Black Holes and Revelations

What I always find impressive about Muse is how dense the sound of this three-piece band is. However, this also carries the risk of becoming overwhelming, so that the music eventually starts to get on your nerves. Muse's “Black Holes and Revelations” has exactly these characteristics: “Take a Bow” initially encourages you to turn down the volume, ‘Starlight’ and “Supermassive Black Hole” are strong songs, but there are already signs of the saturation effect that is probably inevitable when you combine harder rock with electronic elements by layering track upon track instead of reducing elsewhere. We already had this effect in a slightly different form on “Siamese Dreams” by the Smashing Pumpkins.
On “Invincible,” everything calms down a bit, but my overall impression of a pretty good, but ultimately overloaded album remains the same. It could have been outstanding, but as it is, I can only give it four stars today.

I was already familiar with "Supermassive Black Hole" and a few other songs that I liked before listening to this album. The space rock description does fit here (if that encompasses groovy bass lines, ambitious guitars, retro piano sounds, and dark tones). The songs and their lyrics also conveyed a sense of seriousness and urgency to me. There are some beautiful moments on this album. A good listen.

A little weak between the hits but god damn are those three songs excellent

I love a lot of Muse's many influences. However, the way they channel them leaves absolutely no room for creating their own voice (just listen to the Depeche Mode-esque “Map of the Problematique” besides of all the obvious Radiohead influences). Muse often sound like “X and Y” copycats who put an arpeggiated synth on every chorus; way too often homage tips into imitation.

Besides, a lot of those tracks are … boring? That may sound harsh, but it’s the predominant reaction I have when trying to sit through the album from start to finish. While Bellamy’s high register is impressive, but he seldomly leaves it. They greatest craft starts to wear if you are being exposed to it for 50 minutes straight.

When I was a teenager in the early 2000s, just beginning to immerse myself in music, Muse were everywhere. I even saw them live (pardon me, what an atrocious kitsch). For years, I tried to find my way into their world, to hear what so many others clearly do. But I suspect I’m more than ready to close that chapter. A shame - because on paper, this band could work for me.

Also the cover… Storm Thorgeson artworks are often hit or miss. This is a miss. Big time.

Bin kein Riesen Muse-Fan, aber 1-2 schöne Songs. Starlight ist schön

The more well known songs are good, despite being a tad overplayed. I much prefer the louder, faster songs (Assassin is my favourite) to the slower soppy shite. All that stuff sounds so dreary, probably why I don't like Radiohead.

These guys have no understanding of what it is to be 'cool'. That's something I increasingly respect. Not fully my thing but I like their maximilism.

Muse are for people who can’t handle Radiohead.

Joking aside this was actually quite enjoyable - knights of cydonia a particular standout.

Bits of electronic rock with some sociopolitical messages; it's giving Radiohead and religious space-opera.

An incredible album. Easily one of my favorites. It has this great pop-rock sound on top of heavy music and dramatic vocals. I can't recommend it enough.

Well I'll start off by saying that that was a mind-blowing first listen. No notes. It's heat and bangers the whole way through.

I AM hesitant to give it a 5, though. Their whole shtick is these big, epic, heavy-hitting songs that do leave a spectacular first impression, but very quickly lose their edge on repeat listens -- at least, that's been my (admittedly limited) experience with Muse in the past.

Still a very solid album I'm excited to revisit!

Standouts: Supermassive Black Hole • Assassin • City of Delusion • Knights of Cydonia

A lot of tunes here that remind me of being younger which is always nice.

Now I wanna go play baseball!

I thought Muse sucked shit going into this listen, and I came away still thinking that.

I remember reading Q magazine back in the early 2000's and in a review for the single 'Plug in Baby', the author described Muse as "Masturbatory". This description has stuck with me ever since and unavoidably swims in to my mind whenever I lay ears on this band.

I saw the band live around the same time and their performance was very good - for that reason I have always had a favourable memory of their first two records. Beyond those, Muse just seem like a synthetic retro-futuristic Coldplay with classically inspired guitar riffs. Retro-futuristic like a starry sky projector from Poundland.

A lot of the deeper cuts follow the same template; guitar riff built around a particular scale run through six effect boxes, Bellamy's voice wavering in the gentle verse, howling in the bombastic chorus. It all becomes a blurry pile. I would probably be able to pick stuff out I like if I made the effort, but over the years I seem to have developed a real dislike for these guys. All the good stuff, boiled away, leaving nothing but a metallic and unappealing taste in my mouth.

Masturbatory, indeed.

Really fun! I would have put Absolution or Origin of Symmetry on here instead but get that this was the "mainstream" breakthrough - that said this was infinitely better than I remembered! :)

Llegué tarde a Muse, creo que este fue el primer disco que escuché entero y me hizo darme cuenta de mi error y poder recuperar sus discos en un viaje hacia atrás en su carrera. Luego con el tiempo han ido gustándome cada vez más los mismos discos que ya me parecieron buenos. Para guardar: "Take a Bow", "Starlight", "Supermassive Black Hole", "Assassin" , "City of Delusion" y "Knights of Cydonia".

I liked this album more when I was younger. There are a few cool songs on here, Knights of Cydonia in particular. A lot of the songs here I only like a little or feel indifferent about. Some good singles but not really a great album. I also find it to be a bit too Queen-esque at the time. Also heard some of the songs here way too much which kind of dampens my enjoyment.

Kinda silly and a bit cringe, but I still enjoy it. Sometimes you just need dorky music

A lot of songs gave the vibe of Thom Yorke singing over uncompelling music. It isn't BAD, just not all that interesting to listen to.