Difference between revisions of "Origin of Symmetry (album)"

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[[File:Origin of Symmetry cover art.jpg|right|thumb|Cover art]]  
[[File:Origin_Of_Symmetry.jpg|right|thumb|Cover art]]  
{{Discobox
{{Discobox
| Name = Origin of Symmetry  
| Name = Origin of Symmetry  
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{{drop|11 <small>(World)</small>|12 <small>(JP)</small>|6 <small>(exclusive advanced promo CD)</small>}}
{{drop|11 <small>(World)</small>|12 <small>(JP)</small>|6 <small>(exclusive advanced promo CD)</small>}}
| Length = 51:42
| Length = 51:42
| Recorded = 2001
| Recorded = November-December 2000-2001
| Writer = [[Matthew Bellamy]]
| Writer = [[Matthew Bellamy]]
| Producer = [[David Bottrill]], [[John Leckie]]
| Producer = [[David Bottrill]], [[John Leckie]]
| Art = [[William Eagar]]
| Art = [[William Eagar]]
| Publisher = {{drop|[[Taste Media]], [[Mushroom]]|[[Naïve]] <small>(FR)</small>|[[Motor]] <small>(DE, UA)</small>|[[PIAS]] <small>(BX)</small>|[[Maverick]] <small>(US)</small>|[[Avex Trax|Cutting Edge]] <small>(JP)</small>|[[Sony Music]] <small>(KR)</small>}}
| Publisher = {{drop|[[Taste Media]], [[Mushroom]]|[[Naïve]] <small>(FR)</small>|[[Motor]] <small>(DE, UA)</small>|[[PIAS]] <small>(BX)</small>|[[Maverick]] <small>(US)</small>|[[Avex Trax|Cutting Edge]] <small>(JP)</small>|[[Sony Music]] <small>(KR)</small>}}
| Format = {{drop|CD, double 12" vinyl, cassette, minidisc|CD-R <small>(promo only)</small>}}
| Format = {{drop|CD, double 12" vinyl, cassette, minidisc|CD-R <small>(promo only)</small>|Vinyl, digital <small>(20th anniversary remix)</small>}}
| Mastered = Sony Music Studios
| Mastered = Sony Music Studios
| CatNumber = {{drop|MUSH93CD <small>(CD)</small>, MUSH93CDX <small>(digipak CD)</small>, 505046684721 <small> (reissue)</small>|481.2010.070 <small>(BX)</small>|CTCM65001 <small>(JP CD)</small>|WPCR12560 <small>(JP re-release CD)</small>|MUSH93LP <small>(vinyl)</small>|NV 38561 <small>(FR vinyl)</small>|589 058-1 <small>(DE vinyl)</small>|WB47984 <small> (vinyl re-issue)</small>|NV 38551 <small>(FR cassette)</small>|CPT-2464 <small>(KR cassette)</small>|MUSE 14 <small>(promo CD)</small>|51134823 <small>(Exclusive advanced promo CD)</small>}}
| CatNumber = {{drop|MUSH93CD <small>(CD)</small>, MUSH93CDX <small>(digipak CD)</small>, 505046684721 <small> (reissue)</small>|481.2010.070 <small>(BX)</small>|CTCM65001 <small>(JP CD)</small>|WPCR12560 <small>(JP re-release CD)</small>|MUSH93LP <small>(vinyl)</small>|NV 38561 <small>(FR vinyl)</small>|589 058-1 <small>(DE vinyl)</small>|WB47984 <small> (vinyl re-issue)</small>|NV 38551 <small>(FR cassette)</small>|CPT-2464 <small>(KR cassette)</small>|MUSE 14 <small>(promo CD)</small>|51134823 <small>(Exclusive advanced promo CD)</small>}}
| Release =  
| Release =  
{{drop|17<sup>th</sup> July 2001 <small>(GB)</small>
{{drop|18<sup>th</sup> June 2001 <small>(GB)</small>
|17<sup>th</sup> July 2001 <small>(World)</small>
|28<sup>th</sup> August 2001 <small>(US) (cancelled)</small><ref name="mc20010616">
|28<sup>th</sup> August 2001 <small>(US) (cancelled)</small><ref name="mc20010616">
{{cite |
{{cite |
  title = Origin of symmetry released | desc = MicroCuts news | date = 2001-06-16 | pub = MicroCuts | url = http://microcuts.net/uk/news/archives/06162001-origin_of_symmetry_released.php | dom = microcuts.net | type = ext
  title = Origin of symmetry released | desc = MicroCuts news | date = 2001-06-16 | pub = MicroCuts | url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090213171130/https://www.microcuts.net/uk/news/archives/06162001-origin_of_symmetry_released.php | dom = microcuts.net | type = ext
}}</ref>|20<sup>th</sup> September 2005 <small>(US)</small>
}}</ref>|20<sup>th</sup> September 2005 <small>(US)</small>
|27<sup>th</sup> August 2003 <small>(re-issue)</small>
|27<sup>th</sup> August 2003 <small>(re-issue)</small>
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|18<sup>th</sup> August 2009 <small>(vinyl re-issue)</small>
|18<sup>th</sup> August 2009 <small>(vinyl re-issue)</small>
}}
}}
| Chart Position = 3 <small>(GB)</small>
| Chart = 3 <small>(GB)</small>
| Previousalbum = Showbiz
| Previous = Showbiz
| Name= Origin of Symmetry
| PreviousLink = Showbiz (album)
| Nextalbum = Absolution
| Next = Absolution
| NextLink = Absolution (album)
| single1 = Plug In Baby | image1 = Plug In Baby CD1.png
| single1 = Plug In Baby | image1 = Plug In Baby CD1.png
| single2 = New Born | image2 = New Born CD1.png
| single2 = New Born | image2 = New Born CD1.png
| single3 = Bliss | image3 =Bliss CD1.png
| single3 = Bliss | image3 = Bliss CD1.png
| single4 = Hyper Music/Feeling Good | image4 = Feeling Good CDS cover.jpg
| single4 = Hyper Music/Feeling Good | image4 = Feeling Good CDS cover.jpg
| type = album
| Type = album
| singlescount = 4
| singlescount = 4
}}
}}
<flashmp3>http://www.musewiki.org/images/OriginOfSymmetry.mp3|rightbg=0xFFCCFF|leftbg=0xFFCCFF|bg=0xFFFFFF</flashmp3>


