The Mars Volta: Worst to Best Albums

[@ThoughtThinkerTomas]

noct- tourniquet. as in the thing used to stop bleeding in dismembered limbs.

[@CJRanes]

holy fuck, tht was killing me. and so was Amputexture......

[@INTENSPENCE]

I wish they had a tourniquet to stop the bleeding while writing/recording Noctourniquet!

[@3rdpersonality48]

Or a tie off before u get lit up

[@3rdpersonality48]

Staying up all night getting lit up

[@matthiaspaco]

i dunno what his problem was, i could hear it just fine

[@jeff-nz5zc]

really happy you did one on the mars volta! I feel it's a very underrated band

[@inthedream9127]

1. De-loused 2. Frances the Mute 3. Amputechture 4. Bedlam 5. Octahedron 6. Nocturniquet

[@TravisBeckMusic]

This is correct!

[@leviyule2397]

don't fully agree but I really dig your explanations, great stuff!! Yes, Frances is easily the best, my favourite album ever

[@huntersmith8840]

6. Noctourniquet 5. Octahedron 4. De-Loused in the Comatorium 3. Amputechture 1. It’s a tie between Frances/Bedlam, there’s no way I can possibly choose

[@ronda2729]

You nailed it!

[@autopilot980]

Wooow putting Bedlam in a first place (even if it's a tie) is a bold move, and I thoroughly agree with you!

[@TheMagicalArden]

I'm STUNNED someone decided to share the number one spot between Frances and Bedlams... Both awesome records with jaw dropping drumming.

[@johnolmos8670]

De loused is the best it had Flea and Frusciante and the best vocal hooks and song craft of any Volta album Rick Rubin produced the album beautifully as well.

[@christopherlopez2491]

Putting de-Loused so far back? Behind bedlam ?! That’s crazy! But I respect your take

[@REALwoombath]

Great timing. Just a few days after I posted the request. Thank you for this. Edit: Also fuck yeah, Frances on the first place!

[@NotesReviews]

;)

[@z0nnyyy]

Woombath nice pfp

[@murdockreviews]

Whoa, Bedlam in Goliath is my fave, together with De-Loused. Other than that, pretty much agree with your rating. BTW, any "Notes on King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard"?

[@Y0PPS]

Same here. I love Bedlam. The drumming and energy on this album is complete perfection for me.

[@sprinkledhotdog7580]

I was surprised that Amputechture was so low, probably my favorite album by the band.

[@adamrose6969]

Agreed. it’s the catchiest as well

[@andrewmartensen2390]

The fact that he’s saying the “chaos has no resolution” when Viscera Eyes and Day of the Baphomets are on there... and both two of the best songs they’ve ever written.

[@punker-gamer-trucker-guy]

I'm surprised so many people can't pronounce these albums correctly, adding letters that aren't there. Crematorium, mule, amputexture, and whatever this guy did to Noctourniquet.

[@bleepblap4618]

I think that just goes to show how dope this band is lol

[@johnolmos8670]

Has the best Guitar on any Mars Volta album hands down

[@pablojaramillo1279]

6.Octahedron 5.Noctouriquet 4.De-Loused In the comatorium 3.Bedlam 2.Amp 1.Frances the mute 0.Scabdates

[@honeycomblord9384]

Very similar list to mine, just swap Bedlam and Deloused.

[@delk1299]

Octhaedron is Mars volta's pale communion, no surprise it was so high on your list. Great, great record

[@norwaydude96]

Crazy how different peoples opinions are. Here's mine: 6. Noctourniquet 5. Octahedron 4. The Bedlam in Goliath 3. Deloused in the Comatorium 2. Amputechture 1. Frances The Mute

[@caioandrade2899]

You got it, that's the right order, if there could be one.

[@RyanRenteria]

good list

[@neuroisis85]

This is the correct order

[@tomas4298]

I just stopped watching when I heard you comment about the De-Loused in the Comatorium. I'll be honest is actually the only album from mars volta that I still listen, but I really tried all the other and none of them have it. That album is not only chaos in sound, it's got incredible history, is actually a great opera, with at the very least 6 amazing songs (televators is good, but by no means the best). The whole album is an entire ride, all connected in soul and lyrics. Sorry dude, but the best Mars volta album is that one, in commercial term, in artistic terms, in complexity, in cohesiveness of the whole work.

[@remyvilleneuve4879]

You know he can like or dislike an album because of person-l reasons. Because art is subjective. There isn’t an objective answer in music. My favorite is deloused too but I totally get why it isn’t his favorite. In fact it’s practically a tie for me between deloused and frances.

[@gilbertogomez2678]

You didn’t have to stop watching though. Keep watching and listen to his opinions. He’s taking his time to explain himself very well. You can disagree and respect the effort he put in.

[@killme9534]

@@gilbertogomez2678 Yea, there really is no best in artistic or cohesive terms no matter which way you look at Mars Volta. Art isn’t objective at all so trying to express it that way is just pointless. As if one dudes favorite album is wrong to some arbitrary standard you set in your own head.

