A worthy successor to their excellent second album Origin of Symmetry. These are three very talented guys who will leave you breathless on your stereo as well as on a stage. Sure, there may be some Radiohead, Queen, and even Rage Against the Machine similarities, but isn't the best music supposed to draw on the things that came before it? Whatever they've taken, they've made their own.… Expand

This album is astonishing perfection. The skewing Stylus and Mojo reviews are unfair and abysmal;you cannot criticize music for being a specific genre you don't happen to favor. The writing is seamless, not fragmented, as the rather fragmented review in Stylus ludicrously suggests. Any band that can achieve a moshing audience with classical chord structures gets a 10 in my book. All hail MUSE, the best band of the decade. … Expand

This is the best CD I've bought in a long time and one of the few that I love every single song.

This album is the culmination of hundrets of concerts and the high level of development in their music style, I think everybody that loves english pop-rock should have it.

Immense. Genius. Listen to it. I can understand why some may be off-put by the large apocalyptic focus, or the traditional 'Radioohead comparisons'. But screw em, this is great.

Warning! Contains self-indulgent wankery. Very lame album, save for 'Hysteria', which is actually quite good.

While Absolution is not a bad record by any means, it exemplifies the 'rage against the machine' meets 'radiohead' criticisms. The album features plenty of good songs, but fails to find a footing and sounds disjointed at times. Still a solid effort with some great, climactic songs.

The best CD so far with Muse, also the Showbiz that is not in the Metacritic database, pure 10, perfect. If you are feeling down, listen to this. The grand piano is the perfection in my opinion.

Remember Showbiz... Who would've thought that a band who made a album so down to earth with it's alt rock could make something sound so extraterrestrial. Origin of symmetry just opened a gate for us, but as it ends we were disabled to enter, kind of like an ending to an episode of a show which continues to the beginning of the next one. So with absolution muse have not only continued their work they've previously set up on OoS but they added so much on it. Guitars are so heavy that they could recreate the effect of a Moses stick, the melodies are layered perfectly and the album itself is nothing short of a classic. The grandiosity of muses music only adds to the curiosity of whether all those themes could be applied to the world we currently live in, that is, are those lyrics used as a metaphor describing our surroundings covering us so tight. Political songs like time is running out drain from the usual muse theme well of political corruption and brainwashing while other apocalypse invocating songs are doing their job too good that they make you question whether you can take muse seriously. Apocalypse please, an art rock song with a mind dementia inducing piano work that would postpone a true apocalypse until the songs end at least. But muse don't stop here, they make a ironic, even sarcastic, tribute to the underground society (let's call them underground) with ruled by secrecy, they question current beliefs in the unnatural (that is they question the perspective in which we see god and religion) with thoughts of a dying atheist and even pay attention to the human mind and thought and the way they provide as a muse for creating. All of these themes put together on a same record are a bit too much to take and digest, but once they lay down and insert themselves in your head you will be one lucky bastard (of course if you allow them to). Bringing new philosophical foundations to life has never been so much fun, just remember to close that gate until the next release.… Expand

I can't stop listening this! Suddenly I started to like " Plug in baby", and now, well, can't push stop.

An excellent album, the only reason i give this a 9 is because Origin of Symmetry was better. It would have been worthy of a ten if it didnt have origin of symmetry to live up to. Most of the songs are quality, the lyrics are very strong and once you listen to this you will realise why you want to see them live.

awesome album. radiohead suck

This is Muse's masterpiece. I for the life of me cannot understand how most of the critics prefer "Black Holes and Revelations." Sure it is epic and at times over the top, but the craftsmanship of the songs and Costey's production are brilliant. Muse shows some serious range on this one, kicking it into high gear with super-charged rock songs like "Stockholm Syndrome," and Hysteria." and then settling down nicely with "Blackout," and "Falling Away With You."… Expand

The second best album they ever made.

Nothing short of astonishing.

Truly amazing

dreadful

Hadn't really paid that much attention to Muse in the past. But then I saw them at The Big Day Out in Melbourne and I was blown away. My only criticism about the album is that it is too intense.

compared to muse most of the other "music" we get to hear is just crap

it is a brilliant CD: probably the best one that Muse have ever done (and that says a lot!)

EXCELLENT!!!

