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You’ve already made up your mind. I can feel it from your disinterested scanning of my words, the upturned sneer or grin as a certain sentence catches your exact sentiments. I can just see you poring over the contents of the record with either barely contained enthusiasm or in hysterics at the bombast Muse have pumped into this, their fifth album. In this climate, where even the most high security anti-leak measures have failed, and major press outlets have already streamed the entire record for fans to hear anyway, my position as reviewer on high feels pretty redundant. I wonder if Muse ever feel like this? If they look back at their impressive rise from innovative indie-rock curios to mammoth stadium rock captains, does it cross their mind that they’ve unintentionally said all they needed to say and are now cruising on autopilot? Or are they basking in their ability to mutate genres at will? It’s impossible to say without asking them directly, so all we have for now is The Resistance as evidence of how a thoroughly deserved success story’s epilogue plays out.
Released as a free download in July, ‘United States of Eurasia’ was Muse’s attempt to shock everyone out of the prog-slumber they fell under after Black Holes and Revelations. The impact was not exactly felt across the world – some shrugged, some were disgusted, some heralded it genius. My feelings, within the context of the album, are that it’s brilliant fun. Playful, ridiculous, completely Queen-inspired and stretched to breaking point with Turkish melodic scales, fuzz bass, waltzing piano, massive vocal harmonies and that murky ambition lurking just beneath the surface. As a doorway into The Resistance, it’s perhaps the most appropriate. Everything you expect from Muse is plunged deep into that song, and that much is true of the album as a whole. It’s the flirty twists throughout that may bewilder the uninitiated.
Delightfully, they don’t give you a smooth ride. First we have the pseudo-space funk of ‘The Uprising’, followed by the R&B worshipping of ‘Undisclosed Desires’, before the jaunty speed-tango of ‘I Belong To You’ and the core riff-outs of ‘MK Ultra’ and ‘Unnatural Selection’. That listeners will eventually accept these songs as part of the natural aural tapestry on display is perhaps testament to Muse’s past experiments, some of which were more successful than others. Admittedly, my initial listen (at a highly secure listening party at the top a skyscraper where there was no escape) prompted recoil, but as soon as I hit the safety zone of ‘Guiding Light’, everything made sense on recurring listens. ‘MK Ultra’ is scintillating and stunning in its effortlessness. Those torrid guitar arpeggios, the chilling Zelda-like strings, the seductive vocal range – this is Muse hitting their stupendously high peaks. That the equally fearsome ‘Unnatural Selection’ positively flies by at over six minutes is a reminder of ‘New Born’s’ blitzkrieg impact back in 2001, and that they’ve helped change modern rock music in ways that could easily pass us by.
Languishing smugly at the end, attempting to slap that silly little smile off your face after the hilarious clarinet solo on ‘Mon Cœur S'ouvre à Ta Voix’, is Muse’s long-anticipated, and overhyped three part symphony, ‘Exogenesis’. As a piece of classical composition, the first part, ‘Overture’, is no doubt a fully-realised achievement for the classically trained Bellamy. The suspenseful and stirring intro, with its foreboding background bass crescendos promise much as it leads into the main theme. A decadent war-like waltz strikes up as Bellamy’s falsetto glides across before the guitar histrionics begin. After that it becomes a fight between predictability and atmosphere. Wrenching between stunning piano runs and more stilted Muse balladry, it begins to sound uninspired. ‘Redemption’ has a faltering ‘Moonlight Sonata’ theme that blinks out in the face of Bellamy’s vocal insistence, but the build up throughout is well composed and surprisingly restrained. However, despite a level amount of peaks and troughs, it remains the record’s biggest disappointment.
That aside, The Resistance takes it upon itself to set out exactly what Muse are about and the conclusion is this: they plough every furrow of modern pop music and seed it into their already competent and enjoyable vision of futuristic prog-rock. This is why, after initial misgivings, this record begins to settle as a thoroughly enjoyable listen. Muse’s talent is in bringing classic rock clichés, ‘Telstar’ synth work and bounding bass lines together into a salubrious, and slightly silly, faux-political anthem. They feather familiar melodies with echo, tremulous drums and harmonies that sound like vocoders. They poke fun at the stick-in-the-mud serious musos with their delicious, violin-plucked take on heavily produced soul.
