Black Holes And Revelations - Muse

...public: the surreally sensuous 'Supermassive Black Hole' redefined the Muse sound once again, and the band was officially back, bigger and more diverse than ever before. Here is my precis of the album's tracks for those unfamiliar:

1) 'Take a bow'

A swirling synth/keyboard intro. leads in Matt Bellamy's soft tones for this epic opener, essentially about tyrants and dictators, possibly another well-crafted swipe against ...
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3) 'Supermassive Black Hole'

Supermassive black holes are defined by Wikipedia as having masses ranging from on the order of 105 to 1010 times the mass of the Sun. A black hole itself is an immense gravitational field which is inescapable once past the event horizon.
None of this is relevant to the song, but it gives you an idea of Muse's inspirations! This is the umpteenth song of theirs to be devoted to the concept ... more

Following up the stratospheric success of 'Absolution' was never going to be a straightforward task for Devon Neo-Prog masters Muse. If 'Origin of Symmetry' demonstrated their class, then 'Absolution' propelled them into the league of stadium acts. Much of 'Absolution' seemed to be written to that end, so it was a curious world which waited expectantly for the fourth offering from Bellamy and co.

In the summer of 2006, new material was unleashed upon an excited public: the surreally sensuous 'Supermassive Black Hole' redefined the Muse sound once again, and the band was officially back, bigger and more diverse than ever before. Here is my precis of the album's tracks for those unfamiliar:

1) 'Take a bow'

A swirling synth/keyboard intro. leads in Matt Bellamy's soft tones for this epic opener, essentially about tyrants and dictators, possibly another well-crafted swipe against George W. Soon, drums, more synth layers and epic guitars crash in, and Bellamy's voice is brilliantly OTT as he rises in scale to the explosive conclusion of instruments colliding!

2) 'Starlight'

A beautifully constructed love song, this is the second single lifted from the album. An insistent piano melody and drum pattern guides us in, and we are treated to aching lyricisms about holding the one you truly desire. Bellamy's voice is wondrous.

"Let's conspire to ignite all the souls that would die just to feel alive"

3) 'Supermassive Black Hole'

Supermassive black holes are defined by Wikipedia as having masses ranging from on the order of 105 to 1010 times the mass of the Sun. A black hole itself is an immense gravitational field which is inescapable once past the event horizon.
None of this is relevant to the song, but it gives you an idea of Muse's inspirations! This is the umpteenth song of theirs to be devoted to the concept of space and space exploration. Think references in 'Space Dementia', 'Hyper Music', and the videos for 'Bliss' and 'Sing for Absolution', and you'll know what i mean.
The song itself has been described as 'Prince being violated by Nine Inch Nails'! An hypnotic trance-synth and distorted guitar lead us into an intergalactic sex boogie sung almost entirely in haunting falsetto by the prodigious Matt Bellamy, ably backed by Chris Wolstenholme. Took the Muse sound on a giant stride forward, a jaw-dropping lead-off single.

"Glaciers melting in the dead of night, and the superstar sucked into the supermassive..."

4) 'Map of the Problematique'

Quite possibly the finest track, and, some might say, pretentious title! Layers of buzz-saw vibrato guitars and twinkling glacial keyboards rivet this wall of sound together for a monstrously epic sound. Dom Howard's scattergun drums are immense, while Bellamy's lyrics of loneliness hit the spot. The track will be ringing around the caverns of your mind for some time.

"Fear and panic in the air! I want to be free from desolation and despair"

5) 'Soldier's Poem'

Quite rightly lauded, this is perfectly placed after the bludgeoning power of 'Map...", but alongside a minimalist soft and soothing acoustic finger-picking melody there is a cynical and heart-rending song about a soldier questioning whether his masters deserve their service, and regretting the constant loss of his brothers in arms. Affecting.

"It's a shame we're all dying..."

