By all means disagree, but I would hardly call it "dumb". Especially in comparison to some of the responses.

I should say I didn't by any means hate the more recent albums, they just didn't excite me quite as much. Still good though. My comment about T2L probably is over-the-top - I quite like some of it I was kinda just suggesting that perhaps they are more motivated by touring than record making. That's just the feeling I get, but I can also understand why that would mean nothing to younger fans or people that really love the newer stuff

I know, I just thought I'd give it a shot.

Yeah that would be cool! I heard they did a gig in Japan recently where they played tons of b-sides and stuff. I don't really mind what they do, I'd just like it if they released music more frequently

Absolutely - I made that point too (about newer fans). I just wanted to hear some different opinions. Thanks for having one!

Disclaimer: I won't be at all surprised if nobody reads or replies to this. So I'm sat listening to latest Manics album 'Rewind the Film'. Yeah yeah I know lots of people aren't so keen on them. Whatever. But I have to say, as a long-time fan of that band, what really makes them so enduring for me is that I still feel thoroughly connected with them. Through their music, and the stream of records they make. Not through Q&As, or seeing them live more times than necessary, or any other kind of online gestures. They seem to have never stopped making records. Even when they promised a 2-year break, two of them ended up making solo albums! It seems there's an unshakable creative intent in that band that gives them the need to keep writing music. And while I might love some of their records more than others, I never stop wanting to here what they have to say next (..musically that is). And that's because they always seem to have something to say (or at least want to), otherwise they wouldn't bother writing anything. So....Muse. The band that completely had me by the balls from 1999 - 2007. That's a fairly large portion of me. And during that period, every album they released felt like a hugely exciting important event in my life. And yet, with the last couple of albums, I somehow feel increasingly indifferent about them. Yes I know lots of people love The Resistance and The 2nd Law, but I'm very certain that there are lots of fans out there who also feel like I do: that these two albums seemed like a step down/back. But if you don't agree with that, you may as well click away now! For me, the problem is that they tour every single album so relentlessly that it has now just made every album-tour cycle feel totally monotonous. It's become harder to be a 'fan' of the band as there is no artistic momentum between their albums anymore. And hence, there's really nothing to be a fan of! For me, The 2nd Law felt more like 12 songs that enabled them to go out on the road again, rather than an album they desperately needed to get out of their system. The other problem is that by having to wait SO LONG for a few new songs, it adds a ridiculous pressure for you to absolutely love them as much as you did the previous ones. Three-and-a-half years is a long time; you enter a different stage in your life by then! NIN got away with this - but largely because there was always different reasons for the long gaps. And when he did finally get clean and back in flow, what happened: With Teeth/Year Zero/Saul Williams/Ghosts/The Slip/How To Destroy Angels/Two Film Scores/ More NIN. A plethora of creativity. Don't get me wrong. It's nice that Muse want to tour and make sure everyone gets a chance to see them. Most artists with good intentions would feel that way. But most artists have stories about having to sacrifice touring certain places (or doing a tour altogether) sometimes. I can also understand why Muse have ended up thinking the way they do. Since they are the kind of band that originally had success through relentless touring, they obviously still feel that it's fundamental for enduring success. Maybe in terms of new fans, they're right. But for older fans like me that still care deeply about their music, it's a different story. What do I think they should do? Take time out from touring. Re-evaluate the band. Make some bloody music! Usher in a new era of Muse (since the last million years have all felt like one gigantic blur). Focus on being a record-making band for a while. Make me care again. And furthermore, from listening to Butterflies and Hurricanes, I know Matt Bellamy has it in him to do that. I was curious if there's any old-school fans like me who feel the same way? And just in case anyone thinks this is a Muse-bashing thread, let me say I've written this because I do like Muse. Would be great to know what you all think! PS. I've purposely avoided talking musically about TR or T2L since everyone's going to have different opinions away. Let's just say I personally thought they were less focused. And I used to love Muse for their diversity and their musical sense of humour, but I also think both of those things have backfired lately.