This is good. It took a second listen, with headphones in the dark for it to really click, but this is one powerful mother.
The best way to describe the album in general, I think, is triumphant. In "Original of the Species" (what business does a song this brilliant, happy, and immediate have being second last?) during the last chorus, Bono goes a bit off of the melody, and yells "yeah." It's an impromptu, beautiful sort of moment we usually only get to hear in live renditions. The happiness and energy is leaping out of the song and becoming something more than just the lyrics, vocals, and instrumentation... and it's a theme throughout the album. Where 2000's All That You Can't Leave Behind had similarly joyful, well-crafted songs, on U2's new album they speak more for themselves: by being a little less structured and polished, the spirit shines through ("I’m not broke but you can see the cracks/You can make me perfect again"-All Because of You).
There are a number of different producers all contributing to the album, but nonetheless it maintains a consistent tone. To me it sounds like something new for U2, but since past comparisons are what everyone likes to hear... the blues of rattle and hum, combined with the soar of 'Gone', the grunge of 'Do You Feel Loved' and the layers of Achtung Baby. But the earnestness of the early 80s that they tried (a little less successfully) to recapture on ATYCLB makes a strong showing here again. Every song sounds like it belongs within the spirit and framework of the album whether it's the summery bass and melody of "A Man and A Woman", or the industrial Blues of "Love and Peace or Else", the heartache of second single "Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own"
You're going to hear a lot of people saying "this is U2 sounding like U2" or "doing what they do best," and there's some truth to that, but it's also something they've not really done before. But it still feels fresh and is not simply a re-tread of past ideas. The overwhelming theme of the album (which I briefly touched on above) is what makes it intriguing: the songs are often joyful, triumphant... even the wistful pained songs have some type of bombast or anthemic ringing that makes them far more cathartic than depressing. And likewise even the happy songs often have lyrics that point to being confused, lost, or saddened. It might seem like a simple mishmashing of ideas and directionless, unthought-out songwriting, (this guy can't decide whether he's happy or depressed!) but that's not what it is at all. It's a picture of a man or woman facing the world, and all its troubles and tribulations, and deciding to take it in stride and stand up tall. To beg and plea, but with an underlying optimism that yes, everything *might* just work out right, and the knowledge everything might also blow up in our faces. It represents the thin line between the darkness and light that stands higher than either, because we can't grow without both of them pushing at us. That tension runs through the whole album. This is often reflected in the lyrics, such as "A heart that hurts is a heart that beats" (you're going to see this one quoted in almost every review, appropriately). And that's where the triumph fits in: in revelling in the glory of the human soul.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Lono
How did you get an advance copy? It is killing me having to wait another two weeks to hear it.
Thanks,
kpl
2 - Damon Muma
It has leaked all over the internet like a puppy with bladder control problems.. as much as I'd have loved for the band to choose me as a special listener. There are torrents of it up at suprnova.org, oink.me.uk and I assume it's getting onto other filesharing networks, though I haven't seen for sure.
3 - Elmo
thanks, bit torrent!
i'm absolutely wrapped up in this record at the moment, i don't know where to start with what the best moments are - it's strong in so many respects, but as usual it's also kinda patchy lyrically. you can't deny the overall passion cursing through it all though - Bono is totally on song apart from "All Because of You" - where he is woefully out of tune! is that on purpose? wtf?
anyway, this is a great record that should put the haters in the shade.
standout track - "A Man and A Woman".
4 - Mike
I don't know if the version on suprnova.org is the finished copy or not
5 - Mediawhore
When i first heard the title of the new U2 album was going to be, "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb," I thought of a story Bono told in an interview about how he wanted Edge to play his guitar on "Bullet the Blue Sky" as if El Salvador was coming out of the speakers. I think edge found that sound, particularly on the live versions of the song.
So in my anticipation of the new album and hearing quotes such as:
"Edge claims it is their rockiest offering since their early days"
"Bono called it "our first rock-n-roll album."
"Bono says the new album is "nearly finished", and describes it as "a monster, a dragon." He adds: ""It's filled with big tunes and it's driven by a guitar player who is sick of the sight of me shaking hands with dodgy politicians. The anger is unbelievable."
"its just a very raw rock n' roll album."
"They confirm reports that the sound is guitar-heavy, and suggest that U2 feels "it's time to have revenge on the Strokes and the Hives".
"Bono described it as "full of guitars".
"This record is so good that it won't even matter that people are sick of U2."
Needless to say, i was excited....When i heard "vertigo" i thought if the whole album sounds like this - this could be amazing....
But after listening to it today, i wonder where that album went. This is a bit mellow compared to the quotes above. In fact, one of the songs sound like recent Fleetwood Mac.
Then i remembered this scary quote:
Edge tells Billboard magazine that "Electrical Storm" will probably be a "connecting point to our next record."
