Music Obsession Pt. 3 - Muse

Its time for another edition of Music Obsession. This episode is about Muse, my latest major interest. I only heard about Muse, oh maybe a year or so ago, followed someone's link to Supermassive Black Hole and I loved the song. From that I watched videos of other songs they did and everyone I saw was great. Shortly thereafter, I bought several of their CDs and I've been listening to them almost non-stop on my ipod. The lyrics are good, the music fantastic. Reminds me of great bands like Queen and Rush.

I'm really surprised that they are apparently not all that big here in the US (the band is from the UK), although they are gaining more popularity (Twilight probably helped a lot). Recently, they played Philadelphia. I would have loved to have gone, but couldn't find anyone to go with me, none of my friends had heard of the band (even referencing Twilight only brought a "oh yeah, I think so" recall). All my friends still listen mostly to older music from the 80s and 90s, and while I still like that music too, I am open to newer singers and bands, at least when I can find them.

Frankly, its a bit harder than it used to be. The radio stations around here pretty much only play 'older' rock music (not even stuff like Linkin Park, 311 or Offspring, for that matter, that have been around for 10 years or so), and stations that player "newer" music concentrate on either rap, dance, or other Top-40 type songs (and while I do like some of those, like Lady Gaga, most really aren't my cup of tea). I haven't found a station like KROQ in LA, that plays new rock/alternative music. MTV used to introduce me to a lot of new music, but they haven't played music videos in nearly a decade or so.

So most of the time, the way I find out about new music is hit and miss. Sometimes through movies, or linking from a variety of websites (like how I found Muse), or through American Idol (both with singers that emerge from the show and the singers/bands they have on the show). Its even hard sometimes to find out when bands I already know and like put out a new album. It seems to me that radio doesn't keep people updated on music much anymore, certainly not like it did when I was young. I guess radio figures there are other ways to find out information (i.e. the internet), so it doesn't do it anymore. Still, I'd love to find a radio station that plays newer rock music. I've started using Facebook to "fan" various singers/bands and hoping that way I'll keep more up to date on music I like, what new albums or videos are out.

I expect Muse to be around for a while. I'll just have to get my friends (and husband) to listen to them so I can go to the concert next time. I haven't been much up on going to concerts lately. I've only been to two since moving to Philly, Rush and the Who. Rush was good, but it was an outdoor, general admission type show, and we were way way in the back and even with the video screens, it was hard to see. I liked the Who, but tbh, I was a little disappointed. The concert was shorter than I expected and a lot of songs I liked weren't played. Still, we had great seats (though pricey) and had a good time. I'm really looking forward to seeing a concert with a newer act, to see if anyone can top some of the best concerts I've seen, like Queen and NIN (both visually stunning, in completely different ways). Frankly, I'd love to see Lady Gaga in concert, but somehow I think finding someone to go with me to that show will be a lot harder.

I just pray that my kids grow up with good taste in music and don't fall for manufactured boy bands or a Brittany clone.