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Frances The Mute
by
Frances The Mute Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 348 Ratings

  • Summary: The psychedelic prog-rock outfit led by Cedric Bixler Zavala and Omar Rodriguez return with a second ambitious album, which follows the death of band member Jeremy Ward.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 31
  3. Negative: 3 out of 31
  1. Alternative Press
    100
    It's already the most riveting album of 2005--provided you're ready to carve a wide enough hole in your consciousness to accept it. [Mar 2005, p.130]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. E! Online
    91
    If you've got the time to dig in, Frances the Mute proves a cohesive, intricate and expertly layered experience.
  3. Delusions of Adequacy
    90
    It’s not prog rock. It’s not punk rock. It’s not emo. It’s not indie. It’s just music, and it will incinerate your mind if you let it.
  4. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    Within this impressive, ambitious, often stupid whole, are moments of melthing human beauty. [29 Feb 2005, p.65]
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  5. Uncut
    70
    Frances The Mute smells like another concept album, is far too long and so pretentious as to be farcial. Amazingly, it's also mighty entertaining. [Mar 2005, p.91]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    The CD has moments of undeniable beauty and power; it may prove to be one of those "difficult" records that repays with repeat listens. [4 Mar 2005, p.72]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. cokemachineglow
    17
    There are hardly any virtues to this record at all.

See all 31 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 199 out of 238
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 238
  3. Negative: 29 out of 238
  1. asad31
    Sep 10, 2010
    10
    This is a masterpiece. Cassandra Gemini is one of the best songs ever recorded by anyone anywhere anytime. The whole album is amazing. LoveThis is a masterpiece. Cassandra Gemini is one of the best songs ever recorded by anyone anywhere anytime. The whole album is amazing. Love the jazz influence combined with what they did on de loused. My personal favorite TMV album and maybe my favorite album of all time. You must listen to this album several times. Dont hear it once and make a decision.. it takes time to really take it all in.… Expand
  2. GeorgeB
    Apr 4, 2005
    10
    THis album is great, just pure poetry. It lives up to its predecessor and it just great, everyone should buy this album and enjoy the sweet THis album is great, just pure poetry. It lives up to its predecessor and it just great, everyone should buy this album and enjoy the sweet easy listening!… Collapse
  4. ezrapound
    Feb 28, 2005
    10
    There are musicians who can write catchy songs (Coldplay, Pearl Jam etc) and there are those who are technically great and inventive beyond There are musicians who can write catchy songs (Coldplay, Pearl Jam etc) and there are those who are technically great and inventive beyond words (Hendrix, Pink Floyd etc). Both these traits make artists worth listening to, but the Mars Volta are both, make the most of it!! don't bitch about pretentiousness just because you are listening to something that came out of a time-capsule from the year 2020.… Expand
  5. diegom
    Jan 12, 2006
    10
    i can´t say it in human words
  6. tomtom
    Mar 20, 2005
    9
    absolutely brilliant. It could be said that the variety and difference in critic ratings is a testament to its brilliance. Not everyone gets absolutely brilliant. It could be said that the variety and difference in critic ratings is a testament to its brilliance. Not everyone gets it. They view music and the world in a way very few do, because of this the masterpiece they have created often falls upon deaf ears. Not as good as deloused, but nothing ever will be. Deloused, along with Pink Floyd the wall and dark side, arew the greatest cd's ever created. Their brilliance will trancend generations, forever giving a voice to the musicians who dont make a cd with the one hit pop shit....a voice for those who make moments, make classics. For volta, it's all about the creative flow, the experience. And my how they have succeeded.… Expand
  7. christianw
    May 30, 2006
    8
    Not as thrilling as deloused, but it really challenges the listener and credits them with enough intelligence to work it out for themselves. Not as thrilling as deloused, but it really challenges the listener and credits them with enough intelligence to work it out for themselves. Also its one of those rare albums that stands up to and even improves over repeated listens. Brilliant chaos.… Expand
  8. RoryC
    Feb 27, 2005
    0
    Yuck. The first song is great because it is the only one to have structure. Everything else is just disgusting. No form, no structure, no Yuck. The first song is great because it is the only one to have structure. Everything else is just disgusting. No form, no structure, no discipline, it's just all over the place. Not a fun listen, not entertaining, barely even musical. Avoid… Expand

See all 238 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Most Discussed Album of 2005
76
#76 Most Shared Album of 2005

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