"The Mars Volta’s sophomore full-length; a considerably more complex and ambitious album than its predecessor – four of its five tracks lasted over ten minutes in length – Frances The Mute wasn’t recorded 'live' by an ensemble, but with the individual musicians recording the parts Omar had scripted for them separately. Being much more than just a ‘De-Loused Part Two’, the album thrills with its lush sound, the depth of detail, breadth of instrumentation and its fevered intensity." - Clouds Hill