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Scab Dates

The Mars Volta - Scab Dates Audio CD

A fair review of the The Mars Volta "Scab Dates" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all The Mars Volta reviews here, or go back to the The Mars Volta tabs.

Band: The Mars Volta
Title: Scab Dates
Rating:

Release Date: 2008-06-04
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Abrasions Mount the Timpani 2: Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt 3: Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt: Gust of Mutts 4: Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt: And Ghosted Pouts 5: Caviglia 6: Concertina 7: Haruspex 8: Cicatriz 9: Cicatriz, Pt. 1 10: Cicatriz, Pt. 2 11: Cicatriz, Pt. 3 12: Cicatriz, Pt. 4

Mars Volta - 'Scab Dates' (Universal) 4 1/2 stars
52. Review no. 'Scab Dates' was taken from two live Mars Volta gigs - May, 2004 - Los Angeles and May, 2005 in New York City. For anyone who knows me personally or have even read my reviews, I'm a huge live album nut. I really liked hearing 'Scab Dates' - as for a live CD, it simply can't be beat. Plenty of 'weird' sound effects through out it's six tracks and it seventy-two minutes duration. Tunes I found myself played several times were the thirteen-minute "Take The Veil Cerpin Taxt", the tripping "Concertina" and the 43 minute (you read that correct) out-of-control psychedelic four-part epic "Cicatria". I got to catch the Mars Volta out on their current U. S. trek and I would have to say that 'Scab Dates' {where'd they get that term? been reading my diary?} documents their live show quite well. Essential.

Very Few Will Appreciate This Work Of Art
You can insult his playing, accuse him of being pretentious and mock his compositional style as much as you like, but you will achieve nothing, everything this man creates is the way it is supposed to be, the way it should be, and it astounds me. To most listeners (even fans of The Mars Volta) this will be difficult listening, especially the final track, simply because Omar Rodriguez-Lopez does not want you to feel comfortable.

I think it ought to be noted that this is not exactly a live album, yes it does feature live recordings of the group, but they are from several different shows and most importantly have been tampered with somewhat by Omar himself (most notably in the latter half of "Cicatriz").

The album doesn't really showcase any members of the group other than Omar, which may seem selfish and/or egotistical of him but in actuality it is a very interesting listen, the array of sounds he can create with his huge board of effects pedals is more than most bands can create combined, plus he is the one who writes all of the music we hear from the band and is in control to do what he wishes. I for one adore the man and his entire output.

Although I think that Cedric's live voice has improved vastly since the Frances The Mute tour in terms of intonation, his voice is still addictive and very listenable (taking into account the amount of dancing around he does in shows) and there are moments of greatness for him on this record ("Concertina").

If you are as much of a fan of the original recording of "Take The Veil. . . Cerpin Taxt" as I am then you might be disappointed with the live version portrayed here, but after a few listens it will surprise you how much you grow to enjoy it (the same goes for the other tracks), Omar has never been known to repeat the same performance, so don't expect it to be as it is on De-Loused In The Comatorium.

The real meat of this album is undoubtedly "Cicatriz", at over 40 minutes in length, it can become uncomfortable and straining to get through, but just let it control you, forget what you are doing and truly appreciate it. The first 15 or so minutes are as you would expect, a live recording of the lengthiest song from The Mars Volta's debut record, but after that things start changing and "Cicatriz ESP" is pretty much abandoned for about 20 minutes. We start to hear a collage of little snippets from many live shows (several of Cassandra Gemini (which are just great)) glued together with abstract noise, people having conversations, and other such sound in the `Musique-Concrete' tradition. All of this makes for an enticing, extraordinary listen, it's just that you have to work hard for it, you must earn it.

Can't Get Enough
I have been a huge TMV fan for 4 years, but for some reason I had always ignored Scabdates. . Probably since a few of the songs are on other albums, I didn't think it would be anything special. I ordered it on a whim the other day and since I got it I can't stop listening. It's a bunch of jam session I hadn't heard (that I really really like) and a new spin on songs I already loved. The emotion in the music and voice is pumped up a bit.

I will, however, say that this should not be the first TMV album you sample. Almost every time I hear a new Volta song I think to myself "okay, this is even a little crazy for the Volta. . . " But then about 3 listens later I love it. TMV is like coffee, wine, beer, etc. . . You almost surely won't care for it so much the first time you listen, but if you give it a few more chances it turns into God. .

Just can't get into THIS album
It just sounds like something a couple of stoned kids that can't play instruments would make. I was absolutely amazed by Deloused, been a little less amazed by Francis and Ap, but Scab dates almost made me not buy the brilliant Bedlam in Goliath. Just too much random noise. I've seen them live and don't remember anything as bad as most of this. Avoid and wait for a proper live album.

If you are looking for an accurate documentation of what they sound like live... then THIS IS NOT IT!!!
They were AMAZING. I LOVE Volta, in fact I own all of their albums and saw them live at Klondike Days back in 2005. The Mars Volta are one of the most influential bands ever.

However, I did not hear anything good here. The sticker on the packaging brags "Over 70 Minutes Of Live Music" which is really an oxymoron in essence when you think about it. 50% of it is just sound effects, and Omar wankering around with the sound machine. OK Omar, we get it, your music is really trippy. Plus the production is horrible, the album sounds like it was produced in a toilet (pun intended). PLus whatn happened to Jonnie's drums? They sound like friggin' cardboard boxes.

You can see a complete list of all The Mars Volta discography, or go back to the The Mars Volta tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.