Muse – Origin of Symmetry [2001]
Muse – oh, they’re that band that sounds like Radiohead, aren’t they? Fortunately, on Origin of Symettry, no. Showbiz was good, but Origin of Symettry Muse have moved on. They have created a much more vivid soundscape which is as overblown as it is creative as it is brilliant. Not even the two singles could have prepared you for this.
The album opens with second single New Born. Whilst first single Plug In Baby was good, New Born is amazing. It is totally overblown in a rock opera sort of way and is one of the standout tracks on the album.
Next is Bliss, rumoured to be the third single from the album. It opens with what sounds like a harp, which mutates into an electronic keyboard. This plays a totally wild arpeggio, before the drums kick in and this arpeggio combined with the guitars and drums makes it totally euphoric. The end of the chorus is totally haunting, and one the second chorus the arpeggio gets a solo, then then it builds beautifully. The whole effect is another stand out track, as it ends with the harp again.
Space Dementia follows. Whilst New Born and Bliss are both quite experimental, this is the first tracks which is hard to get into. The piano opens it like a classical piece, showing this influence in their music, and another arpeggio, but on a classical piano begins. However heavier guitars and drums give it a totally different sound to Bliss. Whilst Bliss is euphoric, Space Dementia is extremely down, with lyrics like ‘You make me sick/Because I adore you so’. Get into it however and you will find it is yet another brilliant track. It is also very overblown and ends with a spacey sound, accompanied with a slow grunge instrumental.
Hyper Music is next. It starts with some heavy distortion and gothically chilling singing from Matt. However once it starts fully it turns out to be very catchy. The high Gothic singing continues. It sounds like a chorus is starting and it sounds very experimental. However it is really just like a different type of verse. The whole thing is excellent. Matt screams at one point, which is something he never did on Showbiz.
It flows right into Plug In Baby, the first single from the album. In fact the whole album seems to flow. Plug In Baby is totally infectious but not as deep as some of the other tracks. The mad fast guitar solo gives it a characteristic style. It sounds like one of the best tracks from Showbiz rather than one of the best on Origin of Symettry however. Which is still very good.
Sixth is the art-rock masterpiece that is Citizen Erased. It sounds nearly exactly the same live and has a very live sound. This is probably, although difficult to get into, the best song on the album. It is over 7 minutes long and is like a Bohemian Rhapsody for the new generation. The vocals and lyrics are amazing. The dischord and distortion is so effective at the beggining, followed by a wonderful verse. Guitars and organ combine with worryingly catchy gothic style vocals in the chorus. The haunting last note continues through the quiet bit and a plaintive guitar solo follows. The vocals come back in, softer this time. The chorus is done again in a much softer setting, but the bass is quietly building and the mad guitar that open the song return. Then a mad guitar solo kicks in, and its absolutely crazy sound make for one of the best ever. The twangy quiet guitar comes in, accompanied by spacy sounds (they’re now making a habit of these) and Matt’s chilling ‘ooh’s’. This is beauty!
The spacey sound fades out into a song that sounds exactly like Bliss, but only for a moment. It is Micro Cuts, and is also brilliant. The vocals are very distorted and high. The chorus is overblown. The vocals are impossible to make out and when Matt hits top note it resounds at a pitch a woman couldn’t make. The vocals really are opera style here – something Matt is making a habit out of. However it sounds like he’s taking the (…)out of opera, as it is accompanied by prog-rock guitars. Another masterpiece.
Next is Screenager, which features the welcome return of Latin guitars, like the ones in Muscle Museum. Another beautiful chilling melody. There is the fourth electronic arpeggio of the album in the chorus, however it still sounds equally individual. Harp is also used. This is one of the lighter tracks on the album.
Dark Shines sounds like a guitar-fuelled disco song at the begginning as they turn to the drum machine. Spacey sounds build however and we get a typically rocky muse chorus that sounds like the style of Cave, but with more offbeat drums. There is then a guitar solo that sounds like an electric violin playing a latin melody. We return to the dancey drums and bass, and its only Matt’s vocals which stop us feeling the groove totally. Another masterpiece. Builds into a weird guitar solo before changing entirely, having a short guitar and vocals burst which sounds like a new song and ending.
Next is the cheeky cover ‘Feeling Good’. However they take this jazz classic and make it their own, in a jazz rock way which is reminiscent of parts of Showbiz. They use guitars amazing, especially the one that floats like the piano in the original. It really sounds like Muse wrote it, and is the most transforming cover I’ve ever heard that worked. It is driven on with the drums and an ominous bass line which give it a pounding, depressed, slow grunge feel which takes the (…)out of the uplifting lyrics of Nina Simone. However the piano returns it to jazz. There is then a very weird distorted vocal section before returning to the main song.
Final track Megalomania has a long, down intro before adding a sound that sounds like workers working on a steel railroad, which makes it sound scarily like The Intense Humming Of Evil by the Manics. However the similarity ends here. Ominous organ leads into a chorus which is both down and uplifting at the same time. The song is a beauty.
In conclusion, there really isn’t a bad track on this album. Muse have put so much effort into it, and it hasn’t gone to waste. One of the best albums ever. Now all I need to do is see them live – their TV performances and live reviews promise much.
Tracklist
1. New Born (6:03)
2. Bliss (4:12)
3. Space Dementia (6:20)
4. Hyper Music (3:21)
5. Plug in Baby (3:39)
6. Citizen Erased (7:19)
7. Micro Cuts (3:38 )
8. Screenager (4:20)
9. Dark Shines (4:47)
10. Feeling Good (3:19)
11. Megalomania (4:38 )
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