ABSOLUTION

The first thing I noticed listening to this album was the crystal clear clarity of each track, beautifully produced and the band play with musical virtuosity. I discovered most of the songs on the DVD release so was quite used to the way most of these tracks were played live. The music on the studio release here is more subdued yet has heavy aspects.The songwriting is written with expertise and there are classical rock influences, and a similar style of vocal performance in fact to early Radiohead in most respects. Matt Bellamy is the driving force of the album and belts out one track after another with huge vocal ranges in a similar style to Radiohead's Thom Yorke.

Each track is different in thematic content and all feature strong melodies and a consistent high standard of structure. The atmosphere of the album is remarkable, like nothing else I have heard.

The vocal arrangements at times feel like ELO or Queen and they are major influences to their style of music. Other influences are the classical composers Rachmaninoff, Chopin or even a touch of Puccini. Muse create a huge wall of sound consisting of loud clashing guitars, keyboards and drums with a punding bass line throughout.

Highlights include Time Is Running Out, Sing for Absolution, Stockholm Syndrome, Hysteria, Blackout and Ruled by Secrecy.

If you have heard of this band and did not know where to start, Absolution is a definite starting point encompassing all that is great about Muse.

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