Let’s go back to the time when Muse were able to verify their identity. I remember buying their album Absolution, putting it in my CD player and hearing familiar tones. I was wondering: What is this? Radiohead? No, I didn’t make a mistake. I was listening to the right album, the one I was planning to listen. It’s only that the music Muse created was always very similar to the music of the great Radiohead. So, it is normal that those were the first thought that came to my mind.
Whether that was an advantage or disadvantage, the history will show. Still, every comparison to Radiohead only served them as a compliment, because Radiohead stands as one of the most influential band of the modern music, and their albums The Bends and OK Computer are at the top of best albums ever lists.
English trio Muse released third album Absolution back in 2003, and they offered plentiful reasons to not be perceived through the copycat prism. Even though they were castigated at the beginning of their career and were considered a band without authentic identity, my opinion is that Absolution changed everything for them.
Putting up-tempo powerful riff-driven tracks one after another, and adding melancholic, lethargic vibe to them is not something you often hear. Spicing it up with melody that echoes in your brain long after you have listened to the song is talent of music masterminds. When we add superb vocal interpretations of Matthew Bellamy, we get the final impression – Muse is not Radiohead. Muse is Muse.
Opening track Apocalypse Please teases in which mood will album unfold. I mean, Absolution is everything but cheerful record. Btw, the first track is one of the favorites from this album, and it is one of those songs that I keep on playing even today, almost fifteen years later.
Time Is Running Out is another pessimistic number, colored with rock paint, and it add one more dimension to the record. It is a remarkably good track, one of those your blood instantly saves in its flow. I think it wouldn’t be fair If I didn’t mention Hysteria, Sing For Absolution, Falling Away With You or Stockholm Syndrome. These are all more than solid songs.
Absolution was probably the pinnacle of Muse’s discography. I missed them being courageous enough to release something that does not sound trendy. I am glad I am taking you back to this record, especially If you are a fan of alternative sound.
