I don't really mind the lyrical themes. Muse have been singing about the apocalypse since Absolution, which is their second best album. I for one enjoy political songs if they are done intelligently. While I might not necessarily agree with Muse's political views, I can at least appreciate the themes in their songs.
That being said, this album sounds like it will end up being a train wreck. However, its not because the band is trying something "new" and "different" musically; they have been doing that since Origin of Symmetry era. I think the problem comes from their albums being schizophrenic when it comes to mood and tone.
Muse's early works (Showbiz-Absolution), while sonically and lyrically different, all revolved around the same mood and tone. The lyrics and sound were dark, and Muse tended to base their songs around darker emotions (fear, hatred, anger, sadness, regret). Even songs like Feeling Good and Butterflies and Hurricanes had darker qualities to them, taking positive upbeat lyrics and injecting them with some underlying negativity.
Then, when Black Holes And Revelations came around, we saw a new side of Matt. Songs that were purely happy and upbeat, such as Starlight, Super Massive Black Hole, Invincible, and Knights of Cydonia. While Knights of Cydonia became a hit and was loved by fans for being hard rocking, Invincible, Starlight, and Super Massive Black Hole received mixed reaction. Starlight is still complained about by fans, who hate it for being cheesy pop music and differing from Muse's traditional sound. However, Black Holes And Revelations still managed to be fairly cohesive, and unite differing lyrical themes by using a consistent sonic pallet to unite the songs.
Then, The Resistance came out, and Muse became the mess we know them as today. More happy, upbeat songs, only this time, no clear sound to unite the album. Lyrically and sonically, these songs all sound vastly different from one another. On Uprising, we're treated to an electro rock sound. On Undisclosed Desires, we're given RnB. On MKUltra, we're given straight up rock. On I Belong to You, we're treated to generic pop. The last three songs on the album are a Symphony.
The Resistance bounces around between sounds, ideas, and emotions, so that nothing flows well at all. Every new song is a jarring transition from the last, and does little to unite the supposed overarching theme of resistance and revolution. The Resistance sounds more like a mix cd done by Matt of his favorite songs from different bands rather than an album by Muse.
This is why I fear that The 2nd Law will be garbage. Sonically, it sounds all over the place, taking cues from Prince, Skrillex, Bowie, Rush, System Of A Down Queen, Santana and supposedly Justice and Does It Offend You Yeah. Lyrically, it bounces around from singing about relationship troubles to alcohol addiction to government corruption. Without a clear sound or lyrical themes to unite behind, The 2nd Law will struggle to sound cohesive, and will only continue Muse's downward spiral into mediocrity.
Or maybe I'll be wrong, and it will be the best album yet.
TL;DR: Ever since BHAR, Muse's albums struggle to sound cohesive, and bounce around between emotions and tone.
