MUSE

This EP was recorded and released independently before Muse released their first full- length album, Showbiz. 3 of the tracks here are featured on the album Showbiz. The song "Coma" is the only song that you would not already have if you have purchased the 3 full-length albums. If you're not a big Muse fan, then don't even consider trying to find this EP.

However, if you are a big Muse fan, then you should try to listen to this EP. The songs are early versions of the ones on Showbiz, and they show a much younger, less mature band. Listening to the development of a band is always a lot of fun, so you can hear how the tracks evolved from these early versions.

Also, the track Coma is a nice straight-up rock song, with a style that you would NOT expect from Muse. It has a very happy, melodic, upbeat sound, and it truly captures Muse before they developed their signature sound. If you haven't heard it and you're a fan, try to get a hold of it.

2 stars, not because it's a bad collection of songs, but because it won't be of interest to anyone but a die-hard Muse fan. If you're new to Muse, pick up any of the three excellent full-length studio albums ("Showbiz" "Origin of Symmetry," "Absolution") instead.

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.

Muse EP

The CD that became the prelude to Muse's Showbiz release. It is a small compilation of 3 tracks that will be featured on the Showbiz LP However, one song titled Coma is not featured ANYWHERE else. The track is quite hard to find (not to say the album) and is more widely available to download. It's a nice addition to any Muse fan or collector. The songs are Muse's very first shine in the Music community and must be taken as such. Progressively speaking, the songs sound very progressive related and feature a nice use of instrumentation for an ametour Muse.

Second EP, no album? I think somebody got it all wrong....

Muse's second EP was a mistake, releasing a second EP without already releasing an album? I realize they might have had, 2 new songs, or so, but they weren't known at the time anyway, so there is no reason in releasing a second EP with no studio album. I have no hard feelings for Muse, but this, is an outrage.

Starting with Overdue, later featured on their debut album. Showbiz. The song is a sort of love song, in the style of hard rock Muse combined with poppy elements, and one of the worse Muse songs in my opinion, although they're all good.

Cave is one of the better Muse songs out there, and a favorite of both me and my friends. Its hard chorus yet soft(er) verses are great, with the whole song just being the great Muse song it is. It's in the rocker Muse styling similar to songs like Hyper Music, Plug in Baby, and New Born's guitar riff.

Anyway, if you are a Muse collector and want everything they have ever released, get this, because if not, you will have to thoroughly think this through, and if you buy it without consideration, you will probably regret it, so 1/5.