The Bedlam in Goliath

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The Bedlam in Goliath
Studio album by The Mars Volta
Released January 29, 2008 (2008-01-29)
Recorded 2006–2007 at Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood, California and Rodriguez-Lopez's home studio in Brooklyn, New York
Genre Progressive rock, experimental rock
Length 75:45
Label Universal Motown Records, Gold Standard Laboratories
Producer Omar Rodríguez-López
The Mars Volta chronology
Amputechture
(2006)		 The Bedlam in Goliath
(2008)		 Octahedron
(2009)
Singles from The Bedlam in Goliath
  1. "Wax Simulacra"
    Released: November 19, 2007
  2. "Goliath USB single"
    Released: April 7, 2008
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AbsolutePunk.net 85%[1]
Allmusic 4.5/5 stars[2]
The A.V. Club (C-)[3]
Drowned in Sound 8/10 stars[4]
NME 8/10 stars[5]
Pitchfork Media (4.3/10)[6]
PopMatters 6/10 stars[7]
Spin 2/5 stars[8]

The Bedlam in Goliath is the fourth full-length studio album by American progressive rock band The Mars Volta. It was released on January 29, 2008, and January 26, 2008 in Australia[9] through Universal Motown Records. The album debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200, becoming the band's highest charting release after selling over 54,000 copies in its opening week.

Produced by guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López with engineer Robert Carranza, the album's creation process was subject to "bad luck controversy" after the band's bizarre experience with a ouija that Rodriguez-Lopez bought as a gift for Cedric Bixler-Zavala. "Wax Simulacra" was released on November 19, 2007 as the album's first single, coupled with a cover version of "Pulled to Bits", originally by Siouxsie and the Banshees. Vinyl editions of the album include a ouija inside the gatefold, claimed to be the band's own take on the board they previously owned. "Wax Simulacra" won at the 51st Grammy Awards for Best Hard Rock Performance.[10]

Having previously contributed the artwork to the 2006 release of Amputechture, Jeff Jordan was again brought in to handle the illustrations for the album, creating 11 original paintings to coincide with the theme of The Bedlam in Goliath, as well as including a piece from his own gallery.[11] The piece used for the cover is entitled "Agadez".[12]

Contents

[edit] Production

[edit] Background

On a trip in Jerusalem, Rodriguez-Lopez purchased an archaic ouija-type talking board at a curio shop as a gift for Bixler-Zavala. They would return to their tour bus after shows to play with it during their 2006 tour with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, as it quickly became the band's post-show ritual.[13] Dubbed "The Soothsayer", the board revealed stories, gave names and made demands, as the band was contacted by three different people who appeared in the form of one, who was then referred to as "Goliath". The more the band interacted with "The Soothsayer", otherworldly coincidences began plaguing the band's experience writing and recording The Bedlam in Goliath: Blake Fleming—their current drummer at the time — quit mid-tour and left the band with financial troubles; Bixler-Zavala wound up needing surgery performed on his foot due to the shoes he had been wearing, forcing him to relearn how to walk post-surgery;[13] audio tracks sporadically and literally disappeared from the studio's harddrives; Rodriguez-Lopez's home studio flooded and was subject to multiple power outages; and the album's original engineer went through a nervous breakdown, leaving behind all previous work with no notes as to where anything was.[14] The engineer who quit stated to Rodriguez-Lopez: "I'm not going to help you make this record. You're trying to do something very bad with this record, you're trying to make me crazy and you're trying to make people crazy."[15]

Rodriguez-Lopez was on the brink of starting the recording from scratch, but eventually kept on after recruiting Robert Carranza as a replacement engineer, along with assistance from Lars Stalfors and Isaiah Abolin. Midway through the recording sessions, Rodriguez-Lopez broke "The Soothsayer" in half and buried it in an undisclosed location as an attempt to undo the curse and halt the unforeseen tragedies. Rodriguez-Lopez swore never to give away the location of the burial, and also asked the band not to speak of it again during the remainder of the album's production.[13]

The song "Soothsayer" contains field recordings that Omar recorded in Jerusalem. The recordings are a mixture from the Jewish quarter, the Muslim Quarter and the Christian Quarter.[16]

[edit] Recording process

Recorded and mixed at Ocean Way Studios in Hollywood and Rodriguez-Lopez's home studio in Brooklyn, New York, song material for The Bedlam in Goliath dates back to April 2006 when demos were first written.[17] Without a stable studio drummer after the three consecutive losses of Jon Theodore, Blake Fleming and Deantoni Parks in a single year, the band was introduced to the 24-year-old Thomas Pridgen, whose youthful presence—as described by Bixler-Zavala—had given The Mars Volta new life.[18] Rodriguez-Lopez worked with Rich Costey to finish the album in a three-week stretch, assisted by Shawn Michael Sullivan and Claudius Mittendorfer as editors.[14]

