Octahedron (2009)

Those expecting another jolt of the Mars Volta's
 patented prog-
metal-jazz-fusion are likely to be
 bemused, if not downright disappointed, by the band's relatively restrained new album.
 Octahedron is rife with hushed passages, acoustic filigrees, and dreamy vocals that herald either a radical retooling or, more likely, a period of transition for these experimentalists. But fans needn't feel too bummed: The lyrics remain as arcane as ever. Even if you don't totally love the band's new direction, you can bet there's a juicy pretentious concept waiting to
 be rooted out here. B–

Download This: Listen to the song Since We’ve Been Wrong at last.fm