I don't give a perfect score very often.  This is no exception.  However, that doesn't stop the latest offering from UK Trio Muse from being the best addition to my CD collection this side of last year's NIN offering.

Let's not confuse matters here - if we weren't rounding to the nearest .5 of a bone here, then we'd be talking decimals like .89; so take my word for it: This album is awesome.

For some reason, the masses have long claimed that Muse have been living in the shadow of Radiohead - which is absurd, as Muse are anything but a carbon copy and have a habit of blowing anything Thom and the boys have done out of the water (bring it on fanboys!).  I've read other reviews stating that Black Holes & Revelations sees them stand up and really prove how unique they are... again - if you don't believe this was done by their last release - you're just not listening properly.

Album opener 'Take A Bow' does just what it should; it gives us an insight into the rest of the album.  Epic, Electronic, Heavy, and beautiful.  All at once.  If you're not a fan of this one and can't get into the lead single, Supermassive Black Hole, then skip straight to track seven 'Assassin'.  These are brilliant examples of the energy that Muse can deliver - and if you're not impressed then there's nothing here for you.  Ok, maybe check out 'City Of Delusion'... only because I promised myself I'd mention this one, it's just so damn good.

Sure, there are ballads.  There are always ballads, and they always showcase the beauty of Bellamy's vocal work (what's that? Another edge on Radiohead?).  In this case they're also all delivered in the same format in one way or another as the heavier numbers, which makes this the closest thing to a Progressive Rock album you'll find in the Muse catalogue.

So why deduct the .11 from the overall score?  Petty things, really.  I'll be the first to admit it.  On one or two tracks, the production feels like someone was asleep at the wheel (listen to the distorted levels on 'Map of the Problematique' for a prime example). I'm also not completely sold on the song order - I haven't worked out the correction, something just seems out of sequence.  Lastly, whereas I've found beauty in 'Soldier's Poem' after the third listen; I'm confident this could have been swapped out for another "B-Side", as Muse are rarely short on fantastic off-cuts.