Also check out "At the Drive In - Relationship of Command" while you're at it, old school goodness. First day impression of Octahedron- Wow, mellow. My typical draw to the Volta is the ability for the all-out-spaz-attack-melt-your-face-off-hold-still-we-know-what-we're-doing jam session. This is not so much the case here, they've come unplugged. Yes, there's still plenty of rocking moments such as "Teflon" and it's catchy chorus or "Cotopaxi" holding it's fury for less than 4 minutes, probably because the drummer's arms would otherwise fall off. From the longview this album could maybe be best described as "heartfelt." Without the frenetic pace and significantly less effects, it comes across as more sincere. I miss the lack of tension and crescendo, but this is a nice change of pace. Now I wonder if this is the beginning of a trend or if The Mars Volta is just taking a calming deep breath, readying their next battle cry. **** 4/5, it's not The Mars Volta as I know it but it is a welcome addition to the collection. I'm sure it will continue to grow on me as their other cd's have.