U2’s new album got a warm reception from the U2log.com team from the moment we downloaded the first mp3 rip off Usenet. Now that we’ve forked over dollars and euro for every single available format out there, it’s time to have a closer look.
Patrick Lynch, Chris Conroy and Caroline van Oosten de Boer review How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb:
THE ALBUM
Patrick: Confounding all expectations How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb is something else again. If pushed to make any likenesses I’m reminded of the time I first became acquainted with the then new U2 of Achtung Baby. But this record is even more muscular and tight but nonetheless unafraid of risks. What it lacks in the immediate melodies of its predecessor it more than makes up for in innovation. And while maybe not as instantly gratifying as some other releases it’s a curious literary work that will have you going back for more and more. A slow burner. The ultimate ticking bomb.
Chris: I’m much more satisfied with the album than I remember being with All That You Can’t Leave Behind; it’s not a thousand miles away from that album in terms of sound, but it’s a lot less smarmy (a friend refers to it as the “motivational speaker” vibe), and while the conscious songcraft is still there, it’s less overt and flashy this time out. The only criticism I’ve heard of it that sticks in my mind is that it’d be nice if they’d been a little less polite, both in terms of sound and of tone; at this point I suppose you can argue that the U2 brand is not something that’s meant to have sharp points on it, but when the music and the songs are this vibrant and alive it’d be nice to see some politics and convictions that haven’t been worn down to a glassy finish, guaranteed to be as interpretive and open-ended as possible and to reflect your own face back at you every time. To coin a phrase, I’d say I take issue with the album’s “well-meaninglessness”: the fact that it’s got no specific agenda beyond plucking a few emotional chords — though as we all know, Bono’s always believed that a feeling is stronger than a thought. But listening to it again just tonight, I’m still very happy with how effective the band remain at conjuring up those feelings. There’s plenty of music in this world that can make you think up little movies in your head, but U2 are the only band whose music convinces me, with sheer force of passion, that the film I’m writing in my skull is the greatest movie I have ever seen.
Caroline: This is lyrically a far more personal exercise for Bono and musically a very consistent album. Consistenly excellent, that is. I don’t find it as innovative as Patrick does. To me it’s U2 doing what they’re very good at — they’ve taken their best material and honed it down to perfection. There are fewer duds on this record than on All that you can’t leave behind, and I agree with Chris about the less overt songcrafting — it makes the tunes less predictable. This record is closer to The Unforgettable Fire than any of their outings since and that’s a good thing. What I miss on this album is some sense of anger, there’s a bit of it in ‘Love and Peace or else’ and ‘Crumbs’, but they’re still quite mellow. You’d think the death of a parent would at least at some point be the cause of rage. I would have liked to have seen something with the intensity of ‘Wire’, or ‘Bullet’ on the album. Thankfully ‘Mercy’ didn’t make the final cut and ‘Fast Cars’ got extra track status. Neither song does a lot for me.
As for the the packaging, I’m keen on the black/red thing — it’s a strong image. I love the book in the ‘special limited edition’. Prunes fans among us (hello one person) will appreciate its new form of beauty vibe — check out the ‘hearts held between our legs‘ drawing. I like this album, it’s a great friend to have.
THE SONGS
Vertigo
Pat Lynch: The single release of ‘Vertigo’ contains the heaviest and dirtiest U2 riff to date, but its place on the album seems more like a pop song. As a first reference point to the new record, it sounds like an old friend, with its chirpy ‘hello, hello!’ lyrics that remind us of the playfulness of ‘I Will Follow’.
Chris: You’ve heard this on the radio and formed your opinion — it’s either dumb, fun, and infectious, or grating and simplistic. Either way, I hope you weren’t expecting the rest of the album to sound anything like it, because it sure doesn’t. I don’t agree with Pitchfork Media about a lot of things, but I think it was their review that had the single most perceptive statement I’ve heard yet about this song: It gets progressively less stupid the more you hear it. Now that it’s shattered all my previous “Most Played” records on iTunes, I’ve more than come around to it. And by the way, I’m taking bets on whether or not Bono ever acknowledges the ‘You Keep Me Hangin’ On’ debt when he sings it live — how long until he interpolates it in?
Caroline: This album’s Elevation and U2’s challenge to young contenders in a my riff-is-bigger-than-your-riff way. It’s the opening song and single in which U2 re-establish their post punk roots, ripping off the Clash’s use of Spanish along the way, and once again meet their audience head on. “Hello, hello, I’m at a place called Vertigo…” It’s The Fly making another phone call home, isn’t it? I wager this is about stage fright and finding god in the connection between performer and audience. I’m an atheist myself but I can recognise a good religious experience when it happens, though I’ll probably tell you it’s the right side of the brain taking over from the left. A song about lift off. I’d have preferred it as a stand alone single.
Miracle Drug
Chris: The only song that I still just can’t get into. I lay the blame for that squarely at the foot of Bono’s worst couplet ever, “Freedom has a scent / like the top of a newborn baby’s head.” Woof. (Bono’s gone on record as saying that’s his favorite line on the album — but then, he would say that, wouldn’t he. Bono: Defending the indefensible since 1979.) Otherwise, it sounds a bit like ‘Walk On.’ I tend to tune out immediately after that line, and when I wake up again near the end of the song, it sounds kind of pretty and interesting, so maybe I’ll be able to hook into it eventually.
Pat: ‘Miracle Drug’ is lush, dreamy. It is not clear just who the object of Bono’s affections or disaffections truly is. Bono sings of having “enough of romantic love”, (a theme revisited on ‘A Man And A Woman’) while a miraculous drug is something he has often referred to on his recent DATA campaigning. As is so often the case on this record Bono seems to be singing to a lover who has the face of the world.
Caroline: I had a hard time with this lyrically, in particular the line “I’ve had enough of romantic love” and it distracted me from the music. But I think what what Bono is saying here is that it is time for ‘Agape’, the philosophical concept of charitable love, to take precendence over ‘Eros’, romantic love. As an aside, I believe U2 as a band and community thrive on the third kind of love, ‘Philia’: loyalty to friends and family. But back to the song… I think it’s thematically linked to ‘When I look at the world’. Musically it is growing on me already.
Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own
Caroline: It’s gorgeous, I cried. Irish men aren’t the only people in the world to have troubled relationships with their father. For anyone that’s loved and lost, fought and made up with a parent, a partner, a friend, it doesn’t matter — this will hit home. Even if it’s just a house. With thanks to Burt Bacharach.
Pat: Any press references of similarities to ‘Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of’ seem wildly misguided. For on this ode to his late father, Bono, for my money, has written the brother of ‘Kite’, i.e. another powerful straight from the heart song to a parent that eerily doubles up as the warring words of lovers in trouble.
Chris: We’ve known about the existence of this song for a long time; it was written about Bono’s father and has also been known as ‘Tough,’ but we didn’t know what it sounded like. Well it turned out, it sounds amazing. Fantastically amazing. In my mind it runs away with ‘best on the album’ status, and frankly, I’d call it a ‘With Or Without You’ – level classic. If it’s not a massive hit, then there’s no justice in the world… I melt for the chorus every time (sing, Edge, sing!), and having just watched the DVD, I find it almost unbelievable that that part of the song just “arrived” at the last moment of recording — it truly does feel like it was the bit of melody that was always meant to be there, that there’s no other piece of music that could match the chorus so well. Phenomenal.
