THE RESISTANCE

Re-classify Muse as Symphonic Prog..or Pop?

Many mixed reviews on "The Resistance", I received the album in vinyl box set form and have given it a few spins and very impressed overall, the band are trying to break new ground here but may puzzle some fans.

"Uprising , Resistance , Undisclosed Desires" are very catchy Muse songs in style, though during "United States of Eurasia/Collateral Damage" and "Guiding Light" I really thought I was listening to Queen, should that be a compliment ? "Unnatural Selection" is classic Muse, a standout track.

As something of a latecomer to the world of Muse I may be a bit more open minded and receptive to new ideas the band are trying, this album is not "Absolution" as they seem to have strayed into some traditional classical territory on "Exogenesis: Symphony "...

I really enjoy this section of the album, though I think it could alienate many fans. As something of a fan of classical piano music I noticed influences from Chopin (Nocturne No.9 Op.2) on "United States of Eurasia". Saint-Saens and Rachmaninov came to mind within the Symphony, very few manage to meld Classical and Rock music successfully though they have managed it seamlessly in "Symphony", especially the opening movement - fabulous!

Overall the album package is very well presented (2Gb memory stick worth a fiver on Ebay), good quality vinyl but I wish they'd included the 5.1 surround DVD-A, then I would have felt I'd got my fifty quid's worth...

You can play a good game of "spot the song" here. "Uprising" starts off sounding like a glam rock version of Battles' "Atlas", then steals the riff from Billy Idol's "White Wedding". "Resistance" features a piano figure which sounds like the one from U2's "New Year's Day" and "United States of Eurasia" starts off like "Let It Be" before almost launching into "We are the Champions". Yes, Muse manage to sound more like Queen than Queen on this one.

Despite this, Muse have pulled off a very enjoyable album here. Powerful production and they can produce the good live as they showed last night on Jools Holland. Lots of classical influences here and of course we have the three-part sci-fi epic "Exogenesis Symphony" to show their prog credentials.

Despite laying themselves open to charges of plagiarism, this is a good, if not particularly prog apart from the last track, album.

OK, I follower guide by one person, whose opinion I quite appreciate and give "The Resistance" a chance. I already had it since yesterday, but didn't want to listen this before their previous releases. I'll try to evaluate this, but I can't compare, which prevents.

It's new. Undisclosed Discoveries presents it on full scale. This is not necessary bad, but this moves their sounds closer towards pop. Very electronic sounding album. There's a genre of music, which describes it better, but I forgot the name. I understand this as some kind of concept album, even I so far didn't understand the story. I should recognize it when I saw the name of album and also songs. But after seeing United States Of Eurasia and proven by listening, it reminded me 1984 (as I said, it can be nineteen eighty four tribute), done in Queen style when singing chorus. But 3:43 towards the end of song is some also well known melody. Maybe something by Ennio Morriccone, or even some past masters (17-18-19th century). Nevermind. If it's plagiarist behaviour, then one eccentric prog related band is stealing from other prog related, also eccentric (in matter of their times, Freddie was quite drag force of Queen). However, one with rating not connected thing, I don't like how they look (this Green Day style for young), or how they behave on stage. But mindless numbers of stupid fans, that's something what every very famous artist have. Some enjoy it, but some also have other fans. Like people who keep posting reviews here. Or those who can think about music, not just "listen to radio". Because it's hard to decide whether they're trying to become prog, or to walk their beaten path.

Every song here follows one thing that both pleases and haunts me in music. Melody, when there's tone and you expect something that will continue (from your memory, that you heard similar song in past) and it actually do continue in way you're expecting it to go. That's not so prog, because it cuts effort to be one in half (and divides it into four thirds. Don't ask me why, you also don't wonder why Discworld had five elephants, but have just four now). But we're talking about prog-related, your rating system have to be adaptable and fair to these non-prog ones. And also, I like this record. And also they managed to give pieces together with good skill.

4(+), because the Muses whispered it to me.

A new "Muse" album is always an important rock moment in my agenda.

Just because I am a long time fan, and I was particularly curious to discover "The Resistance" since I'm going to experience my second concert with the band in November (Antwerp). It is true to say, that their live sets are really great. As a cue, I have to tell you that I was rather charmed with "Absolution" and only moderately with "Black Holes".

So, what about this release?

Well, that their music is still very energetic and catchy ("Uprising", "Resistance"). Some classical "Muse" item for "Undisclosed Desires" won't let the fan in unknown territories Another very good song which closes a fine trilogy of openers.

