Tracklisting

1. Take a Bow

2. Starlight

3. Supermassive Black Hole

4. Map of the Problematique

5. Soldier's Poem

6. Invincible

7. Assassin

8. Exo-Politics

9. City of Delusion

10. Hoodoo

11. Knights of Cydonia

 

Singles

Map of the Problematique

Invincible

Knights of Cydonia

Starlight

Supermassive Black Hole

 

Information

Black Holes and Revelations is Muse's fourth studio album, the follow up to Absolution, released in July 2006. The album was a change in style from Muse's previous albums, while introducing new influences including R&B, jazz, and soul. The theme of the album has political and science-fiction undertones, with the lyrics covering topics as varied as political corruption, alien invasion, New World Order conspiracies as well as more conventional love songs.

 

Black Holes and Revelations remains Muse's most successful album in the United States, reaching No. 9 in the Billboard 200 album chart with over 700,000 copies sold, and 3 million world wide. It peaked at No. 1 in the UK, much of Europe, and Australia.

 

The album is dedicated to the memory of Helen Kirk.

 

This was the first Muse album I heard, back in 2006 and only being 11 years old. It really helped me develop my music taste. Although it isn't my favourite Muse album, I still think it is fantastic and flows really well. It's diverse, which attracts music fans from all genres.

 

Song by Song

 

 

Take a Bow

Initially called "Hex", Take a Bow is a fantastic opener on the album. It is a powerful live song, usually played as the opener/closer or in the encore.

Described by Matt in a German Interview, Take a Bow "is about the feeling of the little man who lost control of anything and now wants to take revenge on authority". Take a Bow calls on world leaders to take responsibility for their actions. Muse move through three musical stages: starting off as a classical piece before moving into a techno mid-section and a heavy "apocalyptic rock" ending. Initially described "a looping epic which morphs into a gothic fairytale".

 

Starlight

Starlight can be described as a "pop song" among fans. It was the first Muse song I heard, so naturally I have a soft spot for it. Chris Wolstenholme describes Starlight as a "kind of a love song about missing someone, friends, family, someone you love". You can never get bored of the clap-along to the drum beat when hearing it.

 

This is one of my favourite performances of Starlight, the light show is incredible.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJQcWZ8pW7o]YouTube - Muse - Starlight (MTV Awards)[/ame]

 

Supermassive Black Hole

Supermassive Black Hole is my least favourite Muse song, but live I really enjoy it (not just because of Matt's sexy dancing), with the Kaoss Pad solo and extra riff, what's not to like? It has elements of R&B and has a dance-type beat with alternative guitar.

A preview of Matt's sexy dancing can be seen at 2:43 :sneaky:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYC-r_rbeqk]YouTube - Muse - Supermassive Black Hole [Rock In Rio 2010][/ame]

 

Map of the Problematique

This song is amazing, definitely in my top 5 Muse songs. The lyrics are some of Muse's best. It was originally played on synthesizers before being transferred to guitar, giving it a much darker sound. The rhythm section was recorded after the guitar tracks. This was different to anything the band had done before, according to Chris, "because the whole theme of the song was based more on the sound and creation of this sound". It is a crowd pleaser when played live.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR6A3dap6MI&ob=av2e]YouTube - Muse - Map Of The Problematique [Live From Wembley Stadium][/ame]

 

Soldier's Poem

Soldier's Poem is a sweet, short song. It is one of Muse's most underrated songs. It has a mellow jazz sound, with a military rhythmic beat. It is written from the perspective of a soldier who cannot find a reason for why he is repeatedly risking his life. According to Dom Howard: “It’s about a soldier in prison, who feels abandoned by a country that’s falling apart. We didn’t know how to play it and, finally, we made into a melodramatic jazz style. It’s big and minimal at the same time. We were surprised to see that you can play jazz and make it sound good. We’ll probably keep it, because we’ll have a whale of a time with it".

And is one of Chris Wolstenholme's favourite track.

