Absolution

Amazon Review

With Absolution, size is most definitely an issue. Hoping that it will finally propel them into the musical major leagues, Muse have set out to create a cross-genre monster, a contemporary meisterwerk, the biggest-sounding album in years. That they almost succeed is testament to their sky-high confidence and unarguable abilities. With just three members to draw upon, they've individually stretched themselves to fill in the inevitable sonic gaps. Bassist Chris Wolstenholme, in particular, does sterling work, producing a driving buzz to lift "Time Is Running Out" to a massive crescendo, then a rush of distortion that pushes "Hysteria" to Queen-like levels of ecstasy.

Throughout, Matt...  Read full review »

Not their best album

This is not their best album, worth listening to, definitely. I would urge you to buy it but if it's a choice of different mus...  Read full review »

Propably their best 9/10

By this stage in most bands careers they've had that classic album that gets them in the history books. Somehow despite their amazing talent Muse haven't managed this yet.

If Orgin suffered from being too unvaried this cd has Muse spreading themselves far too thin. While the anthems are numerous and indeed brilliant they are always seperated by the inclusion of too many slow songs that kill the momentum of the album while not adding enough in return.

Apocalypse please - Propably the best opener ever, crashing and climatic.

Time is running out - Slightly sleasy sounding pop song, with an explosive chorus.

Sing for absolution - Propably the best of the albums slower moments, it has atmosphere in spades.

Stockholm Syndrome - A heavy fast paced, floor the arena style rock/metal song.

Falling away from you - Squeaky guitars and romantic lyrics, it doesn't fit on Absolution and its pretty dull too.

Hysteria - Anthemic rock song about lust that keeps a strong layer of tension with competi...  Read full review »

What the world needs now...

A great album, from a band who marry prog and retro with about 1000 other styles without difficulty. Great riffs, great vocals, and interesting [if borderline emo] lyrics, and while Bellamy still sounds like Thom Yo...  Read full review »

Muse just after their peak

I'll admit it would be difficult to top Origin of Symetry. But this album is still amazing it just takes more time and has a few more disapointing tracks:

1. Intro 7/10. Hard to rate an intro but they could have made it better. A crescendo (gradually getting louder) of marching with some guy saying something and then...

2. Appocalypse please 8/10. Crazy pianos with Matt claiming it is the end of the world. Don't knock it until you've heard it a couple of times.

3. Time is running out 9/10. The popular song that gets everyone cheering in a live performance because all the posers only remember that song. Starts quiet and electronic and builds up to a rocky chorus. Mainstream but good.

4. Sing for absolution 9/10. Very calm and creepy pianos with some high echoey vocals from Matt. It's very atmospheric and has a gargly guitar solo near the end. One of the growers.

5. Stockholm Syndrome 10/10. Amazing beginning riff with Matt wailing emotionally. But then the chorus along with a piano and choir comes in and it feels really beautiful. If you don't like this song I'd suggest a different album. One of the highlights.

6. Falling away with you 9/10. It starts off quiet and then explodes into a chorus with a chirpy guitar. Another grower.

7. Interlude 8/10. Well it's better than the intro. A...  Read full review »

Even better than Black Holes and Revelations

The first Muse album I heard was BH&R which I gave 5 stars simply for the overblown cheek of the thing. Well I have to say this album is even better. It is the same eclectic synthesis of virtually every rock genre you can name, prog, metal, punk, grunge, britpop, stadium rock, new miserabalism (rad...  Read full review »