Muse - Absolution
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Free Music Notes for Absolution
Free Music Review: nobody cares about radiohead
Hit: 5 Stars
i was introduced to this band without ever hearing radiohead and i love this cd, why people feel the need to write reviews for radiohead under this cd i dont understand, this album contains some of my favorite muse songs such as apocalypse now, time is running out, sing for absolution, hysteria, the small print and thoughts of a dying atheistFree Music Review: by far the best rock album of 2004
Hit: 5 Stars
like i said above by far the most unique, original, amazing rock album of 2004. Free Music Review: I am not a child so do not disregard it just because it says i am
Hit: 5 Stars
Ha. These reviews make me laugh at the stupidity of what is becoming of people nowadays. Most people disregard this music and say it is in imitation of radiohead. and of course, that supposively is horrible. I enjoy Radiohead, but they are not nearly as great as they are made out to be. Radiohead, Pink Floyd, Guns 'n' Roses, Iron Maiden, and the Who, are probably the most overrated bands of all time. They seriously arent that great. Muse and Radiohead have a lot of similarities, but muse just isnt as flat-out boring as Radiohead is. In fact, I believe that any person who thinks Radiohead is the God they are made out to be is just following a trend. Do not listen to the reviews that insult Absolution because of Radiohead. I would pick muse over radiohead anyday. Muse is actually exciting instead of bedtime music. I can not pick out the better songs, because they are all amazing in their own way. However, my most listened to songs on the cd are time is running out, hysteria, stockholm syndrome, sing for absolution, falling away with you, and apocalypse please. Definantly worth checking out, as any of their cds are. and for those who like radiohead more, fine, go listen to radiohead. Free Music Review: Muse makes me hopeful for the future of rock
Hit: 5 Stars
I received a copy of "Absolution" about two years ago for my birthday (thanks, Cliff) and I immediately liked it. However, as I was listening to it a few weeks ago I had an experience that I had not had in quite awhile: a familiar but long dormant "click". Not only did I like the album, I spontaneously "got" it. Excited by this new perception, I fed my curiosity with a YouTube session that confirmed my suspicions: Muse is a brilliant band that distills some of the most artistic music of the `90s and combines it with long-standing rock traditions to formulate a distinctive 2K "electric" rock sound.
Of these `90s influences, Radiohead looms large. The dreamy and atmospheric side of Muse recalls the days when Thom Yorke and company still played identifiable instruments that actually moved air. However, the distinctive ghost of Jeff Buckley haunts this recording in the voice of the impressive and talented Matthew Bellamy. This combination of influences is further distinguished by good healthy dose of good old-fashioned post-"Grace Under Pressure" Rush (which is, admittedly, exciting to me). To corroborate this analysis of influences, I found myself tempted to give a song-by-song synopsis, breaking down the references to the three aforementioned bands, but it quickly became too complicated. While some songs exude more "Radiohead-ness" and others exude more "Rush-ness," these influences blend seamlessly into one another to form a cohesive and singularly identifiable whole. If I were to suggest a single track as a reference, the expansive "Butterflies and Hurricanes" covers all of the bases, as well as showing off Bellamy's prodigious keyboard skills.
In today's computer-driven soundscape, it seems unusual to emphasize keyboard playing in a rock format. However, To extend the Rush comparison, lead singer Bellamy doubles on keyboards and guitar. On several occasions, Rush's Geddy Lee considered himself to be a bassist first, a vocalist second, and keyboardist a "distant" third. A close listen reveals that Bellamy's talents have a similar hierarchy. First as a vocalist, and possibly the next heir to Jeff Buckley's legacy after Jimmy Gnecco's long-dormant band Ours. Then his roles flow in the opposite direction: from strings to keys. While he is an adequate rhythm guitarist, and his riffing, strummy style mimics Lifeson's wall of guitar, his keyboard work stands out as some of the most distinctive in its style that I have heard in a while, even in more exclusive prog circles. However, in the contemporary days of Coldplay and Keane, Bellamy distinguishes himself in his toggling of acoustic and synthetic styles, rather like the great keyboardists of yesteryear (for lack of a better term, we will call it "the 70s").
Despite all the attention I have devoted to Bellamy, Muse's musical identity on "Absolution" relies on the synergistic mix of their individual musical voices. If any one of them were to leave, it would have dramatic implications for the group. In realizing their colorful and dynamic arrangements, drummer Dominic Howard contributes significantly to the Rush atmosphere that permeates "Absolution". His driving, creative style distinctively harkens back to the Neil Peart school of drumming. Combined with the metronomically relentless Chris Wolstenholme's bass playing and impressive backup vocal abilities, they complete a power trio of devastating dynamic and emotive range. It is probably unrealistic that they could match the longevity of Rush, but we can only hope that they could be allowed the similar time to evolve in such a way.
The Lowdown: It seems like it has really been a long time since an album clicked for me, but the Muse's "Absolution" broke this unfortunate trend. Some recordings are best listened and shelved to collect dust, but "Absolution" is the gift that just keeps giving. While it was released a few years ago, it is most likely my favorite recording of 2006. If you missed it, I highly suggest you get it.
Free Music Review: Incredible!!
Hit: 5 Stars
There are very few CDs where I like MOST of the song. On this one I LOVE most of the tracks! They infuse rock (and I mean ROCK!) with what sounds like Romantic-era Russian Classical music (especially evident in Matt Bellamy's excellent piano work - for instance in songs such as "Apocalypse Please" and "Butterflies and Hurricanes"), and dark, apocalyptic lyrics - and the songs manage to stay in your head. This is a CD that I've listened to over and over, sometimes not listening to any other music for days!
They have some softer songs which are also beautiful. "Falling Away" is one of them.
While they've been compared to many bands, I think they've developed and maintain their own sound. Yes, they tend to be dramatic, and maybe to some, a bit over the top, but they create such beautiful music. And even though I like their other work, I keep coming back to this one (though if you like this, I do encourage you to at least try out the others as they are also very good).