[@lessthanpinochet]

1) Deloused In the Comatorium 2) Bedlam in Goliath 3) Frances The Mute 4)Octahedron 5)Nocturniquet 6)Amputechture

[@MylesMarrero]

This is probably my ranking as well. Really not seeing Deloused getting the credit it deserves in this comment section, that album is absolutely mental

[@lessthanpinochet]

@@MylesMarrero Yeah, a lot of TMV fans dislike that album for some reason. It's a masterpiece.

[@LFernandoRojas]

Switch 5/6 and I completely agree!! Bedlam and Deloused are amazing!!

[@markcarey67]

I still think Deloused was the most conceptually coherent.

[@uniformoctober]

1. Amputecture 2. Frances 3. Deloused 4. Bedlam 5. Octahedron 6. Nocturniquet Nocturniquet is really the only album I don’t go back to listen to. All others I can go back to and listen happily.

[@bubbamike4743]

Hey man great video! You gotta do king crimson next!

[@dclarkmusic]

It’s cool to see how different everyone’s list is 1. Frances the Mute 2. Deloused 3. Noctourniquet 4. Octahedron 5. Amputechture 6. Bedlam in Goliath My list is based basically on songwriting.

[@AllMediaReviewsPodcast]

same order, although if you take the albums from songwriting, I would put Bedlam maybe 3rd or 4th, but it's unlistenable mixing negates that.

[@BreakneckTV]

Dustin Clark this is probably my list as well

[@djwiggles666]

Did you pronounce any of the albums correctly?

[@NotesReviews]

I hope I at least got Frances the Mute :)

[@djwiggles666]

@@NotesReviews Word up.

[@ludwigii9329]

Lol at the way you pronounce Noctourniquet

[@MattW05]

My personal list: 1. Deloused in the Comatorium 2. Frances the Mute 3. The Bedlam in Goliath 4. Octahedron 5. Amputechture 6. Noctourniquet If I’m being completely honest 2-5 are pretty much tied it’s honestly kind of hard to rank them but I’m happy with that order. Deloused will always be my favorite, it is a perfect album in my eyes. When it comes to Noctourniquet I’ve tried to get into and there are a few songs that stick out to me like the title track and Zed and Two Naughts but the album as a whole just isn’t my cup of tea.

[@Neorigg]

6. Noctourniquet 5. Octahedron 4. Deloused in the Comatorium 3. Frances the Mute 2. The Bedlam in Goliath 1. Amputechture

[@Neorigg]

My opinion on Noctourniquet has changed a lot since that, i would switch it with Frances the Mute now, Frances is now my least favorite

[@jamesfowler6785]

Great list, I agree 100% with the top two

[@dillonbeardon7257]

My personal rank: 6. Octohedron 5. The Bedlam In Goliath 4. Nocterniquet 3. De-Loused in the Comatorium 2. Amputechture 1. Frances The Mute Yeqh, I like Noctourniquet over the bedlam in Goliath

[@honeycomblord9384]

Wow, that's basically the same as mine. Though Deloused may be above Amputechture depending on how I'm feeling.

[@agoodun]

U crazy. Bedlam is their best album

[@dutchmastah07]

Nah

[@bentaylor8589]

THANK YOU

[@kingofhearts642]

Your explanation behind this ranking made total sense to me, despite it being very different from my own opinion. Which means you did a good job with this video. You were able to articulately explain what appealed to your personal preferences in each album, when others often act like a ranking of albums is a measure of objective quality. Great video, and extremely great band- one of my favorites. My own personal ranking of the albums would be: 6. Noctourniquet - I actually really do like the album, and I enjoy the different vibe it has. It's nice to have some Vota to listen to when you are in the mood for something else entirely... and I'd take even this album of TMV over most other artists' best records. However most of this album doesn't stick with me NEARLY as much as the others, and a couple of the songs just don't feel as well composed as TMV's other work. 5. Octahedron - Similarly to Noctourniquet, I like having a stylistic variety with TMV. This album captures a lot of their vibe but does so with a much calmer energy. I think that it is very underrated, and I really appreciate your point about the album having room to breathe while still having a degree of TMV energy. A couple of the songs are even some of my favorite, most notably Copernicus and Desperate Graves. I also feel that With Twilight As My Guide is one of the most beautiful songs in their catalog. That said, the album as a whole just doesn't have as much of an emotional grip on me as the first four albums do, hence it being in fifth place. 4. Amputechture - This is where it gets hard. Often I even just say that TMV's first four albums are all tied in my personal ranking, just because it's hard to pick. And when really commit to a detailed ranking, I'm honestly surprised Amputechture is this low for me. There was a VERY long period of time where this was my favorite album of theirs. They really go out there for the songs on this record, but they maintain a very steady energy throughout the entire record. There are some amazing and epic songs on this album, and I think the only reason I don't have it in third place is because while I appreciate the music on it just as much as the others, I think I have a stronger emotional attachment to the other three records. 3. Bedlam in Goliath - I've mentioned an "emotional attachment" a couple of times now, and I'll try my best to explain that (though it's always hard to explain those types of things), seeing as it's directly rated to the placement of this record. In fact, if I were to rate the music objectively it would probably tie with Amputechture. But something about the melodies/energy in "Goliath" (and similarly in my top two albums) just captures me on a deeper level. It's like that energy of the music just perfectly aligns to your emotions, and you just "feel" the music. I love the insanity in this album, and the almost funk-like chaos it has... but the fact that it goes so crazy but can still touch me on a deep level is what wins this album over for me. 2. Deloused in the Comatorium - This is pretty damn near a perfect album in my eyes. This is TMV introducing themselves with a bang, and it has some of the best songs of their entire discography. Not to mention it's arguably their most effective concept piece to boot. The music and story of this album just feels like the essence of TMV. 1. Frances the Mute - I don't even have much to say, I just love everything about this one. It's basically an album consisting of my favorite music by this band. Cygnus... Vismund Cygnus, The Widow, L'Via L'Viaquez, and Miranda that Ghost Just Isn't Holy Anymore are all incredible... and the epic that is Cassandra Gemini just pushes it over the edge into being my favorite. I can listen to all 30 minutes of CG over and over. To me it will always be their magnum opus.

