Frances the Mute

Amazon.com
If one needed further proof of the contemporary revival/reassessment of the ambitiously overwrought sensibilities once so reviled in '70s rock, this aggressively mindbending second album by the Mars Volta offers it up in spades. Band mainstays Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala insist that labels like "prog" don't interest them, and that this is emphatically not a "sequel" to 2003's De-Loused in the Comatorium. What it is was thematically inspired by a stranger's diary allegedly found by late bandmate Jeremy Ward, the basis for an expansive, often amorphous musical head-trip that brews psychedelia, trance, hard-rock and free-jazz into a daunting new whole. The dozen tracks here represent but five "songs" proper, though the band's disdain for conventional track banding inspire it to sound more like a stream-of-consciousness soundscape from Can--or a dark, lyrically inventive, if decidedly troubled corner of their ids. On the "Umbilical Syllables" portion of "Cygnus.." and "The Widow" Bixler-Zavala invokes the wailing, Led Zeppelin II & III spirit of Robert Plant set against a feverish, swirling melange that's anything but the blues. The vocalist coaxes "L' Via l'Viaquez" en Espanol, while his band indulges its space-mambo conceits with an evocative spirit that recalls Latin Playboys at their most mischievous. It's an album that loops back on itself in a haunting ellipse--and one whose boundless ambition makes Pink Floyd sound like three-chord bar punters by comparison. --Jerry McCulley

Frances the Mute,The Mars Volta,Universal,Neo-Psychedelia,Pop,Post-Hardcore,Post-Rock/Experimental,Rock,Rock/Pop

Frances the Mute

Average customer rating:

TMV
Melodic sonic boom !
very cool
musicians from mars
The closest you will get to the best music ever invented.

Frances the Mute
The Mars Volta
Manufacturer: Umvd Labels
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Post Hardcore | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

De-Loused in the Comatorium
Amputechture
Tremulant
Scab Dates
Relationship of Command

ASIN: B0007GAEW6
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Tracks:

Cygnus...Vismund Cygnus: A. Sarcophagi/B. Umbilical Syllables/C. Facilis Descenus Averni/D. Con Safo
The Widow
L'Via L'Viaquez
Miranda That Ghost Just Isn't Holy Anymore: A. Vade Mecum/B. Pour Another Icepick/C. Pisacis (Phra-Men-Ma)/D. Con Safo
Cassandra Geminni: A. Tarantism
Cassandra Geminni: B. Plant A Nail In The Navel Stream
Cassandra Geminni: C. Faminepulse
Cassandra Geminni: D. Multiple Spouse Wounds
Untitled
Cassandra Geminni: E. Sarcophagi
Cassandra Geminni: E. Sarcophagi
Cygnus...Vismund Cygnus: A. Sarcophagi

Amazon.com

If one needed further proof of the contemporary revival/reassessment of the ambitiously overwrought sensibilities once so reviled in '70s rock, this aggressively mindbending second album by the Mars Volta offers it up in spades. Band mainstays Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala insist that labels like "prog" don't interest them, and that this is emphatically not a "sequel" to 2003's De-Loused in the Comatorium. What it is was thematically inspired by a stranger's diary allegedly found by late bandmate Jeremy Ward, the basis for an expansive, often amorphous musical head-trip that brews psychedelia, trance, hard-rock and free-jazz into a daunting new whole. The dozen tracks here represent but five "songs" proper, though the band's disdain for conventional track banding inspire it to sound more like a stream-of-consciousness soundscape from Can--or a dark, lyrically inventive, if decidedly troubled corner of their ids. On the "Umbilical Syllables" portion of "Cygnus.." and "The Widow" Bixler-Zavala invokes the wailing, Led Zeppelin II & III spirit of Robert Plant set against a feverish, swirling melange that's anything but the blues. The vocalist coaxes "L' Via l'Viaquez" en Espanol, while his band indulges its space-mambo conceits with an evocative spirit that recalls Latin Playboys at their most mischievous. It's an album that loops back on itself in a haunting ellipse--and one whose boundless ambition makes Pink Floyd sound like three-chord bar punters by comparison. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

TMV.......2007-07-05

Before you base your judgment of this CD soley in comparison to any of The Mars Volta albums you need to realize that it isn't a Mars Volta album. It is a Soundtrack for a film and Omar is even quoted by saying it is a reaction to the film. If you're a die-hard Omar fan then you'll love it. Rapid Fire Toll Booth is now one of my all time favorites and all the other songs sound great in my opinion.

