Muse - Black Holes and Revelations Review [2]
Posted by Mikey MiGo on 08.12.2006
The planet Mars, horses, knights, and space influenced tunes? This could only be one thing. Muse's new album, "Black Holes and Revelations."
THE HISTORY OF MUSE
Muse came together in Teignmouth, Devon, England in 1994 and couldn't figure out a name. The names they threw around seem to be classic within themselves. After cycling through names such as Gothic Plague, Carnage Mayhem, Fixed Penalty, and Rocket Baby Dolls, they settled on the name Muse. The band consists of frontman Matthew Bellamy (singer, guitarist, pianist), Dom Howard (percussionist, drummer) and Chris Wolstenholme (bassist). They built a fan base in Devon and played their first gigs in London and Manchester to stirring reviews. Their first proper recordings and the release of an eponymous EP on Sawmill's in-house Dangerous label didn't receive much acclaim, but their second EP, Muscle Museum, attracted the attention of influential British music journalist Steve Lamacq. Despite the success and acclaim of their second EP, British record companies were reluctant to back Muse, with their eclectic sound and the band's unusual live act. However, the American Maverick Records arranged a number of gigs in the United States before signing them at the end of 1998. Upon their return from America, Taste Media arranged deals for Muse with various record labels in Europe and Australia. John Leckie, who had produced albums for the Stone Roses, Radiohead, and The Verve, was brought in to produce the band's first record, Showbiz. The release of this album was followed by tour support slots for the Foo Fighters and the Red Hot Chili Peppers in the United States.
Their second full length album, Origin of Symmetry, again produced by Leckie, resulted in a heavier, darker rock sound. The band experimented with unorthodox instrumentation, such as a church organ, Mellotron, and an expanded drum kit. There was more of Bellamy's high-pitched vocal lines, arpeggiated guitar, and distinctive piano playing. The album also features a surprising reworking of Nina Simone's Feeling Good. The album might have led to Muse making a significant impact on the American music scene, but Maverick had reservations about Bellamy's vocal style not being "radio-friendly." The label asked Muse to change some of their songs prior to US release. Insulted, the band declined and left Maverick altogether, preventing the release of Origin of Symmetry in the US Luckily for us, Muse have since released the album in September of 05.
In 2003, a new studio album, Absolution was released. The album demonstrated a continuation of the experimentation displayed in Origin of Symmetry, while maintaining a sense of the band as a three-piece. Muse continued to blend classical influences into their hard rock sound. The band references the theme of "the end of the world" throughout the album. This draws mainly from Bellamy’s interest in conspiracy theories, theology, science, futurism, computing and the supernatural. Similar themes were explored in Origin of Symmetry. The song "Space Dementia" is named after a mental disorder identified in some astronauts following prolonged periods in space, as songs such as "New Born" make reference to a hypothetical future where technology has a dominate effect on society. Finally receiving mainstream critical acclaim in Britain, and with a new American record deal, Muse undertook their first international stadium tour. It continued for about a year and saw Muse visiting Australia, the US, Canada and France. Meanwhile, the band released five singles.
BLACK HOLES AND REVELATIONS
Black Holes and Revelations is the newest addition of the history of Muse. Recorded from August of 2005 to spring 2006, the band again worked with Rich Costey. The album had a mix the political feel, present from their previous albums, but is a more "in your face" than the previous two. The album's title and themes are the work of band's fascination with the space, Mars and Cydonia, the Book of Revelation and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
I was first exposed to Muse when I heard their rendition of "Feelin' Good" a few years back. That specific song stuck with me for some reason and I went out and got my hands on the entire catalogue of their career. While, what I found was nothing like "Feeling Good," it did in fact have it's place in my CD collection. I would go on to attempt to expose others to Muse and had a fair amount of success with in my inner circle of music fans. They enjoyed the music seemingly more than I did. In fact, I didn't even know about this latest album until one of them told me about it.