We are also used that their albums start quite brilliantly, but were tending to decrease in quality towards the last third of their works; so let's wait for this one?

"US Of Eurasia" is a fine rock ballad à la "Unintended". An interesting Oriental break speeds it up at half time and provides some originality in this song. The quiet piano finale conveys such a tranquil flavour indeed...Another good one just as "Unnatural Selection" which is another winner: a typical "Muse" rock song as we all know very well. It starts rather slow and then all of a sudden, it explodes jolly good as "Muse" can do.

I guess that this song is a brilliant summary of "Muse" music: solid, wild, melodic, pop & catchy. I like this mix extensively. The lenght of the song (almost seven minutes) also allows the band to explore different styles. A quite convincing tune for sure.

It is also true to tell that some passages are somewhat "Queen" oriented. But I can't complain about this.

The next song is quite a classic "Muse" affair: on the heavy rocking edge which is the side that I most prefer with this band ("MK Ultra"). I was never too pleased with their light rock ballads that were filling the last third of some of their previous work. Nothing as such here. Even if "I Belong To You" is somewhat mellow and pompous.

So far this album is fully in line with their previous records (even if upbeat oriented) and there are virtually no reasons at all to be disappointed with this album. The only moment during which the band IS different is of course during the mini-suite "Exogenesis".

An orchestra has been even added to offer some extra dimension to this piece of work. Oriental mood, spacey landscapes: yes this is different to what the band has used their fans so far. And it is warmly welcome to tell you the truth (even if somewhat too classical to my taste).

"The Overture" is grandiose at times, "Cross-Pollination" holds some Gershwin tenderness combined with the power of a true "Muse" track. "Redemption" which is the closing part of this trilogy is probably one of the most melodic "Muse" moment available here. Moving my prog friends.

I am only lacking some more smoother links between the different sections to give a feeling of unity. But anyway, the band tried something different and should be granted for.

To make a long story short, "The Resistance" is a very good rock album (even tinted with prog during the closing track). It sits between "Absolution" (which is my favourite of the band - five stars) and each other previous albums (which I have rated with three stars).

Four stars for this resistance work. I'm looking forward to see them live again in a very near future. I really wonder how they would include "Exogenesis" in their set (if at all possible).

'The Resistance' - Muse (3/10)

Alright... I think I've just recovered from (hopefully) my biggest musical dissapointment of 2009. Having not been a huge fan of Muse, I was still very much looking forward to the release of this album. Having heard such great things about how the album was apparently, 'symphonic' and 'progressive,' I naturally had very high hopes that Muse was going to finally release something worthy of being called a 'masterpiece.' It's safe to say that's nothing near masterful at all.

The album is more or less a collection of some listenable, but forgettable pop tracks, one or two good songs ('United States Of Eurasia' and the title track) a poor excuse for a symphony - which I will go into painful detail with - and wait... an Rn'B song? Doesn't sound like a very winning formula to me.

Listening to the album and being dissapointed with the overall product, I had to force myself to get through the shorter songs so I could make my way to the core of the matter; the symphonic 'masterpiece' that Matt Bellamy had alledgedly composed. What it actually turns out to be however, is a smattering of string instruments playing slow, droning arpeggios, and the occasional whimper from Bellamy. Moreover, I was expecting a work of epic proportion; with a proper climax and a progression that crosses over many feelings and emotions. What 'Exogenesis Symphony' turns out to be is three very quiet songs that go absolutely nowhere.

'The Resistance' has left me with a bit of an empty feeling. I laud the band on at least trying to go into unexplored territory though!

They can't all be zingers!

I had written a long and detailed review of this album but the website crashed on me when I submitted it. Therefore, I will just say:

- The production is great. MUSE are excellent producers now.

- The songwriting is not that great. A few standout tracks ("Unnatural Selection", "The Resistance", "MK Ultra") mask the lesser ones (the whole "Exegesis Symphony").

- Quoting Chopin and Camille Saint-Saens literally just for the sake of doing it proves nothing more than the fact that Bellamy has musical culture way beyond rock. And that he can play, too.

- U2 and QUEEN are constant reference points in many of the tracks (including the title track and the more-than-obvious "United States of Eurasia".) MUSE has stopped sounding like MUSE with the exception of their more dramatic, better crafted songs ("Unnatural Selection".)

- The album is a cliche-fest. But the cliches are applied masterfully.

