Muse: Matthew Bellamy (vocals, guitar, piano, Wurlitzer piano,

harmonium, Hammond B-3 organ, Mellotron, string synthesizer, samples);

Chris Wolstenholme (acoustic & electric basses, background vocals);

Dominic Howard (drums, percussion).

Recorded at Rak, London, England and Sawmill Studios, Fowey, Cornwall.

SHOWBIZ is the debut offering from the trio Muse. The album is a chilling mix of piano, guitar, drums, bass, and vocals that lends the band a sound like that of an outfit with far more members. Very few singers can match the range of singer Matthew Bellamy, whose haunting voice colors these tracks. Songs like "Sunburn" and "Falling Down" are the most representative songs that SHOWBIZ has to offer. Other outstanding tracks include "Cave," "Unintended," and "Hate This and I'll Love You," the last of which has a cool, trippy electric piano opening that builds into a hard rocker powered by Bellamy's vibrant vocals. Expect the unexpected.

What the critics say…

Rolling Stone (10/14/99, pp.125-6) - 3 stars out of 5 - "…SHOWBIZ is no maverick masterstroke, but it is passionate and loud and also unexpectedly gentle - a great first shot from three guys barely old enough to drink on their U.S. tour."
Entertainment Weekly (10/1/99, p.75) - "…the trio's dark, complex sound, kick-ass musicality…and hook-laden songs…combine to make SHOWBIZ one of the more compelling rock records of the year." - Rating: B+
Q (1/01, p.92) - Included in Q's "50 Best Albums of 2000" - "…The best rock debut in years…"
Mojo (Publisher) (11/99, p.100) - "There's no getting around it, Muse sound…a lot like Radiohead….In the end it comes down to songs, and there's a lot of strong ones here…"