Frances The Mute
by The Mars Volta
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 348 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 299 out of 348
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 348
  3. Negative: 37 out of 348

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  1. JeremiahF
    May 4, 2006
    10
    I love this entire album. Great mix of pure sounds that will invade your every ear drum canal. If thats even possible.
  2. Shawnaq
    Mar 22, 2005
    10
    This is the most amazing album I've ever heard. Period. The Mars Volta never disappoints.
  3. stlvocals
    Mar 2, 2005
    10
    So ridiculously superior to anything out right now, it's a joke. There's isn't a band around that can hold The Mars Volta's sweaty, screaming jock strap. Consider it an honor to listen to the Led Zeppelin of this generation in vestal splendor. A perfect album in almost every sense of the word.
  4. jonv
    Mar 4, 2005
    10
    this is the greatest band ever
  5. AnonyM.
    Jan 20, 2007
    10
    Why does it seem like no one figured out the twists of this album? Either they got and don't want to give it away, or they dismissed it as "impenetrable" and "pretentious." If you are one of the latter, please read the following. First of all, this is a great album. Definitely the best prog since the 70's. Omar took the helm this time, and he really moved the band's sound Why does it seem like no one figured out the twists of this album? Either they got and don't want to give it away, or they dismissed it as "impenetrable" and "pretentious." If you are one of the latter, please read the following. First of all, this is a great album. Definitely the best prog since the 70's. Omar took the helm this time, and he really moved the band's sound in startling and consistently rewarding directions. The only album of the present decade that gets better every time I listen to it. Now, the twist. I'm not going to give it away, but suffice to say, these hints should help some get over the seemingly incongruous bits of sound. They do get progressively more obvious, so STOP READING IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SPOIL IT. 1) Despite everything, pump the volume at the beginning of the album, the first "Sarcophagi." See what you hear. 2) Turn the volume up again during the long guitar solo at the 23 minute mark of Cassandra. Yep, thats the scratches back from the beginning... 3) Look at the first two pages of the booklet. The first is the only character not included in the album's song cycle (though she got a single essentially explaining all this). The second is a record player... 4)The Widow - yeah, that noise bugged the crap out of me when I first heard it too. But it's there for a reason (booklet!)... 5)The second "Sarcophagi" - OK, this is really obvious. Hear the needle scratching at the end of Cassandra? We're actually right back at the beginning... OK, so how does this relate to anything in the real world? Well, it's a bit of a stretch. Basically, "Frances the Mute" and the, ahem, twist, is a sort of metaphor for the diary the band found following Ward's death. This connection is admittedly not very articulate, but hey, it's really cool.… Expand
  6. TylerF
    Dec 6, 2005
    10
    The awesome explosive sound of the mars volta will not be forgotten soon.
  7. bweni
    Feb 24, 2005
    10
    i love this more than i love men, and thats a lot!!
  8. Kris
    Feb 27, 2005
    10
    VERY enjoyable.
  9. AndyP
    Mar 1, 2005
    10
    Anyone giving this album less than a 7 is just stuck up. Unless you really just don't like music.
  10. JoshC
    Mar 28, 2005
    10
    crazy but it sounds fucking great
  11. 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 easy listening!
  12. [Anonymous]
    May 5, 2005
    10
    It takes a while to get used to this album, but when you have, IT'S BRILLIANT!!!
  13. juanc
    May 9, 2005
    10
    Excellent
  14. LudvigB
    Aug 3, 2005
    10
    Its an incredable album that every sane an unsane person should own and for my money its the best album ever!!!
  15. Reuben
    Mar 21, 2006
    10
    This is possibly the most amazing record i have ever heard. It isn't the kind of album you can skip around on, but is only done full justice when listened to from start to finish (preferably alone). Simply an unbelievable experience full of talent and emotion
  16. ZosoZoso
    Mar 20, 2006
    10
    Best 2005 Album.
  17. Matt?A
    Jun 10, 2007
    10
    This album is pure awesomeness in a cup. When I'm listening to this album, I don't really think about the story, because the music itself is so amazing! My only complaint falls upon that organ thing that consumes the last two or so minutes of The Widow. You can tell that that's just pointless filler thrown in there. Then again, The Mars Volta is awesome because they do what This album is pure awesomeness in a cup. When I'm listening to this album, I don't really think about the story, because the music itself is so amazing! My only complaint falls upon that organ thing that consumes the last two or so minutes of The Widow. You can tell that that's just pointless filler thrown in there. Then again, The Mars Volta is awesome because they do what they want, not what we want. And I guess that organ thing is what they want, so yea, who am i to complain? And i forget if its one of the Mirandas or the Cassandra Geminis, but that "I think I've become one of the others ooohhh....ooooohhhhh...." part is strait up GANGSTA! yes-indeedy.… Expand
  18. SpencerW
    Oct 2, 2005
    10
    An amazing album. I don't know what Pat N was thinking. The solos in frances the mute are very well done. Listen to Miranda: Pisacis... tell your brother to play those solos. Just because you don't enjoy the art-work does not mean you need to give it a bad rating. 10 thumbs up on the album though.
