matthewpiano:With regard to Muse I agree with you that the earlier stuff (right up to 'Absolution') is excellent. The latest album does nothing for me though. It seems to be a pastiche of Muse with some quite crass and poorly executed thefts from classical repertoire (a Chopin Nocturne and 'Mon Coeur...' by Saint-Saens in particular).
This is interesting, I've only started listening to Muse since the new album came out, I like, although the 3-part Exogenesis was disappointing, I didn't think it went far enough, I'd liked to have seen it a bit longer and entirely orchestral, that would have been very interesting, not to mention brave.I'd like to hear them do something entirely orchestral, like a mock soundtrack album or something (or even a real one, which might not be such a stupid idea, I think one member of the band provided the music for the closing credits of a film recently, but I can't remember which one).
It all starts to sound a bit 'Hooked on Classics' mixed with Queen and Muse tribute bands in the end.
Bizarrely (all things considered) I think the word you're looking for is "commercial", although it feels very odd to be using the term in connection to a pseudo-operatic/orchestral, neo-Prog Rock, sci-fi influenced album. I like Muse, I just don't understand why they've become so popular, with the public especially at the same time that dross like N'Dubz seems to be getting more successful.
Must admit though, by the end of United States of Eurasia I was humming Bohemian Rhapsody...