Three albums in and Muse just get better and better.

This band, surely the most exciting thing to come out of sleepy Teignmouth for many a year, have seen their following grow in line with their collective bank balances. And it is no wonder as Muse really know how to have fun.

This latest collection of tracks is little short of brilliant. Don the lug plugs, lie back and allow yourself to be transported to another world.

The album starts with a march - literally - before the track 'Time is Running Out' takes over. As each song fades away, another is waiting just around the corner. 'Sing for Absolution' and 'Stockholm Syndrome' are simply stunning and there is no let-up there.

The band's style has been likened to Radiohead in the past but the sheer OTT style of 'Blackout' with all its layers of operatic splendour are more akin to Freddie Mercury and Queen.

If there is a down side to 'Absolution' it is that it trails off somewhat towards the end but that hardly seems a worry when so much of the album is so brilliant.

DL