1. "Take a Bow" 4:35

2. "Starlight" 3:59

3. "Supermassive Black Hole" 3:29

4. "Map of the Problematique" 4:18

5. "Soldier's Poem" 2:03

6. "Invincible" 5:00

7. "Assassin" 3:31

8. "Exo-Politics" 3:53

9. "City of Delusion" 4:48

10. "Hoodoo" 3:43

11. "Knights of Cydonia" 6:06

 

Black Holes & Revelations was the fourth studio album by Muse released on 3rd July 2006. It followed the lead single Supermassive Black Hole which became they highest charting single peaking at 4. Singles Starlight, Knights Of Cydonia (another top 10), Invincible and Map Of The Problematique followed throughout 2006 and 2007.

 

I didn’t own this at the time but actually picked it up in a charity shop a few weeks ago. My sister bought it in the Summer holidays in 2006 so I was fairly familiar with the album already. Success had been growing for Muse throughout the early 2000s but this always feels like the era that they really happened. The album is very atmospheric and really does take you somewhere else. I’d love to see some of these tracks performed live. I’d be interested in getting into more Muse albums.

 

The singles:

 

 

 

 

 

I could make an argument for Origin Of Symmetry being their magnum opus but everytime I think of a ranking of their albums this one does come out at #1. No fluff, the overblown space operas are kept moderately blown for once (to the point where they stay epic rather than perhaps dragging on), this is full of stadium rock anthems throughout and what diversions it does allow are some of their most interesting works.

 

I remember hearing the singles a little at the time but I really began vibing to this album hard near the beginning of my musical discovery stage about 10 years ago and it's been one of my favourites ever since.

 

to give a few thoughts on individual tracks:

'Map Of The Problematique' is one of their all-time best, perhaps second only to 'Uprising' as my single favourite Muse track, relentless energy and instruments on that one. Similarly 'Assassin' later on has a great rhythm that often goes a bit more overlooked.

 

'Invincible' is simultaneously one of their most recognisable and memorable tracks and one of their more audacious, perhaps generic but I think it's a good simple song. Similarly with 'City Of Delusion', nothing too outstanding for Muse but a good example of their stadium rock that's more usual.

 

'Hoodoo' and 'Soldier's Poem' are the more adventurous tracks, 'Soldier's Poem' is a rare example of Muse restraint and Hoodoo has some really interesting electronic parts that shows off a bit of their modern dabbling that isn't all bad.

 

And of course the more known singles like 'Supermassive Black Hole' and 'Knights Of Cydonia' are all time classics for their unforgettable riffs.

 

The lyrical themes are less front-and-center than on other Muse albums but as 'Compliance' from their newest album showed, that's often a blessing. Still there's a few of those, like 'Take A Bow' which is hardly subtle, and 'Knights Of Cydonia's' lyrics in among its whirlwind instrumental are very classic Muse messaging. Then you have 'Starlight' which is a rare Muse love song and drops the album name very nicely.

 

In summary, a strong and accessible Muse album that shows off most of their sides very well without alienating anyone potentially interested in them, easily the one I'd recommend anyone listen to first if they don't know any of their albums.

I really ought to take a listen to this and their other 00s albums in full seeing as I recently remembered how good some of their singles were following the release of Won’t Stand Down (albeit more so from Absolution than this album)

 

Although Supermassive Black Hole and Starlight have suffered a bit from Radio X overplay as that’s my parents station of choice.

I haven't listened to this album in full for so long, but I did buy it on the week of release and it very much soundtracked by 2006.

 

I'm inspired to give it a spin later!

Map of the Problematique is my favourite Muse track, it’s good enough to rival peak Depeche Mode.

Adding this along with the All Saints to check out and the Muse thread has made me think of listening to the 2009 album at some point too. The singles were all excellent from it though, they picked well for Absolution and BH&R. The same can't be said for The Resistance though apart from the lead!

everybody say THANK YOU MUSE

 

This is such a strong album! Pretty much finished it now, will post a rank in a bit. 'Hoodoo' sounds like a James Bond theme or something. 'City of Delusion' is my fave album track but I don't think there are any average songs here as even the last two are interesting in some way also!

Spotify has this down as a bonus track but being honest it's the least fave for me if I included it oops.

 

My rank of the album

 

1. Starlight

2. Knights of Cydonia

3. Supermassive Black Hole

4. City of Delusion

5. Map of the Problematique

6. Take a Bow

7. Assassin

8. Invincible

9. Exo-Politics

10. Hoodoo

11. Soldier's Poem

12. Glorious

 

Yeah the top 3 are strong singles and then COD of course a big highlight for me. 'Take A Bow', 'Assassin' and 'Exo-Politics' also very solid album tracks as well and the last two are very interesting too. The latter has some backing vocals which remind me of Queen a little bit.