Muse - The Resistance (Warner Bros)

When researching conspiracy theories ahead of this album, frontman Matt Bellamy became so absorbed he convinced himself the world was on the verge of destruction. To ensure his survival in the upcoming apocalypse, he bought 50 tins of beans and an axe! Perhaps this explains Muse's oddest album to date.

Bellamy's increasing eccentricities reveal themselves throughout The Resistance, on quite possibly the kookiest concoction of an album you will hear this year. It's likely to split the masses, even losing Muse a few fans. Not that they are likely to care. They've made this album for no-one but themselves. And that's good news, because The Resistance is an album of sheer genius.

Opener and single 'Uprising' sounds like a mighty clash between the Dr Who theme and Blondie's 'Call Me'. On paper that sounds as appealing as a collaboration between Westlife and Jay-Z, but hearing is believing. It's pure indulgent catchiness. You can even imagine the stars of Wayne's World head-banging along in their car!

In fact, the album does have a distinctive Queen vibe going on. Particularly in 'United States of Eurasia'. This has an uncanny splash of 'Bohemian Rhapsody', with a big Aladdin style Arabian piano frenzy thrown in. But Muse haven't gone out to make a Queen inspired album. This is more like a theatrical concoction of every piece of music Muse have ever liked. It's big, it's bold and it's certainly not for the faint-hearted.

'Resistance' is influenced by the forbidden love of George Orwell's '1984' characters Winston and Julia. In it, Winston concluded that the biggest resistance against the oppressive regime of Big Brother was love and sex – the ultimate forbidden act.

Nothing quite prepares you for 'I Belong to You' though. A song that can only be described as a upbeat love song straight out of a Christmas pantomime. It's arguably the best song here. Bellamy sings "I've travelled half the world to say, you are my mu..." just missing out the 'se' before going into a random verse of French singing. Complete madness.

You have to hand it to this band, they certainly know how to keep things fresh and exciting. 'Undisclosed Desires' should be in your top 5 singles of the year while the 'Exogenesis' trilogy is nothing short of epic. In fact, this entire album is epic. Muse have excelled themselves yet again making THE album of 2009.

Rating: 5/5

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