This has been their singular talent since the excellent Absolution. It’s possibly why we don’t find another irascible ‘Knight of Cydonia’ here. They’ve realised that in pushing the prog template into areas of ridicule, as they did on the previous record, they temporarily forgot that pop music is far richer in its sonic possibilities. That they’ve re-discovered this, and explored it far more bravely this time, is this record's greatest achievement. If only they could have transfused the effort drained from the composition of ‘Exogenesis’ into even more striding, storming pop – or, far more interestingly, melded the rest of The Resistance into a full symphonic record - we could’ve had Muse’s most exciting release to date. As it stands it’s an indulgent and, at times, gorgeous listen that merely helps restate your concrete opinions about Muse. So, in the end, does it really matter what I think?
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Muse
i read the review,
it was ok, but I guess it doesn't really matter what you think.
Good review
I also like that their label is called Helium 3
It's fascinating stuff.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helium-3
</nerd>
muse became a pop band
most of the song are so pop, then theyve stole guitar from bryan may( states of eurasia) , and pretend to be u2 on the next song, really awful
Exogenesis
did not disappoint me at all. It's stupendous and they should tamper with classical music more often. The album surely deserves more than 7. With this record Muse prove that they are the true bigwigs of modern rock music and that no matter what stylistics or concepts they play with the outcome is always of top-notch level. Give the album some time, it'll grow on you.
its better than a 7 to me
and no mention of the track "resistance." the chorus just soars away, its brilliant.
The only low point in my opinion is "you belong to me." just doesn't seem to sit right just before the symphony
Pop, hmm...
Yeah, I get the pop influences, but the tag "pop" for Muse doesn't sit very easily with me - but maybe that's just me and my definition of what pop is. (Tho, I will concede, "Guiding Light" is a little too U2 for me - my least favourite track on the album). But at the end of the day, the band that wrote "New Born" and "Hysteria" will be forever rock to me. And ps. not sure how "Knights of Cydonia" could be considered ridiculous prog, when it had to be one of the most popular songs off the last album.
My first impression as a series of scores (because it's easier)
Uprising - 8/10
Resistance - 7/10
Undisclosed Desires - 4/10
United States of Eurasia - 5/10
Guiding Light - 5/10
Unnatural Selection - 9/10
MK Ultra - 9/10
I Belong To You - 7/10
Exogenesis (parts 1-3) - 6/10
Fair to say that I thought it was pretty inconsistent. At least Uprising is a lot better than I'd previously thought. This is after one single play by the way so don't read to much into it, just wanted to see how my views change after I've given it a bit of time.
@ Tony Mullo - they haven't become a pop band, you must have a very strange definition of what pop is. There are poppy moments and influences (as polley has alluded to) but overall this can't be considered a pop album.
My song scores so far....
I know I get mocked for being too 'pro muse' but my scores are:
Uprising: 9/10
Resistance: 8/10
Undisclosed Desires: 9/10
United States of Eurasia: 5/10
Guiding Light: 6/10
Unnatural Selection: 9/10
Mk Ultra: 9/10
I Belong To You: 7/10
Exogenis (1-3): 8/10
It's their 'Only By The Night'
Their weakest album but also the one that'll push them fully into the mainstream. There were a LOT of red-faced, rotund, prematurely greying men in pinstripe suits buying this in HMV at lunchtime.
I actually think it's much more diverse
Than black holes and revelations. Good luck to them I say. They are producing the same sound/overblown pomp they always have. The real turning point for Muse was the super stardom that came with those Wembley gigs. I bloody love muse!
Hmm.
I have to say it's mighty interesting to see people separate Exogenesis from The Resistance as if it's a separate entity. Is this an acknowledgment that it shouldn't really have been on the album?
Huh?
spiritofjazz - aren't they already pretty damn mainstream? They sold out Wembley Stadium twice over... I'd hardly call them underground.
Our scores are very similar, with yours being slightly higher but in proportion with mine
one major exception: Undisclosed Desires, you really rate it and I don't.
My song scores:
Uprising: 9/10
Resistance: 10/10
Undisclosed Desires: 7/10
United States of Eurasia: 9/10
Guiding Light: 8/10
Unnatural Selection: 10/10
Mk Ultra: 8/10
I Belong To You: 7/10
Exogenis (1-3): 10/10
Amazing album.
9/10
Yeah, I'm aware they sold out Wembley twice...
