This just in from the email press releases, new Muse album out July 11, 2006 on Warner Brothers Records. Should be an exciting summer album, I guess everybody will know when the single “Knights of Cydonia” comes out in a week or so. I loved Absolution and every so often listen again. They have a have a unique sound that could only be compared to artists like Radiohead and well any experimental rock with a harder sound.
Read a review of Absolution I wrote here.
Track Listing:
1. Take A Bow
2. Starlight
3. Supermassive Black Hole
4. Map of the Problematique
5. Soldier’s Poem
6. Invincible
7. Assassin
8. Exo-Politics
9. City of Delusion
10. Hoodoo
11. Knights of Cydonia
Muse: Myspace | Official Website
June 2nd, 2006 at 9:04 am
Muse has become one of my all-time favorites… in many ways, they picked up where Radiohead left off with OK Computer.
They are one of the bands at the top of my list I am yet to see live, will try to do so this summer if they come around me here in the US.
June 9th, 2006 at 8:37 am
I listened to the full album yesterday. It could be classed as an innovative album for Muse, you can defiantly tell they’ve evolved their style musically. And it’s very hard to compare this album to pervious work by the band, each song is unique, varying greatly in style. For example “Assassin” is quite full-on whereas other tracks contain slow, acoustic riffs. Defiantly worth the buy.
Using more acoustic and brass instruments coupled with the increase of backing vocals by Chris and Dom spawn some interesting songs which have a sort of epic feeling to them.
In typical Muse style, they lay down some amazing riffs both bass and lead guitar creating some solid single songs. In particular “City Of Delusion”, “Knights of Cydonia” and “Starlight” (Some of which I’m sure you’ve all already hared)
June 10th, 2006 at 2:04 am
What would happen if you take out that mad passion and intensity - that extreme dramatic edge - from Muse’s music? It was these precise aspects that critics have been sneering in unison at, but truly what would Bellamy sound like without the drama? Well, the answer to this question is sadly given by Muse’s last album, Black holes and Revelations. Sadly, because without the drama Muse sounds painfully predictable and shallow, and the smart boys in the music press who thought they sounded pathetic and awkward before they should listen to this last album.
Ok so what does this abum sound like? God, it’s like a heterogenos mixture of cheap pop, glam rock, club music (oh, even some oriental elements!) - without any depth, without any novelty element, hardly at all entertaining. Only in its chaotic diversity is this album unpredictable, and in the bad surprises it offers. Oh, talking of surprises, Bellamy’s voice seems to have changed fundamentally, becoming very often almost unrecognizable; he now sings in a lower tone free from his trademark dramatic shrieking, and has started to sound dangerously close to Bon Jovi or something. That unless he takes so high a pitch that he starts sounding like the Bee Gees. I read somewehere on the web a user’s remark on the single “Supermassive hole” (which preceded this album) saying that it sounded like Britney Spears. And I had to admit that if you add a rock element to old Britney and replace her voice with Bellamy’s, that’s EXACTLY what it would sound like! Let’s put it differently: music on this album seems like a mad compillation of Britney-style pop, Depeche Mode,
Europe, Bon Jovi, U2, Keane (!), electronica, western spaghetti music with trumpets (!), some Queen - all having undergone a terribly awkward remixing into techno and club music.
Well, of course there are some acceptable moments - “Map of the problematique” is an interesting song with a Depeche Mode sound, and a U2-like chorus, and it flows nicely. It would certainly have made a better single than Supermassive. During the other songs there are ocassional good bits that rarely last more than a few second, before getting corrupted
by sugary strings or choruses, or rock-text-book-unoriginal rhythms and refrains.
How could Muse come up with a record like this? Is it the fact that they’ve “grown” and abandoned teenage anger behind, are they more “settled” now? Or have they listened to critics’ remarks about their albums being overly dramatic and blown out of proportion. That they were, but there was a directness, a spontaneity and a refreshingly rocking element in that, that many will only now learn to value. Whichever the reason, they’ve failed pathetically. Ladies and gentlemen, I say this as a great admirer of Muse’s previous albums (especially the wonderful “Origins of Symmetry) - this album is simply awfull. In comparison with the previous albums, it’s very much like the Matrix sequels - listening to it might even spoil the good impression the first albums left on you - Muse fans beware!
June 10th, 2006 at 4:04 pm
I’ve been a fan of muse since showbiz and they’ve always been joint first on my list with a couple of other bands (placebo and Tsunami Bomb). I’ve allways loved their cleverness and their spellbouding riffs but i have to say that “black holes and revelations” lacked this. I have only listened to the album once but my first impressions are disapointing. The thick, vibrant, ingenious combination of guitars, pianos, synths, bass and drums has been lost to electronic emptyness. There ARE a few of songs on the album that do deserve praise, as they echo the standard of origin of symetry and Hullabaloo. The single, Supermassive black hole, map of the problematique, assassin and exopolitics are the best songs by far on the album and wouldn’t feel totaly out of place on any of muse’s records. My main concern with the album however is it’s bright, grungy synths and sampled drums, these elements make the songs sound so bright and empty of real instrumentation, they are lacking the band sound that has always been so key to their past albums.
