For most reviews, I like to give the album several listens in a few different contexts: in the car to and from work, at work, at home on the 'real' stereo, maybe even via headphones at my home writing desk. Music is a huge part of my life and the material works its way under my skin. Slowly.
Given all of the whoorah about the new U2 record, I thought it'd be kinda fun to just type in my impressions as the first listen goes by. I picked up my copy of How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb while at lunch (tuna on a sesame bagel, small cup of broccoli soup), so I'm ready to go.
Vertigo
You've heard it, I've heard it (oooh, that danged iPod ad) and now I've heard the whole thing. Unos, dos, tres, catorce!...You say that this band is washed up? Riiight. This song kicks it and would have fit in easily beside tunes on The Joshua Tree or Achtung Baby. I don't care if they've 'sold out', this is a great fricken' song. Love the snarling guitar at the end.
Miracle Drug
It starts out very plaintively, with trademark chimey guitar notes in the background. Verses build up the tension slowly before the whole thing becomes anthemic. Very powerful. The slide guitar break is very effective as it holds back, disguising the EdgeExposion(®) to come.
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
The Boston Globe's Steve Morse thinks that some of Bono's best work here is in response to the death of his father. He might be right. Constructed somewhat like "One", this song bubbles over with emotion:
- I know that we don't talk
I'm sick of it all
Can - you - hear - me - when - I
Sing, you're the reason I sing
You're the reason why the opera is in me
Love And Peace Or Else
Ominous synthesizers frame a swaggering tune that contains the kind of peace, love & war sentiments that drive some folks batty. Hey, what would a U2 record be without one of these things? Oh, and all of those bell-like guitar notes during the bridge...so choice.
City Of Blinding Light
Beginning with stuttering guitar (a la "I Will Follow"), this one has the U2 of old feel. I don't know what Bono's talking about, but I want to sing along.
All Because Of You
It's a tribute to a loved one, a parent, God. Dunno. Weirdly, if you remove the chimey guitar bits, you can imagine the Stones playing this song.
A Man And A Woman
Strummed acoustic guitars form the rhythmic bed for a heartfelt take on what it means to be in love, and what it means to value that love above all other things.
Crumbs From Your Table
Partially distorted guitar arpeggios and glockenspiel (I've gotta look up that word every damned time I use it). Wow...replace the chiming guitar solo with a few bent notes and you might have the E Street Band.
One Step Closer
"One step closer to knowing"....apparently, about the end. With it's spooky and swirling atmosphere, this song is just bound to be a huge hit at the live shows. It's again just dripping with emotion and builds and builds and builds...
Original Of The Species
Another anthem from the days of yore. Cripes, what took these guys so long to return to this particular form? I guess if you toss out all of the attempts at sounding "modern", this is what you get (though the last record really was a step in that direction).
Yahweh
U2 closes out the program with a fine example of what a 'spiritual' song can be. Too subtle for contemporary christian crowd? I'll have to ask the wife.
This albums rates right up there with The Joshua Tree or The Unforgettable Fire.
Washed up? No way.
(First posted on Mark Is Cranky)
Article comments
1 - Chandler
I have to second Eric's commentary on the new U2 album. It's extraordinary. I'll give you the fact that I own nearly everything that U2's recorded since Boy - but that makes me even more hyper-critical of the band.
I have to give "Original of the Species" my first listen pick as favorite - however, as I've listened to the album (several times today) - I have to say that this album has such a great flow that each song compliments the next.
BTW - for those people w/iTunes - it's worth going to The Complete U2 Digital Box Set and buying the following songs to compliment your HTDAAB playlist:
Fast Cars: It's a bonus track on the UK/Japan versions of HTDAAB but not U.S. (we never get the goodies.... )
Are You Gonna Wait Forever: B-side from the Vertigo CD1 single
Neon Lights: B-side from Vertigo CD2 single
You can also get four Vertigo remixes that are pretty good.
As far as the question into whether U2 still has "it"... just look at U.S. iTunes Music Store:
*Vertigo is still the #1 downloaded song
*HTDAAB is #1 downloaded album (and took that spot merely 3 hours after going live this morning)
*The hefty big-ticket digital box set - The Complete U2 is the #4 download and was at #3 for most of the day.
Needless to say - all the hype has paid off, but luckily the hype is backed up with a stellar album by the World's Best Rock Band - now bar none.
2 - randy
Screw downloading. I bought this gobbler this evening, and can't get enough of it. It's a return to real music. We are so feckin' starved for some good rock-solid rock, and here it is. I don't give a damn what anyone thinks of Bono right now - maybe he does deserve a cock punch, as The Onion once suggested. But this album kicks some very, very serious ass.
3 - Lono
Well, as a rabid U2 fan who has been drooling about this fucker for months now... I am listening to it this very second for the first time. So far (I am on track three mind you) it sounds awesome.
It better be great, because this was the most annoying and transparent publicity push in rock and roll history... only rivaled by the last Austin Powers movie. However, if anyone in the world can match it - it's U2.
4 - Mark Saleski
a cock punch? man, that's harsh....those crazy onion guys!
5 - Eric Olsen
great job Mark, I agree and more importantly, vrey well written and sharp analysis
6 - Chandler
I just realized that I called Mark - Eric - in my reply. My apologies to you Mark. I had been reading a post by Eric Olsen earlier.
Nonetheless, your first listen review of U2 is spot-on!
Thanks and again - my apologies.
7 - Pat McCaffrey
The first time i listened to this was when i was tired after a 1 1/2 hour plus delayed flight from New York->Chicago, and I wasn't sure if I liked it. But when I got home and got back awake I couldn't stop listening to it. Like other CDs and Pulp Fiction it gets better with each listening/viewing.
City of Blinding Lights-This immediately reminded me of so many 80s songs, especially U2's.
Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own-What a great song, this one is a quick favorite.
8 - Edge Lite
I love this album.The only song that is a disaster on the whole record is Love and Peace or Else.what the hell is that all about.don't really like vertigo,too ac-dc sounding.The rest of the album is woderful,classic,brilliant,u2.
9 - Theresa
Yeah, yeah - its been real fun watching the world end and seeing a once-favorite band decide to take such an active role in a global spiritual-musical murderfest of the apathetic and unquestioning masses.
Towards the end of shows laced with religious lies and promoting idolatry of institutions of man as mankind's hope for the future; "Yahweh" is sang, yes, but it is accompanied by a large screen display of pagan and spiritistic symbols that unqestionably and absolutely PROFANE his holy name. (Exodus 20:1-7)
Art that fights the Creator can only ever be mediocre at best - but this is downright deathful; and the "feel" of experiencing a show like this is blackness.
"God is not one to be mocked."
10 - Phillip Winn
Theresa, please don't embarrass yourself so publicly. This site is very popular, and your ignorant statement will likely be widely read.
U2 rock, and continue to be a shining example of Christians (er, most of them, anyway) who engage culture in a substantial way.