The Resistance
by Muse
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 500 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 412 out of 500
  2. Mixed: 50 out of 500
  3. Negative: 38 out of 500

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  1. coldplaz
    Feb 13, 2011
    8
    worst muse album, but still good
    1st half is amazing uprising, resistance, undisclosed desires, but second half is not so good the only really good song is unnatural selection and exogenesis symphony was big disappointment
  2. ZPedro
    Jul 27, 2011
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Great work. Muse delivers an album full of great songs. The main theme throughout the album is love (maybe Uprising as the exception) but it's not soapy. The music is beautiful and proves the excellent technical level that Muse members reached. Now on, they can do almost anything!… Expand
  3. alexwrands
    May 31, 2011
    8
    Questions have been raised over whether Muse had become too predictable. This album proved them wrong. There was the traditional rock sound, with graceful, piano fueled scores and a three piece symphony to finish. A very good album
  4. Spielberg00
    Sep 10, 2011
    8
    This is very hard work Muse has done for their audience. What a great band, but listening to stuff like this, we start to wonder why rock is so underrated and why everyone goes and listens to stuff like pop and hip-hop.
  5. Argeon
    Nov 13, 2015
    8
    The Resistance was the first Muse album I managed to listen to, and it was the thing that got me hooked. This album describes 1984 loosely through each of the tracks (excluding the marvelous Exogenesis Symphony) and reeks of Queen in the best way possible.

    After OoS and Absolution, this is probably Muse's third best work. It's very tight in songs, has a good mix of Muse's offerings, and    The Resistance was the first Muse album I managed to listen to, and it was the thing that got me hooked. This album describes 1984 loosely through each of the tracks (excluding the marvelous Exogenesis Symphony) and reeks of Queen in the best way possible.

    After OoS and Absolution, this is probably Muse's third best work. It's very tight in songs, has a good mix of Muse's offerings, and is a beaut that I think any progressive Muse fan can enjoy. From the anthemic Uprising to ballads like United States of Eurasia to the rocker Unnatural Selection, this is a classic for them.    … Expand
  6. Copeland
    Dec 17, 2012
    8
    A good Muse album, definitely not their best but contains some excellent songs and is very well structured, a good listen that I'd recommend to all Muse fans.
  7. KarmaHead
    Dec 20, 2012
    8
    Muse love taking risks, it seems. With The Resistance, and the recent 2nd Law, Muse have expanded their musical range and compensated some fans along the way. Though as a proud lover of Muse (especially their earlier music, Origin of Symmetry being their masterclass in music), The Resistance is one of their poorer releases, and that goes without question. Forgetting the Exogenesis SymphonyMuse love taking risks, it seems. With The Resistance, and the recent 2nd Law, Muse have expanded their musical range and compensated some fans along the way. Though as a proud lover of Muse (especially their earlier music, Origin of Symmetry being their masterclass in music), The Resistance is one of their poorer releases, and that goes without question. Forgetting the Exogenesis Symphony (beauty defined), The Resistance has some risky releases from Muse, but still managed to be a solid release worthy of a 7 at bare-minimum for effort, and risk factor.

    Opening with the wonderfully powerful, clearly messaged Uprising, a progressive rock anthem designed for the heights of stadium tours, The Resistance seems promising. Gritty guitars, sci-fi electronics, the works. Then comes Resistance, a song so worthy of single material, it goes without saying that Resistance is a solid track. Undisclosed Desires follows, an experimental track setting the boundary for singles the follow, including Madness from The 2nd Law. One of the weaker tracks, Undisclosed Desires is a love-or-hate piece. Personally, I feel the album track is fine, though live it falls to Matt's ego.

    The album then take a small turn into piano-induced territory, with the brilliant (and Queen-influenced) United States of Eurasia. A beautifully striking piece, with some mastery piano work, one could never dislike such a perfect design. Though potentially ruining the flow of the album and making it difficult to progress, this is one track which will surely go down in history as one of Muse's finest pieces. Though followed with Guiding Light, we're back into cheese territory. Undoubtedly a difficult track to sit through, Guiding Light is a mess, with extra helpings of brie.

