CD Review: Muse

The 2nd Law (Warner Bros.)

By Jeff Niesel on Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 4:00 am

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Until the release of 2009's Resistance, the English rock act Muse was much more popular in the UK than in the States. But Resistance delivered two commercial rock radio hits, and everything changed. Given that the stakes are now much higher, give these guys credit for not catering to the masses with the album, the anticipated follow-up to Resistance. The disc commences with the Radiohead-like "Supremacy," a tune that shows off Matthew Bellamy's ability to switch into a soaring falsetto that would make Freddie Mercury proud. Bellamy is in fine form here as he gets his funk on during the horn-driven "Panic Station" and effectively whispers his way through "Animal." The album has its missteps. "Follow Me" borrows a little too liberally from U2, and the theatrical "Survival" doesn't quite work. But overall, this is an adventurous album that shows this band is still peaking.

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About The Author

Jeff Niesel

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Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 20 years now. And on a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town, too. If you're in a band that he needs to hear, email him at [email protected].

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