Number 35

'Origin of Symmetry' by Muse

Trotter’s Top Ten position : Top Ten in 2001

UK Chart high : 3 in 2001

Now there was a time when Muse hadn't taken to composing twenty minute three-part prog symphonies about cyberspace knights leading humanity into imploding supernovas; when they were really finding their feet and shaking off the 'Radiohead copyists' tag they had been unfairly stuck with on their debut.  'Origin of Symmetry' went in hard and fast, keeping the tunes short and to the point and the riffs front and centre.  Yes, they have always been obsessed with the grandeosity of space and other overblown topics (see the 'Bliss' video for instance) but on this album that wasn't at the expense of a catchy tune.  'Plug In Baby' is definitely a classic of our times with one of the most distinctive guitar intros and they even managed to pull off a cover of 'Feeling Good' without murdering it - and you have to be careful messing with Nina Simone in my house!  Their next couple of albums may have produced bigger (even sometimes better) singles but Muse haven't topped this release in terms of pace and consistency.

Look at Plug In Baby ; New Born ; Bliss ; Feeling Good
Listen to a sampling of the Top Fifty on Spotify as we go or the 'one from each album' version