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AfanSpur
Forum Senior Member
Joined: June 03 2005
Location: United Kingdom
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Points: 204
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Topic: Cassandra Gemini Posted: February 01 2006 at 06:36 |
six months or so ago i bought two albums on the same day, Deawing by Porcupine Tree and Frances the mute by The Mars Volta. Both were difficult to listen to in the beginning. Deadwing i struggled with and could hardly get through 4 or 5 tracks before changing the CD as the music was a little gloomy and maudlin at times. Frances on the other hand was just so dense that i could not get my head around it.
Now six months later i understand both albums better. Deadwing has some fine parts but still there are tooo many songs with a dull verse followed by a catchy chorus and throughout the album a sprinkling of classy sections followed by a return to the bland. Lazarus is the exception as it is a catchy tune from the off in the coldplay style but after 10 plays or so it becomes ho hum, a typical pop song.
Frances though has revealed many gifts, this is is an album i am glad i never gave up on. It sure helps to hear them live, what an experience, truly amazing, a throwback to the great prog bands of yesteryear in their scope and ambition.
Whilst the whole album is very good i must pay tribute to Cassandra Gemini. This is a track to take the breath away and once finished i'm looking to start it all over.
The symphonic aspect of this epic is apealing and i would love to see this played with a full orchestra someday.
I'm starting to consider this track alongside other epics such as gates of Delirium by Yes. I never thought i would hear music with such scope and grandeur played with so much energy and precision. Is this track a masterpiece? I don't know it's still early days but i'm starting to think Cassandra Gemini should be spoken of alongside the greats. Well Done The Mars Volta
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There stands Olias to outward to build a ship
Holding within all we hope to retain
The frame will be so built to challenge the universe
Clasped with the skins of the fish of the plain
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Winter Wine
Forum Senior Member
Joined: December 12 2005
Location: Ireland
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Points: 1140
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Posted: February 01 2006 at 08:51 |
I agree Cassandra Gemini is an epic through and through. One thing I don't like though is that my CG is broken up to tracks 5 - 12 on my cd. I'd rather just one big atmospheric chunk of symphonic grandeur!!!!!!! oooh, that sounds good. Well I suppose it did help the first time I heard it, pretty much fell in love with it after that.
Frances the Mute
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My computer's broke
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Gentle Tull
Forum Senior Member
Joined: November 13 2005
Location: United States
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Points: 518
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Posted: February 01 2006 at 15:12 |
I really like that track, it's my favorite by the band. It's good that there can still be some creative music out there.
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Winter Wine
Forum Senior Member
Joined: December 12 2005
Location: Ireland
Status: Offline
Points: 1140
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Posted: February 01 2006 at 15:17 |
Vismund Cygnus is almost as good!! It's such a raw f**k off kinda track
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My computer's broke
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alan_pfeifer
Forum Senior Member
Joined: December 05 2004
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Points: 823
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Posted: February 01 2006 at 15:18 |
While I do love the song, it's not the best work they've ever done.
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Oxygen Waster
Forum Senior Member
Joined: December 24 2005
Location: Canada
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Points: 296
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Posted: February 01 2006 at 17:56 |
I also believe it should be on the list of greatest epics.
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Syntharachnid
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Joined: April 05 2005
Location: Canada
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Points: 703
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Posted: February 01 2006 at 18:02 |
My favorite from Frances. And that's saying something. What a great album! What a great epic! Two thumbs up! Can't wait to get another Mars Volta album!
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Syntharachnid
Forum Senior Member
Joined: April 05 2005
Location: Canada
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Posted: February 01 2006 at 18:03 |
Winter Wine wrote:
Vismund Cygnus is almost as good!! It's such a raw f**k off kinda track
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Yeah, that one's great too. It ties L'Via for my second favorite.
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alan_pfeifer
Forum Senior Member
Joined: December 05 2004
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Points: 823
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Posted: February 01 2006 at 18:36 |
Syntharachnid wrote:
My favorite from Frances. And that's saying something. What a great album! What a great epic! Two thumbs up! Can't wait to get another Mars Volta album!
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well, they've been working in their next one....from the news I've heard it's going to be a good one.
