Upcoming...Muse: The 2nd Law

    I'm actually sort of surprised that this is the first Muse album to find its way to this blog, but when it has been three stinkin' years since one of the most popular bands in all the world has released a new album, well then it's not really my fault! Anyway, I come to you with good news, not just a rant. Since it is just a week [when I started writing this the 25th] until The 2nd Law releases on Warner Brothers Records, Muse has followed suit with all other well intended bands and provided a free legal stream of their 6th studio album since their formation in 1994. Hailing from Teignmouth, Devon, England, Muse is made up of the trio of Matthew Bellamy (that famous voice and piano), Christopher Wolstenholme (that famous bass) and Dominic Howard (drums). Their previous releases include: Showbiz (1999), Origin of Symmetry (2001), Absolution (2003), Black Holes and Revelations (2006), The Resistance (2009).
    Over the years, Muse has evolved from a mostly hard Progressive Rock with a flair for the dramatic and bombastic to more melodic and electronic influenced to more mainstream influenced, with the latest album including elements of Dubstep and New Wave. Maybe not all evolution is progress (my favorite album is Absolution, but to be fair followed by The Resistance). The 2nd Law turns too much towards the mainstream and just plain Rock, instead of that unique indie touch they used to possess. Regardless, Muse would surely require a 'Tribute to...' post to fully encapsulate their greatness and resulting impact on the music scene as a whole. They were truly one of the first few bands to come out of the dominance that was Radiohead in the late 90's of British Rock--perhaps equaling their more immediate popularity, though without overcoming Radiohead's longevity. One of these reasons is that Muse's music is so fantastic in concert, so I've heard, almost recording-like. That, Matt Bellamy's aptitude for producing quality compositions that contain almost Classical [music] harmonic integrity, and the electricity that their arpeggiated chords and spectacular guitar playing brings is surely a recipe for success. Anyway, too simple an explanation for such a unique ability to produce quality music.
    Taking a closer look at The 2nd Law:
It was named after the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics, which basically proves that over time things decay. The album cover comes from the Human Connectome Project, which reveals the pathways of the human brain using neon colors to represent how information is processed.
(1) "Supremacy" - Pretty straight forward Post-Progressive track, classic Muse.
(2) "Madness" - (Single) Dubstep influenced, kind of interesting--lots of manipulated vocals throughout, multiple voices recorded over and such, like "Knights of Cydonia" except not at such an intense moment, more melodic.
(3) "Panic Station" - Seems to have a pretty obvious New Wave flair to it. Not my favorite, reminds me of all that 80's music I prefer not to listen to.
(4) "Prelude" - A nice symphonic interlude of sorts that takes from Rachmaninoff at least in theory.
(5) "Survival" - One of the singles, premiered at the U.K. Olympics I believe, lots of operatic singing in the background against the heavy guitars and drums--builds throughout to a climactic finish, kind of like a race!
(6) "Follow Me" - Very cool synth arpeggiated chords; almost a dance track when the drums initially come in, but maintains an orchestral smoothness, until the heavy Big Beat half Dubstep part arrives--reminds me a bit of Pendulum.
(7) "Animals" - Perhaps my favorite song on the album, very cool intro that continues to build as solo guitar interjects throughout; very nice chord and color changes--track ends in a cacophony of angry sounding voices.
(8) "Explorers" - This was the song that made me decide to label Muse as Space Rock like they say they are--mostly symphonic in nature, but a ballad with a slightly uptempo Rock beat.
(9) "Big Freeze" - This song kind of reminds me of U2, which I hate to suggest, because I may never listen to it again if I ever fully make that association a reality in my mind.
(10) "Save Me" - A super Space Rocky ethereal opening with rolled reverberated chords that builds slowly.
(11) "Liquid State" - This and the previous track were written and sung by Christopher Wolstenholme, and are about his struggles with alcoholism; this is definitely more Progressive Metal, driving and heavy.
(12) "The 2nd Law: Unsustainable" - Part 1 of The 2nd Law, half Symphonic Rock with sweeping cellos and strings, and half Dubstep.
(13) "The 2nd Law: Isolated System" - Part 2; Starts very minimalist, almost Trance, with layers being added--new radio/tv blips are interspersed at the start too, has a conspiracy theory sort of feeling to it while the song as a whole slowly fades out.
    I hope you find the latest Muse offering not disappointing. There has been a lot of speculation since they announced it would include Dubstep, maybe more of a marketing ploy than anything else as it shows up maybe three times. Anyway, check out a full stream through iTunes, which doesn't allow pausing or scrolling or track selection (gotta listen straight through), here. If you live in the UK, go to The Guardian, here. There are a few videos on Muse's YouTube profile, for "Madness" and "The 2nd Law: Unsustainable". Finally, "Survival" linked on the right hand side of this page under 'Monthly Sample Tracks', not because that is my favorite; rather, that is what available at this time. Enjoy!