==Information==
== Information ==
{{disco-info |
''Origin of Symmetry'' came first about through the changes Muse underwent during their intensive touring in promotion of ''[[Showbiz]]'', with  a lot of material written whilst touring.<ref name="xfmdoc">{{cite/xfm20071007}}</ref> However, this album is more riff orientated and slightly darker than ''[[Showbiz (album)|Showbiz]]'', containing several songs which use piano or organ. ''Origin of Symmetry'' was intended as a more progressive rock-styled album,<ref name="xfmdoc"/> with different vocal styles than that of ''Showbiz''. The ambition behind the album was to show the harder rock and eccentric elements of the band, that they felt had not been seen so far.<ref name="xfmdoc"/> This included bringing back a lot of music "filtered out" from ''Showbiz''.<ref name="xfmdoc"/> The bass in the album is also more prominent and distorted. Some of the songs of the album draw influence from the band members' relationships suffering from the effects of them being on tour.<ref name="xfmdoc"/>
''Origin of Symmetry'' came first about through the changes Muse underwent during their intensive touring in promotion of ''[[Showbiz]]'', with  a lot of material written whilst touring.<ref name="xfmdoc">{{cite/xfm20071007}}</ref> However, this album is more riff orientated and slightly darker than ''[[Showbiz (album)|Showbiz]]'', containing several songs which use piano or organ. ''Origin of Symmetry'' was intended as a more progressive rock-styled album,<ref name="xfmdoc"/> with different vocal styles than that of ''Showbiz''. The ambition behind the album was to show the harder rock and eccentric elements of the band, that they felt had not been seen so far.<ref name="xfmdoc"/> This included bringing back a lot of music "filtered out" from ''Showbiz''.<ref name="xfmdoc"/> The bass in the album is also more prominent and distorted. Some of the songs of the album draw influence from the band members' relationships suffering from the effects of them being on tour.<ref name="xfmdoc"/>
 
}}
[[File:Logo variations.png|right|thumb|The slightly irregular Muse logo that appears on Origin Of Symmetry (above), and the regular Muse logo as seen on all other releases (below)]]
The album art displays a slightly irregular version of the Muse logo.
 
Origin Of Symmetry is commonly described by religious leaders as a "gift from the heavens to reassure us that there is a God". Pope Benedict himself recently stated that it's the only album allowed in the Popemobile.


===Title===
===Title===
The name of the album was inspired by the book ''Hyperspace'' by theoretical physicist Michio Kaku. It discusses how a future book about the discovery of supersymmetry should be entitled "The Origin Of Symmetry", due to its implications in physics, in reference to the explanatory impact Charles Darwin's "On The Origin Of Species" had on biology.<ref name="xfmdoc"/> According to Bellamy, "everyone’s been writing about the origin of life so now they’ll start looking at the origin of symmetry; there’s a certain amount of stability in the universe and to find out where it originates from would be to find out if God exists.”<ref>Rock Sound Spain 31/07/01</ref>
The name of the album was inspired by the book ''Hyperspace'' by theoretical physicist Michio Kaku. It discusses how a future book about the discovery of supersymmetry should be entitled "The Origin Of Symmetry", due to its implications in physics, in reference to the explanatory impact Charles Darwin's "On The Origin Of Species" had on biology.<ref name="xfmdoc"/>. Matt said: "The name of the album, 'Origin Of Symmetry', is from a book about geometry of the universe and how it's all in beautiful balance, a perfect thing in ten dimensions. It explains all the mysterious forces we invented religions around.<ref>NME - Vengeance is ours! [November 2001] </ref>.  According to Bellamy, "everyone’s been writing about the origin of life so now they’ll start looking at the origin of symmetry; there’s a certain amount of stability in the universe and to find out where it originates from would be to find out if God exists.”<ref>Rock Sound Spain 31/07/01</ref>


===Recording===
===Recording===
[[File:RecordingOriginOfSymmetry.jpg | thumb | right |Muse recording Origin of Symmetry]]
"New Born", "Plug In Baby", "Bliss" and "Darkshines" were recorded with [[David Bottrill]] in the middle of touring in late 2000, in Ridge Farm Studios, Surrey.<ref name="xfmdoc"/> The songs were recorded as if in a live situation, within a few days.<ref name="xfmdoc"/> The band later had to re-master the songs with [[John Cornfield]] after the tour was over, in order to make them suitable for release, as they were not satisfied with the mixing of these tracks.<ref name="xfmdoc"/> Matt attributes this to the effects of the hallucinogenics, which were "great for exploring new territory", but "certainly not good for finishing things off".<ref name="xfmdoc"/> The stripping down of these songs helped set the tone for the recording of the rest of the album. "New Born", "Plug In Baby" and "Bliss" were seen as the "backbone of the album" and provided a basis from which the band could be more experimental with the other songs.<ref name="xfmdoc"/>
"New Born", "Plug In Baby", "Bliss" and "Darkshines" were recorded with [[David Bottrill]] in the middle of touring in late 2000, in Ridge Farm Studios, Surrey.<ref name="xfmdoc"/> The songs were recorded as if in a live situation, within a few days.<ref name="xfmdoc"/> The band later had to re-master the songs with [[John Cornfield]] after the tour was over, in order to make them suitable for release, as they were not satisfied with the mixing of these tracks.<ref name="xfmdoc"/> Matt attributes this to the effects of the hallucinogenics, which were "great for exploring new territory", but "certainly not good for finishing things off".<ref name="xfmdoc"/> The stripping down of these songs helped set the tone for the recording of the rest of the album. "New Born", "Plug In Baby" and "Bliss" were seen as the "backbone of the album" and provided a basis from which the band could be more experimental with the other songs.<ref name="xfmdoc"/>


