Scabdates

Last updated
Scabdates
Scabdates2.jpg
Live album by
ReleasedNovember 8, 2005
RecordedMay 2004–May 2005, Various live performances
Genre Progressive rock, experimental rock
Length72:54
Label Gold Standard Laboratories
Universal Records
Strummer
Producer Omar Rodríguez-López
The Mars Volta chronology
Frances the Mute
(2005)
Scabdates
(2005)
Amputechture
(2006)

Scabdates is the second official live recording from the band The Mars Volta. It was released on November 8, 2005 and features music recorded between May 2004 and May 2005 during the tours in support of De-Loused in the Comatorium and Frances the Mute . In 2011, NME magazine named it one of the 50 greatest live albums of all time. [1] The "And Ghosted Pouts" section of "Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt" was used in the film Get Him to the Greek .

Contents

Overview

Only three of the band's songs are represented on Scabdates, which mainly comprises expansions on musical themes which appear elsewhere in their work, or entirely new segments altogether, such as the lengthy exposition on "Cicatriz"; which, when combined with its introduction "Haruspex", accounts for over 48 minutes of the album. Its lengthy jam incorporates themes which would later be used in "Cassandra Gemini" almost a year later on Frances the Mute. By contrast, the Scabdates version of "Concertina" is shorter than its studio counterpart released on the Tremulant EP . The album ends with Cedric thanking the audience by telling them to "go home and take a bath."

Portions of the album include overdubbing and tape effects that were not part of the original live recordings. "Abrasions Mount the Timpani" features field recordings of mewling babies and airliner announcements that Omar recorded on the road, while "Cicatriz" incorporates an eight-minute psychedelic sound collage of other Mars Volta live performances (notably performances of "Eunuch Provocateur" and "Cassandra Gemini"), alongside field recordings of the band and others talking and laughing. The album, like many live albums before it, was also mixed to sound as if it came from one performance.

Rodriguez subsequently commented on the compilation of the album that:

I listened to my favorite live records, and said, "Okay, that's nice. What would I want as a fan?" When I was a kid, I always wanted little moments about the band on tour, so I could imagine them in my head. You hear our live record, and it starts with sound check and our technicians speaking about what's wrong with the microphone. And then there's us backstage, and then it goes into the concert, and then in the middle of a song, I put in some conversations we had on the tour bus. All these things are really appealing to me. A lot of people who were upset said, "This is not a live album. It includes all this other bullshit. And it has overdubs!" It has no overdubs, it was just mixed in a creative way. [2]

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic (58/100) [3]
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Entertainment Weekly B [5]
IGN (5/10) [6]
Paste (4/10) [3]
Pitchfork Media (3.5/10) [7]
PopMatters Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]
Punknews.orgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [9]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [10]
Sputnikmusic(2/5) [11]
Tiny Mix Tapes Star half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [12]
Ultimate Guitar (8.4/10) [13]

The Mars Volta have freely encouraged the trading of bootlegged live performances, but Scabdates was lauded by many fans for its superior sound quality and for being the first official recording that captured the Volta's lengthy experimental workouts during live performances. Some critics were not impressed with the band's jam sessions, with IGN describing the album as "sonic meandering which some regard as genius and others find to be a futile exercise in pretentious instrumental masturbation." [6]

The album scored a 58/100 on Metacritic, indicating "mixed or average reviews". [3] Some reviews were positive: Under the Radar gave it a score of seven stars out of ten and called it "One of those rare live offerings: a document that actually complements the band's catalog." [3] NME gave it a score of seven out of ten and called it "marvelous". [3]