I will try to like this album, change has to happen! But i fear that i have lost the muse i fell in love with over seven years ago.
June 11th, 2006 at 12:42 pm
I’ve listened to the new album all the way through five times now and I can honestly say it’s a disappointment.
Guys I’m afraid it’s one of those albums you have to ‘want to like’ to really enjoy!
After the first track (which blew me away as it could have come at the end of Absolution) I couldn’t wait to hear the rest.
It’s fine to be experimental (nothing wrong with a change of direction either) but the fact is THE MELODIES ARE SIMPLY NOT AS STRONG AS ABSOLUTION.
It’s produced like a master piece, an incredible piece of art but it’s some what wasted on the average tunes.
Take Super Massive Black Holes which is a clever produced track, it’s appeal is it’s groove and much of this album is like that.
Take the last track which everyone is going crazy about. It’s an average melody cleverly produced.
It doesn’t have the “muse emotion” of their classic songs. Remember when you first played Absolution and the brilliant Falling Away slowly went it to Hysteria this album never gives you that feeling.
For me Matt’s best songs are when he glides over the chords with his voice. Yes there are one or two better melodies but I guarantee the sales for this won’t be anywhere near the last album.
In years to come we will find it hard to pick one or two tracks from this album to put on the ultimate Muse compilation.
It’s such a shame, if you love Muse you’ll find yourslef wanting to love this more than just loving it!
June 12th, 2006 at 8:57 am
I am glad to see that the album shows that the single “Supermassive black hole” is indeed one of the worst songs on the album. However, the album is poor judgeing on muse’s standard of work. At least they have got their Kid A stage over with!
June 12th, 2006 at 4:36 pm
[…] ALSO, there is a good discussion going on over at the Muse “Black Holes and Reveletions” post. Check it out. […]
June 13th, 2006 at 3:22 am
Sound:
This album has a different sound that the other three, but then give me two Muse albums which sound the same. There are very different styles as in Supermassive Black Hole, and in some songs have a more poppy feel as in Starlight. There is also a very Spanish and even Arabian feel to some of the songs especially in Hoodoo and City of Delusion. However the classic Muse feel is felt throughout the album and after a few listens a good Muse fan will like it along with the other three. The sound and feel of this album was quite shocking at first when compared to earlier Muse, But there are a few tracks which you could say are much more like Origin of Symmetry but with a darker feel than that album, and the other track are very good in their own right. The album isn’t as dark as absolution in sound but still definitely has a very serious feel about it.
Lyrics:
Unlike some of Muse’s previous stuff namely Plug in Baby and Microcuts most of the lyrics make some deal of sense in this album. There is a political feel to this album with one of the songs being named Exo-politics though this song seems to be more about attack from aliens with the line: “When the zetas fill the skies will our leaders tell us why” (zetas being alien fighter spacecraft) However I believe as a whole this album is about fighting back not necessarily against aliens but possibly against a corrupt government as the aforementioned lyrics changes in the second chorus to: “When the zetas fill the skies its just our leaders in disguise”. The lyrics are great to sing along with as with any previous Muse album and they haven’t disappointed with the variety of strange language and brilliant phrases.
Impression:
Muse has thus far created three magnificent pieces of musical art, Origin of Symmetry being a step up from showbiz, and Absolution on a par. I wont say weather this is their best worst of middling album yet, I need time for it to sink in for me to rate it but it is definitely one of there best. They have not disappointed with this album being able to yet again step up to the challenge of following their previous triumphs. I will be listening to this album for many years to come as Muse have managed to prove wrong the taboo of a bands fourth album, with another masterpiece. I urge anyone and everyone to buy this album as soon as it is released to assure its rightful place at the top of the chart. Many people are saying this album wont do as well due to the fact that Muse’s style has changed however this is just the most controversial (in a musical sense) album they have made to date, and if you wanted just more of the same with no new ideas then you may hate this album. However if you have an open mind and Muse isn’t the only band that you like in the world, then this album will have something to offer you. Before this I heard this album Origin of Symmetry was my favourite, however I think that this new release may be a contender for its place.
June 13th, 2006 at 11:50 am
I’d say the album is a good effort, but still a letdown for me. Up until now, Muse had been putting out releases of increasing quality until reaching the stratospheric heights of “Absolution”, but this album just doesn’t have as much strong material. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of standout material; “Assassin” matches the pure energy of, say, “Stockholm Syndrome”; “Map of the Problematique” takes Muse in the direction of Depeche Mode, with synths, good melodies, but a harder edge. And of course, “Take a Bow” is intense, powerfull, original and bizarre. The UK single “Supermassive Black Hole” has a nice groove to it.
The melodies just don’t seem as strong in many places; “Starlight” is a very unoriginal nod to 80s pop, and I don’t think it compares well to its inspirations.
I’ve only listened through 3 times, so I’m not sure what I’m going to think of the Spanish/American Western-influenced tracks at the end of the album until the novelty wears off.
The album is densely recorded, with lots of layers, so there’s good potential for repeat listenings (though I’m already getting tempted to skip Starlight when it comes up).
