1. Sunburn

2. Muscle Museum

3. Fillip

4. Falling Down

5. Cave

6. Showbiz

7. Unintended

8. Uno

9. Sober

10.Escape

11.Overdue

12.Hate This & I'll Love You

 

 

Singles

 

1. Uno

2. Cave

3. Muscle Museum

4. Sunburn

5. Unintended

 

Information

 

Showbiz was Muse's debut album, having been recorded between 1998 and 1999. The songs themselves included some of the older songs in Muse's repertoir, dating as far back as 1996. All songs on the album had been witten by 1997. These were among the "fifty or so" that Muse had written before entering the studio.The band picked those which they deemed least progressive to make up Showbiz.

 

John Leckie, who produced the album, started attending Muse's concerts in the latter half of 1998. Leckie was based at Sawmills recording studio, where owner Dennis Smith had given the band free recording time the previous year, from which the Muse EP resulted. He built up a relationship with the band during this time, coming to say that he'd want to work with the band if ever they could afford him. Leckie had not worked with any bands quite some time prior to doing so with Muse. The recording had finished by the 15th of May 1999

 

 

Release

 

The booklet which comes with the album does not have lyrics on it, but instead, a line from each song is cited in bold letters. A limited "Festival Edition" was released in the Benelux region featuring a bonus disc with the same content as the Japanese Random 1-8 EP, although without the three hidden "Sunburn" remixes after "Do We Need This (live)".

 

The UK and US promo CDs are held between two pieces of perspex, one engraved with the Muse logo, bolted down the middle. The aforementioned CD originally came with a special perspex spanner. Two other promo CDs, one with alternative artwork, another with a gold promo stamp, were made in the US. A variety of promotional CD-Rs were used to promote the album in the UK, US and Japan. The exclusive advanced promo CD was an European promo used for promoting Showbiz, and contains six faded song samples from the album.

 

The album has gone to sell over 300,000 in the UK making it Platinum, and has sold over 700,000 copies worldwide. Whilst the first release was on the Mushroom and Taste Media labels in the UK, the album was reissued on CD in 2006 in the UK on East West Records. Showbiz was reissued on double 12" vinyl under Warner in Europe and North America on the 18th of August, 2009 to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of the debut album.

 

 

 

Personal Opinion

 

It took me quite some time to actually grow to like Showbiz, maybe it was because the first album I heard by Muse was "Black Holes & Revelations", which so much different from Showbiz in so may ways.

In my opinion, this album was inspired by a lot of things that I've heard Matt went through when he was younger (Like his parents getting divorced, people not believing in the band at the beggining and even falling in love).

I also recommend to give this album a listen no matter how you're feeling, it has a little bit of everything and like it happens with every song you listen, you give to the song your own personal meaning.

 

 

 

 

Track by track

 

Sunburn

This is one of the songs that after you listen to it, I'm sure you'll recognize anywhere, the piano intro is just amazing, and when it gets to the chorus you can't keep yourself from singing along.

 

Muscle Museum

This is another well known song by fans, and it also has a funny fact behind it: Matt actually sings the "guitar" solo. "I wanted to do this big epic guitar solo at the end of the chorus and as soon as I started doing the solo, I missed a chord. So I suddenly found myself singing the guitar solo instead. I ended up singing it into a Marshall amp and it sounded exactly like guitar."

 

Fillip

This song needs moar love. I loved it since I first listened to it... I've been trying to get a meaning to it, but whenever I listen to it I just wanna shame my head like crazy and sing along...

 

Falling Down

To me, this song is about people who don't want you to be yourself, or would turn their back on you, and when you're doing good they try to mend the mistake they made, but "too late I've already found what I was looking for, you know it wasn't here, no it wasn't here"

 

 

Cave

SONG YOU MUST LISTEN TO NO MATTER WHAT.No words can describre how great and powerful this song is.

 

Showbiz

Matt was quoted saying "Showbiz is about how we all have an inside personality that we sort of hide from the outside"... Needless to say, is one ofmy most favorite songs by Muse.

 

Unintended

This is a nice romantic song, it's a really beautiful song.

 

Uno

"You could have been number one, you could have ruled the whole world, we could have had so much fun but you blew it away" describes what this song is about. at some point Matt screams the lyrics, that is not necessarily a bad thing, listen to it and you decide.

 

Sober

I think this song is about whiskey... maybe about how much they like(d) it, it's sort of catchy.

 

Escape

This one (if you've never listened to it) might seem a little mellow/sad, but as the song continues, it turns into a really strong song and just before it ends it becomes mellow/sad again.

 

Ovedue

This is the song that kind of gives you the feeling that it doesn't belong in this album, but's sort of catchy.

 

Hate This & I'll Love You

One of my favorites.. it really is a great song, the little doens't really say what it is about though.

 

 

 

 

In conclusion, if you ever have the time, give this album a listen, it might take some time for it to grow on you, but it's completely worth it.

