Coachella 2010: Muse Review
By Travis Woods
When rock n’ roll excess is done right, it sounds like Queen. Hell, it’s idiotic, but I’ll even occasionally stomach the eternally (and savvily-intentional) stupidity of a Kiss song. When rock ‘n roll excess is done wrong, however, it comes off as either total disaster or simple bloated posturing/ lunk-headed muscle-flexing.
Saturday night’s Coachella headliners Muse came off as members of the latter camp of the worst kind of rock extremes—it wasn’t a total disaster, it was simply a numbing barrage of noise and laser lights (what year is this, 1986? We’re still doing laser lights? See you at the Pink Floyd laserium show, boys) all simply meant to distract listeners from the fact that depth isn’t exactly a Muse’s strong suit.
Which would be fine, were it not for the fact their live show is designed to bludgeon you into submission rather than convert you as a fan, as tunes like “Hysteria” and the rippling insistence of “Resistance” (with snippets of songs like the national anthem and Nirvana’s “Scentless Apprentice” tossed in between) are forced down your ears with all the subtlety of a kick in the teeth.
While bitching about said ridiculousness on Saturday night, a fellow Coachella attendee retorted with, “The way I see it, Muse is the band that Radiohead should have become after The Bends.” Which, I suppose, is a valid argument. But then again, after The Bends, Radiohead became Radiohead, with a legacy that will extend onward into music history. Muse is still Muse, and hey, you’ll be able to catch ‘em in Vegas at a hotel residency with their laser light show sometime in the 2020s.
Photo Credit: Ben McShane
Monday, April 19, 2010 9:02PM
Outrageous hearsay.
Monday, April 19, 2010 9:21PM
what!? I totally disagree.
Monday, April 19, 2010 9:29PM
Methinks you don't know or understand Muse, Travis. Try giving Absolution or Origin of Symmetry a listen. Muse definitely has depth – they're simply exploring the many genres of the musical world. Plus, Matthew Bellamy is mildly insane. I wouldn't be surprised if in 2020, Muse was ruling the world. Either way, they're definitely making history right now.
Monday, April 19, 2010 10:40PM
Definitely agree with this article.
Horrible lyrics, 13 year old fans, over-the-top stupidity. I think it's safe to say that Muse is the Limp Bizkit of England. But do not tell Muse fans this, because they will rave about Bellamy's great technicality ( as if that is worth a foot).
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 1:38AM
I really enjoyed Muse's set, but I forgot it wasn't cool to like Muse anymore.
The "Limp Bizkit of England"? That comment just straight up retarded.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 3:28AM
It was never cool to like Muse.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 3:42AM
Wow, who are you? Without even going into the talent of the individual band members, Muse's overstated performance and showman-ship is something missing in today's scenster polluted, boring bullshit. Between operatic vocals, virtuosic instrumentation and the sheerly massive array of sound coming out of a three piece, Muse has put on a fantastic show every time I've seen them. Admittedly, their recent album didn't grab my attention as much as their previous work, but this show reaffirmed my waning affection for this classic British power trio.
Also, if you are going to insult them for a nod to their influence, at least get the name of the song right; they played the opening rift from Nirvana's School. Frankly, this lack of attention to detail makes me believe that you're just altogether irrelevant.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 4:43AM
haha you have no idea what you're talking about.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 2:42PM
What????I tottaly disagree with this stupid article. Listen all albums first and than make this articles.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 3:24PM
It's obvious that after the guy insulted your precious Radiohead, you decided you would lash out at Muse in this interview. Wow – I actually felt the hate. They have tons of depth, as someone who could be called "old school" I've been around, and see all the great perform – Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones…etc. No one has anything on these guys! You would have been the same kind of reviewer that was trash talking Queen and Led Zepplin in their day. I've seen Muse play in a tiny venue, just 3 guys making great music. They don't NEED any of the glitz, but they do it because we the (normal) people love it. I would have loved to see you on Saturday, with everyone bouncing and fist pumping all around you, while you stood there with arms crossed and a scowl on your face. Ha!!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 3:25PM
Nicely put! Who is this guy?
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 4:12PM
hahaha, i find this really amusing. Limp Bizkit of England, I mean, you're right, limp bizkit have worked with a huge 40 piece orchestra for their latest album gaining lots of plaudits for the symphonic movement at the end of their LP.
Limp Bizkit also managed to be the only band to sell wembley stadium (90000 capacity) out four times in the 2000's, NOT muse, but thats Despite Muse being a rock and classical group, and only having 4 top 10 UK singles.
