The Mars Volta Frances the Mute

4 stars out of 5 - "[T]he Mars Volta's second album is an exhilarating transgression: concussive, nonlinear rhythms; mad-dog guitar alegebra; bloody-nightmare suites hung in bilingual free verse. In short, the beastly spawn of Radiohead's OK COMPUTER and Rush's 2112..."
Ranked #12 in Spin's "40 Best Albums Of 2005" - "[T]heir space jams still have roots in our doomed stratosphere, and their noodling has a hardcore pulse."
"77 dizzying minutes...with timbales, loping strings, guest musicians and tortured moans....The Mars Volta are typing as fast as they can, throwing up screen after screen of concepts and rhythms." - Grade: A-
3 stars out of 5 - "[M]ighty entertaining. Beyond the obvious ambition and virtuosity, it's zeal which makes this so exhilarating..."
5 out of 5 - "[I]t's already the most riveting album of 2005 - provided you're ready to carve a wide enough hole in your consciousness to accept it."
"The diversity of this album will appeal to all sorts of instrument-emporium loiterers....To the chagrin of jaded, knee-jerk critics and musicians, the Mars Volta is taking rock music in that elusive direction: forward."
"[A]lmost literally breathtaking music."
Ranked #39 in Mojo's "The 50 Best Albums Of 2005" - "[T]hey risked ridicule to deliver the sublime."
4 stars out of 5 - "[I]t is quite possibly the most ambitious, compelling and rewarding rock album you will hear this year."