Frances the Mute, The Mars Volta’s recently released second full-length album, is not your regular rock record. In fact, you can’t even call the group a rock band anymore.

While people have tried to label the band as everything from math rock, indie, punk-rock, salsa-rock and post-hardcore, the simple truth is that because they are always evolving with their music, you just can’t classify The Mars Volta.

For those unfamiliar with The Mars Volta, fans consider De-Loused in the Comatorium, the band’s first album, to be one of the most experimental and incredible pieces of music they have ever heard. By this time, Mars Volta came through with even crazier sounds that blow listeners away.

Combining influences from Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd with their own innovative sound, singer Cedric Bixler and guitarist Omar Rodriguez, the two founding members, and former members of At the Drive-In, continue to define music with The Mars Volta.

Frances the Mute is a complicated, explosive and at times, perplexing album because it takes the band in a completely different direction – perhaps even to a whole new level.

However, many complain that the new CD simply has a lot of noise interludes that last too long.

While this is a valid point for first time listeners, those that give the CD a chance realize that all the noise is a part of a story The Mars Volta is continuing to tell from De-Loused in the Comatorium.

One of the most impressive songs from the new album is “L’Via L’Viaquez,” a piece sung mostly in Spanish. It has a super fresh and ultra original feel to it.

The song flows at a rapid and somewhat salsa-ish pace.

The use of Spanish, plus the melody, makes this song the most outstanding piece on the album.

The pace slows down to a pleasant interlude when Bixler sings a five-line part in English. This is a very fun song, and it feels like a rollercoaster of intense emotions.

Another unforgettable song is the last song, “Cassandra Geminni,” which consists of eight subparts.

One of the main factors that make this song so memorable is not the exciting start, but the boring middle.

Unfortunately, it sounds as though the band has just exited the building in the middle part and left the amps on, since the only distinguishable sound is that of electric distortion.

This quite possibly is the only downside on the album, or perhaps not, if you are a fan of incomprehensible noise.

Overall though, this is an amazing, very energetic, original and powerful performance by The Mars Volta. Although the release only has five songs, the final one lasts for almost 40 minutes.

So if you are interested in hearing some classic, experimental-rock-influenced tunes, check out the originality and talent of the avant-garde The Mars Volta.

Give Frances the Mute a good long listen because you are about to experience a sound that people will be talking about for quite some time.

Also, if you would like to catch The Mars Volta live, the band will play at the Fillmore Auditorium on Tuesday, May 31. Tickets are available through Ticket Master for $25 plus service charges and the doors open at 7:30 p.m.

Additionally, the event is a fundraiser for the Concerts for Kids Charity Fund and $.50 from every ticket sold will go to this charity.