So I'm listening to my 2-disc remix of Frances The Mute and felt like posting some of my thoughts on the band.
I've only really given FTM any chance of listening-to, although from what I recall of the debut album, it was pretty good. However, the three albums that followed I've spun once and completely neglected over the last few years. When their last album came out, I bought it almost out of habit (or perhaps because it was just there and something new to get), but I've not really listened to it. I only ever really listen to FTM. Is that weird? I suppose the fact that it's a concept album kind of helps. I'm a sucker for concept/conceptual albums.
And because I can't be TOO satisfied with officially released tracklistings, I had to throw in the title track (at the beginning, as is the usually understood placement for it) on my remix, and I re-edited the movement-indexes for "Cassandra Gemini" to fit the sections mentioned on the album artwork:
Disc One - 45:31
Frances The Mute (14:33)
1. I. In Thirteen Seconds - 4:33
2. II. Nineteen Sank While Six Would Swim - 6:00
3. III. Five Would Grow And One Was Dead - 4:00
Cygnus... Vismund Cygnus (13:02)
4. I. Sarcophagi - 0:45
5. II. Umbilical Syllables - 3:31
6. III. Facilis Descenus Averni - 4:00
7. IV. Con Safo - 4:46
8. The Widow - 5:50
9. L’ Via L’ Viaquez - 12:06
Disc Two - 45:56
Miranda, That Ghost Just Isn’t Holy Anymore (13:24)
1. I. Vade Mecum - 4:16
2. II. Pour Another Icepick - 3:47
3. III. Pisacis (Phra-Men-Ma) - 3:43
4. IV. Con Safo (Reprise) - 1:38
Cassandra Gemini (32:32)
5. I. Tarantism - 11:26
6. II. Plant A Nail In The Navel Stream - 9:37
7. III. Faminepulse - 7:37
8. IV. Multiple Spouse Wounds - 2:58
9. V. Sarcophagi (Reprise) - 0:54
It's a really good listen through, and while the first part of the title track does drag a bit, I think those opening sounds/bells/noises really set the mood for the album. It is a bit long, but I think they work with setting up the song, and the whole album. I'm not sure what it is about this album, but the mix of styles and sounds really seems to gel, and it doesn't sound TOO forced as in "Hey, we're throwing in these sounds just because we can"...it's a very natural-sounding to me. There's plenty of mellow sections, noise sections, jams and solos to love, and there's a lot to take in, but it's a rewarding listen if you stick through it.
Anyways, that's about it. Of the three albums that followed, which should I really give my attention to if I want to try and give them another chance outside of this album?
-Marc.