John Leckie pushed the band to explore some of the more experimental ideas. Some of this took the form of using new percussion for particular songs, such as using a balafon, as well as animal bones and llama toenails on "Screenager".<ref name="xfmdoc"/> Matt felt this was necessary in order to for him to write the lyrics for the album.<ref name="xfmdoc"/> Classical music also began to have a great impact on the writing of songs for ''Origin Of Symmetry'', particularly on the way Matt perceived music itself.<ref name="xfmdoc"/> The song "Space Dementia" was inspired by [[Sergei Rachmaninov]], whose music Matt began to listen to whilst writing the album.<ref name="xfmdoc"/>  
John Leckie pushed the band to explore some of the more experimental ideas. Some of this took the form of using new percussion for particular songs, such as using a balafon, as well as animal bones and llama toenails on "Screenager".<ref name="xfmdoc"/> Matt felt this was necessary in order to for him to write the lyrics for the album.<ref name="xfmdoc"/> Classical music also began to have a great impact on the writing of songs for ''Origin Of Symmetry'', particularly on the way Matt perceived music itself.<ref name="xfmdoc"/> The song "Space Dementia" was inspired by [[Sergei Rachmaninov]], whose music Matt began to listen to whilst writing the album.<ref name="xfmdoc"/>  


"Feeling Good" was included on the album because it was a piano based song, and was a favourite of a girlfriend Matt had at the time.<ref name="xfmdoc"/> The standard release of the album was also originally intended to include many songs that would later become B-sides, including "[[Shrinking Universe (song)|Shrinking Universe]]", "[[Futurism (song)|Tesseract]]" ("Futurism") and "[[Nature 1 (song)|Natural Disaster]]" ("Nature_1"), as well as unidentified songs entitled "Origin of Symmetry" and "Love Bleach".<ref>{{cite |
"Feeling Good" was included on the album because it was a piano based song, and was a favourite of a girlfriend Matt had at the time.<ref name="xfmdoc"/> The standard release of the album was also originally intended to include many songs that would later become B-sides, including "[[Shrinking Universe (song)|Shrinking Universe]]", "[[Futurism (song)|Tesseract]]" ("Futurism") and "[[Nature 1 (song)|Natural Disaster]]" ("Nature_1"), as well as unidentified songs entitled "Origin of Symmetry" and "Love Bleach".<ref name="mc20010215">{{cite |
  title = Muse talk about new album | desc = MicroCuts news item | date = 2001-02-15 | url = http://microcuts.net/uk/news/archives/02152001-muse_talk_about_the_new_album.php | pub = MicroCuts | dom = microcuts.net | type = ext
  title = Muse talk about new album | desc = MicroCuts news item | date = 2001-02-15 | url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050315064511/http://www.microcuts.net/uk/news/archives/02152001-muse_talk_about_the_new_album.php | pub = MicroCuts | dom = microcuts.net | type = ext
}}</ref><ref>{{cite |
}}</ref><ref name="mc20000719">{{cite |
  title = Next album | desc = MicroCuts news item | date = 2000-07-19 | url = http://www.microcuts.net/uk/news/archives/07192000-next_album.php | pub = MicroCuts | dom = microcuts.net | type = ext
  title = Next album | desc = MicroCuts news item | date = 2000-07-19 | url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070622033353/http://www.microcuts.net/uk/news/archives/07192000-next_album.php | pub = MicroCuts | dom = microcuts.net | type = ext
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


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The album has gone Gold in the UK, with sales over 100,000.
The album has gone Gold in the UK, with sales over 100,000.


''Origin of Symmetry'' was reissued in double 12" vinyl on the 18th of August, 2009 to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of the debut album, ''Showbiz''.
''Origin of Symmetry'' was reissued in double 12" vinyl on the 18th of August, 2009 to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of the debut album, ''Showbiz''.  


===Artwork===
== ''Origin of Muse'' ==
 
''Origin of Symmetry'' was reissued once again in 2019 for the bands' 20th anniversary in a limited box set called [[Origin of Muse (box set)|Origin of Muse]], together with ''Showbiz''. This time, it was accompanied by the remastered main album (available on both CD and two vinyls), a demo-album, containing instrumental demos of songs like [[Micro Cuts (song)|Micro Cuts]], [[Citizen Erased (song)|Citizen Erased]] and [[Megalomania (song)|Megalomania]], and a live album, with a high quality audio version of the Origin of Symmetry 10th anniversary performance from [[Reading Little John's Farm 2011 (gig)|Reading Festival 2011]].
 
[[File:OOSXX.png|thumb|right|''Origin of Symmetry: XX Anniversary RemiXX'' album cover]]
 
== ''Origin of Symmetry: XX Anniversary RemiXX'' ==
 
On 19th May 2021, it was announced that Muse will be releasing a fully remixed and remastered version of ''Origin of Symmetry'', stylistically named ''Origin of Symmetry: XX Anniversary RemiXX'', in celebration of the album's 20th anniversary. The album was remixed by the band with long-time collaborator [[Rich Costey]], providing a more clear, dynamic and less crushed sound to the album. The album features no re-recorded parts, but the new mixes highlight certain parts of the original songs that were previously buried or muted on the original album, such as string sections in "Space Dementia", "Citizen Erased" and "Megalomania", and a harpsichord on "Micro Cuts". The remix also includes the Japanese bonus track [[Futurism (song)|Futurism]]. In terms of design, it features a new, modernised version of the album cover made by artist Sujin Kim. 
 
