Black Holes and Revelations
Released
After spending the first few albums chasing Radiohead, Muse set their sights on bigger game: Pink Floyd, Styx, and Queen. The progressive/pomp rock style fit their dystopian leanings much better, and the heavy incorporation of electronic and keyboard elements transformed their sound into an arena-ready monster. “Assassin”’s quasi-noise, quasi-“Knight Rider Theme” beat makes it neurotically infectious, the title track brings some neo-soul sleaze, and “Starlight” points its telescope in the right direction. “Knights of Cydonia” remains the greatest thing they ever recorded (or will ever record), though, its surf rock Spaghetti Western “Bohemian Rhapsody” pastiche the real revelation.