Mars Volta's Omar Rodriguez-Lopez Gets Calibrated

01/23/08 7:00pm

Fans of The Mars Volta should be walking on air for the next few weeks. Not only will the band release The Bedlam In Goliath on Jan. 29, but Mars singer/guitarist/producer Omar Rodriguez-Lopez will follow with a solo rock/electronic album called Calibration from N2O Records seven days later.

Rodriguez-Lopez plays guitar and synthesizer on Calibration, but he's joined by lots of guests. Mars bandmates Cedric Bixler-Zavala, Juan Aldrete and Thomas Pridgen respectively contribute vocals, bass and drums. Red Hot Chili Pepper John Frusciante sings, while Beastie Boys collaborator Money Mark adds keyboards and synthesizer. Tina Rodriguez (vocals), Adrian Terrazas Gonazles (woodwinds, percussion), Kim Humphreys (violin), Marcel Rodriguez Lopez (drums, synthesizers, percussion) and Sara Gross (saxophone) also lent a hand.

An album featuring remixes of the songs on Calibration done by friends of Rodriguez-Lopez and artists from N2O's roster is expected later this year.

The Mars Volta were in Toronto earlier this week and have three U.S. shows scheduled before they head across the Atlantic in February for a month-long European tour.

Here are the songs on Calibration:

"Mexico"
"El Monte Tai"
"Una Ced Lacerante"
"Calibration"
"Grey (Cancion Para El)"
"Glosa Picaresca Wou Men"
"Sidewalk Fins"
"Lick The Tilting Poppies"
"Cortar El Cuello"
"...Is Pushing Luck"
"Las Lagrimas De Arakuine"