#274

Shouldn’t be ashamed of Muse (and the story behind it is very lovely). This whole thread’s about seeing songs in the new light of being someone’s all-time favourites (and hearing new stuff that someone loves). I think it’s really interesting.

(also I used to really like Muse back in the day, and think they can still put the odd decent track together, albeit interspersed with a whole lot of shite)

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#275

The problem is that even Muse fanatics disagree with my opinions on Muse. Most people I meet seem to agree with you - that they used to be good but now they’re largely embarrassing.

That seems to be the consensus among the hardcore fans too - that they peaked with Absolution and since then they’ve been merely tolerable.

But as far as I’m concerned, they’re going from strength to strength and it’s to be applauded that one of Britain’s biggest bands should also be one of its most inventive. It’s clear that they don’t give a shit what anyone thinks about them, and I don’t think they’ve EVER cared about critical opinion. For which I can’t help but love them.

For the record, here’s how I’d rank their albums:

Black Holes & Revelations > The 2nd Law > Origin of Symmetry > Drones > The Resistance > Absolution > Showbiz

#276

Kobresia is my favourite (from Substrata), awesome.

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#277

Yes, they definitely don’t care what people think about them which is great. My personal opinion is that they don’t do enough of what they do well.

The Resistance > Absolution > Origin Of Symmetry > BH&R > Showbiz > Drones > The 2nd Law

for me, although the best tracks on The 2nd Law are up there with the best overall. I think there’s a lot of sneering at the over-the-top theatrics of Muse, and the orchestral stuff. But it’s really, really good, so who cares?

Anyway, I appear to have hijacked a great thread. Sorry…

#278

Oh hijack away, chat very much encouraged!

I like it when people sneer about their OTT theatrics. It just confirms that they’ve completely missed the point, and that they were never going to like them anyway.

#279

Was struggling to describe it (as you can probably tell). There’s no other piece of music like it - it’s such amazing use of musical space - manages to be incredible rich and sparse at the same time. When that first bass boom drops :heart_eyes:

#280

Just listened to this. Bloody gorgeous.

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#281

Yeah, it’s a very vivid picture for me too. I imagine it baking hot, dry dusty and still though - the kind of heat that slows the pace of everything right down. Wooden houses, expansive fields full of grain, everyone knows everything about everyone and the town is ruled by gossip.

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#282

:slight_smile:
It’s even better in the context of the album, which celebrates its 20th birthday later this year. I got it back on my 18th birthday along with new speakers. Vivid memories of listening to Kobresia over and over again, marvelling at how different it was to anything else I’d heard.

#283

Wistful is the perfect description of that song - one of the best to come out of the britpop era. The lyrics are kind of nonsensical, but it still manages to pack a punch. For Tomorrow from the same record is equally great.

As soon as I hear either, I’m catapulted back to being 15 again, starting going to gigs with my first girlfriend, sneaking into pubs hoping to get served and enjoying long summers hanging around with my mates…

#284

Nonsensical lyrics? Hmm! I’ve always thought he was simply comparing his relationship to an old pair of jeans. Nothing particularly flashy but very, very comfortable.

The problem is, his lady doesn’t feel the same way. She wants excitement, while he’s quite content as is. It won’t end well, hence the “don’t think I’m walking out of this” bit.

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#285

I’ll give it a go.

I’m still going through the 1001 albums thing – I’ve reached 1980, and The Pretenders. Thoroughly enjoyed More Specials at lunch, which I somehow hadn’t heard before.

Re: Blur, MLiR is my favourite album of theirs. So many great tunes. Having listened to a lot of The Kinks recently (see above), it’s clear who their biggest influence was. Great stories, great tunes, brilliant playing. Graham Coxon is one of the most inventive guitarists of our time.

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#286

Fuuuck, you’re right. Why did this never occur to me before?

Thanks!

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#287

I can only think of three.

#288

i wrote 10 songs then decided this is fucking impossible, so here’s a good song I like:

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#289

Stars is so so beautiful
could’ve easily had 5 Nina songs on my list, has a handful of tracks / performances that are just untouchable

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#294

It’s true. If you’re feeling a bit down, putting something fabulous on can be a bit jarring at first, so it helps to ease yourself in.

That’s why Purple Rain’s such a powerful listen. No matter what mood you’re in, the opening organ and monologue makes you feel grounded and centred. Almost immediately, you’re put in the perfect frame of mind to enjoy the many, many highs that are to come.

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#295

lol not yours. love the rundown, beautiful words. went through the songs after reading your blurbs and it opened them up for sure. your list of trax is very melancholic and subdued, ride is probably the most upbeat. only had heard a few songs from your list (wilco, kinks, low, ride…but not remembered them). loved tugboat. need to listen g500 at some point. Eno track was gorgeous.

My list is quite the contrast to yours:

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#298

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed reading, was a good idea to add some personal explanations to the lists.

I’m starting listening through to some and trying to hear with the thoughts of those who posted them. Poor Places is a really good call - I never really considered YHF in terms of individual songs before as it all comes together so well as a full album. Listening in isolation and focusing on it as an individual song brought out how playful the arrangement is. I like how it keeps shifting under this sweet, relatively simple melody.

Was cool to be reminded of Tugboat again, not heard that in years.

#299

Has anyone looked back at their list and thought that they already disagree with half of it?

Or just me?

(Cheers for the Spotify playlist, going to enjoy going through that).

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