Love And Peace Or Else
Pat: ‘Love and Peace Or Else’ bubbles and boils like something from a rotten core. With its boozy foreboding beat, fuzzy interference and diluted squeal it could be an extract from War of The Worlds. Appropriately enough then a call to lay down arms, though again this could be a universal war attributed to something more personal. Something wicked this way comes; it has the dark energy of ‘Until The End Of The World’ and live is gonna be a scorcher of white-hot heat.
Chris: A lot of noise has been made about how this would be a very Achtung Baby-esque album, but if you ask me that really hasn’t panned out. This is the only track you could hang that label on, and only because it’s the darkest-sounding and most sonically experimental; it has a Led Zeppelin blues-swagger thing going on, with an interesting, heavily processed intro. A good follow-up to ‘Sometimes…’ but not a classic in its own right; it’d be a hot set-opener on the tour, though, and I still fall for that ever-present marry-the-personal-and-the-political Bonomatic theme generator (though ‘Electrical Storm’ will always be my personal #1 on that score) — and speaking of which, big-ups to Pat for that “lover with the face of the world” line; that’s brilliant!
Caroline: The song starts with a rumble reminiscent of ‘Until the end of the world’ and then the glam rock church choir sets in. A noisy, likeable tune that favours rhythm over blues. Its novelty wears off soon, as it’s not quite ‘God Part II’ or ‘Daddy’s gonna pay’. Let’s face it boys, Nick Cave captures that industrial old testamentical swamp blues sound so much better.
City Of Blinding Lights
Chris: The entire Unforgettable Fire compressed into six minutes, with a simple, straightforward, ecstatic chorus that makes most other choruses sound pointless by comparison — you can’t not shout along. If ‘Sometimes…’ wasn’t on the album, then this would be the best track, but what an embarassment of riches it is to have both…
Pat: The held note intro of ‘City Of Blinding Lights’ gives way to a tinkling Coldplay piano before more distinctive guitar riffs set in and flutter around each other. A bittersweet reflection on life (‘the more you see the less you know’) succumbs to the sweet takeover of the celebratory ‘oh you look so beautiful tonight’. Elsewhere ‘neon heat’ and ‘day-glo eyes’, and cities ‘lit by fireflies’ is pure travel writing that takes us to a magical place with imagery not realised quite as vividly since The Joshua Tree. A song of muscle made tender by that piano, a sound that charters new and fresh territory.
Caroline: ‘Big’ music makes a comeback. This tune was first mentioned to us as ‘Skyhawk’. Since then it apparently got re-titled ‘Firefly’ (Joss Whedon wouldn’t have liked that.) and it finally comes to us with yet another name. It doesn’t matter what it’s called, really, as this is one people will remember regardless. Vintage U2 grandeur with a touch of sean-nos meandering, a driving beat and, god help me, I hear a bit of the Simple Minds in it. I should hate it, but I can’t help but like it a lot.
All Because Of You
Chris: Straightforward guitar romp, very propulsive. Another ‘like it or don’t’ song, with very silly lyrics. ‘Vertigo’ without the punk textures. It’s likeable, but not loveable, though I’ve come to enjoy it more than I thought it would. And it’ll probably be a huge hit here in America.
Caroline: The first note’s really good, “here comes Wire part II,” I thought. But then, ugh, what. were. they. thinking? I like my U2 rolling more than rocking. The alternative version (in the ‘Complete U2‘ iMTS set) sounds a lot better. Yes, I do think this was stuck on entirely for the benefit of US radio.
Pat: The slice of piercing feedback that heralds the arrival of ‘All Because of You’ gives way to a more standard up-tempo rock track. With twin layered vocals (to rival ‘Even Better Than The Real Thing’) and obscure animal imagery (“an intellectual tortoise”) to rival the “mole digging in a hole” of Elevation, this is probably the record’s most conventional and throwaway track.
A Man And A Woman
Pat: If U2 already have many strings to their bow, (big wide anthems, moody B sides) then a summer sound that began with ‘Spanish Eyes’ made a reappearance on ‘Wild Honey’ pops up here again on ‘A Man And A Woman’. ‘Little Sister’ Bono pines into the stillness of a summer night to a lilting flamenco accompaniment. With its ‘sleeping in the streets’ imagery and radio friendly breezy air it also makes a nod to ‘Mysterious Ways’.
Caroline: An extraordinary, sophisticated adult song that doesn’t sound anything like U2, but it gets under my skin and I like it there. Blue eyed soul, it reminds me of the solo work Tim Booth did with Angelo Badelamenti, the album Booth and the Bad Angel. Lyrically, musically, I’ll never get enough of this one. Summer nights on the Promenade Anglaise… sometimes the middle of the road is just where you want to be. Did you catch the nod to Gavin Friday in this one? ‘Saint Divine’ is a song off his second solo album Adam ‘n’ Eve — the quintessential man vs woman album.
Chris: Bono was describing this in interviews as ‘soul,’ which would normally make me wince, but by God, I think he was actually right. This sounds nothing like a ‘U2 song’ (Jacknife Lee’s crisp production is an interesting match for the tune and arrangement), but it’s really great. It’s breezy, lyrically strong, and really just surprisingly excellent all around. It’d definitely be my pick for the third single, and like Caroline, I’ll probably never tire of it, the way only ‘In A Little While’ and ‘Wild Honey’ still do it for me on All That…
Crumbs From Your Table
Caroline: Another song that seems inspired by Bono’s DATA work. It’s the new ‘Walk On’, but musically as well as thematically more complex. Who is Bono talking to in this song? A pretty girl? Or the pretty girl that is the USA?
Pat: It has the record’s most strident arrangement, sliding effortlessly and indeed joyously between a strong verse and chorus. As with ‘Miracle Drug’ the source of Bono’s mistrust is not made clear. ‘You deny for others, what you demand for yourself’. New territory musically, resulting in a rich fresh sound and highly infectious tune.
Chris: Caroline’s dead-on about this one being the new (better) ‘Walk On.’ I find it kind of hilarious that even though it was written when they were drunk, it sounds exactly like the typical U2 song — I’d have thought ‘Fast Cars’ a more likely choice for a boozy rave-up. I find it a bit tough to reconcile the selfish lover / selfish nation dialectic going on here, but maybe it would make more sense if I was tanked, eh? Waiter, another Jack and Coke, please…
One Step Closer
Chris: Another song about Bono’s father’s death, that lingers much more on the idea of death than anything else. When I read the lyrics, I thought this one was going to turn into something really special, sparse and spooky, but it’s a little bit of a let-down from my imagination. I was hoping for something more in the vein of ‘Wake Up Dead Man,’ but it doesn’t have the same desperate power…
Pat: From its ethereal opening to it slight C&W tinge ‘One Step Closer’ is sung in the same sick puppy voice as Zooropa’s ‘First Time’, while its ‘heart that hurts is a heart that beats’ lyric bears all the dark wisdom of Achtung Baby’s ‘Love Is Blindness’. Somber but knowing.
Caroline: I’m sure this song will grow on me, like ‘Grace’ never did, and I’m sure these will be the notes we will hear as we make our way out of the venue when U2 start playing live. It’s a hymn, it’s about death and it’s hopeful. Classic U2, really.
Original Of The Species
Caroline: Apparently written for or about Bono’s daughter Eve (hence the title) this is another tune that confuses me a little lyrically as Bono blurs the line between child and woman child. And… well, let’s not go there. A sweeter, more innocent… pre-sexual companion song to ‘Last night on earth’?
