FRANCES THE MUTE

Hopefully the outcome of this band and this album will be looked at as a sophomore slump. While I find De-Loused to be a masterpiece of creative thinking, this album shows that the band still has a lot to learn. I'm hoping this is just a bump in the road.

De-Loused was a stroke of genius, this album seems like endless noddling at times. The vocals aren't near as moving, the guitar doesn't drive the music as it did before, and the drumming doesn't help carry any of the pieces.

Certainly fans of the band will find this album enjoyable. It still has many of the elements that characterize this band. However, it just doesn't have the "magic" that de-loused had. Many of the parts are completely unnecessary and should be omitted. That, and some of the songs are tritefully boring.

Not recommended for the general prog community.