De-Loused in the Comatorium
The Mars Volta · 2003
60 min · 10 tracks · progressive rock
A frenetic blend of progressive rock, jazz fusion, and psychedelic elements creating an immersive auditory narrative.
Top tracks — play these first
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Inertiatic ESP Start here — This track exemplifies the band's intricate compositions and dynamic shifts, serving as a powerful introduction to their surreal narrative style.
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Drunkship of Lanterns — With its expansive instrumentation and evocative lyrics, this track captures the essence of disorientation and exploration that permeates the album.
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Televators — A haunting ballad that contrasts with the album's often frenetic energy, showcasing vulnerability through both lyrical content and melodic structure.
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Cicatriz ESP — This nearly thirteen-minute epic illustrates the band's penchant for complex arrangements and thematic depth, embodying the album’s overarching narrative.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's intricate structures and unique sound make it a standout in progressive rock.
What we noticed
- Each song often transitions seamlessly into the next, with overlapping musical themes and motifs that enhance the narrative flow.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with peaks
- surreal narratives and imagery
- explosive instrumentation throughout
- wave-like pacing and flow
Maybe skip if you
- seeking straightforward song structures
- prefer instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This debut album established The Mars Volta's reputation and showcased their innovative sound.
- Themes
- surreal disorientation· drug-induced visions· post-hardcore transition
- Career context
- De-Loused in the Comatorium was The Mars Volta's debut album, following the dissolution of their previous band, At the Drive-In. Released in 2003, it marked their transition from post-hardcore to a more experimental sound, showcasing their unique blend of genres and ambitious storytelling.
- Stylistic neighbors
- At the Drive-In· Coheed and Cambria· The Dear Hunter
Tracklist
- 1 Son et lumière 1:35
- 2 Inertiatic ESP Start here 4:23
- 3 Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of) 7:30
- 4 Tira me a las arañas 1:28
- 5 Drunkship of Lanterns 7:05
- 6 Eriatarka 6:20
- 7 Cicatriz ESP 12:28
- 8 This Apparatus Must Be Unearthed 4:57
- 9 Televators 6:18
- 10 Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt 8:41
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Larks' Tongues in Aspic
King Crimson
Shares the same frenetic energy and complex structures with a blend of jazz and rock influences.
In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3
Coheed and Cambria
Combines progressive rock with a conceptual narrative that explores surreal themes and intricate musicianship.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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