Muse & Edge - Glastonbury

[Galeongirl]

Muse is garbage. When I saw them open for U2 in september, It was so shitty. Why does every fucking song begin with fuzz bass!!!!!!! Lol, really though, hearing this guy sing streets was painful. I had to bust out the Slane DVD to remedy it.

"all i want is youuuuuuuuuuuuuohhhhhhhhhhohohohhhhhhhhh!!"

That's better.

can anyone recommend me some essential Muse listening? I have never been into them (I have actually actively resisted), but the Streets performance has me wavering...

Hm, a lot of good songs have already been suggested. Props for you for knowing THoughts of a Dying Atheist! I was gonna suggest it. Hm, some early work: Muscle Museum, Sunburn and I'm kinda fond of Filip. If you're a fan of bass guitar Hysteria is absolutely INSANE! But for a good impression on Muse I'd recommend live stuff. H.A.A.R.P. Live from Wembley is pretty epic and contains most songs that people suggested here already.

 

[edgerulz]

could someone please send me an MP3 of this song please? thank you
cboeh7@yahoo.com

 

[Streets613]

I just think some people can't even begin to appreciate others or try to run them down just because they not u2 you know?

That's not the issue. If The Killers or Coldplay or anyone who's actually good (lol) played streets with Edge I probably would've pissed myself from enjoyment. But the impression that Muse gave me from seeing them open for U2 is that they a) can't actually play so they just coat everything in heavy distortion/ fuzz bass b) can only write songs about generic unhappiness (atleast that's what I discern from the lyrics I could hear inbetween him screaming like a little girl.) c) everyone goes on and on about how their live performances, but it was painfully obvious that 86,000 people and the claw were way too much for them.

Just my oppinion.

 

[MissVelvetDress_75]

Origin of Symmetry is their finest album. The first few songs - New Born, Bliss, Hyper Music, Plug-In Baby

 

[digitize]

The Resistance is my favorite Muse album.

 

[Chrisedge]

That's not the issue. If The Killers or Coldplay or anyone who's actually good (lol) played streets with Edge I probably would've pissed myself from enjoyment. But the impression that Muse gave me from seeing them open for U2 is that they a) can't actually play so they just coat everything in heavy distortion/ fuzz bass b) can only write songs about generic unhappiness (atleast that's what I discern from the lyrics I could hear inbetween him screaming like a little girl.) c) everyone goes on and on about how their live performances, but it was painfully obvious that 86,000 people and the claw were way too much for them.

Just my oppinion.

Sounds like you are judging them completely from your time seeing them.

They are every bit as talented as Coldplay and Killers. every.bit.

He has a better voice than either of those bands as well. (U2, Coldplay, Killers, Muse and Foo are probably my top 5 current favorite bands too)

 

[dazzlingamy]

That's not the issue. If The Killers or Coldplay or anyone who's actually good (lol) played streets with Edge I probably would've pissed myself from enjoyment. But the impression that Muse gave me from seeing them open for U2 is that they a) can't actually play so they just coat everything in heavy distortion/ fuzz bass b) can only write songs about generic unhappiness (atleast that's what I discern from the lyrics I could hear inbetween him screaming like a little girl.) c) everyone goes on and on about how their live performances, but it was painfully obvious that 86,000 people and the claw were way too much for them.

Just my oppinion.

Well we just have to agree to disagree as I was in a crowd of 140,000 who were going mental at the epicness of the moment and enjoying it for what it was. Their songs are great and Matt is a genius of Edge proportions when it comes to the music. But whatever mate, each to their own!

 

[U2Fanatic4ever]

can anyone recommend me some essential Muse listening? I have never been into them (I have actually actively resisted), but the Streets performance has me wavering...

for some people that ask me about what to listen to I go out of order a little. Usually I say listen to Black Holes and Revelatons first (Assasin and Exo-Politics are the bomb! ), then Absolution (can't think of a bad song there) and then Origin of Symmetry (the first six songs are great), at this point go with their new album or first album, Showbiz (so many great songs here).

A great source for Muse is : MuseWiki

 

[U2Fanatic4ever]

Well we just have to agree to disagree as I was in a crowd of 140,000 who were going mental at the epicness of the moment and enjoying it for what it was. Their songs are great and Matt is a genius of Edge proportions when it comes to the music. But whatever mate, each to their own!

agreed!

and seeing them open for U2 doesn't even do them justice 1. they have maybe 30 min 2. this is not their show (what opening band do you know that outdid the headliner?), they tend to hold back. but hey this is just IMO. I have seen them live headlining several times in arenas (have yet to see them in stadiums other than when they did support U2) and this has no comparison to what they did for U2.

