Muse - Absolution

The climax of both Showbiz and Origins of Symmetry occurs somewhere around or before the third track; this impetuous zenith is followed by nine or so tracks of slumberous, sloppy rock and is what I call musical "premature ejaculation." Without a doubt, the majority of the studio focus, as can be seen in both the song development and production, is in these first few tracks. The remaining songs are good, but so overshadowed by the rousing intros that they might as well be cut to EP length. Instead of frontloading their third album, Absolution, Muse has evenly-spread those beautiful piano melodies and those insanely addictive vocals throughout each and every song. The result is that it doesn’t have such an immediate kick (fans will complain), but rather a swelling, satiating flow. It’s intentionally dramatic vocals, fairly narrative lyrics, and the mix of badass guitar riffs with classical piano makes it sound like a modern-rock opera, but that isn’t what I really want to talk about. What I really want to say about this album is this: it’s incredible. In fact, it’s so incredible that the CD format doesn’t do it justice; I want Muse to be in my room playing this album whenever I want them to. Goddamn it, CD’s aren't loud enough, clean enough, or sonically dense (equalization-wise) enough to make this album sound how I want it to sound. I want to cover my walls in speakers and hook each one up to a single instrument recorded impeccably with audio technology fifty years down the line. It may not have the most brilliant lyrics, the most revolutionary style, or the most complicated instrumentation, but this album is the reason I listen to music. [www.muse.mu]