- The album is a pop record. very good at that. But there's almost nothing here that can match the subversion, the innovation and originality of "Absolution" or even some moments in "Origin of Symmetry" and "Black Holes and Revelations".

- There's really very little "resisting" in "The Resistance". The album is an adaptation to the system by a band that has adopted it for its own benefit.

- It absolutely sucks to have written a LONG review and have an error eliminate it forever. It takes all the will to write reviews away from the reviewer.

- For any prospective PA reviewer: please write your review on MSword or any other word processor, and save it constantly, lest you lose everything and have to write a ridiculous, almost-argument-less review like this one. Do NOT write directly in the album's page.

A new MUSE album, another chance to explore the dramatic, bombastic world of Bellamy and co. Unfortunately, in this case, their world proves to be shallower, less bombastic and far less entertaining than I would have hoped.

The album is built around the keyboard more than the guitar, a marked departure from their previous work. However, they still manage to sound like MUSE: a proliferation of arpeggios, straightforward instrumentation and good, solid songwriting see to that. Having waited to review this album, I can't help noticing that many reviewers believe they sound like anything but MUSE: QUEEN, BATTLES, BILLY IDOL, BLONDIE, QUEEN (of course) - and, I'd like to add, ULTRAVOX, all get a mention. I think that's part of listening to a new pop album: our minds hold thousands of songs, and if something we hear rings a bell, the memory starts playing in our head. This happened to me, like it clearly did to other reviewers, so I waited to review the album until the songs took on their own personalities in my head.

In my view this album comes in two parts. The first two thirds is made up of excellent pop songs with a sprinkling of prog sensibilities: 'Uprising' is an in your face, high-rotation, catchy pub song with a sci-fi vibe and a thunderous beat, while the brilliant 'United States of Eurasia' contains one of the best marrying of orchestra and rock band I've heard in a long time. And that QUEEN bit, of course. I truly thought they were going to bust out 'We Are The Champions'. The lovely middle-eastern section really lifts the song, and the Chopin outro emphasises the message, with the sounds of kids playing eventually overshadowed by the aircraft overhead. Good work.

Other songs in the first part also work well. The title track has that odd Beatlesque pre-chorus moment, but I'm all for something different. 'Undisclosed Desires' has attracted a deal of criticism for being an R&B track, but my question is: is it a GOOD R&B track? The answer is yes. The chorus sustains this song and I suspect it will do well in the charts. 'Guiding Light' is the Ultravox moment. On first listen I thought someone had chucked 'Vienna' into the CD player. For all that it takes on its own personality fairly quickly. 'Unnatural Selection' is the obligatory guitar track a la 'Plug In Baby' or 'Hysteria' but is not as convincing as either - ironically, because of the proggy middle section, which seems out of place to me. In fact, a number of these tracks sound like the liver versions of tracks from previous albums, interspersed with odd riffs and piano solos that do nothing but distract from the momentum of the song.

Unfortunately the last third of the album is far less convincing. 'MK Ultra' is nondescript and 'I Belong To You' is completely ruined by the Saint-Saens interpolation. An overt grab for the girls, it sets my teeth on edge. And coming in for real criticism is the thirteen-minute so-called 'Symphony', Exogenesis. This is what the prog community was waiting for, and my goodness have they been disappointed. Boys, boys, didn't anyone tell you a symphony has FOUR movements? This is no more a symphony than is Brahms' 'Lullaby'. 'Arpeggio for Strings, Band and Mumbling Singer' would be a better title. 'Symphony' implies drama. This is as dramatic as a plate of soggy noodles. Truly awful, with no redeeming features. Where's the outrageous, fun-loving MUSE of 'Knights of Cydonia'? You want a proper 10-minute symphony by a rock musician? Check out the truly brilliant four-part 'Second Rendez-Vous' by JEAN-MICHEL JARRE - that's how it's done, lads.

Some keepers here, but ultimately this album doesn't really work, spoiled as it is by the dreadful, underwhelming 'symphony'. Approach with caution.

Muse's new release is at first listen quite difficult to get into. I found it the most diverse release thus far of the group and as a result it can be an alienating experience. However, it actually grows on you and, like a form of osmosis, you become immersed in this new approach and quite accepting if you allow it. The magnetic aura that Muse exudes is still present but none of the bombastic material of previous works. There is a more distinct symphonic approach, evident and blatant in than the last 3 tracks. A track by track analysis may be helpful if you are considering owning this album.

The album begins quite well with Uprising, a track that captures the familiar Muse sound, if there is such a thing. The guitar work is as accomplished as ever and the vocals soar over the top.