Muse have NOT just won the Silver Clef Award either, and they haven't won countless worldwide awards for their live music show from numerous respected organisations.
Their lack of depth is also truly staggering when you consider the Resistance, an album that starts with a political uprising, sweeping through the personal implications of a manmade apocalypse before ending with some of mankind leaving to repopulate elsewhere. Truly NOTa well written, cohesive album, with a deep story. Along the way heavy rock, r'n'b, piano, pop and classical genres are certainly NOT included. Along the way, it has NOT sold over 2 million copies worldwide despite limited radio play and having a full symphony with in it, penned by the band themselves. It is NOT still in the global top 40, 28 weeks after release, the only album in there for that long other than the likes of Gaga and Michael Jackson.
And in a public poll of 30,000, Matt Bellamy did NOT come third best guitarist since 1980.
So yes, this article is truly valid and well considered!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 5:48PM
Congratulations you're an idiot. You obviously need to be fired because apparently you have no idea what you're talking about. Each one of those band members have more talent in their left testicle than you do in your whole body. Let me guess, you're probably some lame hipster who thinks any band with a following of over 500 people is lame. Well, your lame buddy.. and most of your hipster / scenster bands put people to sleep. I'm sorry Muse couldnt do that for you. Muse is an amazing band that manages to sound even better live (especially for only having 3 members), and I wish that there were more bands that were as talented as them. And for the record, i've seen live shows of them without lazers or effect before, and they are just as amazing. Everyone uses lazers / effects now, and if your little hippie bands dont, its because they're not good eough to afford it.
Go put in your two weeks and get a job as a jackass.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 5:53PM
I believe his name is dumbass
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 8:25PM
clearly you did not even go to the show, I'll contend a "friend" sent you a poor quality photo from their iPhone and you wrote a senseless review
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 10:06PM
coachella2010: Nope, I was there, watching the show–though I did miss about ten minutes or so in order to stop and grab a bite to eat. Maybe that was when they played the good stuff.
But I did catch the performance, I just didn't like it. Which is ok–I'm pretty sure Muse will *somehow* find the will, the know-how, and the elbow-grease to narrowly skim by despite my review to continued success, and, even further, your passion for their music will also find a way to survive my hurtful diatribe and potentially blossom further, despite that fact that, yes, somewhere out there is–gasp–another human being who just doesn't like a band you enjoy. And that's ok. It's all going to be ok. We're gonna make through this, guys. We're gonna make it.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010 12:18AM
Gosh, you're quite the narrow minded dickhead aren't you? What' up? Is it THAT time of the month for you? You should have stayed at home and waited for your hormones to settle down.
I'm in my forties and have been a muse fan for many years. I've seen them perform with and without the lasers and they're equally brilliant in both scenarios. I love them because their music is exhilarating, meanigful, emotional and utterly beautiful. Luckily, neither MUSE nor their fans give a shit about your opinion.
Have a nice day now.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010 12:48AM
Wow.. Muse fans have Down Syndrome
Wednesday, April 21, 2010 1:23AM
I know that Muse doesn't need or care about my lonely opinion, Allison. That was the joke in the above comment–that's it's just one man's opinion about a band.
As for the fans not giving a shit about my opinion, though, the ever-expanding waistline to this comments wall begs to differ.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010 4:51AM
Noah – you've posted 3 times here, on the review of a band you supposedly hate. You're either A) a weirdo or B) a lonely beggar with no life (probably both). What I know for sure is that you have terrible taste in music – as does this reviewer.
BTW Travis – the only reason we are posting on your article is because we are loyal defenders of good music, and fair reviews. We have NO idea who you are, nor do we care. But we don't take crap reviews about artists we love without voicing our disgust. So enjoy…your wee bit of attention.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010 6:36AM
Who the Hell are you people? Were you at Coachella at all? MUSE was incredible! Best modern Rock band out there! Idiots!!!!!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010 1:59PM
Dude, you like Muse. Do you actually think they are a respected band? When someone uses the phrase, "you sound like Muse" to a band, it is usually meant as an insult. They have used this phrase for MGMT and Radiohead and both bands are disgusted to even be associated with the band.