In an interview, Carranza described the recording process for The Bedlam in Goliath stating that no more than three takes an hour were recorded, as a way to soak in what was recorded and to hear the differences, which in turn improved the general mood and atmosphere of the album's creation. Elaborating on the method, Carranza stated that "when van Gogh was around he wasn't just painting, painting, painting. I'm sure he took a step back once in a while. You should do the same when you're recording."[19]

The string quintet on "Soothsayer" was recorded on Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco.[citation needed]

Eventually the band decided in favor of Wax Simulacra as the first single:[20]

“ Originally, the label wanted to introduce the LP with the track "Goliath," but the band wouldn't have it.

" 'Goliath' is about nine, 10 minutes long, and the end of it is so interesting, we didn't really want it to be used as a single," [Cedric] said. "It kept getting butchered and came off really bad.

 ”


[edit] Themes

Bixler-Zavala incorporated themes and names into the lyrics that were taken from messages given by "The Soothsayer". It also including excerpts from poems that were found attached to the ouija, describing a love triangle between a woman, her daughter and a man in a Muslim society, along with an honor killing involving these people[citation needed]. Each song reinterprets the relationship in some shape or form, and as a good luck charm to counteract the cryptic themes, Bixler-Zavala incorporated elements of the Afro-Caribbean religious tradition Santería into the lyrics as a "protective skin" to protect the band.[13]

The album ultimately serves as an attempt to artistically reverse their perceived bad luck by "setting traps" for the listeners to use as a way to undo what "The Soothsayer" had brought upon the band. To aid the concept, vinyl editions of the album contain the band's own version of the ouija inside the gatefold.[13]

[edit] Promotion

[edit] Webisodes

Four webisodes were posted on The Mars Volta's official website, depicting the band in various and sometimes humorous situations.[21]

  • "Wax Simulacra" contains live footage of the band performing on their Australian 2007 Tour.
  • "Aberinkula" is based around the band playing cards and then performing surgery on a person, finding odd objects inside of the body.
  • "Goliath" consists of the band performing on obscure instruments in the middle of a street, with a man dressed like the Elephant Man.
  • "Askepios" is made up of footage of a celebration party that takes place in front of a green screen. Several props and objects appearing in the other videos (including a piñata bearing the effigy of George W. Bush) are passed around and examined during the celebration.
  • "Ilyena" was posted at Dailymotion, showing footage of the band in a classroom with Rodriguez-Lopez introducing Adrián Terrazas-González, who appears as a police officer to lecture to the class. The last half of the video shows everyone on a rooftop watching as graffiti artists Grey and Thomas Pridgen spray paint their tags on a wall.[22]

[edit] Cover artwork puzzle

A scrambled picture puzzle was put up on the official website featuring the front cover artwork for The Bedlam in Goliath. If solved, a free MP3 download of The Mars Volta performing a cover version of "Back Against the Wall" by the Circle Jerks was available.[23] Presently, solving the puzzle no longer gives a promotional code for the free download.

[edit] Goliath: The Soothsayer

Based on the events that took place during the creation of The Bedlam in Goliath, the online game Goliath: The Soothsayer was released via Amazon through January 2–29, and later made publicly available at Newgrounds on January 29, 2008. Developed by Ben Leffler of Leffler Web Design, the game is described as a horror/supernatural "point 'n' click".[24]

New Year's Eve promo flyer

[edit] 2008 club tour

A ticket presale was announced on the band's website for a New Year's Eve show at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, California, promoted with flyers that featured exclusive The Bedlam in Goliath artwork illustrated by Jeff Jordan. The band would then announce a following January club tour in 2008 where they would then debut new material from the album for the first time prior to its release.[25]

[edit] USB flash drive

The album was also released on a limited USB flash drive that resembled a piece of a ouija board. While primarily containing The Bedlam in Goliath in its entirety, the flash drive unlocked a variety of bonus material on the 29th of each month throughout 2008. The content included webisodes, concert footage, limited edition wallpaper, b-sides and unreleased tracks.

[edit] VinylDisc Single

In some U.S. record stores, a free 5" VinylDisc of The Mars Volta's cover of Pink Floyd's "Candy and a Currant Bun" was given away with purchase of the album. The VinylDisc is a new format that has a digital side and a vinyl side. One side plays in a CD player, while the other side plays on a turntable. The vinyl side contains the Pink Floyd cover "Candy and a Currant Bun", while the CD side contains the audio track for "Candy and a Currant Bun" as well as the "Wax Simulacra" video as enhanced content. It also comes with a removable foam spindle insert to switch between CD & vinyl.