    Now we're thrown back into the heavy stuff, with the flawless Unnatural Selection and the meaty MK Ultra, both driven by ridiculous but catchy riffs, impressive vocals, superbly arranged lyrics, and powerful bass surely to impress even the masters of rock. Two amazing tracks worth of Muse acclaim, and definitely some of the greatest works Muse have thrown out there in a good few years. This is what Muse are made of, right here. We're thrown into the deep end yet again, however, with I Belong To You, a piece so ridiculously out of proportion, you're not sure what to think. Personally, I think it's great. A fun track not meant to be taken seriously. Then we're given the Exogenesis Symphony, a beautiful, flawless, three-piece symphony of piano, strings, guitar and stunning vocals. If not the greatest achievement of Muse since Citizen Erased, a perfect end to a great album overall.

    The Resistance won't be to everyone's liking, but it has elements so magical, it can easily put you under a spell. Whatever that spell may be, of course. You'll either love The Resistance, or despise it.

    Overall Score: 8/10    … Expand
  8. DementedBySpace
    Jan 31, 2013
    8
    After a long journey in search of finding and inhabiting new worlds, we've finally done it. We can proudly call ourselves free and never look back to the past or maybe we should just once, while telling our offspring the glorious story or how we got to where we are now. No better way to do that then to play The Resistance. A masterpiece by muse, even though it is, by some, founded awful,After a long journey in search of finding and inhabiting new worlds, we've finally done it. We can proudly call ourselves free and never look back to the past or maybe we should just once, while telling our offspring the glorious story or how we got to where we are now. No better way to do that then to play The Resistance. A masterpiece by muse, even though it is, by some, founded awful, pretentious and well, too much, is conquering the walls that our minds have, those that have to be shattered. A love story, a story that hides the codes of our salvation, is engraved into this musically wonderful album that one, who has any interest in serious music or isn't so overly obsessed with radiohead that he/she disses every step muse make, can't deny. This symphonic blessing slaps you so hard in the head it is tough to realize the minor flaws it has to offer. But all is forgotten, if there is something to forgive, when the symphony arrives. The Exogenesis is the best, most beautiful, pretentious (this, when describing muse, is somehow a good thing - and well it is) piece of music The resistance has to offer. It is definitely the most profound piece of music I've heard in the previous decade, not exaggerating. It's surely not in my interest to slam everyone else nor am I so obsessed with them that I can't hear the real deal, but hearing this song gives you the chills you could only experience while your invocation is being answered. Maybe I am talking too much about it but this is one of the best songs ever written. Other highlight is the United states of Euroasia. This wonderful song is brought to the heights of grandeur and sumptuosity by it's instrumental, let's call it, chorus. With influences from Queen, muse have, kind of, established a more artistic version of art rock. The songs aiming just as high, but incapable of reaching them are I belong to you, Uprising who are not bad but are lacking some elements to make them ready for shipment. This album, maybe not as good as the previous three, contains the very best work modern music could offer us, in many minds covered by clouds and fog which are disabling them to hear it. The grandiosity is here, quality as well, but more of the highlighted would've made it complete.… Expand
  9. showbizjunkie
    May 23, 2015
    8
    This album is unapologetically over-the-top. Frontloaded with songs like Uprising, Resistance, and Undisclosed Desires, and finishing up with the beautiful Exogenesis Symphony trilogy, the only place this album suffers is in the middle. I Belong to You is the worst track, and United States of Eurasia is laughably comical, although props to Muse for the 1984 references. The grandeur of theThis album is unapologetically over-the-top. Frontloaded with songs like Uprising, Resistance, and Undisclosed Desires, and finishing up with the beautiful Exogenesis Symphony trilogy, the only place this album suffers is in the middle. I Belong to You is the worst track, and United States of Eurasia is laughably comical, although props to Muse for the 1984 references. The grandeur of the rest of the album more than makes up for the weak moments.… Expand
  10. Gabrielb24
    Aug 31, 2022
    8
