MUSE

For those of you who are Muse fans (but there shouldn't be that many on this site since Muse is IMO not at all a prog or even prog-related band. A great rock band, playing catchy songs for their fans and just noisy music for others. Neeless to say I do belong to the former category.

These four tracks are damned good rock songs. Extremely powerful as usual. At this time (1998) Muse is almost unknown (at least fromthe mass). still, this EP features four solid numbers of which "Cave" is obviously the best one. It is recorded in a rawer version than the more polished one of their debut album, but this is exactly what makes the difference : a raw and almost punkish sound on this early EP. The band as honest as it could be.

Of course this EP is not an absolute must have, even if you're a Muse fan. I would say it is interesting to notice how powerful the band sounds without any artificial production. And there is virtually no weak numbers in here. It is intersting to hear how the early Muse was playing. All the might, loudness and irritating style are there.

The only track that won't be featured on their debut album is "Coma". Sounds as if htey had recorded this in a garage. Is Muse a garageband (from Gareland, maybe ?). It is one the weakest track on this EP and it seems justified that its career will end up here. A bit heavy and sounding too much as a demo track. If it would have benefit from the production of their first album, it might have been probably better.

This version of "Escape" is absolutely devastating. On the contrary of "Coma", the raw sound adds a special flavour. But in this case we are able to compare two versions which was not the case with the previous track.

Whether you will like Muse or not, is something personal. I just like it. Three stars for this early work.