...a damn impressive feat considering I (and quite a few others, from what I've read) didn't/don't know a single person who would identify themselves as 'a Muse fan'. I'm just saying that there's been another big shift in their fanbase's demographic in the build-up to this album - one that finally takes them over the mainstream tipping point. I always saw their Wembley shows as a bit of an anomaly - but obviously their hardcore fanbase (along with a fair few casual fans, admittedly)came good for them. I guess my point is that there are different degrees of mainstream and this album looks like its going to send them to that next level. I mean, the MTV VMA's last night anyone?
I get what you're trying to say there
but if Black Holes didn't push them well and truly in to the mainstream, then what else will? They sold out Wembley stadium off the back of it. You don't get underground cult bands doing that.
You could even argue that Absolution did it. Headlining Glasto was definitely a moment when a lot of people sat up and took notice.
I get what you're saying
it doesn't feel cross generational yet or anything, they haven't got songs your parents know, they haven't QUITE cracked America, etc etc
My mum loves Muse.
I think Black Holes pretty much made them a household name in the UK BUT America is untested and I really think this album will definitely punch a hole in that glass ceiling. Their post-Wembly Stadium epilogue is looking bright.
an enjoyable listen, although:
'Undisclosed Desires' is fucking hideous.
'Exogenesis', whilst good, is a let down in terms of thegrandiose, balls-out symphony i was expecting.
The lyrics are pretty cringeworthy at times.
I want to hear Matt try his hand at the symphony business again
but possibly away from Muse, and without the pressure that brings. Just let him go off and do some sort of instrumental symphony for an orchestra.
The thing is, where once the idea of one thing 3 parts might have seemed pretty radical (outside of prog circles, anyway), now it almost seems a done thing. Even Snow Patrol got in on the act.
I would've expected Exogenesis to be longer, given how much time has gone in to it. But I suppose the time probably went on making sure there's not a string out of place. It's all very carefully orchestrated.
I want Bellamy to release an album as a solo artist that's heavily influenced by classical music
I've been waiting for something like this since Absolution came out, wonder if it'll ever happen.
Matt wrote all of 'Showbiz', 'Origin of Symmetry' and 'The Resistance' according to credits.
So, technically, those are solo albums.
Exogenesis Best Part of Album
i was truly blown away by the greatness of the composition.
i disagree COMPLETELY of it being the greatest disappoint of the album.
I'm enjoying it.
Unnatural Selection and MK ultra are great, but I'm also really enjoying I belong to you and undisclosed desire. Guiding light is rubbish, though, it's this album's invincible. Yet to make a decision on the symphony, needs a few more listens.
Its still not as good as their previous offerings though.
Showbiz>OOS>Absolution>BHAR>The Resistance.
True fact.
Yes, "technically"
it's a bit different when you're writing for a band and this doesn't fit in with my "heavily influenced by classical music" bit, something which Muse will probably never do, not now.
Look how indie you are :)
chronological order. I guess you'd fit in with the phrase "prefered their earlier stuff".
Absolution > OoS >>> Showbiz > BHAR > The Resistance
How anyone can see Showbiz as their best album is beyond me, there's an awful lot of chaff to go with the likes of Muscle Museum, Showbiz, Uno etc. It's so incomplete.
The production on Unnatural Selection is a tragedy, it really is. This song could've been so huge yet it sounds relatively weak compared with New Born, Stokholm Syndrome et al. It could've been right up there with these seminal Muse tracks.
you shitting me?
unnatural selection the production is fantastic and is up there with stockholm syndrome etc. it's brilliant, quit your whining.
pretty disappointed
but not really surprised. I totally respect and admire their desire to experiment and evlove even more, but ultimately i just dont like what they have turned into. shame. but once again, fair play to them. they brilliant at what they do. Having said all that there are still some nice moments in the album which remind me of how much i love(d) them. The riff in Unnatural slection is great, there are flits of wonderful instrumentation in the typical Bellamy style, and the grandure and size of their sound will never cease to impress... And then there's Undisclosed Desires. wtf? perhaps i should give it more time..
I say, definitely do.
Give it more time - I remember hearing Black Holes and Revelations the first time and thinking, hmm, ok... it's been so long since we've had something new from them, I reckon this is going to gel pretty quickly into a great, fun album. Epic, even. Could have done without Guiding Light, I'll say it again, but Undisclosed Desires is a diamond in the rough. Tho no Map of the Problematique, for sure.