They have 4th grade lyrics, have pedestrian grade school political beliefs, Bellamy plays "classical music" akin to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, they play cock rock, Glenn Beck likes them – And their fans actually think this is good art.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010 7:08PM
You are all douchebags go drown yourselves ….fuck this im outta here
Wednesday, April 21, 2010 8:22PM
Travis – is that you? Trying to defend yourself and your lame review? I would say Muse's 28 international awards and countless sold out stadiums and arenas worldwide (gained one fan at a time – without the benefit of the radio/media support) – prove they are a respected/loved band. I LOVE how you speak on behalf of MGMT and RH – as though they have any connection to you or your lame opinion. 4th grade lyrics?! I could sit here and argue with you, but clearly it would be a waste of my time and intellect. Yaz is right…you are both a weirdo and a lonely beggar with no life. Or (my bet) Travis himself.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010 8:54PM
Nope, not me–I *hate* MGMT even more than I dislike Muse. At least Muse is interesting enough to suck; MGMT is just plain boring.
And just because I decry a band you don't like doesn't meant I have no life–unlike you, I get paid to write here.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010 9:57PM
I said Noah has no life – and if you were one in the same – then it applied to you. You are entitled to dislike Muse, but I for one am tired of indie music snobs looking down their nose at Muse, because this is ONLY the band in recent years that reignited my love and appreciation of music, after a very long dry spell when I lost faith. Radiohead was good, but didn't reach inside me – yet still empower me (not make me want to off myself). Anyone who can't find beauty in songs like Hoodoo, or Falling Down…doesn't deserve good music.
Thursday, April 22, 2010 1:57AM
I am Noah. Travis is Travis.
And if by "good music" you mean Muse, then no thanks.
It's obvious that you *do* care if people hate Muse. You wouldn't have replied to me if you didn't. I don't think it has much to do with indie snobs, I think it's more the fact that once you become over the age of 16 you find out that bands like Muse really do suck.
Thursday, April 22, 2010 2:01AM
I don't think I speak for Radiohead or MGMT. They have expressed their distaste for Muse specifically. Particularly Thom Yorke and Colin Greenwood.
For the record, I don't like MGMT either. Although "Electric Feel" is a damn good song.
Thursday, April 22, 2010 6:49PM
I was at Coachella, you know the music is fake, right. Muse is a bunch of posers pretending to play thier instruments. It is all computer trickery and sequenced. It is auto-pitch corrected and heavily processed to hide thier complete lack of craftsmanship as musicians. I have no problem with folks enjoying Muse's "live" performance, but it is not singing, it is not guitar playing, it is bullshit.
Thursday, April 22, 2010 6:53PM
haha, this poor attempt at slandering a fine band fails, period
Saturday, April 24, 2010 6:36PM
Tell me you're joking! Otherwise, you a totally delusional.
Saturday, April 24, 2010 10:31PM
yeah, because a band that doesn't actually sing or play guitar headline coachella…. you are a delusional hater, the worst kind of hater
Monday, April 26, 2010 7:41PM
No joke, no delusions. That is what they do. Ask them.
Monday, April 26, 2010 7:43PM
Not a hater, I looked forward to seeing Muse. They sounded great, but they rely on a gimmick and not musicianship to perform live. That does not detract from their ability as songwriters and studio musicians. But live, they are a fraud.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 11:49PM
You lost me when you said you don’t like laser shows.
Thursday, April 29, 2010 6:19AM
hahaha…beatcrave…what a joke of a website…where do you find these rookies to write your articles…Muse destroyed Coachella…
Wednesday, May 5, 2010 10:29PM
It isn't cool to like Muse in indie rock scenes because they don't rip off Twee and other micro-retro genres like Caribou.
Muse is certainly mainstream "alternative" modern rock, with great influences. If you like them, great, if you don't, fine, but this review was clearly from a hipster douchebag who chooses music for ethos and probably STILL doesn't get laid (or has an ugly mate) so what is the point of the fakery?
Just be yourself and crack out the reggae or whatever and be real. Drop the "too cool for school" high school crap.
Friday, May 7, 2010 10:27PM
Haha! Mate, I think it must have been your 'time of the month' or something when you wrote this! Was our liddle Travis feeling all hormonal and bitchy when he wrote this little piece of shit. Aww…bless.
Never mind, when you're feeling better Muse might be round touring your way again and you'll be able to see what all the cool, hip people are raving about.
Monday, July 19, 2010 7:11PM
what a load of shit this review is. get a job that youre good at.
Thursday, August 19, 2010 10:55PM
i think you are mixing muse up with nickelback
Saturday, August 21, 2010 4:52AM
It would have been the Nirvana song "school" they play in between songs, not "scentless apprentice", so in one go you've not only demonstrated a complete disinterest in the live set you're supposed to have reviewed but also a complete lack of insight into Nirvana's back catalogue. Me thinks you need to pay attention to your music a little more dear boy.