I've been craving music like this to come out on the scene. I don't know and don't care if they borrow from Radiohead. It' moving, dramatic, over-the-top rock music. What's better than that? I haven't seen any Queen comparisons, but I do hear a similarity (especially "Butterflies and Hurricanes"). All in all a contagious album that has not been out of my car since we bought it. Enjoy!… Expand

this is so great, it's the passion...of the muse

I Absolutley LOVE this CD.. Muse is awesome .. and i love Matt Bellamy i think he is HOT!! as ever

Muse are absolutly amazing both in this album and live. My favourite tracks are the small print and stockholme syndrome. I don't understand how anyone could give this album or any of there's a low rating. Stylus magazine for example "just compiling bits of 'music' then sticking them together" I resent that comment, to me Muse have put a lot of effort into this album, it all flows very well, with unique guitar riffs unheard of before. Muse are brilliant!… Expand

love it love it love it!

Awesome

Freddie Mercury and Queen INCARNATE!

This is the best music around in the mainstream market (there r just toooo many artists in the indie/underground so it just can't be comparble). The core of the songs is wonderful (chack those acousic versions running around the net); the sound is MASSIVE and the arrangments are heart-stompping! No other famous band nowdays produce such a strong music experience and also so "musically". a pleasure to the ears, brain and heart.… Expand

kicks ass

This album is an immersive wonderland that is clearly too deep for some to handle but for me it's nearly perfect. Those who complain of intencity overload must have much lower tolerences than I since nearly half of the material here is softer and slower. Sing for Absolution, Falling Away With You, Blackout and Endlessly are all beautiful ballads that simply could have never been created by any other band. Stockholm Syndrome is one of the hardest rocking tunes of the last decade and it's backed up well with Hysteria and Time is Running out. Though there is one track that properly sums up the album all at once (for me). That song is Butterfies and Hurricanes. Sure it's overblown and bombastic, so what!? It's beautiful, powerful, hard and yet filled with melody. Definently the best album of the new millennium so far.… Expand

Just.. brilliant.

The best album ever!!!!

Perfect album for the end of the world - press play on your CD player and let Muse take you to the apocalypse! Just the first song encapsulates most of Muse's tricks in three minutes - outrageously showy piano, 50,000 harmonies, impressive fretwork, the voice of God on helium. Can't wait for Black Holes And Revelations!

I had heard Time Is Running Out and Hysteria and they were brilliant so I got this album and was not dissapointed. They do not have the widest range of vocals so perform to what they are good at. Muse music contains brilliant guitars and lyrics that you will be singing whenever you hear the song start. Not always in the mood for Muse but sometimes I play it and realise, Hey I should listen to them more often!… Expand

Awesome

The best album of 2004, and the true introduction to one of Britain's best "new" bands.

This is quite possibly the best rock record of the 21st century.

This is a rather good album. But it has zero flow. On one track, it rocks out and makes you wanna nod your head. But the very next track is slow and very melancholy. If it had been arranged a little different, it would have been so much better. But other than that, almost every song is simply great.

This is Muse's best album yet. It's not that all the songs are perfect, it's the fact that this album has the most insanely-awesome songs out of each of their albums.

MUSE is my favorite band of all time! Mat. Bellamy has so much talent and skill, and writes absolutely astonishing music. The stupid people who rate this album(or any of their albums) badly are just sad loners who are musically braindead and probably only listen to RAVE or DANCE music, which is technical poo. MUSE is music at its best

Rock opera in the truest sense -- rife with such deep emotions that no real, sane person could ever sustain them, but that are perfect for an art masterpiece.

I think it's a F*cking great album, I immediately fell in love with it and with muse. Now I possess all there albums and they stills suprise me like on werchter this year , they were fantastic!

Good. But lacks the greatness and experimentalism of Origin of Symmetry. In my opinion, muse have taken a step back rather than a step forward.