 

 

 

btw... sorry if the description of the songs it's not good... I suck at describing songs :disappointed:

Yay, it started! :dance:

 

EDIT: And now "Uprising" is playing on Absolute Radio!!! :awesome:

 

EDIT 2: Haleema posted this in the Muse thread today, it belongs in here as well I suppose:

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JLp7MmnZ40]YouTube - Making - Showbiz[/ame]

 

:wacky:

 

Muscle Museum

This is another well known song by fans, and it also has a funny fact behind it: Matt actually sings the "guitar" solo. "I wanted to do this big epic guitar solo at the end of the chorus and as soon as I started doing the solo, I missed a chord. So I suddenly found myself singing the guitar solo instead. I ended up singing it into a Marshall amp and it sounded exactly like guitar."

 

 

i didn't know Matt sang the guitar solo:o

 

Escape

This one (if you've never listened to it) might seem a little mellow/sad, but as the song continues, it turns into a really strong song and just before it ends it becomes mellow/sad again.

 

i was a casual muse fan until i first heard escape:D

 

my favorite song on showbiz is uno, when he screams the lyrics:bomb:

 

Thank you Carla:nice:

Showbiz, my third favourite Muse album. :heart:

One of two Muse albums I don't have :( I really like the raw Muse so I look forward to buying it.

For me its still the number one Muse album...Incredible.

Uno, Showbiz, Sunburn, Muscle Museum...this four songs are in my top 10 Muse songs.

 

 

Uno is probably the number 'one' :laugh3:

 

And here is my meaning for Fillip:

 

Try to imagine that you loose your girlfriend, but you didnt liked her so much...but in a flick of the finger(fillip) you start becoming obsessed by her. and i think 'its gonna be our last memory' its maybe a 'one night stand' kind thing with that person.

 

Try listening to the song after reading my interpration...

 

OBS: and the song is just after Muscle Museum, its like the continuation of the history.

 

 

The whole Showbiz album has all those conections, thats why i LOVE this album. I know the other albuns also have conections, but i dont see it so clearly. There's also a lot of conection within other albuns song and the Showbiz songs.

One of two Muse albums I don't have :( I really like the raw Muse so I look forward to buying it.

 

Buy it as soon as you can, its worth it.

i didn't know Matt sang the guitar solo:o

 

 

 

i was a casual muse fan until i first heard escape:D

 

my favorite song on showbiz is uno, when he screams the lyrics:bomb:

 

Thank you Carla:nice:

 

Hahahaha! :awesome: Crazy Matt is crazeh! :freak: It's kinda amusing how great he is at times :P

 

 

 

Escape is such a great song, I so :heart: it!

 

You're welcome! :nice:

I remember reading somewhere online that Chris was disappointed that Muse didn't play "Escape" more. I was so happy reading that because "Escape" is one of my favorites off the album.

 

I suppose "Escape" and "Unintended" would be my top two. Really, that album is more solid than some people would think it to be.

 

As for "Uno," I actually think it's highly overrated.

Also, seems like I forgot to say that Muscle Museum's bass line is pretty :awesome:

MUSE WEEK YAY :wacky: :dance:

 

Wonderful job, Carla!! :D I have no idea what I'm doing for OOS tomorrow :uhoh:

 

I don't listen to this album as much as the others, but after reading Carla's description I was reminded of how great it is, I definitely need to listen to it more.

Holy crud, I totally forgot Muse week was even happening here. :laugh3:

 

Showbiz the album is kind of a mixed bag for me, as while the band's roots lie in a lot of its songs, not every song is quite a success (I'm not a fan of Overdue or Sober). That said, Showbiz the song is one of my favorite Muse tracks (behind only Bliss and B&H) and it's a travesty that it doesn't get played anymore. In fact, Showbiz songs in general get played very infrequently these days, and I think that's a shame.

 

Seriously, watch this live performance and see if your pants don't get blown off:

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwCTnEOSoxI]YouTube - Muse Showbiz live at Reading[/ame]

^ Amazing :wideeyed: thanks for posting.

 

I think Falling Down is underrated. I love that song. :wacky: Especially when played live - Chris plays a Double Bass. :awesome:

Also, seems like I forgot to say that Muscle Museum's bass line is pretty :awesome:

 

That it is.

 

MUSE WEEK YAY :wacky: :dance:

 

Wonderful job, Carla!! :D I have no idea what I'm doing for OOS tomorrow :uhoh:

 

I don't listen to this album as much as the others, but after reading Carla's description I was reminded of how great it is, I definitely need to listen to it more.

 

You'll figure it out, Marisa. :nice:

 

Oh yeah, I do, too. It's my least favorite album of theirs, but it's still really good stuff, and it's still miles ahead of the Newton Abbot demo.

 

Seriously, watch this live performance and see if your pants don't get blown off:

 

 

Oh. My. GOD. That is brilliant. :dead:

 

:heart:

I prefer the Hullabaloo version.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJyWvT_pZAE&feature=related]YouTube - Muse - Showbiz (Hullabaloo)[/ame]

 

Falling Down is nice, but i dont know why, i cant hear it too much, perhaps i just heard it too many times...Escape is incredible too.

 

 

Can't wait till OoS day *-* i've got a lot toughts on it :P

 

My 'rating' on Showbiz:

 

Sunburn 10/10

Muscle Museum 10/10

Fillip 9,5/10

Falling Down 9/10

Cave 9,5/10

Showbiz 10/10

Unintended 9,5/10

Uno 10/10

Sober 7/10 I really don't like it.

