The 2nd Law [Explicit]

Muse | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: September 24, 2012
• Release Date: September 24, 2012
• Label: Warner Bros.
• Copyright: 2012 Warner Music UK Limited
• Record Company Required Metadata: Music file metadata contains unique purchase identifier. Learn more.
• Total Length: 53:27
• Genres:
  • Alternative Rock
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• ASIN: B009G8GRX6
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (410 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #180 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)
  • #47 in MP3 Downloads > MP3 Albums > Alternative Rock

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

104 of 127 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Second Guess The 2nd Law October 2, 2012

By David

Format:Audio CD

Muse have returned! The 2nd Law is the 6th studio album by the band who over the last 13 years (officially) have developed a gigantic, rabid fan base and put together an impressive resume and B-side back catalogue. Initially written off by critics as nothing more than Radiohead "lite", they have since far exceeded perceived limitations and expectations from critics and listeners. From sell out stadium shows to having their material appear in blockbuster movies and the Olympics, Muse prove year after year that it is nearly (if not impossible) for the trio hailing from Teignmouth to lose momentum. With each release, their live shows grow increasingly grandiose, their material more complex, orchestral and progressive, and their acquisition of new fans increases (almost)exponentially.

The culture shock of listening to any new Muse album is one of the more difficult parts of being a fan, and with good reason. Every time they release new material, the band finds cunning ways to reinvent their sound and it's as though we're not even listening to the same group anymore. We expect to hear songs similar to their last album because let's face it, Muse are so darn good at planting the seed of attachment and leaving us in disarray when it's over. We beg for more, but instead Muse shatter our expectations when they switch gears and run in the opposite direction.

So what does that mean for The 2nd Law? Which album does it resemble the most? Does it have the chaotic, guitar driven madness safely quarantined in Origin of Symmetry? How about the methodic, visceral rhythms of Absolution? Is there any of that splendor we loved so much about Black Holes?

The answer is: none of the above. Though the second law is vaguely comparable (if at all) to any of their previous work, we still hear familiar elements of the Queen-esque grandeur, political undertone, environmental catastrophe and Bellamy's fascination with conspiracy and human corruption that makes their music so palpable. This time around, Muse spend some time experimenting with a more synthetic, electronic tone but there is still plenty of tantalizing variety to sate even the most insatiable of Muse fan appetites. Supremacy starts the album off with a groovy orchestral sound fitting for a James Bond flick and then transitions into Madness. The second track begins innocently enough with a soft, pulsating beat, crescendos into a soaring, haunting plea for forgiveness and embrace of love. It eventually ends with the softness it started with, tacking on a subtle introspection referencing its title. The track Panic Station is reminiscent of early Red Hot Chili Peppers/INXS with its heavy funk tone while Survival ruminates in a gooey, orchestral swell that rises, eventually overflowing into a no-holds barred anarchic shred fest. At the peak of the song, Dominic maniacally attacks his drums, Chris engineers the only kind of bass line capable of sustaining all the chaos and Matt bellows and wails his heart out about surviving at all costs. Follow Me is drenched with savory, electronic goodness (and i'm not even a fan of the genre!), Animals is strangely reminiscent of Screenager from Muse' Origin Days with it's chorus, and though it doesn't provide much for the album other than a nice intermission from the album's first half and a wonderfully executed guitar lead, it's still a solid track worth revisiting. Chris has his share of vocal duties on the tracks Save Me and Liquid state (which seem to tell the woes of a man drowning in his alcoholism, literally), but they fall short and may just be the 2 weakest tracks on this album. That isn't to say they aren't good, because they do work in the context of the album and seem to fit in with the rest of the songs.

Other tracks include Explorers with its beautiful, Invincible/Guiding Light like melody, Big Freeze which seems eerily influenced (in a good way!) by Joshua Tree era U2 with it's upbeat (albeit a tad poppy) groove and the last 2 tracks which make heavy references to the album's title and experiment with elements of dubstep, electronica and the orchestral vibe we heard on the Exogenesis symphony (The Resistance, 2009).

