Having followed the latest news updates for the best part of 2009, it can be said that the build-up for Muse's latest album has been extravagant; USB hunts all over Europe and Asia, a sell-out UK and European tour, as well as supporting Irish titans US in America.
Hopes were high from the start. With Matt Bellamy mentioning space guitar solos and 15-minute symphonies, it was clear before anyone heard a note that the new album would break everything Muse had touched on before. Most recently they proved themselves by bringing their hometown, Teignmouth, to it's knees for two sell-out homecoming concerts.
To drop the formality, when these eyes first fell upon the album cover, they were charmed. Previous covers for their debut, Showbiz (1999), and their last studio release, Black Holes and Revelations (2006) were previous favourites, but the latest, cryptic, colourful and equally spacey cover just explodes into the forefront of attention. As if this cover weren't enough, opening the box-set just lit these eyes up with more delight. All artwork for this venture are typically, weirdly Muse, but much more mature.
The Resistance
oozes confidence, adventure, maturity and elegance. It is the record of not a band, but a group of musicians. Average Teignmouth lads Matt, Dom and Chris have once again utilised classical sounds, but on a whole new level as previously heard in Origin of Symmetry. Producing the album themselves this time seems an excellent move, and perfectly timed. Having recently received doctorates for their ventures in music, since their last bold album, they are only growing. They are not dabblers in classic. They are not a rock band. They can combine this, along with cinematic epicness and '80s-esque synth with RnB, whilst making it sound galactic, fresh, and, quite simply, out of this world. Listening to it with full attention is one of the most surreal experiences. Very odd, especially in terms of albums.Stand-out tracks:
Resistance
- A chilling (literally) futuristic melody reminiscent of Pet Shop Boys that weaves in with charming chants that don't seem to fit with what the intro gives us, but blends in perfectly.Undisclosed Desires
- A beautifully haunting step away from the Muse most people would know, combining an RnB beat with undertones of the best bits of HIM and Depeche Mode. The most anticipated new song to these ears, the result proves beyond satisfying.United States of Eurasia
- Clearly there are strong similarities to Queen, especially a certain Bohemian Rhapsody, but with delighful humour, present in both listener and musicians. Epic, beautiful, exotic but also very tongue-in-cheek.Guiding Light
- Do you recognize the drum-beat? Ultravox's classic Vienna? I thought so too. That song was hauntingly chilling. But with that guitar and that bass, it's been polished and enhanced into a glorious panoramic masterpiece. A personal favourite.And of course the stunning and long-awaited Exogenesis symphony. The only nuance of this album comes at the end, where it feels like Part 2 could have transcended into Part 3 a little more smoothly.
But hey, Muse are only human...
