So many people like muse these days it's staggering. The number of times I see kids on the bus playing muse songs, gah it's getting very annoying.
But why do so many people like them so much. They're really not that great. Sure Matt Bellamy is a good guitarist, but really instrumentally they're not that great. Muse and radiohead are often compared, but really Radiohead is light years ahead of muse. Muse's music isn't very layered at all, it's fairly basic at time often centred around one instrument (usually a guitar or a piano). Radiohead by contrast is much more innovative and original. It is by no accident that Muse haven't and never will produce masterpieces such as OK Computer or Kid A. It's just simply they're not good enough and never will be. The bass is not impressive and as for the drumming, muse have not mastered the art of using good drumming in a song (please don't mention the one song Assassin to counter this argument).
As for vocals, while I admit Bellamy's vocal range is good, his tone of voice is awful. His annoying whining doesn't convey emotion well. A much better example of being able to convey emotion well is Morrissey. I'm sure the smiths are a big influence on muse, but Bellamy doesn't sing with emotion convincingly like Morrissey, it often feels overblown and exaggerated. As I've mentioned, the lyrical prowess of muse is perhaps the worst thing about them (they're certainly no Bob Dylan or morrissey). Even radiohead (one of my favourite modern bands) write songs in an interesting way. Don't tell me that songs like Knights of Cydonia or Supermassive Black hole have deep meanings because they clearly don't.
Then there's argument that Muse are the best band live. That's ridiculous. Muse are a good live band, I'll give them that. And I suppose as they can both sing and play their instruments well live. But by no means are they the best. Bellamy often whines too much in live performances, goes over the top. You don't go to a live concert for simply theatrics. You go for good music, and an energetic performance. Better live bands are Sigur ros, and talking heads.
Muse are by no means an awful band, but they're very over hyped and are by no means near the standard of good bands/artists such as The Beatles, Joy division, talking heads, Smiths, The Clash, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, radiohead etc.
Do you agree? If not feel free to disagree with me and state your counter argument/state your views.
I love Muse- I think they have good lyrics and they can do interesting covers. Can't Take my Eyes Off You and Feeling Good are two of my favourites.
They're cover of Please Please Please let me get what I want by the smiths is terrible.
muse:
original (well it's the live version that's slightly worse, I couldn't find the studio version):
While I agree that Muse don't achieve the same level of musical 'layering' that say Radiohead often display, I wouldn't say that their music suffers as as result.
One comparison I came across recently was that while Radiohead in terms of originality and innovation were similar to Pink Floyd, Muse could relate more to the style of Led Zeppelin, namely that while Led Zepp also didn't [as consistantly] display the same levels of experimentation as Floyd, they were still a mind-blowing band to listen to.
Personally I go to different bands for different things. Radiohead for the more technically intricate and [arguably] more emotionally impacting songs, while Muse are the band of choice for more bombastic, '**** you' music.
Although who knows, maybe 'The Resistance' will turn the entire arguement on its head?
While I agree that Muse don't achieve the same level of musical 'layering' that say Radiohead often display, I wouldn't say that their music suffers as as result.
One comparison I came across recently was that while Radiohead in terms of originality and innovation were similar to Pink Floyd, Muse could relate more to the style of Led Zeppelin, namely that while Led Zepp also didn't [as consistantly] display the same levels of experimentation as Floyd, they were still a mind-blowing band to listen to.
Personally I go to different bands for different things. Radiohead for the more technically intricate and [arguably] more emotionally impacting songs, while Muse are the band of choice for more bombastic, '**** you' music.
Although who knows, maybe 'The Resistance' will turn the entire arguement on its head?
One awaits 14th September with baited breath....
There was a reason I missed out Led Zeppelin out of the bands I considered great/I liked. I think they're overrated too (not as much as muse). A lot of incredible bands went under the radar due to these "**** you" music bands, e.g. for example everyone has heard of Led Zeppelin, though not so many have heard of King Crimson (which are by far the better band in my opinion).
Pink Floyd weren't that similar to Radiohead. A lot more emotion in Radiohead's song, Pink Floyd were probably more musically talented (though I prefer Radiohead by far to Pink Floyd). Radiohead are probably more similar to the Smiths and Joy division if anything (Jonny Greenwoods guitar playing reminds me a bit of Johnny Marr).
Hmm. Never heard that song before, but I have to say, both versions posted are crap. Maybe I just don't like the song.
The original studio version by the smiths is the best. I can't find it though as youtube deleted it. You'd probably find it on www.deezer.com or last.fm though.
Music, albums, singles, gigs, bands, artists and anything else musical you can think of.
Useful Resources:
Do you hate muse?
