Muse : The Resistance Album Review

I  would  first  like to say this album  was a complete surprise to me     i  never really listened to these  guys  before this album  so for this album i  am grateful  for the  contact with their previous releases..I am unsure as to their  influences a lot  say  Queen  which  to no doubt there is glam rock influence can be heard  and a deliberate incorporation of Chopin , there is also a R&B influence in the track undisclosed desires ,  but they  remind me of  so many  bands   the  thing i like about this band they don't  fit into a category .I think  that the piano playing is exceptional  and from all reports they are a great  band to see live in an arena type atmosphere .Muse hail from Devon in England they were originally a  3  piece band  consisting of Matthew Bellamy (lead vocals, guitars, piano, keyboards, keytar), Christopher Wolstenholme (bass, backing vocals, keyboards, guitars, harmonica) and Dominic Howard (drums, percussion, synthesisers, backing vocals, sampling). After the release of their 2006 album Black Holes and Revelations, keyboarder and percussionist Morgan Nicholls has performed live with the band. .As of the date of this post they currently have  5   studio albums released Showbiz, Origin of Symmetry , Absolution , Black Holes and Revelations  and  The Resistance . Here is the track list  and song durations also a song  by song review i hope you like  it
1         Uprising                                                                      5:03
2         Resistance                                                                  5:47
3         Undisclosed Desires                                                    3:56
4         United States Of Eurasia (+Collateral Damage)              5:48
5         Guiding Light                                                               4:13
6         Unnatural Selection                                                      6:55
7         Mk Ultra                                                                     4:06
8         I Belong To You (+Mon Cœur S'Ouvre A Ta Voix)           5:39
9         Exogenesis: Symphony Part I (Overture)                       4:18
10       Exogenesis: Symphony Part II (Cross-Pollination)          3:56
11       Exogenesis: Symphony Part III (Redemption)                4:37

1 - Uprising : Starts off sounding like a remixed doctor who track with hand clapping being quite prevalent  the  song  is   on a whole a good song it's a anti  suppression song a real  let me be free track i did get a feeling   that  vocally Bellamy sounds bored through some of the track but that is just an inclination , overall  though a highly energetic opening to an album


2- Resistance :Nice ambiance to begin the track  Bellamy delivers a brilliant performance here  i can  hear all members playing  which i like  you  can feel the energy  in the  track  the song  is a tad cheesy though especially the " you could be wrong "repeats  in the chorus not a bad  song though  has  some good electronic sound  in it 

3- Undisclosed Desires : A bold change of  style and  tempo it rather turns into a electronic and R&B  infusion its actually a very good attempt but i  think this is one song  you get the feeling that  it shouldn't be on this album  not that  its  bad on the contrary its  shows the unfolding , adventurous  and creativity that muse has and their boldness to go in new directions

4- United States Of Eurasia (+Collateral Damage) : Love this song its   breathtaking   i cant believe  this wasn't  a single , obviously   they sound like queen here i have two impressions (A) : lyrically is he trying to  meld the continents together to create oneness or (B): A statement that the U.S.A is slowly swallowing  everything  through force ,whatever is the  case the piano work is   fantastic  and the song towards the end has a  beautiful  piano Nocturne In E-Flat Major, Op.9 No.2 by Frederick Chopin how many bands do a  rock ballad with  classical  infusions with  jet engines zooming past '

5- Guiding Light : Slow song  with a Strong drumbeat you actually get to  hear a guitar solo which is rare on this album it  sounds like a 80s power ballad Bellamy drags out every second word overall not a bad song its just lacks something  i can't  put my finger on it

6- Unnatural Selection : Beautiful Pipe organ beginning that starts slowly then  breaks out into a high paced rock track  with a nice  guitar riff  great lyrics also has a few tempo changes  one of the better songs  of the album

