Not the Pièce de Résistance We’d Hoped For

Arguably one of today’s best progressive rock bands, Muse have revealed their much-anticipated new album The Resistance. While well-known in the U.S., Muse are one of England’s biggest rock bands, capable of selling out any venue they choose. The band have always been driven by their art, but their new album trkes to take that product into new realms.

Starting the album strong is their very catchy single “Uprising.” If the heavy bass and fast organ synth lines don’t get your feet tapping on this song then you’ll definitely find yourself chanting along with the lyrics, “They will not control us / We will be victorious.” The Resistance is chock full of epic piano numbers and energetic attitude as on “Unnatural Selection,” which borrows guitar riffs from their earlier “Newborn” but has such a high energy level it still rocks. There are also divergent songs like “Undisclosed Desires,” which seems more like a simple R&B jam then the Muse we’re accustomed to. The album concludes with what seems like a rock operetta, “Exogenesis.” Spanning three tracks and 13 minutes, this was something frontman Matt Bellamy has talked about for years but didn’t feel fit into previous albums.

Following their award-winning double-platinum Black Holes and Revelations three years ago, Muse’s new album The Resistance is sure to be a fan pleaser, however, it may not be for everyone. The content is more of the progressive rock we know and love but it seems far from innovative. Borrowing fragments from Queen-style stadium rock and overdramatic soundtracks, The Resistance is worth a listen but geared more towards longtime fans.