 

Invincible

A cheesy love song, you've gotta love. The guitar solo is one of Muse's most difficult that Matt has admitted he usually gets wrong when playing live. It's Influenced by David Bowie's 'Heroes'. Matt said in a German interview that: ""Invincible" is about an almost unrealistic optimism, a bit like: We can do anything, we have the power".

 

Assassin

Assissin is made up of Matt's stabby guitar riffs accompanied by a heavy bass line and insane thrashing drums (If you're heart starts beating at the same beat as Assassin, it's fair to say you're done :p). It is about Democracy. I love when Chris says the line "Aim, shoot, kill your leaders" during the solo that's on the album. :awesome:

 

Exo-Politics

Exo-Politics is about Zeta Reticulans invading Earth (from the lyrics "When the Zetas fill the sky, it's just our leaders in disguise"), or as Matt said: "That’s about the possibility of an orchestrated alien invasion created by the New World Order".

Matt has said the idea of the projects being aimed at fighting aliens is much more appealing. While stating he takes this idea seriously, he has been simultaneously reduced to incoherent, hysterical laughter by this.

 

City of Delusion

A personal favourite of mine. This song has the same lyrical theme as Assassin - an individual prepared to commit brutal acts in order to get their views and opinions noticed by the corrupt powers that be. This can been seen in the lyrics to the chorus "And I will avenge, and justify my reasons with your blood) My favourite part of the song is the trumpet solo, which when played live, is played by Dan the Trumpet Man. :awesome:

 

Hoodoo

Hoodoo is lyrically Muse's best song. The final verse is the highlight of the lyrics:

"And I've had recurring nightmares

That I was loved for who I am

And missed the opportunity

To be a better man"

The song was originally entirely piano based, and was part of a set of very classical-sounding songs but Bellamy felt that the original piano-based piano intro and outro were too posh sounding, and so it was later adapted for Black Holes and Revelations. The track was recorded in two sections, one consisting of guitar and vocals, and the second consisting of piano, bass and drums, together with strings arrangement

The lyrics were voted "Lyric of the Year" in 2009 by readers of Q Magazine.

 

Knights of Cydonia

Knights of Cydonia is a fans favourite and a fantastic live song. It significantly influenced by The Tornados' hit single, Telstar, of which Bellamy's father, George Bellamy, was the rhythm guitarist. It features an epic guitar riff and falsetto. Knights of Cydonia was voted the "Hottest Song of 2007" on the Australian radio station Triple J.

The music video to Knights of Cydonia is one of my favourites. It is full of awesomeness.

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3Yc3HhSl1Q]YouTube - Muse - Knights Of Cydonia (Video)[/ame]

 

Sorry about my song descriptions, I suck at that sort of thing. :p

 

That's an excellent first post, Kelly. :nice:

 

This was my first Muse album. I bought it on a whim for my 17th birthday. To this day, I consider it to be the best birthday present I've ever bought myself. It's for these reasons that while it's not my favorite Muse album, BHAR has special meaning to me.

 

Anyway, I love how Chris and I are similar in tastes. "Soldier's Poem" is one of my favorites, too. :wacky: I was gonna try to pick out a Top 5, but I realized that with this album, it's difficult for me.

 

With that being said, "Exo-Politics" is my least favorite. It took me a while before I actually liked it. I remember a time long ago when I'd put the album into my stereo and listen to it all-with the exception of "Exo-Politics." I'd always skip that one, for whatever reason. Anyway, I like it now, so it's whatever.

 

Oh, and thank you for posting the SMBH vid. I never knew Matt had moves like that...and Chris is just beautiful. :wacky:

Thanks Violet. :nice:

 

You're welcome :wacky: He has quite a few moves if you watch other videos too. :lol:

You did a great job! Thanks for posting. :D

 

I still can't really get into the last half of BHAR. :shame: But I really, really adore the first half.

 

MAP OF THE PROBLEMATIQUE. I personally think this is the best song off of BHAR. It's truly amazing, and the instrumental arrangement is quite gorgeous. Once the drums kick in, the song just completely grabs my attention.