Pat: With a ping pong intro and soft piano backing ‘Original Of The Species’ slowly shapes up for contender of show closer with its lighter waving, arms swaying rousing chorus. Again a sort of indirect love song with an almost sad sixties sounding ‘oh no, oh no’ end refrain.
Chris: I find it hard to get deeper beneath the skin of this one than to say that it’s a really damn fine pop song. Ended up being charming and lovely when played live at the Brooklyn show, just as I suspected it would. Kind of a no-strings-attached favorite; I like it without getting too hung up on it. (If it is written for Bono’s daughter, I do find the ‘I want the lot of what you got’ line a bit, uh, questionable, but the respect-yourself sentiment is still respectable.)
Yahweh
Caroline: First mentioned to me as a song to look out for a year and a half ago, I must say it’s turned out a little disappointing. Maybe you have to be a believer for this kind of tune. “Ya-way, Ya-waahaay,” I think it tops the “top of a new born baby’s head” line in the most annoying lyric on the album contest. Musically, I think it’s in ‘Wild Horses’ and ‘Walk On’ territory (in that I don’t like them very much either!), and not strong enough as an album closer.
Pat: “Take these shoes..and make them fit/takes this shirt…and make it clean/take this mouth and…give it a kiss”. ‘Yahweh’ is a prayer for the slightly lost, a loving sobering up ditty, the morning after the ‘Trying to Throw You Arms Around The World’ night.
Chris: They break with the tradition of the down-tempo album closer to deliver one last anthem; it’s solid but doesn’t quite have the tremendous ‘oomph’ I was hoping for, though it’s got a lot of sharp lyrics. I’ve found myself listening to the audio clip of the “alternate” version in the iTunes box set a lot; the guitar tones and beat of it draw me in much more than the “Isn’t this a lovely ending” feel of the original. I’m looking forward to hearing the full version. I’ve also ended up using ‘Fast Cars’ as my personal album closer, which ends the album on a pleasing note of goofiness that you don’t often get from the band.
Over to you, dear readers, have at it…
Now this is what I call a review! Great job!
By the way, the “Ya-way, Ya-waahaay” -part reminds me a lot of the live version of Lemon, with the “Midnight, Midniiight” part… So all the time after this part “Midnight is where the day begins” pops up…!
Now this is what I call a review! Great job!
By the way, the “Ya-way, Ya-waahaay” -part reminds me a lot of the live version of Lemon, with the “Midnight, Midniiight” part… So all the time after this part “Midnight is where the day begins” pops up…!
Nice review guys. Its funny – I love the “Freedom has a scent / like the top of a newborn baby’s head.” lyric. “Crumbs” to me sounds like an older brother of “Gone” musically, and Love and Peace emits a aggressive cocktail of miami / god part II / bullet. Vertigo was the ultimate grower, just like BD, which took quite a few listens before it suddenly changed my life. “All Because of you” discharges Ramones style rock and roll, a fitting tribute I feel. ‘Dismantle’ is their most sublime work since Achtung Baby……….Eamonn.
Nice review guys. Its funny – I love the “Freedom has a scent / like the top of a newborn baby’s head.” lyric. “Crumbs” to me sounds like an older brother of “Gone” musically, and Love and Peace emits a aggressive cocktail of miami / god part II / bullet. Vertigo was the ultimate grower, just like BD, which took quite a few listens before it suddenly changed my life. “All Because of you” discharges Ramones style rock and roll, a fitting tribute I feel. ‘Dismantle’ is their most sublime work since Achtung Baby……….Eamonn.
Great review, great job guys!
And just a sidenote, please pay eachother a little respect around here, okay? ESPECIALLY to the U2log editors. We all pour a lot of time, passion and soul into this, and I don’t think returning the favour by being a complete wanker on here is the way to go. You know who you are.
Great review, great job guys!
And just a sidenote, please pay eachother a little respect around here, okay? ESPECIALLY to the U2log editors. We all pour a lot of time, passion and soul into this, and I don’t think returning the favour by being a complete wanker on here is the way to go. You know who you are.
I think you might be referring to me because i said “its a matter of opinion” which was removed from my post… i didnt mean anything mean by it…. different opinions are what makes forums interesting, which is cool.
I think you might be referring to me because i said “its a matter of opinion” which was removed from my post… i didnt mean anything mean by it…. different opinions are what makes forums interesting, which is cool.
Calvin Klein might be inspired by Miracle Drug to release a new fragrance: BABY’S HEAD (Freedom has a scent)…
A few things on THE BOMB, lyrically, that caught my ear as being familiar…
A MAN AND A WOMAN has the line “You can run from love, And if it’s really love it will find you,
Catch you by the heel…” which is not dissimilar to the NEVER LET ME GO from The Million Dollar Hotel soundtrack, which contains the line: “You run from love and don’t believe, Unless it catches you by the heel…” So Bono has a foot fetish?
And YAHWEH’s opening lines “Take these shoes, Click clacking down some dead end street…” which is reminiscent of DO YOU FEEL LOVE from ‘POP’: “Take these boots, they’re goin’ nowhere, you know these boots don’t want to stray…”
It’s all about feet really…
One other thing:
I wonder whether Jim DeRogatis wrote his ‘Atomic Dog’ review before or after listening to the album… clearly a big fan of Bono’s from way back…
Calvin Klein might be inspired by Miracle Drug to release a new fragrance: BABY’S HEAD (Freedom has a scent)…
A few things on THE BOMB, lyrically, that caught my ear as being familiar…
A MAN AND A WOMAN has the line “You can run from love, And if it’s really love it will find you,
Catch you by the heel…” which is not dissimilar to the NEVER LET ME GO from The Million Dollar Hotel soundtrack, which contains the line: “You run from love and don’t believe, Unless it catches you by the heel…” So Bono has a foot fetish?
And YAHWEH’s opening lines “Take these shoes, Click clacking down some dead end street…” which is reminiscent of DO YOU FEEL LOVE from ‘POP’: “Take these boots, they’re goin’ nowhere, you know these boots don’t want to stray…”
It’s all about feet really…
One other thing:
I wonder whether Jim DeRogatis wrote his ‘Atomic Dog’ review before or after listening to the album… clearly a big fan of Bono’s from way back…
Not at all evermore. The person I was referring to posted two personal attacks that were simply just nasty and I’ve taken the liberty to delete those posts.
Opinion is fine as long as everyone treats eachother with respect. 🙂
Not at all evermore. The person I was referring to posted two personal attacks that were simply just nasty and I’ve taken the liberty to delete those posts.
Opinion is fine as long as everyone treats eachother with respect. 🙂
Hey, nice catch on the “Never Let Me Go” similarity, Mal. I hadn’t noticed that and I love that song (though I don’t think I’ve listened to it since the album leaked).
Hey, nice catch on the “Never Let Me Go” similarity, Mal. I hadn’t noticed that and I love that song (though I don’t think I’ve listened to it since the album leaked).
Loved the review – with Caroline on most things noted.
Would just like to add that the second half of the album has a really organic, natural feel while the first half is over-produced and the songs almost get lost in the mix …. with the exception of ‘sometimes’.
It has a lot more depth than ATYCLB but still nowhere near as much as the 90’s stuff where lyrically Bono was at the top of his game.
Some great moments though and you know the live versions are going to be amazing!
Loved the review – with Caroline on most things noted.
Would just like to add that the second half of the album has a really organic, natural feel while the first half is over-produced and the songs almost get lost in the mix …. with the exception of ‘sometimes’.