    The album’s greatest point will Exogenesis: Symphony. Uprising has good beat but became Muse’s mainstream commercial song I like hear that song in every radio station or that bad Tom Cruise movie. Resistance is ok lyrically it just George Orwell’s 1984. Undisclosed desires is catchy. That long title track is ok. I belong to you twilight ruin for me. Then Again Twilight ruin Muse. TheThe album’s greatest point will Exogenesis: Symphony. Uprising has good beat but became Muse’s mainstream commercial song I like hear that song in every radio station or that bad Tom Cruise movie. Resistance is ok lyrically it just George Orwell’s 1984. Undisclosed desires is catchy. That long title track is ok. I belong to you twilight ruin for me. Then Again Twilight ruin Muse. The rest is forgettable until Exogenesis. As I said before Muse won a Grammy because of Exogenesis: Symphony.… Expand
  11. Musejonno
    Sep 29, 2019
    8
    Not the best from Muse, but still a great album, with a good mix of songs. The album starts off fairly decent, picking up midway with Unnatural Selection. The Exogenesis Symphony which rounds off the album is simply stunning. However, I don’t care much for Undisclosed Desires or Guiding Light which is one of Muse’s worst tracks. Standouts are United States Of Eurasia, MK Ultra and twoNot the best from Muse, but still a great album, with a good mix of songs. The album starts off fairly decent, picking up midway with Unnatural Selection. The Exogenesis Symphony which rounds off the album is simply stunning. However, I don’t care much for Undisclosed Desires or Guiding Light which is one of Muse’s worst tracks. Standouts are United States Of Eurasia, MK Ultra and two stunners in Exogenesis Symphony and Unnatural Selection, one of Muse’s best tracks. Worth your time.… Expand
  12. AmandaMT
    Apr 17, 2023
    8
    Enquanto as três primeiras faixas são obras-primas atemporais, o resto do album deixa muito a desejar, nem sequer me lembro delas.
  13. JuanL
    Sep 24, 2009
    7
    It will be utterly enjoyed by fans, although it could be a bit offputting for those who have never tasted MUSE before.
  14. MattA.
    Sep 15, 2009
    7
    The Resistance is not going to be Muse's masterpiece. Is it a bad album? No. Their best? No. A drastic change of pace and tone? ...No. Well... sort of. 'The Resistance' sounds a lot like their previous stuff... mainly from Absolution and BH&R. However, this album makes me realize why i still like Muse. And i'll give you a hint... It's not for their originality. The Resistance is not going to be Muse's masterpiece. Is it a bad album? No. Their best? No. A drastic change of pace and tone? ...No. Well... sort of. 'The Resistance' sounds a lot like their previous stuff... mainly from Absolution and BH&R. However, this album makes me realize why i still like Muse. And i'll give you a hint... It's not for their originality. They seem to take the best parts of Radiohead, Queen, and Depeche Mode Respectively and mix them together. This one further takes the step into the Depeche Mode 'Violator'/Ultra phase. Fans of BH&R and mainly the people who came into them for their catchy pop lyrics may be a tad disappointed with the accessablitly of the album. It has a few golden tracks of metal guitar and beautiful Bellamy wailing... however if you're used to Starlight/Supermassive black hole...look else where. If you're like me and enjoyed songs like "Sing For Absolution", "Invincible" "Falling Away With You" and "Citizen Erased" each song on this CD has hints of those in it. Some tracks lose their edge do to Muse's weakness...The song writing. Lyrics are often the typical Muse-Fare of establishment/tyranny cannot prevail... and it often begins to lull the listener until a cool guitar riff awakens one. "The Resistance" will sit nicely in Muse's catalog, but will not make them remembered. 7.5/10 Key Tracks: Uprising, The Resistance, Unnatural Selection.… Expand
  15. LiamS
    Sep 18, 2009
    7
    It's a shame Muse toned down their epic sound. i was looking for an album that would blow my mind, not bore me to shit. USOE and Uprising were good singles, and Guiding Light, Unnatural Selection and MK Ultra were decent songs, but they lacked that over-the-top sound i loved about Take a Bow, Blackout, Citizen erased etc. Most fans are going to be disappointed, and i fear that Muse It's a shame Muse toned down their epic sound. i was looking for an album that would blow my mind, not bore me to shit. USOE and Uprising were good singles, and Guiding Light, Unnatural Selection and MK Ultra were decent songs, but they lacked that over-the-top sound i loved about Take a Bow, Blackout, Citizen erased etc. Most fans are going to be disappointed, and i fear that Muse will start becoming a household name to twelve-year-old "anarchists".… Expand
  16. muzziklover
    Sep 20, 2010
    7
    The most classically themed album from the Devon trio, it falls heavily from being unoriginal, unexciting and uninspired but does manage to keep Muse's over the top attitude towards their own work which still makes it a worth while listen.
