|
|
 |
Over the course of their first three studio albums Muse slowly gained ground as one of the more progressive and accomplished rock bands of the 2000s. By the time of 2006's BLACK HOLES AND REVELATIONS, the process was complete. While still steeped in moody Britpop, wall-of-guitar rock, and space-synth soundscapes, BLACK HOLES finds Muse diversifying their already broad palette and creating one of their most ambitious efforts.
The tune "Supermassive Black Hole" is a case in point. A club-ready funk groove underpins the crunching guitars, proving Muse as capable of moving the body as expanding the mind. Elsewhere, the band experiments with flamenco-flavored guitars and mariachi horns amid their dense waves of guitars and electronics, while lead singer Matt Bellamy sings of apocalyptic themes, environmental degradation, and revolution. The effect, sonically and otherwise, is expansive and powerful, and the successful conflation of dance-rock, prog-rock, and hard rock underscore Muse's knack for fearlessly pushing several buttons at once.
Audio Mixer: Rich Costey.
Recording information: Avatar Studios, New York, NY; Electric Lady Studios, NY; Miraval Studios, France; Office Meccaniche Studios, Milan, Italy; Townhouse Studios, London, England.
Photographer: Derrick Santini.
Arrangers: Matthew Bellamy; Chris Wolstenholme; Dominic Howard.
Muse: Matthew Bellamy (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Chris Wolstenholme (bass guitar); Dominic Howard (drums).
Personnel: Edoardo de Angelis (violin); Marco Brioschi (trumpet).
Rolling Stone (p.96) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[M]ixing together huge, doomy soundscapes, snarling guitars and space-age sound effects with Matthew Bellamy's operatic wail....[The album] will push your pleasure buttons."
Entertainment Weekly (p.81) - "[T]heir latest is also ambitious, impeccably built, and apt to induce fits of uncontrolled fist pumping."
Q (p.106) - 5 stars out of 5 -- "[Their] dynamic versatility means Muse's songs have a habit of changing gear three minutes in, suddenly opening out and becoming more anthemic. It's a neat trick."
Q (p.126) - Ranked #2 in Q Magazine's "100 Greatest Albums of 2006" -- "[The songs] consolidated their creators' position as rock's mad scientists."
Alternative Press (p.220) - 5 out of 5 -- "REVELATIONS is Muse's best work yet primarily because of the fluid balance it keeps between excess and restraint. For every dizzying crescendo, there's a delicate, serene come-down."
Kerrang (Magazine) (pp.46-47) - "It's massive, a rich, textured orgy of music, stuffed to the gills with myriad different sounds that spill out of your speakers in truly exhilarating fashion."
Kerrang (Magazine) (p.69) - Ranked #2 in Kerrang's "20 Greatest Albums of 2006" -- "[A] brave and willfully eccentric collection of songs."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.88) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[They] make a powerful gut-bustingly powerful noise -- the closing epic 'Knights of Cydonia' sounds like Deep Purple playing the hits of Nine Inch Nails."
Black Holes And Revelations Music
Muse - Black Holes And Revelations Songs
| 1 | Take a Bow
The Muse | 4:35 | $0.99 | |
| 2 | Starlight
The Muse | 4:03 | $0.99 | |
Black Holes And Revelations Music Review
Average Rating: (4.3 out of 5 stars)    List All 22 Reviews Muse,... but "modern"
I'm a prog fan, so, at the first listening I thought it was it was merely good, lacking the "risk" of previous efforts and a bit loose in its unity.
Further listenings gave me a more accurate opinion.
The problem can be that the songs are very different, with diversed styles, for a 45 minutes album. But, wasn't exactly THIS what a lot of music fans missed of the current bands?.
A must have!!!!. Either if you're a fan of modern rock, or you come from a more "classic" background, but with an open mind.
Submitted by Juan Carlos (Reading, Berks., UK)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 2 of 2 found this helpful.
 Haha listen to Graham from Dublin
This CD's bloody brilliant!
Hey all I have to say about this is that Muse is an acquired taste, so if you like the other British rock type stuff like Radiohead and Coldplay mixxed with Queen, go for Muse.
I like Showbiz a little better, but they're both pretty solid.
Submitted by some stoner (Oconto, WI)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 2 of 2 found this helpful.
 Speechless
Muse. I mean...Muse. I can't even put it into words. Matt Bellamy is a rock god. How did I live and breathe before Muse? I honestly don't know. The most important band on the face of the planet. I could gush all day, but I have to go listen to a Muse CD now. Buy this CD, buy ALL their CD's, see them live. Muse is life.
Submitted by Kelly (East Coast, USA) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 1 of 1 found this helpful.
amazing
this is my second album from muse, and it's amazing. the arrangements are pretty sick, and matt bellamy's voice is amazing, and this cd just rocks. i just got it like 6 hours ago and i've given it 3 full listens.
Submitted by vikvaughnthatnigga (river forest, il)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 1 of 1 found this helpful. Outstanding music
Every now and then, comes along a group of people, and together they make incredible music. I have not heard such great intense, lyrically significant, musically alive with energy. Best Album I have bought since the 80's .KP
Submitted by karen_papaphilippou (Los Angeles, CA, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No List All Reviews | Have you heard this album? |  |
Buy Black Holes And Revelations CD
Purchase Black Holes And Revelations CD
To buy, Click on price to add to cart
|
|
|
|
|
Share this Product