Calibration (Is Pushing Luck and Key Too Far)

DEIMOS press release:

“Calibration is another in a series of albums written while Omar Rodriguez Lopez was living in Amsterdam in 2005. Similar to the recent Se Dice Bisonte No Bufalo album, Omar utilized his usual cast of contributors to perform some of the tracks, while completing others by himself. With an emphasis on electronic, dub and synth-based compositions, the resulting album has more in common with Rodriguez’s DE FACTO output than with his rock-oriented work. Calibration includes vocal appearances by Cedric Bixler Zavala and John Frusciante, as well as performances by Thomas Pridgen, Juan Alderete de la Pena, Money Mark, and more. Album art was created by world-reknowned graffiti artist GREY, a childhood friend of Omar’s and longtime artistic collaborator.”

N20 press release:

“We just wanted to start getting the word out on Omar’s (Mars Volta) solo album “Calibration (is Pushing Luck and Key Too Far)” that was recorded in Amsterdam… it’s the first flagship rock/electronic fueled album from the ORL Group featuring an all star cast of players. It’s a truly artistic record and we are honored to be able to work with Omar and familia and be able to release this record on our little indie label. The record will be released in Japan first 12/15/07, followed up by UK and Europe and lastly the USA early Feb-March 2008.

There will be several formats of releases… 12″ vinyl singles, cd, LP and iTunes, as well as a follow up album which will be remixes of the original “Calibration” material which will include matching artwork as a set. So there will be lots of limited product to collect for this album. Known as “Calibration” the far out original title given to us by Omar was, and is “Calibration is Pushing Luck and Key Too Far.”

We will try hard to present this record to the fans in the best possible way, please enjoy the project and we are looking forward to making friends with all of Omar’s supporters.”

Ultimately the remix album or the 12” vinyl singles never came to fruition.   This was the fourth in the Amsterdam series.  It was the first Omar release to feature Thomas Pridgen on drums as The Bedlam in Goliath would not come out until January the following year.

“A collaborative affair, made from in-depth studio sessions with many guest musicians and field recordings from the loneliest place in Mexico.” – Clouds Hill