For the uninitiated, I'm about to do one of my famous comparison. The Mars Volta sounds like Radiohead jamming with Tool all overseen by Pink Floyd with many modern punksters cheering on from the sidelines. Great art is always derivative of that which came before it, and Deloused is the perfect example. The machine-gun fire drumming and pounding guitars just plain sound like punk. But it's impossible to say it's punk and leave it at that. Along with the California-punk sound, there's an equal mixture of synthesized backbeats and plaintive singing. Like Radiohead. Except not as mopey and British (not that there's anything wrong with that. Melikes Thom and Company mucho).

Some music is meant for parties - this is definitely not one of them. Like Radiohead's Amnesiac, it's a little too esoteric for the general public to jump on. But in the same vein, Deloused provides enough concussive rock to keep you going while you're driving in the car.