In Resistance there is the immediate feeling that this is a very different Muse album and there is nothing wrong with that as long as the music is engaging. Thankfully for the most part the album delivers and is as compelling as other albums from this great band.

Undisclosed Desires confirms the suspicion that this is a very different sound, in fact it perhaps takes some getting used to. There is a distinct U2 type of sound particularly with the guitars. The track is more R & B than anything else but is well executed.

Unites State of Eurasia is another loud, guitar heavy track that is okay. Immediately one is reminded of the trademark sound of Queen, 'I Want It All' or 'We are the Champions' would have fitted in well with this track. Guiding Light is a melodic, soft ballad that is pleasant to the ears. It is reminiscent on many of the other softer tracks from previous Muse albums.

Unnatural Selection absolutely terrific. Now this is more like it. There is a very good beat that hooks the listener in from the outset and continues to move the song along at an incessant pace. The song structure is innovative with some wonderful guitar work and an incredible bassline. The multi layered instruments are overshadowed by a very emotive vocal performance. The lyrics are interesting but difficult to hear without the lyric sheet. The massive sound is merged with somnambulistic sections that mellow right out, in particular 3:26 where there is hardly any music at all. At almost 7 minutes, the track is a definite standout on the album and would sound great in concert. The end section is heavy and caps off the best track on the album.

MK Ultra, despite the title, is not a song about Mortal Kombat, it is actually a pleasant track with very good guitar throughout. Nothing special but still not a throwaway either.

I Belong to you etc etc takes us into different territory where Muse have never sounded so diverse. There is, dare I say it, almost a hip hop feel and it is not exactly a welcome change. The song is kind of catchy if you let it grab you. The piano sounds excellent on each track of the album and in this case it enhances the sound, saving the track. There is more of a progressive feel to the track as a result as far as time signatures are concerned. It takes a few listens but eventually I accepted this approach. At 2:09 it stops and moves into a somber, melancholy section. The woodwind section at 4:40 enhances the atmosphere and adds another dimension.

Exogenesis: Symphony Part 1 (Overture) begins the massive multi movement suite with an orchestra section that is unexpected but very uplifting. The high pitched vocals exude an angelic, majestic quality and the result is a compelling piece of music.

Exogenesis: Symphony Part 2 (Cross-Pollination) begins with an accomplished piano interlude played with precision. The dramatic scene is set for part 2 of the epic. Once again it is unfamiliar territory for this band but pleasant enough. This bold musical diversion may alienate many fans but hook in many others at the same time. There is no doubt that the musicianship is virtuoso in these instrumental sections. It is a much more refined, gentle, patient approach, without the urgency of previous tracks. At 1:50 the wall of sound thankfully locks in with huge guitars and drums prominent. The structure at times defies logic but it is certainly never dull as you are never sure which direction the music will take. It takes us on a journey with many detours. I love that piece at 2:58 when the sublime violin sounds pad out the sound.

Exogenesis: Symphony Part 3 (Redemption) climaxes the epic on a high note. It begins with minimalist piano that is slow, meandering but intriguing to the ear. This would appeal to the average piano music connoisseur. The track concludes with a very patient, array of sweeping chords and soaring vocals. I would have preferred that all 3 tracks had been merged into one track at about 13 minutes rather than split like this.

This could well be Muse's most ambitious, most emotional album to date and as a result may not appeal to everyone. It becomes difficult to digest at first but there are so many highlights and great instrumental sections that it is still a very accomplished album, though by no means to the standard of excellence of such Muse albums as 'Absolution' or 'Origin of Symmetry'. Perhaps it is unfair to judge this on the merits of these albums as Muse have decided to move into a new AOR direction, but it is difficult not to compare as we Muse fans have come to expect so much from this innovative power trio. However, despite the flaws, the journey you embark on with this album is enjoyable and quite a pleasant experience.

And endless red tape to keep the truth confined

As you might have known through my reviews on Muse so far, I am actually not into the kind of its music even though it does not mean I don't like it. It's just a matter of longevity ... a test by which until how long I can keep the music in the future. The longevity tests that I have made for albums like Yes 'Relayer', Genesis 'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway', King Crimson 'In the Court of Crimson King', ELP 'Tarkus', Gentle Giant 'The Power and The Glory' and many other legendary albums have succeeded in fact more than thirty (30) years and I still can enjoy them with no boringness at all. But I don't know with Muse, really. But, to say that the music is a mundane one, I don't think it's a wise standpoint, in my view. That's why when I got this UK pressing CD that was given to me by my sister Didy last week when she returned back from UK, I kept thinking how long can I survive listening the kind of music like this. I know that Muse is now a BIG thing in rock music industry where their albums as well as concerts were attended by thousands crowd. So I admire them on this.