Yea, that track was kind weak.....
"Vertigo" is easily the saving grace of the album and kind of out of place with the other songs. "Love and Peace or Else" is reminiscent to Love and Rockets or Black Rebel Motocycle Club" - Cool track. "All because of you" is a cool updated "Pictures of Lilly" in some way or another, and the the rest of the songs seem to be seems a bit unemotional to me.
Of course, I'll need to listen to it on my Ipod to get the "feel", but so far I think the Bono Hype-machine led my expectations to be a bit different. Needless to say, i need to regroup
6 - Eric Olsen
Mediawhore, good to hear from you - where have you been?
7 - Kendal
Well I wouldn't say Electrical Storm is at all a weak track, certainly not the William Orbit version anyhow (radio edit I wasn't so keen on). I guess if you're planning to buy the album, d/loading it a little early is okay, I mean we're all curious, but have some respect for the band and the music they keep entertaining us with- buy the album.
8 - morentsy
I have to agree with Mediawhore...I heard "Vertigo" and after hearing all the hype about HTDAAB I got real excited. It's a fairly strong album, but I want a whole album of "Vertigo." Am I crazy?
9 - NISP
People! Play it again....and again....and again....and again. I've yet to enjoy a new release from U2 on a first play. Granted a couple of the tracks are plain, but show me a U2 album that is all great tracks. There are at least 4 U2 classics here on this album. My opinion, better than ATYCLB. For those who think its crap, you probably didn't buy it anyway and haven't lost anything. To those who don't think its ROCK enough, just what were you expecting? Its a U2 album....unique!
10 - Johan
One tip: Take on your headphones and listen to this record twice... As with all great U2 records it takes a few listenings to get it. POP was great from the first, and that should have made me suspicous... it fell fast after that. THIS RECORD IS AMAZING!! Bono's song is full of energy and joy, Edge's guitarr is all over the place like we havent heard since Achtung baby, or Unforgettable fire.
One of their best
11 - ilija
This is U2 at their best! Finally another great U2 album.
12 - ShawnF
I've listened to this a couple of times now myself, but all it took was one listen through in order for me to love it. What a great album! I think my two favorite tracks thus far are "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own" and "City of Blinding Lights". It was worth the four year wait, but I can't wait another two weeks to get that deluxe edition!
13 - Jim Estephen
This album is sensational!! I haven't listened to anything else since.
The third track, Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own, sends chills down my spine. Very few songs have done that to me lately.
All Because of You and Crumbs From Your Table are also stand-out tracks.
Don't take my word for it. It has to be heard.
14 - Ryan
I agree, a couple listens and you be hooked. A couple songs although could be interpreted as depressing is actually quite up lifting. Like any tragety, the best part lies at the end. The whole album is superb, I can't wait for the deluxe edition!
15 - JP
I'm disappointed. To me the album is real sterile. It's definitely a more mature sound but definitely not what I was expecting. Seems like all the rockers must have been left on the cutting room floor.
Initial reaction - Not that good.
16 - Scott
Like some other reviewers I was totally expected a harder sounding album and was a little taken back at first listen, BUT after further listens, this album is incredible!!!
I can't stop listening to it! I don't think there's a bad song on the album. Give it a few listens and I think you'll be hooked. Great work!!!!!
17 - Ultra Pleased
...I can certainly understand why some would be disappointed at first...but this is *TRULY* a classic-rock album, as interpreted by U2. For me, it certainly IS a monster, a dragon, and all that she-bang bang thrown in for good measure. Absolutely astonishing, and would advise anyone to give it several listens before passing ultimate judgment. They've certainly delivered something extraordinary here.
18 - joel
I have listened to this album at least 10 times through. I'm still not very impressed with it. Achtung Baby is my favorite album of all times so I fully understand how U2 albums take time to fully appreciate. But it's simply not happening for me with this album.
19 - brandon
I have been a staunch u2 supporter over the years. But I thought AYCLB was a bummer. 8 grammy's polluted u2's collective mindset. They've been going in circles since 1998. The new album
sucks so bad, I'm ashamed to tell my friends. Bono said in a 1994 interview that the 3 piece sound was dead. This cd sounds like a tired rock band. much like pink floyds the final cut, beatles let it be, zeppelins in thru the out door, kiss' the elder.
I'm trying to listen' but it's so depressing, I just want to puke. Can no one tell u2 they're out of touch.
20 - Mani
What album!!
They have certainly dismantled me !!!