It has a lot more depth than ATYCLB but still nowhere near as much as the 90’s stuff where lyrically Bono was at the top of his game.
Some great moments though and you know the live versions are going to be amazing!
May be way of the mark, but I read, I think in Q magazine, that the last time The Edge cried was listening to ‘Original of the species’ and that was because it was written about Edge daughter (Bonos God-daughter).
I think therefore that its theme is around something very close to The Edges heart in order to make him that emotional?????
May be way of the mark, but I read, I think in Q magazine, that the last time The Edge cried was listening to ‘Original of the species’ and that was because it was written about Edge daughter (Bonos God-daughter).
I think therefore that its theme is around something very close to The Edges heart in order to make him that emotional?????
I agree with Caroline about “Yahweh” – you have to be a believer to “get it.” And when you “get it”, it sings out, a plaintive cry of living in a dynamic tension of faith and doubt, waiting for the dawn, baptizing aches and pains in surrender.
Great review from some lovely U2 fans. It’s a four-star review for a five-star album!
I agree with Caroline about “Yahweh” – you have to be a believer to “get it.” And when you “get it”, it sings out, a plaintive cry of living in a dynamic tension of faith and doubt, waiting for the dawn, baptizing aches and pains in surrender.
Great review from some lovely U2 fans. It’s a four-star review for a five-star album!
Nice reviews guys – there’s insight here that is sorely lacking from the majority that have relied on a ‘this song sounds like that song’ approach.
And Mal’s comments on Jim DeRogatis’ article were spot on. Pitchfork don’t like the album much, Village Voice don’t like it at all, but at least their reviews are worthwhile reading. DeRogatis’ article is an abomination that reveals him to be a sad, petty wannabe.
If you agree and would like to let him know as much, send your comments here: (e-mail deleted, ed.)
Nice reviews guys – there’s insight here that is sorely lacking from the majority that have relied on a ‘this song sounds like that song’ approach.
And Mal’s comments on Jim DeRogatis’ article were spot on. Pitchfork don’t like the album much, Village Voice don’t like it at all, but at least their reviews are worthwhile reading. DeRogatis’ article is an abomination that reveals him to be a sad, petty wannabe.
If you agree and would like to let him know as much, send your comments here: (e-mail deleted, ed.)
Great review guys, perhaps a bit biased as we all can be, but still realistic!
It’s U2’s Abby Road or Who’s next~
SYCMIOYO: into the top 3 all time U2 for me.
Miracle Drug: crept up on me, but then leveled off.
Crumbs: Now there is a grower, extremely tight, yet “crumby”. Looking forward to how they approach this live. In NY it was fun to see them try and “figure it out”. I love Larry on the DVD, “Don’t remember that one”…
COBL: I don’t care if it’s about London or NY, I care that …OH, YOU, LOOK, SO, BEAUTIFUL TONIGHT!” I can’t wait to scream it back to ’em!
OSC: Best of it’s “category” FT, MOD, Grace.
LAPOE: Again it might take more time, but I love the beat, the Silver and Gold of today’s U2.
Man: Wild Horses, but drippin with Wild Honey.
Yahweh: Everything is all good+ on this entire album, this just isn’t great for me yet. A little to passenger esque. Fallin at your click clackin shoes.
OOTS: Not sure if it has radio hook enought to make it, but from a parent’s view, amazing~
Vertigo: Great show opener, it may even elevate me more than 2001!
ABOY: Fantastic, Whoish My Generation with the straight forward slice of the Ramones
Huge radio hit as the 2nd single followed by 3rd single,SYCMIOYO which will be even bigger~
Great review guys, perhaps a bit biased as we all can be, but still realistic!
It’s U2’s Abby Road or Who’s next~
SYCMIOYO: into the top 3 all time U2 for me.
Miracle Drug: crept up on me, but then leveled off.
Crumbs: Now there is a grower, extremely tight, yet “crumby”. Looking forward to how they approach this live. In NY it was fun to see them try and “figure it out”. I love Larry on the DVD, “Don’t remember that one”…
COBL: I don’t care if it’s about London or NY, I care that …OH, YOU, LOOK, SO, BEAUTIFUL TONIGHT!” I can’t wait to scream it back to ’em!
OSC: Best of it’s “category” FT, MOD, Grace.
LAPOE: Again it might take more time, but I love the beat, the Silver and Gold of today’s U2.
Man: Wild Horses, but drippin with Wild Honey.
Yahweh: Everything is all good+ on this entire album, this just isn’t great for me yet. A little to passenger esque. Fallin at your click clackin shoes.
OOTS: Not sure if it has radio hook enought to make it, but from a parent’s view, amazing~
Vertigo: Great show opener, it may even elevate me more than 2001!
ABOY: Fantastic, Whoish My Generation with the straight forward slice of the Ramones
Huge radio hit as the 2nd single followed by 3rd single,SYCMIOYO which will be even bigger~
I think that you guys don’t read the stuff of u2log.com 🙂 In this article of Q mag Bono explains what is the history in Crumbs and Miracle Drug. https://u2log.com/archive/2004/10/ready_to_explode.php
Anyway, It’s a excelent U2 album, I enjoy every track… hope to see the guys in Argentina…. sorry for my english…
I think that you guys don’t read the stuff of u2log.com 🙂 In this article of Q mag Bono explains what is the history in Crumbs and Miracle Drug. https://u2log.com/archive/2004/10/ready_to_explode.php
Anyway, It’s a excelent U2 album, I enjoy every track… hope to see the guys in Argentina…. sorry for my english…
Great Reviews and an excellent job at U2log over the past week or two, great redesign.
A wonderful album, it’s what POP should’ve been.
does “Crumbs” remind anyone a bit of the salome outtakes “Going Down South”? I think this track will work great live with walk on, the segue possibilities are there.
COBL: is wonderfully free, and its generic unlike New York and Miami. Felt like it was about toronto as I walked down bay st.
SYCMIOYO: The best song .
A Man and A Woman; love this, very reminiscent of fleetwood mac rumors. Great Song.
QUESTION: I heard “Mercy” today, its brilliant, anyone know of any future plans for this track? a possible b-side?
Great Reviews and an excellent job at U2log over the past week or two, great redesign.
A wonderful album, it’s what POP should’ve been.
does “Crumbs” remind anyone a bit of the salome outtakes “Going Down South”? I think this track will work great live with walk on, the segue possibilities are there.
COBL: is wonderfully free, and its generic unlike New York and Miami. Felt like it was about toronto as I walked down bay st.
SYCMIOYO: The best song .
A Man and A Woman; love this, very reminiscent of fleetwood mac rumors. Great Song.
QUESTION: I heard “Mercy” today, its brilliant, anyone know of any future plans for this track? a possible b-side?
Brilliant review, thanks guys!
This has been an emotional week. Four years of waiting have payed of: its a great album!! I have been playing it this week over and over and over again and it is still growing. The biggest relief for me is that it confirmes my thought that ATYCLB was indeed a side-step, and that this is back to the U2 that is (although they are good at recycling stuff) not affraid to experiment!
In my opinion, there are two main lines on this album connecting: ‘Vertigo-LAPOE-ABOY-FC’ and ‘MD-COBL-OOTS’. SYCMIOYO is indeed more than fenomenal! I’m a very very happy man!