[edit] Best Buy Exclusive

Best Buy shipped the album with a download code for exclusive tracks, "Pulled to Bits" and "Birthday", as well as a free bonus DVD with 20-minute concert footage of "Cygnus....Vismund Cygnus". However, many of the DVDs were unplayable, the codes expired after a certain amount of time, and the downloads (being in secure WMA format) were not Mac compatible.

[edit] Vinyl release

The 2x12" vinyl version of the album was released on June 10, 2008. A 7" vinyl accompanies the double LP. It is in the shape of a planchette, and features a previously unreleased track called "Mr. Muggs", named after Jim Jones' pet Chimpanzee. The double LP is half red and half black.

[edit] Track listing

All songs by Omar Rodríguez-López and Cedric Bixler-Zavala.

No. Title Length
1. "Aberinkula"   5:45
2. "Metatron"   8:12
3. "Ilyena"   5:36
4. "Wax Simulacra"   2:39
5. "Goliath"   7:15
6. "Tourniquet Man"   2:38
7. "Cavalettas"   9:32
8. "Agadez"   6:44
9. "Askepios"   5:11
10. "Ouroborous"   6:36
11. "Soothsayer"   9:08
12. "Conjugal Burns"   6:36

[edit] Notes

  • An aberinkula is a special kind of drum used in Nigeria. Also, "aberinkula" can be translated as "non-believer".
  • Metatron is the name of an angel in Judaism and some branches of Christianity. It is also considered to harbor the voice of God.
  • Ilyena is a reference to Ilyena Vasilievna Mironov, which is the birth name of actress Dame Helen Mirren. "I've named a song 'Ilyena' after the real name of the actress Helen Mirren because she is my favorite actress and the song is a little lighthearted and different from the subject matter."[26]
  • The word "simulacrum" is used to describe a representation of another thing, such as a statue or a painting; especially of a god. It also describes an image without the substance or qualities of the original. Simulacra is simply the plural form of the word.
  • Goliath is a Philistine warrior mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. He is famous for his battle in the 11th century BC that he lost against David, the young Israelite boy whom had already been chosen by God and anointed by Samuel to become the King of Israel.
  • "Una cavaletta" is said to be a woman who constantly tries to change her lover into some fantasy she has conjured.
  • Agadez is the largest city in northern Niger.
  • Askepios is named after the Greek medicine god, Asclepius.
  • The Ouroboros is an ancient symbol depicting a serpent or dragon swallowing its own tail and forming a circle. It is spelled as "Ouroborous" on the album's track listing, but this is likely to be a printing error as The Mars Volta's official website and the ASCAP website both list the track as "Ouroboros".
  • The inner booklet features a series of images commonly known as the "Seven Powers of Africa".
  • A soothsayer is one who predicts future events based on personal beliefs instead of common reasoning.

[edit] Bonus tracks and b-sides

No. Title Length
1. "Back Up Against the Wall" (Circle Jerks cover. Previously available on The Mars Volta's official website as a digital download.) 1:34
2. "Birthday" (The Sugarcubes cover. Available on the Japanese version of the album and from Best Buy as a bonus download.) 4:20
3. "Candy and a Currant Bun" (Pink Floyd cover. Available on the UK, AUS, and NZ versions of the album. Also from U.S. independent record stores as a VinylDisc single.) 2:20
4. "Pulled to Bits" (Siouxsie and the Banshees cover. Available on the "Wax Simulacra" single and from Best Buy as a bonus download.) 3:27
5. "Memories" (Soft Machine cover. Available on the Japanese version of the album and on iTunes as a bonus track.) 3:04
6. "Things Behind the Sun" (Nick Drake cover. Available on the Japanese version of the album and on iTunes as a bonus track.) 4:07
7. "Mr. Muggs" (Bonus track on vinyl edition of the album.) 3:15

[edit] Demos

  • "GetMadRef" ("Agadez" demo) – 5:54
    • Available through USB stick on December 29, 2008.
  • "Ratiplet for Label" ("Soothsayer" demo) – 4:52
    • Available through USB stick on December 29, 2008.

