FRANCES THE MUTE

I didn't want to review this album, since it's been reviewed to death. However, I had to do it because this album is a great example of how an opinion about an album can change radically after a period of time.

When this album came out and a friend of mine lent it to me I hated it to death. I had heard "Deloused In The Comatorium" before and I hated it as well. I didn't like the indie/punk sound that the band has. Also, I couldn't stand the noises on "Frances The Mute" After a few months, I decided to give another try to the album. I fell in love with "L'via l'viaquez", because of the so called salsa sound, and the Spanish singing. I didn't care to hear another song until the beginning of this year. So I started hearing "Cygnus.Vismund Cygnus", which I found that had a very interesting approach and overall feeling. Later, after some research, I realized it was because it has some very tasteful approach to weird time signatures and excellent drumming, that carries the flow of the song.

But the best was yet to come. In June I said that I finally had the guts to listen to Cassandra Gemini. The length of the song had driven me away before. And woahhh. This is an epic song which never ceases to amaze me. I specially love the interplay between sax and guitar on this song, and the improvisation. Also, the vocals are quite good.

The last songs that I discovered were "The Widow" and "Miranda, that ghost just isn't holy anymore". From the last one, I'd like to point out the horn section, which is very good.

Now, the lowpoints of the album: "The Widow", which I really like, but isn't a very challenging song, and the noise. I don't care for it anymore, but in the first listens it can easily drive you away from this album. Get over it, and you'll discover some resfreshing and excellent music. Even so, I think the noise fits well with the overall mood of the album.

This album really is an essential addition, because it's one of the best from modern progressive music.

Edit: 4 stars (one star less), since it hasn't stood the test of time, at all. I listened to death to Frances, and now it has lost some of its appeal.

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