So what exactly is the Origin Of Symmetry? It could be the beginning of balanced proportions. Some of the songs sound like it's the first time a song had a balanced structure. While they are balanced, their isn't always definite song structure, and it has yet to perfect the verse chorus verse structure used in most almost every song. Or it could be the beginning of correspondence in size, shape, and relative position of parts on opposite sides. Each instrument compliments the other wonderfully, and yet they still standout from the others. Or it could mean the beginning of creation. Like in Genesis it says the earth was all chaos, but then God set order to it. And without balance their is no order. This album has order but every now and then it loses control. The album cover seems like it’s a painting of the very first moments of existence. It shows a barren field with nothing but shapes that look like football field goals. If I was stranded in that barren field and could only take a handful of CDs I might choose
Muse-Origin Of Symmetry
Main Entry: 3muse
Function: noun
: any of the nine sister goddesses in Greek mythology presiding over song and poetry and the arts and sciences
Now most people are familiar with this definition and it fits Muse since they are music entertainers, and near Godly ones too. But the second definition I found more appropriate for this album.
Main Entry: 2muse
Function: noun
: a state of deep thought or dreamy abstraction
When you hear the opening piano line on New Born, it transports you to another place. Origin Of Symmetry plays like a dream. Its spacey beautiful songs keep you dazed, and when the guitar fury comes in it wakes you up, but it's like when you have a good sleep. You’re not grumpy when it ends. The whole album feels that way. It ends just right and you feel satisfied. Just as sleep is routine, so will this album be in your CD player. It has yet to escape my CD player and I've had it for about a year, and it still hasn't lost its spark.
Muse released a decent debut in 1999. While it had good moments, the overall record was just decent, thus leaving listeners astounded that Muse released one of the standout albums of 2001. They left behind some the aggressiveness back with Showbiz and went for a more progressive, dreamier feel, but there is still some loud as hell guitars and crazed solos. If you have ever heard Muse you also know that they push their music to the limit. Just listen to Mathew Belamy's voice and the enormous breaths he takes. The guitars and bass are cranked up and they add dramatic piano to the mix. The songs feel so over the top, and they do it wonderfully. They put so much drama and energy into their songs. Even the not so good songs are still interesting to listen to, its great to listen to them belt it out with so much enthusiasm. With no further ado onto to the track by track
The album opens with
New Born. A quiet, dreamy piano riff comes in and then another piano riff comes over it and then Matt starts singing. The tension keeps increasing and then it stops, and then guitar feedback comes swelling in. Then the guitar and bass come Roaring in, with a fast, heavy riff. Shortly after, very fast chords are played while he sings. It's so dramatic, and not in a cheesy way. It sounds great. The chorus is very catchy and has almost shouting vocals. After the chorus, a fast tremolo picked solo comes in. Another verse comes in and the next chorus has Matt's signature high pitched yells, leads into the main riff and then it quiets down with what sounds like robot voices which fades into
Bliss. It begins with a beautiful keyboard playing, gradually getting louder. Then it explodes with the guitar playing. The guitars stop and the main keyboard riff is played through the verse. When he starts singing it's beautiful. The chorus brings back the guitar and Matt does an amazing ohhhhhhh which sounds so awesome. After another verse and chorus it all breaks down and the only thing playing is the keyboard, and it’s breathtaking when the guitar accompanies it and he starts singing. After another chorus it fades with Matt crooning and it's like the title explains. Total Bliss. New Born and Bliss is a tough act to follow but
Space Dementia does a fine job. It begins with a quiet piano. It sounds so spacey and reminiscent to Pink Floyd. Then the piano starts playing a fast riff and drums come pounding in. The vocals are over the top but it fits the music perfectly. About 2:20 into the song it quiets down with just a synth and Matt's vocals are watery and it sounds so spacey. Shortly after it returns to the verse and the vocal work is excellent. Another chorus comes again, but instead of going to the verse it goes to a very dramatic piano playing with accompanied by the guitar. It then fades out with feedback noises and pick scrapes which flows into
Hyper Music. It begins with a groovy beat with Matt singing ohhhhhhs and ahhhhhhs. Then it breaks into the wonderful verse. The bass is excellent, and plays one awesome riff. The vocals are also top-notch. The chorus is the same as the groovy beginning and has some great layered vocals. Another verse goes on and the chorus returns and after he is finished singing they jam on for a while and the bass' rumble enters into
Plug In Baby. It opens with some high pitched feedback and then an almost solo like riff begins playing. It all becomes calm for the verse. This probably features Matt's best vocal work. His tenor voice is very suitable for the music. Then the chorus comes in with him shouting My plug in babycrucifies my enemieswhen I'm tired of givingmy plug in babyIn unbroken virgin realtiesis tired of living. After that it goes back to the opening riff. This time in the verse it features some synth and it sounds awesome. The next chorus has some extended singing and features Matt's signature high pitched wails. The main riff returns and the song ends with guitar cutting on and off.
