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Track Listings
| 1. Supremacy |
| 2. Madness |
| 3. Panic Station |
| 4. Survival (Prelude) |
| 5. Survival |
| 6. Follow Me |
| 7. Animals |
| 8. Explorers |
| 9. Big Freeze |
| 10. Save Me |
| 11. Liquid State |
| 12. The 2nd Law: Unsustainable |
| 13. The 2nd Law: Isolated System |
Editorial Reviews
Muse didn't set out to make the most gloriously ambitious album of their career. How could they have? The band who dreamt up "Supermassive Black Hole," Knights Of Cydonia and the three-part "Exogenesis" symphony were already well-versed in going One Louder. Any wilder, any further out there, and Muse would risk incineration by a dwarf star of their own making. But you don't become one of the biggest bands on this planet by sitting on your hands.
So when Muse approached the making of their sixth studio album, they wouldn't stint on the choirs, strings and horn sections. And be reassured: guitar-shredding, piano-thumping, orchestra-arranging, book-chewing, big-thinking Matt Bellamy, as the band's chief songwriter, didn't lower his sights from The Big Picture nor ignore The Precious Details. And nor were the trio afraid of giving space to a brilliant new element to their sound - songs written and sung by bass player Chris Wolstenholme.
But what the Devon-born band of schoolfriends did do different was this: they made things easy for themselves. For the first time since the dawn of their career in smalltown England 18 years ago, all three members were living in the same place during the making of an album.
And this time, Muse had the experience born of self-producing The Resistance to apply their studio knowledge to creating the album they really wanted to make.
It was about saving aggro, and conserving energy. And, appropriately, it was about The 2nd Law: an album titled after and thematically influenced by the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which concerns the inevitable wasting of energy within a closed system.
It was about letting themselves go and enjoying themselves. Muse, after all, had earned it.
So when Muse approached the making of their sixth studio album, they wouldn't stint on the choirs, strings and horn sections. And be reassured: guitar-shredding, piano-thumping, orchestra-arranging, book-chewing, big-thinking Matt Bellamy, as the band's chief songwriter, didn't lower his sights from The Big Picture nor ignore The Precious Details. And nor were the trio afraid of giving space to a brilliant new element to their sound - songs written and sung by bass player Chris Wolstenholme.
But what the Devon-born band of schoolfriends did do different was this: they made things easy for themselves. For the first time since the dawn of their career in smalltown England 18 years ago, all three members were living in the same place during the making of an album.
And this time, Muse had the experience born of self-producing The Resistance to apply their studio knowledge to creating the album they really wanted to make.
It was about saving aggro, and conserving energy. And, appropriately, it was about The 2nd Law: an album titled after and thematically influenced by the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which concerns the inevitable wasting of energy within a closed system.
It was about letting themselves go and enjoying themselves. Muse, after all, had earned it.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
104 of 126 people found the following review helpful
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.
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.
63 of 81 people found the following review helpful
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.
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
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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
I only wind up listening to a couple of the songs... Disappointing
I tell ya'. I had such high hopes for this one. After "...Problematique" and "Absolution," I really have grown to see Muse as a go-to but their last two albums... Read more
Published 6 hours ago by Mason Daniel Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars
Muse is the best
This album is sick. I am in love with Muse. Have all of their albums and this one is just as good.
Published 1 day ago by Cynthia
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great
This is a great CD. I really love that as soon as you buy it you can download it from the cloud to your device.
Published 1 day ago by Michele G
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing album! One of their best.
Quiet possibly the best album Muse has made. Fantastic start to finish. Can't stop listening to it and it's been out for 6 months...
Published 2 days ago by Ryan S.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excelente Album
One of the great albums of recent times and one of the best Muse. It is worth taking time to enjoy this fabulous band, the great sound of their music and the wonderful experience... Read more
Published 3 days ago by Juan Manuel Paredes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great album!
This CD has been playing nonstop in my car for months! Muse is one of the best rock bands in recent history and this album proves that.
Published 4 days ago by Tahorican
5.0 out of 5 stars
MUSE speaks for them selves.
If you do not know MUSE, why not? This is another great album put out by these guys and on vinyl it sounds crazy good.
Published 7 days ago by underoath23
4.0 out of 5 stars
Like it
This is my first CD I have bought from Muse. I really like it, especially the hit song "Madness". I'll get more of their music.
Published 9 days ago by jmacken7
5.0 out of 5 stars
As always, Muse comes out with a fantastic album
I first heard Madness and fell in love with the song. I listened to the rest of the album and thought it was alright. Listened to it a second time, liked it. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Gneiss Schist
5.0 out of 5 stars
Muse is amazing
One of my favorite bands of all time. Went to see them in concert this year and there are no words to explain how amazing they are.
Published 10 days ago by Teresa D. Marshall
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