As I am a prog reviewer, I have tried my best to view this album from a musical composition using five dimensions: melody, harmonies, complexities, change of style and structural integrity. This album ranks quite high on melody and harmonies, as well as structural integrity. I don't think you would challenge me on this because all songs contained here are basically melodious in nature. And I salute Muse on this skill. The harmonies resulting from the interaction among instruments, programming as well as vocals are also excellent. While the album moves the music in similar style from start to end with various melodies among songs, the album seems like cohesive as a whole. Therefore the album passes the test on structural integrity. The album scores medium on changes of style between one segment to another as some songs have good changes of style with smooth transition like 'Unnatural Selection'.

For some reason I enjoy this album very much despite there is very little complexity with the composition, but I enjoy it ...Well, sometime I need something easy and upbeat like this one. The opening track 'Uprising' is a simple composition with great grooves and interesting lyrics. The power of the album is basically on the solid message they convey to the world on various issues. The title track is also a nice composition. On 'United States of Eurasia' I can sense a heavy influence from Queen and eastern music. The melody on the eastern music is really nice and innovative. It's an excellent track and one of my favorites. Another fave is 'Unnatural Selection' which basically an excellent rocker with sudden change into an ambient bluesy styles in the middle of the track. It's really nice. 'MK Ultra' is also an excellent composition especially on combining guitar and keyboard, moving the vocal in energetic way with some musical riffs. The album contains an epic on 'Exogenesis' that comprises three movements with heavy influence of classical music.

Overall, it's hard to deny that this is an excellent album from Muse. Keep on proggin' ..!!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

When I purchased this CD from the local record chain, the guy at the counter looked at me and said, "That's a really good album."

"Good," I said, although I had my reservations. Could he understand my musical taste, which these days involves ordering more and more music online because what I want can't be found among stores such as the one he was working in?

But that had been the trend of late. Whenever I bought a new album this year at the record shop, I would always be told how good it was by the people behind the counter. And while, I haven't purchased anything from them this year that was really amazing yet, they've always told me that I had picked a good album. And so far, this year, I've bought almost exclusively prog or prog- related music from them. I suppose that they are music lovers, just like me, and that they recognise creativity in music. Perhaps they, too, shop for music primarily on the internet where the selection is vast, but know that among the music they sell, the likes of Dream Theater, The Mars Volta, Porcupine Tree, and Muse are more likely to lead listeners down the road of wanting that music.

With that in mind, I decided to take his words at face value, and listened to "The Resistance" with expectations of good music.

The first few tracks, from Uprising to Unnatural Selection, are great rocking tracks. Listening to them with the volume turned up, I can't help but move my body around to the catchiness in the music. Unfortunately, they have already, for the most part, faded in awesomeness over multiple listens, which is a bit of a disappointment.

One thing I'd like to point out is that in United States of Eurasia, Muse really manages to sound like Queen at points, mostly with the multi-part vocals. It is a nice, epic track, and one of my favorite of the first half.

As a further side note, I found the keyboards in Uprising sounded very familiar, as though they actually came from another Muse song. I was concerned that I'd be hearing a lot of echoes like that throughout the album, but thankfully that was the only place where I got that feeling.

I Belong To You is a bit of a quieter, more romantic piece that even have some french added in that is actually part of the opera Samson and Delilah. While it's not quite the same as writing their own classical-themed music, like many Prog rock acts do, you have to give Muse props for integrating opera into their music, and it works quite well. I must admit that this is one of my favorite tracks on the album so far and the one that has held up best over multiple listens (other than their epic, that is).

The gears really shift with Exogenesis, the 12+ minute epic at the end of the album. We are treated with some strongly classically-influenced music with a lot of piano and string instruments tossed in, and it is less based on the vocals than the rest of the album, more on the music. I really appreciate it. One part even reminded me a bit of "Rhapsody in Blue".

The way that Muse displays the track shows some of the difference in aesthetics between them and a "real" prog rock band; if a band such as Yes, Flower Kings, etc. had done this track, it would have been called: Exogensis Symphony: Overture/Cross-Pollination/Redemption.

