Okay so now I've had quite some time to digest this album. Time to do a little quick track by track review as everyone else seems to be doing.
1. Dead Inside - 8/10
Absolutely a great track. Was a bit underwhelmed by the boring chord progression at the end at first but after the whole track grew on me I learned to appreciate the ending a lot more. I actually think this is some of Matt's best vocal work ever. The emotions pouring through some of the vocal lines in the end is absolutely spine chilling. A bit awkward as an opening track but it works.
2. Drill Sergeant + Psycho 8/10
I hated Psycho at first. The riff was too simple, repetitive and redneckish but after a while even Psycho grew on me. Yes the lyrics are very bad, but the general energy of the track is completely insane. Works awesome as a show opener too, and the bridge/solo is quite epic IMO. At the end of the day It's not to be taken that seriously though, fun track essentially.
3. Mercy 8/10
I was mindblown first time I heard the chorus of this track. It's so mighty and grandios. People are complaining about the loud and muddy mix and I understand them but I just completely love the over the topness of this track. Great bass, vocal delivery on point and can't deny that the piano hook is very catchy.
4. Reapers 10/10
Ever since the shitty recording of them playing this song for the first time in Brighton Dome I became madly in love with Reapers. It had everything. A gigantic tapping intro, urgent and very musey verses, a KILLER riff, vocoders, insane solo and a heavy outro. And I became even more in love when I heard all things so much clearer in the studio version. The chorus is one of Muse best choruses yet. Nothing to complain about at all.
5. The Handler 9/10
Damn, this is MUSE for real. A heavy drop D riff, amazing bass line by Chris, heavy drums and Matt's signature falsetto. It gave me chills the first time I heard it. Actually one of the few tracks I don't mind the lyrics at all too. They are not amazing but they're fine. The bridge is reminiscent of SS and the ending is one of Muse most intense outros yet.
6. JFK + Defector 9/10
I absolutely love this. The lyrics are absolute crap but I really don't give a single shit when there is an amazing riff with an energetic vocal performance by Matt + screeeaming Queen harmonies which I have a soft spot for. And the solo is just amazing, simply amazing. The BH&R vibes hits hard when that guitar enters and lifts the track up. And yeah, that JFK speech is brilliant. Especially with the weird guitar and beautiful strings in the background.
7. Revolt ???/10
First time I heard this song I really thought it was one of the worst songs I've ever heard. I was sitting and laughing my ass of to the ''YOU CAN GROW'' part. But the more I listened to it, I just couldn't get the melodies out of my head. The verses are so American Pie, the tempo change is awful and it sounds like a teenage boyband but I just can't stop listening to it. I think Matt really brainwashed me on this one...
8. Aftermath 8/10
This is cheesiest of the cheesiest. But it's sooo beautiful. The guitar in the beginning is just amazingly well played and the solo is top notch. The lyrics as usual is nothing to ''yay'' for but I love the soft, atmospheric vibe of the track. And while the ending really sounds like a christian choir I get goosebumps because Matt is singing so powerful and emotional. A great track overall, even though it's extreme cheesiness.
9. The Globalist 10/10
This damn track is absolutely phenomenal. I ain't kidding. I was NOT let down as all of u others seem to be. It was just what I wanted it to be. A haunting, magnificent beginnning with soulful whistling and amazing slide guitar. I adore the first verses too, then the build up with the heavy riff and backing vocals are stellar as hell. The tremolo part is indeed A LITTLE bit too short, but I understand why because the ending is one of hell of an ending. I love the piano section, It's beautiful and astonishing how Muse have approached the Nimrod piece and turned it into an epic last journey. The lyrics are very good in this track too actually. Love it.
10. Drones 8/10
This is a beautiful ending and outro to The Globalist. Matt sings his ass of sounding like a Gregorian chant. But the harmonies are extremely well put together and the last 'Amen' did give me a slight tear in the eye.
Final verdict: 8/10
Very good album. Enjoying it thoroughly, better than T2L ofcourse. Not sure if It's better than TR yet. I'll have to give it more time. It's still not on par with the 3 albums that we love the most and they have not given me another masterpiece yet but I'm happy with Drones. Some really awesome songs and alot more cohesion than T2L. I'm PLEASED.
Oh yeah, the album ranking:
1. OoS
2. BH&R
3. Abso
4. TR
5. Drones
6. T2L
7. Showbiz
