The Resistance - Muse

[TheAmazingTGIF]

I would like to start out by saying that I own all of Muse (even their live preformance at Le Zenith.
The CD has 11 songs (a bonus comes from iTunes) which totals at just under an hour.
The Resistance has more in common with Absolution that with any of their other CDs. Most of their songs are a little slower than some of their more popular songs (Knights of Cydonia, Hysteria, etc.). This is not a bad thing. The songs are still just as good, but it was not as fast paced as I was expecting from their pre-released single: Uprising.
Also, The Resistance tends to incorporate more classical sounds. This works fairly well with Muse's sound.
But most importantly is the flow. One of the reasons I love Muse is that their songs flow so seemlessly between tracks on their CDs. Especially in Absolution and Black Holes and Revelations. The flow that would effortlessly link Take A Bow to Starlight to Supermassive Black Hole to Map of the Problematique is all but gone. A good majority of the songs fade out at the end and the only real flow is between Undisclosed Desires and United States of Eurasia/Collateral Damage (Excerpt from Nocturne in E-flat, Op. 9 No. 2). Why is there no real flow between: Exogenesis Parts 1, 2, and 3? This does take away from the album but by no means kills the album.
My personal favorites were Black Holes and Revelations and Absolution. While Muse is still making great songs, the flow is nowhere to be found (mostly) and while it takes away from the whole the album is still good.

Personal rating: 3.5-4 out of 5.

The Resistance Track Listing
(iTunes LP - The Resistance) [only on iTunes (?)]
Uprising
Resistance
Undisclosed Desires
United States of Eurasia/Collateral Damage (Excerpt from Nocturne in E-flat, Op. 9 No. 2
Guiding Light
Unnatural Selection
MK Ultra
I Belong to You/ Mon cceur s'ouvre a ta voix
Exogenesis: Symphony, Part 1 (Overture)
Exogenesis: Symphony, Part 2 (Cross-pollination)
Exogenesis: Symphony, Part 3 (Redemption)

The Last Words: Good, better than most other crappy music out there. Not Muse's best. But worth a listen, if not a download.

 

[Zombie_Fish]

(even their live preformance at Le Zenith.

Was that the one on the second disc of Hullabaloo[footnote]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hullabaloo_Soundtrack Huh, so that's how footnotes work.[/footnote]? If it is, I have that as well. Nice...

I want to get this at some point, possibly Wednesday as I have the whole afternoon off. I don't download stuff, though, with the exception of really obscure albums I can't get any other way, so I'll just buy it in the stores.

Good review, I would've liked a bit more detail about -- possibly the history of Muse, the hype leading up to this album, some music know-how/ language and a rundown of each song and your opinion about it perhaps -- but it was good for the run.

 

[JesseTheGoon]

I have to agree with you, I really think that they should have continued along with a fast paced musical settling along the lines of BH&R and some of their earlier albums... I think that being symphonic and everything has it's place, but I expected more to be brutally honest~ Wheres the beef?

 

[Disaster Button]

It's weird cos I love their slow songs as much as the fast ones. Unintended has to be one of their slowest songs and one with the least amount of their sound in and I tihnk it's one of their best

 

[TheAmazingTGIF]

It's weird cos I love their slow songs as much as the fast ones. Unintended has to be one of their slowest songs and one with the least amount of their sound in and I tihnk it's one of their best

I agree, it just took me by surprise.

 

[slipknot4]

Muse will always be muse. however i like Black holes and revelations more than this one.

 

[pantsoffdanceoff]

It was a terrible album. MK Ultra and Uprising or the only two songs worth even listening to in the background. I don't mind when artists take a new direction as longs as they still play to their strengths, that's why you don't see Tom Morello doing opera. I almost cried when I realized the symphonies were actually symphonies...
I don't mind symphonies, but it would be nice if it was done by someone who actually is a fucking composer.
I was really hoping this album would make up for the Artic Monkey's shitty album but it didn't, it was more like salt in a wound.

 

[megapenguinx]

I personally thought this was their weakest CD yet. But then again I haven't spent much time with it, so maybe a little more time will help me appreciate the finer things more.

 

[SantonioH10]

It's kinda hard to top Black Holes and Revelations, but I'm excited to give the new album a try. Thanks for the review.

 

[tsatoma]

I believe that this is one of their best records yet (only on par with Absolution).
It's simply beautiful. I have no problem with bands pushing new styles and I feel Muse did an amazing job with The Resistance. Every song flows well together, they're all lovely to listen to, and they make me feel great/creeped out/enlightened/restless/etc.

 

[QuirkyTambourine]

I like the review, not too familiar with Muse, my buddy's the one who's crazy about them. Anyways, one small point of contention; I really don't like that you've given this a numerical value. I like your "Last Words" section, and since you reviewed it in a coherent manner, I'd take your word for it. You don't need to assign a numerical value to music, just a recommendation. It seems like you're very familiar with this band so I'd feel comfortable following your suggestions.

 

[Spleenbag]

Thanks for the tip. I enjoyed Absolution and BH&R (not a fan of Origin of Symmetry though) and I may pick this up, as I like their slower songs too.

 

[Aqualung]

Personally, I thought Absolution > Origin of Symmetry > Resistance > Black Holes and Revelations > Showbiz = Hullabaloo.

This album has some pretty addictive songs, I have to admit. And although I do miss the definite emphasis on guitar that OoS had, The Resistance has a lot more focus on incorporating the piano, as well as orchestra, which sounds amazing.

I agree a bit on the flow, and Exogenesis' part 1 and 2 could have been linked more smoothly with leaving part 3 as it was. But overall, I really like this album- it's wonderful to see how Muse has evolved, and in some ways, matured, while keeping the overall theme of the band that they've been known for for so many years.

EDIT: Oh, and for anyone who felt this quick review was lacking visuals.. The album cover is in my avatar.

 

[lolmynamewastaken]

Muse are one of those insufferable bands that you will always love right up until they skin your cats not matter what else they do.
he says sitting here in his muse hoodie.
Edit: i found showbiz and origin of symetry to be the best albums thanks to songs like sunburn and new born

 

[Darth Sea Bass]

To be honest showbiz and origin of symetry have always been my faves by muse.

 

[Xvito]

It was a terrible album. MK Ultra and Uprising or the only two songs worth even listening to in the background. I don't mind when artists take a new direction as longs as they still play to their strengths, that's why you don't see Tom Morello doing opera. I almost cried when I realized the symphonies were actually symphonies...
I don't mind symphonies, but it would be nice if it was done by someone who actually is a fucking composer.
I was really hoping this album would make up for the Artic Monkey's shitty album but it didn't, it was more like salt in a wound.

Right you are, sir.

Up to this point I've almost liked everything by MUSE, but this album was dreadful...

Also, "Tom Morello doing opera"; I'd pay to see that.

 

[Disaster Button]

I just went out and bought that. I gotta say I absoloutely love it. One of their best I think.

I still rekcon Unintended was their best song ever tho

 

[Rand-m]

Like Muse. LOVED Absolution. I'll check it out.

 

[electric_warrior]

haven't heard the album yet, but the songs they performed on jools holland were great.

favourite muse song is butterflies and hurricanes. no one agrees with me, but i love it.

 

[Smudge91]

I want that album soo much, i will go buy tomorrow. I thought that the songs sound like the love child of Freddie Mercury and IAMX, my ears like it.
Personally though i think Absolution is their best album.