This album doesn't quite bear up over multiple listens but it is a great combination of hard rocking material that really pumps you up in the front, and some more gentle, classical-oriented music at the end. Overall, a great 3 star album.

Must admit straight away that this album is a big dissapoinment to me. The previous album (Black Holes And Revelations) had some thrilling prog moments while Absolution before that is a fantastic energetic effort full of great songs.The Resistance on the other hand is just flat and over stretched seeming to me like an ageing band that is struggling with its direction and now lacking the adventurous spirit that carried itself into the limelight in the first place. The Orwellian themes of being oppressed just seems very artificial and perhaps too 'right on' .This is no distopian nightmare more restless night wondering if you remembered to put the rubbish out for early morning collection.

Am I being too harsh(?!) Previous reviews suggest this has good qualites and certainly it can't be denied that its well produced with plenty of melody throughout.They've also had a stab at something proggy with Exogenesis but I find it all a bit too ponderous and again lacking in any real excitement.Matt Bellamy is an awesome talent but the question for me is whether he has outgrown the band and would be better able to express himself with more 'qualified' musicians capable of appreciating his talent and therefore challenging him to achieve greater heights.In a similar situation many decades ago a certain Mr K Emerson came to that conclusion.

After the proggy Absolution and the harder-edged alternative rock Black Holes, The resistance comes with a definitely poppier sound and on the first listen, most progheads will be pleased with the trio's latest offering. However that feeling soon erodes and segues into disillusion, as the group has become very (I avoid to say completely) derivative. Behind a classy artwork gatefold sleeve, Muse delivers the album I wasn't expecting them to, but then again it was recorded in Italy.

The opening Uprising is a cross of 80's electro-pop and post-punk with the usual Yorke- derived singing, the whole thing sounding like OMD, JD or DM, but in better than all of these, because Muse are good musicians. The title track has an early Radiohead feel with the piano (from Absolution) returning and an interesting "prog" ending. Undisclosed Desires plunges more than ever in 80's electro-pop and here we are dismayed to hear Human League, Spandau Ballet or Japan. WTF, guys!!! Glad I only rented this album >> I'd be in a rage had I spent my money to buy it). United States Of Eurasia has got Queen written all over it and they go as far as doing a bit of Bohemian Rhapsody crossed with We Are The Champions, before veering Arabian Yorke-Mercury-esque. I am appalled here, even if this is impeccably played. I won't comment much on the soppy-sobby whiney Guiding Light or the pre-punk Unnatural Selection with a nice middle section and Hendrix- esque guitar. And I haven't spoken of the lifting that they actually acknowledge from Chopin and Saint-Saens, but since they claim it?..I Belong To You is more in the line of Electric Light Orchestra and so is the three-part mini-suite Exogenesis, both coming with a bunch of strings that comes damn close to a Swiss-cheese fondue, the latter benefiting from a superb illustration in a rather nice booklet.

Is this album as catastrophic as my rating and review point out??? I'm sure any will protest and advance many qualities that I won't deny. But my point is that this kind of album is a rehash of the past, if not a rip-off of it, at least intellectually speaking. And that's what I can't stand, really?. Muse had gotten me used to a better integrity. The Resistance is clearly made to please at the masses (their prerogatives, really), but I'm also entitled not to like it all?. despite its many qualities. .

Wow, so many reviews here about this album going from fivestars to one! I am no expert to Muse. I heard some of their work before and really was not moved enough to write a review. Contrary to some people I usually don´t write about things I don´t like, for the feeling that I can be unfair to the artist. After all, just because a Cd falied to please me does not mean it is bad per se. I relember not liking many stuff in one moment on my life and loving it on another. That doesn´t happen very often, but it happens. i rather take no chances. And Muse was far from being a band I loved or hated. I just didn´t get it.

However I was compelled to write about The Resistance. i still don´t think is the kind of album I hear too often, but still you cannot help but reckon its enormous potential, energy, creativity and talent. I guess Mattew Bellamy is one of the most gifted singer/player/songwriter I´ve heard since the new millenium. The guy is simply great, like it or not. And the band does a great job here too. The Resistace is varied, powerful and grows on you with every new listening. Queen seems to be one of the major influences here (the bombastic arrangements and some very opera like backing vocals), but the band is obviously too good to be pigeonholed as copycats of anything.

