Last month ALARM presented its 50 favorite albums of 2012, an eclectic, rock-heavy selection of discs that were in steady rotation in our downtown-Chicago premises. Now, to give some love to tunes that were left out, we have our 50 (+5) favorite songs of last year — singles, B-sides, EP standouts, soundtrack cuts, and more.
The Mars Volta: Noctourniquet (Warner Bros., 3/27/12)
At the start of spring, The Mars Volta released one of its most diverse, balanced albums to date — spiraling through progressive melodies, pop structures, and synthesized effects. Noctourniquet delivered on all fronts, and “The Malkin Jewel” was one of its standout singles.
Because the world needs more awesome super-groups, Christian Eric Beaulieu of Triclops!, Cedric Bixler Zavala of The Mars Volta, and special guests Mike Watt (Minutemen) and Rachel Fannan (Sleepy Sun) have coalesced as a project called Anywhere.
The group’s style is a blend of Eastern-influenced acoustic/psych punk, and you can hear the jangly, falsettoed, self-titled single below. Anywhere’s self-titled debut is out in the USA on July 24 via ATP Recordings.
Guitarist/composer Omar Rodriguez Lopez, mastermind of The Mars Volta, has tabbed drummer Zach Hill and synth bassist Jonathan Hischke of Hella as well as bassist Juan Alderete de la Peña of The Mars Volta to form a “new” group — aptly named El Grupo Nuevo de Omar Rodriguez Lopez.
Pumping out loud, fractured rock, The Mars Volta challenges their audience with every new release and live show. If you’re offered ear plugs, take them. And if you’re asked to describe them, don’t say “prog.”