[@alejom1851]

Do ELP

[@jeff-nz5zc]

Alejo M love beach first place for sure

[@EzioMonty117]

jeff No number one would be In the Hot Seat with last place being Brain Salad Surgery ;)

[@Young_Bourdain]

1. Frances 2. De 3. Bed 4. Amp 5. Oct 6. Noc

[@mr.krinkle952]

As lazy as I am I see?

[@scotteagles4864]

I'm with you on Octahedron. I think it's such a great ride. I'm absolutely not with you on Nocturniquet. For me it's the most emotionally satisfying TMV album -- it vies with Frances in that regard. My first exposure to TMV was Deloused and it's probably my least favourite (although still amazing, because we're talking about TMV here).

[@TheAlibabatree]

It is interesting how EVERYONE seems to have a different order. I think that means they are a great band lol. In case anyone cares, here's my personal list: 6. Octahedron 5. Amputecture 4. Deloused in the Comatorium 3. The Bedlam in Goliath 2. Noctourniquet 1. Frances the Mute

[@TheAlibabatree]

I'll be honest, i dont understand how anyone could think Octahedron is better than Noctourniquet. Perhaps classic rock fans?

[@TheAlibabatree]

Wow, one year later and my opinions have changed. Im gonna leave all of this up, because i think its interesting. Here is my new, revised list: 6. Octahedron 5. Bedlam in Goliath 4. Deloused in the Comatorium 3. Noctourniquet 2. Amputecture 1. Frances the Mute

[@saulgoodman.exe_]

Worst to Best - Octahedron Noctourniquet Bedlam Tremulant Amputechture Frances Deloused

[@TractorCountdown]

I've only ever heard Frances, so lucky pick, eh. From what you've said, I'd want to hear Octahedron next. As always, love your enthusiasm!

[@ChiefXuligan]

Frances and De-loused are both pretty legendary. Can’t blame anyone for putting either above then other as long as they are both at the top.

[@bradydavis5791]

My worst to best: -Tremulant (Interesting EP, but ultimately a group still finding its voice) -Amputecture (I ranked this lower not because its not musically tight. It is and vastly better than Octahedron, but it was it's inconsistent themes that made me wonder if it was the same group that made a rat poison trip so disgustingly vivid, or a person searching for his parents sound like a movie you could only hear...) -Octahedron (I like this record, but quickly got kind of bored of a poppy Mars Volta) -Frances the Mute. (Genius concept of a young man trying to find his real parents, only to be disappointed later on, this album makes mid place for too much DAMN FILLER) -Bedlam of Goliath (This album is and always will be flat out fun to me) -Nocturniquet (Despite how most felt about this release I found the stories sung about to be very interesting and haunting. Also, for me, it's where the band really found a true sound to their music) -Deloused in the Comatorium (First impression of band and one that caused me to relate them to Pink Floyd, a lot at the time.)

[@juantesino7764]

1)Frances The Mute 2)De-Loused in the Comatorium 3)Amputechture 4)The Bedlam in Goliath 5)Noctourniquet 6)Octahedron

[@mr.krinkle952]

Interesting placing noctourniquit above octahedron.

[@burnit8173]

I've been so eager for this video, I've gotten into francis the mute about 2 weeks ago and I couldn't put it down ever since, and I can already say that its one of my favorite albums of all time. Also, I don't think you have ever heard of them, but if you have the chance, Agalloch is a band that's beyond a simple description for me and have an outstanding discography

[@NotesReviews]

Oh man! Agalloch is intense!

