There are very few bands where I end up loving more than two albums. Either they keep sounding the same and it gets old, or they change enough that it’s not the same music you fell in love with.

Every one of the six albums from The Mars Volta is incredible. When I try to use music recommendation services to find similar artists, I don’t like any “related” bands. I’ve only ever heard a single track that reminds me of them at all: 21st Century Schizoid Man by King Crimson.

TMV isn’t for everyone. It’s often very intense, and the lead vocals are an instant turnoff for many. I’ve only ever met two people who also love them...though their first album sold 500,000 copies.

Those guys are geniuses and I can’t find anyone else like them.