Just noticed the review formatting has returned, thank god for that
Just noticed the review formatting has returned, thank god for that
Member since:29.08.2002
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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 albums they were looking for something to really kick things into life. The second album had peaked at No 3 in the British album charts and now lead singer Matt Bellamy, bass player Chris Wolstenholme and drummer Dominic Howard wanted to go a step further and get a number one. Linking up with producer Rich Costey, who has worked with the likes
of Rage Against the Machine, Foo Fighters and Audioslave, they set about recording the new album. Splitting the recording process between London and LA they wanted to make music that would appeal to the masses and the result was this album, certainly the best of their 3 so far.
This is an album that really started to cement Muse's places as one of the biggest rock bands in the world. As well as breaking into the UK album charts at number 1 the album was also their first to chart in America. It's fair to say that this album enhanced their sound, there are a few more samples used on a lot of the tracks but they aren't just used for the sake of it. Every sample seems to add something to the album, for instance on "Falling Away From You" there is a piano loop that is sampled and speed up just a little bit and combined with Bellamy's voice adds a real sense of atmosphere to the track.
Over the years Muse have really proved that they don't just recreate the same sound over and over again and this album really seems to cement that. There is a more mature and adventurous sound to Bellamy's guitar playing. He seems to have moved on from the first two albums and used that knowledge and experience they have gained from touring to create an album with a more dramatic and edgier sound. The whole band have developed since the last album and the combinations of the guitars, bass and drums seems to be in almost perfect harmony. You can tell listening to them musically they are all very talented but the real backbone of this album stems from their ability to combine their talents and create something that sounds great.
For me this is the album where Muse really started to break the shackles of the old Radiohead comparison. On previous albums I think there was something in it, but with Absolution they seems to destroy that theory with some particularly stunning tracks. Throughout the album there are tracks like "Hysteria" and "Stockholm Syndrome" that really show how far Bellamy's vocals have come from that debut album. His vocals seem to have improved with each album to the point where, his vocals seem to blend majestically into the songs.
It's an album that really signalled the intent of what was to come from Muse. There is a good mixture of tracks with some heavier rock numbers blended and toned down by some slower more emotional tracks like "Butterflies and Hurricanes". It's probably the first album by the band that I've loved from first listen and I think that really highlights the progress they had made. The first two albums had a couple of weaker tracks that were skipped the first two or three listens but not Absolution. The time spent making this album seems to have been used incredibly well and shows the band for what they really are, three incredibly talented musicians who were destined for much bigger things.
Overall I can't rate this album highly enough. It's one of those that once it's in your CD player you almost feel guilty taking it back out again. If you like anything you've heard by Muse then you'll love this album. With the newer tracks this is really the turning point for the band that got them to where they are today.
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...
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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: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon...
Advantages: Nice step forward, fantastic music, some excellent songs and hardly a duff track here Disadvantages: Can understand why some people dont get Muse
Padds 08.01.2004 (08.01.2004)
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Review of Absolution - Muse
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