Frances the Mute is the second studio album by progressive rock band The Mars Volta released in the US on March 1, 2005. The album's lyrics often jump from Spanish to English. Though not as commercially successful as De-loused in the Comatorium, it received considerable critical praise. The album displays a deep jazz influence while infusing Latin flavor into many songs while utilising many of the Dub, Ambient and Electronica influences and techniques experimented with in De Facto and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez's solo project in order to create one cohesive composition divided into many tracks. Originally to be titled Sarcophagus, Frances Read more on Last.fm.
It’s funny that I want to begin my review by saying “I agree with Cliff,” as I still vividly remember the moment he stopped me in the hallway of our high school, with a crazed look in his eye, to implore me to listen to this album as soon as I possibly could. That was the better part of seven years ago, and many thousands of hours of musical exploration later, I’d still call this one of the best albums I’ve ever heard by anyone. It was certainly a touchstone for all that followed between my ears.
In some sort of cosmic galactic alignment, The Mars Volta mashed prog, salsa, jazz fusion, and psychedelic influences together into one of the most mind-blowing musical rides ever conceived. ‘Frances the Mute’ is a must-listen for everyone, ever.