[@NicoA47]

6. Octahedron (too short, song quality differs too much. was actually really disappointed with this) 5. Noctourniquet (too whatever, some good hooklines though) 4. De-Loused In The Comatorium (some really good stuff on here, but too emo for my taste) 2. Frances The Mute (awesome compositions, completely dreamlike, but would be waay better if the title track would be on the album, which is incredible) 2. The Bedlam In Goliath (the intensity feels like you're on drugs, absolutely insane. took quite a few listens to get into it) 1. Amputechture (one solid piece of art, start to finish. changed my life)

[@senseored]

Hello person who is correct about this list.

[@matiasignaciocatalangarcia9665]

you should do the video

[@moltencenturion1565]

Couldn't agree more, can never decide between bedlam and amputechture, both are utterly fantastic

[@LesPaulManiac]

Oooooofff Bedlam was so low. That's always been my favorite, but it was also my entry to the band so it holds higher esteem for me. 1. The Bedlam in Goliath 2. Octahedron 3. De-Loused in the Comatorium 4. Frances the Mute 5. Amputechture 6. Noctourniquet

[@LesPaulManiac]

Mainly it just comes down to my listening knowledge with them. I've only listened to Amputechture maybe one or two times, and I've only passingly listened to Noctouniquet because I heard mixed things about it.

[@treefingers6572]

Bedlam is awesome in a lot of ways, but the mixing, especially when compared to the crystal clear sound of De-loused and Amputechture... It's so muddy it nearly ruins it for me.

[@LesPaulManiac]

For me, I think "Goliath" is the song that best encapsulates the sound of Mars Volta, so whenever I want to listen to them, I go back to that track. Even the opening track to the album is undeniably catchy. Yeah, the mixing on it is a bit whack, but apparently that's part of the lore and mystique of that album since there was a lot of weird happenings in regards to it.

[@Mangzorz]

Same, I love that album. It's brilliant.

[@jacobusburger]

Conjugal Burns more your style or Ilyena? The more I've listened to the Volta the more I've come to appreciate their later fuzzy experimental electronic aesthetic that their latter 3 'black sheep' albums have (although it took a detour through "Blind Worms, Pious Swine" to get there).

[@jadetaylor6093]

in my opinion! Amputechture = Bedlam in Goliath > Frances > De Loused > Noctourniquet > Octahedron I can't decide between amp and bedlam. I do love every album though, they're all pretty dang good. I disagree with you about Nocto, it's not a "safe" album at all, it's got a lot of unique soundscapes and textures, it just isn't very "volta", due to it's themeing being a little more on the subtle nature. But I think they really shine through on songs like Noctourniquet, In Absentia, Vedamalady, The Whip Hand, and Empty Vessels...as well as Molochwalker, Imago..dude this album has a bunch of great tracks! I think it's pretty crazy you would rank Bedlam so low, even below Octahedron, especially given it was essentially a failed attempt to make Noctourniquet in the first place. Bedlam in my opinion is kinda their best. It sounds chaotic, but it's super produced, wall of sound, very layered, the textures with the different wind instruments really builds up the themeing of the album, and it has some of my favorite volta moments, like the cacophony on Cavalettas, the climaxing on Agadez, the apocalypse sounds on Askepio, I could go ooooon. Amputechture is also a really perfect album in themeing, the marriages of thought and sound, but it's also mirrored (first and last four tracks) and cyclical (the last track will loop and circle into the first), it's songs are all apocalypse as fuuuuck, and the brass is crazy present. And I love that it goes through a variety of moods, whereas De Loused and Frances really only accompany one mood across their breadth. Don't really get your placement of Octa. It's a good album, but some of the songs (Desperate Graves, Copernicus) wear on their welcome, and there isn't a real centered piece of themeing across it's structure, aside the pursuit of a more electronic, downtempo soundscape, which Nocto outshines it at overall. I hope you listen to Frances the Mute with the title track at it's open.

[@HeisenbergVintage]

Noct turn a quiet?? Jesus dude ..😞lmao

[@HeisenbergVintage]

Also Omar Rodriguez Lopez self produced every album from bedlam to this album so he was VERY present

[@bmoneyrancidfan91]

I like this list but I'd trade number 3 for 2

[@MikeTrainormusic]

I saw Mars VOlta during the Frances the mute tour at the kool haus in Toronto, and was fucking amazing. It was almost an improv show for almost 2 1/2 hours going in and out of songs. One of the best shows Ive ever seen

[@gregoryhenry8464]

Dude you’ve ranked EVERYONE. I see you all the time when I google “such and such bands ranked”

[@NotesReviews]

No quite everyone :P I still have lots to cover ;)

[@n2nother]

The order is order of release with Deloused being their best and Noctourniquet (not Nocturniquiet) being their worst.

[@BL-mf3jp]

Almost. Bedlam was an improvement on Amputechture and Frances isn't as good as Deloused or Bedlam.

