THE RESISTANCE

Muse- The Resistance (2009) Adored by their throng of fans for their pomp and circumstance, and for Matt Bellamy's guitar and vocal histrionics; hated by their detractors for precisely the same reasons, Muse are certainly one of the more unique rock bands in recent memory. Radiohead meets Queen, as I have heard them described. And that is not too far an assessment from the truth. Bellamy has a very unique falsetto voice, which indeed sounds like Thom Yorke having a baby with Freddy Mercury.

Their new release 'The Resistance' is their most challenging and distinct work yet. Very few modern rock acts will dare to reference classical music, and work with an orchestra. Dream Theater are one such act, Muse are another. Bellamy proudly credits composers Frederic Chopin and Camille Saints-Saen on the liner notes. His arrangement of one of Chopin's nocturnes on the standout track 'The United States of Eurasia' is very moving and effective, not to mention quite unexpected. People focus on Bellamy's vocals all too often, and do not give enough credit to the fact that he is a great guitar and piano player, as well as a fine composer and arranger. 'Eurasia' is definitely one of the best numbers here. Muse go all out, and deliver one of the most epic tracks of their career.

This is a very different record, even by Muse standards. Opening track 'Uprising' has a beat reminiscent of a football hooligan anthem; mixed somehow with the soundtrack of a science fiction movie. All Muse albums could be the soundtrack to a sci-fi epic. Over the top is the order of the day; and I would not have it any other way! My personal favourite track is 'Unnatural Selection', a straight up, instantly recognisable as Muse, rocker, with a similarity to 'New Born' on the 'Origin Of Symmetry' album. That is not to say that there are few surprises on the disc. 'Undisclosed Desires' is the first Muse song with no guitar or piano. It's a very synth heavy piece, kind of like 80s Depeche Mode.

Try the closing three part epic 'Exogenesis'. Epic stuff indeed. If you are a fan of Muse, this disc will suit you to a tee. If not, this will probably not convert you. They vary the pomp-rock-version-of-Radiohead formula enough here, so maybe newcomers will find this one the most digestible.