Post by dontask on Nov 23, 2009 8:53:56 GMT
Just like Arctic Monkeys, Muse have come under criticism for their latest effort, with many fans not liking the departures, and many fans praying that "old stuff" will be played live on tour. Which is something I've never understood. Only an idiot would try and argue that Humbug and The Resistance are "bad" albums. But going from the NME reviews, you almost get the impression the reviewer is thinking to itself (yes it) "where is my IBTYLGOTDF? Where is the Plug In Baby?" which is a shame, the Resistance is not Muses best album, but it is still pretty brilliant.
Take lead Single Uprising for example. An interesting if repetitive bass hook and Dr Who. like synths mixed with a brilliant theme, and a severely OTT chorus make it a huge ear worm without submitting to just trying to be a single. The only big change in direction on this song is the vocals, which tone the falsetto down in the verse to fit the theme, but listening to the chorus you can hardly accuse it of being a ready made hit.
Thats the thing, the songs are that different from eachother you could literally review each single one, there is something for everyone on this album and the wider your tastes and more open your mind, the more you will love it. That being said, it also means there is probably one song you wont like. That brings us to this albums "Feeling Good" so to speak.
Its not that Guiding Light is an inherently bad track. But after the four songs preceeding it, it seems a little too Ultravox. The song doesnt really improve live, the solo is incredibly derived which is unlike Matthew and it just has a big huge smelly unwanted U2 vibe coming from it. A shame because there are some good lyrics in there.
Unnatural Selection has been dubbed a favourite by many but for some; in hindsight it is starting to lose its gloss. Heralded as vintage Muse, this is becoming the problem for the song. It does have a big fat riff, cool solo (if a little Jack White) and even the trademark Muse outro section, but you get the feeling this was made with the "Lets sound like Muse" intention and does it measure up to Newborn? Does it measure up to Stockholm Syndrome? No. So they shouldnt have bothered, Id much rather hear I Belong to You live.
Exogenesis is just brilliant if a little short for a supposed symphony. Took me many listens to "get", but now in love.
Im not gonna give it an official score, but if I had to it would probably be about an 8. Its not Absolution, but it was never going to be, they werent trying to make it so. Here we have a collection of varied tunes that will be a great addition to Muse's live set (which is the main thing for Muse), but it does lack the cohesion of the previous 3 albums. Im sure this will be addressed in 2012 now they have experience without a producer. Next time, just let the blood hit the walls, we'll stare at the pretty shapes it makes.
Take lead Single Uprising for example. An interesting if repetitive bass hook and Dr Who. like synths mixed with a brilliant theme, and a severely OTT chorus make it a huge ear worm without submitting to just trying to be a single. The only big change in direction on this song is the vocals, which tone the falsetto down in the verse to fit the theme, but listening to the chorus you can hardly accuse it of being a ready made hit.
Thats the thing, the songs are that different from eachother you could literally review each single one, there is something for everyone on this album and the wider your tastes and more open your mind, the more you will love it. That being said, it also means there is probably one song you wont like. That brings us to this albums "Feeling Good" so to speak.
Its not that Guiding Light is an inherently bad track. But after the four songs preceeding it, it seems a little too Ultravox. The song doesnt really improve live, the solo is incredibly derived which is unlike Matthew and it just has a big huge smelly unwanted U2 vibe coming from it. A shame because there are some good lyrics in there.
Unnatural Selection has been dubbed a favourite by many but for some; in hindsight it is starting to lose its gloss. Heralded as vintage Muse, this is becoming the problem for the song. It does have a big fat riff, cool solo (if a little Jack White) and even the trademark Muse outro section, but you get the feeling this was made with the "Lets sound like Muse" intention and does it measure up to Newborn? Does it measure up to Stockholm Syndrome? No. So they shouldnt have bothered, Id much rather hear I Belong to You live.
Exogenesis is just brilliant if a little short for a supposed symphony. Took me many listens to "get", but now in love.
Im not gonna give it an official score, but if I had to it would probably be about an 8. Its not Absolution, but it was never going to be, they werent trying to make it so. Here we have a collection of varied tunes that will be a great addition to Muse's live set (which is the main thing for Muse), but it does lack the cohesion of the previous 3 albums. Im sure this will be addressed in 2012 now they have experience without a producer. Next time, just let the blood hit the walls, we'll stare at the pretty shapes it makes.
