The Essentials: Muse

by: Carlos Figueroa

Muse are an English alternative rock band from Devon, England. Since their inception, the band has comprised Matthew Bellamy (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Christopher Wolstenholme (bass, backing vocals), and Dominic Howard (drums and percussion). Muse are known for their energetic and extravagant live performances and their fusion of many music genres, including progressive rock, classical music and electronica. The band has released 5 full-length studio albums: Showbiz (1999), Origin of Symmetry (2001), Absolution (2003), Black Holes and Revelations (2006), and The Resistance (2009).

Muse is one of the bands that displays versatility but at the same time keeps a signature style, proving itself adaptable yet loyal to its own style. The band also has the characteristic of setting up huge shows when on tour or performing at any event, while delivering amazing vocal and instrumental performances.

A wide variety of songs by Muse are rich in guitars and falsettos, a characteristic that led the band to be compared with Radiohead in their first album, Showbiz. Even with comparisons like this, songs like "Uno" are a must-have in your playlists. On the other hand, the band's second album, Origin of Symmetry, introduced songs like "Hyper Music", "New Born", "Bliss", and "Plug In Baby", which show the band's vocal power and musical fusing capability. The bands last three albums show the band in its full scope of creativity and talent with songs like "Do the Absolution", "Stockholm Syndrome", "Apocalypse Please", "Time is Running Out" (Absolution), "Super massive Black Hole", "Starlight" (Black Holes and Revelations), "Uprising", and their lates single, "Undisclosed Desires" (The Resistance).

With over 10 years of career, Muse proves itself a legend, a band that portrays the essentials of versatility, originality, and variety, making Muse an essential.