Showbiz

Showbiz is the debut studio album by English alternative rock band Muse, released in the United Kingdom on 4 October 1999.[1] Recorded between April and May at RAK Studios and Sawmills Studio, respectively,[2] the album was produced by John Leckie and Paul Reeve in conjunction with the band. Showbiz was a minor commercial success, reaching number 29 on the UK Albums Chart.[3]
Showbiz was released in various regions around the world through the band's different regional labels: Naïve in France; Motor in Germany, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine; Maverick in the United States; Play It Again Sam (PIAS) in Benelux; and Avex Trax in Japan.[1] The album was also released earlier by some labels; in France it was released on 6 September, the Motor edition was sold from 20 September and the album entered American stores on 28 September.[1] A bonus CD was released in Benelux, which contained the same content as the Random 1-8 extended play, without the hidden remixes of "Sunburn".

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Matthew Bellamy.
Original edition
No. Title Length
1. "Sunburn" 3:54
2. "Muscle Museum" 4:23
3. "Fillip" 4:01
4. "Falling Down" 4:33
5. "Cave" 4:46
6. "Showbiz" 5:16
7. "Unintended" 3:57
8. "Uno" 3:37
9. "Sober" 4:04
10. "Escape" 3:31
11. "Overdue" 2:26
12. "Hate This and I'll Love You" 5:09
[show]muse.mu mp3 edition[4]
[show]Japanese edition
[show]Benelux edition bonus CD

Critical reception

Upon its release, many critics were quick to dismiss the album. However, in 2009, the album was placed in the top 20 albums of the last 20 years by MSN.
[edit]Charts and certifications

Chart (2000) Peak
position Certification
UK Albums Chart[3] 29 BPI: Gold[5]
Australian Albums Chart[6] 28 ARIA: Gold[7]
Dutch Albums Chart[8] 53
French Albums Chart[9] 59
Irish Albums Chart[10] 46
Norwegian Albums Chart[11] 38

Release history

Region Date Label Format Catalog
France 6 September 1999 Naïve CD NV 3211-1
Germany 20 September 1999 Motor CD 547 979-4
Russia
Turkey
Ukraine
United States 28 September 1999 Maverick CD 0 9362-47382-2 0
United Kingdom 4 October 1999 Taste/Mushroom CD MUSH59CD
LP MUSH59LP
CS MUSH59MC
MD MUSH59MD
Benelux 4 October 1999 PIAS CD 481.2001.20
Japan 4 October 1999 Avex Trax CD AVCM-65057

Personnel

Muse
Matthew Bellamy – vocals; guitars; piano; Hammond organ on "Falling Down", "Unintended" and "Escape"; mellotron on "Muscle Museum" and "Unintended", Wurlitzer electric piano on "Fillip" and "Hate This & I'll Love You"; synthesizers on "Cave", guitar synthesizer on "Sober"; harmonium on "Escape"; string arrangements on "Showbiz"; production and mixing on "Muscle Museum", "Unintended", "Uno" and "Sober"; artwork
Christopher Wolstenholme – bass; backing vocals; double bass on "Falling Down" and "Sunburn"; production and mixing on "Muscle Museum", "Unintended", "Uno" and "Sober"
Dominic Howard – drums; percussion on "Showbiz", "Uno" and "Hate This & I'll Love You"; synthesizer on "Muscle Museum"; production and mixing on "Muscle Museum", "Unintended", "Uno" and "Sober"
Additional personnel
John Leckie – production and mixing on "Sunburn", "Fillip", "Falling Down", "Cave", "Escape", "Overdue" and "Hate This & I'll Love You"
Paul Reeve – production and mixing on "Muscle Museum", "Unintended", "Uno" and "Sober"; backing vocals on "Unintended", "Uno", "Overdue" and "Hate This & I'll Love You"
Tanya Andrew – artwork
Craig Gentle – design
Ralf Strathmann – photography
Frederic Gresse – photography

Singles from Showbiz
"Uno"
Released: 14 June 1999
"Cave"
Released: 6 September 1999
"Muscle Museum"
Released: 22 November 1999
"Sunburn"
Released: 21 February 2000
"Unintended"
Released: 30 May 2000