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    Wednesday
    Jun242009

    AOTW #14 - Black Holes and Revelations

    DateWednesday, June 24, 2009 at 12:53AM | AuthorRyanSilb

    Some albums were just always a part of my musical diegesis, or I just decided to get them based on general critical acclaim or hearing a song from them. Others, I can recall exactly how I discovered them. Muse'sBlack Holes and Revelationsis one of those albums. It was this post by John Scalzi that had me completely entranced with this album. I mean, look at that cover! Amazing. (That's the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, by the way).

    The album has a mix of overtones ranging from the political to the science-fictional, and also serves as a fantastic tour through the band's influences, like Queen, Bowie, and Depeche Mode. Simply put, they sound (to me) like Rush by way of Radiohead.

     


    Take a Bow - Muse

    The first song on the album, "Take a Bow," starts out with an electronic pulse overlaying a slowly rising bass, like a wave coming into shore, finally crashing at about 2:35 into the song. The song then resumes intensifying and building to a bombastic conclusion. Combined with the theme of the corruption of power, it made an excellent fit with the second trailer for theWatchmenmovie.

    The second track, "Starlight," was a pretty big radio hit in the U.S. and with good reason. It's one of those songs that just gets stuck in your head, bouncing around for hours after you hear it. Made for radio, which is not always a bad thing. It also has a very New Wave feel to it, not unlike The Killers' most recent effort.

     


    Supermassive Black hole - Muse

    "Supermassive Black Hole" is my second favorite track, and may eventually be a litmus test for Muse fans, as it was featured on the Twilightmovie soundtrack (I had no idea until a friend pointed this out to me a few weeks ago when I put it on a mix). Those who say they knew Muse pre-Twilight will certainly have a slightly different demographic tint to them, I'd imagine. Anyway, "Supermassive Black Hole" has a great R&B feel to it, kind of a Prince-meets-Franz Ferdinand thing going on.

    The apocalyptic/conspiracy theory themes of "Take a Bow" resurface in "Map of the Problematique," which has a very prog feel to it, especially with the drum break halfway through the song. It's a pulsing, driving rock song heavily influenced by Depeche Mode. It's followed by "Soldier's Poem," which smartly breaks the momentum that build through the first four tracks (there is no way they could have kept it up). "Solider's Poem" is very political, and is told from the perspective of a solider fighting overseas (presumably Iraq or Afghanistan). A slow, short number, it really is a poem set to music with haunting vocals. The change in pace from the rest of the album really drives the point home.

    "Invincible" is perhaps a strange follow-up to "Soldier's Poem," as it is a tale about revolutionary romance set to a militaristic drumbeat. It perfectly captures the feeling of fighting for something you believe in and doing so standing beside someone you are as in madly in love with as the cause you fight for. It's this bond of love that allows these two to fight in the face of the authority they defy. "Don't give up the fight/You'll be alright/'Cause there's no one like you in the universe." Also, the guitar solo kicks ass.

    Continuing the theme of revolution is continued in "Assassin," although I definitely see the interpretation that it is about programmed Jason Bourne-like assassin's programmed by some shadowy government agency. "Warped and bewitched/Intend to erase/Whatever they say...Assassin is born." It also has one of the most metal-feeling sounds on the album, and the first minute of this song is exquisite.

     


    Exo-Politics - Muse

    "Exo-Poltics" posits the idea of a conspiratorial alien invasion, not unlike the end of Watchmen or the plot of Wag the Dog. "It's just our leaders in disguise." Also has my favorite bassline on the album, and possibly the best use of a theremin-like effect in pop music since "Good Vibrations." Nothing says aliens like a theremin.

    "City of Delusion" opens with Spanish/Mexican style acoustic guitar and then later adds horn parts. It continues the theme of the one man revolutionary found earlier in the album, and really furthers the idea that this is the best supervillian soundtrack ever created. "Hoodoo" extends this Spanish influence, although the song itself is very soft and ballad-like.

    Ahh, "Knights of Cydonia." This is easily one of my favorite songs of all time. It combines cowboys, surf rock, space opera, mariachi bands, progressive rock, and the Doctor Who theme for a song so epic mere words cannot describe it. There aren't a lot of lyrics, but the video for the song is great as well:

    I cannot heap enough praise on this album. Easily one of the best albums of the decade. You should have it.

    Where to buy:
    [iTunes]
    [Amazon mp3]

    Album of the Week appears every Wednesday at Knowhere. Each week Ryan discusses an album in context of influence, artistic merit, and whatever else seems slightly relevant.

    | Comment3 Comments |
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    Reader Comments (3)

    Yes, probably one of my favorite albums from any band, and in my opinion, Muse's best. Knights of Cydonia's video is almost addicting. I'm going to go listen to this album as soon as I have the chance.

    June 24, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterEvan H.

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