The first single released from the remixed album was [[Citizen Erased (song)|Citizen Erased]], released on May 20th, 2021, with the second single, [[Megalomania (song)|Megalomania]] released on June 5th. The remixed album is available both digitally and on vinyl, with two vinyl options available; standard black and a translucent yellow and orange version (latter is exclusive to the official Muse store).
 
The digital version was released on June 18th, while the vinyl version was released on July 9th.
 
== Artwork ==


In a 2001 interview, [[Matthew Bellamy]] stated that the artwork is "a collection of the work of 14 artists who’ve all been given that same title, so even though each piece is in a radically different style, you get a sense of there being some form of continuity through different people’s perceptions of the same theme."<ref>Rock Sound Spain 31/07/01</ref>
In a 2001 interview, [[Matthew Bellamy]] stated that the artwork is "a collection of the work of 14 artists who’ve all been given that same title, so even though each piece is in a radically different style, you get a sense of there being some form of continuity through different people’s perceptions of the same theme."<ref>Rock Sound Spain 31/07/01</ref>
[[File:Logo variations.png|right|thumb|The Muse logo set in Helvetica that appears on Origin Of Symmetry (above), and the regular Muse logo set in Frutiger as seen on all other releases (below)]]
The album art displays a slightly irregular version of the Muse logo. While the regular one utilizes the Frutiger Black typeface, this altenate version is set in Helvetica Bold.
The 20th Anniversary LP box contains sleeves which are of the same design as on the original vinyl, but the main artwork has been updated, with the antennas and the environment looking alot more detailed and dystopian.


==Track list==
==Track list==
Line 91: Line 109:


===Vinyl===
===Vinyl===
====A====
;A
#[[New Born (song)|New Born]]
#[[New Born (song)|New Born]]
#[[Bliss (song)|Bliss]]
#[[Bliss (song)|Bliss]]
====B====
 
;B
<ol start="3">
<ol start="3">
<li>[[Space Dementia (song)|Space Dementia]]
<li>[[Space Dementia (song)|Space Dementia]]
<li>[[Hyper Music (song)|Hyper Music]]
<li>[[Hyper Music (song)|Hyper Music]]
<li>[[Plug In Baby (song)|Plug In Baby]]</ol>
<li>[[Plug In Baby (song)|Plug In Baby]]</ol>
====C====
 
;C
<ol start="6">
<ol start="6">
<li>[[Citizen Erased (song)|Citizen Erased]]
<li>[[Citizen Erased (song)|Citizen Erased]]
<li>[[Micro Cuts (song)|Micro Cuts]]
<li>[[Micro Cuts (song)|Micro Cuts]]
<li>[[Screenager (song)|Screenager]]</ol>
<li>[[Screenager (song)|Screenager]]</ol>
====D====
 
;D
<ol start="9">
<ol start="9">
<li>[[Darkshines (song)|Darkshines]]
<li>[[Darkshines (song)|Darkshines]]
<li>[[Feeling Good (song)|Feeling Good]]
<li>[[Feeling Good (song)|Feeling Good]]
<li>[[Megalomania (song)|Megalomania]]</ol>
<li>[[Megalomania (song)|Megalomania]]</ol>


