Hi! My interests are mainly music. I live and breathe the stuff.
Hi! My interests are mainly music. I live and breathe the stuff.
Member since:06.03.2001
Reviews:24
Members who trust:1
There I was just awalking down the street singing dowadiddy diddy dum diddy doo…well something like that anyways. It was the release day of Muses brand new album and I was rather happy. I had been waiting for this day for what seemed like eternity. I hadn’t a clue what the album cover looked like, so when I trundled into my local Woolies for the album entitled Origin of Symmetry, I had a mild panic attack when I couldn’t find it! Not to worry it was right there under my nose in bright orange. How could I miss that?! So I picked it up, gazed at the back of it to check it was the right album…yup, Plug In Baby was there. Paid for it, got home, put it in the CD player and pressed play. Oh my, I thought, am I disappointed? Or do I need another listen? Another listen later, I had already singled out my favourite tracks and here is my review:
Muse are back with their second album Origin of Symmetry. Their sound has changed somewhat from their last album and perhaps is more experimental and not so bassline
heavy as the first album. However Muse more than make up for that with new instruments including Matt Bellamys zipper to his flies. Nice? Ahem…
The songs on this album are a mixed bunch of imaginative lyrics but some tunes are kind of lacking in that Muse trademark hook. I have thoroughly enjoyed this album and I can’t wait until the next Muse album is released. They never fail to surprise…
1. New Born – their second single, this is one of the better songs off the album. Heavy guitars, punching drums and ‘that’ voice.
2. Bliss – this is the third song off the album. A fairly good track. Pretty rising and falling keyboards and an indie rock guitar hook made heavier by the bassline. This song reminds me of a song by one of my friends bands so not highly original.
3. Space Dementia – perhaps not the best song on the album. It has a piano intro which transcends into this mass of drums and piano – kind of like sunburn on the first album. The chorus calms down a bit and space sounds are added. However it sounds like its sung in sharps! Then the song goes straight back into swirling pianos and drums for the verse rather than the chorus. Rather bizarre! Reminds me of Radioheads experimentalism.
4. Hyper Music – Fine tuning in backfeed technology. I like this song! Great hook, great tune, great lyrics. This is the Muse I like. This will be a great live track.
5. Plug In Baby – First single off the album and a great intro for the quality of the rest of their tunes. The use of keyboards, guitar and bass create a blood pumping song that is guaranteed to cleanse your skin. Probably the best song on the album…probably the best song to sing along to…
6. Citizen Erased – Another blinding track. A calm before the storm type song where the verse is sung softly and chorus explodes into life! A deep down and dirty bass accompanies a magnificent guitar and rising vocals, before slowly dying out with the pitter patter of Bellamys tears.
7. Micro Cuts – Woah there Nelly! How does he reach those high notes? Does he put his balls in a vice or something? Bellamy could challenge Mariah carey with the note he can reach. His voice is amazing but I can’t help thinking he’s not right down below.
8. Screenager – Brrrr! Its cold in here. This is one spooky song and it starts with what I’m sure is the tapping of skulls. Again there is the swirling keyboards (what is it with these!).
9. Darkshines – Ooh, shake that booty! This song makes you move and even reminds me of the theme tune to Kenan and Kel at the beginning of this track. Saying that it still has the Muse touch with the dark lyrics and the banging chorus. This fades into the moonlight with echoing guitars, then wakes up with a jolt, yet more guitars then finishing with Matts wail.
10. Feeling Good – A blues/jazz type song with the muse touch. Nice.
11. Megalomania – Arabian nights meets Songs of praise! Sound interesting? By God it is! And yes, it is a real church organ.
This album has no bonus track and is a sweet 52 minutes long. After 3 listens I guarantee you’ll be hooked. I wasn’t sure about The Origin of Symmetry when I first heard it, in fact I was slightly disappointed but the more I listen to it, the more I realise it’s a fantastic album. This album should bring in some new fans and should keep the faithful happy. Cheers me dears, I must now go and check out the interactive CD:Rom that comes with the album…
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
it was difficult for me to decide whether to rate this VH or H (as you can see i decided to be kind!) my problem was this; i have not heard of this band (yes i know boring old gitess, head stuck in the 80's!) so although this was a well written op a point of reference for thise of us who have not heard them before would have been helpful- cheers, sam
Asif 21.08.2001 14:43
I ordered this yesterday...can waut. Good OP. Asif
Advantages: Expands musical soundscape for non-believers Disadvantages: May take a few listens to really absorb and enjoy
tonguelessghostofsin 31.07.2004 (03.08.2004)
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Review of Origin Of Symmetry - Muse
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