Review Summary: Muse have come a long way from their early Radiohead copyists tag, impressing many with their widescreen approach to making music, something which is particularly evident on fourth album 'Black Holes And Revelations'.
Having created two fine albums in 2001's 'Origin Of Symmetry' and 2003's 'Absolution' Muse took a couple of years out of making new music. 2004 passed by with some incendiary live performances that have earned the Devon trio the tag of 'Best Live Band In The World' from many. The band's fourth effort 'Black Holes And Revelations' finally arrived in July 2006 and it was worth the wait, or at least that's what you'll think when you first listen to it.
TRACK BY TRACK BREAKDOWN:
1) Take A Bow
Opens with a barrage of synths before descending into a bit of mini guitar mayhem. Typically apocalyptic lyrics from Matt Bellamy. One of the more impressive and ambitious tracks on the album. 4/5.
2) Starlight
An attempt at a straightforward rock anthem which works better than you'd expect. Becomes rather dull after repeated listening. 3.5/5.
3) Supermassive Black Hole
Funky space disco rock. The dance rythym of this song is apparently inspired by Glaswegian indie rockers Franz Ferdinand. It's much better than any of their songs however. 4/5.
4) Map Of The Problematique
Comfortably the best song on the record. More use of synths and comes with one of the best bass lines you'll have heard for a while. Matt Bellamy plays a mad scientist with the blues. 5/5.
5) Soldier's Poem
A rather bizarre little percussion heavy piece on acoustic guitar. Hard to know what to make of it but it's certainly nothing special. 2.5/5.
6) Invincible
Muse by numbers, a boring and unimaginative take on previous highs. Plus a really cheesy radio interference opening. 2/5.
7) Assassin
Some great guitar work here but the song gets carried away with more 'end of the world' subject matter from the lyrics. It really hammers along though and is therefore one of the most enjoyable songs on the album. 4/5.
8) Exo-Politics
Great bass line again, very political (as can be deduced from the title). One of the less impressive songs at first but is perhaps the only track to get better the more you listen to it. 4/5.
9) City Of Delusion
Some lovely classical guitar parts. Nice trumpet solo too. Not much more to be said, not a particularly inspiring or memorable song but decent enough. 3,5/5.
10) Hoodoo
Originally just vocals and guitar but a piano was later added. Somewhat forgettable and doesn't ever get where you expect it to. Would have been more at home on 'Absolution'. 3/5.
11) Knights Of Cydonia
So OTT that it's good. The proggiest song on the record with a galloping rythym provided by Chris Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard on bass and drums respectively. Some disguised vocal work reminiscent of earlier hit 'Muscle Museum'. 4.5/5.
It's a more guitar based record than 'Absolution' which sounds good on paper as Matt Bellamy is capable of some fantastic fretwork but the problem with this album for me is that this is mostly absent. The best songs: 'Problematique' and 'Cydonia' move along quite comfortably while being carried by Wolstenholme and Howard (who have become a rythym section to be feared). It was always going to be difficult for Muse to follow up their last two albums but the fact that 'Black Holes And Revelations' bears repeated listening quite so badly is the most disappointing aspect of an album where Muse have struck for another gold medal but ended up taking home a bronze.