[@johnmirolho]

I liked your list, you escaped of an obvious one. I would ranked them this order: #7 Tremulant - besides Concertina, nothing good to comment about this work #6 The Bedlam in Goliath - although I loved it at the release, with time it became very boring. Every time that I'm willing to listen to TMV it's the last album that I think to. Don't get me wrong, there are some really good tunes here, like Goliath, Wax Simulacra, Soothsayer, Ilyena and Askepios for example. But overall I always get tired when I try it and the main reason for feeling like this is that almost every song is like a play off for the drums. Thomas did a great work and is an incredible drummer but I totally missed Jon Theodore grooviness. #5 Noctourniquet - I really like this one. The mood here is so different from the rest of their discography that it brought some fresh sounds to my ears. The first time that I listened to it, it felt like I was discovering a brand-new band. The only problem here is that it is not better than the others. In Absentia is my favorite here and The Malkin Jewel always reminds me of King Crimson's Indoor Games. #4 Octahedron - as an album I don't like this one as much as I like TBIG but looking into each song by itself I don't have anything to complain about the album. I love to along with Twilight as My Guide and Teflon. The funny thing here is that this one and Bedlam were composed at the same time and I like to think that they are complementary. I used to do a mix tape with them picking up my favourites from each one. #3 Amputechture - Jon is killing his drum kit in Viscera Eyes, that alone is a reason to rank this album in the top 3. But still the rest of the album is amazing, especially Day of the Baphomets that I put as their summary, the song that represents all of their characteristics. #2 Deloused in Comatorium - perfect album, just not so much perfect as my number 1 #1 Frances the Mute - I still remember the day that brought this one and put it to play. It's fantastic.

[@karlboson4803]

Damn, Concertina is the single weakest piece of Tremulant!

[@INTENSPENCE]

Yikes

[@juandelacosa2240]

6 amputechture 5 bedlam 4 ochtahedron 3 noctourniquet 2 frances 1 deloused

[@chippchipp1]

1) Frances 2) Deloused 3) Amputechture 4) Bedlam 5) Octahedron 6) Noctourniquet

[@xmasthyme]

My personal favorites are: 1. Frances the Mute 2. Deloused 3. Amputechture 4. Bedlam 5. Octahedron 6. Noctourniquet Frances the Mute will forever be my favorite album of all time. It was amazingly crafted, each song was highly enjoyable (especially the 30 minute epic of cassandra gemini) and the lyrics remind me of my favorite movie from one of my favorite filmmakers Santa Sangre by Alejandro Jodorowsky who happens to be a huge influence on Cedric and Omar

[@jordanpeacock8774]

That's the exact order I'd put them in too

[@misate8993]

Rush or Emerson Lake and Palmer next?

[@patricklauer4452]

Stefan Marstrander I would love to see that! :)

[@jooree7696]

He did them both

[@misate8993]

@@jooree7696 you now this is 2 years ago. the Rush and elp video are not 2 years old.

[@lauscho]

My personal list from worst to best: Noctourniquet - just... didn't do anything for me. Though "The Malkin Jewel" is a GREAT song. Octahedron - meh. also did nothing for me The Bedlam In Goliath - ...even more "meh". I think I just kind of got tired of the band at this album onward Tremulant EP - it's a bit primordial, and sometimes I'm not in the mood for it, but it's pretty good De-Loused In The Comatorium - Look, I get it, it's a classic. But they've done better albums later. But man, there are great songs on this. Amputechture - "Tetragrammaton" is worth the price of admission alone. It's the only song in TMV's discography that always induces a "HOLY #$%^!" every time I hear it. Plus "Viscera Eyes" is incredible. "Meccamputechture" has the catchiest sax riff ever. Frances The Mute - *sings "L'Via Viaquez" at top of lungs for all to hear*

[@lauscho]

Also enjoy this lovely piece of TMV-related satire: thehardtimes.net/culture/sat-prep-book-announces-new-nonsense-cedric-bixler-zavala-words-edition/

[@norwaydude96]

Meccamputechture also has one of the most rewarding climaxes I've heard

[@DeliriumOfTheMan]

what do you mean by primordial? That word doesn't make any sense in this context..

[@Seethi_C]

How can you not like Bedlam?

[@thedanantenna]

6. Noctourniquet 5. Amputechture 4. Octahedron 3. Frances the Mute 2. Bedlam in Goliath 1. De-loused

[@JH-fb3mp]

IMO Deloused is flawless and the next three are very near flawless Octahedron and Nocturniquet are a little weaker but I still like them

[@whitechocolatte5863]

Here’s my worst to best. 7. The Mars Volta 6. Octahedron 5. Amputecture 4. Nocturniquet 3. Bedlam in Goliath 2. Deloused in the Comatorium 1. Frances the Mute

[@tateoien871]

Personally, I rank as follows... 1) Amputechture 2) Frances the Mute 3) De-Loused in the Comatorium 4) The Bedlam in Goliath 5) Octahedron 6) Noctourniquet Amputechture was insane. It was the perfect balance of Omar's guitar noodling, Cedric's singing, and ambient soundscapes. I think it was their best album musically. Frances and De-Loused are neck and neck, but I personally find Frances to be better because of the experimentation and the maturation of their sound. While De-Loused is absolutely insane, it still has a lot of traces from their post-hardcore origins. Which isn't a bad thing, don't get me wrong, it just has (only slightly) less artistic merit. Bedlam is insane. The jazz, the funk, the chaos. It's great. Not a huge fan of Ilyena and some other tracks, but Metatron, Wax Simulacra, Aberinkula, and Ouroborous will never cease being amazing. Octahedron is also an incredible album. It'd be higher up on my list if it was a bit more aggressive. The album seemed a bit laid back. I get that the band was moving in a different direction, but still. Noctourniquet is the only album of theirs I dislike. It's just... okay.