If there's one thing Muse have always been good at, it's continually challenging themselves to defy the status quo most would have them maintain. Rather than copping out to an obviously successful formula, they choose instead to invent new ways to approach a particular sound or style while retaining their musical integrity which is what they've succeeded with here. There are no sequels in Muse's discography. There are only a handful of unique albums that stand alone, each with its own merits. Ultimately, what The 2nd Law does is capture the essence of the current state of their career. They, like the songs are larger than life, captivating and seemingly unstoppable superstars. It most certainly won't hit the mark for every listener, but for me the 2nd Law is loud, bombastic, grand, energetic and above all, it's unapologetically Muse.

My only real advice before you listen to this album is to do it with a good set of headphones. You'll hear sounds you didn't think possible to hear. It's wonderfully layered and mixed, and sounds phenomenal.

64 of 82 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A change for the better? October 3, 2012

By John G.

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you thumbs down please let me know why, I am interested in your opinions too. Just don't thumbs down because I didn't give it immediately 4 or 5 stars, that is ridiculous.

I give it a 3.5 stars, not 3 stars.

First off, Wolstenholme, one of my favorite bass players to emulate, has an amazing voice. It's not the voice of Muse though; the two songs he wrote, I believe, should have been released separately from The 2nd Law. Other artists that have done similar things, (i.e. Flea, Serj Tankian) released their own works separately under their name, not under their main bands' name.

I am glad Muse is experimenting, I would not want to be hearing songs that sound like Showbiz and Muscle Museum over and over again. The polarity of change in The 2nd Law in relation to their last albums seems greater than their previous steps in progression. What I mean is, the change in Showbiz to Origin of Symmetry seemed proper, along with the other steps they took leading to The Resistance. The change from The Resistance to The 2nd Law is beyond obvious; if you showed these two albums to someone new to Muse, would they be able to tell it is the same band?

Ask yourself this, would you want this to be the first album of Muse to show to someone who has never listened to Muse before?

I love Undisclosed Desires and I like Follow Me and Madness. But would you rather Muse focus more on this genre of music (this kind of electronic feel)? I guess what I'm trying to say I felt a lack of rock in this album. You can argue that Panic Station is rock, because it is, but it's not about Panic Station, it is about this album's overall feel is so different; it makes me uncomfortable to a degree.

With listening to Muse you have to love their soft pieces too. Explorers is a piece I could see going along perfectly with Little Big Planet and one I enjoy listening to. Big Freeze in another song I can relax to; I want to emphasize, I don't hate this album, it's just different.

Another thing, when else have you heard the `F' word used in a Muse album? (You could call them out on the hidden song "Hidden Track" or "YFMF", but that song isn't known about by most people and is just for fun) I know this is a minor thing, but this is a surprise seeing this directly on a Muse album.

Muse has been in my life ever since discovering this band from Guitar Hero 3, which means I got started on Black Holes and Revelations. I only say I wish I knew this band back in 1999, this band, that I thought was small at the time, slowly rose and became my favorite band and still is to this date.

I do not regret buying the deluxe box set to this album, I know the music will grow on me even more with time, but this is how I feel right now. It deviates from their older work too much for real comfort.

This isn't much of a review more than an opinion; then again, all reviews are opinions. You have to right to agree or disagree with them; I would definitely love to discuss in the comments what you think about my opinions and the album as a whole to see what you other Musers think of it.

28 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Evolved sound but still Muse - Solid album October 2, 2012

By Caleb

Format:MP3 Music

I am not sure where I would rank this among all Muse's work. During and since The Resistance album, I was growing a little tired of muse, but still respected them. The Resistance is probably my least favorite of there albums, though it had its moments and was not a bad album by any means - but when comparing it to a standard muse had already set for itself, it is hard to compete. Upon hearing the album trailer of "The 2nd Law: Unsustainable" I was worried. Thankfully this sound was not common throughout the album, and the song actually works okay with the album as a whole. The 2nd Law has brought me back to my feelings I had for the old muse, though it is a new sound. I do not know if I would call it my favorite album, but it is something new and fresh that I am enjoying almost as much as when I first heard origin of symmetry. If you are feeling a little uncertain after the first listen, go for a drive with the speakers cranked up, and it might just hit you. Hope they come to my state so I can see them live.