Album Review: Muse - The Resistance
Finally we know what the resistance is: love.
This battle that British arena-band Muse has chosen takes place over the single topic that has depressed and lifted poets, painters, and song-writers for thousands of years. With the steep task of delivering one of the most anticipated albums of the year world-wide (except in America), the Brits have unveiled one of the most well-written, beautifully put together albums in quite some time — even if it is oddly inconsistent.
Influenced by everyone from Ravel and Tchaikovsky, to Pink Floyd and The Beatles, The Resistance should be looked at as a unique piece of today, as a cultural artifact that’s gone to places no other artist of our time would feel comfortable going. Though it has many influences, there is no musical comparison to it as a whole.
On this album, Matt Bellamy wails and shreds with an authority that leaves little competition. The rhythm section of Christopher Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard keep up with him, too; whether the tune is dark and nearly damning (”Unnatural Selection”) or funky R&B (”Undisclosed Desires”).
Titular track “Resistance” proves true to its name and the album’s general theme, hidden love. Bellamy speaks of a love torn apart, be it by political or religious reasons, either of which are unimportant. What matters, however, is that love finds a way to push through, as he sings out, “Love is our resistance/They keep us apart and they won’t stop breaking us down/Hold me, our lips must always be sealed.” Musically, the song is rather average for the band, and even for the album, though its lyrical content prevails.
While bits and pieces of orchestrated mastery are placed throughout the album, it really ignites right before the “Exogenesis” series, starting with “MK Ultra”. The ode to media brainwashing works like few other Muse tracks have in the past. Incredible arpeggi, as well as the powerful kick of Howard’s drums, leave the listener in a state of shock before the orchestrated sections run in with Bellamy’s powerful guitar riffs. In hindsight, its rather epic construction would seem distracting on any of the band’s previous efforts, but here, it fits perfectly — especially with what’s to come.
By now, most have heard of the album’s real gem: the “Exogenesis” series. In some respects, this section deserves its own separate score, but let’s keep it somewhat together, right?
Part one, “Overture”, begins with a world falling apart looking for a new path. The track starts quiet and rather minuscule, before building to an incredible sound that brings this ear-shattering visualization of death and destruction. Moving on to the second act, “Cross-Pollination” reveals a plan for the salvation of humanity, playing like a plea to the heavens for safety, though hardly reaching above a whisper. “Redemption” rounds out the three acts by bringing us to the harsh realization that a change must occur… so that the newly saved not encounter the same conclusion. Influenced by Rachmaninov, Richard Strauss, and Chopin, the three tracks take the listener on an incredibly journey, and one that brings identity to the otherwise very multi-faceted record.
While The Resistance may not be the band’s best to date, it does a fantastic job in shaping up a unique identity for the trio. On record, this is important. They’ve already garnered acclaim live, proving to be a likely candidate to carry on where U2 will eventually lead off. However, with their studio work, they are still attempting to find a face, experimenting and honing in on sounds and styles that tread further and further away from early Radiohead comparisons. For that, The Resistance breaks through… on multiple levels.
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The Resistance
excelente disco .Este tema es uno de los mejores para mí:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhNkbmEkrCg
I love it! There are so many diverse opinions on this album, and the band in general. I honestly don’t feel there is a right opinion to have, I do however feel that they made the album they wanted to, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The next album could be a metal album for all I know, and if thats the album they want to make they will. In my opinion, they truely shined in a lot of places here, and probably ended up making a few concessions, which may have in fact led to some of the duller songs.
Even as I type this the video for “Uprising” just came on mtvu, rather cool vid if I do say so myself.
“A whole album based on 1984 sounds like an idea a senior in a high school band might come up with.”
Really? Find me that brilliant high school band that could pull off such a feat. The Resistance may not be the band’s best album, but the fact that they took on such an idea that would scare off most bands and their record labels speaks volumes about how fearless they are. Fearlessness and willingness to explore new grounds in order to avoid becoming stale is what makes this band so unique, and why we love them in the first place. Keep in mind that “Showbiz” and “Origin of Symmetry” were released in a time when bands like Creed and Limp Bizkit ruled the world. This is a band that has never cared to pander to mainstream pressures. And I don’t think they’ll start now. But this review is spot-on. It’s a beautiful, ambitious album, but it’s lacking in some areas. There are some songs that build up to a climax that never they reach. That being said, I was pretty disappointed when I first heard the album. But after a few listens, it gets better. It’s an album that grows on you. And people who are hankering for the days of Origin of Symmetry or Absolution should just go back to listening to those albums. I really don’t see the sense in re-creating albums you’ve already made. If you want them to make albums as good as Origin or Absolution, that’s fine. But why anyone would want replicas of said albums is beyond me. Isn’t that why we love Muse in the first place, because they never repeat themselves?
In theory the idea of an album influenced by 1984 is great>>>
Nef, I agree with everything you said, except this. A whole album based on 1984 sounds like an idea a senior in a high school band might come up with. I didn’t know that’s what they aimed for with this record. If that’s true, someone should give Bellamy some new literature. Hell, even Our Lady Peace finds more unique literature to work off from.
what ever happened to the “knights of cydonia style of music” that Bellamy discovered? thats what everyone wanted in their new album not this soft rhythmic stuff. very dissapointed
Can’t say I agree with you. I found this album highly pretentious and the political edge sadly lacking the punch it needed. I do enjoy some aspects of the album… it is well produced and the rhythm section is incredibly solid… the orchestra add a new depth to their sound… but Bellamy’s desire to become the new Freddie Mercury makes the message they are trying to convey almost comical in nature. Personally I find very little in this album unique; instead it feels almost as though the band have raided their fathers record collection, gathering scraps of inspiration from as large a variety of artists as possible in order to seem “unique”. In theory the idea of an album influenced by 1984 is great… but I was bitterly disappointed. Shame…
I’m with, Geezr.
every muse album has taken me a minute to get into. one of the things so cool about them is that the more i listen the more sounds i discover. digging on this big time in the past week. beautiful album
As a die-hard, long-time Muse fan (and American), I cannot agree with this review. I *wanted* to like this album soooo badly. Sadly, I find it bloody awful. I’ve listened to it a few times now and even though it ends on an interesting note…this offering lacks the sheer force that makes Muse such an impressive and promising band. I’m afraid that Matt Bellamy, who I consider genius, traded in his amazing guitar playing for a dose of mental masturbation. I just hope they don’t lean too much on the first 3/4’s of this album in their live show.
Dear Alex,
You know nothing. This album is not awful, its amazing
Sincerly,
Petrocs
Love the album cover.
Excellent review Matlock, I agree.
what, really? “the Brits have unveiled one of the most well-written, beautifully put together albums in quite some time” i can name a number of british bands that have put out better albums this year. this album is awful to say the least. Resistance is proof of Bellamys ego controlling the band, this album is a departure from the fame they had to come.
Yes it is a great album..I’d add another star if I were you