GREAT ALBUM GREAT BAND BETTER THAN THE BEATLES.......#I'm alive I'm being born
I just arrived, I'm at the door
Of the place I started out from And I want back inside#
21 - waseem
This album is so strange. My expectations were skewed by Vertigo and so the first listen was really awkward. Another couple of listens have really paid off and although the album sounds quite raw (or is that fresh) and nothing like Achtung Baby, I think that this is up their with their best work. They defintitely seem to have gone off at a tangent again and that takes time to adjust to but then that is why the band are still relevant all these years later. About half a dozen of these songs are real U2 classics (Vertigo, Love and Peace, Sometimes, Miracle Drug, A Man and a Woman, Original of the Species) There are a couple of weaker songs on the album but maybe these need to sink in a bit. Otherwise the rest of the album is a real corker. I'm not sure why Fast Cars is not on the US edition because it is really quite good although very different and it is also the song from which the album title came. I think it is incredible this band are able to mix all the ingredients up after all these years and still come up with an album that has a very unique identity. In some ways this album is all over the place in terms of its influences but that is also one of its strengths. They feel is definitely early U2 (Unforgettable Fire - Miracle Drug, City of Blinding Lights) but there are a few hints of Achtung Baby (Love and Peace) and Joshua Tree as well (One Step Closer - although this is the worst song on the album). However, there are quite a few songs that dont sound like anything they have ever done before (Vertigo, Fast Cars, A Man and a Woman, Original of the Species). Fast Cars has a slightly Middle Eastern feel to it and A Man and a Woman has a slightly Spanish feel. Original of the Species sounds a bit like the Beatles. This is definitely the Edge's album with guitars really dominating throughout even on the slower songs but, a word of warning, it is not Vertigo times 12.
22 - Caryn Rose
Every time some rabid fan tells me I haven't listened to an album enough, I want to smack them. I have been a U2 fan since I saw them play on the same bill with the Teardrop Explodes and Echo and the Bunnymen at the Palladium. I have always given them their props. But this record - you know, what else can they do - they're U2, they've already conquered the world, and they've already reinvented themselves countless times.
But this is not anywhere near an instant classic. There are probably 3-4 very good songs and the rest we will not be listening to in 20 years.
Plus, as much as I applaud their willingness to market themselves, it's beyond overkill. They're turning into the Sheryl Crow of rock and roll bands. They don't need to do this; they're U2.
I can't wait for the tour to be announced, tickets on sale for $150 (don't lecture me that there were $45 tickets last time, that was a GA floor) and then listen to Bono talk about how punk rock U2 are.
It must be hard to be a fan of a band when that band is reaching the end of their lifespan. Of course you will grasp onto anything they do or say.
23 - Mark Saleski
you haven't listened to the album enough.
24 - Dave from Toronto
This album is easily one of their top albums. I have now listened to it 30 times and have a feel for what each song is about. I have to say the weakest songs in my opinion are "one step closer" and "all because of you". The strongest (and there are at least 5 that I really really enjoy) are "city of blinding lights" "miracle drug" "original of the species" and "a man and a woman". Love and peace or else is also very good. I just can't put my ipod down.
25 - cyrusn
i have listened to the album a few times now and my opinion hasn't changed much even though i just caught myself humming the chorus to vertigo...
i find that the sound is a polished return to the original U2 sound a la "Boy" with hints of "War" and "Joshua Tree". that said, i found nothing quite as stunning or exciting as on the earlier efforts.
bono's vox sounds a bit strained most of the time and his lyrics don't have that same exciting insightful thoughtfulness as some of the classic U2 tracks. it's almost like they have sold out and are trying very hard to be "U2-ish" in order to prove they haven't lost their soul as a band. most of their lyrics amount to fairly cliche'd platitudes about love, god and the world. gone are the statements about politics, the stories of people they knew, and the country they grew up in - in short their sincerity.
pretty music aside, the blandness of the songs makes me unenthusiastic about this effort, which i'm sure will still garner the enthusiasm of fans who really want to like the album and thus get a ton of airplay. i mean, this is 'U-bloody-2' we're talking about, and we are only mere mortals.
don't get me wrong, i really like the musical aspect of the album - it's very clear and cohesive, drawing on the roots of the band's spirit. it's just they lyrics and bono's voice which bother me.
although i've had trouble adjusting to all the changes the band have gone through in their lengthy evolution, i've had to respect their drive for some artistic expression, always pushing the boundaries of what they had known and what their fans would tolerate. but this "return" to U2 roots misses lyrically to the same extent that it hits musically. i found nothing soulful, profound, or even vaguely interesting - just a bunch of U2-like songs that wash over me like flotsam and are quickly forgotten.
i think the lyrics of the song "One Step Closer" pretty much sum up where the band is at this point:
"i'm on an island in a busy intersection/ i can't go forward now/ can't turn back/ can't see the future/ it's getting away from me / just watch the taillights glowing/ one step closer to knowing..."
i think we are one step closer to knowing they are only going through the motions.
-cyrusout