Mars Volta, The Vinyl Records
Picking up the pieces from At the Drive-In, Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez formed the Mars Volta and wasted little time branching out into elements of hardcore, prog, psychedelic rock, and avant-jazz and funk. As the ever-evolving Mars Volta, they immediately impressed with 2003's gold-certified Deloused in the Comatorium for Universal. It showcased their willingness to eschew conventional logic and push themselves in new artistic directions, while 2005's Frances the Mute revealed their willingness to use concepts to underscore their provocative musical approach.