The Mars Volta: Noctourniquet

5.

I don't know why I don't like this band. Oh yeah, the singer is annoying as a drill running through my head. His voice is so high, more so than Jon Anderson, Geddy Lee or other prog rockers. They often resemble The Chipmunks, if they made a progressive rock album. I give it a 5. for musicianship. No one can doubt their talent, much like Dream Theatre or other bands that flaunt their chops. I don't find their melodies, very melodic. They sound like Berklee musicians who think they can prove a melody is good with music theory. Maybe a little less technique, and more pot-smoking would help. That's how this band sounds to me, like a very sober band making drug music. If The Mars Volta quit to teach drum and guitar  lessons, they'd be equally relative to the planet.