Muse: The 2nd Law: Track By Track Review.

OK, so I have had to incredible fortune of listening to this album before its release date (thankyou JB HiFi) and have been waiting for it to come out for a long time. I have heard every track as it has been released, basically begged for money so I could get the vinyl boxset. Being a huge Muse fan, this album was one of the most exciting things to happen this year.

And, I have to say, it didn't disappoint.

Their last album, The Resistance (2009), was great - but was a little lacklustre. Part of me was hoping Muse were just trying the more accessible songs out, rather than fading away. It turns out, they weren't. The 2nd Law has a different sound on every track, and has amped up the sounds of The Resistance tenfold.

Overall, the album mixes epic string sections with popular dance, sprinkled with Freddie Mercury inspired vocals over the top. A lot of people have said it sounds as if it's where Queen would have went if they were still around, but unlike in their last album - the Queen influence is actually very subtle. There aren't as many opera-like falsettos as were found in United States of Eurasia, just a cheeky vibe from Bellamy that hasn't really been seen in a Muse album before.

Since this album is so varied, I thought I would do a track by track mini-review so you guys can get a general feel for this great album.

1 - SupremacySo, the album hits the ground running and begins with a gritty guitar riff and a hard drum beat, adding in epic strings to just raise it up another bar. There are the typical Muse vocals, and the dystopic vibe that seems to be a theme in Muse's work. This is definitely one to rock out to, work out to, or just have on while you walk to the local shop, in your mind fighting a huge dystopic war (wait, am I the only one that does that?)

2 - Madness

This is very, very different to the first track. Where I am used to a large sound from Muse songs - this seemed a lot more subdued. This is the track where Bellamy adds a little cheekiness into the vocals and it has no dystopic theme in the lyrics. It's actually a very accessible love song, made different by the constant ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-mad-mad-mad scrolling through the background. There is even an awesome Queen-esque guitar solo in there. Very different for Muse, but it's as if they've done it for years.

Since it was a single, I'll actually link you to this one:

3 - Panic Station

First epic, then subdued and now... funky? Awesome funky bass-work, a soulful (and again, cheeky) vocal performance by Bellamy. This is one of my absolute favourites from the album. Michael Jackson seems to be an influence here - and I can't wait until I can see Bellamy strut around the stage to it. The music in itself is very funky, but has the Muse-rock edge. Again very different, but I love it.

4 - Prelude

A 53 second piece of classical string music. Very beautiful, and gets you psyched for the next track.

5 - Survival

Yep, the Olympic theme song. When listening to it this time, I thought of the actual meaning behind the song rather than the 'I'm gonna win an Olympic race' theme behind it when it was first released. In the album, it fits perfectly into the human race's attitudes in this dystopic, unsustainable world. Very epic, with Opera backings. If you haven't heard it already, here it is:

6 - Follow Me

Once again, pulls back from the intense insanity of the last track. This seems more like a soft, atmospheric ballad building up with a heartfelt vocals and ambient sounds, before hitting into the chorus where it turns into a pop-dance track. Yep, so far there is funk, dance, epicness, a love song. This album seems to have it all. Trivia: the beat in the background is actually Matt Bellamy's son's heartbeat.

7 - Animals

This isn't a standout for me, but still a very solid song. Sounds a lot like their previous stuff, so it is nice in there to remind you 'this is actually Muse you are listening to'. The guitar in it is actually great (kind of Pink Floyd prog rock style before rocking out with a fast solo) - it just doesn't do much to excite me. Nice addition to the album, but not much can be said about it.

8 - Explorers

Begins with a very simple piano, with Bellamy singing softly over it. Its like a lamentation, very beautiful lyrics about humanity and their relationship to nature. Soft strings come in, as Bellamy chants 'free me from this world', and it gives me goosepimples. For anyone who is angry at what humanity is doing to nature, this song will hit you on a deep level. For those who don't seem to care - listen to this and maybe you will. Pure poetry.

9 - Big Freeze

A lot more upbeat than the last track, the guitar being the high point. Even though the lyrics are, once again, very dystopic - the track gets you in that excited rock-out mood. Its as if they taught you something with Explorers, to build you up to get hyped to this track. Very clever arrangement.

10 - Save Me

This song was actually written and sung by Chris, so you are in for something very different again, with soft guitar behind Chris's vocals (which seem to have a lot of reverb on them). There are some Beatles-style harmonies, all building. It's very hard to explain or review this track - it seems to have taken conventions from bands such as The Who and The Beatles whilst bringing something completely different. Very upbeat, and a great addition to the track list.

11 - Liquid State

From the softer rock of Save Me, you are thrust into grungy, hard rock guitars. Chris is singing again, and his voice sounds very, very different to Bellamy's - and you find yourself in a classic rock song. The production is where this track stands out. It's hard to get a band to sound completely different, whilst still retaining their 'vibe'. I like this song because I haven't really heard any straight-up rock from this band before and this shows they can actually do a brilliant job at it.

12 - Unsustainable

OK, I listened to this in August when it was first released. I don't know what I expected, but here are my exact reactions: Epic string sections come in - wow. Then a crowd of soulful voices come in along with some more strings - this is going to be epic. Then the newsreader comes into it - very different, but I get into the groove of it.... then 'an economy based on endless growth is...' - What? DUBSTEP? What, what, what, what?

I sat in front of my computer for a good ten minutes after I heard this, silent. I didn't get it. It didn't sound like my band. I didn't know if I loved it or hated it, I didn't know what just happened.
Then I realised, I love it. It was such a step forward for them, after the lacklustre of The Resistance, it was great to see a breath of fresh air for them. Very, very epic song. I want to see them do this live. I want to mosh to this. Come to Brisbane, Muse. Please. It's a single, so have a listen (caution: it may blow your head off).

13 - Isolated System

Piano, strings, that news caster comes in again. Nice little cap-stone to the album. Seems more like an ending to a story rather than a song. It seems to show the aftermath. Still, you end this album feeling thoroughly satisfied.

Now, some people will see this album as madness over genius. I think either way - Muse has given a varied album which has a track for every mood. They have shown us they can do so many things, and do them all well. I am very, very impressed by these tracks and I think Muse has won their right by now to do any of their indulgent musical desires (which this album seems full of).

Perfect album for 2012, and I can't wait to listen to it more.