===JP CD===
===JP CD===
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===MuseTV enhanced element master===
===MuseTV enhanced element master===
#[[MuseTV]]
#[[MuseTV]]
===''Origin of Symmetry: XX Anniversary RemiXX'', Digital===
#[[New Born (song)|New Born]]
#[[Bliss (song)|Bliss]]
#[[Space Dementia (song)|Space Dementia]]
#[[Hyper Music (song)|Hyper Music]]
#[[Plug In Baby (song)|Plug In Baby]]
#[[Citizen Erased (song)|Citizen Erased]]
#[[Micro Cuts (song)|Micro Cuts]]
#[[Screenager (song)|Screenager]]
#[[Darkshines (song)|Darkshines]]
#[[Feeling Good (song)|Feeling Good]]
#[[Futurism (song)|Futurism]]
#[[Megalomania (song)|Megalomania]]
===''Origin of Symmetry: XX Anniversary RemiXX'', Vinyl===
;M
#[[New Born (song)|New Born]]
#[[Bliss (song)|Bliss]]
;U
#[[Space Dementia (song)|Space Dementia]]
#[[Hyper Music (song)|Hyper Music]]
#[[Plug In Baby (song)|Plug In Baby]]
;S
#[[Citizen Erased (song)|Citizen Erased]]
#[[Micro Cuts (song)|Micro Cuts]]
#[[Screenager (song)|Screenager]]
#[[Darkshines (song)|Darkshines]]
;E
#[[Feeling Good (song)|Feeling Good]]
#[[Futurism (song)|Futurism]]
#[[Megalomania (song)|Megalomania]]
== Personnel ==
=== Muse ===
* [[Matthew Bellamy]] - Lead vocals, lead and rhytm guitars, piano, keyboards, synths, Wurlitzer piano (track 10), pipe organ (track 11), strings arragement, additional percussion, co-production
* [[Chris Wolstenholme]] - Bass, backing vocals, double bass (tracks 8 & 10), vibraphone, co-production
* [[Dominic Howard]] - Drums, percussion, co-production
=== Guest musicians ===
* Jacqueline Norrie - Violin
* Sara Herbert - Violin
* Clare Finnimore - Viola
* Caroline Lavelle - Cello
=== Production & artwork ===
* Safta Jaffery - Executive production
* Dennis Smith - Executive production (track 3)
* [[David Bottrill]] - Production and engineering (tracks 1, 2, 5 & 9)
* [[John Leckie]] - Production and engineering (tracks 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10 & 11)
* Ric Peet - Engineering (tracks 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10 & 11)
* Jean-Philippe Altier - Programming
* Steve Cooper - Additional engineering and programming (tracks 1, 2, 5 & 9)
* Chris Brown - Additional engineering and programming (tracks 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10 & 11)
* Mark Thomas - Sawmills Studio assistance (tracks 2, 4, 5 & 7)
* Claire Lewis - Real World Studios assistance (tracks 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10 & 11)
* Damon Iddins - Astoria assistance
* [[Mirek Stiles]] - Abbey Road assistance
* [[John Cornfield]] - Mixing
* Ray Staff - Mastering
* William Eagar - Artwork
=== XX Anniversary RemiXX personnel ===
* [[Rich Costey]] - Mixing
* [[Aleks Von Korff]] - Mixing assistance
* Alex Wharton - Mastering
* Sujin Kim - Artwork
== Second album recording gallery ==
<gallery>
File: oosrecording1.jpg|How heavy the new site is
File: Oosrecording2.jpg|Recording the song with no name
File: CitizenErasedStrings_HQ.jpg|Matt scoring the string quartet
File: oosrecording4.jpg|The joy after sceaming
File: oosrecording5.jpg|I can see the blue light
File: oosrecording6.jpg|Chris looking pleased with the bass sound
File: oosrecording7.jpg|Chris on some leather
File: oosrecording8.jpg|Space Dementia
File: oosrecording9.jpg|Drum sounds for Space Dementia
File: oosrecording10.jpg|Arriving at Abbey Road
File: oosrecording11.jpg|This is a big live room!
File: pd_chrisabbeyroad.jpg|Chris getting some nice new gear
File: oosrecording13.jpg|Recording vocals
File: pd_soldanoadjust.jpg|Starting work on guitars...
File: oosrecording15.jpg|John Leckie and Chris (assistant)
File: oosrecording16.jpg|The first evening in Astoria
File: oosrecording17.jpg|The Astoria Studios
File: oosrecording18.jpg|Arriving at Astoria Studio
File: oosrecording19.jpg|"Knees up mother Brown.."
File: oosrecording20.jpg|Matt's new Manson guitar
File: oosrecording21.jpg|"Just the two of us...."
File: oosrecording22.jpg|Matt and a harpsichord
File: oosrecording23.jpg|Photodiary 14.02.2001
File: oosrecording24.jpg|New guitar, blue shirt
File: oosrecording25.jpg|The 'Big Brother' craze gets out of proportion
File: oosrecording26.jpg|"badda-da-badda-da-badda-da"
File: Bellamy_OrganMegalomania.jpg|"Recording pipe organ at St Mary’s Church for Megalomania back in 2001" (''via [https://www.instagram.com/p/CP8sKrchSbi/ Muse's Instagram]'')
File: Bellamy_OrganMegalomania2.png|"Recording pipe organ at St Mary’s Church for Megalomania back in 2001" (''via [https://www.instagram.com/p/CP8sKrchSbi/ Muse's Instagram]'')
File: Bellamy_OrganMegalomania3.png|"Recording pipe organ at St Mary’s Church for Megalomania back in 2001" (''via [https://www.instagram.com/p/CP8sKrchSbi/ Muse's Instagram]'')
File: Bellamy_OrganMegalomania.jpg|"Recording pipe organ at St Mary’s Church for Megalomania back in 2001" (''via [https://www.instagram.com/p/CP8sKrchSbi/ Muse's Instagram]'')
File: DomDrumsHyper_1.jpg|"Recording Hyper Music in the stone room at @realworldstudios" (''via [https://www.instagram.com/p/CP8sKrchSbi/ Muse's Instagram]'')
File: DomDrumsHyper_2.jpg|"Recording Hyper Music in the stone room at @realworldstudios" (''via [https://www.instagram.com/p/CP8sKrchSbi/ Muse's Instagram]'')
File: Oosrecording2HQ.jpg|"Recording the ending to Space Dementia at @abbeyroadstudios" (''via [https://www.instagram.com/p/CQysFFBli5-/ Muse's Instagram]'')
File: BellamyHarpsi1.jpg|"Harpsichord at @realworldstudios used for Micro Cuts" (''via [https://www.instagram.com/p/CREbPmJhXHW/ Muse's Instagram]'')
File: BellamyHarpsi2.jpg|"Harpsichord at @realworldstudios used for Micro Cuts" (''via [https://www.instagram.com/p/CREbPmJhXHW/ Muse's Instagram]'')
File: BellamyHarpsi3.jpg|"Harpsichord at @realworldstudios used for Micro Cuts" (''via [https://www.instagram.com/p/CREbPmJhXHW/ Muse's Instagram]'')
File: DomBones1.jpg|"Dom playing the balafon with some bones on Screenager" (''via [https://www.instagram.com/p/CRg7M6YBcYj/ Muse's Instagram]'')
File: DomBones2.jpg|"Dom playing the balafon with some bones on Screenager" (''via [https://www.instagram.com/p/CRg7M6YBcYj/ Muse's Instagram]'')
</gallery>
(via [http://www.microcuts.net/gallery/muse-official-6-origin-of-symmetry-era-381.html?page=1 microcuts.net] & Muse's Instagram)


==Album artwork==
==Album artwork==
Line 173: Line 308:
</gallery>
</gallery>


==Origin Of Symmetry gallery==
==Origin Of Symmetry Gallery==
<ul class="col"><li><p class="gu" style="font-size:1.3em">'''Display gallery »'''</p></li>
<gallery>
<li class="di"><gallery>
File:Origin_Of_Symmetry.jpg|Digipak cover art
File:Origin of Symmetry cover art.jpg|Digipak cover art
File:Origin_of_Symmetry_(digipak)_Interior_and_Disc.JPG|Digipak interior and disc
File:Origin_of_Symmetry_(digipak)_Interior_and_Disc.JPG|Digipak interior and disc
File:Origin_of_Symmetry_(digipak)_Back_Cover.JPG|Digipak back cover
File:Origin_of_Symmetry_(digipak)_Back_Cover.JPG|Digipak back cover
Line 221: Line 355:
File:MDOrigin_of_Symmetry_Disc_Back.jpg|Mini-disc back
File:MDOrigin_of_Symmetry_Disc_Back.jpg|Mini-disc back
File:MDOrigin_of_Symmetry_Back_Cover.jpg|Mini-disc cover back
File:MDOrigin_of_Symmetry_Back_Cover.jpg|Mini-disc cover back
</gallery></li></ul>
File:OOS_20thCoverSmaller.jpg|20th anniversary cover art
</gallery>
 