I understand a few or more who don't like them and that's fine..

 

[Edge_Orchestra]

HAARP is a DVD/CD live set and has a good cross sectionof Muse material from "Showbiz" (1999) through "Black Holes and Revelations" (2006); which was the album before "The Resistance" (2009)

 

[Pop Artist]

for some people that ask me about what to listen to I go out of order a little. Usually I say listen to Black Holes and Revelatons first (Assasin and Exo-Politics are the bomb! ), then Absolution (can't think of a bad song there) and then Origin of Symmetry (the first six songs are great), at this point go with their new album or first album, Showbiz (so many great songs here).

A great source for Muse is : MuseWiki

Actually for a newbie (who's into U2), I'd probably recommend Origin of Symmetry first, then Black Holes - then Absolution, etc.

 

[Edge_Orchestra]

Sorry Streets613. Your assessment is not so correct.

But the impression that Muse gave me from seeing them open for U2 is that they:
a) can't actually play so they just coat everything in heavy distortion/ fuzz bass

- Actually they can play and play well. When Larry was asked about Edge playing with them, Larry had positive things to say about Muse's drummer, Dom. Matt is a music prodigy. He can play guitar and piano amazing. And he's very "Edge-like" in that he's been very inventive of his use of effects and sound in the contruction of Muse's songs.


b) can only write songs about generic unhappiness (atleast that's what I discern from the lyrics I could hear inbetween him screaming like a little girl.)

- They write about a number of things. And unlike a number of bands, they have no problem taking on the human condition, politics and more in their writing.

You might not like his voice. Fair enough. His voice might not be to everyone's. But screaming like a little girl? Pretty derogatory statement. Again, you don't have to like his voice but to disparage? So was Robert Plant 'screaming like a little girl' when he used falsetto with Led Zeppelin? Was Bono 'screaming like a little girl with he used falsetto in "The Fly" and "Numb"? No, not so much.

c) everyone goes on and on about how their live performances, but it was painfully obvious that 86,000 people and the claw were way too much for them.

Just my oppinion.

- You are allowed your opinion. But it doesn't seem that your view is be based in facts. Watch Muse's HAARP DVD. Wembley statium FULL and the fans loving every minute of it.

I remember tons complaining about when Kings of Leon opened for U2. Those same people talk about how they saw KOL way back when...

 

[RedRocksU2]

Jeff

 

[U2Fanatic4ever]

Sorry Streets613. Your assessment is not so correct.

But the impression that Muse gave me from seeing them open for U2 is that they:
a) can't actually play so they just coat everything in heavy distortion/ fuzz bass

- Actually they can play and play well. When Larry was asked about Edge playing with them, Larry had positive things to say about Muse's drummer, Dom. Matt is a music prodigy. He can play guitar and piano amazing. And he's very "Edge-like" in that he's been very inventive of his use of effects and sound in the contruction of Muse's songs.


b) can only write songs about generic unhappiness (atleast that's what I discern from the lyrics I could hear inbetween him screaming like a little girl.)

- They write about a number of things. And unlike a number of bands, they have no problem taking on the human condition, politics and more in their writing.

You might not like his voice. Fair enough. His voice might not be to everyone's. But screaming like a little girl? Pretty derogatory statement. Again, you don't have to like his voice but to disparage? So was Robert Plant 'screaming like a little girl' when he used falsetto with Led Zeppelin? Was Bono 'screaming like a little girl with he used falsetto in "The Fly" and "Numb"? No, not so much.

c) everyone goes on and on about how their live performances, but it was painfully obvious that 86,000 people and the claw were way too much for them.

Just my oppinion.

- You are allowed your opinion. But it doesn't seem that your view is be based in facts. Watch Muse's HAARP DVD. Wembley statium FULL and the fans loving every minute of it.

I remember tons complaining about when Kings of Leon opened for U2. Those same people talk about how they saw KOL way back when...

FTW.. very well said!

 

[Edge_Orchestra]

Jeff

Carlos!

 

[Galeongirl]

Agreed.

And I forgot a little thing in my last post. I completely forgot to point out that their latest album Resistance is pretty damn good too! I'm in love with the title track, it's so eerie and epic. And Uprising's great too, really good live to shout along with!

