Associate
Well despite it not being released until monday, and the current postal strikes, the postie dropped my copy off this morning 
Before i go any further i must say that below is my opinion having listened to it a couple of times and feel free to disagree and discuss! I have no musical background, so feel free to tell me otherwise!
My verdict:
Having listened to it twice through (and again as i type), it is a very very good record, and will probably grow on me further. However it is a departure from previous album styles, which will almost certainly not appeal to all fans of their previous work.
To me, it seems to be 54minutes demonstating Matt Bellamy's unearthly musical talent, rather than an album to take on tour for the next two years, and it doesn't feature any of the standout guitar lead single tracks such as Plugin Baby, Hysteria or Knights of Cydonia.
The album is really split into two parts, with the first two thirds delivering a sound that is clearly Muse, but without wanting to sound like a cliché it is an evolution of their previous work. But I am finding it a very difficult sound to discribe so i cannot do it justice! a lot of it is kind of similar in style to "Map of the Problematique"
The tracks are almost all lead by Bellamy's increadible voice, and his guitar generally takes a back seat but is ever present. Most tracks have been produced with orchestral backing, though it is generally quite sublte, a few tracks tail off in to orchestra. Many tracks feature vocal harmonising in a Queen like fashion. The rest is Chris's thumping bass lines accented by Matt on piano and guitar in different guises, with the ever present consistent drumming of Dom.
The last third, including the latter half of "I belong to you", and then the three parts to Exogenisis, are predominatly classical orchestral/operatic peices with the subtle addition of drums and guitars occasionally, predominatly composed by Bellamy.
It is this part that i think many will not take to, as there are no riffs to emulate in your bedroom, well possibly air-piano or air-violin, but other than that no air guitar.
I happen to think the album is a stunning piece of work, and is clearly a labour of love, and a showcase of their dynamic range, rather than an album produced for the masses.
Discuss! Oh and once again feel free to tell me i'm talking out of my backside!
Before i go any further i must say that below is my opinion having listened to it a couple of times and feel free to disagree and discuss! I have no musical background, so feel free to tell me otherwise!
My verdict:
Having listened to it twice through (and again as i type), it is a very very good record, and will probably grow on me further. However it is a departure from previous album styles, which will almost certainly not appeal to all fans of their previous work.
To me, it seems to be 54minutes demonstating Matt Bellamy's unearthly musical talent, rather than an album to take on tour for the next two years, and it doesn't feature any of the standout guitar lead single tracks such as Plugin Baby, Hysteria or Knights of Cydonia.
The album is really split into two parts, with the first two thirds delivering a sound that is clearly Muse, but without wanting to sound like a cliché it is an evolution of their previous work. But I am finding it a very difficult sound to discribe so i cannot do it justice! a lot of it is kind of similar in style to "Map of the Problematique"
The tracks are almost all lead by Bellamy's increadible voice, and his guitar generally takes a back seat but is ever present. Most tracks have been produced with orchestral backing, though it is generally quite sublte, a few tracks tail off in to orchestra. Many tracks feature vocal harmonising in a Queen like fashion. The rest is Chris's thumping bass lines accented by Matt on piano and guitar in different guises, with the ever present consistent drumming of Dom.
The last third, including the latter half of "I belong to you", and then the three parts to Exogenisis, are predominatly classical orchestral/operatic peices with the subtle addition of drums and guitars occasionally, predominatly composed by Bellamy.
It is this part that i think many will not take to, as there are no riffs to emulate in your bedroom, well possibly air-piano or air-violin, but other than that no air guitar.
I happen to think the album is a stunning piece of work, and is clearly a labour of love, and a showcase of their dynamic range, rather than an album produced for the masses.
Discuss! Oh and once again feel free to tell me i'm talking out of my backside!
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for me, unnatural selection stands out.
