I often find myself amused as to just how much I adore the music of Muse, yet how infrequently I reach for their music. Absolution, Muse’s third studio album is, without doubt, one of my favourite alternative albums yet in a dichotomy that I can’t explain, I have yet to pick up this release on Vinyl or CD, instead choosing to appreciate it via Apple Music; an Apple Digital Master. While the collector in me questions my sanity, for this is one album most certainly worthy of adding to my physical collection, from a sonic perspective I’m never left with the feeling of wanting more after listening to the album on Apple Music.
What is missing, however, is the extensive liner notes. Still, as fond as I am of the physical counterpart, that tactile element pales should the mastering, on a particular medium, cause the music to sound lacklustre to my ears. Hence, I find that where streaming is concerned, as long as I thoroughly enjoy the sonic presentation, then I can generally be content by not owning everything.
Of course, some may question if Muse’s Absolution does really sound that good; after all, their music could be classed as being overly compressed or brickwalled, yet what I would normally associate with these aspects I don’t find with the stream of Absolution. Yes, I note a level of distortion and it is a loud recording, but I feel that enhances the music somewhat. I find it neither distracting nor harsh and as it pertains to the edition found on Apple Music, the soundstage is well-developed, with adequate instrumental and atmospheric separation.
Intro is simply that, an introduction that leads perfectly into Apocalypse Please. In all honesty, at only 24 seconds in duration, one has to question if it wouldn’t have been better to simply tack it on to the beginning of Apocalypse Please.
Apocalypse Please makes for a solid opening song with a musicality that demands one’s attention.
Time Is Running Out has a killer intro with a rhythm that is addictive and will get you moving; I love it!
Sing For Absolution is a beautiful vocal-focused song. The soundstage is well-developed and while it is a little shallower than I’d like from a track like this, every element in the mix is clear thereby allowing you to be captivated by the music itself.
Stockholm Syndrome is a hard-hitting riff-focused song that will give your stereo a workout. Yes, this is one track that is right on the border of acceptable as it pertains to loudness, but it works surprisingly well for the song and the usual brickwalled elements are not present meaning that Stockholm Syndrome can still be thoroughly enjoyed.
Falling Away With You slows things down a little and arguably returns to a little more dynamic range; a range that is perfectly suited to this style of song. That said, depending on your setup, you may wish to reduce the bass levels as I found they were too prominent on my setup when playing Falling Away With You. Overall, a great song!
Interlude is seamless in its connective purpose.
Hysteria is a killer alternative rock tune.
Blackout is magical; Matt Bellamy’s vocal tracking here is exquisite.
Butterflies And Hurricanes is a great song but I do wish the soundstage had a little more depth as Butterflies And Hurricanes sounds quite congested and it would be lovely to hear every element even clearer than it currently is.
The Small Print starts out well, but the sibilance in Bellamy’s vocal is a distracting element here. Nevertheless, the song works well within the context of the album.
Endlessly is a great tune that I keep coming back to time and time again. Endlessly, literally, can be played endlessly on repeat as far as I’m concerned; I like it that much!
Thoughts Of A Dying Atheist is a fantastically witty song.
Ruled By Secrecy is an incredibly delicate tune that slowly builds as the song progresses. It’s magnificent!
Fury (Bonus Track) is utterly brilliant and is worthy of inclusion on Absolution, but I’d argue that Ruled By Secrecy was the perfect closing track that allowed one to sit and reflect on the song and the album itself before spinning it again.
From start to finish, Absolution is a sonic experience that has to be heard. There isn’t a B-side to be found and while not all songs stand out, collectively as a piece of musical art, it is a remarkable achievement that borders on being nothing short of a masterpiece.