So, I'm in a CD store, in a mall, and ask some kid if they have the new Dream Theater in yet. Well, they didn't. But me and this kid start to talk about music and he actually seems to know what he's talking about! Surprising to find in a mall for some reason.

So we're chatting about prog and metal and other things and he asks me, have I heard of The Mars Volta. I hadn't. He grabs the CD and throws it into a listening station for me and I am wowed. Then I made him listen to In Absentia and he is wowed!

So, I buy this Mars Volta CD (called "de-loused in the comatorium") and listen to it, in full, over the weekend. It's excellent. The kid described it to me as "the harder side of Dream Theater". I think that's a pretty accurate description. Good drums and guitar. The CD rocks with some nice dreamier, prog-like moments thrown in.

I think that I've seen this name thrown around here before, but I'm not sure. Anyone else know this band? If not, it's definately worth checking out if you like that sort of thing.

I did finally get the new DT today. I'm listening to it now and have already had one of my collegues ask me to turn it down.....usually the sign of a great CD.