Muse is a great band.

I’ve really come to enjoy Origin of Symmetry more than their follow up Absolution. Like a lot of my now favorite bands (such as Say Anything), Muse was introduced to me by my former roommate and good friend, Joe. He played the opening sequence of Absolution for me one day when we were driving in his car. The hard-banging, dark and repetitive piano chords sounded deep and full. I had a feeling I was going to like the album right then.

Singer Matthew Bellamy, who also plays guitar and keyboards, has a powerful voice with a pretty incredible range. And I respect that, as someone who sings. A lot of the time he draws out notes and holds them for long periods. Then he may just bust out some soft, high falsetto.

This threesome is from south west England. I’m not sure why, but I guess when a band from the UK with a powerful singer with a good falsetto voice is backed with intricate tunes of keyboards and guitar distortion they are compared to Radiohead. This happens a lot. If I was in Muse, I’d probably be sort of pissed, but not really. If Radiohead was ever to go darker and more aggressive they’d wish for a sound as solid as Muse. I think it was Muse’s first album, Showbiz, that drew the comparisons. Same producer, I believe, that did Radiohead’s fantastic second album, The Bends, released in 1995.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking Radiohead. I love them, actually.

It’s irritating for people who live for good music when people try to compare bands that aren’t all that similar. If someone wants to say that Muse sounds like Radiohead, I’m sure you could compare them based on the fact that they both use guitars, keyboards, drums and a singer to record albums. In that case, yes. They are similar. I heard someone compare Dispatch to Dave Matthews Band once. I laughed out loud in their face, I think.

Moving on. Back to what I set out to say.

I’ve just found myself rockin’ out to Origin of Symmetry more than Absolution. I think the opening two tracks, "New Born" and "Bliss," set the tone for the album very well. They both use complex synth and build to head banging moments of great aggressive drums and heavy guitar. Of course, strong vocal performances by Bellamy.

Origin of Symmetry is darker, I think. But it manages to be incredibly catchy and engaging. If you’re looking for a taste, check out “Plug in Baby” or “Darkshines” to sample. This album might have more piano too. Another reason why I've latched on so much.

Seriously, Absolution is great too. To me, it’s about overcoming hardship and re-birth. (That explanation sucked.) One day I was listening to the album while driving on the New Jersey Turnpike and it made so much sense to me. I wish I’d had a voice recorder because the underlying themes of the Absolution clicked in my head and I understood what the these three British dudes were trying to convey. It was beautiful, actually.

I was going to a job interview and “Butterflies and Hurricanes” was blaring out of my speakers. The lyrics:
“Don't, Let yourself down / And don't let yourself go / Your last chance has arrived. Best, You've got to be the best / You've got to change the world / And use this chance to be heard / Your time is now”
were… amazing.

For a taste of the musical talent of these guys, Absolution is probably a better showing.

I don’t know which one I like better now.

A new album is coming in July and I’m stoked. They also plan to tour the good ole “U.S. and A.” this fall. I’ll be there.




PS - as an aside, I was just typed "Dispatch fan" (without quotes) into Google and there's an old "Dave Matthews Band and Dispatch Fan Site" hosted on Angelfire that is no longer working right. Oh man, I can't believe it. Some people...