Muse - The 2nd Law Review

Happy Monday everybody. My friend Peter is a massive Muse fan and seeing as Muse aren't one of my priorities at the moment, I couldn't refuse when he said he would review their latest album "The 2nd Law". Please enjoy the works Peter Wisher!

Muse's "The 2nd Law" album artwork.

The one thing that defines Muse as a rock band is that they have never been afraid to do something radically different. Take The Resistance for example: a few virtuoso musicians had delved into a neo-classical style before (Yngwie Malmsteen, your cue to stand up), but who would have thought it possible for an alternative rock band to write a three-part symphony? Being a skilled pianist, maybe frontman Matt Bellamy felt it was instinct (one of Muse’s earlier hits Plug In Baby‘s riff quoted Bach’s Toccata in D minor). Although I regarded The Resistance as a bit of a let-down, Muse has clearly built on their experimental nature for The 2^nd Law.

Another thing about Muse is their style is instantly recognisable. At least it was already. In the days of Absolution and Origin of Symmetry, while never repetitive, there were always ridiculously heavy guitar riffs, Bellamy’s melodic falsetto and brilliant tunes that they are revered for today. But their sound has evolved since, as The Resistance showed, and The 2^nd Law features influences from (traditional Muse fans, brace yourself) funk, synth pop, 80s pop, dubstep, electro, house.... but don’t click away just yet, it’s still worth a listen and I can tell after listening to it repeatedly that the trio from Teignmouth have largely pulled it off.

Now, onto the album, track by track:

Supremacy-

Opening track ‘Supremacy’ is probably what most Muse fans were hoping to hear. The Zeppelin-esque octaves open into a metallicious, 7-string riff, which builds into Matt shrieking ‘YOUR SUUUUUPREMACYYYYYYYYY!!!’. Meanwhile the verses are the exact opposite, subdued with militaristic drumming from Dom complementing the mood. A cracking opener to the album- 9/10

Madness-

Matt described this track as ‘back to basics’ and I can’t help but agree: an electro snare beat and sparse synth are all that it is there for the first verse and chorus. Guitar finally enters in the second verse, but is not made prominent until an doubled guitar solo that could easily come out of Queen’s discography, that sounds like an outburst of emotion more than a bombastic high of say, Knights of Cydonia, but it is effective in linking the piece from quiet to emotionally loud ‘I need your love’ ringing out that will make you want to play this over and over. Absolute brilliance- 10/10

Panic Station-

Ah, a funk tune! This song features a full horn section (including musicians that played on Superstition, the Stevie Wonder classic), an infectious riff, and typically for the band Matt going crazy on his vocal line (a touch too OTT?) The music is spot on though, and is incredibly catchy! – 9/10

Prelude-

A throw-back to The Resistance, even if it’s only 57 seconds. A relaxing piano and strings interlude- 8/10

Survival-

Ever since this was revealed as the official Olympic song, and the lead single, eyes have rolled in distaste. For the benefit of those of you who couldn’t give a damn about the Olympics, this song is a thundering anthem that harks back to gladiatorial combat, with full choir backing, an unconventional structure and a screeching guitar solo to conclude. I can see why people don’t like it, even I didn’t like it at first, but it does grow on you. So what the lyrics are simple? It’s meant to be simple, because the song is about a simple thing: winning. It isn’t perfect, but still... the final breakdown kicks ass- 8.5/10

Follow Me-

It’ll be interesting to see the reaction to this up-tempo dance track. Touchingly it begins with Bellamy’s newborn son’s heartbeat, and follows on this theme with heartfelt vocals about fatherhood. Dance duo Nero helped on production for the song, and it is evident throughout. Die-hard fans will most likely want to cry after hearing this, but the more open-minded listener will regard this as a good effort from a rock band to get some electronic grooves going- 9/10

Animals-

This song also grows on you with every listen as well. While appearing to be one of the album’s quieter tracks, this is dispelled by ending with what sounds like a riot! Delay-ridden guitar, 5/4 cross rhythms and visions of humanity descending into chaos do make depressing listening though- 8.5/10

Explorers-

Muse said in an interview beforehand that they would include a lullaby on their next album, and this seems to be it. This song is probably the closest they have ever come to a ballad, yet lyrics telling of overpopulation of the planet add to the melancholy air the album has given us so far. Almost relaxing- 8/10

Big Freeze-

A Stadium stomp! ‘Big Freeze’ is one of the more up-tempo tracks that Muse have produced lately, which compares to a song U2 would compose and ‘Map of the Problematique’ from their 2006 album Black Holes and Revelations. Personally this is one of my favourite tracks on the album, and even includes a noisy guitar solo for good measure- 9/10

Save Me-

This is the first song that bassist Chris Wolstenholme has written for a Muse album, and he sings on it as well! Chris suffered from an almost fatal alcohol addiction for many years, and ‘Save Me’ is a testament to it. The mood of the song is captured by a mournful guitar figure in the bridge and a clashing minor harmony in the chorus. I would say it drags on for a bit too long, but this a sad number that will almost certainly make you cry- 8/10

Liquid State-

Another Wolstenholme-sung and written production, and arguably the heaviest song on the album, ‘Liquid State’ is also about his addiction. The opening riff screams prog metal-QOTSA fans, listen to this. Rather the opposite of ‘Save Me’, it ends rather abruptly after the second chorus, but I’d say this actually works rather well with the suspended atmosphere created by the song; the fans of Muse’s heavier material will lap this up- 8.5/10  

The 2^nd Law: Unsustainable-

Utterly bizarre. This track features a sinister stringed introduction; followed by what appears to be a science lecture; which abruptly cut off by a robotic shout of ‘UNSUSTAINABLE!’ a dubstep-style section then follows. What’s nice though is that Matt is using his guitar to create the dubstep noises, even if his guitars are heavily-modified. Despite the new direction on this track the dubstep is half-decent, but a warning to all: brace yourselves- 8/10

The 2^nd Law: Isolated System-

Invariably most listeners will regard this as Exogenesis Part 4- the album closer ‘Isolated System’ is very subdued and understated, with just piano, some strings and the loop from ‘Unsustainable’ playing. Probably the weakest track on the album, but still a decent little piano sonata to listen to- 7.5/10

The 2^nd Law is one of those marmite albums: you’ve either going to love it or absolutely hate it.  Some of the songs are undeniably fantastic, but inevitably some of Muse’s dedicated fanbase are probably going to listen to this then unceremoniously burn it. In my view: so what if it’s different? It’s good to hear a band evolve their style beyond the typical turn-up-to-eleven that a heck of a lot of bands resorts to these days, if they haven’t already turned screamo. Personally I think this album is a return to form after the disappointment of The Resistance. To first-time Muse listeners: This is a good place to start. However, to hardcore Muse fans, I heed one warning.... proceed with caution.