Muse and playing that album

Were Muse right

To take the risk?

It was a risk to take, but were Bellamy and co right in taking it. Their headline slot at Leeds and Reading festivals was theirs for the taking it, but half the time was playing Origins of Symmetry in its entirety. Was this a good move or not?  Some people feel that this was a waste of a slot, that some of the people who attend the festival may not be sure on Muse to start with, so playing the album there in full was a way of alienating people from a show that could have turned their opinions of the band. But, on the other hand they were celebrating 10 years since the release of the album, so why shouldn’t they have done it in style.

It is a widely known fact that Muse are marmite you love them or hate them. There is no in between for this band. So obviously when it was heard what they had planned for their own set, people were very quick to shout out there opinions. I can understand fully with people who only wanted a mixed set, and not something that not everyone is going to no. But on the opposing side you can understand the people who wanted this album to be played. Origins of Symmetry is one of the timeless albums you should have in you CD collection. So to the fans it was only right that it should be played.

Whatever your opinion was on the matter the real question is, did they manage to pull it off? As I was at Leeds festival, I thought the set was pretty good. But you could sense that the atmosphere was not at its best whilst the album was played in full. This album is what their first album should have been and where best to do it, than at Reading and Leeds. The atmosphere was definitely dull, and could tell that the fans were mainly ones that have jumped onto the bandwagon, from the previous two albums. Yes they may have known the hits such as “Plug in baby” and “Feeling Good”, yes these songs were amazing. Bellamy powering though the riffs like a jack-hammer to concrete, but the rest of the album will have gone unappreciated by them. The little atmosphere that was there was indeed from the fans that realised and appreciated one of the best albums of all time being played.

This being said the set was still out standing. They still managed to make the show one to remember, even if you were one of the entry-level fans who didn’t know many songs, they can still play to a crowd and wow them. So the playing “Origins of Symmetry” was not a crowd pleaser and was not an entire success, it was a risk why shouldn’t they take them. The greatest hits part of the show allowed them to win the new fans back. “Uprising” was first to be heard and met with cheers, bouncing and singing along. This part of the set was a safety net knowing they would get all the adulation that they knew and deserved.

Overall the set was everything that Muse is and that is Marmite. I loved it and thought it was a risk worth taking. I enjoyed hearing the album played live, just as much as I heard all the hits being played live too. Muse will always be up there for me in the live stakes.

the big supergroup debate.

Hello everyone,

well i ain't going to waffle on, like i usually do, but I would love to see your version of a supergroup.

Super groups or

Super overrated

Recently I have heard many conversations about who would you have in your super group. I find this very interesting as it can show just how diverse your actual music taste is. It also brings out debates in people, for example, “I would have Freddie Mercury as front man” your friend may then object heavily to your opinion. This will then generally create a debate and then get other people to join in. This was ever more so evident on a trip to Milton Keynes to see the Foo Fighters. Now one solution to this problem would be to get Dave Grohl to front everything (the man did record a full album by himself, because he was bored). Now that does sound like of a more likely idea, but does not create fun or a conversation now does it. 

There are two ways in which you can partake in this theory. You can either form your own super group. To do this the rules are simple, you can pick anyone you feel that is worthy of the position you are going to put them in, they can also be dead or alive (it does not matter as this is not really going to happen). Now in theory this does seem to be easy but look at the bigger picture. How many amazing front men and woman have there been over the years, ones that have gone down in history to be the greatest front man (and woman) of all time. As you carefully select your chosen member of this heathen rock group you will soon start to see that you will choose someone and then think oh no I want so, so and so.

Or the second way you can take part is choosing who you would go see if you never seen them. The rules are still simple but have a few restrictions. For instance you have to choose a female artist, a male artist, a band, and so on. Again you can choose anyone you want. This is your fantasy after all.

Some people do feel that a super group is too clichéd, that they should be left alone. If this was the case we wouldn’t have great records such as the “Them crooked Vultures”. Also why shouldn’t people who are incredibly talented people create something beautiful and outstanding together? Just because they have made a name for themselves with other projects, then that does not mean they can’t play outside of that band. Also this is only a game we play with friends and anyone else who cares to join in with it.

So lighten up and try it. See who you will come up with. enjoy the conversations and debates that it will bring. Enjoy finding new people out from it. More importantly it is only a bit of fun. Yes you can get eager and so into it and push your opinions onto others but just enjoy it. Below is my super group now it changes all the time as I go on my musical journey of finding new people and new music. So this is not set in stone.

Front person = David Bowie

Drummer = Keith Moon (The Who) / Taylor Hawkins (Foo fighters) / Dave Grohl (Nirvana and front man of the Foo Fighters)

Guitar = Matt Bellamy (Muse) / Jimi Hendrix

Bass = Flea (Red Hot Chilli Peppers)

Muse - Overrated or justified of their place in the rock and roll hall of fame

I have been an avid fan of Muse for many years. I first heard their unique sounds and astonishing riffs on the origins of symmetry album in 2001, I was hooked instantly. I soon wanted to know more about this so called “posh” British band and went and purchased the debut album, showbiz and yet again I was blown away. From that moment I was soon eagerly awaiting more news and music, from the band that had me fairly excited about the new sound that was breaking through the music at that point.

Although I am a major Muse fan I can only say that I have only had the opportunity once to see them live, this was more recently on the resistance tour. When I seen them live I was even more blown away than normal. In my own head I have always had a list of bands that have out done themselves at gigs, and in my own opinion I couldn’t even put Muse into that list as they were just too good. The stage presence and energy that they put into giving their loyal fan base a good time, is just immense. They have always been known for their stage shows and crowd interaction but until you actually see them live then it is actually to hard to understand what it is like.

The size of the resistance tour shows how such a small local following can turn in to world domination. This is mainly down to the fact that they are always changing what they set out to do and defy what is expected of them. They change from album to album but still keeping that Muse theme running strong through them all.

So to me whenever people say that they do not like Muse or don’t think that they talented then, as an avid music fan I feel the need to challenge them, find out why they feel that way. Some people find that they don’t differ live to what they do on their albums (something I strongly disagree with). More recently with the confirmation of a headline slot at Leeds festival and the announcement of playing Origins of Symmetry in its entirety think they are over rated, some even feel that it’s a waste of a headline slot. Upon hearing all of these comments it still doesn’t deter me from seeing them play again or buying their albums (good or bad).  To me it shows that Muse can be described as Marmite you either love them or hate them and for me I will always love them and many other Musers will agree. Muse certainly deserves their place in the rock and roll hall of fame if not for their music, then their live shows alone.