Artist: Muse
Title: The 2nd Law
Genre: Alternative
Release Date: 28th September 2012
Label: Warner Music
Album Review
The 2nd Law is infused with a beautiful craziness that needs to be heard, loud and clear. There were rumours before the release of this album that Muse were to change direction. In some ways, they have, all songs have a different scope and soundscape. The Muse fan-base must have had their nerves shaken but it’s guaranteed that Muse have done it again… with immense spectacle.
It begins with the incredibly powerful Supremacy, its menacingly omnipotent riff and tone could easily be a magnificent Bond song. Madness begins with a groovy electro beat that progresses into something profoundly emotive. Panic Station, the third song introduces you to their discothèque style, reminiscent of a 80s pop anthem. Then the instrumental Prelude; an obvious classical influence and also typical Muse territory. Yes, the canvas is broad; each song is a stand-alone song, making the album an unpredictable yet brilliant universe of music. There are operatic moments in the album that really pulls the strings, Survival, a well-orchestrated piece entwined with the intense beauty of rock and roll. The first dub-step inspired song on the album, Follow Me, surprisingly, works really well.
It’s great that Muse have had the ability and opportunity to experiment on this album, giving The 2nd Law a grand palette and dualities of sound. What hasn’t changed, however, is their pervasive Queen influence despite the experimentations and change of direction, although, not a weakness entirely, it now seems to be the basis of their natural sound until the greatest surprise on this album in a whole, are the songs The 2nd Law: Unsustainable and The 2nd Law: Isolated System. They are the dub-step anthems (yet Isolated System is more of a foreboding interlude) that relate to the rumours prior to the release of the album. Personally, they’re the best aspects on the record, such a distinctive departure from what I stated on the latter for which I applaud.
It’s obviously intentional that they’ve subjected the 2 songs (The 2nd Law) as the newly sounded Muse. Perhaps, with being the closing songs, they are tasters for what is to come and for what Muse are to become? An introductory experiment that somewhat becomes core of this wonderful album. THE 2nd LAW has negated all (personal) preconceptions, instead it has flawlessly exhibited what talented BELLAMY and his posse can do. This new dawn for Muse needs to be embraced en masse.
Tracklist
01. Supremacy
02. Madness
03. Panic Station
04. Prelude
05. Survival
06. Follow Me
07. Animals
08. Explorers
09. Big Freeze
10. Save Me
11. Liquid State
12. The 2nd Law: Unsustainable
13. The 2nd Law: Isolated System
Line-up
Matt Bellamy: Guitar, Vocals, Piano
Christopher Wolstenholme: Bass, Vocals, Keyboards, Rhythm Guitar, Harmonica
Dominic Howard: Drums, Percussion, Synthesisers, Sampling
Websites
www.muse.mu
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 9
Sound: 8
Total: 9 / 10
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