via//chicago

np: "endlessly" - muse

it's not uncommon for a British band to proudly wear its influences on it's sleeve like this, but somehow Muse manages to go beyond the second-rate 1997-era Radiohead tag the band got slapped with after the debut album. it's big, boombastic, epic arena rock for the new decade and despite all that they aren't half bad. check out "Stockholm Syndrome" or "Sing for Absolution" off the new album, Absolution, and see for yourself. obviously someone thinks this band must be "too British" for America, as nothing since the debut album has been released domestically on this side of the pond. which is a shame, as they've improved leaps and bounds over the mostly tepid with flashes of brilliance debut. i caught them opening for the Foos and Red Hot Chili Peppers back during the Californication tour, but didn't really care for them all that much. i blame that mostly on being a poor choice to open for the Foos and Peppers, as both bands were out to rock that night and Muse was in more of an introspective kinda thing back then. i picked up the debut used for a couple bucks, and that was about all it was worth. i finally downloaded the follow-up, Origins of Symmetry, after seeing it hyped up by quite a few different people on varing message boards. i was pleasantly surprised by the growth of the band and grew to like that album. i've only heard the latest release once so far, but it's not a bad album by any means. kind of over-dramatic, but that's not always a bad thing. i doubt it will keep a hold on my like Symmetry did though. as for some stuff that IS available here in the States, i picked up some new releases i am looking forward to checking out....

Death Cab for Cutie - Transatlanticism: i've already heard this thanks to the leaked version, and so far i'm thinking it's one of the stronger albums by the band.
Jet - Get Born: i'm expecting this to be a fun little release based on what i've heard.
Hey Mercedes - Loses Control: i was a fanatic Braid fan, having gone to school in the band's homebase during their heydey, so i've been keeping up with Bob Nanna's progress over the years, but this one completely snuck up on me when i heard it was out. AMG says it's a wonderful pop-rock album on par with J.E.W.'s Bleed American and The Get-Up Kids' Something to Write Home About, and despite what the hipsters might say, i don't think that's a bad thing at all. i'm looking forward to checking this one out during tomorrow's commute.