[@jamesfowler6785]

Great list!

[@rileyschmedeman652]

i got 6. The Bedlam In Goliath 5. Octahedron 4. Noctourniquet 3. Amputecture 2. De-Loused In The Comatorium 1. Frances The Mute

[@scantube310]

De-Loused in the comatorium is by far their best work. It’s not even close.

[@patrickdale4648]

yep, the more I listen to the albums, the more I put De-Loused in the top. we can argue all day about this but the truth is that De-loused is a perfect record... Frances was bold as fuck but got cut up to exclude the title track as the opener and just has too much filler sections

[@laverledugger1563]

Bedlam buries deloused, I feel people just say that because others say it lol

[@patrickdale4648]

@@laverledugger1563 Bedlam is def 2nd because cmon, no Jon Theodore

[@laverledugger1563]

@@patrickdale4648 I feel pridgen is better for them both are great drummers it's like neil peart or john bonham you can't go wrong really but I feel pridgen is more technically skilled which matches better for this group

[@patrickdale4648]

@@laverledugger1563 totally agree with you, I'm a sucker for any band's first album so here we are!

[@paulgaget3111]

Nice ! I always thought that Noctourniquet is a little bit underrated :/

[@dclarkmusic]

Lyoko Drums same. The songs are really good!

[@MPrint67]

Lyoko Drums It’s not underrated. That album is a fucking abortion.

[@INTENSPENCE]

@@MPrint67 lol

[@lessthanpinochet]

There are some amazing songs on Nocturniquet but some songs are pretty bad.They should've just left off that first song off the album entirely.

[@gammaanimations8492]

Why is there no love for Noctourniquet? It's definitely their most unique release, but I think its great. These 4 Albums I think are absolutely amazing 1.) Frances the Mute 2.) Bedlam in Goliath 3.) De-Loused in the Comatorium 4.) Noctourniquet The rest are just alright 5.) Octahedron 6.) Amputechture

[@crazysnas181]

Nice list Mine would be 6. Octahedron- This is the album that does the least for me. I like it but I feel it relies on more acoustics than the chaotic punches of prior albums. It does have a few highlights however. It's just an overall weaker collection of songs than we're used to. 5. Bedlam- My problems are the opposite of the prior album funnily enough. This one feels too chaotic at times without the sense of control that other albums have had. It's still a great record, it just leaves you out of breath after a few songs. 4. Noctourniquiet- I actually like the more synth heavy and electronic feel of this album. It's strengths are some of the best since the Frances days. It's a sound I honestly like. Although it does feel very Mars Volta only in name. 3. Ampuecture- This one is probably the most experimental album of theirs. It's a surreal experience and leaves you in a trance. I see this as the most demonic of their albums, especially given the themes 2. Deloused- as an ATDI fan, this feels like the bridge between TMV and that project. The influences of RoC are still felt in the DNA of this album. It's just a great record. 1. Francis- this album has the chaotic nature of Deloused and the polish of later albums making it the best of both worlds. Every song on this album is great, in fact, the weak link The Window is still a pretty beautiful song with surreal lyrics. Honestly, a great record.

[@crazysnas181]

Also on a side note, The version of Tevelators on the Live EP is honestly amazing

[@donaldbiden5400]

I really loved the tremulant EP. All three tracks were mind blowing and great. Also the Scabdates live album was awesome

[@JV-cz6fz]

1) de loused 2) frances 3) amp

[@MKNull]

I really don't want him to do King Crimson all he's going to do is put the popular and pre-belew albums in first... inb4 Court of the Crimson King or Red is 1.

[@GrahamSouthorn]

Great stuff, thanks for this. There’s a few albums there that I haven’t heard so I will definitely check them out. Question for you: wasn’t there a live album as well? Think I heard it once but it was, well, bizarre. Interested to know your view on that one.

[@NotesReviews]

Yeah, The Mars Volta is very strange live. Either they hit their strive and really nail it...or it's a mess. In the beginning days I feel it's more mess than strive, but every once in a while you hear a real gem.

[@gfgf9045]

You gotta do spocks beard

[@BreakneckTV]

Octahedron didn’t do anything for me tbh. I have Frances #1 De-Loused #2 Ampitechture #3

[@rubenaguilar666]

Notctorni-quiet really bothered me and Vicarious Atonement too

[@thadavidrain]

Mine would be simpler: 1. Frances 2. De-Loused 3. Bedlam 4. everything else is equally amazing but just not on my favourites

[@Young_Bourdain]

You get it.

