Why Muse are the Best Band of the Decade

Muse performing at the 2007 Melbourne Big Day Out. (PHOTO by Me)

I personally think that U.K act Muse (Matt Bellamy - Guitar, Piano, Vocals. Christopher Wolstenholme - Bass, Backing Vocals. Dominic Howard - Drums. Plus other tour personal that have been part of the band over the years) has been the best music act this decade. To me no other act comes close to what the 3 piece from Teignmouth, Devon has accomplished in the last 9 years. Let me give you my reasons:

They released 4 great albums during this decade (Origin Of Symmetry, Absolution, Black Holes and Revelations, The Resistance). Matt Bellamy is a awesome guitarist and has made some memorable riffs and solos. He is also good on the piano. And he is great singer too. They have also released two great live albums (Hullabaloo, HAARP) and three awesome live DVDs (Hullabaloo, Absolution, HAARP). I recommend anyone to listen to a Muse album all the way through (Start with Absolution. Not their best but it's probably the most accessible).



One thing I find I never get bored of their songs. Before I got my new computer a few months back Muse had about 14 songs in my 'Top 25 Most Played' playlist on itunes. That's because I rarely skip a Muse song when one comes on.

Also I have seen the band play live five times.... 5 times! And I live in Australia. Since 2004 whenever they came out to Melbourne I was there. And they were awesome every time. One thing I like about their live shows is the banter is kept to a minimum. Usually at a gig the lead singer will banter about with the crowd. It's usually saying how great the city is or something political. But Muse between songs will just say thank you or hello and what I like most they just bust out a intense instrumental number.

Once upon a time Pearl Jam was my favorite band. I have seen them twice. They are coming out again this year but I'm not interested in seeing them again. They are great live don't get me wrong. But their new material has not been impressing me. So I'm not pumped to see them live because I have seen their classic old stuff already and don't want to see their shitty new stuff.

It's different with Muse they consistently release good new material with each album. There is always something on their albums that makes me say 'Holy Crap I want to see this Live!'. That is why I have seen them five times. And I will probably see them for a sixth time if they come down here again for their latest album.

There are some other bands I think have been great this decade too: Radiohead, The White Stripes, Kasabian, Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, Tool and The Flaming Lips.

But no other band had bigger impact with me anyway then Muse.

Also Matt Bellamy is playable in Guitar Hero 5. That must count for something

Audio Podcasts - Some Of The Best

Do you have itunes and want to know what that little symbol that says podcasts is? Well Podcast is a audio show in MP3 format (And videos in MP4 format). They can be used to showcase the best of a radio show or they can be someones personal blog in audio format. And there is no limits to what you can talk about. Any topic you can think of there is probably a podcast for it.

Yes there is thousands of Podcasts on the net. Most of them are bad and made by people that should not be. So for this blog I will help you and tell you about some the best I found (or found me). These are Podcasts that are still active. So let us begin (There will be links to RSS feeds featured to help. Just copy and paste them into itunes - Got to Advance Menu, click Subscribe to Podcast and then paste - Or just search on the itunes store):

The Simply Syndicated Network - http://www.simplysyndicated.com/ :
http://feeds2.feedburner.com/crimesagainstfoodpodcast
http://feeds2.feedburner.com/thedefinitiveword
http://feeds2.feedburner.com/moviesyoushouldsee
http://feeds2.feedburner.com/tvsurprise
http://feeds2.feedburner.com/ordoyouthink
http://feeds2.feedburner.com/shaft
http://feeds2.feedburner.com/makeitso

The Simply Syndicated Network is a independent network of podcasts out of the UK. They have a number of great and often funny shows discussing all kinds of topics including: Movies, music, books, Star Trek, current affairs, food and just general talk sometimes. The people that host these shows know what they are talking about most of the time. I recommend you start with the Movies You Should See podcast first.
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Masters Of None - http://mastersofnone.podbean.com/ (note: click this link for older shows not on the Simply Syndicated feed)
http://feeds2.feedburner.com/mastersofnone

Technically part of the Simply Syndicated network but I feel this needs it's own spot. Masters of None is comedy podcast from the U.S hosted by Ex Radio Guys Mike, Art and Jay. They talk about all sorts of things related to popular culture including Movies, Fast Food, Beatles Albums and more. I recommend starting with the two 'How Radio Show Works' shows for a humours yet true account on Commercial radio works. Some of their shows are so funny I could not bring myself to delete some of them after I finished listening
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Spill Movie Reviews - AKA The Spill Network - www.spill.com
http://www.spill.com/miva.spill/apicache/iTunesFeed_thespillcrew.xml

The Spill Network is another independent podcast network. Operated out of Austin, Texas by host Corey Colemen professional animator (At the website you can watch his animated movie reviews). There are 4 types of audio shows: i: A short really honest review of a recently released film done by select group of the network, ii: A Couple Of Cold Ones - An hour long podcast were Corey and a co host Carlye take about that weeks movie box offices performances and talk about anything that made news in movies that week, iii: The League of Extra Ordinary Gentlemen (LEOG) - A show that talks more about the geek side of pop culture. Mostly talk about comic books but they do talk about movies, videogames and TV shows sometimes. Most shows range in the 2 hour range. Worth a listen. Not good for those early morning listens though. iv: Lets Do This! - Another show featuring Corey and this time he does a show with his robot Cohost. They talk about anything really, news and current events. They self proclaim to mostly talk about bullshit. Recommended listen.
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Wrestlecrap Radio - www.wrestlecrap.com
http://wrestlecrap.libsyn.com/rss

Wrestlecrap Radio a radio show dedicated to the worst of professional wrestling (well then they actually do talk about wrestling). Hosted by former Indy Wrestling Manager turned author RD Reynolds and Blade Braxton. WCR (the wacker ;) ) is basically an hour of fun. Segments include RD's TRIPPPP to the Grocery store and Blade hits the Bottle. They had also have phone in guests sometimes. These guests include Angry Jim Ross, Gay Popeye and recently Dixie Carter. The show features a number of running jokes including the failure to find a permanent TNA wrestling correspondent. Recommended if you like the zany world of pro wrestling.
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Ok that is just some of the shows I have in Itunes podcast section. Give them a listen.