The next song and probably the best on the album is
Citizen Erased. It opens with a heavy seven string riff playing some harmonics. Then the verse starts and the riff ditches the harmonics. When Matt starts singing /break me in/teach us to cheat/and to lie, cover up/what shouldn't be shared?/ it gives the song a dark quality. When the chorus comes in it sounds so up-lifting compared to the verse. The vocals are beautiful and the guitar sounds great. It all quiets down and Matt plays an excellent clean, guitar solo. He softly sings and it’s very soothing. He sings the chorus without the distorted power chords and then the drums come pounding in. The beginning riff comes in and then it mixes with the other riff. Then the solo starts an octave or two below normal and slowly swells up to normal and some nice tremolo picking is going on and he goes up and down octaves making it sound like the guitar's voice cracked. Then it goes back to quiet, but this time with a different synth in the background and it has a jazzier feel to it. It ends very laid back and the synth in the background flows (yes I know alot of the songs flow into each other) into
Micro Cuts. The synth line from Citizen Erased is layered by a guitar and the bass and drums keep the beat. Matt's singing sounds like one of an opera performer. It's very high pitched and dramatic. The chorus has him screaming even louder and higher. After another verse and chorus a guitar comes in and plays a riff similar to hyper music, and keeps this song from bombing.
Screenager is a little odder than the others. It begins very quietly with some wind chimes and then an acoustic guitar come in playing and it sounds quite odd compared to the other songs. The percussion is playing what sounds like a muted bongo. The chorus has a keyboard that forgives the rest of the song. The second verse is more of the same and the chorus is still good. It fades out with guitar playing. Possibly the weakest track on the album.
Darkshines is a step up from the previous two songs. It begins with a short solo that’s very laid back. The verse remains quite and the guitar does some good fill work. Matt's voice is not very loud, until the chorus comes in with the distorted guitars and yells. A solo similar to the one in the beginning plays and even though it might not be that technical it still sounds great. Another verse goes by and the next chorus is even louder. A distorted violin plays a solo and a jazzy guitar comes in after. Then another chorus comes in and the yells are even louder. The song ends with a sustained note.
Feeling Good is a cover. It was originally done Nina Simone. Muse ditches the brass instruments and adds the keyboards and distorted guitars. It begins with a quiet piano playing and Matt singing like he really does feel good. The guitars come in shortly after and Matt's enthusiastic singing really adds to the song. It quiets down again and his voice sounds almost muted. The guitars come back again and the rhythm breaks down for a second while he gives off a shout. It returns back to the soft part with him gently ohhhing.
Megalomania is the epic closer to the album. It opens with a violin and synth playing. Then the percussion adds a mechanical feel to it. Again the singing is great. Then an organ comes in with the chorus and it sounds so majestic and demanding of your attention. The organ keeps playing into the verse and it even sounds better. After the next chorus is a dramatic close to the album. Matt sings ahhh and ohhh a couple times and then the organ plays two final chords and then it ends.
And so it ends. Origin Of Symmetry is like a space opera of the most epic scope. It goes from quiet and calm to wild and loud and back again. It also has a good variation of songs ranging from opera to hard rock to experimental. Origin Of Symmetry’s only problem was that Micro Cuts and Screenager really lacked the consistency of the rest of the album. Other than that everything else was top-notch. The vocals were magnificent and the instruments really did a good job. This album is a benchmark for 2001 and modern rock. Go out and get it if you don't. You won't be disappointed.
The review was/is excellent though, so really good work. This band are absolutely amazing live, I agree in response to whoever said that.
