The Mars Volta - Frances the Mute Album Reaction

[@evanwright9016]

Okay. They were a 7-piece when they toured this album: Omar, Cedric, Juan Alderete (bass), Adrian Terrazas-Gonzalez (woodwinds), Omar's brother, Marcel on various percussion, Isaiah "Ikey" Owens (RIP) on keys, and the almighty Jon Theodore on the skins. They opened for the Chili's and QOTSA on a number of occasions throughout 2003, A Perfect Circle, and maybe the underrated post-hardcore act, The Icarus Line in '04 when they were jamming the material out in real time. Then System of a Down during this album's cycle, then back to the Chili's in '06 and early '07 for 'Amputechture' (underrated album, by the way). Which coincidentally has Frusciante playing most of the lead parts that Omar quickly taught him, save for "Asilos Magdalena". That's where some fans, and the band themselves, pretty much consider the beginning of the end since Jon Theodore was fired or split due to exhaustion and Omar's demands, incessant they may have been in those days. They only play the first 2 albums, save for the sporadic newest material and a smattering of 3 tracks off 'Amputechture' live today. As for the story, the main character finds out he was the product of a failed abortion, which along with his absentee mother's heroin addiction stemming from SA from church officials and the resulting trauma associated, contributed to his current state of being. He's on a quest to find his mother, who was exiled/excommunicated by her clean-cut, Catholic background. "The Widow" in the scenario was an aunt who's currently MIA as a mental patient, so obviously, he could only get traces of truth in the case of answers. The reasons why she was put here was a quick ploy to illegally and unofficially separate her from her husband, who was a snakeoil salesman of the occultic kind, which was how both of them met, and the influence he brought among the vulnerable populations the church was trying to keep to themselves. "Miranda" is the grandmother, as "L'Via" is a distant maternal cousin, all connected to the church/cult in a way. On the penultimate and final track, he then goes on a killing spree. Half the reason being to avenge those who wronged him, the other half is to cover up the church's suspicions or disdain toward Cygnus for connecting the dots behind Frances' missing person's status and likely murder, and for breaking something corrupt-I mean "sacred" apart, before they act on them. His suicide, the second, consecutive one in MVs conceptual catalogue, happens three quarters of the way in. Then he wakes up to find out it was all a drug-induced dream. Please try and correct me on any errors. It's been awhile since I read up on the album's story arc. I'm tired of typing, as you can probably tell.

[@varisfinndesign]

So, since watching the documentary movie, 'Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird', we find out the true origins to 'Frances The Mute'. The album was made after Jeremy Ward's death as we know, and the band was mourning, and as it came time for Cedric to come up with lyrics, he was having writers block. Omar had already had an idea for a story he was going to tell and gave Cedric the inspiration for the concept. Omar describes the plot like this: "It was about a woman who discovers very late in life that she was adopted and is thrown into this quest of locating her birth parents. And she receives a clue in form of an old vinyl plate, which is a recording that she has to piece together. Finally she comes to realize that her mother was abducted by a rich, white, elite sect that makes women give birth en masse, 25 at a time, in a lake, in order to abort that baby by way of cannibalism, ensuring generational power and immortality. So she's the abortion that survived. And then she finally tracks down this cabal, which is controlled psychically by an old, withered man in a coma, but she realizes then that she's fallen into their trap: It was her who was tracked down and manipulated right back to them so she can finally be sacrificed." They fealt like attaching Jeremy into the plot and inspiration of the story somehow was a way to honor him and let go of the weight his passing held upon all of them. It seems as though Jeremy was never a repo man....

[@JC19667]

They were an 8 piece band when they toured this album.

[@evanwright9016]

​​@varisfinndesign Great insight. I saw the movie, and I know the whole arc of Jeremy finding the diary in the car was purely for marketing purposes, but reading your comment made everything click for me. The 25 wives line, especially, totally missed that.

[@evanwright9016]

​@JC19667 The last 2 legs had Hinojos, so by the end of the tour, it was an 8-piece. You're technically right.

[@Dynaty20]

This one and Deloused are such amazing pieces of art front to back. Had the pleasure of seeing them live, what a trip. So much dedication to the joy of music. So much pain channeled into love. They are truly some of the greatest musicians of our time.

[@davissae]

Oh boy, here goes a MV rabbit hole…

[@Jendnd-l7m]

i wish I was there but tbh I never get tired of tmv and I'm 37, been listening since I was 18. They're the only band that doesn't eventually bore me. I love every single album and song.

