music365 1999-08-18 – Muse : London Borderline
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Muse : London Borderline
Where does this boy get that voice? Looking all of six stone, with his fringe sticking up just so, Muse's lead singer and chief songwriter Matthew Bellamy seems more like some just-out-of-bed school-kid than the lovelorn rock star who's just reduced the Borderline to rubble.
There's a genuine buzz surrounding this band at the moment, as confirmed by tonight's crowd. It's too packed in here to smoke, never mind drink. For once, though, the hype is justified with a loud bang. Think rock music without the attendant dandruff and bad clothes; rock music with an IQ that stretches way beyond the chest-size of its obligatory faded-to-grey ripped tour t-shirt. That Radiohead comparison has become wearily predictable when attempting to pin Muse down, but ultimately it's unavoidable. In songs like the heartbreaking 'Unintended', and next single 'Cave', the same heartfelt emotions are trawled, the same raw hurt excavated. They're occasional flashes of beauty glimpsed through tears.
Even if you weren't here tonight to see Muse shoot through the roof, in a couple of years time you'll be smugly claiming to all within earshot that you were bouncing around down the front with all the other clued-up kids.
Best three-piece band since A-Ha? Forthcoming debut album 'Showbiz' should prove that. So get wise. Great bands such as this really do come along all too infrequently. On this showing Muse not only deserve your affection - they demand it.
Billie Swift