Product Description

'Origin Of Symmetry' is a lush, artfully arranged album of epic, heady rock complete with electronics, swirling guitars, baroque keyboard embellishments, and dramatic vocals whichdrew comparisons to Radiohead on its release. In addition to their grand sonic canvases, Muse have always had a way with a melodic hook, displayed perfectly on this second full-length album.

Track Listing

1. New Born
2. Bliss
3. Space Dementia
4. Hyper Music
5. Plug In Baby
6. Citizen Erased
7. Micro Cuts
8. Screenager
9. Dark Shines
10. Feeling Good
11. Megalomania

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #968 in Music
• Released on: 2003-08-27
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced

Amazon.co.uk Review
Pomposity, bombast, pretension and prog-rock: they're four crimes that blight the landscape of modern music and Origin Of Symmetry--the second record by Teignmouth angst-rockers Muse--is guilty of every single one. But the truly astonishing thing about this record is the way it twists every one of these cardinal musical sins into spectacularly silly and starkly individual strengths. Where their debut album Showbiz was rightly dismissed as little more than Radiohead-lite, here Muse sound defiantly like their own band: on "New Born", they're torn somewhere between the purity of front man Matt Bellamy's angelic vocal tones and the corruption of a huge, dirty, distorted bass riff that electrifies the sound into crackling life; on the fraught, operatic "Bliss", they sound like an unholy--but very welcome--cross between synth-heavy Krautrock legends Tangerine Dream and youthful choirboy angst-peddlers JJ72; and even a wonderfully dippy take on the Nina Simone-popularised jazz standard "Feeling Good" is carried off with the requisite deadpan countenance. Bellamy's impassioned voice, in particular, is on spectacular form, soaring skywards until it cracks into a beautiful falsetto reminiscent of Jeff Buckley's greatest vocal moments. So gloriously overblown, it deserves to be huge--Origin Of Symmetry is a fascinating, flamboyant and satisfyingly individual album. --Louis Pattison

Customer Reviews

Unbelievable - A Masterpiece
Are you a Muse Fan? If you're thinking of buying this album then you are either a Muse fanatic already, or you will be very soon, and if you haven't heard any of these songs already then I envy you - you are in for one crazy audio thrill-ride.
What's so great about this album is it's originality - it takes our usual idea of what rock music is and turns it on its head, electrocutes it, sticks it in a blender and then stuffs it down your throat, much to your masochistic glee. The music is dark, vicious and incredibly addictive, and by the time you've heard Bliss, with its ethereal arpeggios and super high voltage riffs, you will be hooked to the end. It's super badass.
Pretty much every song is unbelievable in its own right. Muse pull no stops when it comes to rocking out, and I recommend that you check out their live performances of these songs as well (they've won best live act at countless award ceremonies for a good reason). Plug In Baby is easily one of the greatest songs of all time. I remember seeing the video for it and I just couldn't belive it! It blew my mind. Citizen Erased, Newborn and Space Dementia are also fantastic. Muse even did a cover of Feeling Good by Nina Simone, and it's insane.
Its hard to believe that this is a three piece set (lead singer Matt Bellamy completely outdoes himself with amazing super high falsetto vocals, incredible guitar work and outstanding piano sections that seamlessly blend into every song). Chris Wolstenhome provides some of the craziest bass playing ever recorded, and Dominic Howard is sensational on drums. By the time you finish listening you will probably flick back to the start of Newborn and listen to it all over again, it really is that good.
Unmissable. You must buy this album!

Classic
Each track on this album is pure genius. I'd suggest if you dont already own this album you must. One of the best albums ever!

best tracks
. new born
. bliss
. space dementia
. hypermusic
. plug in baby
. citizen erazed
. darkshines
. feeling good

I didn't know what love was until I heard this
Matthew Bellamy. Genius. This album is what all music lovers must allow their eardrums to experience. From the first minute you hear a quick paced piano build up to a crunching distorted riff that wouldn't be out of place on a metal album, straight after you've heard that you will realise that you are hearing something different, yet amazing.

OOS will never get boring, from the brilliance of the 'plug in baby' riff, the amazing piano music that 'citizen erased' includes, and the great cover of 'feeling good' you will love it, start to finish.

I love matthew bellamy.