Web Feature: The Independent reviews Muse gig

[Riveon]

This band don't do small, and they don't do subtle. As the gig begins I am staring up at three giant illuminated tenement towers when they suddenly rip down the middle to reveal the three members of Muse – the bird-like Matt Bellamy, the elf-like Dom Howard and the dad-like Chris Wolstenholme – perched on podiums 20ft above our heads like the goodies inside the world's biggest Christmas cracker.

The we-are-Übermensch visual message is so grin-inducing that you almost don't notice that they're playing "Uprising", the revolutionary lead single from The Resistance, the trio's most political album. "They will not control us/We will be victorious," Bellamy croons, and mutters: "It's time the fat cats had a heart attack."

What's frustrating about Muse is their unwillingness to dish dirt, name names or nail their colours to a specific mast. Then again, if Bellamy can at least persuade a percentage of his hordes to be less passive and more questioning, he's made a difference.

If "Uprising" is Billy Idol's "White Wedding" through a Goldfrapp filter, then "Supermassive Black Hole" is essentially Prince's "Kiss" played by Metallica. "Guiding Light" is Ultravox's "Vienna" played by Queen, and "United States of Eurasia" is "We Are the Champions" played by a crazed conspiracy theorist, and so on.

What's guaranteed about Muse is that they will always rock, and it will always be baroque. From the big bastard riff of "New Born" through the cathartic, lung-bursting double of "Plug in Baby" and "Time is Running Out" to the berserk cavalry charge finale of "Knights of Cydonia".

You can also always be sure that their shtick is never knowingly underdone, from the duelling green lasers to the big perspex piano to Bellamy's shamelessly stagey way of drrrawing ouuut a syllable.

Breaking news: Muse in "still brilliant live band" shocker.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-en...f-1816769.html

[SlaveToTheGrave]

Originally Posted by Riveon

the bird-like Matt Bellamy, the elf-like Dom Howard and the dad-like Chris Wolstenholme – perched on podiums 20ft above our heads like the goodies inside the world's biggest Christmas cracker.

Err... wha?

[Alex_]

Originally Posted by SlaveToTheGrave

Err... wha?

Precisely what I was thinking

[CarrieB]

Brilliant!

If "Uprising" is Billy Idol's "White Wedding" through a Goldfrapp filter, then "Supermassive Black Hole" is essentially Prince's "Kiss" played by Metallica. "Guiding Light" is Ultravox's "Vienna" played by Queen, and "United States of Eurasia" is "We Are the Champions" played by a crazed conspiracy theorist, and so on.

This bit made me laugh.

The we-are-Übermensch visual message

I don't understand what this is.

[CarrieB]

Originally Posted by Alex_

Precisely what I was thinking

I understand that bit! They're revealed at the last minute like a surprise. If I received them out of my Christmas cracker I'd be well happy! Unfortunately I usually get things like a small plastic yoyo or something!

[Alex_]

Originally Posted by CarrieB

I understand that bit! They're revealed at the last minute like a surprise. If I received them out of my Christmas cracker I'd be well happy! Unfortunately I usually get things like a small plastic yoyo or something!

Bit too metaphorical for my understanding

[SlaveToTheGrave]

Originally Posted by Alex_

Bit too metaphorical for my understanding

It didn't confuse me; it was the choice of metaphor and claiming that Chris was 'Dad-like' that made me laugh!

[dontask]

Originally Posted by CarrieB

I don't understand what this is.

thats the "we are universe" in german i believe.

[CarrieB]

Originally Posted by SlaveToTheGrave

It didn't confuse me; it was the choice of metaphor and claiming that Chris was 'Dad-like' that made me laugh!

Yeah I laughed at that bit. Chris isn't just dad-like, he is a dad but, yeah, I know what they mean. It's because he's not particularly wild, rock star looking I think.

[CarrieB]

Originally Posted by dontask

thats the "we are universe" in german i believe.

Oh okay thanks.

I like the way The Independent are appreciating the political message.

What's frustrating about Muse is their unwillingness to dish dirt, name names or nail their colours to a specific mast.

I don't think this is entirely true actually. I don't think its unwillingness at all, rather that there isn't a specific mast and names have been named.

[Kuutar]

Originally Posted by CarrieB

I don't understand what this is.

Originally Posted by dontask

thats the "we are universe" in german i believe.

Hmmm... not sure about that.
Über = over, super
mensch = man.

[Mozza]

Originally Posted by dontask

thats the "we are universe" in german i believe.

Uber in German means super or hyper

Mensch is man or human being so it literally translates as superhuman

[Girl Anachronism]

Originally Posted by Kuutar

Hmmm... not sure about that.
Über = over, super
mensch = man.

Originally Posted by Mozza

Uber in German means super or hyper

Mensch is man or human being so it literally translates as superhuman

This.

[CarrieB]

Originally Posted by Mozza

Uber in German means super or hyper

Mensch is man or human being so it literally translates as superhuman

Ah okay, thanks. Appropriate comment I think for their opener.

[dontask]

meh i havent done german for months give me a break.