Review by Geoff Jenke
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez is an American multi instrumentals, songwriter and producer. He was guitarist and band leader with the group The Mars Volta until their demise in 2012. He is currently in the band At The Drive In and working with two other bands Antemasque and Bosnian Rainbows.
Lopez is currently in the midst of releasing a series of solo albums every two weeks through the Ipecac label. He started with the Sworn Virgins album in July 2016 and this recording; Solid State Mercenaries is the 21st in the series. The songs on these albums were recorded between 2008 and 2013. Lopez is a very productive person, as this is the 46th studio album he has been involved with.
Putting out that many albums in such a short space of time is a huge risk. Is he really that good a writer and musician that can sustain that output? Imagine if the Beatles had put out 21 albums in their small space of time. I am certain the quality they are known for would not have continued.
So it is with Omar Rodriguez-Lopez. I will admit I have not heard any of the other 20 albums in this series but was willing to give him a fair listen. However when the first track, Bought Some Faith came on, it was almost unlistenable noise. It was going to be a long ride.
Then song two, Sinister Page started with some beautiful acoustic guitar (and is that a violin in the background?) but unfortunately the vocals also kicked in. They have had some serious studio effect put on them and unfortunately this was the case for the whole album.
The whole project is extremely self indulgent and it is hard to see what the benefit is.
There is some beautiful music on this album (Your Hazard Name), and even a great jazz sounding piece with some wild guitar playing (Five Star) all spoilt by the vocals. Perhaps it would have been better as an instrumental album.
Enter at your own risk.
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