More often than not I was impressed by the classical influences and the bold mixtures. The production is absolutely fantastic. It is very hard to believe this band is actually a trio, since they seem to emule a whole orchestra of sounds all over the record. I found it hard to point out a highlight. This is the kind of album you have to hear it several times to find its meaning. And I believe not too many people nowadays have the patience or time to listen to it as it should. But the CD´s success is well deserved. It may not be everyone´s cup of tea (specially here), but The Resistence is a great prog album of our time. And that´s all I have to say about it.

Rating: another question mark. I´m sure it is worth at least four stars. Time will tell if a fice star rating will be more fitting.

Something really interesting, intriguing and different wihtout being too freakish and out there. I really loved it!

I've never been the biggest MUSE fan even though I can appreciate their sound somewhat for what it is, i'm just not a fan of it though.Very modern sounding with vocals that still remind me of Thom Yorke the way he holds the notes.The music here is big, almost epic with QUEEN as a good reference point.This often comes across as a Rock Opera and there's lots of harmonies too.This can rock out pretty good which I enjoy, i've just never been a fan of QUEEN and that style.The lyrics seem to have a Science Fiction vibe.

"Uprising" like with most of the tracks is catchy. Clapping and synths with this toe tapping beat as the vocals come in. I can see why this would be popular on the radio. "Resistance" is cool the way it opens in a spacey manner.The cool factor disappears when the piano and drums arrive. Vocals join in. QUEEN-like harmonies follow. Themes are repeated. "Undisclosed Desires" reminds me of the EURYTHMICS.Too poppy and "lame" is a word that comes to mind. "United States Of Eurasia" opens with piano as strings and vocals join in.Then it kicks into a QUEEN-like tune.

"Guiding Light" is all about the vocals and big sound. Bass comes in. Guitar is raw 2 minutes in. "Unnatural Selection" opens with organ and distant sounding vocals before it kicks into gear with drums and guitar joining in. Some good riffing here. A calm before 3 1/2 minutes with organ returning. It kicks in late once again. "MK Ultra" is a good little rocker with vocals and plenty of guitar and drums. "I Belong To You" opens with piano and clapping as drums then vocals arrive. Chunky bass too. Not a fan. "Exogenesis:Symphony" is divided into three parts for a total of almost 13 minutes.The first part is orchestral sounding throughout. Part two opens with classical sounding piano melodies.We get reserved vocals around a minute. It kicks in a minute later then settles back again. Part three opens with piano as orchestral sounds join in then vocals. Drums too.It settles back to end it.

Fans only for this one although even their best works are only 3 star albums in my books.

The Resistance sees Muse descending into self-parody. It's not that Matt Bellamy's goofy conspiracy theories are more prominent in the lyrics than ever before, because he does at least manage to pitch them at a level where you could interpret them as being a general meditation on any revolt against oppression. It's not even the lighter, bouncier nature of the music, which puts me in mind of a sort of pop-punk take on the Muse sound. No, what gets to me is the fact that the band seem more inclined to wheel out the tired old cliches of their sound and give them another spin than to come up with any new tricks. Essentially, every Muse album from Absolution onwards has been a progressively less interesting version of Origin of Symmetry, a height I don't think the band are even attempting to match any more.

After hearing many horror stories about the quality of this album and all those following it, I put listening to this one on hold for quite some time, sticking to the 3 previous albums for whenever I wanted to listen to Muse. After a while, once I got around to listening to it, my main thoughts about it were "This is supposed to be their bad material?". While this album admittedly isn't anything much when comparing it to some of their peak material, I do still find quite a bit of it enjoyable. That said, the larger flaws of the album are not lost on me, with the sound becoming more generic, with there being a much bigger pop focus similar to that of U2, and a prog element that for the most part does nothing all that special, leading to an album that doesn't have very much character. I also find that the influences in the album can be quite overbearing at many points, with some songs sounding more or less like parodies of their respective influence.

