Album Details

• Artist: Zechs Marquise
• Album: Our Delicate Stranded Nightmare
• Label: Sargent House
• Year of Release: 2009
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: digitalbath on 2011-04-05

In the world of music, there are very few bands with the ability to create more of an environment with their music rather than just songs.  Zechs Marquise is definitely one of those bands on their debut (and only, thus far) record, Our Delicate Stranded Nightmare.  ODSN sounds similar to The Mars Volta but with a more electronic feel to it.  If The Mars Volta is salsa dancing, Zechs Marquise is the robot.

While Zechs doesn’t control a mastery over epic length songs (other than the 7^th track, which clocks in at over 8 minutes), Our Delicate Stranded Nightmare does feature 15 tracks; quite a lengthy list for a debut album.  This album, while having no lyrics, still tells quite a story through melody.  Just like The Mars Volta, some of their tracks get a bit long winded in building up to a climax (which in some cases, takes a couple songs), those familiar with this type of music will want to listen over and over.  ODSN is a bit more contemporary sounding than other bands within their “genre” but they most certainly aren’t lacking in their ability to mix obscurity with a melody that makes you want to alter your state of mind and slip away into aural oblivion.

Most listeners will find Our Delicate Stranded Nightmare a bit jarring, especially if it’s your first listen to an experimental/jam rock album such as this.  However, the wonder in albums like this comes from the story as a whole.  The long-winded builds are all a part of the greater work and their more memorable melodies and catchier bits are truly heightened by the ambience that accompanies and precedes them.  Our Delicate Stranded Nightmare is a must have for any avid The Mars Volta fan and is a great new album for those looking to broaden their musical horizons.  The greatest thing about this album is that it is tangled up in so many different genres that there are phrases everyone can enjoy, if you have a bit of patience.  I would personally rate this album a 5/5 but I have to score it a bit lower just for the simple fact that this is most definitely not an easy listen for the average Joe. 

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