THE RESISTANCE

"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.