With the release of "De-Loused In The Comatorium" The Mars Volta managed to get the attention of mainstream audiences. Their music was very dense, layered, full of technicality and an original sound that wasn't so much inaccessible as it was just something that took time to digest. But that was their main charm. Despite the complexity and instrumental ability displayed by the members, the band still managed to make songs that were memorable, enjoyable, and that invited many more replays in order to appreciate what was going on. However, there was another thing that went along with the band besides the fresh sound that they provided: their live performances.
The early live shows of The Mars Volta were the things that made them gain a reputation at first, with their big and impressive dominance of the stage, with very energetic and technical performances where every member's role was fulfilled in a great and passionate way. Initially, the scope of the album was to replicate the intensity of their early live shows on studio form, but things changed with Rick Rubin as a producer, simplifying some elements in order to make the music more digestible and less "in your face". Either way, the band started to show one thing that they were great replicating the studio elements on a live setting, while still expanding on the concept with their live jamming. There was no doubt that the group was something fantastic to witness live, and that is why in 2003, not long after the release of De-Loused, the band put out a live EP in limited quantities, showcasing their live virtues on an official release.
A rarity within rarities, collector's item that goes for some high amounts of money, with a cover showing their main backdrop at the time, a visual representation of the greco-roman myth Arachne (who many fans would come to associate more with Clavietika Tresojos), compiling four tracks from two different live performances. It doesn't really do justice to the insane live potential of the band. To a certain extent, this EP would have the same problems as their live album, Scabdates, mainly that they both compile recordings from different shows and that they are structured on an odd way. It is not to say that the "Live" (that is the name given to the actual EP) release is a bad or horrible try by the band, but it really doesn't represent the great live potential and energy from the band. Of course, the production value between the two sections varies quite a bit, but it is nothing distracting, but the song themselves are more than decently performed (and it has to be mentioned how this was technically Alderete's first appearance on an official Volta release).
Starting with the first two tracks, Roulette Dares and Drunkship of Lanterns, recorded at XFM Maida Vale Studios, showing off good renditions of their studio counterparts and giving an official hint of Cygnus Vismund Cygnus on the ambient section of the track. The second half, with two songs recorded in the De-Loused release tour, are Cicatriz ESP and Televators. This would be a great example of many things, first of all, how some tracks were started to be stretched with jam segments, and how every member would manage to carry such a performance without derailing too much from the initial intention of the track, and also how the positioning of the track mattered on the setlist. What I mean by this is that a couple of years later fans would get the complete Electric Ballroom performance positioning the tracks on their proper place and experiencing the concert on its entirety (some would do it that same year with the bootleg of a show from that tour).
Scabdates and Live have the problem of being live albums not containing the entirety of a concert, but extracts from specific performances making up for a very sort of incomplete experience (in the case of this EP, it would feel rushed more than anything). The magic of the band's live presence was witnessing the progression or surprises of the setlist, with every concert having a distinct feeling before the De-Loused tour. Sure, these minor looks at their onstage bonanzas, the technicality, their experimentation on those long tracks (which are not the cup of tea of some people, but what was provided certainly worked on a very unique way compared to the studio counterpart), their evident emotion and passion (of course the highlight for many being Televators, with the soft vocals and the impressive arrangements), are great for fans or people who want to have a small taste of what they sound on a live setting, but over the years, and even back then, there would be much better ways to witness that with the presence of bootlegs. The first two tracks deviate in some aspects with the second half, specially with the cleaner sound, making not the entirety of it feel cohesive and consistent, and it doesn't help that the cut between tracks is very abrupt, with Televators ending so suddenly leaving expectation for Take The Veil but just finishing the album on a very rushed way. It is certainly very sudden to jump straight into Cicatriz ESP with no warning, and that seems to be the main thing that catches a lot of people off guard. It is just not all that good of a look into the wonderful world of Volta's live performances.
There are things to take from the EP. As it was mentioned before, it gave a look into the slow evolution of the band, their jamming qualities, their little snippets to future works, their ability to replicate the studio qualities onstage, the coordination and chemistry, and the great performances, with all the complexity and collaboration that was to be expected from the band. Every member plays an important role in the sound, and it just leaves the listener with desires to leave the entire performance, the entire concert. And I think that is the biggest flaw of the release, it is very disjointed, and it doesn't showcase the wonderful potential of a full show from the band. Considering the fact that this was one of their two live releases, it would certainly feel as an underwhelming experience, with none of their full wonderful live shows being cleaned up and put on an official release, instead giving a collection of tracks that certainly have a lot to unpack, but that don't blend all that well as a full release. But still, there are a more than considerable amount of excellent and essential bootlegs available for those who want to see what these group was capable of. But as a first look to their performances, it is certainly a good experience.
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
Favorite Track: Cicatriz ESP
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