I'm not sure what to think of the title - who is Ilyena? I don't know.
This song was one of their first singles, and is personally one of my favourite on the album. Since the older albums, they've shy'd away from beautiful progression and intricately orchestrated peaks and valleys. This song showcases what the band should continue to do - think their music through, take their time, and have another bong hit.
Ilyena is the most radio friendly song of the album - and I saw the results immediately.
Many of the people around me are aware that TMV is amazing and I love the band. A few days after this song dropped on the radio and MuchMusic, I had co workers, family and friends asking about the new album and if it sounded anything like the new single. I was shocked, this song is an actual hit - who woulda thunk it? It's amazing, a lot of the people who loved the song, were... get this... girls... nice.
Even at the show I noticed there were plenty of hunnies all over the place, mostly on drugs - but that's beside the point. Outside of the concert all types of girls have been humming:
If you could see, where I've been,
You'd touch the hand that's touching sin.
I mean come on - I know you love this part too, everyone does! Sexual lyrics, epic drum roll, huge climax - it's what every woman craves. That's a fact. Shit, it's what my ears crave. This song is so catchy, so well organized and so up and down that it's hard to get sick of it.
The Mars Volta is changing the way people listen to music - and the influence is spreading. More people are turning to progressive styles of music - leaving traditional song structure weeping for mercy. On Omar's most recent solo project "Calibration", we're seeing Thomas Pridgeon and Marcel the bassist dip deep into dark drum and bass. The chops, the breaks, the fills, the tricks, the drops, the bass, the sheer complexity and not to mention creativity - will create new music. Be worried.
Enough rant - the song is sweet. The meanings are obvious - Goliath speaking to the band - everything you hear is about his terrible sinful life, his regrets, his curse, and lastly the bands obsession with talking about it.
Keep on rocking - you people. Quick mention, if you haven’t listened to "Calibration", Omar's newest solo release, do yourself a favour and HIT THAT UP!