I picked this up as an import last year, not entirely sure what to expect from this little known (otside of the UK) rock trio. Having thoroughly indulged my senses in both Showbiz (their debut) and Origin of Symmetry (their masterpiece followup), I admit my hopes were set very high for this album...something I typically fear because most records never live up to such lofty expectations. Well this one did. From the moment the pulsing piano chords of Apocalypse Please began, I was instantly immersed in trademark grandiosity. Too often criticized as self-indulgent, or bombastic...their seemingly over-the-top infusion of concert grand classicism with guitar-driven brit metal is unfairly dismissed as pompous, when the music should clearly speak for itself. The immensity of sound on Absolution defies the logistics of a three-piece rock band. Layered here among such lushly orchestrated gems as Sing For Absolution and Falling Away With You is so much raw emotion that I can hardly listen to them without getting chills. Simpler jams such as Hysteria and Stockholm Syndrome, while not necessarily pushing the envelope of musical discovery, still manage to excite the listener's senses with heavily distorted guitar explosions of melody and power. This is a beautiful record, full of anythng but itself, and it deserves to be heard on this side of the pond for what it is - powerful, emotional brit-pop evolution. I recommend it highly.… Expand

I have purchased this CD in October, and I think that has been one of the my best 2003 purchases. This is rock!

Overblown, pretentious, samey and at times unlistenable, although there are some passable highlights, including the title track.

I first discovered MUSE when i heard the fabulous Origin Of Symmetry. Considering how good that was i certainly had high hopes for Absolution and i wasnt disappointed. The mix of intensity, grandoise and innovation found is unmistakably theirs. Make no mistake about it this is muse at their best (well for the time being anyway :D)

Muse are to Radiohead what Creed is to Peral Jam, what Bud Light is to Guinness...

1. Intro - Blends perfectly into the album's true first track, Apocalypse Please. The moody sound sets the stage perfectly for what's to come. 7/10 2. Apocalypse Please - Moody, dark, brooding, contemplative. It's slower paced than Muse from previous albums but the sound is original and intriguing. 8/10 3. Time Is Running Out - This is Muse?s current radio hit in the US. It?s different than anything else on the album and sounds perhaps the most produced. Aside from this it?s still a great song and explores a new direction for Muse. 8/10 4. Sing for Absolution ? This song catches you from the first listen. It has a similar sound to Apocalypse Please but possesses a more dreamy quality and more of a pop sound. 7/10 5. Stockholm Syndrome ? Frantic guitar riffs that echo back to previous albums. It has a rolling chorus and is overabundant with raw energy. 8/10 6. Falling Away With You ? It starts as soothing break from Stockholm Syndrome and picks up into a rising ensemble of a chorus that is simply unforgettable. The slow parts are reminiscent of Falling Down from the first Album but the pickup is Muse at its best on this Album. 9/0 7. Interlude ? Just a musical bridge into the next song, Hysteria. It sounds a lot like that Muse does between Space Dementia, Hypermusic, and Plug in Baby on the previous album except longer and mellower. 7/10 8. Hysteria ? Pure rock energy and a similar sound to Stockholm Syndrome. Great rock song. 8/10 9. Blackout - A very slow and contemplative song that has a sound that falls somewhere in between Sing for Absolution and Falling Away With You. 8/10 10. Butterflies and Hurricanes ? Perhaps the best song on this Album. The end feels like one of the best blends of pure rock and classical music that I?ve heard to date. Fans of Bliss from the previous album will feel at home right away with this amazing track. 10/10 11. The Small Print ? More pure all out rock. Not quite as good as Stockholm and Hysteria though. 7/10 12. Endlessly ? An interesting slow paced break from The Small Print. This song is in the style of Falling Away With You and Blackout but not quite as striking as either of those. 7/10 13. Thoughts of a Dying Atheist ? Out of everything on this album this sounds like older Muse songs set to fast rolling pace with a catchy sound. 8/10 14. Rules By Secrecy ? I?d use the same adjectives to describe this finishing track as I would the first one on the album. It?s moody, thoughtful and dark. It?s also a very different track than the one that opens the Album. A unique and haunting song. 9/10 … Expand

musicianship is an artform and no pop idol will ever be taught such skill as is present on this album. Well done Matt and the boys, As to the haters - Grandiose? too many ideas? how many great ideas did u have today? Great tunes, great sound, please stop comparing this band to radiohead - u obviuosly do not have the capacity to differentiate between the two. To start with their are three people in muse, making a hell of alot more noise and more accessible tunes.… Expand

I have bought 30 albums so far this year including, Postal Service, Modest Mouse, Iron and wine, Shins, Radiohead, kings of leon, strokes, all night radio, secret machines, Air, streets, interpol, Grand national, walkmen, wilco. Muse - Absolution is my favourite

for these official reviewers who gave low scores, they always try to find something of nonsense to decrease their score, have they listened to the album, anyone who listens to it will give it 100 because it is purely great in everyway, it is not a math hard problem ok!