Definitely not what I expected, which is a good thing. Still a recommended purchase.
June 13th, 2006 at 4:07 pm
ignore the poor comments! from what iv heard of this album its gonna make muse huge this time round! the songs are going to be monsters live…people who claim its just not muse cannot be serious!! this is very much muse only theve injected an imence amount of drama to their songs! they are very powerful and are sure to take the live circuit by storm this year! iv got tickets to see them and simply cannot wait!!
June 13th, 2006 at 5:56 pm
I’ve only had the chance to listen to “Knights of Cydonia” and “Supermassive Black Hole,” and I haven’t gotten the album yet since I’m in the U.S., but I have to say I like “Knights” but I think “Supermassive” will need to grow on me a little, like TSP had to (even now, TSP is probably my least favorite Muse track).
Even so, I like this direction that Muse seems to be taking (I know that a lot of people refer to them in the plural, but I will refer to them as a singular, cohesive entity), and while I’ll have to listen to the entire album to make a fully-informed decision, the negative reviews will not deter me from buying the album or downloading it from a paid-service website. And if the album’s first track sounds like it could have ended “Absolution,” then Muse knows what it’s doing - it’s quite likely that Muse chose this direction well before any serious criticism (positive and negative) came up.
Musically, the tracks I’ve heard are well-done, as always, and they do have what I’m looking for in Muse - good harmony, good beat, good melody, clever lyrics, or a combination of two or more of the above (my favorite Muse tracks are ones that can combine all of them, and “Knights” seems to me to be one of those). To me, the tracks I’ve heard sound just as heavy, with more vocals from Chris and Dom, but with intelligent and often downright clever musicianship. The electronic aspects have been upped, but the epic feeling and flow are still there. This is what Muse is about - epic, serious, often very heavy music that’s well-made, well-played, and musically innovative (often with good melody and harmony as well).
But, as I have discovered in the past few years, Muse is not for everyone. But hardcore Muse fans like myself will appreciate this newest album and we will come to love it just like we love Muse’s other albums. It is also quite possible that the added political bent of this album might add some like-minded people to the band’s fan base as well, who otherwise might have never found what they are looking for (musically speaking).
June 13th, 2006 at 6:00 pm
One more thing - I need to comment a little more on the direction that Muse seems to be taking. While the style of music might be a little different, Chris, Dom, and Matt are such great musicians that (I think) they can take any style they choose and infuse themselves, their epic qualities, into that style and not let that style take over. That is what makes them so great.
Fourth album blues? I think not. Fourth album masterpiece? Possibly, but I’m not yet qualified to make that assessment. Fourth album success? Oh, absolutely, hell yes!
June 14th, 2006 at 11:48 am
Let me clarify my comments as well; the album is pheonmenal; I only use the word “letdown” as compared to my favorite Muse album (and favorite album of the last 10 years), Absolution.
June 14th, 2006 at 5:05 pm
BLACK HOLES AND REVELATIONS……..WAIT THAT LEGEND..
June 17th, 2006 at 4:36 am
Hi,
I am slowly starting to love this album. Every track is great and entirely different from the previous one.
Ive listened to it non stop for the last few days and I cant see myself getting bored with it too soon. I dont think its as good as ‘Absolution’ but then what album is? We have to face facts that that was their masterpiece. It was amazing in every way.
So instead of trying to top something that cant be beat thyve changed their style. Gone more poppy and hip. Good on them.
Id say out of the 11:
5 are fantastic.
4 are great.
1 is good.
Its a real grower. The more you listen to it the better it gets. Give it a few listens and you will see what I mean.
June 19th, 2006 at 3:14 am
Howss it going?
Alll i wantd 2 say is the lead singer is hot shit.N love the song Supermassive Black Hole.Keep it up!
June 19th, 2006 at 3:16 am
LOVE U MUSE.
June 20th, 2006 at 3:12 am
ehya muse rock i am in luff with the new tune tis mint woooppp luff meh lotzaz XxXx0×0x0×0x0×0x0×0x0×0x0×0x0×0x0x
June 20th, 2006 at 3:13 am
charlotte punter was ere
June 20th, 2006 at 3:14 am
yo yo super black massive hole is hawt
June 29th, 2006 at 5:38 am
everytime a band releases something that may change the future of music they are critisised for “stepping out of the boundaries”. We should’nt see this as a another step forward for muse, but another step forward for music. They are creating the rules as they go and challenging music as we know it. It’s all a matter of how well it ties into societies current view on music. Let them push the boundaries on popular music and let’s give them some support.
July 30th, 2006 at 4:37 am
PLEASE PLEASE HAS ANYBODY FOUND SUPER MASSIVE BLACK HOLE LYRICS?
THANKS!
September 27th, 2006 at 10:33 pm
MUSE NEVER DIE..
PLEASE GIVE ME ALL SONG LYRICS IN BLACK HOLES AND REVELATIONS ALBUM..
GO..MUSE..GO..
May 13th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Omg I just luv this band u guys r so great I will definetly b buying ur cd and I love the song “STARLIGHT” its great keep up the good work!! Ooh yea the lead singer is freakin hawt!!!!