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 506 Ratings

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  • 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]
    All this publication's reviews
  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

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 177 out of 199
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 199
  3. Negative: 10 out of 199
  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?… Expand
  2. musehatersareweird
    Aug 6, 2009
    10
    It is very hard if not impossible to dislike muse especially since now they've ditched the radiohead copycat sound for good and gone for It is very hard if not impossible to dislike muse especially since now they've ditched the radiohead copycat sound for good and gone for proper prog rock moves this is album is brilliant and is probably the most accessible yet since they've started playing around in new genres. an essential purchase.… Expand
  4. NickM
    Jul 10, 2006
    10
    this album is simply amazing, i dont even know how to describe it, MUSE is solidly placed as one of the most outstanding band of this, or any this album is simply amazing, i dont even know how to describe it, MUSE is solidly placed as one of the most outstanding band of this, or any generation, and i cant wait to see them live again, this time July 30th, rock on boys, rock ON!… Expand
  5. [Anonymous]
    Jul 16, 2006
    10
    Utterly amazing. Muse consistantly exceeds expectations from albuk to the next, delivering the same calibre of spectacular musicianship and Utterly amazing. Muse consistantly exceeds expectations from albuk to the next, delivering the same calibre of spectacular musicianship and songsmithing that they always have.… Expand
  6. EarlyStorm
    Aug 25, 2006
    9
    This band is exciting - this Cd is exciting. I love it!
  7. Vampire25
    Dec 4, 2010
    8
    Black Holes & Revelations is Muse's mainstream success album. It is a great album, I'll admit that, but the reason it's so mainstream isBlack Holes & Revelations is Muse's mainstream success album. It is a great album, I'll admit that, but the reason it's so mainstream is because of the song Supermassive Black hole, which in my opinion, is Muse's worst song. It just sounds too pop for such a rock and roll band such as Muse. But enough boasting, Black Holes & Revelations is a great album. The opening, Take A Bow, is such a powerful song that's among the best of the album. Assassin is another amazing song. But the best song on this album, and one of my favorite songs period is Map Of The Problematique. Aside from a few alright songs, this album has mostly great tracks. All In All, Muse has pumped out another great album after their previous fantastic album Absolution. B+… Expand
  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

See all 199 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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

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