With 2009 comes Muse’s fifth studio album, The Resistance. It is their most challenging and similarly most rewarding listen to date. The tracks that make up The Resistance are nearly devoid of the hard-hitting, metallic guitar leads which were not only prominent but the very foundation of Muse’s albums which precede The Resistance. Without this to fall back on, the new set of songs lacks the same immediacy of previous Muse records but in the long run, there’s a lot more room for appreciation and with it, respect. From the very first track, Uprising, the most straight-forward of the whole album, Matthew Bellamy reminds us that he’s not only an exquisite musician, but also a stunning lyricist. As soon as he lets out the line, "Rise up and take the power back, it's time that / The fat cats had a heart attack…” listeners will be ready to follow Bellamy on a march to the ends of the Earth. Equally powerful on The United States of Eurasia, Bellamy channels both Brian May and Freddie Mercury of Queen and creates the most heart-stopping, jaw-dropping tune Muse has ever produced. Finishing the album with a 3-part, 13-minute, epic symphony, it’s clearer than ever that Muse is stepping into its own and has vision to spare. Although Bellamy trades in his beloved electric guitar on most tracks, opting for the classical appeal of a grand piano, no power is lost on this record. With Black Holes & Revelations, Muse gained mass appeal they had not previously enjoyed. With The Resistance, Muse proves they deserved it.
F I N A L - R E V I E W: ✖✖✖✖✖ [4.5/5]
tracks of note:
Resistance
United States Of Eurasia (+ Collateral Damage)
I Belong To You/Mon Cæur S'ouvre Á Ta Voix
