H.A.A.R.P

If you buy only one Muse release, makes sure it's this one. This was compiled from two sold- out shows at Wembley; the DVD has one show, the CD the other. Both have pretty much the same setlist but the DVD has songs not on the CD and vice versa. I would say the songs here are at least equal to or superior than their studio versions. In fact, this release just proved to me how great sounding Muse's studio albums are: not too compressed or clipped or any of that crap you get with most modern releases. I like how both shows start with Prokofiev's "Dance Of The Knights" from Romeo & Juliet, then goes straight into "Knights Of Cydonia". Get it? The knights references. Although I was familiar with the Prokofiev piece I didn't know what it was called, and I assume the majority of the audience for these shows didn't either. Muse could of just played Holst's "Mars" and it wouldn't have made a difference.

The DVD is one the best concert films I've ever seen, very well made. From a purely musical standpoint the CD and DVD versions of these songs sound about equal. Too bad in this day and age if you want to sell a CD you have to include a DVD with it. A shame. If Paris Hilton put out a new CD and it including the 'One Night In Paris' video on DVD, I would probably buy it, but just for the DVD. Sadly I think we are witnessing this band at it's peak on this set. The Resistance was awful, and I already thought Black Holes was a step down from Absolution. But if they can sell-out Wembley like it ain't no thang, all the power to them. This band, of course, is often compared to Radiohead. But Radiohead do not have the energy and excitement in a live setting that this trio does.

My biggest complaint is that there is only one song from their debut album Showbiz. I never liked that album but wish they could have included a few songs from it, just to hear more interesting live versions. They also include too many songs from Black Holes, which was, of course, their latest album at the time. Overall, the DVD is fantastic and the sound quality of both discs is superb. 4 stars.