The Mars Volta at Roseland - October 8th, 2009

The smartest decision this band made was to headline with no opener and play smaller venues like Roseland. Of course, they did their share of festival stops this summer, but it's clear that cozy is how these fellows prefer to feel. While I ended up missing the first half hour of what happened to be close to a 2-hour set (hey, I'm a busy New Yorker aright??), I have to say I was thrilled that the band played a set full of really key songs, even throwing in Eunuch Provocateur as a very nice surprise. It was about as true a mix of all their records you can get without harping too much on new stuff, as a lot of other bands would do. Since their actual breakup with heroine, TMV appear fully committed to providing their fans with a show they actually want to see, not just stand through for the good parts. They've also become quite keen on how long to jam before it becomes dross Syd Barrett on acid shit.

The band sounded great, and Roseland is a place where such things can happen, but unfortunately there seemed to be a lot of problems for Mr. Bixler-Zavala, whose mic was giving out on him every few minutes. On top of that, it was clear he had trouble hearing himself through the monitors, creating some moments where a misguided vocal over a perfectly executed chorus were a bit of a let down. All the same, not very much in the band's control. Sure didn't stop Cedric from weaving like a serpent, playing hacky sack with his trademark white mic, or busting out the more than occasional handstand. I can't say the energy from the rest of the band was as high, except of course for Toms Bombz Pridgin. Might have been due to this show being one of the last in a long series stretching back to June. Nonetheless, it was a good enough show considering all the factors against them, and as per usual, no encore, which I greatly respect.

Check out some fantastic pics @ brooklyn vegan.

Son Et Lumiere
Intertiac E.S.P.
Goliath
Cotopaxi
Roulette Dares
Viscera Eyes
Halo of Nembutals
Eunuch Provocateur
Ilyena
Teflon
Drunkship of Lanterns
Luciforms
The Widow
Wax Simulacra