Miscellaneous rantings (Muse, Snow Patrol etc)

[Nick]

I'm currently listening to Muse's new album "Black holes and revelations" and although I have in my youth(ier - like truthier) years been a huge fan, this album just doesn't cut it for me.

Apart from "Map of the problematique" and "Invincible" this album just seems to be a load of pretentious wank. The two songs named above are, however, in fairness, absolutely amazing. I just reckon Muse, albeit a band with unending talent, seem to have become so horrifically self involved that they have forgotten what makes a song good to listen to.

Maybe it's just me, but apart from the two songs, this album just reeks of pretense and self indulgent tripe. I'm as unhappy as anyone about that. A bit disappointing all round, given Bellamy's amazing skills on guitar, vocals and piano.



As for Snow Patrol....well.....

I saw them live in Belfast last week, their "homecoming gig" so to speak. The lead singer originates from about 4 miles from here, and in between his righteous ranting about how "this is the best gig we have ever done guys, thank you" to 15000 odd people in the pissing rain and his endless ranting about how happy he was, managed to pull off a reasonable, if not exceptional set.

Which was annoying, as I really wanted them to be amazing. Sadly they were just average, not helped of course by whatever shitty soundman they had employed for the event (loud as it was).

It seemed more like Gary Lightbody's ego being massaged than an actual gig, something that wasn't lost on several thousands of the fans, looking for emotive tunes designed to provide peace and harmony to troubled souls.

Nevertheless, it was pretty good, I think I'm just biased for reasons more to do with what the songs mean to me, where they were specifically played (the park beside where I lived with my ex) and my general neurosis at the time.

The best live band I've seen since Tool however was a band called "The Editors". A support act for Snow Patrol but still one of the biggest stadium bands in the UK for the last 2 years or so.
They were fucking amazing, flawless beyond belief.

I recommend them to anyone, anywhere, anytime. They nailed their set and didn't hit one wrong note the entire time, whilst inspiring and rejoicing in the semi-festival atmosphere.

I imagine Muse would probably be better than both these bands, but their album just pisses me off.


Rant off.

[Nick]

Oh yes and I interviewed the main guitarist from Godspeed you Black Emporer in July for the magazine and he was a cool bastard, so go check out their music (and their side band Silver Mount Zion) for probably the best music of this generation (including tool)