ABSOLUTION

3.5 stars. First of all the album cover is brilliant.The music is a blend of Prog and Alternative music, with a definite reference to RADIOHEAD. I think it's the vocals really.The first time my daughter had me listen to this cd a couple of summers ago, I was reminded of Thom Yorke and RADIOHEAD right away, with the mournful and haunting vocals and the alternative sound.This is just more uptempo and energetic for the most part with a QUEEN vibe. The theme of this record seems to be death and the end of the world. Actually a young guy , I would say in his early twenties came in the store while this was playing, and he asked if I was listening to a cd, I said yeah, it's MUSE. He said who ? I said MUSE. Anyway, he stayed for about three songs and then asked for a piece of paper and a pen, so I gave him these and the cd, to write down the band's name and title of the disc. Another convert.

The first song "Intro" is twenty seconds of vocal samples that end with the piano pounding away and continuing into the next song "Apocalypse Please". The vocals on this song are excellent, and the melody is bombastic with the drums leading the way. "Time Is Running Out" is a song that opens quietly that builds to a full sound.The melody is catchy and again bombastic. The drums and vocals are the focus. "Sing For Absolution" opens with piano,light drums and reserved vocals that build. I like the way Matthew holds the notes as he sings. The guitar comes to the fore and is really good. A definite RADIOHEAD vibe to this song. "Stockholm Syndrome" really rocks out pretty good ! Great in your face guitar leads and pounding drums along with the Thom Yorke style vocals. This would be great to hear live. "Falling Away With You" really contrasts the mellow, beautiful acoustic passages with the full, heavy sounding passages quite well.

"Interlude" is about 30 seconds of distorted guitar sounds. "Hysteria" is an uptempo, catchy tune thats pretty good. "Blackout" is a mournful song with cello and some real Post Rock sounding guitar melodies. "Butterflies & Hurricanes" has a lot of tension in the intro, as if the band is having a hard time holding back. The drums signal a change of pace as they do let loose. "The Small Print" features some good piano and guitar. This is an energetic, emotional song that is a highlight for me. It's great ! "Endlessly" is reserved and melodic."Thoughts Of A Dying Athiest" is an uptempo and surprisingly fun song with amazing lyrics. "Ruled By Secrecy" opens with fragile vocals and piano, drums eventually come into this powerful song.

Clearly if your a fan of RADIOHEAD or Alternative rock, this is a must.