Muse - Black Holes and Revelations

It took my a while to get into Muse at first. I loved Plug in Baby, but I couldn't get into their other stuff for the life of me. I put it down to the fact that I am a massive Radiohead fan and they just seemed so, well, second-rate in comparison. Then I bought Absolution, and I was converted! Man, that album is fantastic!! Every song on there is superb......Thoughts of a Dying Atheist, Hysteria, Stockholm Syndrome etc etc. Suddenly I was starting to doubt my earlier opinion. Perhaps they were worthy of my attention after all (my sister certainly thinks so!). So, of course, I was going to take the plunge and buy the new album! So what's it like?

Well, Black Holes and Revelations certainly takes things on another level, they have developed what seems to be a unique sound. I do have one slight problem with it though. Supermassive Black Hole reminds me of another song from the not too distant future. In my youth I was a big Duran Duran fan (cue red face) and I think it has more than a passing resemblance to All She Wants Is. Ok, not lyrically, but the rhythm section sounds very similar to my ears. Maybe it's just me who knows? But it bothers me and I needed to share it with everyone, and now I have!!

I have to say there are some top tunes on there such as Starlight and Map of the Problematique, but so far it has failed to capture my imagination like Absolution did. I think this is one album that will be a bit of a grower. It is certainly not as immediate as its predecessor but it is certainly not as bad as you might fear (coming after such a successful album). I think for Radiohead fans, like myself, awaiting the new album (not to mention Thom's effort) this is a good way to fill the time with challenging, unique music.