I’ll admit it ahead of time- I’m a huge Muse fan and I’ve been looking forward to this album since Pluto was still a planet. I seriously don’t know of many other rock bands that can create such a beautiful fusion like they do between classical and rock music. I mean, how many other bands can induce mosh pits and play a simple piano-only piece in the same set? Not only that, but they also maintain and gain new fans around the globe. People in the US have heard of them (especially after being plugged by Stephenie Meyer in her books and the “Twilight” soundtrack), but the difference between the hysteria in Europe and here is so different.

But back to the album. The amount of classical music (Chopin, Saint-Saens) is amazing and only adds to the layers and complexity of this new album. “I Belong to You/mon coeur s’ouvre à ta voix” is such a great mélange of old and new as well as “United States of Eurasia.” I always had wanted to see Muse sync up with a symphony and they finally did, which is why “Eurasia” is such a cool song to me (as well as giving another shout out to Orwell in this album).

I’m super enthused and playing this on repeat more than I probably should.

PS- On a different plane, I thought what they did with the iTunes LP and on the CD was just brilliant. They gave extras to the fans, but showing what was going on in the studio (thank you flip cam) and giving a lowdown on the meaning behind each song. Brilliant boys, just brilliant.