Superb mix by Muse

Portsmouth Evening News 
Monday 5th June 2000

(Pyramids Centre, Southsea) 

 Muse have played it slow, played it cool, and played it right. They have avoided any 'next big thing tags, refused to take part in any overhyped nonsense (Gay Dad anyone?) and simply got on with becoming, er,, the current big thing.
 A series of singles (each selling more than the last), a debut album that's sold thousands by word of mouth, and months and months of gigging (including, gasp, America)
 It all sounds so old-fashioned in a world in which bands are dropped if their second single doesn't go Top 10, but it is working. 
 Muse today are a much more confident proposition than the promising one which they visited Portsmouth many times in the support slot and headlined at the Wedgewood Rooms.
 This Pyramids show was not just a sell-out on the basis of passing interest, but a triumphant gathering of fans who know and love Muse - they jumped, sang and crowd-surfed to every loveable minute. 
 Muse gave them what they wanted - guitars, star quality and real songs. Old favourites such as Cave and Muscle Museum mingled freely with a smattering of new material, that seemed to herald a heavier future.
 Matt Bellamy wields his guitar like a true rocker, but he also flits off to the piano to add a delicate touch, in much the same way as his voice soars from primeval growl tp soaring falsetto.
 The songs themselves have intricate movements, touches of everything from laments to flamenco as well as sheer power chord guts.
 It's a superb mix and it's time to let the brake off. The second album will not take as long to gather pace as the debut Showbiz - Muse are heading for the stratosphere.

(Barry Rutter)


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