FRANCES THE MUTE

This album is what I believe my least favourite type of music (Punk/Hardcore) trying to be intelligent, artistic and proggy at the same time. I could admit that it was a complete success for them, and I read very high reviews in amazon, allmusicguide, and even this progressive rock site.

I may differ from the majority, but I find this album not as enjoyable as people do (I still like it very much). I warn the reader that this CD has several minutes used for sound effects and noise. A also give the warning that it contains very loud music and some lyrics are in Spanish.

1. Cygnus... Vismund Cygnus (5/10) is a very creative and loud track full of changes of tempos and time signatures. I can understand how many people can call this epic a masterpiece and I will not prove them wrong. It is just not my taste of music.

2. The Widow (4.5/10) This track is more accessible, yet for me, I think of it as an average alternative rock song with noise put in the last 3 minutes. The noise is tolerable here and doesn't hurt the song.

3. L'Via L'Viaquez (7/10) : This is the song that I enjoy the most, and my favourite song from the band for now. It combines hard rock, hardcore, and latin music in an impressive way. My only criticism are the spanish vocals/lyrics at the beginning which make me beg for mercy : I find them horrible and nonsensical (I am hispanic). The rest of the song switches a salsa- like groove and a hard rock section back and forth, until there's a good salsa jam, which is ended by distorted vocals.

4. Miranda, That Ghost Just Isn't Holy Anmore (4/10) My least favourite epic from the album. The main factor is the pointless noise in the beginning that doesn't seem to end. When the track gets going, it is atmospheric, it delivers good vocals, and a surprising, yet effective, trumpet solo.

5. Cassandra Geminni I (2/10) This is a very long epic that feels a little overlong. Nevertheless, it is THE Epic of the band. This is when the band is at its most experimental and virtuosic. I would not spoil the song for people interested in hearing this album, you should hear it for yourselves. Unfortunately, I find it completely unlistenable.

This is not an album for everyone. IT is very challenging and different from the normal (like Gentle Giant). My recommendation goes for anyone who likes challenging, heavy, and highly creative music (like King Crimson) and also for people who feels neo-prog is mainstream dull music.

My Grade : D