Frances The Mute
Product ID: 90166517
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Product description MARS VOLTA THE FRANCES THE MUTE desertcart.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 Review: An exceptional album filled with content that unbelievably outweighs the bloated dissonant interludes - When I first heard about this band, I had downloaded the first track Cygnus...Vismund Cygnus. My first reaction was mixed as is with all of my progressive escapades. I loved the energy that came with the song, I was just a little off put by the vocals and the concluding section. Soon I downloaded L'Via L'Viaquez and again reached mixed results with the overall experience. But the thing about my criticisms is that I always ended up listening to these songs over and over again. Soon I decided to purchase the entire album: and what I got was certainly more than what I had paid for. From Sarcophagi to Sarcophagi, I was blown away. For these types of albums, it certainly takes several listens to really dissect the music. But my best idea of what to describe this album would go along the lines of: If Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin dropped some Mexican acid and then procreated, this would be the spawn. The vocals just absolutely kill it for me; he is singing is heart out in Cygnus, torturing himself in the Widow, and softly suffering in Miranda. And Cassandra Gemini, in my honest opinion, is this generation's Echoes. The rest of the band truly shines, the vibe is certainly that of a band that rocks in all aspects of the definition. This "rock" may seem like a barrage of cacophony to some, but the sporadic jamming somehow becomes cohesive and it all makes sense in the end. I would love to decipher each song, but this is a review and not a novel. The only problem I had was the aforementioned interludes to each song which requires a lot of patience. On some days, it feels right and nicely accentuates each song from the next. But other days I find myself just skipping which I know isn't the right choice but that's how it goes. Nonetheless, the songs have me endlessly screaming, soloing, drumming like I'm right there entranced by the album's unbelievable vocalizations and instrumentation. And isn't that what music is all about? Review: Perfect - When trying to explain why I love this record so much, I've realized that words cannot explain the greatness of this album. It just isn't possible. The closest I can get I guess would be: a mesmerizing, spacey voyage that'll lift you out of your seat and transport you to an entirely nother realm, to be pushed and pulled, turned and shoved in every which way by excellent musicianship, beautiful vocals, transe-inducing drumming, ambient sounds that will make you forget your existence on the planet earth. Now that that completely failed to really describe the experience of listening to Frances the Mute, I will use one word that I thinks gets closest: perfection. This album is absolutely perfect. In every way. Its just flawless. It will take more than a few listens for it to fully reveal itself, but once it does, and once you are completely transported into another state of being by this album, you will know what I'm talking about. Lesser minds complain that its 60% noise and 40% music. This, my friend, is exactly what makes it so good. Its not just a straight forward rock album that lays out everything it has to offer on the first listen with nothing else to reveal or learn, the "noise" sets the ambience and is exactly what enables you to transcend everyday existence and visit a new reality for 72-ish minutes, (nearly 90 with the Frances the Mute single, which is quite possibly their best song overall by the way). Ignorant people call it pretentious, but these people can just go back to their Shinedown and Nickelback and let us real music listeners experience real music by real musicians. By the way, all this is done completely sober, its so good that psychedelics arent needed to drag your mind into another realm, this album will do it for you if you allow it. Anyway, yes, this album is flawless in my book. Enjoy the journey my friends. Infinity out of 5 stars.
| ASIN | B0007GAEW6 |
| Best Sellers Rank | #9,215 in CDs & Vinyl ( See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl ) #44 in Emo #49 in Progressive Metal #57 in Special Interest |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (694) |
| Date First Available | January 29, 2007 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Label | Strummer Recordings |
| Language | English |
| Manufacturer | Strummer Recordings |
| Number of discs | 1 |
| Product Dimensions | 5.63 x 4.92 x 0.39 inches; 3.53 ounces |
J**N
An exceptional album filled with content that unbelievably outweighs the bloated dissonant interludes
When I first heard about this band, I had downloaded the first track Cygnus...Vismund Cygnus. My first reaction was mixed as is with all of my progressive escapades. I loved the energy that came with the song, I was just a little off put by the vocals and the concluding section. Soon I downloaded L'Via L'Viaquez and again reached mixed results with the overall experience. But the thing about my criticisms is that I always ended up listening to these songs over and over again. Soon I decided to purchase the entire album: and what I got was certainly more than what I had paid for. From Sarcophagi to Sarcophagi, I was blown away. For these types of albums, it certainly takes several listens to really dissect the music. But my best idea of what to describe this album would go along the lines of: If Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin dropped some Mexican acid and then procreated, this would be the spawn. The vocals just absolutely kill it for me; he is singing is heart out in Cygnus, torturing himself in the Widow, and softly suffering in Miranda. And Cassandra Gemini, in my honest opinion, is this generation's Echoes. The rest of the band truly shines, the vibe is certainly that of a band that rocks in all aspects of the definition. This "rock" may seem like a barrage of cacophony to some, but the sporadic jamming somehow becomes cohesive and it all makes sense in the end. I would love to decipher each song, but this is a review and not a novel. The only problem I had was the aforementioned interludes to each song which requires a lot of patience. On some days, it feels right and nicely accentuates each song from the next. But other days I find myself just skipping which I know isn't the right choice but that's how it goes. Nonetheless, the songs have me endlessly screaming, soloing, drumming like I'm right there entranced by the album's unbelievable vocalizations and instrumentation. And isn't that what music is all about?
