I Absolutly Adore Absolution
 Sep 30th, 2003
Advantages:
Excellent, loud, bouncy, mixed styles
Disadvantages:
Takes a couple of listens to get into it
Recommendable:
Yes
Detailed rating:
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency of tracks
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Value for Money
more
  SarahP
About me:
A great big thank you very much to everyone that r/r/c's on my ops. No I'm still not totally back, j...
Member since:08.10.2002
Reviews:90
Members who trust:70
Review rated by 62 Ciao members on average: very helpful 
The latest offering from Muse was a "must buy" for me. Ever since I first heard Cave on the radio, back in '99, I knew I had a new band to love.
Muse are:
Matt Bellamy - Lead Vocals, Guitars and keyboards
Chris Wolstenholme - Bass Guitar and Backing Vocals
Dominic Howard - Drums and Percussion. And for just 3 blokes they make a hell of a lot of noise.They have a unique style that is very their own. Hard to put them in a box as there is a mixture of jazz, rock, classical and something else I can't explain in their music.
The new album, Absolution just goes to prove how much noise they can make, and how mixed their style is. As everything is quiet in the house, I will stick it on the CD player and go through it for you. (Quiet never lasts long here!)
******************
Opens with a quick Intro, which has drums marching us strait into the second track Apocalypse Please. A heavy piano thumper of a track all about the end of the world. First time I heard it I just assumed Matt was going into one, but it has grown on me a lot since. The heavy thumping piano, mixed with Matts voice, and the drums and whirling synth
seem to blend perfectly to make this a good opening track (even if it is track 2). Now comes one of the singles off the album, Time Is Running Out. A soft start that slowly leads into a more rocking anthem as all the instruments come together. Matt seems to rely a lot more on the voice box on this album, but it does nothing to spoil his voice. I think it is about a breaking up relationship, but I can't be 100% sure.
Sing For Absolution is next, with a more gentle start on piano, but like most Muse songs soon starts getting louder, but not a lot, until it gets near the end. For a Muse ballad it is good, but they will never match Unintended for quality. I am not saying this is a bad track, it is great, just not as good Unintended! Stockholm Syndrome is a fast starter. Or in other words what I would call a bouncy track. Very reminiscent of Cave, the song that started it all off for me. I am not saying it sounds like Cave... Agghh I am digging myself in here!! This is another of the singles, and it is worthy of being one. Probably my favourite track off the album. It has the twirly keyboards, and pounding drums, thumping bass and of course Matt singing a belter.
Falling Away With You is next, with an acoustic guitar start and quiet vocals from Matt. A slow build up to another, what can only be described by me, as a thumping ballad. The verses are soft and gentle slowly leading to everything coming together in the choruses. Not my favourite from the album, but it is growing on me more each time I hear it. Hysteria starts with the thumping sound that is almost Muses signature sound. Matt is back on the voice box, not that he has been far from it for the other tracks, but it is more prominent for this one. This is more screechy than other tracks, but still a good belter. And it merges into the 8th track, Interlude, which is almost a headbanging session as the guitars take over.
Now we come to another slow track. A very soft almost orchestral start to Blackout stays all the way through this track. This is the real ballad of the album and is beautiful to listen to. Butterflies And Hurricanes, has another slow start, then belts out another thumper. Keyboards are prominent. On first listen I thought maybe Matt was just going into one too often on this album, but all the new songs are growing on me, and this is no exception. It slowly disappears to a piano solo which is wonderfully majestic. It is hard to explain Muse as they tend to use so many different styles in just one song. And this is one song that has many styles, but sounds brilliant together.
The Small Print starts loud and stays loud. A great track, not sure what this one is about, but he will sell our memories for £15 a year! A very guitar orientated track, with thumping drum beats. Endlessly, is beautiful. A love song by Muse standards. Still not an Unintended, but a great song in its own rights. There is almost a disco beat to this, but a slow one. The lyrics are very moving, as it seems he is singing to someone he loves, but hasn't had a chance to be with.. Awwwwwwwww.
Thoughts Of A Dying Atheist, is a good rocker of a track with a great beat. The whole lot comes together with strange but tuneful synth. I can see everyone bouncing away to this one when they do this live. Ruled By Secrecy has another soft gentle start, with Matt softly singing over the keyboards. Slowly the other instruments come in, and like most of their tracks gets louder, but not in the usual way. It has a strong piano section that gets it going but it stays slow.... I know it makes no sense to read, but I know what I mean :oP
******************
That's your lot.... The tracks have run out. No hidden track on this one, but there is an extended version available with extras, like a DVD of them recording the album, but unfortunately I didn't buy that one! This was an impulse buy when I saw it on the shelves in Asda for £9.87. CD-Wow have it for £8.99, and the extended one for £12.99, but I had to have it the moment I saw it.
Overall I think this is an excellent album, not my favourite Muse album, but still brilliant. It did take me a few listens to get into it though, so if you hear it and think ewwwww, give it another chance please :o) Happy listening
Sarah :o)
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by (3%):
26.03.2007 22:21
This is an amazing album, but I'm ashamed to admit I dont own it yet :-( hannah xxx
12.05.2004 22:06
I absolutely adore Endlessly, it's very personal to me-Topaz.
21.11.2003 19:13
Definitely a great album by a great band.