Music Top Dahgs: Muse, Mika, Wild Beasts

Arielle's Pick:  Muse's The Resistance

I always imagined that if I was ever a part of a mass political revolution my soundtrack would consist of a collection of Muse tracks (and I guess some 70's folk rock just for cred), but it seems that with the release of their latest album, The Resistance, they've given me the perfect collection. Like the rest of Muse's discography this album is full of the requisite epic solos, high pitched crooning, and plenty of catchy choruses that large groups of people can sing together in the streets while throwing their arms up in the air. While the new album isn't my favorite (that honor still goes to Origin of Symmetry) it's in no way a letdown. The first single "Uprising" is a powerful display of vocalist and guitarist Matt Bellamy's strength as both a singer and musician. My favorite song on the album, the grandiose almost seven minute long track "Unnatural Selection," is the perfect example of exactly what Muse does best. It's an amalgamation of sounds and melodies that you don't think should work together, but in reality turns out to be seven minutes in Muse heaven.    


Bryce's Pick:  Mika's The Boy Who Knew Too Much


Mika is many things.  He is a twenty-six year old Lebanese-born American.  He is a classically trained opera singer, which has produced a killer falsetto.  He is post-gay (see here for some commentary that I don't agree with).  He is also back this month with a new album.  The first single, "We Are Golden" is a fully energized channeling of Spring Awakening, Polyphonic Spree, and (as usual for Mika) Freddie Mercury.  In the video directed by the man who can do no wrong (see:  Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi") Jonas Akerlund, Mika dances around in his skivvies, mirroring many a pre-post-gays' reaction to the song's high energy choral refrain.  So pumped for the world to be dancing around in their rooms to great dance tracks like "Golden" and "Blame it on the Girls."  The album's also got the same overall feel of his debut, Life in Cartoon Motion, but it still feels fresh.  It's the proverbial not fixing it cuz it ain't broke.  There are important differences beyond the booming chorus of "Golden."  "Blue Eyes" takes its oomph from Paul Simon.  And is it Etta James he's channeling on "Pick Up Off the Floor"?  It's jarring to hear the worlds of Imogen Heap and Mika come together on "By the Time," a song she is featured on.  And I mean jarring in the best possible way.  The grand Canadian of upbeat violins, Owen Pallett (better known as Final Fantasy), plays on the album.  All is good.  Check it out.

Landon's Pick:  Wild Beasts, Two Dancers

These days it seems difficult to find an indie band easily identified by an exceptionally unique vocalist that doesn’t remind you of that guy that sings in that other band. The UK’s Wild Beasts, however, have two, with Hayden Thorpe’s idiosyncratic and polarizing falsetto alternating with Tom Fleming’s more accessible tenor. Thorpe’s falsetto is credited by most who have written about the band as its most immediately apparent identifying characteristic, and one’s ability to warm up this rare use of vocals for alt rock music will make or break their acceptance of Wild Beasts as a whole. I for one think it works splendidly—and once looking beyond just the vocals, Wild Beasts have proven themselves with each listen to be a band of rewarding layers. Their new album Two Dancers replaces the energetic flamboyance of their 2008 LP debut Limbo, Panto with subtle, haunting guitar hooks and immersive layers of mood and atmosphere. It’s far and away one of the best albums I’ve heard so far this year and works on every level as a complete LP experience, each track building upon themes and sounds explored previously. I hope Thorpe and Fleming don’t pull a Wolf Parade and focus on side projects (as each of their vocal capabilities could sustain a band all their own) because their unusual but inspired artistic collaboration works in a magnificent and original way that I haven’t seen in music in quite some time.

Recommended tracks: "Hooting & Howling," "All the King's Men"

-- bryce, arielle, and landon palmer
landon's blog can be found at http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/author/landon