I love Muse! Nothing is the same, but yet it's all dramatic and just makes your heart beat fast! This is the best music to sing your heart out & release all that ails you.

Agree with Paul F. I have been a long time Muse fan, so I know my stuff. This album is just wrong - some of the tracks are downright boring and uninventive. Where is that bold and innovative Muse we came to love with Showbiz and OoS? + All the ingenious b-sides. I do thank them VERY VERY much for "Hysteria" though. That song is worthy of comparison with Bliss, musically - not lyrically.

Very good album. None of the songs are bad, but a few stand out more than others (The Small Print, Stockholm Syndrome, Hysteria). I loved it.

this albuum is a lot softer than muse's second (origin of symmetry), but it is allso very heartfelt and nostalgic. This is the way that new rock should sound

This is quite possibly the greatest album I've ever heard. The sheer scope of the musical genius completely blows my mind. From the orchestral arpeggios submersing Bellamy's voice on Blackout, to the piano codenza on Butterflies and Hurricanes, to the absolute insanity of The Small Print, it truly proves a musical achievement, almost astonishing when compared to the records released today. This is truly a must have in any collection. The comparisons to Radiohead are small; the vocals sound a bit alike, though not so much when Bellamy sings in falsetto. All in all, this is one emotional album, and will lift you up just as soon as it drops you on the floor and kicks you, before climbing and ending in fireworks. This album is not to be left on the shelves- let it be sold.… Expand

Thank you, God, for this album. From the crunching piano in the beginning to the softness of the end and everything in between, this album is a breath of fresh air in the world of stale rock. I knew the critics would compare it to Coldplay and Radiohead (and to me, Bellamy's voice sounds like Jimmy Gnecco from Ours). But so what? Those bands are great, and to be put in any category with them is tell tale. Please check out this amazing album if you haven't yet.… Expand

An outstanding album, better even than Origin of Symmetry. Only lazy journalists can possibly compare their sound to Radiohead, their music is utterly unique and raising the standard for all the big names such as Coldplay. Amazing vocals, driving bass and drums, lightning guitars, dreamy piano and doomsday lyrics make this one of the best albums of the millenium so far. Catch their live show if you can, it will change your world. All other bands have now to play catch up.… Expand

truly outstanding album like some1 else said a brilliant beginning for 1 of britains best "new" bands

There best album ever!!!!!!!!

The first time I listed to this album, I didn't like it... however, as I re-listened to it I was able to discover the brilliance of this album and what it has accomplished musically.

Outstanding album. Very highly recommended.

Radiohead-lite, minus the abstract creativity.

this would definately be a ten if it werent for the fact that this band sounds like a mimic of Radiohead

it is the best album of 04 and even 05 if you dont have it get it

brilliant in every aspect.

incredible

Showbiz and Origin of Symmetry were both fantastic records, but couldn't prepare you for the brilliance of Absolution. As soon as the minor chords on the piano chime in on "Apocalypse Please" its clear how fantastic of a record this is. There is not a single bad track and "Butterflies and Hurricanes" is not only the best Muse song ever released, but is just downright astonishing. A masterpiece.… Expand

After the amazing first two albums Muse have changed, they are now a different band - a much more commercial group. Their first albums contained a lot more obscure darkness and was much more intense. While I can listen to most of the track (except "Sing for Absolution" which is a terrible track) it is not even decent ambient music. I was very disappointed - some songs are good though but the not-good out-weighs the good (the good being "Hysteria", "Stockholm Syndrome" and "Time is running out".… Collapse

This album is briliant.

This album is amazing. IMO MUSE's best. it has many great songs and is definately a classic.

real emotional content, yet able to be taken seriously or with your tongue in your cheek. Creative and and at times sublime... but not as honest as muse's earlier albums. Not as honest but more potent, more accomplished and more enjoyable. radiohead plus keane equals muse.

Astonishing.

Wow.....This is a true masterpiece.

Amazing!

One of the best Album all Time! Every Song of the Album is a masterpiece!