 

I like how Soldier's Poem sounds like this sweet, relaxing song, and yet the lyrics have a tone of bitterness to it ("There's no justice in the world / And there never was").

 

I love the guitar in Exo-Politics. The beat is so catchy.

 

I used to not care much for Hoodoo, but after watching it on HAARP (love the piano), it's starting to grow on me. You can really feel Matt's emotions through his singing and lyrics.

 

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

Black Holes & Revelations isn't Muse's best album by any means, but it's the one that got me into the band in the first place. In fact, my whole Muse fanaticism started with one fateful day when I heard Knights of Cydonia on KROQ. I immediately checked out the rest of the album, and then proceeded backwards in their LP catalog from there.

 

It's true that Starlight and Supermassive Black Hole were easily their most pop-like tracks up to that point, but they're pop-rock songs done right (Starlight has great audience involvement and SMBH sounds a lot better live than on record). In fact, there really aren't any bad songs on this album, but there are weaker ones. Exo-Politics is nothing special and Invincible was their first venture into unabashed cheese, though both are still fairly decent songs.

 

The highlight of the album? Map of the Problematique, which in my opinion, is their greatest post-Absolution track. That's no disrespect to Knights or Take a Bow of course, both of which bookend the album in spectacular fashion (I stand by my statement that all of Muse's album openers and closers are great).

"Take a Bow" is epic. :heart: I will say that "Invincible" is a TAD cheesy, but I like cheese, so it's all good. :tongue:

There was going to be a U2 week but a lack of interest by all parties is the reason it hasn't happened....yet. So I applaud your efforts on this excellent Muse week even though I ain't a big fan of theirs.

^^^^^^^^I love your description of the songs and that fact that you put Rock in Rio's SMBH video there! :awesome: Althought it's my least favorite album by them, it still has really AMAZING songs

 

Take A Bow - One of my least favorites, but I love HAARP's version

 

Starlight - The first time heard Starlight I didn't like it, but now I just love the song!! :) Like you said, who can resist to clap-along the drums?

 

Supermassive Black Hole - One of my favorite songs, I don't care what everyone else says, it was the first song I heard from Muse, and it has a special meaning for me (and I heard a lot before that horrible movie) I love the RNB influence, and the guitar riff at the begining

 

Map Of The Problematique - I wonderful song!! :heart: No words can describe how beautiful it is

 

Soldier's Poem - I Always feel very calm while listening to this song...

 

Invincible - I absolutely love the lyrics, and of course the guitar part in the begining :awesome:

 

Assassin - Dominic is a freaking beast with the drums in this song and it's awesome! \m/

 

Exo-Politics - I knew this song even before knowing who muse are :D The beat is extraordinary!

 

City Of Delusion - Definitely not my favorite song by them :\ Never really got into that song

 

Hoodoo - Another song that I never really got into...although I love the begining, and Matt's voice sounds beautiful! :nice:

 

Knights Of Cydonia - Best song by them live!!! (imo) It makes me remember Cowboys and Western movies, I just love it! And the video fits the song perfectly

OH! I forgot. Can I just say how much I love the trumpet in Knights of Cydonia? Specifically in HAARP. I know it's only there for, like, six seconds, but it sounds perfect for this particular spaghetti-Western-space-cowboy-whatnot song.

 

Yeah . . .

 

 

EDIT: Scratch that. More like twenty seconds.

^ AGREE!! The trumpet is great in HAARP!! And I love when Chris plays the harmonica as an intro to that song! :awesome:

There was going to be a U2 week but a lack of interest by all parties is the reason it hasn't happened....yet. So I applaud your efforts on this excellent Muse week even though I ain't a big fan of theirs.

 

Thank you! :nice:

 

OH! I forgot. Can I just say how much I love the trumpet in Knights of Cydonia? Specifically in HAARP. I know it's only there for, like, six seconds, but it sounds perfect for this particular spaghetti-Western-space-cowboy-whatnot song.