I don't usually write reviews because it's so painful for me to read someone elses review especialy ones that contain the following examples. I only like their older stuff, they keep changing their style, the guitar player is too self induldgent,they should use the same producer as on their first album, there's too much ambience, there's too much guitar noodling, they've become snobs, they're not as good without the old drummer, they're progressive, they're experimental, they took a riff from some other band, I like them less with each album they put out,etc. That was in reference to all bands not just The Mars Volta.

That kinda review irritates me because it's a bunch of garbage. I wish those kinda people would just stick to their MTV lifestyles and leave the real music to those who are true fans and are more open minded. I don't know why it bugs me so much it's not like I'm defending them because I know them on some personal level it's just that some people just don't get it. I'm tired of everyone disecting the music and the musicians. All they want to do is entertain us, not create some sort of musical doctorine that should be discussed as though one was attending a seminar. As a musician I understand the need to experiment and branch out so the music making process doesn't become stale. Do you really want your favorite band to constantly repeat themselves and never evolve. People please I beg of you quit writing these cliche pointless reviews. As for me I'm through writting about this subject for as long as I live. Omar & Cedric have been making music for quite some time now. Let's allow the professionals to do their thing and the rest of you can either tune in or tune out.

Melodic sonic boom !.......2007-06-08

If you want to hear some amazing song structures, melodies and all around great rock musicians Jon Theodore to Omar Gonzalez and even John Fruscante, get this album. Once you get through the few dead spots and few moments of senseless noise, this will be placed in your heavy rotation of favorite music. Cedric Bixler is one of the most amazing modern rock singers out there today.

very cool.......2007-03-08

i reviewed de loused in the comatorium and thought this deserved a review as well. the mars volta is so different from most other music out there and the first time i heard them i was hooked. i would suggest listening to some tracks before buying because the vocals aren't for everyone. i once heard someone say, "the vocals are like nails on a chalkboard", and i will admit they are not for everyone. i personally took to them and consider TMV one of my favorites these days.

musicians from mars.......2007-02-20

Put together Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew", Led Zeppelin's "II" and "III", and King Crimson's "In The Court of King Crimson", and you get "Frances The Mute". My favorite Mars Volta album so far, but all of them are amazing. Could be very very strange for listeners who never listened to this kind of music. To me, this album resembles "Bitchs Brew" alot (not just in the music itself, but the way it was received by the public - you either hate it or love it).

The closest you will get to the best music ever invented........2007-02-15

The Mars Volta has an uncanny way of taking old rock styles, jazz, even metal in some light, and making it new, better and more amazing than it could've ever gotten without them. They have brought Pink Floyd back together metaphorically speaking, as well as led-zeppelin, countless jazz bands, and anything else holy in music except for a low voice and brought it to the public. Ever instrument played is played to its fullest in some form or another, and even the computerized parts tie it all together. This album is a monument to what is good in music, and its a damn shame they had to take it all apart for "Amputechture."

Average customer rating:

Amazing!
Absolutely PERFECT album...

Frances the Mute
Mars Volta
Manufacturer: Universal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Emo | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Omar Rodriguez
Se Dice Bisonte, No Bùfalo
Megaton Shotblast
El Gran Orgo

ASIN: B00074C4DA
Release Date: 2005-02-14

Tracks:

Sarcophagi
Umbilical Syllables
Facilis Descenus Averni
Con Safo
Vade Mecum
Pour Another Icepick
Pisacis (Phra-Men-Ma)
Con Safo
Tarantism
Plant A Nail In The Navel Stream
Faminepulse
Multiple Spouse Wounds
Sarcophagi

Album Description

Japanese special edition pressing adds a bonus DVD (region 2) with3 live tracks and an audio only track. Universal. 2005.