[@Jendnd-l7m]

John frusciante is all over their music too. Not just this album but all over Omar Rodriguez Lopez solo albums too.

[@Jendnd-l7m]

And Omar is all over John's solo music. 🫶 Love them so much.

[@Jendnd-l7m]

They sang Spanish during the american rock vibes then sang English during the salsa breakdown hahahaaaa I love them so much

[@asmahism]

Nice! Imo this is their best work. It’s dense but peeling back the layers is so worth it. Perfect album to start the year off with.

[@kevinm8871]

Dude, the albums bedlam in goliath and amputechture by them will blow your mind

[@SmoofDizzle]

This album is incredible. L'Via L'Viaquez is one of my favorite songs of all time. so glad you did a reaction to this one!!

[@jebhardwick]

So great to see a reaction channel where someone appreciates the intricacies of what they're hearing. Keep up the good work man, it's a fun hang!

[@mattmikes4153]

WOW! I could tell you kinda started to dig Mars Volta with the recent video but with the emphasis on shorter videos I thought to myself "there's no way he's ever gonna listen to Cassandra Gemini" with it being 30 minutes plus 😢 This may be my favorite TMV album altogether.

[@mattmikes4153]

I have to recommend Day of the Baphomet next. Sorry, it is 15 minutes, but the sounds will blow your mind. It can take multiple listens to lock down each instrument.

[@jbones3595]

Best Album of all time

[@barbarjinx3802]

I just got back from phish at msg. Rooski, you need to see them live. They are playing so well and nasty. Watch mikes new Rig video, it’s super cool. He was all over the this run of shows. Just slayed it. And Trey was in guitar god mode tonight on Sand. Happy new year!

[@jayweir6375]

Zappa, so much greatness and so many different styles... I am 57 and have been a fan since 12. to ease in...Apostrophe, Overnight Sensation, Zoot Allures, Hot Rats, Joe's Garage Act 1,2,3, You Are What You Is, Sheik Yer Booty. These will get the juices flowing...great songs showing his styles and humor. After these, you can delve deep into some more craziness.

[@matthewlipkin2920]

If this ever gets weird, the new Volta doc just came out for anyone more interested in how this album got made.

[@punker-gamer-trucker-guy]

I personally think all their albums are pieces of art. Each one takes its own journey to progressive weirdness. The reunion album didn't hit me at first, but after a few listens it finally clicked and I love it. The acoustic version is really good too.

[@punker-gamer-trucker-guy]

I guess it's not necessary, but the title track was released as a standalone single. Allegedly it was suppose to decode the story, I think it's just more high art.

[@radioactivetrees9626]

The acoustic album is incredible.

[@radioactivetrees9626]

"playing like they have a loaded gun pointed to their heads." -anonymous

[@nathanielgarcia7225]

Did anyone mention that’s John Frusciante who recorded some of the solos??

[@Chainsawghosts]

I strongly recommend the album " hot rats!" By Zappa. It is more traditionally cohesive while still showing his style. Some of the other ones are kind of a lot

[@govs213]

This was my first album reaction I watched live as a rooski

[@crouchingtiger9108]

Frank Zappa Apostrophe and Sheik Yerbouti good starting place. My fav's.

[@Jendnd-l7m]

This band is so fucking creepy. Omar who is the guitarist and composer did a movie called the Sentimental Engine Slayer and the movie sounds are creepy af but i love him. also the album Se Dice Bisonte No Bufalo is helllllla creepy horror soundtrack coded.

[@rubbinsracin3531]

Have ever listened to At The Drive in ?

[@hrs9018]

LFG!

[@themadcow71]

Their first five albums are must listens.

[@cornholiooooooo]

good choice

[@tunnelamende6214]

Just when I thought what you might think of Magma I am seeing te Twitch nick kohntarkus...and I'm thinking: Is this person referencing "Köhntarkösz" by Magma? :D

[@tunnelamende6214]

Oh...and of course "Tarkus"...d'oh! :D

[@horse_renoir]

Love this album so much, I would say that Deloused in the Comatorium and Amputechture are also worth reacting to as well. Just so you know, there is actually a title track to this album that was meant to be the first song on the album but had to be cut for time as it wouldn't fit on the CD. The song "Frances the Mute" was released as a standalone single and the lyrics explain the album's concept in detail, if you like this album then it's definitely worth checking out the title track as well.