Origin of Symmetry - You won't be disappointed. (Origin Of Symmetry - Muse)

Member Name: World-of-Bones

Product:	Origin Of Symmetry - Muse
Date:	18/06/09 (40 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great lyrics, well written music, Bellamy's classic falsetto ever-present

Disadvantages: First half of the album isn't up to scratch really.

So, this is the second studio album released from Muse, a trio originating in Devon. One of the few great British bands of this generation. I was drawn to listen to this album after hearing their 3rd album first, Absolution. Once again, Muse do not disappoint here.

The album begins with the single New Born, which starts off with a soft, melodic piano intro before kicking into the expected heavy guitar riffs and cymbal based drum patterns. Matt Bellamy's high pitched vocals during the chorus are a sound to be heard (Sorry, I wanted to say sight to see there but....well you know).

Bliss comes next and you will be thinking deja vu but no, it's another piano intro from the band, nce again kicking into their downtuned guitar riffs with synths layered behind the vocals. The chorus sounds almost identical to New Born and I think it's fair to say this song was probably written in the same day, or at least week as New Born. However, this isn't saying it's a bad song, just slightly repetitive after the last song.

Space Dementia, once again, begins with Bellamy playing the piano, but this time with a very different vibe. He plays slowly, sadly and then he drifts off, the piano comes again, this time more angrily. Eventually you hear the bass drum entering and the song bursts into life, crashing cymbals and vocals that drip with desperation and emotion. Lyrics that tell you why he is desperate and emotive. This is a standout track of the album, it epitomises what I think of Muse, great lyrics, beautifully written music and amazing vocal work.

Hyper Music is the first song on the album that feels it does not need to be introduced in the form of a piano, instead with some heavily outof tune, unamplified electric guitar. It works well as they comes into the song heavily. This song isn't my favourite on the album by any stretch of imagination, but it's a decent song. There's just nothing special in it for me, the lyrics aren't up to scratch like we are used to from Muse and the main guitar riff starts to wear on you after a while.

Plug In Baby is another single off the album, and it begins with one of the most recognisable modern guitar riffs in rock today and continues it throughout. I'm glad to anounce that the vocals and lyrics are back to their usual high standard for this song and the music isn't half bad either, with some complex drum patterns and that amazing guitar riff. Great song to get the album back on track.

Citizen Erased continues with the heavier sound that's been dominating since Space Dementia, with some ridiculously downtuned guitar, heavy crash cymbal use and Matt Bellamy using his angrier vocal style, which is evident by the way you can hear his sharp intake of breath between every line. The chorus to this song is one of the best on the album, absolutely amazing vocals with some great backup singing as well.

Micro Cuts takes us out of the heavy style of Muse for a while, starting with Bellamy's classic falsetto voice with background music that is very well written. You canfeel the pent up angst and anger building up within the song and when the chorus comes this is all released with a more aggressive falsetto and some much more aggressiv and heavy musical styles throughout the band. This is another of the great transitions between verses and chorus' that we have become accustomed to listening to Muse.

Screenager starts off rather slowly with some strange ambient effects before a quiet guitar blends in the ambient. Drums come in almost unnoticeably before Bellamy begins singing lyrics laced with dismay and disgust, "You're so phony and, always surrender". The chorus comes in and the synths we have heard occasionally throughout the album reappear to great affect, adding more layers to the song as Bellamy kicks his falsetto into use. This is another great song with brilliantly written lyrics and music, performed perfectly.

Darkshines starts with a much different feel than the last few songs, with the intro sounding almost Mediterranean. This is another of Muse's softer songs throughout the verses, but as soon as the chorus comes in the trio let it all out, bursting into aggressive guitar chords, complex, cymbal based drum patterns and that beautiful sounding screeching falsetto. The lyrics, as usual with Muse, are absolutely brilliant and this is another stand out track of the album.

We reach the penultimate song with Feeling Good, a song that is very unusually titled considering Muse's depressing and sombre lyrical themes. Obviously Bellamy was having a good day when writing this song, because the lyrics suggest he is very content. This is a song almost perfect for a summers day, brilliantly cheerful lyrics which I am so unaccustomed to hearing from Muse. Even the music is cheerfully written. Here's another stand out song.

Finally, Megalomania is here to see off a great album. It's a slow starter of a song, with some slow drums, and we're back to the depressing lyrics after a lone cheerful song. After 2 minutes the quietness is broken by a smashing bass drum pattern and some cymbals, then we're back to quiet. This is a good song, and is fitting to end an album, but it's definately not one of the best on the album.

Overall this is a great album, it starts off a bit disappointing but the second half of the album is truly magnificent, a work of art i'm inclined to say. Overall, I would rate this album over their first, Showbiz and it's much better structured than Absolution. A must buy in my opinion, the only thing lowering the rating is the start of the album, there are definately a few songs below par both lyrically and musically.

Summary: A great album overall with a few disappointing songs, not to ruin the overall experience.