Muse - The Resistance

Muse isn't exactly breaking a lot of new ground here. This album is a little more operatic, a little more theatrical, a little more like Queen, but there's no real change to the sound they've had for years. It's actually one of the most predictable albums I've heard in years. I could guess some of the flourishes and melodies before they finished happening, and the only real surprise was when "Exogenesis", the three part symphony that closes the album and impresses the most of anything on the record, didn't explode bombastically at some point, instead merely building and then falling pretty beautifully.

It's not a bad album by any means, just an unexciting one for a group that's ostensibly unique and totally original. I can't think of any groups that have the mix of synth elements, driving bass, and falsetto vocals that make up their identity, but it doesn't quite sound new anymore. Also, Matthew Bellamy's guitar playing is totally restrained here, which is not a good thing at all. "Uprising", "Resistance", and "MK Ultra" sound like normal singles for the band; catchy, epic, and occasionally a bit silly. A couple tracks incorporate excerpts from classical music and operas, which is a bit pretentious, but doesn't really hurt them. "Guiding Light" is the epitome of sounding like they've done this all before. The key to whether you enjoy this album might hinge on whether you like Muse for their style or just for being a rock band.