  19. MattP
    Oct 2, 2005
    10
    There seems to be 2 opinions on this album. You either think it's long, boring and pretentious or you think it's an epic prog rock masterpiece. Quite frankly there are very few groups out there doing music this adventurous. "Frances The Mute" is an album you don't listen to. You experience it. The best album I've heard this year.
  20. VinceF
    Feb 27, 2005
    10
    For anyone that likes real music, music with feelings, colors and depths you can't explain, turn here. This album leaves the listener to put the pieces to the puzzle on what the back story of this album is. The Mars Volta are the new classic rock of our time, and anyone that disagrees does not have an imagination. The Volta will be big in 05, I guarantee it
  21. 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 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 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
  22. TomB
    Mar 1, 2005
    10
    oh my god.... the mars volta have done it again as far as bringing music to a new level of pure awesomeness!
  23. davidg
    Mar 10, 2005
    10
    a masterpiece, from beginning to end, its like watching a movie, only without the screen.
  24. PaulF
    Mar 1, 2005
    10
    I never thought the Mars Volta would come up with the goods again after listening to the amazing De-Loused in the Comatorium, but this is just stunning! It just sucks you right in from the fantastic opening track and doesn't let go until the very end. It's everything I hoped it would be - not more of the same, but a progression in their music. It is very different to the DITC I never thought the Mars Volta would come up with the goods again after listening to the amazing De-Loused in the Comatorium, but this is just stunning! It just sucks you right in from the fantastic opening track and doesn't let go until the very end. It's everything I hoped it would be - not more of the same, but a progression in their music. It is very different to the DITC but it is just as good. It thoroughly deserves a rare 10/10 from me.… Expand
  25. CamS
    Mar 1, 2005
    10
    by far the best cd to come out since deloused
  26. BartT
    Mar 17, 2005
    10
    Interestingly enough, all of the negative comments I have read in reviews have to do with the Mars Volta "showing off" or being "pretentious". Just because the lyrics are not blatantly obvious does not mean they are "showing off", it means they are "artistic". Just because most people are too ignorant and stale to appreciate abstract poetry does not mean that the Mars Volta fail as Interestingly enough, all of the negative comments I have read in reviews have to do with the Mars Volta "showing off" or being "pretentious". Just because the lyrics are not blatantly obvious does not mean they are "showing off", it means they are "artistic". Just because most people are too ignorant and stale to appreciate abstract poetry does not mean that the Mars Volta fail as musicians. The album pushes the boundaries of the floundering rock scene and has once again awoken creativity and art in music. "Cassandra Gemini" should be a dull 31 minute listen but is not that. The track begins intense, then slowly drifts into a dream like state before battling back. Then the track quickly drifts into this "dream world" (marked by the sloppy piano) before shifting course into a new world. Almost the entire 30 minutes is alive and enjoyable. I would have spent the money for that track alone. One criticism I have is "L'via l'vasquez" was a little too "traditional classic rock" for me and "Widow" was an obvious commercial track. The first and fifth track make this album an undeniable 10.… Expand
  27. DrH
    Mar 2, 2005
    10
    As moving and stunning as "De-loused". Mars further displays their remarkable talent and musical vision. Anyone who dislikes this album should go back to driving there safe economical mid-sided sedan and listening to nice safe top 40 radio hits.
  28. cw
    Mar 2, 2005
    10
    haha i just had to stick up for that album. it's funny how every negative review here is from pitchfork homepage college freshmen :-P
  29. NathanS
    Mar 22, 2005
    10
    This is the best damn cd ever made mother fuckers!
  30. GinaG
    Mar 2, 2005
    10
    Mars Volta never stops amazing me.. they're right up there with tool!
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic 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]
  2. Filter
    68
    Frances the Mute documents the Mars Volta as a passionate and explosive band that has grown capable of taking the music in a hundred different directions. [#14, p.96]
  3. Spin
    91
    Frances explores an explosive groove Comatorium only implied. [Mar 2005, p.83]
See all critic reviews »