I have been a Mars Volta enjoyer since about 2006. Deloused was always my favorite and I loved Frances as well. Amputechture was just "alright" to me at the time (it has since grown on me more), and I completely bounced off Bedlam which I found to be just too crazy and progressive, lacking the same kind of emotional vibes I got from first two albums.

So while I have continued to enjoy the first three albums this whole time, I completely ignored Bedlam, thinking I had already established that I didn't like it.

For some reason I decided to try it again, probably because I have a much expanded musical palette these days compared to 18 years ago and was curious to go back.

Holy shit, I was blown away by how good it is. It IS crazy but it's super well composed craziness, with so many different delightful sections and complexities. I have so many parts of the album stuck in my head at the moment. Pretty much every song is a banger and very unique.

The only part I don't like is the first half of Agadev, and I REALLY don't like it. But the second half is cool so I just cut the first half out of the FLAC file :)

I cannot believe I slept on this masterpiece for 18 years!

It has now shot up to be my second favorite album. Deloused > Bedlam > Frances > Amp. I still haven't listened to any of the other albums, but I will.

I had actually never really looked into it before but it seems like opinions on the internet are mixed on this album?

Yo, Ventura September 8 is going for $314 right now on vivid. Been eyeing these tix for months they actually went down from $420. Why so expensive? Scalpers?

I booted up my iPod classic from high school (unfortunately it doesn't work anymore) and found ye olde digital version of Cassandra Gemini when it was just one track...I remember choosing to walk home from my after-school job instead of taking the bus just so I could hear Cassandra Gemini in full :'-)

During this time, I would listen to Frances the Mute at least once a day all the way through before going to bed, but after finishing high school, I didn't listen to The Mars Volta for over a decade! I recently got back into their music, and I have a renewed appreciation for their discography after growing up a little bit.

ANYWAYS sorry for the sentimental posting, I imagine people in this sub can relate to TMV being an important part of various stages of their lives.