[edit] Chart positions

Chart (2008) Peak
position[27]
US Billboard 200 3
Australian ARIA Album Chart 3
Austrian Album Chart 46
Belgian Albums Chart 35
Canadian Albums Chart 6
Dutch Albums Chart 42
Finnish Albums Chart 9
French Albums Chart 87
German Albums Chart 29
Italian Albums Chart 47
Irish Albums Chart 57
Mexican Albums Chart 47
New Zealand RIANZ Albums Chart 13
Norwegian Albums Chart 10
Spanish Albums Chart 58
Swedish Albums Chart 32
Swiss Albums Chart 57
UK Albums Chart 42

[edit] Personnel

[edit] References

  1. ^ Pascarella, Tony. The Bedlam in Goliath review absolutepunk.net. 2008-02-04.
  2. ^ Bush, John. The Bedlam in Goliath review allmusic.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-27.
  3. ^ Heller, Jason. The Bedlam in Goliath review avclub.com. 2008-01-28. Retrieved on 2011-06-27.
  4. ^ Doran, John. The Bedlam in Goliath review drownedinsound.com. 2008-01-22. Retrieved on 2011-06-27.
  5. ^ Nicolson, Barry. The Bedlam in Goliath review 2008-01-23. Retrieved on 2011-06-27.
  6. ^ Cohen, Ian. The Bedlam in Goliath review 2008-02-06. Retrieved on 2011-06-27.
  7. ^ Blackie, Andrew. The Bedlam in Goliath review 2008-01-29. Retrieved on 2011-06-27.
  8. ^ Gross, Joe. The Bedlam in Goliath review spin.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-27.
  9. ^ "The Mars Volta - The Bedlam In Goliath Music at JB Hi-Fi Australia". http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/music/id/1115310. 
  10. ^ "The Mars Volta Wins 'Best Hard Rock' Grammy for 'Wax Simulacra'". Blabbermouth.net (Roadrunner Records). 2009-02-08. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=114003. Retrieved 2009-02-09. 
  11. ^ "Album Preview: The Mars Volta - The Bedlam In Goliath - The Apparatus". grindingtheapparatus.net. December 13, 2007. http://grindingtheapparatus.net/album-previews/the-mars-volta-the-bedlam-in-goliath.html. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
  12. ^ The Art of Jeff Jordan ::: Gallery
  13. ^ a b c d e "Mars Volta's Next Album 'Did Not Want To Be Born' - News Story". mtv.com. November 5, 2007. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1573427/20071102/mars_volta.jhtml?rsspartner=rssFeedBurner. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
  14. ^ a b "The Mars Volta's Descent into Bedlam: A Rhapsody in Three Parts" (DOC). themarsvolta.com. October 28, 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-02-27. http://web.archive.org/web/20080227185120/http://themarsvolta.com/TBIG.doc. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
  15. ^ MP3.com: Interview - The curse of Mars Volta
  16. ^ Blue Mountain explores the Southern-rock roads less traveled while the Mars Volta tries to shed its bad voodoo on the way to releasing The Bedlam in Goliath., page 1 - Music - Riverfront Times - Riverfront Times
  17. ^ "Revolver - The Comatorium Community". thecomatorium.com. December 2, 2007. http://www.thecomatorium.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=96036. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
  18. ^ "Interview with Cedric in Swedish magazine Groove - The Comatorium Community". thecomatorium.com. December 14, 2007. http://www.thecomatorium.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=96761. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
  19. ^ "Robert Carranza". eqmag.com. August 2007. http://www.eqmag.com/article/robert-carranza/Aug-07/30614. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
  20. ^ Mars Volta's Next Album 'Did Not Want To Be Born' - News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News
  21. ^ "The Mars Volta : Bedlam in Goliath". thecomatorium.com. 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-12-13. http://web.archive.org/web/20071213020844/http://www.themarsvolta.com/video/. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
  22. ^ "Video WEBISODE 4 - Goliath - Mars, volta, rock, bedlam, podcast - Dailymotion Share Your Videos". Dailymotion. December 11, 2007. http://www.dailymotion.com/mars-volta/video/x3q8zo_webisode-4-goliath_music. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
  23. ^ "The Mars Volta : Puzzle". thecomatorium.com. 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-12-13. http://web.archive.org/web/20071213020834/http://www.themarsvolta.com/puzzle/. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
  24. ^ "Goliath The Soothsayer". Newgrounds. December 18, 2007. http://lefflerwebdesign.newgrounds.com/news/post/59175. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
  25. ^ "The Mars Volta To Unleash 'Bedlam' On January Tour". Ultimate Guitar Archive. December 12, 2007. http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/upcoming_releases/the_mars_volta_to_unleash_bedlam_on_january_tour.html. Retrieved 2007-12-19. 
  26. ^ » Mars Volta encounters demons and spirits during recording of Bedlam in Goliath Marquee Magazine - Live for Live Music!
  27. ^ "The Mars Volta - The Bedlam in Goliath - Music Charts". acharts.us. http://acharts.us/album/31847. Retrieved 2008-10-12. 

[edit] External links

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