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CryoftheCarrots
Forum Senior Member
Joined: November 29 2005
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 674
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Posted: February 01 2006 at 18:41 |
Wow other people who feel the same way about TMV as I do.I too bought Frances The Mute and struggled with it.Persistance pays off.6 mths later I was on my own at home and gave it another spin bam! All of a sudden it hit me, I started to pick up on all the layers in this album both musically and vocal/lyrically.Cassandra Gemini-what an epic masterpiece.It now replaces Suppers Ready as my favourite.I'm going to our Australian Big Day Out music festival tomorrow and guess which band is playing-The Mars Volta.I will not miss that show for sure.
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Moatilliatta
Prog Reviewer
Joined: December 01 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 3083
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Posted: February 01 2006 at 19:05 |
I can't even sum up how I feel about this incredible band/album/song.
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www.last.fm/user/ThisCenotaph
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Figglesnout
Forum Senior Member
Joined: November 26 2005
Location: United States
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Points: 1455
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Posted: February 01 2006 at 21:00 |
the mars volta = amazing
cassandra geminni = amazing
everything you said = accurate
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I'm a reasonable man, get off my case
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Ty1020
Forum Senior Member
Joined: April 24 2005
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 721
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Posted: February 01 2006 at 21:15 |
Cassandra Geminni is a contender for my all-time favourite song. I
honestly consider it to be at least as my favourite classic prog epics.
It's just one of the overall best pieces of music I've ever heard.
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Figglesnout
Forum Senior Member
Joined: November 26 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 1455
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Posted: February 01 2006 at 21:31 |
i feel obliged to point out, just because i'm a jerk, that you mispelled the title mister poster..."Cassandra Geminni"
Sorry I'm a jerk, and also a huge TMV fan....
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I'm a reasonable man, get off my case
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Yanns
Prog Reviewer
Joined: April 25 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 999
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Posted: February 01 2006 at 23:01 |
I'll just echo what everyone has said here... including king volta by pointing out that it's "Geminni," not "Gemini."
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FragileDT
Forum Senior Member
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Joined: June 20 2005
Location: United States
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Points: 1485
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Posted: February 01 2006 at 23:18 |
Cassandra Geminni has become one of my favorite songs and epics for sure.
I never thought it would be as I put off listening to the Mars Volta for a very
long time.
Supper's Ready still stands as my favorite epic (which I think will remain
unmatchable) but Cassandra Geminni is absolutely up there. As I've said
many times before, I can't wait to see what the Mars Volta has in store for us
in hopefully, a long and innovative career.
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One likes to believe
In the freedom of music
But glittering prizes
And endless Compromises
Shatter the illusion
Of integrity
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FragileDT
Forum Senior Member
VIP Member
Joined: June 20 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 1485
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Posted: February 01 2006 at 23:18 |
alan_pfeifer wrote:
While I do love the song, it's not the best work
they've ever done.
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Well than share with us. What do you think is the best work they've done?
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One likes to believe
In the freedom of music
But glittering prizes
And endless Compromises
Shatter the illusion
Of integrity
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AfanSpur
Forum Senior Member
Joined: June 03 2005
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 204
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Posted: February 03 2006 at 01:12 |
Incredible, i wonder how many of you were like me Yes fans? My favourite epics are Gates of Delirium, CTTE, Awaken , AYAI, Suppers ready, Karn Evil 9
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There stands Olias to outward to build a ship
Holding within all we hope to retain
The frame will be so built to challenge the universe
Clasped with the skins of the fish of the plain
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Figglesnout
Forum Senior Member
Joined: November 26 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 1455
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Posted: February 03 2006 at 01:38 |
i enjoy yes, but i'm not exactly crazy about them--although the 35th Anniversary Tsongas DVD is thrilling.
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I'm a reasonable man, get off my case
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AfanSpur
Forum Senior Member
Joined: June 03 2005
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 204
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Posted: February 03 2006 at 17:01 |
I'm glad you liked Tsongas, there are many great Yes DvD's now, they have done well in that area.
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There stands Olias to outward to build a ship
Holding within all we hope to retain
The frame will be so built to challenge the universe
Clasped with the skins of the fish of the plain
|
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