7- Mk Ultra : Heavy synth sounding track named after the mk ultra  program in the 50s , 60s and 70s it was eventually brought to light by Kathy O'Brian who was a test guinea pig for the C.I.A mind control experiments not a bad song its  probably one of the weaker songs on the album for me  though

8- I Belong To You (+Mon Cœur S'Ouvre A Ta Voix) :  Very upbeat song gets  you tapping your foot  there is a  great clarinet piece in this  and the piano as usual stands out  its  actually half french  the transformation from english to french is done so  well apparently a portion of this track is from the opera sampson and delilah also the french title means My heart Opens To Your Voice so uplifting  probably a close second as far as favourite track  goes

9- Exogenesis: Symphony Part I (Overture)  . Beautiful. Epic. Sweeping. Built for a soundtrack. ". This song is a masterpiece. It's the first time I've felt chills listening to a song in a while...well, a new song that is. It is very dark, very dramatic, and just plain beautiful.

10-Exogenesis: Symphony Part II (Cross-Pollination)  :Beautiful intro piano-work. Matt is a wonderful pianist who sounds to be classically trained. After the epic first part (Overture), "Cross-Pollination" comes in and slows it down a bit as a slow-burning ballad with Matt and his piano doing most of the work. There are times where the whole band comes in, and then slows it back down to usher in the grand finale...

11-Exogenesis: Symphony Part III (Redemption) :Another beautiful song. Gorgeous piano playing by Matt. The accompanying of the strings in the background make this song almost bring you to tears. It builds you up to just get almost loud enough and then slows you back down...never letting it get out of hand. A beautiful, wonderful way to end the album. .

Conclusion :  The muse  are  gifted they are experimental and best of all they pull off  what they experiment with  there isn't a bad song on this album   not  that  there is many hits either its  just a solid listen  the piano playing is exceptional    i felt there was a couple of below average tracks on here though .But all in all Muse continue to diversify and  go down different paths  and do so without losing their  core  fanbase a real testament , this band shows so much promise and i am eagerly looking forward to their next release for me the best song on here  is United States Of Eurasia (+Collateral Damage) the  Exogenesis symphony was  awesome as well  and  I Belong To You , an interesting addition to their discography 7/10

V.A.S.T : Visual Audio Sensory Theater Album Review

In 1998 a little unknown by the  name  of Jon Crosby   under the acronym of V.A.S.T. released his self titled debut album , its  a harmonious blend of  Gothic , Industrial and a New Age  Ambiance , a electric and  acoustic   marriage set over a shadowy  lyrical  backdrop.
I was very  impressed with the  guitar work, the awe inspiring vocals, and the realistic and earthy chanting  in this very solid debut. As far as album  art goes i am not sure who the eye belongs too  and where it was taken or who worked on the graphics but they did a great job  the cover demands attention. Production of the album was superb  also  the samples used from "The Nile's Edge", "Somewhere Else To Be" and "You": "Salve Regina" by The Benedictine Monks of the Abby Saint-Maurice and Saint-Maur, Cleraux

TRACKLIST
   

1		Here	4:57
2		Touched	3:57
3		Dirty Hole	5:36
4		Pretty When You Cry	3:50
5		I'm Dying	4:09
6		Flames	4:37
7		Temptation	3:09
8		Three Doors	5:04
9		The Niles Edge	4:29
10		Somewhere Else To Be	3:05
11		Untitled	3:41
12		You	4:58

   
   
   
   
1 : Here - A powerful classical introduction that  ends up industrial sounding  with electric guitars makes me feel  he  is asking the big question  where am i in the scheme of things?  a state of limbo or perfection ? a man searching for something but  always   just out of his grasp perhaps ' Crosby states "All I know is that I'm here / drifting somewhere in the past / Somewhere in eternity / I never want to leave". Has classical intro that abruptly runs into industrial rhythm's and electric guitars.      
   
