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The Mars Volta - Frances the Mute CD (album) cover

FRANCES THE MUTE

The Mars Volta

 

Heavy Prog

4.07 | 1003 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

PinkPangolin
5 stars I ca n understand why this album get s such mixed reviews. It's so wild, so calm, so full of energy, that it's like marmite (strong flavored) - you either love it or hate it.

If you had a secret love of punk rock, but preferred prog, then this is for you.

If you are into extreme sports, and want it in your music - then this is for you.

If you like unexpected shocks (like in Thriller movies) - then this is for you.

This - thankfully for me - was my first MV experience, and it remains the best - too may people compare it with De-loused in the Comatorium. It stands alone and should not be compared with that earlier album.

If you want to try MV - please start with this - don't get Deloused first

The impact - when you first hear it is so unexpected it lifts you out the chair. A gentle acoustic Intro then this sudden explosion of wild noise, and immensely good - never heard before lead-style guitar of extreme pace, and this crazy high pitch singing over the top, with totally nonsensical lyrics. I cannot tell you how awesome this is.

Be unprepared for the ride of your life. Then there's all this noddling, which goes on for ages, which unsures you are totally unprepared for the next onslaught of wild energy. How they thought of such a combination, I'll never know! - Total genius!

Surely one of the greatest unexpected albums of the modern era - you just need to hear it once. Growing on you? No, it's not like that - the impact of the first time you hear it can never be repeated.

PS - love the Spanish singing PSS - the guitar work by John Frusciante on L'Via is awesome!

PinkPangolin | 5/5 |

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