NEWSFLASH!
~ Muse - "Black Holes & Revelations" ~
Release date 03.06.06 - Warner Bros.
Muse release their fifth album, to critical delight. The album is yet more prog-rock orientated music from these indie rock meisters, yet this one rocks hard, and fast.
With synthesised, sequenced arpeggio, heavy guitar, driving drums and pounding bass, and ghostly vocal, this album leaps forward from the speakers. Not content with you merely listening, this album craves attention. With uplifting airy vocal and operatic chorus, it is understandable how they may be compared with "Queen". Yet where Bellamy’s vocal may borrow a little, and chorus sound familiar, the music has it’s own eclectic mix of heavy rock and euro-beat, that is unquestionably original.
"Take a bow" is quite the most direct political message you're likely to hear from a modern day rock band. "You will burn in hell", and "You must pay for your crimes against the Earth", is not asking forgiveness, and is aimed squarely at certain parties, (...reads between the lines).
"Starlight" breaks the mood quickly and reminds us, this is about music as well. Euro-beat, with sparkling bright keyboards, and familiar Muse middle eight break into this almost ‘70s style pop rock ballad.
The heavy funky beats of "Supermassive black hole" get you from the start - you cannot resist, no one can resist, "you set my soul a light", almost "Prince" like, but smooth rolling vocal makes this something else, catchy, you’ll be hearing it in your sleep - oh yes!
"Map of the problematique", drives like a locomotive, with heavy electronic sequencing and guitar, "I need to escape", is carried along the tracks with gentle ghostly piano.
The gentle "Soldier's poem", provides the break from blasting rock, in customary Muse style. Gentle air and vocal, appealing for understanding with, "There’s no justice in the world, and there never was". Sometimes Bellamy just takes his guitar, piano, soothing vocal, and treats us to a relaxing reprise down memory lane.
"Invincible", is an uplifting song for personal vindication, courage and confidence. Marching snare sets the beat to march forward and "Turn things around". Bellamy adds a little slide guitar before the track transforms into a crescendo of bass and drums, and shrieking electric arpeggio.
"Assassin". The mega-rock blasting, and off-beat of this masterpiece is pure genius. Starts like "Nightrider" - (TV), then heavy as lead guitar drives all the way from start to end, cross-over vocal keeps us guessing. Never let anyone pretend that Muse cannot deliver the adrenaline.
"Exo-Politics" is a pounding, almost euro-styled rocker, that is sure to get those Frenchies on their feet and jumping. And it’s understandable why Muse are praised so much across Europe. What will the Americans think of it all?
"City of Delusion" begins with fast Spanish style flamenco, and solo vocal, before changing into a driving Latin beat, complete with string arrangement, and brilliant precise horn. Top quality aimed directly at high-fidelity playback. Don’t bother with the MP3 player.
"Hoodoo" begins with an almost fifties style Spanish electro-guitar, with tongue firmly in cheek, and smooth gentle vocal, the track uplifts into operatic crescendo, and sweeping classical piano. Muse can certainly mix it up when they want to. With an almost uncanny talent to mimic the styles of yesteryear, they carry us off with ease into the past, without us noticing. Not just a clever trick, these guys can play their stuff with conviction.
"Knights of Cydonia" begins with the roar of horses, and builds from steady riff, and heavy electro synth. Sounding somewhat like yesterday’s "Telstar", driving to the final chant, "No one’s gonna take me alive", the track ends on heavy metal - what else?
Muse play with ease, and make it all look and sound so easy. Their sounds are a pastiche and blend from days gone by, yet they mix it all up with a good dose of heavy rock. This is the key, they are not pretending to play this stuff, they do, and serve it up like a five course meal, like it or not - I think you will.
Long live Baroque Rock!
For more info checkout the official website here...