Album Details

Japanese Release featuring a Bonus Dvd. Dvd is Ntsc Format, Region Code 2.

Customer Reviews:

Amazing!.......2005-10-11

This band, The Mars Volta has to be the most amazing band I have heard in a long time. Certaintly the best band to come along in my life-time. The amazing genra bending sounds this band creates blow my mind. It's Santana meets Yes meets Aerosmith with a splash of James Brown in the live show. When I first discovered this band it was as a System Of A Down concert and The Mars Volta was opening and when they came on they blew me away, with the amazing vocals and soaring guitar and the Latin flavor I thought this band was the greatest thing since sliced bread. They most deffinatley put on a better show then System Of A Down did that night.

Frances The Mute apart from having a cool album cover is one of the best albums to come out in a long time. On paper Prog-ish-rock and Latin music and hard rock all at once dont sound to apealing, or maybe they do, but when The Mars Volta mixes them together on this album it is nothing short of pure stroke of genius. The album opens with a ten minute jam which is absolutley amazing. This song reminds me a lot of mid 1970's Rush, except sung in Spanish. The albums only radio friendly song, 'The Widow,' track two is amazing. The lyrics are compelling and the vocals are nothing short of amazing. But the real magic on this album is the next song, 'LVia LViaquez.' This song is just, just perfect. No flaws on this track. The opening guitar solo is killer, I think John Frushanti and Flea of The Red Hot Chili Peppers plays on this song except Flea plays trumpet, which is really cool. The vocal delivery on this song is jsut amazing. The song is about ten minutes long but I'm telling you its nothing to get bored with, the changing tempos and varied instraments keep this song interesting, and not to mention the absolutley out of this world vocals. I just wish I new what he was saying when he sings in Spanish, but I think that mystery adds to why this band is so damn cool. The rest of the album is amazing as well, The problem is that I cant really tell you how each song is because of the way they are titled and numbered it's kind of confusing. But trust me the rest of the album is just as good as the beggining.

For anyone who is looking for a band that is different and not just like every other band out right now then The Mars Volta is a great alternative and is really a band that will always keep you guessing. If you heard 'The Widow' on the radio I am warning you that on this album that's the only song that sounds like that, the rest of the album is totaly different. But I strongly recomend this album to anyone who is a fan of good rock and roll!

Absolutely PERFECT album..........2005-07-21

Since nobody reviewed this version, and this is the actual version I have, I will review this one. First off let me just say this version with the bonus DVD is worth it if you live in some crap area where the Mars Volta does not come around to. You get a short glimpse into their live show, and it will make you cry that you aren't able to see them because you live in Alaska, or some other weirdo state. The album is perfect; that's really all I can say. I wish they would've kept it at 5 tracks, but you can't have everything. If you like early material by Yes, Mahavishnu Orchestra or even Santana, you will probably love this. Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Not the best

Frances the Mute

Manufacturer: Universal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000BVC8BM

Product Description

Contains the previously unreleased song "Frances the Mute" as well as a live recording of "The Widow." Cardboard picture sleeve.

Customer Reviews:

Not the best.......2006-08-18

i have pretty much everything by the mars volta (Tremulant, Deloused, Frances, Scab Dates),this cd has two songs first the title track from the mars volta's frances the mute (which was left off the albulm, but the lyrics for the song were left behind the cd) its not their best stuff, and second song is a live version of the widow, which coming from someone whos seen em' live isn't that good either. i'll be seeing them, on sat. sep. 23 2006 in milwakee, for the second time. hope that got you guys jealous. oh, don't waste your hard earned money on this one, just try to download it.

Average customer rating: