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The Mars Volta

The Mars Volta

Date: Feb 25 2008

Themes: Alternative, Music

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

The Mars Volta’s music often seems to come from another world. Guitar solos played in scales that sound so strange the band probably made them up themselves come out of the speakers at high speeds. The rhythm can change from a Latin beat to punk and back within a minute. Electronic effects are often used on the vocals and the lyrics sound like a book of poetry read backwards.

But you might actually be able to hear the spirits on the Mars Volta’s latest album, The Bedlam in Goliath, The band claims to have been communicating with the dead while they were recording. Listen to Marni tell Jason about it.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

Log in to Listen

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Marni

Marni

Jason

Jason

Marni:  So I was just listening to NPR and they were talking about the new Mars Volta record.

Jason:  Oh yeah, what’s the concept this time?

Marni:  Apparently it’s about a Ouija board. It has a lot to do with this Ouija board they bought and they felt like it was really talking to them and all this weird stuff started happening, like the recording studio flooded and I guess it got really intense to the point where they literally took it, destroyed it and buried it so they could finish recording it.

Jason:  All the drugs they do probably helped them think that the Ouija board was talking to them.

Marni:  Yeah, I think they do a few substances a little. I mean, their music is weird. I don’t know if I’m really into it.

Jason:  What does the new album sound like?

Marni:  It’s kind all over the map. They’re obviously very skilled musicians, you know, a lot of weird time signatures, all that sort of, you know, Rush-y kinda…

Jason:  But is it just really schizophrenic, like the bit that you heard?

Marni:  Yes. I would say that’s a good…

Jason:  Because I love how virtuosic they are and how weird their sounds are, but sometimes I think they just need to focus.

Marni:  Exactly! It’s just a little too all over the place.

Jason:  Make one song.

Marni:  Yeah, exactly, I agree with you. But it was definitely interesting. I mean, I gotta give ‘em credit, and the story’s intriguing.

 

Quizzes

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Discussion

Marni heard some of the new Mars Volta album on the radio. Since previous Mars Volta albums have been made around concepts like dreams in a coma, Jason asks what the concept of the record is this time.

Marni says that the album is based on an experience the band had with a Ouija board, which is board with letters on it that some people believe can be used to communicate with spirits and the dead. When the studio flooded and things started going wrong with the recording, the band decided to destroy the Ouija board and bury it. They finished the album OK after that.

It’s an interesting story, but Marni isn’t sure if she likes the album. She and Jason agree that sometimes the Mars Volta’s music all over the place. Marni thinks it sounds like Rush sometimes, and there’s no doubt that any band that sounds like Rush has got to be a group of amazing musicians.

Grammar Point:
If you listen to the audio, you might find the pronunciation of “Ouija” a little bit confusing. It’s pronounced “WEE-gee,” and no one’s quite sure where the word came from. Since the word doesn’t sound like it starts with a vowel, it’s proper to say “a Ouija” instead of “an Ouija.” It’s capitalized because it’s a trademark. But it’s a common term that’s applied to similar products that aren’t part of the trademark. It’s like how the word “Coke” can actually refer to any soft drink.

 

Comments

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irinaKr

irinaKr

Russian Federation

I   woud like   hear this musik everyday.

05:34 PM Mar 31 2008 |

rainy031

rainy031

China

hi , i am rainy , i cannot catch the article at all.

what is the means of "ouija board "? it means "卡罗牌" ,if we say it in chinese ? who can hep me ?

please contact with me in my privable e-mail

"

02:55 PM Mar 31 2008 |

alsaherman

alsaherman

Sudan

i wont to enter the chat english

but i can not enter

10:28 AM Mar 31 2008 |

man without marcy

Dominican Republic

ilike soft music my favorite song is the way you look tonight from elton john but,and  i like to sing in the bathroom, and i dont like country music is so boring

05:28 AM Mar 30 2008 |

angelo2

angelo2

Ecuador

Iam beautiful very good

04:48 PM Mar 29 2008 |

shama80

Saudi Arabia

السلام  عليكم

hi ilike thees muic

10:26 AM Mar 27 2008 |

Chheang Vannda

Cambodia

I like it because it has good rhythm.

04:50 AM Mar 25 2008 |

XHL0722666

XHL0722666

China

I LIKE MUSIC TOO,IT CAN MAKE ME FORGET  MANY THING

09:50 AM Mar 24 2008 |

timmy_john

Egypt

as they will more focus , it gains better sounds

06:05 PM Mar 20 2008 |

elizabeth84

Azerbaijan

it is nice song i like such kind of music

 

05:58 PM Mar 20 2008 |

Chheang Vannda

Cambodia

I like this song because it has good rhythm .

05:12 AM Mar 19 2008 |

good400

Senegal


My name is Angel ,i saw your profile today and became intrested in you,i will also like to know you the more,and i want you to send an email to my email address so i can give you my picture for you to know whom i am.Here is my email address l believe we can move from here I am waiting.Please i want you to send me your e-mail to my own e-mail box so that i will send you my picture and you will know who i am Angel.(Remeber the distance or colour does not matter but love matters alot in life)
Thanks

Angel

07:15 PM Mar 18 2008 |

Jin Ju

Jin Ju

Kazakhstan

I’ve never heard of Mars Volta,,and i’m not kinda into punk music,,but i gotta listen to their songs,,^^
This lesson is amazing,,lots of new vocabulary~~

05:26 PM Mar 16 2008 |

Chheang Vannda

Cambodia

I like this song because it has good rhythm .

08:03 AM Mar 16 2008 |

qtluvbug

qtluvbug

Pakistan

schizophrenic though it may seem but the album aint anything new,
after all talking to dead is a supernatuaral phenomenon which is still believed by many…

But the wierdness of this band really creates a fuss among the listeners ;)

01:59 PM Mar 12 2008 |

qtluvbug

qtluvbug

Pakistan

schizophrenic thought it may seem but the album aint anything new,
after all talking to dead is a supernatuaral phenomenon which is still believed by many…

01:55 PM Mar 12 2008 |

li xu

li xu

China

I think no matter what the rhythm is like it's a kind of style!it has its own thoughts and reason

08:28 AM Mar 01 2008 |

Fiza

Fiza

Germany

i do agree with all this discussion, but what about that this sort of music is giving influence to frustrations and uncertainty ?

09:34 AM Feb 29 2008 |

Fiza

Fiza

Germany

i do agree with all this discussion, but what about that this sort of music is giving influence to frustrations and uncertainty ?

09:29 AM Feb 29 2008 |

HuangYe

HuangYe

United Kingdom

So,how about The cure? i prefer to this band!

03:28 PM Feb 28 2008 |

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