FRANCES THE MUTE

I started off with The Mars Volta with De-loused in the Comatorium like most of you, and while it was good, Frances the Mute eclipses it. One of the greatest albums ever made in my opinion, there is little to nothing wrong with it, and everything that is wrong is made up for tenfold by everything that is right

The Tracks

Cygnus....Vismund Cygnus (10/10) a beautiful acoustic opening with Sarcophogi that soon explodes into a roaring 13 minute fury. The solos are masterful and its a fantastic album opener.

The Widow (8/10) its like Another Brick in the Wall Part II, any respectable fan wouldnt be caught dead listening to this. THough it has its moments, its the definite weak point of the album. A nice bluesy piece that really is just nothing like anything else on the album. A great work, but out of place. The 2 minute ambience at the end isnt as bad as everyone is complaining about. Its just a little much

L'Via L'Viaquez (10/10) beginning wiht a 30 second intro, it blows you away with blazing riffs, grinds to a halt, then blazing riffs again. If i had the ability, i would've chose to take Spanish for school, just so i could learn this song. after about 7 minutes, it slows and becomes a nice ambient piece.

Miranda, That Ghost Just Isn't Holy Anymore (8/10) after 4 minutes of building ambience (i personally love it, you guys can screw yourselves), it starts being the No Quarter to the The Widows The Crunge (not comparing greatness, just sounds). A beautiful piece that encompasses such sadness. It soon goes to the outro (well...not really) to Cygnus, and thennnnnn

Cassandra Gemini (15/10) I kid you not. The greatest song that lasts over 20 minutes ever recorded. I'm sorry Echoes. I have never gotten bored during a section of this song. Just perfect in every way. Some of the best guitar work ever. Especially toward Multiple Spouse Wounds (on the cd, that is track 8, Cassandra Gemini: A. Tarantism). 32 minutes of pure bliss. The climax of the album, then the ending is sarcophagi, a great touch

All in all, a 5-star album. But it is not for everyone. I reccomend it to fans of post-Barrett pre-DSOTM Pink Floyd. It took me 2 listens-through, but i began to love this album. Cassandra Gemini inspires and provides such great enjoyment to me to this date. Give it a listen, unless you aren't ready for something new...well, this is a prog forum...never mind