  17. EmmeKira
    Jun 9, 2015
    7
    This and the follow-up The 2nd Law are probably the most polarizing records Muse have ever released. With this thing they started having a more experimental, melodic and symphonic approach rather than a straight-up progressive rock one. The result is a good and interesting album with some good tracks that really portray this desire of trying something completely different (a feeling thatThis and the follow-up The 2nd Law are probably the most polarizing records Muse have ever released. With this thing they started having a more experimental, melodic and symphonic approach rather than a straight-up progressive rock one. The result is a good and interesting album with some good tracks that really portray this desire of trying something completely different (a feeling that already was a bit foreshadowed by Black Holes & Revelations). Songs like Undisclosed Desires, Resistance or the Exogenesis trilogy are good examples of that. Other tracks still feel very old school, like Uprising or MK Ultra, but compared to what we listened in the previous records, they sound a bit less powerful. Overall, I like the LP, but considering what we saw in the 2000s, the Muse of 2010 did not caught my attention as much.… Expand
  18. Blanche
    Aug 10, 2017
    7
    A baroque rock infused record with dark undertones and thrilling riffs, operated by Matt Bellamy's powerful trademark voice, makes for a compelling listen start to end. A few songs are dull to the ears, but overall the album shows that the band are undoubtedly talented and versatile. Good album.
  19. JazzUp
    Jan 26, 2010
    6
    It's not that the quality is bad, but it's that the sound seems to be much eletronic. It's just I don't like only this album, but they're still my fav band.
  20. KanW.
    Sep 15, 2009
    6
    Not Muse's best. Glimmers of Doctor Who and Queen, but why? Muse are talented enough not to rip off others. Maybe it will sound better in a live situation?
  21. TerryA.
    Sep 16, 2009
    6
    I am a huge MUSE fan and loved all of the last three albums...sure there were a few hits and misses on those..but this album is almost entirely full of misses. I have been waiting for this album to come out for some time and maybe expectations were too high. The lead single " Uprising" is a nice track and I like the feel of " Undisclosed Desires " , the rest of the album just flat out I am a huge MUSE fan and loved all of the last three albums...sure there were a few hits and misses on those..but this album is almost entirely full of misses. I have been waiting for this album to come out for some time and maybe expectations were too high. The lead single " Uprising" is a nice track and I like the feel of " Undisclosed Desires " , the rest of the album just flat out rips off Queen and I have absolutely no idea why?… Expand
  22. JonW
    Sep 18, 2009
    6
    So far dissapointed. On my third listen. There is some droll rubbish on here. Hope they'd cut back on the Keane tip (invincible on BHAR) but there are 3 songs like that. Only when the power chords and weird prog bars come out does it shine. The Concerto suite at the end is hugely ambitous and just about pulled off. I must say I miss the Citizens, Stockholms and TSP stuff that does So far dissapointed. On my third listen. There is some droll rubbish on here. Hope they'd cut back on the Keane tip (invincible on BHAR) but there are 3 songs like that. Only when the power chords and weird prog bars come out does it shine. The Concerto suite at the end is hugely ambitous and just about pulled off. I must say I miss the Citizens, Stockholms and TSP stuff that does not really feature. Still will keep plugging away and maybe like many great albums it will be a grower.… Expand
