Absolution - Muse

Muse’s third commercial album, Absolution, arrived onto the scene in September 2003. It was a highly anticipated release, after the success and excellence of their previous, Showbiz which was released in 1999. Although Absolution received bad reviews, stating Muse have lost their charm and remodelled themselves to make their music more commercial, I disagree. It was inevitable after the all the anticipation Absolution would be met with some apprehension and I do admit some of the tracks do seem more commercial than that on Showbiz or on their second release Origin of Symmetry. However that ... more

For their third studio album in the fall of 2003, Muse entered brave new territory with the heralded "Absolution" release. Their previous two works had seen them take on a huge fanbase in Europe and it was always going to be a tough task to top the magnificent Origin of Symmetry LP. Have they done it? The jury is undecided. Regardless, the jury is still delighted with a complete sounding record and some fantastic operatic songs of extraordinary proportian. This is Muse cranked up to their eccentric best. Critics and fans alike have absolutely devoured the latest works from Bellamy and co. It ... more

After the flawless masterpiece 'Origin of Symmetry', Muse could do anything. Matt Bellamy created schizophrenic brilliance time after time, his voice and instrumental ability beyond reproach. Both the album, and 'Origin...' b-sides were just superbly arrogant and twisted, passionate and tormented, but most of all original and inspired. Muse decided to draw on their past on this album. It's a funny record. About half of the tracks (Stockholm Syndrome, Sing for absolution, Endlessly, Ruled by Secrecy, Blackout, Apocalypse please) are unlike any previous Muse songs, and blaze a trail with their ... more

In 2003 Muse returned with their third studio album at the top of the charts. The release of Absolution would be the moment the Devon three piece would really hit the big time. A year in the making, absolution wasn't just going to be another album and the band intended it to be the next step in their musical journey. Having been tipped as the next Radiohead, Muse were certainly trying to evolve and enhance their sound and it meant that like the album before it, this album would be an improvement on the last. With the success the band had achieved in building up a fan base with the first two ... more

Muse’s 3rd studio album, released in 2003 is, in my opinion, Muse’s best album, combining their unique futuristic rock sound with a more mature finish. This album brought them into the mainstream and to the forefront of rock music at the time as well as starting their growth into the MP3 players of a wider audience. --Intro and Apocalypse Now -- A short 23 second intro consistently of a building beat of big drums sets the tone for this album and what makes Muse’s music so great, epicness. This leads straight into Apocalypse Now where the drums disappear but piano chords take control. Lead ... more