I'm afraid he's absolutely right. It should sound like the dirtiest, heaviest trck on the album, much like Stockholm Syndrome was on Absolution. But the drums sound tinny and lifeless, the bass sounds far too clean, and the guitar only gets really meaty at the outro of the track. I'm not saying Muse need effects, but...what the hell, Unnatural Selection sounds light and fluffy!
You can't class Hullabaloo as an album really.
Half b-sides compilation/half live LP.
It's a massive grower of an album
Wasn't too impressed on my first few listens but I kind of expected that since United States Of Eurasia' and 'Uprising' hardly set my pulse racing the first time round. But with time, as you grow more accustomed to the weirder moments, it all starts to make a strange kind of sense. Even 'I Belong To You' (which is far funnier than anything off of the new Flight Of The Conchords album) gels together, the opera section being stunningly beautiful.
Uprising 8/10
Resistance 8/10
Undisclosed Desires 10/10
United States Of Eurasia (+Collateral Damage) 9/10
Guiding Light 8/10
Unnatural Selection 10/10
MK Ultra 8/10
I Belong To You (+Mon Cœur S'ouvre à Ta Voix) 9/10
Exogenesis 9/10
Sorry - not only so I want my money back on this album
as it's pretty poor but I think I might claim for the precious time I have wasted never to be returned to be. Muse you owe me...
I'm surprised that so many people feel disappointed.
Because it indeed is a massive grower of an album and it easily tops Black Holes. Once again - give it some more time. You know it's Muse, they're good enough not to release a rubbishy record.
Exogenesis
is easily the best part of the whole album! I keep skipping ahead to it on every listen.
But I'll forgive you since you used the term 'Zelda-like' :)
Yes!
Finally vindication for my use of Zelda-like. It's true, isn' it? I really like this album. It's brilliant fun, totally deserving of the 7/10 I gave it (which is a GREAT album, not average in case anyone was wondering). Exogenesis is just a let down to me - I KNOW it could've been incredible, but it was just okay. Carry on. I already said my opinion isn't THAT important ;) (Guy at the top really didn't get the point did he?).
Ridiculous fun.
Still don't care the slightest for Bellamy's vocals.
Muse aren't about meaningful songs or coherent structure or worthy posturing. They're about spectacle. About how much pomposity and silliness you can cram into a three minute pop song. Shallow, yes, but even the shallowest bodies of water can still sustain life. These boys have life in abundance.
Will they ever stake a claim as a truly great band of historical significance? Only in the minds of the terminally confused, the lovably stupid mainstream folk who enjoy discovering a band on their fourth album and trying to devise sincere reasons for why they never 'got' the earlier stuff. See also: Kings Of Leon.
Spectacle then, a band playing to an audience of easily impressed come-lately spectators. At the top of their game, for sure. Thoroughly deserved success, no doubt. Showmen. Certainly nothing more than that. Thankfully, nothing less, either.
just hearing the song titles discussed is hilarious
"well my favourite is undisclosed desires"
"i'm not sure about unnatural selection"
"well, exogenesis makes the album for me"
cringe, cringe, cringe...
good review though, almost made me want to check out a track or two.
ZZZzzzzzz
Muse by numbers, getting tiring/boring. they'll always be a top live draw but we didnt need this Queen wannabee mishmash. I played it to a mate of mine and I slid a track off a night at the opera in there and he loved it, he was dissapointed that it was Queen and not Muse which says everything you now need to know about your average Muse fan.
sounds like they can't be arsed trying anymore, what happened to the vibrancy and diversity of showbiz? the heavyness of Absolution?
come on chaps, do us a favour and split up, leave us with only good memories rather than a bitter 'fat elvis' aftertaste.
It feels like he traversed just too much of the pop plane.
I have to go on record to say my favorite tracks are the first and last, which may invalidate my opinion entirely.
However, it feels like he bounces from Freddy Mercury to Robert Smith and then slides across to near boy-band vocals and synthetic acoustic machinations that only serve to confuse listeners with contempt for their desire for fluidity.
I'm going to continuously listen to this album until its finer nuance becomes striking revelation, as Barrett seems to have found, but I'm still lost in the staggered formation of what I can only conclude is a mocking gesture thumbed at the industry, and perhaps even the fans.
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