  23. BarryJ.
    Sep 16, 2009
    6
    A disappointment compared to previous efforts, Muse seem not to know what they want to be. Their attempts at new stylings don't really suceed, nor do their efforts at recapturing the sound and style of their early works. Really only 'Uprising' is worth a mention. Even the Exogenesis Symphony doesn;t really work: too pretentious and meandering for its own good. For every A disappointment compared to previous efforts, Muse seem not to know what they want to be. Their attempts at new stylings don't really suceed, nor do their efforts at recapturing the sound and style of their early works. Really only 'Uprising' is worth a mention. Even the Exogenesis Symphony doesn;t really work: too pretentious and meandering for its own good. For every song here (perhaps except Uprising), there's a better version of something similar on previous albums. I think Matt Bellamy has got a little lost as to where he wants to go and has made a pretentious, un-subtle, concept album that really doesn't say anything more than previous efforts - and says it less effectively.… Expand
  24. MattBellamy
    Sep 17, 2010
    6
    After Black holes & revalations i wondered if muse had lost it but they came back with an un-appreciated masterpiece. ignore Uprising and this is not commercialised one bit.Truly Great
  25. owenrw89
    Dec 7, 2016
    6
    The first time we saw Muse stumble. The main issue I have is the length. Exogenesis - as gorgeous as it may be, takes up too much space. It leaves you with just 8 tracks - two of which are a bit bland ('I Belong to You', 'United States of Eurasia'). The remaining tracks - such as 'Uprising' and 'MK Ultra' are very good yes, but do they match the likes of 'Starlight', 'Plug In Baby', 'MicroThe first time we saw Muse stumble. The main issue I have is the length. Exogenesis - as gorgeous as it may be, takes up too much space. It leaves you with just 8 tracks - two of which are a bit bland ('I Belong to You', 'United States of Eurasia'). The remaining tracks - such as 'Uprising' and 'MK Ultra' are very good yes, but do they match the likes of 'Starlight', 'Plug In Baby', 'Micro Cuts' or 'Map of the Problematique'? The answer sadly, is no.… Expand
  26. j30
    Jan 30, 2012
    6
    Muse, being one of the best bands on the planet, have a let down with their new LP The Resistance. With Black Holes & Revelations there was some sort of progression and variety in those catalog of songs. Where The Resistance fails is it's power in creating something new and different; it is more "been there, done that."
  27. Ricko
    Mar 13, 2015
    6
    The band's previous album, "Black Holes and Revelations" had a handful of excellent tracks and some brilliant singles which ultimately carried the rest of the album. This is a trick Muse have been pulling for quite some time. On hear the Blondie/Dr Who influenced opener "Uprising", it seemed that the band would have no problem continuing to produce great singles even if the same could notThe band's previous album, "Black Holes and Revelations" had a handful of excellent tracks and some brilliant singles which ultimately carried the rest of the album. This is a trick Muse have been pulling for quite some time. On hear the Blondie/Dr Who influenced opener "Uprising", it seemed that the band would have no problem continuing to produce great singles even if the same could not be said of their album tracks. Unfortunately this time around , "Uprising" stands alone as the only really great track on show. "Uprising" is followed by the passable but overlong "Resistance" and the moderately interesting "Undisclosed Desires". The rest of the album flips between half decent and cringe. And what's with the intermittent mutations into Queen every now and then. It's like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Your happy out thinking your listening to Muse when all of a sudden I could swear Brian May and Freddie Mercury take over before Muse come back to us. The final third of the album is a bit of a mess and best forgotten. This looked like the beginning of the end for Muse and while follow up "The 2nd Law" reigned in the craziness a little bit, this album still marks the start of the decline of Muse.… Expand
  28. Muddsjr
    Apr 28, 2014
    6
    There are moments where it can sound too much like one thing, and others where it simply might not be enough, but as well as that, there can be the rare moment of reward, and primarily, there's still that familiar sound of a band still on the roll.
  29. alecvl08
    Oct 13, 2014
    6
    The songs on the album sound nothing alike, and some just aren't that great, but I'm giving props to Muse to experimenting and being bold and bombastic. It takes guts to put a "Symphony" at the end of your rock album. Bravo. Favorite track: Undisclosed Desires
  30. SteveP.
    Sep 16, 2009
    5
    Really disappointing. I've loved/liked all of Muse's albums so far, but this just did nothing for me. Regardless of style & ambition, there just weren't the songs to get me listening back again.
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Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Most Discussed Album of 2009
34
#34 Most Shared Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 23
  3. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. AllMusic
    80
    "Black Holes and Revelations" may be a more commercial record, but The Resistance is Muse's most realized effort to date.
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  2. Drowned In Sound
    70
    As it stands it’s an indulgent and, at times, gorgeous listen that merely helps restate your concrete opinions about Muse.
    Read full review
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    While not their best, it’s decent enough to ensure there’ll be more-- even though the truly off-the-wall moments are either rare or misguided, meaning the record feels slightly anonymous.
    Read full review
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