User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 348 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 299 out of 348
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Mixed: 12 out of 348
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Negative: 37 out of 348
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May 26, 2016Cassandra Gemini is the greatest song of all time. The entire album is fantastic; it really draws you in. Cassandra Gemini at the very end sets it over the edge though, especially the final 5-6 minutes. A true masterpiece.
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Apr 9, 2016
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Oct 22, 2013
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Dec 1, 2011Excellent sophomore album from the two former members of punk-rock At The Drive-in. It doesn't hurt to have a little help from John Frusciante (Listen to the first guitar solo on L 'Via L 'Viaquez). The filler noise is the only thing I can frown upon.
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Nov 21, 2011The greatest album of the mars volta, not a moment is weak, not a note is off (accidentally) Omar and Cedric blow your mind and them do it again every time you listen to the album.
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Dec 1, 2010Frances The Mute is not quite as good as the The Mars Voltas first album, but this album is definitely more creative. The musicianship is incredible. The guitars soars loud, the meaningless lyrics sound amazing, and the drums are some of the best i've ever heard. All In All, Frances The Mute is a compelling album. A-
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Sep 10, 2010
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MaxMDec 2, 2008
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JosephH.Sep 21, 2008It is a great leap forward from Deloused. The vocals are worlds better -- Bixler-Zavala actually sounds like he means what he's singing. The drumming also shows great improvement. The only bad thing about the album is the overlong instrumental sections, which were trimmed to the exact length they needed to be on Deloused, but now sprawl over upwards of 7 minutes.
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MichaelW.Feb 1, 2008Lacks the cohesion of De-Loused but still an excellent album. You can really follow the progression of their sound.
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MitchJ.Jan 30, 2008A masterpiece a brilliant album that accomplishes more in ten seconds than any other band could in a career.
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JustinH.Jan 22, 2008
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kariuskJan 19, 2008This is one of the most amazing albums ever released. Anyone who says different should go get an Ouijia board and try and get Goliath to eat their flesh
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MichaelT.Nov 3, 2007
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LuisLAug 19, 2007
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TrishL.Jun 25, 2007I could do without some of the drawn out noise fillers but other than that, very solid album.
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Matt?AJun 10, 2007
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IanBMar 28, 2007Sean P speaks wisdom. I actually prefer this to comotorium. The only reason this doesn't score a 10 is because a couple slower sections are too drawn out *cough*chirpfrogs*cough*.
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SeanP.Mar 11, 2007
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RaulCFeb 17, 2007a very cool disc and casandra gemmini dam!!!
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DavidJan 23, 2007The emperor has no clothes. Anyone that tells you they like this has NO musical taste or is flat out lying. Never ever listen to them again. In fact cut them out of your lives, you have no need for such lies/ignorance. To like this is to become a slave to your pretension.
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AnonyM.Jan 20, 2007
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aliemDec 2, 2006best album ever. ever.
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cerppintaxtNov 2, 2006
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TinuvaAug 26, 2006Ow Mars Volta, heel fijn
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JohnDAug 18, 2006
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GuillermoB.Jun 28, 2006
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BughunterJun 1, 2006Volta opened my mind with comatorium and Frances filled it. Volta continue to push the envelop. Brilliant
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christianwMay 30, 2006Not 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.
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JohnBMay 25, 2006
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JeremiahFMay 4, 2006I love this entire album. Great mix of pure sounds that will invade your every ear drum canal. If thats even possible.
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FrederikFApr 15, 2006As great, if not better tan De-Loused!
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rumplefApr 11, 2006Frances The Mute is really good but it does not come close to De-Loused. its rather unorganized and some parts seem to just go on and on. It definatly does have its great moments like all parts of the first three songs and some other stuff after that as well.
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JosephHApr 4, 2006The Shit!!
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rightouscorectMar 26, 2006encapsulating an ostrocised being's own acceptance of it's self aftera wasted lifefo searching it's own origins. at the end we all need to re evaulate normality complaciency and mars voltas ferosity
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ReubenMar 21, 2006This 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
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ZosoZosoMar 20, 2006Best 2005 Album.
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TamasVFeb 11, 2006One of the best albums I've heard, second only to De-loused In The Comatorium, The Mars Volta's first album.
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MickFeb 5, 2006
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JudyVFeb 2, 2006I love it.
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NicoleMFeb 2, 2006This is an awsome album. I'm actually listening to Scabdates right now. They really are pushing the musical envelope. I look forward to what they will do next!
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DelMonkeyJan 31, 2006Do you like Pink Floyd, Fugazi, the Lyres, Queen, Jeff Buckley and Cuban Jazz? Why not put it all in a blender and pour it into the top of your skull? Carefull...you might want to make room first. Contents under pressure!
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SeamusSJan 23, 2006
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DianaSJan 18, 2006This album is electrifyingly awesome.
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AndrewTJan 17, 2006This album is for those who need rock to rock and spew out all the pussy ass bullshit that all the reviewers that didnt get it like.
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diegomJan 12, 2006i can´t say it in human words
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RyanxxxJan 4, 2006This cd has blown me away, the mars volta are one of the best bands out there right now. L'Via L'viaquez is my favorite song, I have meorized it all, even though its in spanish.
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ChristianKDec 18, 2005
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DavidLDec 12, 2005Mind-blowing rock that we would expect from the Mars Volta
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DavidSDec 7, 2005Some awesome stuff interspersed with some great ecclectics, though they do get a littlannoying after a while
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TylerFDec 6, 2005The awesome explosive sound of the mars volta will not be forgotten soon.
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JasperBNov 13, 2005It will give you an absolutly terrible headache. The Widow is its only redeaming song.
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SjongeNov 12, 2005
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RobDOct 31, 2005amazing album. simply mind blowing.
