Muse Demonstrates It's Still Alive and Kicking

I'm eagerly looking forward to June 8th. That's the day Muse comes out with its new album "Drones". Very few bands impress me on a regular basis the way Muse does. The threesome manages to perpetually innovate while not disregarding the electrifying rock formula that's taken them to the highest heights of stardom. The new "Dead Inside" incorporates the things elevating Muse head and shoulders above the rest. Often you can detect this eerie interplay between Christopher Wolstenholme's keyboards and Matthew Bellamy's urgent voice. I have been a Muse fanatic practically from the start because its sound defines complexity. If comic books had theme music Muse would be tagged responsible for most of what we hear. "Dead Inside" has dedicated itself to zeroing in on the sensitive portions of your inner selves, not once failing to make you at least a shade uncomfortable. Dominic Howard's presence only exists to keep this driven marching force propelled forward. Let's suppose you get comfortable with Matt's keytar and are lulled into thinking there's nothing more to this concoction besides showing off with the keyboard/guitar fusion. Muse appreciates how easily distracted you're getting. Makes it easier for them to pitch the curve ball you're not likely to see coming. "Dead Inside" doesn't lose touch with the urgency which has you already fantasizing about how grand it's going to sound on stage during the tour you know they're going to be presenting. Muse never did shy away from human vulnerability. Why should they start now. Each link in their discography chain sounds so very desperate for release from prison, self-made, or assisted. "Stockholm Syndrome", a track from "Absolution" was an exercise in emotional walls unsteadily but surely crumbling down. "Hysteria" reminded you that staying on the right side of the law would be advisable because the royally screwed over psyches of the cell block contingent mirror "Hysteria" and its hanging on by the thinnest thread mindset. "Dead Inside" hearkens back to what "Absolution" brought to the table. Muse has learned well from its own history. They don't repeat, merely reconfigure to best use the already supplied materials. Anybody get chills when those keyboards tear at the nervous system mere minutes in? That's very understandable. "Dead Inside" gathers steady momentum much like an airplane does as it's taxing to the runway. All is innocuous enough, then the plane gains speed, and finally launches you and your compadres into the wild and we hope safe again blue yonder. In the closing stanza Matt pleads for mercy. He gave his lover everything and then some. He doesn't want to freeze to death under the waves of presumed indifference. Dominic's drums beat fiercely. Not metal fanatic fierce. Dedicated to seeing this ongoing train wreck through fiercely. Christopher strums way beyond the skin's surface. Prickly heat gets more pronounced by the second. Is Matt winning his sweetheart over or is the quicksand's pull too much? Matt wears the tormented hero cloak admirably. Muse doesn't have a boring bone in its collective body. Believe it or not "Follow Me", a track off of "The 12th Law" proves the three can be so demonic as to unveil a dance flavored charmer without forgetting they are first and foremost a rock collective honing their craft every time they lay down material. "Dead Inside" has a very strong pulse. Feeling this beat might unsettle you but you'll come away from the trek a better warrior.