Mars Volta, The
Frances The Mute/ The Widow
While the standard studio album is a masterful colossus, this former Record Store Day (RSD) exclusive single represents the holy grail for fans of The Mars Volta. Originally released in 2005 only as an extremely rare bonus vinyl or promotional CD, this collector's item is now being reissued by Clouds Hillnewly remastered and pressed on 12" vinyl, featuring alternative artwork. This release corrects one of the most notorious masterstrokes (or questionable decisions) in the band's history: the omission of the actual title track from the album of the same name. At the time, the title track was cut from the final tracklist because its inclusion would have exceeded the 80-minute maximum capacity of a standard CD. Hearing it here as a standalone 14-minute epic is a revelation. The B-side features a live version of the song "The Widow"a radical, fascinating counterpoint to the A-side, captured during a performance at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles in May 2004. This is no mere "scraping the bottom of the barrel," but rather the essential completion of a milestone. The mastering by Clouds Hill, pressed at 45 RPM, draws remarkable dynamics and depth from the analog source material. While the standard album may suffice for the casual listener, for connoisseurs and vinyl enthusiasts, this releaseanchored by that magnificent title trackis an absolutely indispensable gem for any collection.