Other reviews were pretty average, mixed or negative: The Austin Chronicle gave it three stars out of five and said: "Seventy-three crack-in-the-earth's-crust minutes liquefy into the same basic miasma as the sophomore LP that inspired them, yet more streamlined, less apt to wander into the ambient dead zones like 'Caviglia,' a problematic disconnection of the disc's overall forward thrust." [14] Uncut also gave it three stars and said, "Your appreciation of Scab Dates will be predicated on a high tolerance to long bongo solos and songs called things like 'Abrasions Mount The Timpani'." [3] Prefix Magazine gave it an average review and said the album "does an adequate job of capturing what is best experienced in the flesh." [15] Blender gave it two stars out of five and said, "The songs get lost in waves of wah-wah long before a long, slow fade into random-noise oblivion." [3] Pitchfork Media gave it a score of 3.5 out of ten and said it was "neither a concession nor a step forward, revealing inclinations that feel half as indulgent as they should when following a record like Frances the Mute, and about half as interesting to listen to." [7]

As of February 2007 it has sold 64,000 copies in United States. [16]

Track listing

Like Frances the Mute , portions of Scabdates were cut into separate sections for the CD pressing. "Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt" was spread along three tracks, while "Cicatriz" was spread across five; the fifth section, "Part IV", begins with the sound collage mentioned above. On vinyl, "Cicatriz" was split along three sides: "Cicatriz" ended side B, "Parts I-III" on side C, and "Part IV" taking up Side D.

Finalized track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Abrasions Mount the Timpani"4:07
2."Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt" (Gust of Mutts - And Ghosted Pouts)13:23
3."Caviglia"2:46
4."Concertina"4:17
5."Haruspex"5:24
6."Cicatriz" (Cicatriz - Part I - Part II - Part III - Part IV)42:58

CD pressing

No.TitleLength
1."Abrasions Mount the Timpani"4:07
2."Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt"5:57
3."Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt A. Gust of Mutts"2:34
4."Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt B. And Ghosted Pouts"4:52
5."Caviglia"2:46
6."Concertina"4:17
7."Haruspex"5:24
8."Cicatriz"8:16
9."Cicatriz A. Part I"2:34
10."Cicatriz B. Part II"7:39
11."Cicatriz C. Part III"4:29
12."Cicatriz D. Part IV"20:01

Source of recordings

05/12/2004 – Wiltern Theatre – Los Angeles, CA
05/13/2004 – Wiltern Theatre – Los Angeles, CA
05/05/2005 – Roseland Ballroom – New York City, NY
05/06/2005 – Roseland Ballroom – New York City, NY
05/10/2005 – Avalon Ballroom – Boston, MA

Personnel

The Mars Volta

Recording personnel

Artwork

Charts

Chart performance for Scabdates
Chart (2005)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [17] 87
US Billboard 200 [18] 76

Related Research Articles

<i>De-Loused in the Comatorium</i> 2003 studio album by The Mars Volta

De-Loused in the Comatorium is the debut studio album by American progressive rock band the Mars Volta, released on June 24, 2003, on Gold Standard Laboratories and Universal Records. Based on a short story written by lead singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala and sound manipulation artist Jeremy Ward, the concept album is an hour-long tale of Cerpin Taxt, a man who enters a week-long coma after overdosing on a mixture of morphine and rat poison. The story of Cerpin Taxt alludes to the death of El Paso, Texas artist—and Bixler-Zavala's friend—Julio Venegas (1972–1996).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Mars Volta</span> American rock band

The Mars Volta is an American progressive rock band from El Paso, formed in 2001. The band's only constant members are Omar Rodríguez-López and Cedric Bixler-Zavala, whose partnership forms the core of the band. The band's current line-up also includes founding member Eva Gardner (bass), Omar's brother Marcel Rodriguez-Lopez, Leo Genovese and Linda-Philomène Tsoungui (drums).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omar Rodríguez-López</span> Puerto Rican guitarist and songwriter

Omar Alfredo Rodríguez-López is a Puerto Rican guitarist and songwriter. He has formed or played in several bands, including The Mars Volta, At the Drive-In, Antemasque, and Bosnian Rainbows. He was the bassist for the dub band De Facto. He has embarked on a solo career, both in studio and in concert, frequently described as experimental, avant-garde, or progressive. He has also collaborated with numerous artists, such as Damo Suzuki, John Frusciante, El-P, Mon Laferte and Calle 13.