==Spread Gallery==
<gallery>
File:JP OOS.jpg|JP CD digipak
File:OOS_CD_(Mushroom_Release).jpg|UK CD (Mushroom)
File:OOS_CD_(EastWest_Release).jpg|UK CD (EastWest)
File:OOS_CD_Digipak.jpg|UK CD digipak
File:US_OOS_CD.JPG|US CD
File:US_OOS_12''_Vinyl.JPG|US 12" vinyl
File:OOS_20thVinylBlack.png|XX Anniversary RemiXX (Black vinyl)
File:OOS_20thVinylColor.jpg|XX Anniversary RemiXX (Coloured vinyl)
</gallery>


{{Template:Backtomu|url=albums/5/origin-of-symmetry/}}
{{Template:Backtomu|url=albums/5/origin-of-symmetry/}}
=Interview Promo=
=Interview Promo=
[[File:Interview_Disc front cover.jpg|right|thumb|Front cover]]  
[[File:Interview_Disc front cover.jpg|right|thumb|Front cover]]  
Line 243: Line 391:
}}
}}


A promo CD featuring an [[Interview Disc Transcript|interview]] with the band.
A promo CD featuring an [[Interview disc transcript|interview]] with the band.


==Track list==
==Track list==
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#Answer
#Answer


=See also=
== References ==
<references />
 
==See also==
*[[Origin of Symmetry (discography)|Origin of Symmetry discography]]
*[[Origin of Symmetry (discography)|Origin of Symmetry discography]]
*[[Origin of Symmetry media use]]
*[[Origin of Symmetry media use]]
* [[Origin of Symmetry (gallery) | Origin of Symmetry gallery]]
*[[:Category:Origin of Symmetry-era media|Origin of Symmetry-era media]]
*[[:Category:Origin of Symmetry-era media|Origin of Symmetry-era media]]
=References=
<references />


{{Backto | discography}}
{{Backto | discography}}

Latest revision as of 03:30, 31 October 2023

Cover art
Muse album
Name Origin of Symmetry
Tracks
  • 11 (World) »
  • 12 (JP)
  • 6 (exclusive advanced promo CD)
Total length 51:42
Recorded November-December 2000-2001
Writer/composer Matthew Bellamy
Producer David Bottrill, John Leckie
Art work William Eagar
Publisher
Format(s)
  • CD, double 12" vinyl, cassette, minidisc »
  • CD-R (promo only)
  • Vinyl, digital (20th anniversary remix)
Catalogue №
  • MUSH93CD (CD), MUSH93CDX (digipak CD), 505046684721 (reissue) »
  • 481.2010.070 (BX)
  • CTCM65001 (JP CD)
  • WPCR12560 (JP re-release CD)
  • MUSH93LP (vinyl)
  • NV 38561 (FR vinyl)
  • 589 058-1 (DE vinyl)
  • WB47984 (vinyl re-issue)
  • NV 38551 (FR cassette)
  • CPT-2464 (KR cassette)
  • MUSE 14 (promo CD)
  • 51134823 (Exclusive advanced promo CD)
Release date
  • 18th June 2001 (GB) »
  • 17th July 2001 (World)
  • 28th August 2001 (US) (cancelled)[1]
  • 20th September 2005 (US)
  • 27th August 2003 (re-issue)
  • 21st February 2007 (JP re-issue)
  • 18th August 2009 (vinyl re-issue)
Chart position 3 (GB)
album chronology
Showbiz
Origin of Symmetry
Absolution
Singles
Plug In Baby CD1.pngNew Born CD1.pngBliss CD1.pngFeeling Good CDS cover.jpg


Information

Origin of Symmetry came first about through the changes Muse underwent during their intensive touring in promotion of Showbiz, with a lot of material written whilst touring.[2] However, this album is more riff orientated and slightly darker than Showbiz, containing several songs which use piano or organ. Origin of Symmetry was intended as a more progressive rock-styled album,[2] with different vocal styles than that of Showbiz. The ambition behind the album was to show the harder rock and eccentric elements of the band, that they felt had not been seen so far.[2] This included bringing back a lot of music "filtered out" from Showbiz.[2] The bass in the album is also more prominent and distorted. Some of the songs of the album draw influence from the band members' relationships suffering from the effects of them being on tour.[2]

Title

The name of the album was inspired by the book Hyperspace by theoretical physicist Michio Kaku. It discusses how a future book about the discovery of supersymmetry should be entitled "The Origin Of Symmetry", due to its implications in physics, in reference to the explanatory impact Charles Darwin's "On The Origin Of Species" had on biology.[2]. Matt said: "The name of the album, 'Origin Of Symmetry', is from a book about geometry of the universe and how it's all in beautiful balance, a perfect thing in ten dimensions. It explains all the mysterious forces we invented religions around.[3]. According to Bellamy, "everyone’s been writing about the origin of life so now they’ll start looking at the origin of symmetry; there’s a certain amount of stability in the universe and to find out where it originates from would be to find out if God exists.”[4]

Recording

Muse recording Origin of Symmetry

"New Born", "Plug In Baby", "Bliss" and "Darkshines" were recorded with David Bottrill in the middle of touring in late 2000, in Ridge Farm Studios, Surrey.[2] The songs were recorded as if in a live situation, within a few days.[2] The band later had to re-master the songs with John Cornfield after the tour was over, in order to make them suitable for release, as they were not satisfied with the mixing of these tracks.[2] Matt attributes this to the effects of the hallucinogenics, which were "great for exploring new territory", but "certainly not good for finishing things off".[2] The stripping down of these songs helped set the tone for the recording of the rest of the album. "New Born", "Plug In Baby" and "Bliss" were seen as the "backbone of the album" and provided a basis from which the band could be more experimental with the other songs.[2]

