What makes Old Money by Omar Rodríguez-López notable?

Old Money received critical attention for its bold thematic content that critiques elite power structures, reflecting Rodríguez-López's politically charged artistic vision. It was well-received in progressive rock circles and further solidified his reputation as a boundary-pushing artist outside of his work with The Mars Volta. Released in 2008, Old Money is Omar Rodríguez-López's second solo album, following his debut, The Apocalypse Inside of an Orange. At this point in his career, he was already recognized for his innovative work with The Mars Volta, which had brought him significant acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. This album showcases his continued exploration of complex musical structures and unconventional themes after the band's commercial peak.

Who is Old Money for?

Old Money works well if you're into dynamic flow with reflective peaks, surreal soundscapes for deep listening and political themes inspire critical thought.

How many songs are on Old Money?

Old Money has 10 tracks, running approximately 45 minutes.

Old Money

Omar Rodríguez-López · 2008

45 min · 10 tracks · progressive rock

A chaotic fusion of avant-garde rock and surrealist themes, layered with intricate instrumentation and provocative lyrical commentary.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Power of Myth — This opening track sets the tone with its blend of ethereal sounds and critical commentary on mythology, establishing the album’s overarching themes.
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How to Bill the Bilderberg Group — With its sharp lyrics and rhythmic complexity, this track exemplifies Rodríguez-López's knack for merging socio-political critique into intricate soundscapes.
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Old Money — The title track encapsulates the album’s spirit through its expansive length and layered instrumentation, inviting listeners into a deep exploration of wealth's darker implications.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

61 /100

Treeline

Higher than 71% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate arrangements and surreal lyrics create a unique listening experience, though its cohesion is somewhat uneven.

What we noticed

Each song incorporates multiple layers of instrumentation, often with overlapping melodies that create a dense soundscape.
Lyrical themes are delivered in a fragmented manner, with verses that often shift perspective or narrative focus, enhancing the surrealist feel.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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 flow with reflective peaks
surreal soundscapes for deep listening
political themes inspire critical thought
wave-like pacing encourages immersion

Maybe skip if you

prefer straightforward, catchy tracks
seek instant gratification in music

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 2008, Old Money is Omar Rodríguez-López's second solo album, following his debut, The Apocalypse Inside of an Orange. At this point in his career, he was already recognized for his innovative work with The Mars Volta, which had brought him significant acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. This album showcases his continued exploration of complex musical structures and unconventional themes after the band's commercial peak.
Stylistic neighbors: The Mars Volta· King Crimson· Porcupine Tree