If there is one word that describes Omar Rodriguez-Lopez’s solo career, it is prolific. Let’s be honest here, he has released eight albums in the past year (with one more coming in 2010 in addition to the two released already this year). It’s amazing he finds time to do anything else in life. Oh wait, he also released a full-length movie in February…and it’s only June. His solo career has been interesting to say the least. He doesn’t just stick to one sound, instead going from genre to genre.On Sepulcros De Miel, Rodriguez-Lopez enlists the newly created Quartet which includes many of his Mars Volta band mates, and friend/former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusicante. It is one of those albums that it takes a few listens to really sink in. As with most of his solo records, Rodriguez-Lopez pretty much takes convention and throws it out the window. A mixture of electronic music and “progressive” (whatever that means nowadays) rock describes the album in a nutshell.
One of the best things about this album is the price. Free. Well, it can be downloaded for free from his website…or you can donate as much money as you wish to download the album. The donations go to “Keep Music in Schools”, a charity that Rodriguez-Lopez has chosen to benefit from the proceeds from the album. Pretty cool move in my opinion. He certainly doesn’t have to do that, and the fact that the band is giving any money raised to a charity is awesome. If you do decide to download the album, DEFINETLY give over at least a few dollars.
Back to the record…As mentioned, Sepulcros De Miel takes a few times though to really understand it. Actually, scratch that. It’s an album that I’m not sure CAN be understood (even under the influence….tried it….didn’t make any more sense). The most impressive part of the composition is the synthesizer work done by Rodriguez-Lopez and Frusicante. Those two are artists in the truest sense of the word, not just musically (Frusicante paints and was involved with Rodriguez-Lopez’s film as executive producer). Their guitar work is great as well, but coming from those two it’s not a surprise.
In terms of being “accessible”, the album reaches that level to a degree. It’s a bit of a journey, and for those not into experimental rock music, it may be a chore. At the same time, it’s way easier to listen to then Rodriguez-Lopez’s album with Jeremy Michael Ward from 2001. For fans of Rodriguez-Lopez/Frusicante, this album is a definite pick-up and worth at least a B. Still, for the average listener it gets knocked down a letter due mostly due to the fact that most people won't "get it".
Grade----C
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