[@thadavidrain]

@@Young_Bourdain It's been 2 years and my ranking changed slightly. Bedlam is now in 4th with the rest, De-Loused is 3rd and Amputechture is 2nd.

[@Young_Bourdain]

@@thadavidrain as long as those are the top 4 I won't fight with you

[@thadavidrain]

@@Young_Bourdain No worries, man :)

[@adamrose6969]

6. Noctourniquet 5. Octahedron 4. Frances 3. Deloused 2. Bedlam 1. Amputechture

[@jamesfowler6785]

That is a fantastic list and I agree 100%

[@jeffreykatz3579]

1. De-Loused 2. Bedlam 3. Francis 4. Amputechture 5. Octahedron 6. Noctouniquet 1/2 nearly perfect 3/4 amazing with problems, some weak songs 5/6 very weak severe problems on both

[@FilletDev]

only problem with frances the mute is the pointless not really nice sounding last 2 minutes of the widow

[@johnolmos8670]

De Loused will always be the grand champion. It had Rick Rubin producing it Flea on Bass John Frusciante on some guitar. It has the best song writing and concept.

[@community_elbow]

imma have to go with frances for concept lol, its just such a mindfuck

[@johnolmos8670]

@@community_elbow the music isn’t as good

[@community_elbow]

@@johnolmos8670 deloused has got more variety for sure, but the writing, concept, all that other stuff gives frances the edge for me. Even then its still hard for me to choose lmao

[@johnolmos8670]

@@community_elbow the instruments are better in my opinion and it had Flea and a John frusciante that added so much. John Theodore’s drum parts are legendary on De loused. Frances the mute had better composition and guitar solos

[@patricfish3263]

6. Bedlam In Goliath 5. Octahedron 4. Noctourniquet 3. Frances The Mute 2. Deloused In The Comatorium 1. Amputechture

[@gustavocamargo9277]

so strange to me that so few people love amputechture above all others

[@_MikeThePerson]

Deloused is better than every other album. You're crazy.

[@ianbarnes1274]

It's pronounced Nock Turn A Kit

[@gab_gallard]

Eh... no. Noc-turn-EE-quet. It comes to from Nocturnal and Tourniquet.

[@ianprescott7924]

Gab Gallard No one pronounces tourniquet “turn ee kit” lmao. First guy’s right

[@bassistwithadeathwish7277]

I haven't really listened to Octahedron or Noctorniquet so here's my ranking: 4- The Bedlam in Goliath (7/10) 3- De-loused in the Comatorium (8/10) 2- Amputechture (8/10) 1- Frances the Mute (10/10) My favourite songs (Top 10): 10- Eriataka (7/10) 9- In Absentia (7/10) 8- The Widow (8/10) 7- Cicatriz ESP (8/10) 6- Meccamputecture (8/10) 5- Son et Lumiere/Inertiatic ESP (8.5/10) 4- Cygnus... Vismund Cygnus (9/10) 3- Day of the Baphomets (9.5/10) 2- Cassandra Gemini (9.9/10) 1- Viscera Eyes (10/10)

[@jalapenoboi4470]

are you talking about the 33 minute cassandra gemini or 4 minute one

[@cybrcorp5255]

Bro asilos magdalena

[@johnolmos8670]

You’re crazy Eriatarka is the greatest Mars Volta riff. No other Mars Volta guitar riff makes me turn my head faster than that one

[@johnolmos8670]

Viscera Eyes was a rejected At the drive in song

[@fgaron2000]

Bedlam is their second best, behind Frances! Idk

[@jooree7696]

Frances The Mute is one of the best prog metal album for me

[@mehimself3936]

Not really metal but still

[@anfrankogezamartincic1161]

Taste is a funny thing. BEDLAM is my favorite

[@raidenmunja5876]

Dude, do Mastodon Worst to Best, id like to see your overall opinions on each album

[@CJRanes]

1. Deloused in the comatorium 2. Francis the Mute 3. Amputecture 4. octohedron 5. Nocturniquet 6. the Bedlam in Goliath period!

[@markcarey67]

My ranking too.

[@Young_Bourdain]

Bedlam has Ilyena, Wax, and Goliath. Can't be 6.

[@andrewmartensen2390]

I do really like Octahedron way more 10+ years later and I’d say that and Frances are the ones I listen to the most along with Amputechture. But I think it’s criminal that Tremulant isn’t mentioned. For 19 minutes divided into 3 tracks I still keep going back.

[@johnnydeformed7123]

Bedlam is much better if you skip tracks 6 & 7.

[@jordanwayward4719]

Cavalettas slaps bro, wdym

[@johnnydeformed7123]

@@jordanwayward4719 eh, the first 2 minutes of it slaps, but then it just kinda gets away from him. (Omar) I'm aware that we're talking about prog rock here, but it's just part after part, fade in, fade out, never establishing a groove, it gets confusing. Which is different than saying it gets disorientating, one can write music that constantly exceeds or denies your expectations, making your head spin, but this sounds to me like the makings of, like, 4 or 5 songs that got mushed together.

