FRANCES THE MUTE

I know it's kind of late to do a review on this album. But oh well. I have had this album since the day it came out, and still to this moment I love it. However, I didn't give it 5 for the same reason everyone has. The random noises that come up in nearly every song. I dont mind sections of noise, but they're just to long on here. De-loused worked because they used it to keep out silence from in between songs. But this just took it to a horrible level. But nonetheless, I think it is an amazing album, that is when music is actually playing.

Cygnus...Vismund Cygnus - Incredible. Definitaly one of my favorite's if not the favorite song of theirs. From start to finish it is just a really cool song, and although everyone says it sounds like De-loused. I dont really get that from it, personally. The first 4 minutes of the song are insane. The frantic guitar and bass as always is just a rush. Jon Theodore's drums are perfect adding another great element entirely to the song, as they always do at least for me. And Cedric's vocals are incredible. I'm usually not a fan of the Mars Volta's slower mellow jam sections on record at least, but i always find myself loving the slowed down guitar solo section in this song. Great guitar work and a real well paced progression into when they finally come back into the explosive ending. My only minor complaint is the noise in the ending goes on to long for my liking.

The Widow - A simple, but great song, at least before the horrible noise closing. Cedrics vocals are breathtaking as well as Omar's classic guitar soloing, and Theodore adds to the song greatly with his Bonham influenced drumming.

L'via L'viaquez - Amazing. This song caught me off guard the first time i heard it. Not in a bad way, it's just the entirely different sound wasn't what i was expecting. But God do I love it. Great added guitar work by Mr. Frusciante. I hate him with RHCP, but I love when he works with these guys. Great simple main groove by Theodore, and the vocals take the song to another level. The salsa jam is very cool. A great flowing song from start to finish. Definitaly one of their best, and it's incredible live.

Miranda that ghost just isn't holy anymore - F*** the first 4 minutes of this song. There's no need for that long a section of random noise. It works I suppose as a buildup, but it's just to long and I can't even force myself to get anything good from that. However, the song is amazing once it actually starts up. Very cool guitar. and the creepy vocals by Cedric just make the song for me. My eyes honestly watered when I first heard this song. Great song when the music is actually happening. Great trumpet as well. That adds alot to the song.

Cassandra Gemini - Ahhhh....Pure insanity. I obviously knew this was a long song before I even heard it, so I listened with the speakers loud expecting a progressing intro. That was a mistake. This song kicks into insanity the second it starts. I'm honestly to tired to give an entire detailed description of this song. But my basic overview, Amazing. This song manages to flow beautifully from start to finish, and that's impressive being that it is 32 minutes long. Incredible musical performances on every individuals part. And the vocals and lyrics are simply stunning.

Overall, this album is definitaly a great one when music is being played. If only the noise could be cut down, this would be a flawless album in my eyes. But I highly recommend listening to De-Loused before checking this one out. I see nothing but greater things coming from these guys.