I remember first hearing Muse ten years ago when they released the single "Muscle Museum" and it made an impact on me straight away, despite so many people dismissing them as Radiohead wannabees. I put their debut album 'Showbiz' on my Christmas list that year and have been excited by the release of each new album since then.Muse have come a long way in the past ten years becoming one of the biggest bands in the UK, in Europe and possibly in the world. They have sold out Earls Court twice over, Wembley Stadium twice over, O2 arena twice over and Madison Square gardens. They have also headlined Glastonbury, Reading/Leeds and V Festival. They are also opening for U2 for the section of their 360 tour covering the East Coast of the US.
The sound has also progressed from what some called Radiohead wannabees and buy their third album 'Absolution' they had found a sound that set them apart from everyone else as being a truly great band. I loved 'Absolution', it had everything on it from the hard hitting heavy riffing on tracks like "Stockholm Syndrome" to the dreamy "Sing for Absolution" this really was the complete album. They followed this up with a fourth album that went in a different direction, showing more elements of the progressive and at times straying in to the overly self indulgent.
So what were we to expect from this, the fifth studio album 'The Resistance'. I have to say I was very sceptical right from hearing about the gimmicky nature of the release of "United States of Eurasia". Some kind of bizarre sample treasure hunt set for the fan community which when completed resulted in a song that sounded like some kind of unreleased Queen song. Having heard that song which was made available as a free download, I was concerned that Muse had finally hit the self destruct button.
The thing I have always loved about Muse is the hard hitting, riffing, anthemic side to their music. Not to say that I only like tracks like "Stockholm Syndrome" but certainly they are the ones that really draw me in to Muse's sound. This album doesn't really have any of that on it. Gone are the pumping sing-along choruses and the big heavy sound. This is obviously a personal opinion and I have looked at many reviews that have heaped praise upon this album.
Now I'm not saying this is a bad album, it's just different. Maybe I am just resistant to change but I just can't get into this album in the same way that I have with all their previous albums. There are almost two seperate parts to this album. There is the main body of the album and then there is the three-part symphony at the end called "Exogenesis". I have to say the symphony is excellent, original and inventive with over 40 musicians being brought in to contribute to this classically influenced piece of music. This is definately the highlight of the album. On the rest of the album I am pleased to say that the first song I heard "United States..." is in my opinion the worst track on the album but there is nothing there that hits the heights of their previous albums.
Muse will always be one of the best, most engaging bands to see live. Their musical ability, relentless energy and big stadium filling sound will make sure of that. I am however left wondering if this new direction is here to stay or if it is just a phase they will grow out of. Personally I am going to go back to 'Absolution' and stick this one on the shelf but it has had a good reception by so many so please listen to 'The Resistance' for yourself and form your own opinion. It is worth it even if it is just for "Exogenesis".
http://open.spotify.com/album/0eFHYz8NmK75zSplL5qlfM
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