(and now for the trick questions: were can I hear ‘Mercy’? Who will make the first CD version of the ‘rare and unreleased’?)(sorry for the off-topic, keep up the good work!
Brilliant review, thanks guys!
This has been an emotional week. Four years of waiting have payed of: its a great album!! I have been playing it this week over and over and over again and it is still growing. The biggest relief for me is that it confirmes my thought that ATYCLB was indeed a side-step, and that this is back to the U2 that is (although they are good at recycling stuff) not affraid to experiment!
In my opinion, there are two main lines on this album connecting: ‘Vertigo-LAPOE-ABOY-FC’ and ‘MD-COBL-OOTS’. SYCMIOYO is indeed more than fenomenal! I’m a very very happy man!
(and now for the trick questions: were can I hear ‘Mercy’? Who will make the first CD version of the ‘rare and unreleased’?)(sorry for the off-topic, keep up the good work!
“In this article of Q mag Bono explains what is the history in Crumbs and Miracle Drug.”
Songs are multi-layered, they always are. The history of the making of the song does not always ‘explain’ their full potential or meaning. Songs have a life of their own. Even the people that write them will often find out they haven’t turned out the way they though they would, or they take on other meaning after the events that inspired them have come and gone. So, wes, we’ve all read their history… and here we write down what we think they mean to *us* right this moment.
“In this article of Q mag Bono explains what is the history in Crumbs and Miracle Drug.”
Songs are multi-layered, they always are. The history of the making of the song does not always ‘explain’ their full potential or meaning. Songs have a life of their own. Even the people that write them will often find out they haven’t turned out the way they though they would, or they take on other meaning after the events that inspired them have come and gone. So, wes, we’ve all read their history… and here we write down what we think they mean to *us* right this moment.
@DePhunkyLemur re: Mercy
I’ve heard it was being considered for a b-side, but who knows what’ll happen.
@case: I’d rather we didn’t rally our readers to gang up against reviewers, thanks.
@DePhunkyLemur re: Mercy
I’ve heard it was being considered for a b-side, but who knows what’ll happen.
@case: I’d rather we didn’t rally our readers to gang up against reviewers, thanks.
Thank you guys for your opinions, thoughts and feelings on this new album.
The whole expirence is so much more fun enjoying it all together. Can’t wait for the tour.
I thought ‘All Because Of You’ sounded very good at the Hanover Quai last week. Haven’t heard Brooklyn yet but I bet New York works good for that song (too!)…
However, my personal favorite is ‘Crumbs On Your Table’, I like the line ‘…from the brightest star comes the blackest hole…’ The way it’s writen in the ‘collectors book’, I would say it points to Venus. And this time not to hail or sanctify her even more…the Atomic Bomb is us. We want Love & Peace…or else…well…
I might be accused of being ‘Da Vinci Code’ now…go ahead…I’m with this new album, in awe, inspired, warm. Learning to sing along…
I will defend this as being their best album so far. I think it’s too easy to stick with ‘The Unforgetable Fire’ all the time. Although back in those days I 2 was captured in that unforgetable new feel. It was something we never heard before. But I think we’ve got more responsibilities now. It worked out pretty well for us…hasn’t it?
These boys play Rock ‘N’ Roll and that becomes a thougher job each day…everything seems to be done already…except dismanteling an atomic bomb…! Serious, these boys are men now and they show us that they’ve learned from their ‘mistakes’. They’ve listened to others and they’ve listened to themselves…yet not grown old but reinventing U2 again…I couldn’t ask for more…this album is like it’s band; truely brilliant…!!! I’m gonna grow my nails…:-)
Thank you guys for your opinions, thoughts and feelings on this new album.
The whole expirence is so much more fun enjoying it all together. Can’t wait for the tour.
I thought ‘All Because Of You’ sounded very good at the Hanover Quai last week. Haven’t heard Brooklyn yet but I bet New York works good for that song (too!)…
However, my personal favorite is ‘Crumbs On Your Table’, I like the line ‘…from the brightest star comes the blackest hole…’ The way it’s writen in the ‘collectors book’, I would say it points to Venus. And this time not to hail or sanctify her even more…the Atomic Bomb is us. We want Love & Peace…or else…well…
I might be accused of being ‘Da Vinci Code’ now…go ahead…I’m with this new album, in awe, inspired, warm. Learning to sing along…
I will defend this as being their best album so far. I think it’s too easy to stick with ‘The Unforgetable Fire’ all the time. Although back in those days I 2 was captured in that unforgetable new feel. It was something we never heard before. But I think we’ve got more responsibilities now. It worked out pretty well for us…hasn’t it?
These boys play Rock ‘N’ Roll and that becomes a thougher job each day…everything seems to be done already…except dismanteling an atomic bomb…! Serious, these boys are men now and they show us that they’ve learned from their ‘mistakes’. They’ve listened to others and they’ve listened to themselves…yet not grown old but reinventing U2 again…I couldn’t ask for more…this album is like it’s band; truely brilliant…!!! I’m gonna grow my nails…:-)
i love this record. it’s just really gorgeous, finely crafted, almost perfect pop in the pure sense. not the rock record i was really holding out for, but perhaps that is still in them somewhere? what i think what makes this record stand out among all the others is its almost complete lack or anger, or rage or any other kind of dark undercurrent which usually floats just below the surface – that’s what makes the best U2 albums for me (achtung, et al) it’s a very “mature” (for lack of a better word) outlook that’s reflected lyrically on “bomb”. it rocks in parts, but godamn, i’d die to hear another “fly” someday. check out my totally serious “bomb” review here, if you like (hmtl tags permitting?)
i love this record. it’s just really gorgeous, finely crafted, almost perfect pop in the pure sense. not the rock record i was really holding out for, but perhaps that is still in them somewhere? what i think what makes this record stand out among all the others is its almost complete lack or anger, or rage or any other kind of dark undercurrent which usually floats just below the surface – that’s what makes the best U2 albums for me (achtung, et al) it’s a very “mature” (for lack of a better word) outlook that’s reflected lyrically on “bomb”. it rocks in parts, but godamn, i’d die to hear another “fly” someday. check out my totally serious “bomb” review here, if you like (hmtl tags permitting?)
(edited because URL messes with page layout)
Sorry Elmo. Just Trackback the article, if you can.
(edited because URL messes with page layout)
Sorry Elmo. Just Trackback the article, if you can.
Hilariously lopsided “review” of How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Boy, you’d think there wouldn’t actually be the time to write about the album, what with all the listening to it taking up most of the day.
Hilariously lopsided “review” of How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
Boy, you’d think there wouldn’t actually be the time to write about the album, what with all the listening to it taking up most of the day.
… I trackbacked it for you, using a standalone pinger.
http://www.aylwardfamily.com/content/tbping.asp
To learn more about Trackback read the following:
http://www.movabletype.org/trackback/beginners/
… I trackbacked it for you, using a standalone pinger.
http://www.aylwardfamily.com/content/tbping.asp
To learn more about Trackback read the following:
http://www.movabletype.org/trackback/beginners/
Not since War have I set my CD player on repeat (actually, with War, the cassette tape featured the entire album on each side, so I set it to play front and back over and over). This is the most infectious release in a long while. I agree, it is most reminiscent of Unforgettable Fire, which is a bit ironic, I think.
Not since War have I set my CD player on repeat (actually, with War, the cassette tape featured the entire album on each side, so I set it to play front and back over and over). This is the most infectious release in a long while. I agree, it is most reminiscent of Unforgettable Fire, which is a bit ironic, I think.
I still haven’t gotten the cd because nothing anyone has said and nothing I’ve heard from the band has really created the desire to purchase ANOTHER U2 CD. There’s a kind of ‘purity’ when you come accross something in the record store and purchase it without any preconceived notions about it and then you actually LIKE most of the songs. I would just like someone to simply say that they would like this new U2 album even if they hadn’t heard the other U2 albums.
I still haven’t gotten the cd because nothing anyone has said and nothing I’ve heard from the band has really created the desire to purchase ANOTHER U2 CD. There’s a kind of ‘purity’ when you come accross something in the record store and purchase it without any preconceived notions about it and then you actually LIKE most of the songs. I would just like someone to simply say that they would like this new U2 album even if they hadn’t heard the other U2 albums.
I have no doubt that Dismantle will become a sentimental favorite for me. How can anyone with a heart resist the open spirit and generosity of the music and lyrics? U2 has always provided a welcoming refuge for this cynic’s battered heart. But the cynic must still say this: I don’t hear singles. The band has made no bones about it – they want several solid, going-to-be-driving-you-nuts singles, and they’re not on Dismantle. I can hardly believe the band is so out of touch with American mainstream pop music, but they are. Vertigo made it, yes, with the help of a commercial and a wicked guitar lick, but it doesn’t represent the rest of the album.
Also, the band has made it clear that it thinks Dismantle is one of the great ones, but I must disagree. The album breaks no new musical or lyrical ground whatsoever. Either Edge or Bono said recently something about how when they first started writing songs, they were original because they didn’t know how to write songs. So later, when they got good at it, they had to unlearn it to stay original. Despite their awareness of this, the band has fallen victim to its own skill. Each of the 11 tracks on Dismantle is a gorgeous, well-crafted, perfectly produced artifact.
But Bono, Edge, Larry, Adam: You had me at hello. I’m a fool for you, and I love Dismantle. Bono sounds better than he has in years, and the saccharine in the songs is someplace I can hide from the world. That’s what I wanted, and that’s what I got. I’ll switch the album out with Elvis Costello’s latest to keep things interesting, but I’ll be counting the days until U2 goes back on the road. Dismantle will show its strength in the live arena. I can’t wait.
I have no doubt that Dismantle will become a sentimental favorite for me. How can anyone with a heart resist the open spirit and generosity of the music and lyrics? U2 has always provided a welcoming refuge for this cynic’s battered heart. But the cynic must still say this: I don’t hear singles. The band has made no bones about it – they want several solid, going-to-be-driving-you-nuts singles, and they’re not on Dismantle. I can hardly believe the band is so out of touch with American mainstream pop music, but they are. Vertigo made it, yes, with the help of a commercial and a wicked guitar lick, but it doesn’t represent the rest of the album.
Also, the band has made it clear that it thinks Dismantle is one of the great ones, but I must disagree. The album breaks no new musical or lyrical ground whatsoever. Either Edge or Bono said recently something about how when they first started writing songs, they were original because they didn’t know how to write songs. So later, when they got good at it, they had to unlearn it to stay original. Despite their awareness of this, the band has fallen victim to its own skill. Each of the 11 tracks on Dismantle is a gorgeous, well-crafted, perfectly produced artifact.
But Bono, Edge, Larry, Adam: You had me at hello. I’m a fool for you, and I love Dismantle. Bono sounds better than he has in years, and the saccharine in the songs is someplace I can hide from the world. That’s what I wanted, and that’s what I got. I’ll switch the album out with Elvis Costello’s latest to keep things interesting, but I’ll be counting the days until U2 goes back on the road. Dismantle will show its strength in the live arena. I can’t wait.
Miracle Drug.. a song I struggled with for a while as I had little to no idea how to take it. Well, I had a bright moment and here’s an idea. Picture Bono holding his youngest child in his arms, talking to the innocent child, hoping and/or dreaming for a better world for him/her to live in.
I should be careful taking thinks literary, how about this take on the chorus: I’m sure Bono’s frequently held his head next to his child’s head and I’m sure the top of the shampooed baby’s head smells very nice – I imagine you’d come close to a state of uhm.. well, purest love and affection.
Anyway.. just an idea I was toying with.
Miracle Drug.. a song I struggled with for a while as I had little to no idea how to take it. Well, I had a bright moment and here’s an idea. Picture Bono holding his youngest child in his arms, talking to the innocent child, hoping and/or dreaming for a better world for him/her to live in.
I should be careful taking thinks literary, how about this take on the chorus: I’m sure Bono’s frequently held his head next to his child’s head and I’m sure the top of the shampooed baby’s head smells very nice – I imagine you’d come close to a state of uhm.. well, purest love and affection.
Anyway.. just an idea I was toying with.
ah, i see Caroline. ta. this new ‘log sure is fancy! 😉
ah, i see Caroline. ta. this new ‘log sure is fancy! 😉
Hello, some interesting views on HTDAAB. I watched Newsnight Review (BBC) this Friday, as many of you may have missed it, i’ve posted it over on my blog. If you have seen it- the two areas that get the panel debating are A. Bono and The Band, is there really an issue? B. Bono’s ‘day job’ is music- Politics as a sideline or a hobby seem to be taking up much of his time- infriging on what should be musical guinus. Now, I’m of the idea that Bono’s work outwith the band only helps thicken the U2 mixture- as it has for years. Although HTDAAB is a little vauge… it’s not irellivant, is it?
Hello, some interesting views on HTDAAB. I watched Newsnight Review (BBC) this Friday, as many of you may have missed it, i’ve posted it over on my blog. If you have seen it- the two areas that get the panel debating are A. Bono and The Band, is there really an issue? B. Bono’s ‘day job’ is music- Politics as a sideline or a hobby seem to be taking up much of his time- infriging on what should be musical guinus. Now, I’m of the idea that Bono’s work outwith the band only helps thicken the U2 mixture- as it has for years. Although HTDAAB is a little vauge… it’s not irellivant, is it?
Sorry, forgot to post that link ; http://www.callumalden.tk/iblog you’ll find it in the Music section or on the top page. It’s .RM – 3MB. Enjoy.
Sorry, forgot to post that link ; http://www.callumalden.tk/iblog you’ll find it in the Music section or on the top page. It’s .RM – 3MB. Enjoy.
The long wait has paid off for me. Each song on the Bomb is wonderful. I do believe the music is just as inspiring as ever and lyrically Bono has tried to spell out emotions much more clearly than ever. He sings a lot of words on this journey (I have always felt each of U2 records has taken me on a journey) more so than most, he does not hold back. If you don’t understand his feeling/meanings by now then maybe you never will.
For the reader above who is holding out to buy it – don’t wait. Buy it. U2 is U2. If you own 1 cd or the new Complete U2 Digital Box Set (446 songs). They are the best thing happening in the music business today hands down. You will not be disappointed. I believe with each listening the songs grow more wonderful. They become personal to you. The songs are not like any other. U2 are good at not re-working the old – thank goodness. However, they definetly stay within the genres of rock and pop and as a result the music is limited and sonic experimentation is also limited. So don’t be surprised when you hear the rock/pop formula. I think their music is sublime. There is no better music for me available today. This CD finds them playing with all of their strengths. Again I repeat buy it!
One issue to vent. The professional reviewers who are being paid to compare U2’s new work with their back catalog and who state Pop was a failure annoy and irritate me so much I can barely continue reading their writing. So I have to write for all of you who might not own it – buy it too. Pop is FABULOUS. Don’t beleive the negative reviews.
Before I sign off – I can’t wait to hear the new songs LIVE. I feel they are going to really take off in the arena/stadium venues and come to life even more. See you wonderful fans at the concerts — SINGING to the music — SINGING to the music!!!!!!!
The long wait has paid off for me. Each song on the Bomb is wonderful. I do believe the music is just as inspiring as ever and lyrically Bono has tried to spell out emotions much more clearly than ever. He sings a lot of words on this journey (I have always felt each of U2 records has taken me on a journey) more so than most, he does not hold back. If you don’t understand his feeling/meanings by now then maybe you never will.
For the reader above who is holding out to buy it – don’t wait. Buy it. U2 is U2. If you own 1 cd or the new Complete U2 Digital Box Set (446 songs). They are the best thing happening in the music business today hands down. You will not be disappointed. I believe with each listening the songs grow more wonderful. They become personal to you. The songs are not like any other. U2 are good at not re-working the old – thank goodness. However, they definetly stay within the genres of rock and pop and as a result the music is limited and sonic experimentation is also limited. So don’t be surprised when you hear the rock/pop formula. I think their music is sublime. There is no better music for me available today. This CD finds them playing with all of their strengths. Again I repeat buy it!
One issue to vent. The professional reviewers who are being paid to compare U2’s new work with their back catalog and who state Pop was a failure annoy and irritate me so much I can barely continue reading their writing. So I have to write for all of you who might not own it – buy it too. Pop is FABULOUS. Don’t beleive the negative reviews.
Before I sign off – I can’t wait to hear the new songs LIVE. I feel they are going to really take off in the arena/stadium venues and come to life even more. See you wonderful fans at the concerts — SINGING to the music — SINGING to the music!!!!!!!
Does anyone by chance know what the Quality of the Complete U2 on iTunes is?
is it 128Kb 256Kb 320Kb?
Thanks for your help
Does anyone by chance know what the Quality of the Complete U2 on iTunes is?
is it 128Kb 256Kb 320Kb?
Thanks for your help
karaoke — as difficult as it is to dial myself back in my head to a time before I’d fallen for U2, I think I can truthfully say that if I’d heard this album for the first time today without knowing the band, I’d really like it anyway. I don’t know that I could say that about ATYCLB, but I can say that about this album.
And I’d also like to agree with Pearls — if there are any new U2 fans lurking about here who haven’t shelled out for Pop, DO IT. I guarantee it will surprise you. (And they’ve finally lowered its list price, too — Tower Records in NYC is selling it for $9.99 as part of their holiday sale.)
karaoke — as difficult as it is to dial myself back in my head to a time before I’d fallen for U2, I think I can truthfully say that if I’d heard this album for the first time today without knowing the band, I’d really like it anyway. I don’t know that I could say that about ATYCLB, but I can say that about this album.
And I’d also like to agree with Pearls — if there are any new U2 fans lurking about here who haven’t shelled out for Pop, DO IT. I guarantee it will surprise you. (And they’ve finally lowered its list price, too — Tower Records in NYC is selling it for $9.99 as part of their holiday sale.)
Just bought the Limited edition, and despite the fact that I find a lot of the songs rather mediocre hearing them for the first time (speaking music, I’m not a native english speaker, so won’t comment on lyrics) two songs got took my breath straight away:
‘Original of the species’
A conductors wet dream, a great catharsis where Bono seems to get airlifted by the music(lines where the dum-dum-dum turns into words, as if he must sing, even though this was meant to be an instrumental part). Great Arab feel due to Jacknife Lee’s keys.
Fast Cars:
U2 riding on a acid-fed camel with a bunch of Arab Musicians following in their slipstream. The kind of U2 I like to hear: ever developing, a proces stoppped after POP. Well, Achtung Baby’s Marakkesh shows up at last. Is it an anti-war song? F***, does it matter 🙂 It rocks…
Hate to say: the best song is on the Limited Edition only, but I’m sure most other songs will get under my skin any way soon.
Enjoy!
Just bought the Limited edition, and despite the fact that I find a lot of the songs rather mediocre hearing them for the first time (speaking music, I’m not a native english speaker, so won’t comment on lyrics) two songs got took my breath straight away:
‘Original of the species’
A conductors wet dream, a great catharsis where Bono seems to get airlifted by the music(lines where the dum-dum-dum turns into words, as if he must sing, even though this was meant to be an instrumental part). Great Arab feel due to Jacknife Lee’s keys.
Fast Cars:
U2 riding on a acid-fed camel with a bunch of Arab Musicians following in their slipstream. The kind of U2 I like to hear: ever developing, a proces stoppped after POP. Well, Achtung Baby’s Marakkesh shows up at last. Is it an anti-war song? F***, does it matter 🙂 It rocks…
Hate to say: the best song is on the Limited Edition only, but I’m sure most other songs will get under my skin any way soon.
Enjoy!
Really enjoyed reading your review. Great thoughts, though I don’t necessarily agree with everything. 🙂
I had “Crumbs” pegged thematically as soon as I heard the song title, because of the Biblical reference (Matthew 15:21-28). It’s Africa (collectively, or a person from there) talking to America or the American church collectively.
“Yahweh” is pretty rich lyrically as well. Bono starts off the prayer talking of the material — shoes and shirts — then moves to actions — hands and mouths — and ends with the heart. The city, although he’s mentioned Jerusalem, could even be talking about U2 as a band. The “city of U2” should be shining on a hill, and Bono offers it up to God (shades of the October era, anyone?) before offering his heart. Musically, that track seems more like a hybrid of “One Tree Hill” and “Falling at Your Feet” which are two of my non-single favorites.
“Love and Peace or Else” looks to God for the release, as Bono prays for all to receive the “brand new heart” that comes with salvation.
The themes running through the album seem to be birth (and rebirth), death, time, innocence, and of course, love. Coming from Bono, they’re all Gospel-informed and I think it takes an understanding of the Gospel to hear everything there is to hear in the lyrics.
Really enjoyed reading your review. Great thoughts, though I don’t necessarily agree with everything. 🙂
I had “Crumbs” pegged thematically as soon as I heard the song title, because of the Biblical reference (Matthew 15:21-28). It’s Africa (collectively, or a person from there) talking to America or the American church collectively.
“Yahweh” is pretty rich lyrically as well. Bono starts off the prayer talking of the material — shoes and shirts — then moves to actions — hands and mouths — and ends with the heart. The city, although he’s mentioned Jerusalem, could even be talking about U2 as a band. The “city of U2” should be shining on a hill, and Bono offers it up to God (shades of the October era, anyone?) before offering his heart. Musically, that track seems more like a hybrid of “One Tree Hill” and “Falling at Your Feet” which are two of my non-single favorites.
“Love and Peace or Else” looks to God for the release, as Bono prays for all to receive the “brand new heart” that comes with salvation.
The themes running through the album seem to be birth (and rebirth), death, time, innocence, and of course, love. Coming from Bono, they’re all Gospel-informed and I think it takes an understanding of the Gospel to hear everything there is to hear in the lyrics.
so, um, where exactly is this ‘mercy’ track hiding? the reviewer (caroline) seems to have heard it, just wondering if its floating around somewhere or being kept under lock and key? as for myself, i still havent been able to get past the first five tracks, honestly, in terms of really listening to the album. hope the rest is as good.
so, um, where exactly is this ‘mercy’ track hiding? the reviewer (caroline) seems to have heard it, just wondering if its floating around somewhere or being kept under lock and key? as for myself, i still havent been able to get past the first five tracks, honestly, in terms of really listening to the album. hope the rest is as good.
Just got my limited edition cd + dvd…have to say i love the album…can’t wait to hear the tracks live…roll on Croke Park June 2004!!!
Great website!
Just got my limited edition cd + dvd…have to say i love the album…can’t wait to hear the tracks live…roll on Croke Park June 2004!!!
Great website!
Instaed of talking,i like to listen to the album..(it feels like coming home..)Last monday I won a U2 i-pod,including all U2 songs and a couple of dvds !(on Dutch radio Noordzee fm.)
And have been at a place called vertigo since..
Instaed of talking,i like to listen to the album..(it feels like coming home..)Last monday I won a U2 i-pod,including all U2 songs and a couple of dvds !(on Dutch radio Noordzee fm.)
And have been at a place called vertigo since..
Caroline, on the issue of Jim DeRogatis’ “review”, and the rallying of readers to ‘gang up’ on him, the days of reviewers sitting in ivory towers and dispersing opinion as if it were gospel are long over.
If someone is going to attack a piece of culture based on a personal vendetta, then expect a dialogue from those with dissenting views.
Given that Bono himself has been known to give feedback to reviewers (Especially Uncut’s Stephen Dalton – https://u2log.com/archive/002869.shtml), then I’m comfortable with that dialogue continuing.
Also, Jim DeRogatis has immortalised himself with his own website (http://www.jimdero.com), so I’m hardly opening Pandora’s box when I post his email address online.
For a fan site to be playing it so safe in response to this hateful diatribe strikes me as unusual. It’s also bizarre that you would protect a second-rate hack writer, when in the past you have linked to intrusive photos of Bono’s children on holidays (even though the link was eventually withdrawn.)
Perhaps if more of us hold these culture vultures to account by telling them what we think of their ‘writing’, then the quality of music criticism may improve. At the very least, you won’t alienate your own loyal reader base by taking the wrong side.
Caroline, on the issue of Jim DeRogatis’ “review”, and the rallying of readers to ‘gang up’ on him, the days of reviewers sitting in ivory towers and dispersing opinion as if it were gospel are long over.
If someone is going to attack a piece of culture based on a personal vendetta, then expect a dialogue from those with dissenting views.
Given that Bono himself has been known to give feedback to reviewers (Especially Uncut’s Stephen Dalton – https://u2log.com/archive/002869.shtml), then I’m comfortable with that dialogue continuing.
Also, Jim DeRogatis has immortalised himself with his own website (http://www.jimdero.com), so I’m hardly opening Pandora’s box when I post his email address online.
For a fan site to be playing it so safe in response to this hateful diatribe strikes me as unusual. It’s also bizarre that you would protect a second-rate hack writer, when in the past you have linked to intrusive photos of Bono’s children on holidays (even though the link was eventually withdrawn.)
Perhaps if more of us hold these culture vultures to account by telling them what we think of their ‘writing’, then the quality of music criticism may improve. At the very least, you won’t alienate your own loyal reader base by taking the wrong side.
Case, anyone’s free to e-mail whoever they feel necessary, in their own time and on their own behalf. But since U2log.com has no control over what’s said in those e-mails, we’d rather not see them sent in our name. In the past, u2log.com readers have ganged up on other weblogs — we don’t like to see that happen. If we ever feel a need to rally our readers to do anything in our name, we’ll say when and where. For the record, I am not ‘taking sides’. I have no idea who Jim DeRogatis is, or why he should be castised, nor do I care much.
If you have anything else to add to this discussion, please e-mail us.
Case, anyone’s free to e-mail whoever they feel necessary, in their own time and on their own behalf. But since U2log.com has no control over what’s said in those e-mails, we’d rather not see them sent in our name. In the past, u2log.com readers have ganged up on other weblogs — we don’t like to see that happen. If we ever feel a need to rally our readers to do anything in our name, we’ll say when and where. For the record, I am not ‘taking sides’. I have no idea who Jim DeRogatis is, or why he should be castised, nor do I care much.
If you have anything else to add to this discussion, please e-mail us.
Nice reviews. I do have one nit to pick, though, with Pat’s comment re: A.B.O.Y.: {{With…obscure animal imagery (“an intellectual tortoise”)}}
First of all, “intellectual tortoise” is not imagery, it’s figurative language (a metaphor, to be exact). This may sound pedantic, but there is a difference.
Secondly, it’s not “obscure.” An intellectual tortoise–how hard is that to figure out? Is “mental midget” likewise obscure?
Overall, I understand that reviews are opinions. However, these two things I mentioned aren’t opinions: they’re the truth. Maybe we can disagree if the metaphor is obscure or not, but even an intellectual tortoise can decipher it fairly easily, I’d think.
Nice reviews. I do have one nit to pick, though, with Pat’s comment re: A.B.O.Y.: {{With…obscure animal imagery (“an intellectual tortoise”)}}
First of all, “intellectual tortoise” is not imagery, it’s figurative language (a metaphor, to be exact). This may sound pedantic, but there is a difference.
Secondly, it’s not “obscure.” An intellectual tortoise–how hard is that to figure out? Is “mental midget” likewise obscure?
Overall, I understand that reviews are opinions. However, these two things I mentioned aren’t opinions: they’re the truth. Maybe we can disagree if the metaphor is obscure or not, but even an intellectual tortoise can decipher it fairly easily, I’d think.
I’ve read Jim DeRogatis for years. He is anything but a hack writer. He’s followed REM and rightly gotten on their case when they started becoming mediocre. He’s had the balls to call out Ryan Adams for being a prissy primadonna. He’s arguably the best non east or west coast music beat writer in the US.
His review plays up the elements of the new album which I am afraid to say are bland. For me, these elements turn a 5-star album into a 3.5 star album. For him, they turn a 4-star album into a 1.5. It’s only a review, and once again, the only review that matters is his. But by no means is this guy a “second rate hack.”
I find more than most, U2 fans cannot accept reviews that don’t toe the party line of “masterpiece” with this album. It’s very good (which I thought was the enemy of great), but masterpiece? You all need to listen to more music!
I’ve read Jim DeRogatis for years. He is anything but a hack writer. He’s followed REM and rightly gotten on their case when they started becoming mediocre. He’s had the balls to call out Ryan Adams for being a prissy primadonna. He’s arguably the best non east or west coast music beat writer in the US.
His review plays up the elements of the new album which I am afraid to say are bland. For me, these elements turn a 5-star album into a 3.5 star album. For him, they turn a 4-star album into a 1.5. It’s only a review, and once again, the only review that matters is his. But by no means is this guy a “second rate hack.”
I find more than most, U2 fans cannot accept reviews that don’t toe the party line of “masterpiece” with this album. It’s very good (which I thought was the enemy of great), but masterpiece? You all need to listen to more music!
I meant to say the only review that matters is YOURS.
I meant to say the only review that matters is YOURS.
Tom, thank you for commenting. However, your post is off topic, as were a number of posters before you.
In future, off topic posts are likely to be deleted. Readers are requested to have a look at our site rules:
https://u2log.com/about.php#rules
Tom, thank you for commenting. However, your post is off topic, as were a number of posters before you.
In future, off topic posts are likely to be deleted. Readers are requested to have a look at our site rules:
https://u2log.com/about.php#rules