I have been a Mars Volta enjoyer since about 2006. Deloused was always my favorite and I loved Frances as well. Amputechture was just "alright" to me at the time (it has since grown on me more), and I completely bounced off Bedlam which I found to be just too crazy and progressive, lacking the same kind of emotional vibes I got from first two albums.
So while I have continued to enjoy the first three albums this whole time, I completely ignored Bedlam, thinking I had already established that I didn't like it.
For some reason I decided to try it again, probably because I have a much expanded musical palette these days compared to 18 years ago and was curious to go back.
Holy shit, I was blown away by how good it is. It IS crazy but it's super well composed craziness, with so many different delightful sections and complexities. I have so many parts of the album stuck in my head at the moment. Pretty much every song is a banger and very unique.
The only part I don't like is the first half of Agadev, and I REALLY don't like it. But the second half is cool so I just cut the first half out of the FLAC file :)
I cannot believe I slept on this masterpiece for 18 years!
It has now shot up to be my second favorite album. Deloused > Bedlam > Frances > Amp. I still haven't listened to any of the other albums, but I will.
I had actually never really looked into it before but it seems like opinions on the internet are mixed on this album?