All in all this album is a big step backward for a band that has been on the leading edge musically and lyrically in rock music for the last few years. At times this album sounds way overproduced in all the wrong ways, especially in the some-record-suit-told-them-what-to-sound-like way. Sometimes it sounds like Muse trying to sound like U2--at best, this sounds listenable but is untrue to who they are. At other times it sounds like Muse trying to do '80s influenced pop-rock (think INXS gone wrong). At its worst moments it sounds like Muse fronted by Neil Diamond (yes, I know that was mean). Matt Bellamy has a great voice and is only 34, but in this recording his voice sounds past its prime often, especially in the lower registers. Lastly, they should not have let two songs be sung by others in the band. That made them sound like an average band.
The only time this album rings true is when the band employs their penchant for overly-dramatic operatic musicality with dystopian lyrics alongside an extraordinarily well-fitting dub step influence. It is the only natural next step/progression musically on the entire album. Sadly this only happens two times on the album, once as a cameo in a song and most perfectly (and fully) in "The 2nd Law: Unsustainable"--the best song on the album hands down.
While it is okay at best, the album is a real disappointment given how incredible the last three albums have been for the power trio of agnostic anarchists. Sometimes I wish they would go back to sounding like Radiohead.
