Review Summary: Over-the-top, prolific, and never subtle, Absolution shows Muse finally bringing everything to the table.
A band’s magnum opus often goes by without much praise. Creating a musical masterpiece may demand recognition, but it certainly does not guarantee it. Like a work of art, it often takes several decades before the general population becomes aware of just how inventive and ingenuous a band really
was. On the other hand, some bands are fortunate enough to enjoy the glory while it is happening. Muse’s
Absolution is, in a sense, the opposite of the subtlety associated with fine art. It is over-the-top, energetic, and it reeks of pretension. It has huge hooks, soaring choruses, and even a theme revolving around the apocalypse. Despite this, the album manages to create an entire spectrum of emotions within the mind of its listeners; and somewhere between the touching balladry and fist-pumping anthems, you might find yourself spellbound by Muse’s plea to bring on the end of the world.
Declare this an emergency
Come on and spread a sense of urgency
And pull us through
This is the end
This is the end
Of the world
Muse’s third album arrives with much fanfare. After a very brief introduction, “Apocalypse Please” explodes onto the scene with crashing piano notes, thunderous drums, and Bellamy’s unmistakable falsetto, screaming, “It's time we saw a miracle, come on it's time for something biblical!” It would not be a stretch to say that Bellamy is taunting God, fate, or whatever powers control this vast and unpredictable universe. From start to finish,
Absolution is full of declarations that really accentuate the brazenness of the album. Each statement the band makes on this record is delivered with a sense of utmost urgency, as is made apparent in the album’s largest hit, “Time Is Running Out.” Compelling tones such as this are accomplished mostly through the shredding of Matthew Bellamy’s guitar. Perhaps more so than on any other album,
Absolution is full of complicated riffs and technical, precise instrumentation. “Stockholm Syndrome” features one of the most recognized electric guitar riffs in modern rock n’ roll, and it even inspired a cover by progressive metal super-group Dream Theater. “Hysteria” follows in the same mold, with the catchiest guitar work in the band’s entire discography.
Despite the focus on instrumental detail, the infusion of classical music manages to make each track oddly accessible. “Sing for Absolution” is driven by classical piano notes, and serves to hint at the forthcoming epic, “Butterflies and Hurricanes” which features a one minute piano solo before pausing and exploding back into the chorus. The results are nothing short of breathtaking, along with a slew of other adjectives that won’t do justice to the raw beauty of that minute. Even without the classical influence, Muse manages to compose some truly stunning moments. “Blackout” is quite possibly the best ballad in Muse’s entire discography, featuring full orchestration and some of Bellamy’s most heartfelt lyrics:
This love's too good to last
And I'm too old to dream
Don't grow up too fast
And don't embrace the past
This life's too good to last
And I'm too young to care
“Ruled by Secrecy” is yet another accomplished ballad worthy of mention. It is seething with conspiracy and angst, while a monotonous drum beat and Bellamy’s apathetic hums create a sense of repressed bitterness that stands in stark contrast to the frank nature of the album. It serves as an intriguing way to close out
Absolution on a soft and mysterious note.
In the end,
Absolution ends up being the perfect balance between technical guitar/instrumental work and listenable music. One can just as easily be impressed with the technical aspects of the album as they can sing along to the catchy verses and choruses. Muse experiments in classical music considerably more than they do on prior releases, while simultaneously living up to the lofty guitar riff expectations set by
Origin of Symmetry. The concept of the album may be somewhat generic, but few artists have accomplished it with as much musical craftsmanship as Muse. Thus,
Absolution stands as Muse’s magnum opus and a modern day classic deserving of the acclaim it has already received.
