Search - Omar Rodriguez Lopez :: Old Money

Jupiter Volta

doomsdayer520 | Pennsylvania | 02/02/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Omar Rodriguez Lopez's level of output is truly staggering, especially if you consider the sonic complexity of his work. Fans of the Mars Volta should check out Omar's solo albums, since several members of the gang are regular contributors and with Omar in charge across the board, his musical muse will be instantly recognizable. This latest album (the next will be released next week - literally) can be considered a slightly relaxed version of the prog fury of the Mars Volta, without the vocals and with (even) more exploration. Omar's basic tendencies are all here, with highly technical progressive rock/jazz elements mixing with new-fangled sonic manipulation.



Songwriting is probably not the main point on this particular album, with more of an interest in improvisation and collaboration. But the manipulation of sound becomes an Achilles heel in several songs here. For example, you can imagine Omar and his compatriots getting stuck in an improvisational groove with no musical conclusion to be found, so Omar added nonsensical noise to the recorded version to either conclude the song or add variety. This is tragically evident in the otherwise spooky "How to Bill the Bilderburg Group," and in the album's only truly unsuccessful track, the maddeningly repetitive "Trilateral Commission as Dinner Guests." Meanwhile, the short interludes "1921" and "Vipers in the Bosom" are merely experiments in electronic production and don't deliver on their basic musical ideas.



But on the other hand, you can't fault Omar for wanting to get his avalanche of ideas out to his listeners, and serious fans will definitely appreciate the musical and experimental power. In that regard, this album delivers some punishing masterpieces of instrumental prog rock that completely work in the songwriting department, most notably "The Power of Myth," "Family War Funding (Love Those Rothschilds)" and the extra epic "Old Money." As evidenced on this album, Omar's solo work is less developed than the ferocious attack delivered regularly by the Mars Volta, and his individual muse is surely an acquired taste, but fans will continue to be astounded (and rewarded) by his hyper-creativity. [~doomsdayer520~]"

Another great one!

Keegan R. Lerch | Bethlehem, PA | 02/02/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album creeps up slowly and has already grown on me since I have listened to it several times. Omar's albums always seem to go that one extra step further than other Rock artists. I don't know if I would apply the term "Space rock" to this album (such as "minor cuts" or "calibration" are), but it does have it's spacey moments.



There are some killer tracks on here that involve Juan Alderete de la Pena, Marcel Rodriguez Lopez, Adrian Terrazas-Gonzales, Cedric, Jon Theodore. The last two tracks might possibly be my favorites of the album.

So, sit back and get ready for the craziness, funkiness, and out-there rock-n-roll of Omar Rodriguez Lopez's latest and greatest! I heartily recommend it!"

Strong Currency

Exxxxx | shack in the wilderness. | 02/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you're a huge TMV fan, but in between when it comes to most of Omar's solo records then you're probably going to really like this one. I heard from a friend that supposedly most of the songs on Old Money were originally going to be the follow up to Amputechture but were scrapped (or set aside) for The Bedlam In Goliath. I don't know if that's true but it's believable based on the overall sound and structure of Old Money. My favorites include Private Fortunes, The Power of Myth, & Population Council's Wet Dream. Everything else ranges from decent to great except for 1921 which didn't do much for me personally. Anyways, if you're not into TMV this probably isn't going to do anything to change your mind, but fans will find a lot on here to satisfy them I'm sure."