the mars volta

I've been listening to a so-called "concept album" called Frances the Mute by The Mars Volta. The Mars Volta is a two-man progressive rock band. The lead vocalist reminds me of Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant, but in an even higher vocal register. The guitar work is just phenomenal. The album in general evokes a mix of Led Zeppelin (for the vocals, guitar, and bluesy feel), Rush (again, vocals), and Radiohead (for the way all the songs blend together as a symphonic epic). If this appeals to you, check out The Mars Volta.

Update (03-Apr-2005): Throw Carlos Santana and Parliament Funkadelic into the mix of artists that The Mars Volta remind me of. I've been listening to Frances the Mute even more lately, and I continue to be simply astounded by Omar Rodriguez-Lopez's kamikaze guitar assaults and Cedric Bixler-Zavala's primal scream vocals. The Mars Volta isn't going to get much radio play, but it's clear to me that they're trying to do something truly unique in the music landscape. In my opinion, this is a success.