Muse are a band that are the source of much argument in contemporary rock music. Are they a futuristic group in the post-Radiohead era, forging music of explosive, effect-layered grandeur driven by the undoubtedly talented Matt Bellamy, or are they a farcical outfit, a backward-looking musical ensemble who are not so much a progression from the stadium rock of Queen, U2, and, more recently, contemporaries Queens of the Stone Age, as a band firmly routed in the heavy riffage of the late 70s and 80s? I couldn't give a flying fuck. The arguments over the how-serious-should-you-take-me tone and monolithic flamboyance of Muse's music are pointless, or more to the point, they miss the point. Muse create music of almost limitless appeal. There is something in each of their albums, particularly the latest and most brilliant of these, Blackholes and Revelations, to please everyone. Well, almost everyone. There music, quite simply, is to be enjoyed for what it is. The video embedded above is taken from part of their set for E4's Abbey Road live recordings, and shows them at the peak of their powers, performing the apocalyptically epic Knights of Cydonia. Seven minutes of pomp, layered effects, tremolo arms, fast picking, and monster riffage. Top stuff.
Muse are a band that are the source of much argument in contemporary rock music. Are they a futuristic group in the post-Radiohead era, forging music of explosive, effect-layered grandeur driven by the undoubtedly talented Matt Bellamy, or are they a farcical outfit, a backward-looking musical ensemble who are not so much a progression from the stadium rock of Queen, U2, and, more recently, contemporaries Queens of the Stone Age, as a band firmly routed in the heavy riffage of the late 70s and 80s? I couldn't give a flying fuck. The arguments over the how-serious-should-you-take-me tone and monolithic flamboyance of Muse's music are pointless, or more to the point, they miss the point. Muse create music of almost limitless appeal. There is something in each of their albums, particularly the latest and most brilliant of these, Blackholes and Revelations, to please everyone. Well, almost everyone. There music, quite simply, is to be enjoyed for what it is. The video embedded above is taken from part of their set for E4's Abbey Road live recordings, and shows them at the peak of their powers, performing the apocalyptically epic Knights of Cydonia. Seven minutes of pomp, layered effects, tremolo arms, fast picking, and monster riffage. Top stuff.