(MUSE) Album of the week: Absolution


Yorkshire Evening Post
Saturday 20 September 2003

ABSOLUTION
MUSE 
FIVE STARS

A lot of people can't be doing with Muse singer Matt Bellamy's hand-wringing caterwauling. Nor do they have time for the classical values of the band's dramatic rock, with its descending chord patterns, overblown synthesizer arpeggios and pompous grand pianos and choirs.
Ah well, it's their loss. 
Absolution is Muse's third studio LP, and it's another hearty step up Rock Legend Mountain. They haven't taken their eye off the ball - if anything they're staring more unnervingly hard and maniacally at it than ever. Sure, the themes are as downbeat as ever (oh my god, it's the end of the world!) but in Muse's hands the while thing is marvellously cathartic. 
They make a glorious sound - when they're loud its a delicious, invigorating, heartily satisfying racket, and when they're quiet (the album has more slower movement than previous ones) it's with a hypnotic snake-like intent. 
Standout tracks are the epic opener Apocalypse Please, the John Barry meets Radiohead Sing For Absolution, the touching lament Falling Away From You, and the cinematic and distortion enlivened waltz of Blackout. Every track is a belter, though.
Absolution will thrill existing fans, and hopefully generate a legion of new ones. 
Truly outstanding.

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