What We're Listening To: "Antemasque" (Self-Titled)

The Mars Volta goes punk. 

Antemasque is Cedric Bixler-Zavala’s and Omar Rodríguez-López’s latest project since The Mars Volta days were brought to a close in 2013.  The album was released in 2014, and for those die hard Volta fans, may have come as a bit of a disappointment.  It’s a far cry from the overtly progressive, experimental rock fans are used to hearing in their previous projects, both in At the Drive In and The Mars Volta.

               That being said, I LOVE this album.  And yes, I am a very big Mars Volta fan.  It’s as if they fused the intensity of Volta with catchy punk rock, and what resulted was an album you can show most anybody and not have them run the other way.  Admittedly, Volta’s style can take some getting used to, a problem Antemasque does not partake.

               The self entitled album starts off with a catchy 4/4 rock tune, bringing listeners in with ease.  From there, the style becomes slightly more progressive, while still punky, and does not threaten to turn people away.  The progressive style peaks with the track, “In the Lurch”, before it eases back into catchy 4/4 punk rock with “50,000 Kilowatts”.  Omar even dares to break out an acoustic guitar in the track “Drown all Your Witches”.  The album concludes with a driving tune titled “Rome Armed to the Teeth”, complete with a catchy pre-chorus and chorus. 

               My fist thoughts when I heard this album was…Volta with training wheels.  You get the drive, intensity, and distinct vocals, while still being able to predict the progression of the song and move to it.  It’s slightly less intense than their previous work, but doesn’t fall into repetitive nonsense as if they tried to sell out to a larger audience base.  While keeping to their roots, Omar and Cedric were able to tap into a much larger audience while keeping many (but not all) of their original fans satisfied and waiting for more.

               Do yourself a favor a check out this album.  Once you think you’re hooked, check out some of Volta’s classic albums (I recommend “De-Loused in the Comatorium” and “Frances the Mute”).  Rinse and repeat until you can’t put either band away.

Rating: 9/10