Every now and then an album comes up that is so remarkable, it warrants a few comments. This is one of those.
First, Wow. I have listened to this album about 10 times now, and it keeps getting better.
Second, I think this is an album that will appeal to many different types of music listeners for different reasons. This album is unappologetically prog, but it very accessible at the same time.
Third, this album has everything - humor, creativity, hooks, melodies, rhythms, falsettos that harmonize with guitars, variation... On the point of "Variation"...
The album as the typical Muse post-Radiohead/new-prog elements , but from time-to-time mixes in Eurythmics, Depeche Mode, Queen, System of a Down, Pink Floyd, Chopin, Strauss, Jarre, and Saint-Saens for good measure. This album even has a symphony at the end written and arranged by the band (not like the Metallica album where orchestral music was written to accompany Metallica songs, but the symphony is the centerpiece).
Check it out, and let me know what you think.