more fruitful than most: Voxtrot is playing the thursday before winter break is over.

AAAAAH.

So I guess Schuba's does this thing called "The Future Never Knows", which is a five day 'fest' showcasing 'up-and-comers'. Because hey, the future never knows, right?

Anyhow, this year's lineup involves Bowerbirds, Final Fantasy, Voxtrot, Rural Alberta Advantage, and more next-big-things and is being held from January 13-17 at Schuba's and Lincoln Hall.

This is huge for me. Voxtrot really is one of my most favorite bands of all time. In case you haven't acquainted yourself with them, it's never too late. Though their crowning achievements are still their first two eps, the album is great in its own right and the most recent single is very promising.

Voxtrot's show is on thursday the 14th with Solid Gold (who played a deliriously groovy show at the rath this fall) and Gemini Club. See you there.

listen=sleigh bells

ahhhh listen to sleigh bells!

LOUD JAMZ. And they are undeniably some of the loudest and most jammy jams out there right now.

sleigh bells on hypemachine