 

Yeah . . .

 

Dan the Trumpet Man FTW. :awesome:

^ AGREE!! The trumpet is great in HAARP!! And I love when Chris plays the harmonica as an intro to that song! :awesome:

 

Dan the Trumpet Man FTW. :awesome:

 

 

Trumpet love! :awesome: And yep, Man with a Harmonica is a great intro to lead into Knights. Chris and his harmonica. :cool:

WOLSTY HARMONICA LOVE, GAH. :freak: :heart:

 

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Black Holes And Revelations has been a big part of my year. Soldier's Poem, Hoodoo, Knights Of Cydonia, Starlight...ah, great songs.

 

Over the top? Maybe yes. But it's Muse.

^^ I was there! :awesome::freak:

 

There's not much love for City of Delusion :( It's one of my faves from this album.

 

Top 5 are:

MotP

Knights of Cydonia

Take a Bow

City of Delusion

Hoodoo

:heart:

^^^He played that intro at Rock in Rio :dead:

 

^I don't like City of Delusion that much :\

Im a little busy lately, so im not posting so much...

My favorites on BHAR:

 

Map of the Problematique

Invencible

 

 

obs: i didnt hear all the songs yet.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXdRCNOJtAI]YouTube - Muse - City of Delusion (pro shot video)[/ame]

 

:heart:

Dan the Trumpet man solo at 3:35 :awesome:

DAN!! :awesome:

 

My little cousin is learning how to play trompet, I tried to play it and when I blow there was no sound! :| My family still makes fun of me after that day :shifty: It's harder than it seems!

DAN THE TRUMPET MAN GOT MENTIONED. :heart:

 

I told my brother he should learn that, but then he laughed and said Muse is lame. :|

 

Anyway. Excellent job, Kelly! I didn't know that TaB was called originally called Hex. :thinking:

 

I'm actually a SMBH fan. :blush: I love Wolsty's kind of growly "SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLE" when they play it live. :P

 

My top 5 are probably:

 

Take a Bow

Map of the Problematique

Supermassive Black Hole

Exo-Politics

City of Delusion

 

 

But it's really hard to decide. :\

 

 

 

I need to work on my Resistance post. . . :uhoh: I've had so much homework recently! :bigcry:

 

^ Your brother... :|

YAY! Someone that likes SMBH too! :lol:

^ Your brother... :|

YAY! Someone that likes SMBH too! :lol:

 

He's an egotistic trumpet player. Oh wait, that's a bit redundant. :| Band joke. :P :lol:

 

:awesome:

YAY! Someone that likes SMBH too! :lol:

 

Me too, me too! I like SMBH! :D I know it can get repetitive and is probably overplayed, but it just has a great groove to it. I like the live versions more, when Matt changes up the guitar parts (like in HAARP).

 

And I thought your trumpet story was cute. :hug: It does look like a really hard instrument to play! Wind instruments look really difficult; I'm impressed by people who can play 'em.

:lol: YAY! People who like SMBH! :dance: I prefer the HAARP version too, I showed that one to my dad and he was like... :wideeyed: lol

 

And I can play the flute (not that well, I only know a couple of songs), but trompet it's different... :|

DAN THE TRUMPET MAN GOT MENTIONED. :heart:

 

I told my brother he should learn that, but then he laughed and said Muse is lame. :|

 

Anyway. Excellent job, Kelly! I didn't know that TaB was called originally called Hex. :thinking:

 

I'm actually a SMBH fan. :blush: I love Wolsty's kind of growly "SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLE" when they play it live. :P

 

My top 5 are probably:

 

Take a Bow

Map of the Problematique

Supermassive Black Hole

Exo-Politics

City of Delusion

 

 

But it's really hard to decide. :\

 

 

 

I need to work on my Resistance post. . . :uhoh: I've had so much homework recently! :bigcry:

 

Thanks. :D I didn't know it was called Hex either. :p Good 'ole MuseWiki. :awesome: