U2's 1st single from their first album in 4 years. What does it all mean?
I'd say it's fairly evident that U2 plays a large part in my life. Not so much these days, as I've been lead astray by other magnificent musics and slightly disillusioned by the last album, but in the end I keep coming back. U2 was the first band I loved, I have heard every song they've ever released many times, stood one row from the stage, sung along, learned the name of Edge's guitar tech. It goes on. It's rather mad. But the point of all of this, is that when they release something new, Damon pays attention. And as a qualified expert on the subject of U2 (I think lots of people a bit less than a half decade ago knew me only in relation to my obsession) I feel that upon hearing the first new song from the band in two years from the first new album from the band in four years, it is my duty to share my thoughts.…
Article comments
26 - MANU
All That You Can´t Leave Behind, is not a risky album, is not the third masterpiece of U2, is not as important and trascendental for worldwide music as Joshua Tree or Achtung Baby were. But in anyway ATYCLB was the best album of U2 since Achtung Baby, and probably the best rock/alternative album of the 2000 and 2001, so is enough to declare ATYCLB a big step in U2 career.
Vertigo is the best single I heard this year, not U2 single, but every song I heard in 2004 is the best of best, Vertigo has gone straight to my head in only a couples of listenings, and this didnt happen to me since I heard The Fly, so I think new album from U2 is going to be declared its real third masterpiece and probably will break sales records again.
27 - Montrose
If you combine the 'album count' theory with the 'Real de Catorce = Joshua Tree' theory, with the Bible theory..
well, aside from another bit of vertigo, you get the 14th album from U2, written in the spirit of Boy, October and War, but taken to the quality of Joshua. And the bible's always in there somewhere. :) Making the jump from War to Joshua to How To.. is a pretty comprehensible leap, theme-wise: War, in America, Dismantled.
How?
With love.
28 - Damon Muma
hahaha, montrose.. that's awesome!
29 - jkr
Thanks for the review.
I agree even though ATYCLB did touch something in me - the lust for life with the awareness of the depth in life. Now I welcome U2 with their first tone in rock and roll. This is different with age and a thick red line through the history of U2 and rock music.
30 - Carlo
I cannot believe that die-hard u2 fans did not like AYCLB. It's there perogative, but it's a close third after JT and AB. In a Little While is a tremendous song, and their live versions of these soulful songs are second to none, and an evolution of their music. There is nothing boring about Elevation. So, my point is when U2 comes together to make a real album that is not rushed, you cannot go wrong. Their energy is still real, and I'm sure the new songs will soon become a part of what makes me move. Don't over-analyze, either it moves you or it does not.
31 - Anon
Carlo...a lot of "die-hard fans" didn't like ATYCLB. It was different from JT in many ways, and some of the songs were overproduced. A song like Elevation to some seems very pop-py and just not one of U2's best singles, or even songs. The lyrics were more emotional, yes, but a lot of us missed the stirring imagery of JT and Achtung Baby.
Like you said, a matter of taste...in fact, you hit it on the head when you said Don't over-analyze; either it moves you or it doesn't. Well, for some people it didn't. (Actually for me, songs like In a Little While, Kite, New York, etc WERE really great, just there seemed to be more average songwriting on other songs than I expect from them...)
32 - Lazaro
My comment is that U2 always move the groung beneath my feet... They are awesome... I´m nicaraguan and i really enjoyed the Spanish countdown... uno dos tres catorce. Hola That was damn cool. The music reminded me much the WAR album... which i really like... But with this move i would also like as many of you , i think. To see Bono against people Like Bush or Tony Blair... If the album says how to dismantel an atomic bomb. It must ba about putting the peace back into the world...
From Nicaragua... Lazaro the Nicaraguan U2 Dude
33 - Anon
hey Lazaro! I agree it does have a little bit of War in it...but less anger, more fun.
About politics, I think it may have some global overtones but, despite the title, I don't think it will be too outrightly political. ATYCLB was unashamedly earnest and personal, and I expect this one will be as well, except maybe a little less earnest with more 90's era themes. Just an idea. All I'm saying is, there won't be anymore white flag-toting, Fuck the Revolution!-shouting Bono making rants on stage this time round. ;-)
34 - Damon Muma
I think there will be some politics on the album... the track-by-track previews have revealed that at least a couple songs seem to be of a political bent. I doubt the politics will be anything more than unoffending blanket statements. We can hope though, I mean U2's NRA hate-off during Bullet on the last tour was pretty ballsy (as well as pretty damn cool).
btw. I hope I didn't come across as disliking the album in my review... all the songs are sure well done and strike various chords with me.. it's just not the direction I wanted to see the boys take and made me fear for the future.
My biggest fear for U2 is loss of adventurousness and loss of subtlety. It's sure as hell hard to be subtle and successful in the world these days, but I think that's always been the case.
35 - bertb
I have to say that I think ATYCLB is one of U2's finest albums, being true to themselves. Joshua Tree, Boy, October, Actung, Unforgetable fire are also great. I do believe that history will judge U2 to be one of the greatest rock bands of all time but I do not believe history will judge the strange departures of Zooropa and Pop especially highly. They each had moments where the impossible-to-suffocate talent of the band shone through, but the overall flavor was one that just didn't jibe with who this band is in history. Vertigo is an awesome track and I look forward to hearing much more from the new album. So far, I'm very excited about the direction and sound of U2, my favorite band.
36 - Jorge Batista
I think like everyone else, musicians go through moods. U2 has always been true to themselves and they make music to reflect personal and global feelings and thoughts. I have always felt that all of their music has been great...and that is obviously subjective to ones musical preference. Yes,Achtung Baby and Joshua Tree are absolute gems, but to say that ATYCLB isn't "U2 at their best"??? Spare me the drama. Sure, some songs are rather "pop-py", but nonetheless they are still good. (side bar:personal favorite on that album is Walk On.) Pop,Rattle&Hum and Zooropa are other albums that don't get the credit they deserve as well. I love many songs on those particular albums. Fans and critics should just accept these albums as U2 being different; swaying from what everyone else deems the norm for them. If your overall taste in music is ecclectic, you can definitely appreciate every song and album U2 has to offer, because Im sure that U2 doesn't just make a song to fill up a space on any given album. Passengers and M.D. Hotel soundtrack are other fav's of mine because of the total exploration of music that U2 wants their fans to experience. I believe U2 merely wants fans to come along for the ride and experience the highs and lows life has to offer. I can't wait to see what is coming with How to dismantle an Atomic bomb!!! For better or worse, U2 will always be #1 in everything they do musically. Thank you.
37 - Khayyam Alden
And now here's the video; or if that goes crazy wrong, or if you want to right-click save target as - www.callumalden.tk - its in the blog under music, under Kick Ass.... Vertigo Full Length Ad. Thank's apple.
Callum Alden
38 - Eric Olsen
thanks for the video link
39 - Damon Muma
just a note.. that's not the actual promo video for the song, just an extended version of the new ipod ad. It was filmed in Sept and directed by Mark Romanek.
40 - Lazaro
I have been following news, comments, on the web about the new U2 album. And everybody always expect great things from these Irish ugys... I´m just some one else waiting the same things you all wait from them... HOWEVER i feel like always i have to keep neutral opinions til i heard the full version of the album. ANYWAY... I´m tired i wanna listen to VERTIGO again...
41 - Daniela
I think that the new CD is awsome, above all the song Vertigo, I really like it. U2 is the best band ever to me. Luck & kisses,
Daniela from Argentina.
P.D.: Bono rules!
42 - shawn
u2 rocks
43 - Tim
RE: uno, dos, tres, catorce!
Okay, here's another lame comment about this.
What are the first words of the first song of their first album? (Boy/I will follow)
Anybody?
"One, Two, Three, Four"
Hmmmmm, curioser and curioser.
AND to really push the psychotic envelope, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 14th word of I will follow is: "I will follow you".
AND to take this on an acid trip...
the only other song on Boy that this formula (1,2,3,14) works with is Shadows and tall trees.
The words are, "Back to the night".
So, the whole thing would be, "I will follow you back to the night".
I love making puzzles out of nothing.
However, I do believe he is saying something, I'm not sure what it is, but I like comment 27 from montrose.
And hey...comment 27...2x7 = 14!
Goo goo g'joob!
44 - Damon Muma
Haha. This stuff is fun!
