This is the fourth album by the exceptionally good Muse. There are songs on this album that are in some ways influenced by other bands, most notably Queen and Depeche Mode, however the album is completely and distinctively unique Muse. I do not like dwelling too much on how influenced muse are by other bands, I only mention it as a passing note, and as a matter of interest. For example their earlier songs are often compared to Radiohead, however, muse are entirely unique.
Track Listing:
Take A Bow:
A very catchy yet also very serious and political song 'take a bow' opens the album brilliantly for muse, the song seems to be about corrupt politicians needing to take responsibilities and paying for actions.
Starlight:
This is a simple but very nice and catchy song, that is probably the most poppy sounding song on the album. This was released as a single
in the UK and reached number thirteen. The lyrics, like the rest of the song are very sweet.
Supermassive Black Hole:
This has to be classed as one of the best songs on the album, and is their most commercially successfully single to have been released at this point in time reaching number four in the UK charts. This song is very very well produced, with unusual but fantastic lyrics.
Map Of The Problematique:
This excellent song reached number 18 in the UK charts. It is a rather bleak but very accomplished song with an excellent arrangement that is clearly heavily influenced by Depeche Mode, or although again has a unique Muse twist. It has a very distinctive melody that drives the song.
Soldier's Poem:
This is a very mellow song, and although is musically nothing particularly special by muse standards, it has some very interesting lyrics. I would say that it is rather dreary and is maybe the weakest track on the album.
Invincible:
Another of the songs from black holes released as a single is the song invincible. This is a beautiful and hopeful song. Matt Bellamy apparently believes this to be the heart of the album. Some could argue that it is relatively tame and dull for a muse song, but I disagree I find it to have lovely lyrics and an equally lovely melody.
Assassin:
This is a very energetic song, and has that distinctive muse feel. The guitar riff at the start is almost reminiscent of metal. Not one of their best but still a good song with a good energy and pulse.
Exopolitics:
Not one of my favourites from the album this is still a solid song, with a solid bass line and a guitar riff based on progressive chords, and hey it is about aliens invading earth so have to like it a little :)
City Of Delusion :
This song has a great pulse and energy and so brilliantly contrasts loud and soft. The trumpets also give it that unique muse twist. The song also has a very impressive string arrangement. Worth a few listens to get into it maybe!
Hoodoo:
This is another good song with a mix of acoustic and electric guitars. It is not one of my favourites as for me personally Muse are not at their best when in more mellow songs. Saying this it still has quite a beautiful melody and the massive piano chords help to build this song up very nicely. Unusually for the amazing Matt Bellamy I also find it a little difficult to hear what he is saying during the vocals at points during the song.
Knights Of Cydonia:
This is my favourite song on the album, building slowly to the crescendo of the Queen style harmonies and amazing guitar riff, this song is fast paced and exciting from the start and is driven as always in muse by excellent drumming from Dominic Howard and bass from Chris Wolstenholme creating an effect of a horse galloping. This was one of the songs released as a single from the album and reached number ten in the UK charts.
Definitely worth getting for any music fan, this is the latest released album from one of the most exciting bands in the world today!! If you are discovering muse for the first time I might not necessarily suggest this album, maybe absolution instead, but this is still by any standards a very high quality album
this review was also published on dooyoo under the same name
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Black Holes and Revelationsfinds Muse finally achieving their full potential, producing an ... more
album that is their biggest yet. And for a band that was responsible for the grandioseOrigin of the Symmetry, that's no mean feat. In a time when lo-fi and acous...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Black Holes and Revelationsfinds Muse finally achieving their full potential, producing an ... more
album that is their biggest yet. And for a band that was responsible for the grandioseOrigin of the Symmetry, that's no mean feat. In a time when lo-fi and acous...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: An awesome piece of work. No music fan should be without. Disadvantages: Not long enough! Could be challenging to beat in terms of quality.
Advantages: Wide range of styles; MotP; live, these songs are amazing; band's talent is immense Disadvantages: So many different styles, some may not appeal to you
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