 

[Streets613]

Maybe this performance wasn't so good because of muse, but instead because of the fact that they were performing streets.......with edge

 

[MissVelvetDress_75]

Jeff Carlos

It took me a while to get into OOS. I liked BHAR first but now I prefer OSS! But yeah not everyone here will like MUSE. My first time seeing them live was when they opened for U2 in Raleigh and I was blown away and they locked me. Since then I have traveled to see them in NYC, Boston and will be seeing them in LA and Raleigh this fall. I also saw them in Atlanta in Feb. I can't get enough of their concerts.

/fangirl

 

[nielsgov]

Agreed.

And I forgot a little thing in my last post. I completely forgot to point out that their latest album Resistance is pretty damn good too! I'm in love with the title track, it's so eerie and epic. And Uprising's great too, really good live to shout along with!

The Resistance doesn't have enough rock songs. That's what they do best: make great rock songs IMO.

I'd recommend New Born, Citizen Erased, Sunburn, Knights Of Cydonia, Map Of The Problematique, Hysteria, Time Is Running Out and Uprising.

 

[Moonlit_Angel]

The Resistance is my favorite Muse album.

No need to use that little icon-it's a damn fine album . I like it, too.

Ag: I'm in love with the title track, it's so eerie and epic. And Uprising's great too, really good live to shout along with!

"Resistance" sounds awfully U2-ish to me, that's one reason I love that song (that and it's just so preeeeeeetty musically). And "Uprising" is fun as hell.

Muse actually can have some uplifting moments in their music. Yes, they tend to sing about darker subjects a lot, but there is a slight optimism and hope that does creep in. The "Redemption" part of the "Exogenesis" portion from The Resistance comes to mind as an example (and I LOVE the piano in that song, it's freakin' gorgeous). "Invincible" is also pretty optimistic. And Edge_Orchestra pretty much covered everything else perfectly, so, yeah, well said, buddy .

I love Absolution, that's my personal favorite Muse album. It depends on your taste, if you like weird (and I mean really weird) music, I would go with Origin Of Symmetry, but since you seem to have started your knowledge with some of their more "mainstream" stuff, I'd likely stick with Absolution and Black Holes and Revelations first (The Resistance has some mainstream stuff on it, too, but I don't know how well you'll take to a symphony and a song where Matt sings in French halfway through -they kinda revert back to some of their quirkiness on that album with those songs. Which doesn't bother me any, I love those songs, but some people don't, so...). Songs like "Stockholm Syndrome" (which is a KILLER song live), "Knights Of Cydonia" (ridiculous and over-the-top and an absolute blast), "Supermassive Black Hole"...good stuff to kinda dip your toe into the waters with to start. At least that's how I'd go about it, but it's up to you as to what direction you want to take.

Also, on Absolution, I highly recommend "Sing For Absolution" and "Blackout". Those songs are amazingly beautiful, and a couple of my personal favorites.

Angela

 

[Streets613]

Okay, I understand why people like them, but I can't stand Matt Bellamy or whatever his name is the same way that most people can't stand Bono. "They will not force us/They will stop degrading us/they will not control us/we will be victorious." Every time I hear that i wanna smack him in the face. Shut up, just shut up.

 

[nielsgov]

Well lyrics aren't his strongest point.

 

[Streets613]

Well lyrics aren't his strongest point.

It's the delivery, especially the whining

 

[MikeyJB]

The only thing that bugs me a bit about Muse is Bellamy's apparent lack of melodic range in singing. Other than that I think they are awesome.

 

[corianderstem]

Every time I hear that i wanna smack him in the face. Shut up, just shut up.

I have that reaction to other singers/songs.

I'm not loving the latest Muse record - it was a letdown after Absolution and Black Holes and Revelations (both of which I got into at about the same time, after seeing them live and having my socks rocked off).

There are a few earlier songs I like off Origin, but I don't love the album.

 

[cathalmc]

Absolution is one of, if not the, greatest albums ever imo. Interesting how most of the anti-Muse brigade seem to like The Killers, Keane or Coldplay, a bit like preferring sloppy yoghurt over a bloody steak.

 

[Earnie Shavers]

I sit somewhere in the middle. I absolutely understand why people adore Muse. They do put on a blinding show, they are clearly incredibly talented, and those songs are huge. But it's all a little too rock opera for me, and for whatever reason, it just doesn't connect with me, at all. There were actually points in that show where I was just laughing. Great fun, great spectacle - bit of smoke and lasers never hurt anyone, but hard to engage with any of it. They are the soundtrack to a fantasy electro-glam rock opera that has yet to be written, and I totally get that being amazing for many, but it just doesn't really do it for me. Will stress again though - great show, great fun, thoroughly enjoyed it, absolutely count it among the highlights of the weekend.