It's impossible to choose a favourite song on this CD because, quite simply, each one is perfect in its own way. Not just the lyrics or orchestration, but everything - including the solos, presentation, and ideas behind the songs. There is a serious lack of original, thought-provoking music that you can get lost in out there today, but Muse manage to do that. What more could one expect from a lead singer that was classically trained in opera? Matt Bellamy's voice brings back powerful memories of Freddie Mercury of Queen's voice. Queen, in my humble opinion, is the greatest band of all time, but Muse are rapidly approaching that awe-inspiring status. If they keep coming out with albums like Absolution, they will certainly overtake Queen in my mind. Excellent job, boys. And congratulations on the 2 EMAs!… Expand

All official review ppl who compare Muse with Radiohead is just lazy and a sheep. Muse need to taken seriously. You don't JUST listen to this album and and review who or what Muse are all about. You buy the other two albums, you buy the DVD (which is amazing by the way) and then you read interviews with Matt and the band. You will see that Matt, Dom and Chris are wierd and wonderful and their views on the world and what's going to happen are fantastic! Matt should really write a book on what each song is about. Do all that and then come back to me with a review that's worth reading and believe me when i say that you won't compare them to Radiohead anymore. … Expand

a masterpieve, landmark record. on the same level as radiohead's "ok computer". an amazing band, especially live!

Brilliant. Surely one of the best albums this year.

Muse expounds pure emotion rock like nobody else. People who don't like it, just don't get it.

The arrangement of music is mystifying. It takes you to another dimension that you knew existed but were too afraid to enter. Absolutely brilliant

Muse just Get better and better

Okay. Picture Radiohead, right? Okay. Now imagine Radiohead if they ROCKED. Hard. You're right, that WOULD be awesome! It just so happens I know where you can hear such an album. Go to your record store and find Absolution, by Muse. No, dude, don't download it - it's actually worth the money. Put it in and go to track 5, "Stockholm Syndrome". Pretty awesome, right? Wait until you hear the rest! What's that? Yeah, dude, you're right - Stylus magazine totally sucks! I wish I were payed to be pretentious too! Anyway, enjoy!… Expand

Nothing new or interesting...

Absolutely bl**dy brilliant, one of the best 10 or so albums ever easily

Muse are the worst band ever. That is all.

Quite frankly one of the best albums of the new millenium.

Absolution could be called one of the best albums ever made and it wouldn't be an exaggeration.The heart and soul that Muse have put into it is simply mindblowing. From the captivatin piano arpeggios of apocalypse please,to the fast and furious stockholm syndrome and to the romantic falling away with you.This album has a little something for fans of every genre of music and whole loads more for people who are open minded towards all type of music. Riffjamming trcks include Hysteria,Stockholm Syndrome.I really thought it would be difficult for Muse to create a riff to rival Plug in baby(in Origin of Symmetry) but they outdid themselves wih riff of hysteria and SS. Muse have a double thumbs up from an ardent rock fan.Keep rocking Muse.… Expand

These guys produced music at another level versus most of the bands out there... It's surreal when you try to compare and contrast them with other bands because these guys transcend boundaries and sounds. How do we label and categorize them. We don't. Like Radiohead they stretch and stretch their musical scope every new album they produce. I hope in the future they start from scratch and create all over again as a testament to how they brilliant they are at producing genre bending music.… Expand

Muse, just seen them again live and they blew the stage apart, great album, amazing band.

A mind-boggling, earth shattering, apocalyptic piece of sheer artwork, causing a rush of emotions so incredibe that you don't care one bit that this album is far too over-the-top. From beginning to end you are in a state of awe and wonder, and only after the final chime of the clock in 'Ruled By Secrecy' do you realise the crazy and awesome jounrey Muse have just taken you on.

A truly FANTASTIC work of art. The blends of experimental-rock with soft instrumentals on one disc cannot be pulled off quite like how Muse do it. A array of beautifully written songs with both soft and raw vocal harmonizing make this my favorite rock album of all time and in general my favorite album of all time. Hats off to Muse. No other band could pull something off quite like how they do.

Great rockin time. Full of energy and fast past tunes. Not the best from the band for sure, but still a album any hard rocker shoud have, not just muse fans. Just like the past albums they show that they are one of the best at making load music have melody.

One of the best albums in history.

If you gave this album below a 6 or 7, I hope to god I'm never at a party where you have control of the music. It doesn't have to be your thing, but a 3??? GTFOH, this is some of the best music in our generation.