<i>Frances the Mute</i> 2005 studio album by The Mars Volta

Frances the Mute is the second studio album by American progressive rock band The Mars Volta released in February 2005 on Gold Standard Laboratories and Universal. Produced by guitarist and songwriter Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, the album incorporates dub, ambient, Latin and jazz influences, and is the first to feature bassist Juan Alderete and percussionist Marcel Rodriguez-Lopez. The album also includes contributions from future saxophonist Adrián Terrazas-González, who joined the band during its subsequent tour.

<i>Tremulant</i> (EP) 2002 EP by The Mars Volta

Tremulant is the debut EP release by progressive rock band The Mars Volta, released on April 2, 2002, on Gold Standard Labs. Produced by Alex Newport, the EP marks the only appearance of founding bassist Eva Gardner until the release of The Mars Volta's self-titled album in 2022. A remastered version of the EP was released on April 16, 2014.

<i>Acrobatic Tenement</i> 1996 studio album by At the Drive-In

Acrobatic Tenement is the debut studio album by American post-hardcore band At the Drive-In, released on August 18, 1996, on Flipside. The album was reissued by Fearless Records in 2004, along with the band's subsequent albums In/Casino/Out and Relationship of Command, and was re-released again in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cedric Bixler-Zavala</span> American singer

Cedric Bixler-Zavala is an American musician. He is the lead singer and lyricist of the progressive rock band the Mars Volta since its inception in 2001. He was the lead singer and only constant member of the post-hardcore group At the Drive-In, the lead singer of the band Antemasque, and singer and guitarist in the band Zavalaz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeremy Ward (musician)</span> American musician (1976–2003)

Jeremy Michael Ward was an American musician, best known as the sound technician and vocal operator for The Mars Volta and De Facto.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isaiah "Ikey" Owens</span> American keyboardist (1974–2014)

Randolph Isaiah "Ikey" Owens was an American keyboardist known for his work with The Mars Volta, Jack White and an array of bands from the Long Beach music scene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Widow (song)</span> 2005 single by The Mars Volta

"The Widow" (sometimes titled "The Widow (I'll Never Sleep Alone)") is a song by The Mars Volta, from their second album Frances the Mute. The song was first performed in May 2004 at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles during The Mars Volta's three-night residence closing the tour supporting their debut LP, De-Loused in the Comatorium. At the concert, the song was dedicated to former Mars Volta member Jeremy Ward, who died of a drug overdose in May 2003. The song peaked at number 95 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it the band's first and only single to chart there. The song also reached number 20 in the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. The single was also released on vinyl under the title "Frances the Mute".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juan Alderete</span> American musician (born 1963)

Juan Alderete de la Peña is an American musician, best known as the longtime bassist of Racer X, the Mars Volta and Marilyn Manson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jon Theodore</span> American drummer (born 1973)

Jon Philip Theodore is an American drummer. He has been the current drummer for Queens of the Stone Age since 2013, and is also known for being the drummer for the Mars Volta from 2001 to 2006.

<i>Amputechture</i> 2006 studio album by The Mars Volta

Amputechture is the third studio album by American progressive rock band the Mars Volta, released on September 12, 2006, on Gold Standard Laboratories and Universal Records. Produced by guitarist and songwriter Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, the album marks the final appearance of drummer Jon Theodore, and is the first studio album to feature guitarist and sound manipulator Paul Hinojos, formerly of At the Drive-In and Sparta.