I believe that another possible reason why this album gets panned by so many is due to how most of the album doesn't live up to the incredible first two tracks, with Uprising having a bouncy, groovy beat and powerful synth work, sometimes sounding like a string orchestra. The title track on the other hand is a much slower, more emotional track with some great atmosphere with the more subtle use of the backing instrumentation, making for an incredibly catchy song that has enough compositional talent to back it up convincingly, especially with the piano work in it. The unfortunate thing is that after these track, the album significantly drops off, with the influences creeping in quite a lot. Undisclosed Desires immediately sounds extremely different, with the veritable wall of sound instead being replaced with an extremely empty sound, with a simple beat and much cleaner sound. There is an extremely strong U2 feel that the song produces, and there is much more focus on the pleasant hooks of the song, as there isn't too much progression to be found. The next two songs are without a doubt the weakest part of the album, not even sounding merely Queen influenced, but instead sounding like embarrassing parodies of them, with United States of Eurasia having an awful build up to the chorus and an even more terrible chorus in itself, while Guiding Light is just unmemorable and dull. The album manages to pick itself up with the great Unnatural Selection, showing off the slightly more prog oriented side of the band, with numerous sections, each with their own great melodies, along with the heavier guitar tone that I really love, MK Ultra sounds more like a less impressive Unnatural Selection than its own song on the other hand. While I really enjoyed the melody and beat in I Belong To You, the thing that stood out most to me was the unexpected, yet great clarinet solo near the end, leading up to the best part of the album, the Exogenesis Symphony suite, which take the symphonic elements present in the album, and then dials it up considerably to create a majestic 3 part song that surpasses everything else Muse did in terms of sheer scope. This song displays Muse at its most powerful, with epic, grandiose hooks and verses everywhere, with the majority of the instrumentation being symphonic, along with containing some of Matt Bellamy's most impressive singing, being able to hit some incredibly high notes. Each movement captures a different feeling so well, yet all work together perfectly as a whole, bringing the album to an extremely satisfying close.

Overall, while the album is really patchy, with some truly bad tracks and a much more commercial sound, I still do believe that this album isn't anywhere close to as bad as most Muse fans tend to say, as there are a fair few tracks which are highly enjoyable, including a couple of highlights from the band's career. I wouldn't really recommend this album to people who aren't fans of Muse or U2, as that's what this album predominantly is, if you're new to the band, listen to their previous albums instead of this.

Best songs: Uprising, I Belong To You, Exogenesis Symphony

Weakest songs: United States of Eurasia, Guiding Light, MK Ultra

Verdict: This album continues on the trajectory from Black Holes and Revelations, with their music becoming more commercial than before, but The Resistance also explores other territory nicely as well, even if it can sometimes have the tendency to sound far too much like other bands. I'd recommend that this album should be listened to after their 3 previous albums, as it's good, but doesn't give a very clear picture of the band as a whole.

"The Resistance" is the 5th studio album by UK rock trio Muse. The album was released in 2009 and at that time I wasn't really into music as much and this album passed me by. This was the first album by Muse I don't think anyone in my family owned. It wasn't like we heard bad reviews or anything like that, we just lost touch with new releases. Fast forward to 2022 and now I am going through Muse's back catalogue, I have been listening to this album every day for the last week.

And the result? I think this is an album full of surprises as it twists and turns. I think the most standout thing for me on the first few listens, is just how perfectly structured the album is. It starts off with the standout single from the album "Uprising" which peaked inside the top 10 of the UK charts. The bass from the off has such a great groove to it and having Matt sing the chorus with lyrics like "We will be victorious" it's like they already knew they were onto a winner. They set out a statement with the first track, luring the listener in and making them intrigued with what was to come.

The way the track listing works, it bounces about between songs of 4 minutes of length with songs of 6ish minutes of length. Having this structure makes for a much more enjoyable listening experience. I used to go on about how "Origin of Symmetry" was Muse's most ambitious album. And at the time of release, it certainly was. But I feel with "The Resistance", the have pushed those boundaries further. They have used piano's more but not really in a rock way in some circumstances. I almost feel a classical influence coming through in the way the piano parts are delivered. Look no further than "United States of Eurasia (+Collateral damage)" as an example of this. Doing this gives Muse's music a fresh vibe. There is also a hint of influences from the likes of Queen, especially in some of Matt Bellamy's vocal delivery.

Other points of note are that "I Belong to You" Matt sings some of the song in French. While the last 3 tracks act as one longer track split into 3 parts called "Exogenesis". They finished the last album "Black Holes.." with "Knights of Cydonia", while it's hard to argue that, that is the best finish they have done to an album. "Exogenesis" has to be their most imagnative and creative way to finish an album. I think though "Unnatural selection" is my favourite track off this album as I just love the guitar work in it.

Overall, I think this album is for album purists rather than single song hunters. And I think that shines through with the fact that only one single had any form of success from this album. But judging by the success of the album, it did the trick to pull the punters in and those who did get pulled in were almightily rewarded with Muse's most progressive album up until that point. I've still to listen to "2nd Law" and "Drones" fully again so I am stopping as far as to say it's Muse's most progressive album ever. But I have to say this is great album and so glad I discovered it even at this stage.