Escape 9,5/10

Overdue 7/10 Obs: the song is nice, but it reminds me bad things :cry: perhaps one day i'll enjoy it more.

Hate This and I'll Love You 8,5/10

 

My preferred: I just can't choose between Uno/MM/Sunburn/Showbiz

MUSE WEEK YAY :wacky: :dance:

 

Wonderful job, Carla!! :D I have no idea what I'm doing for OOS tomorrow :uhoh:

 

I don't listen to this album as much as the others, but after reading Carla's description I was reminded of how great it is, I definitely need to listen to it more.

 

Thanks Marisa! :hug:

 

I'm sure you'll do good! :wink:

 

Holy crud, I totally forgot Muse week was even happening here. :laugh3:

 

Showbiz the album is kind of a mixed bag for me, as while the band's roots lie in a lot of its songs, not every song is quite a success (I'm not a fan of Overdue or Sober). That said, Showbiz the song is one of my favorite Muse tracks (behind only Bliss and B&H) and it's a travesty that it doesn't get played anymore. In fact, Showbiz songs in general get played very infrequently these days, and I think that's a shame.

 

Seriously, watch this live performance and see if your pants don't get blown off:

 

 

Gotta watch that at home! :bomb:

 

^ Amazing :wideeyed: thanks for posting.

 

I think Falling Down is underrated. I love that song. :wacky: Especially when played live - Chris plays a Double Bass. :awesome:

 

Falling Down is :heart:

 

I prefer the Hullabaloo version.

 

 

Falling Down is nice, but i dont know why, i cant hear it too much, perhaps i just heard it too many times...Escape is incredible too.

 

 

Can't wait till OoS day *-* i've got a lot toughts on it :P

 

My 'rating' on Showbiz:

 

Sunburn 10/10

Muscle Museum 10/10

Fillip 9,5/10

Falling Down 9/10

Cave 9,5/10

Showbiz 10/10

Unintended 9,5/10

Uno 10/10

Sober 7/10 I really don't like it.

Escape 9,5/10

Overdue 7/10 Obs: the song is nice, but it reminds me bad things :cry: perhaps one day i'll enjoy it more.

Hate This and I'll Love You 8,5/10

 

My preferred: I just can't choose between Uno/MM/Sunburn/Showbiz

Can't wait for OoS, it's probably my most favorite album by them.... sometimes, for some reason seems like Showbiz might be my favorite :uhoh:

 

Same here, I don't really like Sober nor Overdue :P

I think OOS is my favorite too :wacko:

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gbj8-KZ69M]YouTube - Muse - Unintended [Live From Wembley Stadium][/ame]

I'll be there as soon as I can

But I'm busy mending all the pieces of the life I had before

:heart:

You did a great job Carla! :hug:

 

I looooove this album. :heart: It's almost like a completely different Muse; they're so raw and emotional. :wacky: My favorites are Sunburn (just saying the title gets the chorus stuck in my head for a week :P), Muscle Museum, Cave, and Showbiz. :awesome:

 

I wish Muse would play some more of the songs from this album live, I think Cave and Sunburn would work great. :wacky:

^ I've heard Cave live. :smug:

 

:p

 

But seriously, I love Matt's voice on this album, and the falsetto in Showbiz (the song) is breath taking. It's amazing to think that Muse were only teenagers when some of these songs were written.

^:veryangry2:

 

I've seen videos, and of course Hulaballoo, but I'd love to hear it with my own ears. :wacky:

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, btw Carla, I'm going to copy the way you set this thread up, okay? :P :lol:

Anyone knows where did Muse played the Sunburn(Live) version on the Sunburn EP?

 

 

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGE0Fgwf3VA&p=133BBB6A422FDD3B&playnext=1&index=17]YouTube - Muse - Sunburn guitar version a live[/ame]

 

 

 

OMG SOMEBODY KILL THAT CROWD :laugh3:

Anyone knows where did Muse played the Sunburn(Live) version on the Sunburn EP?

The live version of "Sunburn" featured as a b-side was recorded in Vienna on 2nd May 2000 . . .

source: http://www.musewiki.org/Sunburn_%28single%29

 

Fantastic job, Carla! :thumbsup:

 

My three favorite songs from Showbiz are Muscle Museum, Showbiz, and Uno. The song Showbiz is just so intense, and I love how it builds up from the drums and bass at the beginning (that IS a bass, right? :embarrassed:) and then practically explodes. Matt's singing and falsetto are just incredible.

 

I'm really happy that the boys played Cave several times during their current tour; I'm in love with the piano version.

^:veryangry2:

 

I've seen videos, and of course Hulaballoo, but I'd love to hear it with my own ears. :wacky:

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, btw Carla, I'm going to copy the way you set this thread up, okay? :P :lol:

I'm copying too :P

I'm a day behind! :uhoh:

Listening to the album now while doing accounting. :nice:

Buy it as soon as you can, its worth it.

 

It's been on that list some time, so yeah, soon.