Muse - Drones

 

Drones is the 7th album by 3-piece rock juggernaut Muse.  This album was released back in 2015 and the "Drones" tour was my second time seeing the band.  This was the album that really got me back into Muse after what I thought at the time was two weaker albums in the form of "The Resistance" and "The 2nd Law".  However, after listening to these 2 albums recently my opinion has very much changed on both.  But does "Drones" still hit the heights I thought it used to?

Well, all I can say is absolutely yes.  With 5th and 6th albums; "The Resistance" and "The 2nd Law" they moved their sound into different territories and really experimented a bit with it still sounding like Muse.  Meanwhile "Drones" sees them back rocking and rocking really hard.  In fact, most Muse albums up until this point have the piano feature quite a bit.  But on "Drones" I can only detect it on bits of "Mercy" and "Globalisation".  

The main singles released from this album were "Dead Inside", "Psycho" and "Reapers".  While they all are of high quality. "Reapers" reaches places that go harder and more technical than I can remember Muse going before.  For me, it is their 2nd best song they have ever done behind "Citizen Erased" off "Origin of Symmetry".  The intro which kicks off with the magical drumbeat, before the guitar comes in and the song takes off.  And it takes you on such a rollercoaster for the duration of just under 6 minutes.

But the singles are only part of the story to this album.  "The Handler", "Defector" and "Revolt are also absolutely cracking rock songs.  While "Aftermath" is a dreamy spacey track, like "Explorers" off "The 2nd Law".  This also has some fine guitar work on it.  "Globalisation" is probably the biggest surprise of the album as it is the longest song they have ever done, sitting at 10 minutes.  Yes, they a 3 part track to finish off "The Resistance" and a 2 part song to finish off "The 2nd Law". But I think this is the longest single track.  And it is epic.  Seamlessly moves between sections, great singing, great guitar parts and a strong piano section.  The last track "Drones" is the only weak track on the album as it's just the guy’s harmonising.  It's not a very long track but personally I would rather them finish with "Globalisation".

Overall though it doesn't deter from the album's greatness.  I think it is a very underrated Muse album and I would put it just behind "Origin of Symmetry in my top Muse albums list.