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Black Holes & Revelations
by
Black Holes & Revelations Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 511 Ratings

  • Summary: The stadium-sized English trio returns with a follow-up to its 2004 hit 'Absolution,' again produced by Rich Costey.

Top Track

Supermassive Black Hole
Baby don't you know I suffer? Baby can you hear me moan? You caught me under false pretenses How long before you let me go? You set my soul... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 32
  3. Negative: 1 out of 32
  1. Observer Music Monthly
    100
    Entertaining and rabble-rousing, daft and deadly serious, it's a fantastic record, with almost limitless appeal.
  2. musicOMH.com
    90
    A monstrously grandiose, ridiculously gargantuan and stunningly inventive work from start to end.
  3. ShakingThrough.net
    84
    In terms of sheer Freddie Mercury bravado and guitar-shredding, genre-jumping prog-rock pomposity, this stirring record is indeed (forgive me) something of a revelation.
  4. Stylus Magazine
    75
    That’s not to say the album is a disappointment (it isn’t) or not great (it is, mostly), but after hitting their creative and commercial peak with Absolution and its subsequent breakthrough stateside, Black Holes and Revelations clearly reveals itself to be a transition record.
  5. PopMatters
    70
    Muse impresses, and continues to impress on Black Holes, not only because they have the Romantic classical harmony-fueled huge stadium sound down pat, but in the details that show a band mature and talented.
  6. Mojo
    60
    What this record lacks is a couple of the screamalong anthems at which Muse have become renowned. [Aug 2006, p.88]
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  7. The A.V. Club
    33
    Give Muse credit for remaking itself over the years into a full-blown theatrical experience, and not just another echoing rock band. But that experience is, frankly, kind of shitty.

See all 32 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 178 out of 200
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 200
  3. Negative: 10 out of 200
  1. chrisc
    Aug 15, 2009
    10
    One of my favorite albums of all time. 33? I'm simply speechless that someone could listen to this and rate it that low? WTF do you One of my favorite albums of all time. 33? I'm simply speechless that someone could listen to this and rate it that low? WTF do you want? More country music? More eyeliner punk/pop? More bow-wow-wow or whatever the Fk?… Collapse
  2. StephanieT
    Apr 28, 2009
    10
    I think the Band is awesome... and need to come to ONTARIO more often!! but keep the work up and keep jamming!!
  4. JulianG
    Jun 27, 2006
    10
    After Absolution I never thought they could do it again. But...
  5. Mark
    Jul 15, 2006
    10
    Wow!!! I definately didn't expect Muse to put out the best album of the year. I absolutely love Absolution, but this far exceeds that Wow!!! I definately didn't expect Muse to put out the best album of the year. I absolutely love Absolution, but this far exceeds that album in size and scope. Every song fits in perfectly where it was placed. Every note is played with such intensity and meaning. The fact that this album rocks so hard and with so much meaning absolutely blows me away. The crushing crescendo that is Knights of Cydonia is absolutely without a doubt the best song I've heard so far this century. Definately pick this one up. Hell, pick up a copy for a friend too.… Expand
  6. DavidS
    Aug 17, 2006
    9
    I've never been a fan of Muse. I've always considered them a Radiohead ripoff. My girlfriend pleaded with me to take a listen to I've never been a fan of Muse. I've always considered them a Radiohead ripoff. My girlfriend pleaded with me to take a listen to this cd, and wow! It's nothing like their previous efforts. It oozes originality and creativity! Every song is gorgeous, layered and full of hooks. I guess I'll be eating crow for a while. I can't wait to catch them live at V Festival! Muse, you've converted me!… Expand
  7. davidi
    Mar 11, 2009
    8
    Great album, somehow it lacks of more guitar power. Assasin, kights of cydonia, take a bow the best.
  8. BrandonD
    Jul 11, 2006
    0
    I think it would be far more accurate to say that anyone who likes Muse has terrible taste in music. These critics aren't harsh enough. I think it would be far more accurate to say that anyone who likes Muse has terrible taste in music. These critics aren't harsh enough. Muse is super-cheesy, over-the-top but not endearingly so, and they come off like what they are, mid-90's Bends-era Radiohead ripoffs with delusions of grandeur and the technical talent (which is the only nice thingI can say about them) to back up their lame dreams. You might as well admit you like Creed and Nickelback while you're rockin' to Muse, it's practically the same. Even Coldplay's lame-duck non-rock has more nuance than this.… Expand

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Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Most Discussed Album of 2006
22
#22 Most Shared Album of 2006