FRANCES THE MUTE

i was very... very surprised to find an excellent album with some of the most engaging progressive rock i've heard in a while. The opening track, Cygnus (suite) is a hard hitting jazz/funk progressive sound with incredible vocals and amazing guitar work.

Lyrically, this album is impossible to comprehend, not because vocals are both english and spanish, but because its all abstract and psychadelic to the max. There are few "songs" on Frances the Mute, but the jams are long, quite and soft, beautiful, and exciting. Between the immediate jams of songs like The Widow and L'vi l'viaquez you get keyboards and strange sound effects that is in a world of its own. When the songs really start its a treat.

L'vi l'viaquez is my favorite track, its a punch in the face... than some ice on the wound.... than another blow over and over again. Its an excellent track on all levels and builds up and down perfectly.

Miranda that ghost just isn't holy anymore is puddled with trumpets, jazz, and those amazing, high-pitched vocals. However, its the only part of the album that i think is lacking at all. Miranda.... is an over-generous 13 minutes and it drags a bit near the end.

Cassandra Gemini is another highlight, the entire half-hour is guitar/keyboard insanity the entire time, i never tire of listening to the entire song.

Percussion is also consistantly strong throughout the entire album.

Definately surprised by Frances the Mute, i like it better than both of their other albums and it has potential to be a classic of the times.

Share this THE MARS VOLTA review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to therevelator
• Report this review (#142135)
• Buy THE MARS VOLTA music online with PA partners
• Show all THE MARS VOLTA MP3/Stream
• Go to THE MARS VOLTA page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Frances the Mute page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for THE MARS VOLTA related discussions