John Leckie pushed the band to explore some of the more experimental ideas. Some of this took the form of using new percussion for particular songs, such as using a balafon, as well as animal bones and llama toenails on "Screenager".[2] Matt felt this was necessary in order to for him to write the lyrics for the album.[2] Classical music also began to have a great impact on the writing of songs for Origin Of Symmetry, particularly on the way Matt perceived music itself.[2] The song "Space Dementia" was inspired by Sergei Rachmaninov, whose music Matt began to listen to whilst writing the album.[2]

"Feeling Good" was included on the album because it was a piano based song, and was a favourite of a girlfriend Matt had at the time.[2] The standard release of the album was also originally intended to include many songs that would later become B-sides, including "Shrinking Universe", "Tesseract" ("Futurism") and "Natural Disaster" ("Nature_1"), as well as unidentified songs entitled "Origin of Symmetry" and "Love Bleach".[5][6]

Pre-release

The promo CD sits in a flat plastic box with a Muse logo on it, which is held together by screws in two corners of the case. The aforementioned CD originally came with a perspex screw driver. Two versions of the promo CD were distributed in the UK. These two versions only differ in the plastic the box is made from; one tinged yellow and the other grey. A similar promotional CD was used in France, some copies of which were distributed in plastic boxes as with the UK version.

The track list on the UK promo CD has incorrect track lengths for all tracks, but the audio is identical to the released album. Unmastered promo CD-Rs were distributed in the UK and Germany. The Bleeb Unmastered and German CD-R promos are unmastered and have beeping sounds every few minutes to indicate the CD is a press preview copy. The unmastered promos feature uncut versions of the songs, for example, "Bliss" has a 30 second appregiated outro that is not featured in the released album version, and "Citizen Erased" does not merge into "Micro Cuts". Additionally the Exclusive Advanced Promo CD was distributed in Germany, and contains six faded song samples from the album.

Release

Origin of Symmetry was to be released in the US on the 28th August 2001[1] but the release was cancelled after Muse left Maverick. It was finally released in the US in 2005 after Absolution became successful there. It was the only Muse album not to be released on Ukrainian Records in Ukraine, and was instead released directly under Motor. Thus, it did not have a promotional cassette like other Ukrainian Muse releases.

The album was originally released as a CD-ROM with the MuseTV feature linked to online bonus material. This later ceased to function once the MuseTV media had been removed from the Internet. The CD was available in either a digipak or jewel case.

The album has gone Gold in the UK, with sales over 100,000.

Origin of Symmetry was reissued in double 12" vinyl on the 18th of August, 2009 to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of the debut album, Showbiz.

Origin of Muse

Origin of Symmetry was reissued once again in 2019 for the bands' 20th anniversary in a limited box set called Origin of Muse, together with Showbiz. This time, it was accompanied by the remastered main album (available on both CD and two vinyls), a demo-album, containing instrumental demos of songs like Micro Cuts, Citizen Erased and Megalomania, and a live album, with a high quality audio version of the Origin of Symmetry 10th anniversary performance from Reading Festival 2011.

Origin of Symmetry: XX Anniversary RemiXX album cover

Origin of Symmetry: XX Anniversary RemiXX

On 19th May 2021, it was announced that Muse will be releasing a fully remixed and remastered version of Origin of Symmetry, stylistically named Origin of Symmetry: XX Anniversary RemiXX, in celebration of the album's 20th anniversary. The album was remixed by the band with long-time collaborator Rich Costey, providing a more clear, dynamic and less crushed sound to the album. The album features no re-recorded parts, but the new mixes highlight certain parts of the original songs that were previously buried or muted on the original album, such as string sections in "Space Dementia", "Citizen Erased" and "Megalomania", and a harpsichord on "Micro Cuts". The remix also includes the Japanese bonus track Futurism. In terms of design, it features a new, modernised version of the album cover made by artist Sujin Kim.

The first single released from the remixed album was Citizen Erased, released on May 20th, 2021, with the second single, Megalomania released on June 5th. The remixed album is available both digitally and on vinyl, with two vinyl options available; standard black and a translucent yellow and orange version (latter is exclusive to the official Muse store).

The digital version was released on June 18th, while the vinyl version was released on July 9th.

Artwork

In a 2001 interview, Matthew Bellamy stated that the artwork is "a collection of the work of 14 artists who’ve all been given that same title, so even though each piece is in a radically different style, you get a sense of there being some form of continuity through different people’s perceptions of the same theme."[7]

The Muse logo set in Helvetica that appears on Origin Of Symmetry (above), and the regular Muse logo set in Frutiger as seen on all other releases (below)

The album art displays a slightly irregular version of the Muse logo. While the regular one utilizes the Frutiger Black typeface, this altenate version is set in Helvetica Bold.

The 20th Anniversary LP box contains sleeves which are of the same design as on the original vinyl, but the main artwork has been updated, with the antennas and the environment looking alot more detailed and dystopian.