<i>The Bedlam in Goliath</i> 2008 studio album by The Mars Volta

The Bedlam in Goliath is the fourth studio album by American progressive rock band the Mars Volta, released on January 29, 2008, on Gold Standard Laboratories and Universal Motown Records. Produced by guitarist and songwriter Omar Rodríguez-López, the album's creation was fraught with strange occurrences after an experience with a ouija that Rodriguez-Lopez bought as a gift for vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala. The album is their first to feature drummer Thomas Pridgen, and the last to include guitarist and sound manipulator Paul Hinojos, wind multi-instrumentalist Adrián Terrazas-González, and keyboardist Isaiah "Ikey" Owens.

The Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group is an American experimental rock band, and the main side project of Omar Rodríguez-López. Featuring an ever-changing lineup of musicians alongside Rodriguez-Lopez, the group is most often a live entity to perform the various outlets of his solo music aside from the Mars Volta. After the dissolution of the Mars Volta in 2012, Omar completed a few more solo records until 2013 before deciding to pursue only collaborative efforts with groups At the Drive-In, Bosnian Rainbows, Antemasque, and Crystal Fairy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Mars Volta discography</span>

The discography of The Mars Volta, an American progressive rock group formed in 2001, consists of eight studio albums, one live album, two extended plays, and nine singles. The final lineup of The Mars Volta consisted of the two founding members Omar Rodríguez-López on guitar and production, Cedric Bixler-Zavala on vocals and lyrics, along with Juan Alderete on bass, Marcel Rodríguez-López on keyboards and percussion, and Deantoni Parks on drums.

<i>Cryptomnesia</i> (album) 2009 studio album by Omar Rodríguez-López

Cryptomnesia is the debut studio album by El Grupo Nuevo de Omar Rodriguez Lopez, released on May 5, 2009. The album is the first of three albums recorded by the band, and is Rodriguez-Lopez' eleventh record overall. According to Rodriguez-Lopez, the album was "recorded in the summer of 2006, around the same time I did Old Money. It was a very, very fun record to make. I made that record in five or six days."

<i>Octahedron</i> (album) 2009 studio album by The Mars Volta

Octahedron is the fifth full-length studio album by American progressive rock band the Mars Volta, released on June 23, 2009. The album was released by Warner Bros. Records in North America and Mercury Records worldwide. It is the last studio album to feature drummer Thomas Pridgen and guitarist John Frusciante, and the first not to feature contributions from keyboardist Isaiah "Ikey" Owens and multi-instrumentalist Adrián Terrazas-González.

<i>Noctourniquet</i> 2012 studio album by the Mars Volta

Noctourniquet is the sixth studio album by American progressive rock band the Mars Volta, released on March 26, 2012 on Warner Bros. Produced by guitarist and songwriter Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, it is the band's only studio album to feature drummer Deantoni Parks, and their first album not to include contributions from guitarist John Frusciante.

<i>The Mars Volta</i> (album) 2022 studio album by the Mars Volta

The Mars Volta is the seventh studio album by American progressive rock band the Mars Volta, released through Clouds Hill on September 16, 2022. Produced by guitarist, songwriter and musical director Omar Rodríguez-López, the album was preceded by the singles "Blacklight Shine", "Graveyard Love" and "Vigil".

References

  1. "Pictures of The 50 greatest live albums of all time - Photos". Nme.Com. 2011-03-09. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  2. Hyden, Steven (2008-01-29). "Omar Rodriguez-Lopez of The Mars Volta | Music | Interview". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Critic reviews at Metacritic
  4. Allmusic review
  5. "Entertainment Weekly review". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on 2009-04-25. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
  6. 1 2 "The Mars Volta - Scabdates". IGN . 2006-01-14. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
  7. 1 2 Pitchfork Media review
  8. PopMatters review
  9. Punknews.org review
  10. Rolling Stone review
  11. Sputnikmusic review
  12. Tiny Mix Tapes review
  13. Ultimate Guitar Review
  14. The Austin Chronicle review
  15. Prefix Magazine review
  16. Mitchell, Gail (10 February 2007). "The Rock Roster". Billboard. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  17. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 177.
  18. "The Mars Volta Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 24, 2022.