6) 'Invincible'

Although the title makes this sound like another brutal rocker, it is in fact a dirgey power ballad, my least favourite, and may i say, pointless track on the album. We all know Bellamy can write a power ballad with the best of them, but this is just a love song too far, predictable and cliched. The final single from the album, it was a hit due to it's overtly radio-friendly commercial polish, but earns no plaudits from me. That said, every Muse track has something to enjoy, and Matt's nutty and totally out-of-place finger-tapping guitar solo on the middle-eight is as ludicrous as it is enjoyable!

7) 'Assassin'

Back to brutal rock here, this fret-shredder is a call-to-arms for would be militants and resistance leaders. Bellamy's guitar riffs hit like AK47 fire, and Howard's drums offer some great schizo moments! Some excellent Muse trademarks on display here, including much feedback and distorted background vocals you can't quite understand.

"Whatever you say, these people are torn, wild and bereft, assassin is born"

8) 'Exo-Politics'

A sleazy riff, a conspiracy theory, a wait for epiphany, what more to be said? A very nice mid-tempo rocker, thought-provoking verses and a bitter and cynical chorus!

"Carried through the centuries, secrets locked up and loaded on my back"

9) 'City of Delusion'

Coming in like a fresh breeze after a desert storm, this is a delightful prog masterpiece underpinning the album's ideals. Opening with what sounds like a flamenco guitar, Bellamy croons lyrics reeking of paranoia and distrust, possibly from inside a Citadel.
When we get to the chorus, it abounds with power and vengeance! The strings add to the huge sound and monumental atmosphere, and each chorus ends with a slightly different instrumental bridge, the best being when the latino horns kick in before the finale! Among Muse's very finest works!

"Can i believe when i don't trust? All your theories turn to dust. I choose to hide from the All Seeing Eye"

10) 'Hoodoo'

Superbly judged, this haunting track changes the atmosphere once again. If 'City of Delusion' had a warrior screaming atop a mountain in defiance, this is the warrior's demise, drawing the curtains in squalor as he shoots up some more heroin in a filthy flat. After a touch of comic riffage, we are struck with interjecting pianos and guitars, whilst the lyrics are moving and incredibly thoughtful. Just as it seems to be fading there is a spark, a bellowing chorus before fading out on a delightfully paradoxical lyric:

"I've had recurring nightmares that i was loved for who i am, and missed the opportunity to be a better man"

11) 'Knights of Cydonia'

After the tragic beauty of 'Hoodoo' comes the grand pomposity and manic brilliance of this, the third, loony single from the album, a nod to overindulgent prog classics about elves, demons and warlocks, this deals with Muse's personal obsessions, space and the future. Seemingly about a futuristic warzone, where the people must 'fight to survive', it has everything you could want in a headbanger: strong rhythm, loony lyrics, mad soloing and barnstorming riffage that seems to go on forever!
The video has to be seen to be believed, this brilliantly indulges Muse's comic side, and proves they don't take themselves too seriously. I have also heard that the opening bars of the track are taken from one of his father's band's songs. Homage indeed!

Artwork:

The artwork for 'Black Holes and Revelations' is incredible. Credited to 'The Men of Mystery', it depicts four strange bald men seated around a wooden table on Mars. Tiny horses run on the tabletop, and each man is wearing a bizarre suit, one a pattern of eyes, one gold, one of religious symbols and one of reflective glass. The religious suited man wears blinkers.
I am lucky enough to have read in an interview the deeper meaning of the artwork as described to Muse in a treatment. Apparently the four men represent the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, who have outgrown their now tiny horses. Each wears a suit to represent the 'ailments' of mankind. I am guessing these could be money, religion, desire and vanity? Anyway, it is gorgeously done, i could analyse it for hours. The inside (cd tray) contains a depiction of Mars, but the band photography is rather more understated. Lyrics are contained within.

A challenging and hugely satisfying album, you will not be disappointed. This led to Muse opening the new Wembley Stadium, a sell-out of course. The album should be reasonably priced, especially on Amazon or hmv.com, it is highly recommended.
The world awaits Muse album number 5 with baited breath... 

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