B**N
Perfect
When trying to explain why I love this record so much, I've realized that words cannot explain the greatness of this album. It just isn't possible. The closest I can get I guess would be: a mesmerizing, spacey voyage that'll lift you out of your seat and transport you to an entirely nother realm, to be pushed and pulled, turned and shoved in every which way by excellent musicianship, beautiful vocals, transe-inducing drumming, ambient sounds that will make you forget your existence on the planet earth. Now that that completely failed to really describe the experience of listening to Frances the Mute, I will use one word that I thinks gets closest: perfection. This album is absolutely perfect. In every way. Its just flawless. It will take more than a few listens for it to fully reveal itself, but once it does, and once you are completely transported into another state of being by this album, you will know what I'm talking about. Lesser minds complain that its 60% noise and 40% music. This, my friend, is exactly what makes it so good. Its not just a straight forward rock album that lays out everything it has to offer on the first listen with nothing else to reveal or learn, the "noise" sets the ambience and is exactly what enables you to transcend everyday existence and visit a new reality for 72-ish minutes, (nearly 90 with the Frances the Mute single, which is quite possibly their best song overall by the way). Ignorant people call it pretentious, but these people can just go back to their Shinedown and Nickelback and let us real music listeners experience real music by real musicians. By the way, all this is done completely sober, its so good that psychedelics arent needed to drag your mind into another realm, this album will do it for you if you allow it. Anyway, yes, this album is flawless in my book. Enjoy the journey my friends. Infinity out of 5 stars.
K**O
"I'd like to see you after just one taste"
Brilliant and unique. Its The Mars Volta with a completely different story and feel then their first album (De Loused in the Comatorium) while still maintaining their signature sound. Based off of various story-lines from past band members as well as fictional characters, Frances the Mute is a jazz infused, messy and somewhat psychotic rock n' roll masterpiece. Its like Santana on acid. This album just picks you up and takes you into a new world of musical abnormality and mystery. My, My, My,! With a much stronger latin/salsa influence then before, Frances the Mute grabs you from the very beginning with the fast-paced "Cygnus....Vismund Cygnus." You'll then find yourself frozen without an answer as "The Widow" sucks you into its highly addictive and slightly dejected chorus. "L'Via L'Viaquez" explodes from a muted drum loop with a catchy rhythm and damaging guitar solos throughout. "Miranda That Ghost Just Isn't Holy Anymore: B. Pour Another Icepick" will definitely have you becoming "one of the others" as this first piece of progressive rock mayhem swoops you away into oblivion. This 35 minute, 8 part magnum opus takes you through a series of constantly changing musical creations and sounds. "Casandra Gemini" is an ideal balance of catchy, lyrical genius, as well as melodious marvel. With the perfect blend of creativity, musical talent and sheer passion as well as delusiveness, insanity and psychedelia, I highly recommend this album to any fan of "The Mars Volta", as well as any fan of the profoundly abstract, and anti-mainstream. Add this album to your collection today! "And I peel back all of my skin....I peel it back and let it all run..."
メ**ム
ほんといい作品。こんなに刺激的で、プログレ並みに分数が長くても曲、構成にまとまりもあり、カーステにCD入れっぱなしでも飽きない音楽は久々。。。というか初めて？というくらい気に入っています。 こういう音楽を俺は待っていたんですよぉ 1stもかなり良いですが、こいつは王道とは言えない音楽にして名盤と言えるくらい素晴らしいものに昇華された奇跡的な作品です。というかマーズヴォルタの存在自体が奇跡(T.T)なのかもしれません。 「ゴリアテ」のフルシアンテとの共演もヤバいですね。
S**R
Frances The Mute ist ein Album in dem der ständige Wechsel von Musikstil, Rhytmus, Tempo und Lautstärke im Vordergrund steht. Was sich dadurch entfacht, ist ein einzigartiges und in seiner Komplexität unerreichbares Prog-Rock-Inferno. Verspielte Rock-, Jazz- und Latinparts treffen auf elektronische Soundcollagen mit eingestreuten Samples und hinterlassen ein mitunter psychodelischen Cocktail, um dann gleich wieder Lautstark aus den Trips ins volle Bewusstsein zurückgerufen zu werden. Hier gibt es auch nach vielfachen Hören noch Entdeckungen. Omar Rodiguez-Lopez frickelt ausgelassen und unverwechselbar auf der Gitarre, Cedric Bixler Zavalas Gesang super abgestimmt und nicht so überpräsent wie auf manch anderen Alben. Es gibt Raum für viele Instrumentalstrecken mit hochkarätigen Gastspielen, ekstatischen Solos und hintergründigen Streicher- und Bläserarrangements. Es ist wie ein unvorhersehbares Bilderbuch, welches durch verschiedene Erlebnisse, Stimmungen und Orte führt, dieses vermischt, stellenweise düster beklemmend und dann doch wieder lebensbejahend wirkt. Dies ist nicht verwunderlich, soll doch im Album die Episode um den Tod des ehemaligen Bandmembers und Freundes Jeremy Ward verarbeitet worden sein. Und damit verbundene Themen wie Isolation und Sucht Eingang gefunden haben. Passender Weise endet das Album dann dort wo es anfing und verführt zum Drücken auf Repeat.
G**E
As described.
V**V
Toujours avoir un CD de Mars Volta, en voiture, en amoureux, pour se décompresser ou décompenser. Cet album magistral s'adapter facilement à tous les contextes et à votre humeur du moment, pour peu que vous ne soyez pas suicidaire quand même (Omar et Cédric ne font pas de miracle).... On commence fort par le premier titre (Cygnus vismund cygnus), ça part dans tous les sens mais c'est tellement bon, pour ensuite aller vers des titres d'une facture peut être plus évidente et mélodieuse (The Widow, L'via etc.) pour retrouver des plages très aériennes et apaisées pour ensuite et finir par un petit pétage de plomb en règle.... Immense quoi....
G**A
Dategli un ascolto (anche due) e valutate voi stessi. Packaging del cd ben curato e ottima resa sonora.
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