Muse
United States of Eurasia

I would prefer not to talk about an album that will be.

That will be in record stores on September 14.

I would prefer not to talk about it, but I must. I mean, it's a moral obligation and refraining from comments and judgments would be behavior worthy of a dantesque coward.

It has just become available on the "Project Eurasia" website to listen to one of the new songs from Muse.

Which, by the way, will not be the new single.

Which, by the way, is the prize of a worldwide treasure hunt.

After Lost, the Dark Knight, and many others, now Muse also venture into the so-called "viral".

A few USB sticks scattered around the world, the poor man's dragon balls, containing pieces of this new song. You put them together...et voilà...as if by magic pops up "United States of Eurasia".

Yes, I know.

The treasure hunt feels very gay and the song's title sounds like a Risk objective.

But let's take a small step back. From various interviews some time ago, we learn from Bellamy's little mouth (frontman, vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist, pianist, and who knows what else) that with this new album, a complete page is being turned: in fact, The Resistance (that's the title of the new Muse creation, I don't know about you but it reminds me of the resistance in the South Park movie) was recorded in Italy (see Lake Como) and for the arrangement of the tracks, an entire orchestra was summoned (or evoked, as you like).

I'll preface by saying the idea of recording in Italy didn't seem like a big deal to me: don't call me pro-American, but why do some of our bands go to record in San Francisco (talk to me of love) and these guys come to birth their new record here with us? Maybe it's because Bellamy is dating an Italian girl, or maybe it's love for the scenic beauties of our wonderful (?) peninsula. Whatever the reason, it's really none of my concern.

As for the orchestra, it's not exactly synonymous with turning a new page.

I mean, I turn the page if I adopt an African child, if I decide to go sell pancakes and fritters on the road in the Big Apple, but an orchestra... It's not exactly turning the page.

Just think of S&M... That experience didn't stop Metallica from giving the world that giant crap with the unspeakable name such as St.Anger.

The Voldemort of music, the album-that-must-not-be-named.

Anyway, despite all my wordplay, the seed has been planted and many (myself included) found themselves in eager anticipation for this The Residence...I mean The Resistance.

And here it is, this new non-single, fresh fresh out of the oven.

I don't dwell on the low audio quality. After all, it's just a small promo, a mini-promo. The track starts with piano and strings, Bellamy's light voice, no falsettos à la Supermassive. And then boom, the rest of the band comes in with an attack that very much closely resembles Queen ("We Are The Champions"? "Bohemian Rhapsody"?), the strings alluding to an arabesque theme (a remnant of 19th-century orientalist taste? System of a Down gave us a tasty sample with their Hypnotize...), the piece becomes livelier, the political intent of the lyrics is clear, this darn arabesque theme continues even in the final part of the piece, this time followed by a series of choruses blatantly in Queen style (and that's two), which close everything.

It certainly isn't a song for a single, it's not as immediate as a pop meatloaf (a pop-pie) and all this stylistic novelty is reduced to nodding towards a fake baroque glam rock sound.

Objectively speaking it can result in a cute dive of the past or a colossal crap.

Subjectively, I liked the track.

Sure, it didn't excite me, but I liked it anyway.

Objectively and subjectively, I think a bit of everyone is deferring judgment to listening to the entire album.

Do not be cruel to these young (?) individuals eager to explore new (?) paths (musical and not).

After all... who's never wanted to affectionately pull a bit of hair from that charming little tuft Bellamy carries glued to his head? Who's never wanted to steal his assertive little nose?

Let's give a chance to these gentlemen to enter our little hearts, let's close our eyes and give them a bit of trust. Time will decide whether we should acclaim them.

Or if we should kick them to death.