Black Holes and Revelations

Strange things are happening on this album. Speculation of New World Order conspiracy theories abound. Alien invasions, oil dependency, thievery, corruption and general disenchantment with global politics, the Muse revolution is upon us, well not quite. Lyrical content aside, the most unusual aspect of Black Holes & Revelations is the sound. The Teignmouth trio are older, tighter and have a lot more leverage with recording time. There seem to be no constraints; the only way to describe this aural assault is seamlessly schizophrenic, if that makes any sense? This album is completely bonkers, and it is all the better for it.

Opening track ‘Take a Bow’ is slightly misleading as its grandiose nature hints at the previous album ‘Absolution’. However, proceedings then take a sharp turn. Second track, ‘Starlight’ is a big ballsy disco anthem with an infectious fuzzy bass loop and dare I say handclaps, is this really Muse? Third track ‘Supermassive black hole’ sounds like Beck has been trapped in a pair of Lenny Kravitz bell-bottoms, all falsetto vocals and funky double tracked guitar. Assassin starts with a pummelling riff that is straight out of the Queens of the Stone Age songbook. All angst and aggression layered with an ethereal lilt from singer Matt Bellamy. The tub-thumping then gives way to a subtle Weezer-like groove that slowly reveals the most infectious melodic moment on the album in Exo-politics.

With recordings spread over two continents, it is the numbers completed at Electric Lady studios in New York that really get the feet tapping. There are hints of Scissor Sisters, Bowie, any number of studio 54 disco acts and the ghost of Hendrix never too far away. Yes, this is the result of three very talented musicians holed up in an alien environment with an eclectic music collection for solace.

Black Holes & Revelations is a great genre mash-up. It is also, the most accessible and enjoyable MUSE album yet.

Rating: 4 stars.