Something Different To The Norm (Showbiz - Muse)

Member Name: bhayanid

Product:	Showbiz - Muse
Date:	02/03/09 (70 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent Alternative Rock

Disadvantages: None

Muse are definetily one of my favourite Brirtish bands and unfortunately are not as highly rated as they should be. However they are quite altnerative rock and I imagine therefore not too everyones taste.

I was contemplating doing one of those reviews where the reviewer goes through each track and states what he or she likes about that particular track, however I do not see the point of doing that for a Muse album as either you will love their tracks or hate them. There really is no middle line, although I may be wrong and like with anything there will be people out there who do not love or hate Muse and this album.

Quite a few years back, having heard a lot about Muse from my brother I felt compelled to see what all the fuss was about, so popped the CD into the player and the first track Sunburn started with a stunning piano style track. I think that piano part right at the beginning was the exact moment I got hooked onto Muse. This track is awesome and piano lovers will appreciate it. It is lyrically supreme and a great start to the album. One of the bigger hits on the album and another great track is Muscle Museum. This has a great drum beat and is a very slick track. The voals stick out with the percussion in the background. Then the guitar comes in to maximum effect in the chorus and final stages of the track. After these intial two tracks there is a summer feel to the next track in Fillip. That is the great thing about this album, the mood is constantly changing from track to track and even during most of the tracks their is a swing in the style. Not many other bands can pull this of and Falling Down is a slow balled, which is not one of my favourites as it is a bit too slow paced for me, but there are great vocals and lyrics here. They get back to their best in the next tracks with one of my favourite in Cave. The guitar riffs are awesome and combined with the vocals makes for a very unique track. The next track after this is one of the strangest with the track named after the album, Showbiz. I can really relate to this track which makes it a personal favourite but I do not think it would be too everyones taste. muse fans will love it though. Along with Muscle museum I feel the next track is one of the most commercial in Unintended. It is one of those songs that if you are not a fan of Muse, you are sure to instantly recognise and it is a slow balled with an awesome tune and even better lyrics. The heaviest track comes next in Sober and this is just simply a great rock track. Although just when it is getting very heavy with the rock is drifts into a distinct jazz style. This is what I mean when I say that the mood always changes and this track is a perfect example. Another summer track again takes off in Sober. This track grew on me , when initially I was not a big fan. One of my lesser favourite tracks shorly follows with Escape. it is a track about just escaping from relationships and in the tone of the whole album, but it just feels a bit lazy and doesn't quite hit the right tone with me. They went for the epic style, but for me did not pull it off. The next track is another great rock track with Overdue. Just simply a great track and Nickelback fans in particular I feel will enjoy this as it is a very similar style. Finally the albums ends with hate This & I'll Love you. It is a slow paced decent track and a good finish to a great album.

Overall as I am sure you can tell this is one of my favourite albums and Muse are my favourite British Bands. Sure they have not got the same commercial respect that Oasis and Radiohead achieved, and not many British bands will ever get to that level. Muse however have a huge cult status which will ensure that they can sell albums without too much commercial airplay. This album was also followed up by another awesome album named the origin of symmetry and I will be reviewing that album int he coming weeks. 5 stars.

Tracklist
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. Sunburn
2. Muscle Museum
3. Fillip
4. Falling Down
5. Cave
6. Showbiz
7. Unintended
8. Uno
9. Sober
10. Escape
11. Overdue
12. Hate this and I'll Love you

Summary: A Modern Classic