10/22/09

My muse

There are few things that a mom can call her own once she is enveloped in a world of changing diapers, little people conversations, toddler cartoons, 2 am feedings, shower peep shows, potty-training, ankle leeching, lap buddies, food they'll eat, games they'll play, resturaunts they'll adapt to, their schedules, their toys, their clothes, their bath, their toilet, their movies, theirs theirs theirs. You get the point. Nothing feels like me.my.mine. For me, however, there is one thing that is a great escape. I've blogged about it before and it's music. Even when soaking in a hot bath do you ever feel like you're still on edge? The baby is still crying, the other child at the bathroom door knocking, the phone still ringing...etc. Put on your headphones and crank 'em up! WAAAAYYYY up!

There is a band in particular that has won my heart that I want everyone to know about. Okay, Led Zeppelin, sorry. I've been your faithful listener since I can remember and you'll always be that heart tugging, butterfly gut, mind reeling sound that I connect with, but I have to hand it to the British band, Muse. If you, Zeppelin, could be mastering your sound today, you'd probably be Muse. They are your younger brothers...they are genious, creative, fresh, and inspired by a mix of music genres rarely found in rock music today (much like what people experienced when Led Zeppelin hit the scene on British airwaves with their live BBC show in 1969). I've been following Muse since 2004. They've been aroud since 98-99 but never broke through to the American scene. And, they are still struggling to do so. Why? Could it be that we are still obsessing over watered down talent, pop sensations in leotards or rock groups singing soley about T'n'A? Are our minds muddled with too much media pushing Disney show graduates down our ear canals? Progressive rock has a new king. Muse. They've won best live show 7 times in the last 10 years,
their albums hit number one all around the globe and they're still cranking out the best rock sound to hit airwaves in a few decades!

A recent article in the music section of a local magazine FINALLY gave Muse some attention. I couldn't have been more proud of that article, so I will share it here (paraphrased) so everyone can understand what I think, and a handful of others in the American continent think about Muse.

"British band Muse is known and adored across the globe. With their new album, they attempt to finally break into the American hearts. All around the world, in nearly every major country, a single band has risen up and taken the long-abandonded mantle of the internationally mega-successful stadium-rock kings. That band is British chart-smashers Muse, who have taken fans and arenas alike by storm across the globe. That is, except for America.

With the long-awaited release of their newest studio album The Resistance, the band seems poised to finally cross the Atlantic and officially take over the States.

The Resistance is a big album in every way. It's been anticipated around the globe. The sounds, talent, and personalities are all larger-than-life.

The last three tracks of the record end with Muse's most ambitious project yet: a massive, three-movement symphony backed by a full orchestra playing a classically-inspired piece written in full by singer Matthew Bellamy.

When seperate, the three sections foucs on different strenghts and directions for the band, with the final piece being the most intimate and quiet music the band has recorded.

Time will tell if this release will be the one to finally break big in America. Even if we're behind the curve, their penchant for throwing caution to the wind and being over-the-top has already solidified them a spot in the greater annals of rock'n'roll history. It's exactly what makes for the pure fun that runs effortlessly through the entire album.

So give it a listen. Join The Resistance. It's just as surely one of the best albums of the year." -Brett Fieldcamp, BoydStreet magazine.

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