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Frances the Mute

The Mars Volta - Frances the Mute Audio CD

A fair review of the The Mars Volta "Frances the Mute" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all The Mars Volta reviews here, or go back to the The Mars Volta tabs.

Band: The Mars Volta
Title: Frances the Mute
Rating:

Release Date: 2005-03-01
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Cygnus...Vismund Cygnus: Sarcophagi/Umbilical Syllables/Facilis ... 2: Widow 3: Via l'Viaquez 4: Miranda That Ghost Just Isn't Holy Anymore: Vade Mecum 5: Miranda That Ghost Just Isn't Holy Anymore: Pour Another Icepick 6: Miranda That Ghost Just Isn't Holy Anymore: Pisacis (Phra-Men-Ma) 7: Miranda That Ghost Just Isn't Holy Anymore: Con Safo 8: Cassandra Geminni: Tarantism 9: Cassandra Geminni: Plant a Nail in the Navel Stream 10: Cassandra Geminni: Faminepulse 11: Cassandra Geminni: Multiple Spouse Wounds 12: Cassandra Geminni: Sarcophagi 13: Cassandra Geminni: Faminepulse 14: Cassandra Geminni: Multiple Spouse Wounds 15: Cassandra Geminni: Sarcophagi

May be one of the best albums ever!
Have you ever been in another city while traveling and gotten bored and just wondered downtown to mosey around a bit and kill time? Maybe you stopped in one of those independent music stores for the hell of it and just browsed around a bit. .
Well, that's what happened to me when I first came across this album. As I was hearing the music I thought, "Wow, it would be so cool to work in one of these stores and be surrounded by this great alternative music all the time. " I left without buying anything. For some reason, as the day wore on, I just couldn't get that music out of my mind. It started growing on me more and more until at last I couldn't take it anymore and I drove back to the store and asked the guy at the counter: "Hey, you gotta help me out. I was here about noon time and you all had this awesome album on. . can you tell me what it was?" He handed me the whole stack of CDs that had been played that day and I eventually found the right one.
and THAT'S how it came to pass that I discovered this band and that album. Why is this significant? Because I never buy CD's. . . maybe one every several years, that's it! But ever since purchasing it, its practically all I listen to. Its a crazy cocophany of sound: strange lyrics, ripping guitar, awesome vocals, kick ass drums and just so totally unique and sophisticated that it has a staying power that you won't quickly grow tired of.
If you like Led Zep, Pink Floyd, etc, and don't mind a jazz influence (and even some Latin), then you'll love this album (even if it takes you a few times to get used to). Its really hard to say what's best about it: the vocals, the guitar, or the drums, they're just ALL so good! I can't believe I've never heard of this band before! Now obviously I'm a huge fan, and would recommend anyone that likes loud music to purchase this CD and crank it up in the car. The whole thing flows like one giant rock opera from one song to the next, like each is just a portion of the whole album instead of a bunch of individual unrelated tracks like most albums are. My only caveat is: this is not background music, or something to put on while you have a conversation. Its more like an experience, and you have to "experience" it to enjoy it, so don't just "try it out" or sample it; you've gotta let the music play out and play through and THEN you can evaluate it. You'll be glad you did.
I give it my highest recommendation!.

A review from a seasoned Mars Volta Fan
People saying "this is an acquired taste" are merely scaring away casual listeners from listening to this jewel of an album. I have been scanning most of these reviews and have noticed many people were positive about this album but for reasons other than the actual music and instead trying to push an image of musical superiority. I was also appalled to see a lot of 1-star reviews. The people who said this album was "pretentious crap" however are also seeing it for its image instead of the actual music. Now you may have noticed I gave this album a 4-star rating for the same complaints as everyone else, lengthy ambient noise. Pink Floyd did this as well but no one complained much because it was kept relatively short, however the infamous Cassandra Gemini track is mostly ambient noise. Unfortunately, most of the reviewers are complaining about one track on this great album. Cygnus, The Widow, and L'Via L'Viaquez are very good songs which explore Latin funk music. To summarize, don't ignore this album for one track while the rest is great. Have your own opinion and keep an open mind. Hipsters aren't the only people who listen to the Mars Volta, don't destroy this band because of an image which may or may not follow them; concentrate on the music.

The all-around best Mars Volta album.
. . if you love the Mars Volta as I do, you will love this record. It's out of this world mind-blowing. Also, I think I prefer Jon Theodore's drumming to Thomas Pridgen. Technically speaking, speed-wise, and bombastic power - I would have to go to Pridgen. . . but creatively speaking, Jon, I think, has more imaginative patterns and a wider use of hi-hats and cymbals and an incredible groove when necessary. I have every album made by the Mars Volta excluding "Amputechture". . . I can't wait to get it. I have heard all the songs on that record and I still feel Frances the Mute is the Magnum Opus. The ideas, the melodies, the techniques, the mind & body-bending tempo changes and time signatures, the sheer passion that's being punched through each and every instrument is simply awe-inspiring. I could go on and on. . . bottom line: It's a great classic album, with fantastically creative musicians playing their hearts out. .

Love 'em or Hate 'em, they make an impression...
Apparently I've been living under a rock when it comes to new music. I was turned onto TMV by Guitar Hero world Tour, which features L'Via. The reviews I've been reading here since are hilarious in how diverse and diametrically opposed people's opinions are. I don't think they sound like Rush at all, maybe King Crimson - how about "they sound original"? Just check out the samples and see what you think. Their smacked-out trip sections do get low marks from me - I'm sure they had fun making those sounds, but I don't care for it- so I rate it a 4.

What I heard in their songs that have a beat is impeccable musicianship and this thing that some of you younger listeners may not have heard of: it's called PASSION. I don't speak Spanish, but I was enthralled by the little guy's SINGING - when I heard that Chili Peppers members have contributed, I decided to check it out.

I'm a veteran musician, and I like nothing more than being assaulted by my speakers with odd time signatures and explosive sounds. My girlfriend, on the other hand, made me promise that I'd never subject her to that scary, weird, crap again! So, hey, it ain't for everybody. But if you like high-energy jazz fusion, it's right up your alley. There's nothing I like more than brave, original music that's impossible to categorize.

Freaking awesome...
The lyrics are poetically beautiful and musically they are beyond the pale. Mars Volta are amazing artists. If you are a TOOL fan then you will definitely appreciate their genius. The whole CD is a sonic story that envelops your entire being. This band gives me hope for the music industry. .

You can see a complete list of all The Mars Volta discography, or go back to the The Mars Volta tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.