   
2 : Touched -  The most  famous song  on the album and without this song  none of the other gems would not of been unearthed for the majority of cd/mp3 owners contains samples from "Pilentze Pee-Pilentze" by Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares and from "Bo Go Gyaling", "Tibetan Buddhist Rites From The Monasteries Of Bhutan - Vol 2" . The chanting is impressive such a beautiful demonstration  of soaring vocals and emotion all at once
Touched was promoted heavily  with   the movie The Beach  which probably drove half the market to this cd, Crosby's vocals and composure shine brightly.
   
   
3 : Dirty Hole - Contains samples from "Sounds Of The South" darkest song on the album for me. Begins with a chilling organ that made me think of a Gothic cathedral perhaps  hearing it  in a  old cloister on a still  winters night, samples are haunting and  eerie strong vocals; The song seems to  be  about the dangers of letting the sexual demons loose Crosby's voice blends beautiful with the haunting  atmosphere he has made       

  
4 : Pretty When You Cry - I think we have intentionally hurt someone   that  we love just  to see their reaction out of malice or spite . "I didn't mean to hurt you / but you're pretty when you cry." .A haunting bliss of gothic/industrial; . The piano combined with a strong bass line make this song amazing. .
   
   
5 : I'm Dying - Perhaps a spiritual statement  made  to remind himself or others that  we are mortal that each day we march to the inevitable certainty. Crosby screams "Not one day goes by that I don't know that I'm dying"  Once again the the chants plus the industrial-style guitars and rhythm back up the nice vocals and honest lyrics very well.    

  
6 : Flames - Nice soothing  guitar  almost folk  sounding with a cello playing sung with so much  felt  compassion and love its hard  to describe it . You can feel the  intense emotion in Jon's voice Flames has the ability to put you in tears and/or lull you to sleep in peace. A love song on another level; beautifully composed, it just has to  be experienced


7 : Temptation - An admission of vulnerability, with the simple and repetitive "You are my temptation" as Crosby attempts to pull out of the swoon from the previous song. Loud, overpowering, effusive. Awake now? Yes the opening guitar on this immediately made me love it, and the rest of the song doesn't disappoint, it's another adrenaline song with one of the best choir chorus's in the album
   

   

8 : Three Doors - Another quality rhythmic  track  i was so hooked on this song  for a long time  catchy  song  "Three doors to go through / I only want the one that leads to you". " This is  your only chance at immortality  I can give you strength  but i cant  give you the key"
   

   

9 : The Niles Edge - I really  like this song also    nice  Somber and surreal brilliant vocals and sampling but  is out of  the league  of Flames when it comes to emotion
   
   
10 :Somewhere Else To Be - Song of soul searching;  Crosby delivers with thought-provoking, melodic, and versatile vocal talent  . Desperate for escape, "I wish I could run / from everyone / Give me somewhere else to be... give me out, that's all I need." Perhaps a time when Jon wasn't comfortable  in his  own skin .Blends  into the next track with  ease
       
   
11 : Untitled - It serves a definite purpose on this album - a nice exit from 'Somewhere Else to Be'  this is a great song, the male choir is enchanting,  it just sinks into you without any warning until you're utterly subdued Beautiful transition piece,   


12 : You -   A  great finish for this album  i love the  sounds in this track  the  song is beautiful sung with compassion The spacey keyboard takes you to a completely different place,  a gentle fitting to a great album  he  gently  takes  you to the end.  "You can't take anything with you / Except the love I have for you." . Amazing closing piece combining breathy vocals and soothing electronics

Conclusion : This is a outstanding debut album , Jon does get compared a lot to Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails i  don't think  there is a lot personally its just they are both one man  projects and happen to be in the same genre i think the music is different, For me the  best  song  on here  is  Flames for a slow moving  hit that is deep   but if you like a bit more  fast moving songs  Temptation and Three doors  are great songs .
Overall a stunning debut well sampled ,well sung and worthy of having a spot  in  the  cd/mp3 collection , a great listen 8/10