This is the 2nd album of the boys from England, and in my opinion, the best. Muse are an odd band - most people know that. They can have the heaviest riff in one song, and the next song may only contain a piano and is bordering on a Celine Dion ballad. But, in this album they pull it off. Compiling of only 11 songs and running for a little over 51 minutes, it makes for a great CD. It has several released songs, such as 'Newborn', 'Bliss' and 'Plug in Baby'.
Muse are:
Matt Bellamy - Guitars, vocals, keyboards
Chris Wolstenholme - Bass
Dom Howard - Drums
All songs written by Matt Bellamy, except for * written by Bricusse/Newley
Newborn (6:02)
This song starts off with a peaceful piano bit. That's nice you think. Bass comes in next. This sounds alright you think. Vocals come in. Hmm, strange lyrics, but it still sounds good you think. Drums (well, hi-hat) comes in next. Hey, this is quite catchy. Huge guitar riff next. Whoa!!!
This song is so **** hard to play. My band tried it, but we ended up with mangled fingers. It's a great song with a sublime bass and guitar line. A great intro track.
Bliss (4:12)
Ahh. I love this clip and song, Matt falling for an eternity. This song also begins with a piano bit, and then a heavy guitar riff. This song is so well-written. Matt Bellamy is a genius. This song is accompanied by a sort of synth going up and down a scale. It finishes serenely, not unlike the previous track.
Space Dementia (6:21)
ANOTHER piano intro. Wow, this band really loves it. Matt goes psycho on the piano this time, instead of a simple riff. I don't really like this song that much, but it is still a pleasure to listen to. And similar to the previous track again, it has the piano/synth going through nearly the whole track. A very spaced out bridge, I imagine that's why it's called Space Dementia.
Hyper Music (3:21)
Finally, no piano intro! It's got some kind of rattling going on. And a great bassline to go with that. Again, I don't really like the song that much, but I can still listen to it and enjoy it. Probably one of the let-downs of the CD.
Plug in Baby (3:40)
I'll say it again: Matt Bellamy is a genius. He may be weird, he may dress funny, but he knows his ****. Seriously, this song is sublime, and is bettered by how it's composed (if that makes sense). Everything just' works in this track. Plus it has a great riff.
Citizen Erased (7:19)
My all time favourite Muse song. 7:19 minutes of perfection. The opening guitar riff is excellent. The verse is excellent. The chorus chords' are something to die for. Hear this song for the chorus, they are honestly so good. They are perfect. Then, it goes to the soft, serene bit. Oh I love this bit. It's so simple ' it's like they say 'less is more'. All the bridge bit is is bass and drums, and chords to accompany the bass. Then the solo. While not really a true solo in essence (he just hammers the whammy bar) it's still unbelievably good, over the chords to die for' ahh. Then the end bit. It's a perfect end to a song. I cannot recommend this song enough, please hear it and love it.
Micro Cuts (3:38)
OK. I'll admit it, this song is pretty ****ed up. But wait! Please endure the crap to listen to the end product, one of the most awesome-est riffs ever. Seriously. Plus, it has been done a certain way, so if you are wearing headphones, the riff goes from one side to the other' if you get what I mean.
Screenager (4:20)
This song annoys me. The whole song annoys me. The acoustic bit at the start is just to weird for me. Matt's voice is great, and it suits the song, but I don't like it. Probably the worst track for me. And unlike 'Micro Cuts', there is no huge riff to save its ***.
Dark Shines (4:47)
Great song. A kind of mundane verse, but a great chorus to back it up. Screaming and heavy guitar, how can you go wrong?? Plus, it is accompanied by a trippy guitar solo, which I happen to love. A highlight of the album, most definitely.
Feeling Good (3:19)
It's a good song, I know that, but I can't get into the song. I've never liked it. It's got a great chorus, but it's too weird for me I suppose. And the slow ending is no where near the standard of 'Citizen Erased'.
Megalomania (4:39)
This is THE ultimate ending to a CD. Whilst the start is somewhat annoying (it's similar to Screenager) but it gets cool. It's one of those songs that would kind of suck if it wasn't the ending song. And the end is so cool, the organ with this huge chord.
Well there you go, my 2 cents on Origin of Symmetry. My rating? Probably 4.5/5 ' there are lots of great songs, but some let it down.