Muse - Knights Of Cydonia
Artist profile:
Muse
Release Date: 27/11/06
Label: A & E
Rating: *****
This is bonkers. Ambitious, even for Muse, this is one of the band's finest moments. Starting with what can only be described as the sound of horses and laser fire; over the next six minutes you are witness to a band outshining themselves when you didn't think they could get any better. From the acoustic guitars and chorus strengthening the sci-fi spaghetti western feel, to the gradual build of galloping drums sweeping across the landscape of Bellamy’s futuristic guitar, this is lyrically infectious and musically ingenious: If you don’t find yourself singing along to "No one’s going to take me alive" it is likely you have had all your soul stripped from you.
Moreover, those lines lead up to the most explosive and well placed riff in Muse's catalogue. From the very first time your ears get round it, you know just how good it will be live. It's not made for creating a handful of moshpits, it's made for an entire stadium – from front to back – jumping, moshing, dancing, anything so long as they're moving. The breakdown is immense, the chorus comes back in, keys are added. Every little thing about the climax of the song is perfect.
The converted will be awestruck that a band they already adore have somehow managed to better themselves by such a margin. Their detractors will either grudgingly admit the band's talent or grumble about the high pitch and avoid listening to it in case anyone sees their feet tapping along.
It's a bold statement, but Muse create bold statements and 'Knights of Cydonia' is their boldest yet, with lines about "when fools can be kings" – their most direct indicator at their views on the state of the world encapsulated in the most fun six minutes of their catalogue. It's ambitious, it's a musical masterpiece without being overly pretentious, it's unbelievably accessible, and it's quite possibly the best single of 2006.
Phillip May
Muse Official Site
Muse Myspace
Buy Muse CDs | Buy Muse mp3s | Buy Muse Tickets | Buy Muse Merch
Release Date: 27/11/06
Label: A & E
Rating: *****
This is bonkers. Ambitious, even for Muse, this is one of the band's finest moments. Starting with what can only be described as the sound of horses and laser fire; over the next six minutes you are witness to a band outshining themselves when you didn't think they could get any better. From the acoustic guitars and chorus strengthening the sci-fi spaghetti western feel, to the gradual build of galloping drums sweeping across the landscape of Bellamy’s futuristic guitar, this is lyrically infectious and musically ingenious: If you don’t find yourself singing along to "No one’s going to take me alive" it is likely you have had all your soul stripped from you.
Moreover, those lines lead up to the most explosive and well placed riff in Muse's catalogue. From the very first time your ears get round it, you know just how good it will be live. It's not made for creating a handful of moshpits, it's made for an entire stadium – from front to back – jumping, moshing, dancing, anything so long as they're moving. The breakdown is immense, the chorus comes back in, keys are added. Every little thing about the climax of the song is perfect.
The converted will be awestruck that a band they already adore have somehow managed to better themselves by such a margin. Their detractors will either grudgingly admit the band's talent or grumble about the high pitch and avoid listening to it in case anyone sees their feet tapping along.
It's a bold statement, but Muse create bold statements and 'Knights of Cydonia' is their boldest yet, with lines about "when fools can be kings" – their most direct indicator at their views on the state of the world encapsulated in the most fun six minutes of their catalogue. It's ambitious, it's a musical masterpiece without being overly pretentious, it's unbelievably accessible, and it's quite possibly the best single of 2006.
Phillip May
Muse Official Site
Muse Myspace
Buy Muse CDs | Buy Muse mp3s | Buy Muse Tickets | Buy Muse Merch
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