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GregHOct 24, 2005By far the best album I've heard this year. Along with System of a Down The Mars Volta are trying to completely reinvent physecadelic rock. The only real comparison I can make with them and any other bands is a mix of Rush and Pink Floyd. With a lot harder edge.
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AriK.Oct 23, 2005
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DeboAOct 23, 2005Definately an alternative to Music(k); even an alternative to Alternative Music(k). The Mars Volta has taken Mucisk to another dimension; the dimension of dementia. Whilst this is not something that will appeal to the masses, its definately Good Music(k).
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MattPOct 2, 2005There 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.
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SpencerWOct 2, 2005An 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.
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MarieSSep 23, 2005one of the best cd I've ever heard.
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PatNSep 15, 2005Most of the album just sounded like aimless noisemaking interspersed with admittedly excellent drum and some fast riffing but atrociously bad guitar soloing that sounds like something my kid brother would pull off if I told him to play some jazz. The songs are muddled and non musical.
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CalvinCSep 11, 2005
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skysSep 2, 2005i loved it,everything fits really nice, an excellent eray of sounds,very creative and well produced. you really just can feel the passion behind there music
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JLAug 28, 2005Positively astonishing once you get used to TMV's style. Omar's guitar solos, Cedric's lyrics, and the insane percussion are ingenious. Better than De-loused on all fronts, and that's an accomplishment in itself.
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AlexAug 25, 2005If you are looking for an original, in your face pure rock and roll cd, this is your band. They will blow you away movement by movement. Although, you must open up to allow this new sound rock your world.
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ZoltanDAug 19, 2005with every new listening, frances the mute is a new expirience, every last better than the one before...
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AdamWAug 17, 2005
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LudvigBAug 3, 2005Its an incredable album that every sane an unsane person should own and for my money its the best album ever!!!
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SkylerWAug 1, 2005One of the best albums around from one of the best bands of our day.
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GuillaumeCJul 13, 2005
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JasonNJun 10, 2005
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ColbstaSJun 10, 2005
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MarcDJun 5, 2005Infectious and very very creative stuff. The sound is hard to classify. Stop trying to. Instead, pop it in your music player and have some fun.
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TapanJJun 1, 2005Never have a herd a band with so much more of an understanding of music than even the greats. Not only do I think this is the best album i own, but the best I've ever heard. If TMV comes to town, GO SEE THEM. do not deprive yourselves of the best concert you'll see
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GinnyMJun 1, 2005The parts with singing are great, but the other stuff is a bit too long
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GismoCrackwiseMay 31, 2005
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GaryRMay 28, 2005This album is truly amazing! when we heard that The Mars Volta were releasing there new album, most were thinking how they were going to live up to their previous album De-loused in the comatorium. But they have achieved this in style whilst still showing that this still is not the best they can do! Watch this Space! there is still even more to come from these wonderfully talented individuals!
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OlivierBMay 27, 2005The Mars Volta seem to think they are genius but they are just good. They really have talent but they could be a bit more modest.
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BrandonBMay 23, 2005Mars Volta has managed to Improve upon the groundbreaking sonic punkrock debut. The songs build and retreat in a dramatic rock opera like trollercoaster. However The flow of the album is seriously compromised by gaping nothingness that follows nearly half the songs, without which would have earned this set a 9 or 10.
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yomamaMay 23, 2005
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nonenoneMay 22, 2005If you have the time to let it in, this album will certainly prove itself as an amazing accomplishment.
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AndrewGMay 21, 2005
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NathanMMay 16, 2005I cannot get over how amazing this album is. I listen to it and there are points where i cannot breath, anyways the music is very alternative and you have to have a very open mind to properly enjoy it, if you are willing to accept it for the type of music it is then you can have one of the best albums of the year.
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EdWoodMay 11, 2005Hugely pretentious and pompous beyond belief, Frances The Mute is nevertheless an unmitigated triumph. With more geuine tunes than The Mars Volta's first album and some heart-stopping changes in pace, this is Dark Side Of the Moon for the post-hardcore audience.
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juancMay 9, 2005Excellent
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[Anonymous]May 5, 2005It takes a while to get used to this album, but when you have, IT'S BRILLIANT!!!
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DavisWMay 4, 2005An excellent and genius album, although it almost seems like work to listen to it. You kind of have to set aside some time to try and absorb it. Works for some people, though not so much for me. I prefer 'de-loused'.
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ElliotOMay 4, 2005Brilliant. A Masterpeice.
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AndyMay 3, 2005I've taken better shits than this.
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BWillingApr 28, 2005Those that have been unplugged from the Matrix will Groovitate towards this........It Rocks!!!!
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AleRApr 24, 2005Led Zeppelin of 2005. The best album of the last years.
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SpencerApr 22, 2005
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kylepApr 17, 2005this cd contains the greatest song ever written. cassandra geminni. and every other song is super good also.
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SamDApr 13, 2005Can you think of another band that so creatively combines classic, progressive, and punk rock with salsa? I think not. More artistic and rocks harder than anyone else I can think of that's around today.
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JjeffOApr 13, 2005its classic rock of today. Its an amazing story being told via enchanting and mind boggling poetic music.
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MarcD.Apr 12, 2005Reminiscent of early Pink Floyd and Rage Against the Machine, yet still highly original.
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MeatApr 11, 2005
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MattKApr 11, 2005
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PhantomXIIIApr 7, 2005A highly ambitious venture from mainstream that fully comes togther as the best album thus far in their careers. Hats off to you, Volta...
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GeorgeBApr 4, 2005THis 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!
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Awards & Rankings
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Alternative PressIt'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]
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FilterFrances 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]
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SpinFrances explores an explosive groove Comatorium only implied. [Mar 2005, p.83]