In terms of Muse v U2 - I think the others here who were there for this would agree, the difference can best be summed up in the different energy in the crowd for Streets. It wasn't necessarily individually the most 'apeshit' reaction of the set, probably tied at the top with a couple of others. But there absolutely was a different feeling to the crowd for just that one song. People jump around to Muse, they dance to Muse, they sing along and punch their fists in the air, all on a huge scale (absolutely truly nuts crowd from start to finish), but.. it's hard to describe... it's a little bit more aggressive, and seems a little bit more.. individual, or something? (as in, 100,000 individual people acting individually), whereas Streets unleashed a kind of wave of collective joy, one where you notice everyone still jumping, dancing, singing along, but they're now doing it 'with' the people around them, suddenly feels like 100,000 people combined. I know that is in part just because it's a big, classic, famous, anthemic, singalong song, but we know that's the vibe you get through a whole U2 gig, whereas the Muse vibe was very different - disconnect between stage and crowd, disconnect between members of the crowd. Everyone in their own fantasy electro-glam rock opera world I suppose.

 

[Earnie Shavers]

Absolution is one of, if not the, greatest albums ever imo. Interesting how most of the anti-Muse brigade seem to like The Killers, Keane or Coldplay, a bit like preferring sloppy yoghurt over a bloody steak.

Coldplay = Sloppy yoghurt.
Killers = Sloppy raspberry yoghurt mixed with some muesli.
Keane = Sloppy yoghurt seems like a compliment. Yoghurt has some flavour at least.

 

[Total U2 Nut]

In terms of Muse v U2 - I think the others here who were there for this would agree, the difference can best be summed up in the different energy in the crowd for Streets. It wasn't necessarily individually the most 'apeshit' reaction of the set, probably tied at the top with a couple of others. But there absolutely was a different feeling to the crowd for just that one song. People jump around to Muse, they dance to Muse, they sing along and punch their fists in the air, all on a huge scale (absolutely truly nuts crowd from start to finish), but.. it's hard to describe... it's a little bit more aggressive, and seems a little bit more.. individual, or something? (as in, 100,000 individual people acting individually), whereas Streets unleashed a kind of wave of collective joy, one where you notice everyone still jumping, dancing, singing along, but they're now doing it 'with' the people around them, suddenly feels like 100,000 people combined. I know that is in part just because it's a big, classic, famous, anthemic, singalong song, but we know that's the vibe you get through a whole U2 gig, whereas the Muse vibe was very different - disconnect between stage and crowd, disconnect between members of the crowd. Everyone in their own fantasy electro-glam rock opera world I suppose.

I think this is incredibly well put and I completely agree - I love seeing Muse live, the energy is palpable and the show, the spectacle is huge though it is a very individual experience, I find it is more about what the music means to me and my reaction to it - whereas U2 feels like something very different, I'm not sure how to put it, maybe something that you want to cherish with those around you, something completely engaging and inclusive. Edge playing with Muse felt very different to the rest of Muse's set, the atmosphere and mood reinforced in my mind what an incredible gig U2 at Glastonbury could have been

 

[Earnie Shavers]

Edge playing with Muse felt very different to the rest of Muse's set, the atmosphere and mood reinforced in my mind what an incredible gig U2 at Glastonbury could have been

That seems to be quite common. 'U2 regret' is a bit of a buzz term in various reviews, forums etc I've been looking at. Even among those who initially had an anti-U2 attitude, or were pleased to see them cancel, now agree that a massive U2 set would have blown the whole festival into the stratosphere - and a lot point to the Streets performance as the moment that won them over.

It was incredibly hard being in that insane, huge crowd, 100,000+ singing along, bathed in red light, red flares going off all over the place, looking up at the screen and seeing Edge really pushing it and thinking... fucking hell. I think it could have been/would have been *THE* U2 gig. I mean, they were going to open with Streets. Where the hell do they go from there? MASSIVE is the only option. I was watching some of Slane yesterday, and both that performance and that crowd were absolutely tame compared to the Glastonbury crowd and the kind of performance they would have had to pull out to lift that crowd and hold them there. Sounds like they totally understood that as well. Oh well, 2013!