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The Mars
Volta: Frances the Mute
It is worth noting, immediately, that I am not a student of the Mars Volta. I heard a song from their previous incarnation, At the Drive-In, on the Blair Witch 2 soundtrack (what was I thinking?). Despite my intense passion for angry death music, this reviewer barely noticed their presence on the album. Then out came their rebirth as The Mars Volta, in the form of De-loused in the Comatorium an art album if ever there was one. I loved the cover. And here we are now. I specifically requested that I be assigned the review of Frances the Mute. I dont know the bands history, obviously, but it might be the best thing for the situation a new set of ears for this overplayed, over-diagnosed band. Frances the Mute is a concept album, stretched out nearly to oblivion, broken into dialogue, found sound, quiet moodiness and quite a few screaming matches. Its almost impossible to label as music. Its dreadfully pretentious, undecipherable in its layers of strange text and complete lack of similarity to any other musical genre. Its completely inappropriate for any mood I think Ive ever been in or ever shall be in. It exists to lend cachet to my music files. And I think its great. The best part of Frances the Mute is wondering where in the world its going to end up. Just about the moment at which I cant take one more moment of Spanish art punk, the track descends into a shiny little guitar breakdown, a few delicate drum taps and some incomprehensible English lyrics. Its worth noting here that both languages are used freely but if the English pieces are anything to judge by, it really makes no difference, as the lyrics are so poetic that theyre simply pretty strings of sound. Each song flows into the next without a break any more noticeable than those that arrive in the middle of a track. Hence, it is best to listen to this album without any preconceived notions of structure. (The Widow has been edited for radio consumption but to no conceivable point. Whether you consider it art or not, this album was meant to be consumed whole.) There are four main headings to the album, and some of the headings have sub-classifications in what might be Latin, or merely Mars Voltian. The length of the tracks is less noticeable since each one ascends and descends several times and the lead singers voice (which one is he anyway?) is smooth and flexible for all the acrobatics he set for himself. I am perfectly aware Ive done very little to explain this album. Fairly raw in its emotion, so full of sounds and ideas that it could be a gallery installation exploring themes of haunting metal and who knows what elseit would be a terrible installation. But it makes for a fascinating musical journey. I hear through the grapevine that this album in no way compares to the purported brilliance of their first release, but standing alone, I think its worthy of attention. Its a hard art album, difficult to get down, and certainly overlong. For fans of the Mars Volta, whose minds have already been made up, it will be too late. For those who are not familiar with their work (such as myself), I would encourage this detailed and exhausting listening experience.
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