FRANCES THE MUTE

When you know the bunch of influences that The Mars Volta has, their previous individual projects as musicians and their instrumental abilities, it's obvious that the singularity and originality will be as notable as it is. I've known this band almost since they were formed and I've seen them grow up, evolve and open their own way as in mainstream as in the most closed music critic circles, thing that makes me happy and disappoints me at the same time.

I don't know if I've missed in this album, personally, I think that the self-production isn't the best decision by Mars Volta, considering that they're one of the most excessive live bands, very extensive and pretentious.

I really see their first album "Dee-Loused in the Comatorium" as their best effort, even though this release has some good points such as the orchestration with some pretty interesting moments. This American band uses their huge universe of influences and their interpretative ability to create their second studio album.

This work is developed in a conceptual way, with some similar points as they've done it in DLITC, the lyrics travel through so many styles but keeping their own seal, using that intricate language they own.

Composed by just 5 songs, 'cause "Cassandra Gemini" is subdivided in some kind of suites, this album explores different audible textures that cover from the ambient and space passages, the remembering Latin roots of Omar Rodriguez-Lopez spiced perfectly with the unique voice of Cedric Bixler. I'd also like to notice the collaborations by the Red Hot Chili Peppers members, Flea and John Frusciante in "Miranda, That Ghost Just Isn't Holy Anymore" , which bring a very tasty sound to that song, especially the trumpets by Flea that catches you on with all its melancholy.

Unfortunately, all that sequence through the last track minimizes some great jams included on it.

In my humble opinion, this band has an awesome potential to turn into one of the biggest progressive bands of all times, but they got to canalize the landslide of musical ideas they have or to hire a producer such as Rick Rubin to focus that energy into a positive way.

Concluding, even when they this one is a good release, they can do it better so I'll give this one a 3 stars rating.

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