Track list

CD, promo CDs

  1. New Born
  2. Bliss
  3. Space Dementia
  4. Hyper Music
  5. Plug In Baby
  6. Citizen Erased
  7. Micro Cuts
  8. Screenager
  9. Darkshines
  10. Feeling Good
  11. Megalomania

Vinyl

A
  1. New Born
  2. Bliss
B
  1. Space Dementia
  2. Hyper Music
  3. Plug In Baby
C
  1. Citizen Erased
  2. Micro Cuts
  3. Screenager
D
  1. Darkshines
  2. Feeling Good
  3. Megalomania

JP CD

  1. New Born
  2. Bliss
  3. Space Dementia
  4. Hyper Music
  5. Plug In Baby
  6. Citizen Erased
  7. Micro Cuts
  8. Screenager
  9. Darkshines
  10. Feeling Good
  11. Futurism
  12. Megalomania

JP promo CD

  1. New Born
  2. Hyper Music
  3. Feeling Good
  4. Bliss
  5. Plug In Baby

Unmastered press preview, unmastered UK CD-R, German promos

All tracks are unmastered and unblended versions

  1. New Born
  2. Bliss
  3. Space Dementia
  4. Hyper Music
  5. Plug In Baby
  6. Citizen Erased
  7. Micro Cuts
  8. Feeling Good
  9. Screenager
  10. Darkshines
  11. Megalomania

Exclusive advanced promo CD

All tracks are faded samples

  1. New Born
  2. Bliss
  3. Plug In Baby
  4. Citizen Erased
  5. Feeling Good
  6. Darkshines

MuseTV enhanced element master

  1. MuseTV

Origin of Symmetry: XX Anniversary RemiXX, Digital

  1. New Born
  2. Bliss
  3. Space Dementia
  4. Hyper Music
  5. Plug In Baby
  6. Citizen Erased
  7. Micro Cuts
  8. Screenager
  9. Darkshines
  10. Feeling Good
  11. Futurism
  12. Megalomania

Origin of Symmetry: XX Anniversary RemiXX, Vinyl

M
  1. New Born
  2. Bliss
U
  1. Space Dementia
  2. Hyper Music
  3. Plug In Baby
S
  1. Citizen Erased
  2. Micro Cuts
  3. Screenager
  4. Darkshines
E
  1. Feeling Good
  2. Futurism
  3. Megalomania

Personnel

Muse

  • Matthew Bellamy - Lead vocals, lead and rhytm guitars, piano, keyboards, synths, Wurlitzer piano (track 10), pipe organ (track 11), strings arragement, additional percussion, co-production
  • Chris Wolstenholme - Bass, backing vocals, double bass (tracks 8 & 10), vibraphone, co-production
  • Dominic Howard - Drums, percussion, co-production

Guest musicians

  • Jacqueline Norrie - Violin
  • Sara Herbert - Violin
  • Clare Finnimore - Viola
  • Caroline Lavelle - Cello

Production & artwork

  • Safta Jaffery - Executive production
  • Dennis Smith - Executive production (track 3)
  • David Bottrill - Production and engineering (tracks 1, 2, 5 & 9)
  • John Leckie - Production and engineering (tracks 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10 & 11)
  • Ric Peet - Engineering (tracks 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10 & 11)
  • Jean-Philippe Altier - Programming
  • Steve Cooper - Additional engineering and programming (tracks 1, 2, 5 & 9)
  • Chris Brown - Additional engineering and programming (tracks 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10 & 11)
  • Mark Thomas - Sawmills Studio assistance (tracks 2, 4, 5 & 7)
  • Claire Lewis - Real World Studios assistance (tracks 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10 & 11)
  • Damon Iddins - Astoria assistance
  • Mirek Stiles - Abbey Road assistance
  • John Cornfield - Mixing
  • Ray Staff - Mastering
  • William Eagar - Artwork

XX Anniversary RemiXX personnel

Second album recording gallery

(via microcuts.net & Muse's Instagram)

Album artwork

Origin Of Symmetry Gallery

Spread Gallery

Interview Promo

Front cover
Interior and disc
Back cover
Muse release
Name Interview Promo
Tracks 71
Total length 33:00
Recorded 2001
Writer/composer -
Producer David Bottrill, John Leckie
Publisher Mushroom
Format(s) CD
Catalogue № MUSE 13
Release date Unknown
Chart position Unknown
{{{Type}}} chronology
Interview Promo



A promo CD featuring an interview with the band.

Track list

  1. Introduction...
  2. Have you always been deadly serious about music...
  3. Answer
  4. You were very young when you first got together...
  5. Answer
  6. Growing up in a rural area...
  7. Answer
  8. First gig together...
  9. Answer
  10. Do you remember any of the songs you played...
  11. Answer
  12. When were Muse born...
  13. Answer
  14. Who came up with the name Muse...
  15. Answer
  16. Doggy names...
  17. Answer
  18. Is this the perfect line up...
  19. Answer
  20. America happened first...
  21. Answer
  22. States for the first time...
  23. Answer
  24. Madonna...
  25. Answer
  26. Different record deals in different places...
  27. Answer
  28. Does it not get complicated...
  29. Answer
  30. Hell for release schedules...
  31. Answer
  32. Two independent EPs...
  33. Answer
  34. Glorified demos...
  35. Answer
  36. John Leckie...
  37. Answer
  38. Dave Bottrill...
  39. Answer
  40. The second album...
  41. Answer
  42. Different locations for recording...
  43. Answer
  44. Touring with Foo Fighters & Chili Peppers...
  45. Answer
  46. Felt like rock stars...
  47. Answer
  48. Did you get on well with bands...
  49. Answer
  50. How did you go down...
  51. Answer
  52. Do you feel part of some sort of scene...
  53. Answer
  54. A particularly English sound...
  55. Answer
  56. T in the Park...
  57. Answer
  58. Festival crowds...
  59. Answer
  60. Hectic schedule...
  61. Answer
  62. End of tour...
  63. Answer
  64. All over the world again...
  65. Answer
  66. Separate reality from fantasy...
  67. Answer
  68. You've known each other for so long...
  69. Answer
  70. How Spinal Tap has it got...
  71. Answer

References

  1. a b Origin of symmetry released (2001-06-16). MicroCuts. Retrieved from microcuts.net.
  2. a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Muse: The Making of Origin of Symmetry (2007-10-07). Xfm. Retrieved from www.muselive.com. [verify]
  3. NME - Vengeance is ours! [November 2001]
  4. Rock Sound Spain 31/07/01
  5. Muse talk about new album (2001-02-15). MicroCuts. Retrieved from microcuts.net.
  6. Next album (2000-07-19). MicroCuts. Retrieved from microcuts.net.
  7. Rock Sound Spain 31/07/01

See also


Go back to discography