Omar Rodriguez Lopez - The Apocalypse Inside Of An Orange & Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fungus

THE APOCALYPSE INSIDE OF AN ORANGE

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez

Heavy Prog

This is by far my favourite Omar release and quite possibly one of my most listened to albums.With Omar's solo & Mars Volta releases there are certain elements in which Omar brings within every song he features on and have subsequently become a prominent part of his playing and overall sound.There is no doubt he has influences from avant guard,Jazz/fusion,progressive rock and Puerto Rican musicians and this album perhaps captures these more so then his earlier solo albums released prior to this revealing itself as a far more concentrated record.

This is his fourth solo release and second as the Omar Rodriguez Quintet with a line-up of five musicians with roles like that very much of a jazz band featuring sax/bass clarinets,keyboards and the obvious drums,bass and guitar.The overall essence of the album from first listen you'll release how improvisation and spontaneous jamming is the nature of this album.Though each song seems to veer from one extreme music style to the next with Melting Chariots being very much funk rock opener for the album next to sparked from the insult list almost being Santana Esq then to the very psychedelic/avant realms of the self titled song Apocalypse inside of an orange.The track listing is very much like that throughout the album which would surely make you think that could would loose the context and overall theme of an album but that's irrelevant,when there isn't a style to begin with other then Omar's.But that's the brilliance of this album and Omar in general,It doesn't loose touch of it's purpose.Others things you may notice is jams and ideas making reprises and being remodelled for future Mars Volta songs.This albums example is Jacob Van Lennepkade II which would soon become Viscera Eyes on the album Amputechture.

So if your already a fan of The Mars Volta and Omar or even fusion music this album is not missed. Recommend songs:Melting Chariots & Coma Pony.

ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FUNGUS

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez

Heavy Prog

This album was eventually released in 2008 has been in the making since around 2002.With the break up with At The Drive and the beginning of The Mars Volta you could view this album as a documentation of Omar's evolution as an artist.From the very start of the record you get the feel of the opening track Hands Tied to the Roots of a Hemorrhage could of featured on a At The Drive In album or perhaps The Mars Volta's Tremulant EP.Though a great song this may be the reason for the albums weak point which would be consistency.

I must say though,this is among my favourite Omar solo records and experimentation and dissonance features very heavily throughout the album.This album certainly has to be one of Omar's most experimental.This features heavily in the albums sound almost making it more a complete experimental/psychedelic record if it weren't for songs such as Tied Prom Digs on the Docks and Hands Tied to the Roots of a Hemorrhage learning towards Prog Rock (which are also my favourite tracks) This combination of psychedelia and rock could almost be comparable to a modern Syd Barret era Floyd (Whom influenced Omar tremendously).Omar has the tendency to play various styles and has no exception here.The songs seem to flip back and forth from styles and you find yourself often confused by the beginning of a song taken an unexpected turn to somewhere you never expected.But the great thing with this record is though you have no idea where the songs are taking you and it's the journey it takes in which you benefit, which is the great thing about it.There is no doubt this is a strong album with strong songs it just lacks a very slight theme and overall tonality.This isn't to say I expect every song to intertwine with one another but these various songs over a period of time have been placed onto an album which gives it the feel of a compilation album.

So for Mars Volta fans who disliked the avant & ambient moments in Frances,this album may not be for you.Otherwise Omar & Mars Volta fans alike will love this.