Unsurprisingly, they double down on Drones to satisfying effect. That means broad strokes, big beats, and expertly placed electronic filips and vocal processing as the band explores its big themes in ways both satisfyingly corrosive, such as the speedy metal riffage of “Reapers,” and oddly saccharine, as on the somewhat corny and generic uplift of “Revolt.” Muse fares better when churning out inspiring head bangers where nuance isn’t a major factor.
Great in parts, but flat and clumsy in others, Bellamy’s bid to become more serious appears to have stunted what he does best, which is operatic excess fuelled by volcanic emotion.
The more I listen to it (10+ times), the more I find this to be a very satisfying record. Very heavy alt-rock-prog effort with a compellingThe more I listen to it (10+ times), the more I find this to be a very satisfying record. Very heavy alt-rock-prog effort with a compelling storyline that flows from song to song. Bellamy's guitar sounds crisp, crunchy and prominent where it should be; the rhythm section is thunderous and spot on. Vocally, Bellamy is untouchable - rock's best falsetto. The band are one of the top rock bands out there these days and this record is a welcome addition to their canon. Highly recommended by these old ears. (60+)
These are MY opinions and should be treated as such.…Expand
I loved the new album. emotionally charged, amazing meaning behind every word and note. I enjoyed every second, I love Handlers, and DeadI loved the new album. emotionally charged, amazing meaning behind every word and note. I enjoyed every second, I love Handlers, and Dead Inside probably the most. It is a story telling album. For those who hate on the album and say it's garbage - don't listen. Maybe it's time for you to find another band to trash.…Expand
A brilliant album! You may have to listen to it a few times to start liking it more. I like almost every song on the album. The Globalist isA brilliant album! You may have to listen to it a few times to start liking it more. I like almost every song on the album. The Globalist is probably my favorite song on it(funny that I hated it at first listen, but after listening to it a few times, I started liking it and understanding it better). I like the way Matt handles the story and warns us that power can be destructive in wrong hands and what it can do in The Globalist. Well, at least that's what my interpretation is. Anyway, I truly like this album and am very satisfied with it.…Expand
A very respectable album. It's a mixed bag, but when you get something good, you dig out gems that are sure to be new classics. The Handler,A very respectable album. It's a mixed bag, but when you get something good, you dig out gems that are sure to be new classics. The Handler, The Globalist, Reapers - there are plenty of good songs intertwined with some mediocre songs (Revolt, especially - to a lesser extent, Mercy and Defector).
However, I do enjoy this album for what it is. It's certainly better than The 2nd Law, and it is more serious in tone compared to previous works. If I had to describe it compared to other albums, I think it mixes the angst of their earlier works with the sophistication of The Resistance.
A step in the right direction, and definitely worth a purchase for a Muse fan.…Expand
Drones, the latest record by Muse, is an album that indeed puts the band back in their roots in many cases.. but without ever leaving behindDrones, the latest record by Muse, is an album that indeed puts the band back in their roots in many cases.. but without ever leaving behind the stylistical changes and experimentations they went through in the two previous records. "We can't go all the way backwards..." some wise man said a long time ago, and this record proves it. It's true that Muse deliver many tracks that really feel like something you could hear off of Black Holes & Revelations (Mercy for example), Absolution (The Handler) or even Origins of Symmetry (Reapers), but in some songs it still looks like Bellamy has a hard time abandoning sinthesizers, electronic tunes and other un-ordinary instruments. The track "Dead Inside" is a clear example of that.
Generally speaking it's a really good concept album in which most of the tracks are coated with some killer riffs and very memorable guitar and base solos. The only major criticism that can be done comes from a lyrical point of view. Some songs, expecially Psycho or Defector, seem way to simplistic and even childish both in the message they want to send and in they way they send it.
Nonetheless, I really enjoyed the record, which is solid, compact and very well structured. A big musical improvement to 2013s The 2nd Law and even 2010s The Resistance.…Expand
It's 2016 and still can't fully love this album the way I did with the rest of Muse's discography. They do not sound any different here, andIt's 2016 and still can't fully love this album the way I did with the rest of Muse's discography. They do not sound any different here, and maybe that's exactly the problem. While most artists seek to evolve with their songs by exploring new worlds in their music, Muse decided to 'go back to its roots' and that obsviously didn't work well. The songs aren't bad, they just lack some inovation.…Expand
Subtly was never Muse's thing, I get that. They loved to be simple and bombastic. The music was never good but at least they were fun. OnSubtly was never Muse's thing, I get that. They loved to be simple and bombastic. The music was never good but at least they were fun. On 'Drones' the band fail to do even that, each track is lousy, generic and embarrassing. Bar the excruciating narrative, the tunes themselves sound horrendous. 'Dead Inside' and 'Psycho' rip off Personal Jesus but recreate it via the most generic of sounds. 'Mercy' sounds like a rework of 'Starlight', but Bellamy's falsetto is even more off-putting this time round. Reapers may be the worst song of Muse's already bad collection. Nothing works, everything fails. Unimaginably bad. The worst album in a generation.…Expand