[@jordanwayward4719]

@@johnnydeformed7123 I feel that.. it is one of the more proggy/experimental tracks on bedlam, and it’s especially one of those tracks that I grow to like more with more listens

[@jordanwayward4719]

@@johnnydeformed7123 I also like tourniquet man for the comic relief 😂 if it was any longer that’d be a different story tho

[@enjoybrad81]

The Tremulent EP should be part of this list.

[@JohnnyRecently]

No argument here. I agree with your order from worst to first.

[@baphometic8767]

your pronunciation of nocturniquet is...just silly man. lol. anyway, my list (from favorite to least) would be 1. frances 2. amp 3. de-loused 4. goliath 5. noctourniquet 6. octahedron

[@baphometic8767]

honestly though, there isn't a mars volta album i actively dislike. even the ones lower on the list i still love

[@grantwallace1882]

Would be great to hear your opinion of Killing Joke.

[@emmanueljimenez1574]

Well this is just my personal thoughts or better said "list of favorites albums": 1.- Deloused in the Comatorium (i mean most of the songs that are on that album just make me sing along the lyrics everytime i hear them but still i understand that the album can be a little overrated most of the time) 2.-Frances the Mute (although i would've put this one at the 1st on the list because one of all the songs this album has was the one that made me know about their band but still as i said most of the songs that are just a fucking delight to my ears are on Deloused so... yeah it's still a pretty damn great album) 3.-Amputechture (maybe the first or the last two songs are the ones that i'm not a fan of but still it truly is a great piece of an album albeit the album itself is somewhat underrated imo) 4.-Tremulant EP or Scabdates (i don't know why the song Concertina was moved to an EP but still if someone knows the reason to that then please let me know it) 5.-Octahedron (i mean i do like the album as a whole but i don't know maybe i have poor taste on a way) And finally... Noctourniquet... not so sure if i could label this album as a "favorite" 'cause i only like 3 or 2 songs from it so yeah i mean it isn't that bad, imo at least.

[@jacobusburger]

I agree with your best. "Frances the Mute" was the album that achieved GODHOOD in the discography.

[@kempokid2142]

My list would go: 1. Frances the Mute 2. Amputechture 3. Bedlam in Goliath 4. Deloused 5. Noctourniquet 6. Octahedron

[@lawnfurniture]

1. Frances The Mute 2. Deloused in the Comatorium 3. Tremulant EP (long pause) 3. Bedlam in Goliath 4. Noctourniquet 5. Amputechture 6. Octahedron 7. Self Titled - what the fuck was this? These dudes peaked pretty early.

[@muhperson9094]

I think personally it was partly because of At The Drive In

[@lawnfurniture]

@@muhperson9094 I’d have to agree. 2000-2005 these dudes tapped into something.

[@Guls574]

With you on on one and two. I would have put Bedlam at three and Nocturniquet at four. I don't listen to the other two so much

[@Univernia]

Perfectly reasonable list... although, I personally would put Bedlam ahead of Amputechture myself! Frances is a true masterpiece... it's impossible to list TMV albums without knowing Frances is number 1.

[@Brandonmtlhd]

They were basically trolling everyone with Nocturniquet.

[@AllMediaReviewsPodcast]

Frances the Mute (their greatest climaxes) Deloused in the Comatorium (cohesive, great energy) Tremulant (fun taste of what was to come) Noctourniquet (the experiments and electronics work enough) Octahedron (not amazing, but better than the previous 2 given the problems with those 2 albums are removed) Amputechture (meanders too much) The Bedlam in Goliath (unlistenable mixing/product of the noise wars)

[@AllMediaReviewsPodcast]

I'll agree with you in that the songwriting on Bedlam is good.

[@AllMediaReviewsPodcast]

the songwriting on Bedlam is good.

[@pablorocha8933]

Deloused in the comatorium, frances the mute, amputechture, noctourniquet, the bedlam in goliath, octahedron

[@dutchmastah07]

It’s pronounced Noctourni-kit

[@francoisdewit8073]

Nocture what now?

[@rubenaguilar666]

Do between the buried and me next!!

[@louisoddie4667]

De-loused and FtM are the top two hands down, Jon Theodore (original drummer) was perfect in his playing through all the songs. The second drummer, Thomas Pridgen, overplayed a Lot of parts to the point where it was hard for it to get behind, after bedlam in Goliath it went even further downhill.

[@bmoneyrancidfan91]

Frances and deloused #1 Octahedron #2 Amputechture #3 Bedlam #4 Nocturniquet #5

[@HalfMoonProphet]

My dude. You can't just pronounce 2/3 of the album titles so brutally wrong like this. "Noctourni-quiet" is particularly bad because it's sung very clearly in the title track.

[@tomthorsett1433]

Correct ranking: Deloused, Noctourniquet, Francis, Amputechture, Bedlam, Octahedron