These don't need any help...

...but I bought them and they both will make the collection.

 

Six Grammy nominations...the largest single-week sales for the year...finally crossing over to Country radio and charts...and all without my assistance..........snicker...

 

Actually, I believe I prefer "Sigh No More" to this one.  I'm not going to link the post I did on it, but if you really want to look it's from April, 2010, just a couple of months after its domestic release.  Two short months later I saw them at Bonnaroo and posted how thrilled I was that the crowd was so into them.  I swear to you, I was standing right behind this guy...

 

As far as "Babel" goes, I will say I was disappointed that I had to wait until the back half of the record to find a couple of songs that had my head bobbing and my foot stomping the floorboard of the car.  Far and away, the best track is this one, taken from the historic Ryman Auditorium a full six months prior to the album's release...



Love the strings, the horns, and I swear a touch of synthesizer.  Can't wait to see how many trophies they win on 2/10/13.

 

 

 

 

Highest debut ever for Muse at #2 and two more Grammy nominations.  I don't see them winning either this time, though.  Tough competition in Jack White, Black Keys and that Sprinklestone fella.  Can't really call it a "Rock" album...more "Alternative,"...less Queen-like, only brief hints of Zeppelin and Sweet.  Has one outright dance track and even some Skrillex-type noise.  The first single, "Madness," is the nominated rock track but the winner would have been the album's opener...





 

Bellamy has a great voice coming out of that small frame of his.  Their stage show will keep your attention.  I saw them on the Absolution tour and I believe there is a video available from the Glastonbury performance.  The arena tour comes to the States next year and be sure to get there early to see opening act, Dead Sara.  I just may have to find a way to see them this time around. 

One more track from this album, "Another One Bites The Dust"...





That was too easy...  Has a momentary minor morph into a Scissor Sisters riff.  Overall, "Jude 2nd Law" takes an adventurous shift, demonstrating an evolving band.  Mumf & the Boys basically mined the same vein.  Here's hoping they throw a few more wrinkles in the mix next time.