Just a note.. Bono has mentioned that there is a reference to Stories for Boys (from U2-3, the first official u2 release) in the Vertigo Lyrics:
Sometimes the hero takes me
Sometimes I don't wanna know
Hello, hello, oh?
look a bit familiar? wheee
45 - Anon
Apparently it linked on the net yesterday. Go over to interference.com, the forum is full of reviews by fans. Excited to say the least, this should be a good album!
46 - Anon
Meant "leaked" not linked.
47 - C.S.
There is an old Three's Company episode where John Ritter is testing a mic by saying "uno, dos, tres, catorce".
Maybe Bono is a closet Three's Co. fan?
The plot thickens...
48 - Damon Muma
really? that's great! Clearly every self respecting u2 fan needs to have this episode in their collection
49 - neo
crap, sorry, too commercial for me, i just liked "original of the species" and perhaps another one or two. that's it.of course, this is just my personal opinion and I respect all of the die-hards fans critics
50 - Mani
uno, dos, tres, catorce 1,2,3,14
Steve Lillywhite's produced 1,2,3 and 14th albums of U2.... Thats why he uses it.
51 - Montrose
Hey Tim, try this one out:
'Unos, dos, tres, catorce'
=
'about two three fourteen'
or =
'some two three fourteen'
If some = sum or Psalm,
check out the bible verses
that relate.
But that's bordering on a
schizophrenic analysis. :)
52 - bob
so is chritians u fuckin faggots
53 - mascha
I'm glad that not eveyone is on an acid trip or following the white rabbit down the hole.
don't read too much into this folks. Steve Lilywhite produced their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 14th album.
that's it...just a little stealth tribute.
54 - Mac
Comment 52 posted by bob on November 27, 2004 01:47 AM:
"so is chritians u fuckin faggots"
Hey Bob, thanks for the indepth analysis. You really helped add to the conversation. Idiot.
55 - Montrose
Hey Bob.. um.. what's a 'Chritian'?
56 - PGX - 13
I don't know what y'all see in U2 but I
seriously hope none of you take Bono's
lyrical abilities too seriously. I just
heard a song off this latest U2 disc on
the radio that had the lyrics: "freedom
has a scent,like a newborn baby's head"
or some such pathetic silliness.
I could only stop laughing long enough
to puke.
57 - Damon Muma
Well until you've smelled the top of a newborn baby's head keep your mouth shut!
I actually talked to several people with experience with newborns and they all thought the lyrics was fitting and good.
haHA
58 - PGX - 13
I know how to "Dismantle An Atomic Bomb"
it's fucking simple. Shove it up Bono's
ass and detonate. Voila!!!
59 - Montrose
PGX-3
Way to show you comprehension of the word 'Dismantle'.
And you know, I read the 'newborn baby's head' quote before I heard it sung, and I thought it quite lame. But then, hearing _how_ it was sung took a lot of the lameness off of it. And like Damon said, until you've held a newborn, you really won't get that line.
60 - onetimeposter
Hey Bob, your quoted here: http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=11worst (just in case you didn't already knew)
61 - Suky Merottinpuss
Stupid dipshits. Go find the meaning of life inside an ass. Its cleaner
62 - anon
the ritter/bono theory...
http://wgnradio.com/shows/digilio_nick/audio/index.html
63 - Maddox
This album in horrible. I've heard better music from Yanni. When I listen to this album I wish that mom never told me to "turn the music down" as a child, and my hearing was gone. Forever I will wish that U2 kept making albums as good as The Joshua Tree! When are you idiotic fanboys going to realize that U2 sold out a long time ago. By the way, old rockers are not cool.
64 - U2 BLOWS
U2 BLOWS DOGS FOR QUARTERS
65 - Phillip Winn
Forever I will wish that U2 kept making albums as good as The Joshua Tree!
Yeah, 'cause it's that easy. Um, when nobody else can manage to create an album that good, why should we expect U2 to be able to just spit them out? ;-)
Comment #64 must be from a wistful dog with only a quarter to his name. :-P
66 - rape stories
Need to be readed.
67 - jray
as far as i know brad pit fell in love w/ real de catorce when he and julia roberts filmed there that he bought a retreat there and when he disappears from it all he's usually there, as do most other american stars, this place does things to folks who want to get away from it all, im sure bono or u/2 know about this place too...