Absolution is the 2003 album by Muse. It is massively acclaimed, winning the 21st best album ever by NME, and I have to agree!
Muse are an English rock band with an alternative feel to their music, and this is what drew me to them and their music. This IS a rock album, but it's like nothing I've heard before or since. The whole thing is totally new, and that's because of a few key elements:
1) Matthew Bellamy's voice. This guy has an abnormality in his vocal chords, meaning they didn't develop properly. Because of this, he can sing in falsetto and vibrato (very high), which creates an almost space age, alien sounding music.
2) Solid guitar - the guitar and bass on this album are some of the best ever. Incredibly complex lead guitar can be found throughout, and the basslines are heavy and complex too. The fast paced music energy of the tracks never devolves into hard-rock noise, but stays musical the whole way through.
3) The piano work - these guys are very highly trained, and classical piano sometimes makes an appearance in the album, which mixes it up and adds a delicate beauty to the harder sounds.
This really is a stunning album. 'Hysteria' is my all time fav track on the CD and from the band. It features an impossibly fast bassline and lead guitar, eye wateringly high vocals, and an energy unsurpassed anywhere in music.
The vocals often revolve around conspiracy theories, life and death and other deep issues, so the songs always give you a lot to think about.
If you liked it, the new album: 'resistance' is out now, but takes a slightly different angle for the band and isn't as good as this one.
All in all, this is 50 minutes of brilliance, both musically and vocally, always pushing the button in terms of bringing something different to a saturated marketplace.
TRACKS: 1. "Intro" 0:22 2. "Apocalypse Please" 4:12 3. "Time Is Running Out" 3:56 4. "Sing for Absolution" 4:54 5. "Stockholm Syndrome" 4:58 6. "Falling Away with You" 4:40 7. "Interlude" 0:37 8. "Hysteria" 3:47 9. "Blackout" 4:22 10. "Butterflies and Hurricanes" 5:01 11. "The Small Print" 3:28 12. "Endlessly" 3:49 13. "Thoughts of a Dying Atheist" 3:11 14. "Ruled by Secrecy" 4:54
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
With Absolution, size is most definitely an issue. Hoping that it will finally propel them ... more
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 alm...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
WithAbsolution, size is most definitely an issue. Hoping that it will finally propel them ... more
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 almo...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: Temporarily out of stock - This item will be dispatched as soon as it arrives - We cannot guarantee Christmas delivery...
Advantages: There are a few really exceptional tracks which will be liked by even the most hardcore pop fan. Disadvantages: Some slow tracks, which will only be appreciated by people who really love rock.
Willorocks 23.02.2004 (23.02.2004)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Absolution - Muse
very helpful by (75%):
helpful by (25%):
![River Is Wide, The [Remastered] - Forum (The)](http://imagesb.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/251/prod_small-6006251.jpg)
![Muse - Absolution Tour [DVD] [2004]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/81419748.jpg)
