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Album Review
I'm one among many that always anticipate each new U2 album. The layoff
between albums is always so tiring. So once the actual release date arrives.
It's greeted with great relief on my part. One thing I have grown to like
about the band is that with each new album they usually mix things up. And
with each new album comes a different style and a different sound. Well this
time around unlike the last two albums "All That You Can't Leave Behind"
and "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb" which were U2 by the numbers.
Good but basic affairs which didn't take U2's sound to any new heights. This
time around they seemed to come up with a bit of a retread again. With this
new one
sounding like a bit of "Actung Baby" and "Pop." No new song
structures or anything really diverse with different sounds. Musically we've already
heard all this before. Which is fine considering they have probably already
headed into the twilight of their career.
The record gets off to a strong start with the title track. With Bono
sounding surprisingly youthful on this straight ahead rocker. The next one
"Magnificent" is the rocker fans have been waiting for. Edge's
guitar work is stellar on this one. This is gonna be a giant on their
stadium tours this year. Next up "Moment Of Surrender" another one of
the few highlights. An epic ballad of sorts clocking in at 7:20, long by U2
standards. Humming along with a very effective subtle groove. Probably my
favorite song on the album at this point in time. "Unknown Caller" a
mid-paced rocker of sorts. Starting off with a very familiar guitar lick,
very u2ish. "Oohs" from Bono bring us back to classic sounding U2.
The first 4 songs on the album are as good as almost any 4 string of songs
through out the U2 catalog. But after those 4 songs is were U2 start to
struggle. I'll skip ahead to the first single "Get On Your Boots."
easily the weakest song and unfortunately it sounds so out of place among
the rest of the songs. "Stand Up Comedy" is a basic generic rocker.
Nothing challenging or new here. Now that brings us to "Fez:Being Born"
arguably the last great song on the disc. Another mid-paced affair. One of
the more experimental numbers. This is the U2 I love. I wish more of the
songs took on this direction.
Bono spoke out before release date saying "If this isn't our best album,
we're irrelevant." Well Bono miss-spoke. Because it's neither
their best release or irrelevant. But it could quite possibly be their best
since "Actung Baby," but only repeated listens and time will reveal
such a thing. But none the less U2 left us with another great but no classic
album to enjoy. Thanks guys, as always we appreciate your greatness.
~Anthony Hanna
U2
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