The Mars Volta

The Mars Volta's self-titled album returns Omar Rodríguez-López and Cedric Bixler-Zavala to shorter song forms. The arrangements make space for melody, rhythm and the movement of Bixler-Zavala's voice, with fewer of the extended instrumental passages associated with the band's earlier records.

“Blacklight Shine” opens with a light, percussive feel, while “Graveyard Love” places the voice against electronic textures. The changing sounds remain tightly arranged throughout. Hearing the group work within those smaller frames draws attention to the turns inside each song and to the partnership at the centre of the music.