They enjoyed it, so obviously I'd enjoy it. I mean it only makes sense. So, when I got the CD in my hands I sat down at my computer and put it in. And you know what? After listening to the CD, I can say they were right. I think I actually enjoy this album over the other three. The first track I heard off the album was the single "Knights Of Cydonia." This track, the last of the album, was addicting when I first heard it. I would listen to the radio with anticipation of when the local DJ would play it again. The mellow dramatic, western cyber drones were completely enthralling.
Now lets take a look at the journey of the new album...
THE ALBUM: "BLACK HOLES AND REVELATIONS"
The Artwork:The artwork is designed by Storm Thorgerson and depicts a landscape of the surface of Mars with four men seated around a table and four miniature horses on it.
Track List:
1. Take a Bow
411: We kick off with a symphonic organ playing a hypnotic pattern. This is an obvious political song with the lyrics of "cast a spell on the country you run/you will risk all their lives and their souls." This hypnotic rally against evil leaders is superb. Rating:8.63
2. Starlight
411: This quasi-ballad has a bass line that reminds me of the 90's for some reason. That's a good thing. The title to the album comes from this track as lyrics include "our hopes and expectations/black holes and revelations." Bellamy's soaring of "never fade away" makes me think this would have been a swell ending to the album, but there's more! Rating:7.72
3. Supermassive Black Hole
411: Guitar riffs lead us into Bellamy's high vocal range. This apocalyptic love song takes a glacier melting and a "supermassive black home" and warps it into a sonic love affair. Rating:8.46
4. Map of the Problematique
411: "Fear and panic in the air/I want to be free from desolation and despair" are the opening words to this story or loneliness and isolation. The electronic beat is enthralling as the vocals compliment this energetic, but depressing song. Rating:7.39
5. Soldier’s Poem
411: This track is an antiwar song from the perspective of a solider. It's as antiwar as anything I've heard, but with settling music to calm you. It's not flat out in your face, but a soft calming song that leaves you feeling as lost as the subject of the song. Rating:7.25
6. Invincible
411:This mellow track has the positive message of "Don't be afraid of what your mind concieves/you should make a stand/stand up for what you blieve/And tonight we can truly say together we're invincible." This feels as if it's a U2 song sang by Thom York, which in my books is rocktastic. Rating:8.39
7. Assassin
411:The opening guitar riff and build up is as energetic as anything System of a Down has put out in the past five years. The lyrics tell us to shoot our leaders down and to join forces underground. Rating:7.69
8. Exo-Politics
411:This groovy track tells us more of Bellamy's conspiracy theories, the Zetas, and fully loaded satellites. The beat is the catchiest thus far and I hope is a US single soon. Rating:8.47
9. City of Delusion
411:We build from an acoustic guitar to a full blown rock song within the first verse. "I will avenge and justify my reasons with your blood" are just part of these harsh lyrics. Rating:7.43
10. Hoodoo
411: This mellow track reminds me the most of the older albums. The symphony and western mixture of music and the softer vocals work very well on this one. Rating:7.72
11. Knights of Cydonia
411:This is what I've been waiting for, the track that won me over. The song builds up into what feels as a horse race in the old west. The cowboys on these horses have electric guitars and know how to use them. "How can we win when fools can be king" is one of many hidden political tones in the album, but stands out to me as the best. The chorus of "No one's gonna take me alive. The time has come to make things right. You and I must fight for our right. You and I must fight to survive" is sang by what seems like the entire band to leave a lasting impression. This is a great track to close out a great album. Rating:9.73
Overall Rating: 8.1 (8.08)
The 411: Of the three Muse albums I've now heard, "Black Holes and Revelations" is my favorite. It's the most abrasive album thus far of the group and the most "in your face" lyrically. The way Bellamy uses his voice to get across the message in contrast to the music is very unique and well done on this album. If you're a fan of this genre of music, then you'll definitely be a fan of this album. If you have it, you rock. If you don't, go get it right now.
THE HISTORY OF MUSE
