Originally posted by JimmyMac91:Discotheque - From the opening notes, you know this was going to be an extension of Zooropa...on Steroids. Very dance, very techno...an even further departure but it works. ****
Do You Feel Loved - Best opening beats, beat drop on the album, mixed with a very U2 like bass line. Very catchy chorus. ****
Mofo - Did I just enter a rave? Sure feels like it. The rhythm is a great beat to dance to, but Bono’s vocals are very muffled. Nothing memorable in the chorus. ***
If God Will Send Us His Angels - I can hear Bono sing again. Slowing it right down, with a heavy bass groove. Chorus is absolutely beautiful. Total U2 sound to enter the second verse. An amazing treat, that I wasn’t expecting at all. ****
Staring at the Sun - Nothing techno about this one, a ballad/rocker using the traditional U2 house sound. Would fit in on almost any U2 album. ****
Last Night on Earth - Rolling Stones-like blues guitar riff to start this one off, but here comes the dance beat. Love the “you got to give it away” build up into the chorus. Nice bridge work. ***
Gone - Very screechy to start, it then settles into a nice bass groove. Exceptional vocal work. Definitely a possibility that I could fall in love with it the more I hear it. ***
Miami - Bono’s vocals and a bunch of electronica that doesn’t work in the least. Miami screams at the end make it almost unlistenable. *
The Playboy Mansion - Interesting pop culture reference song. Actually like the music, leans towards an almost blues feel, the weak lyrics just seem out of place with it. **
If You Wear That Velvet Dress - Starts off atmospheric and the Lou Reed style spoken lyric delivery makes another appearance. Becomes a little more musical in the second 1/3 of the song. **
Please - Buried deep into the second album, but it shouldn’t be. Maybe the best song on the album, with the perfect mix of dance/U2 they were going for on this album. Powerful chorus, sung with true pain/conviction. ****
Wake Up Dead Man - Far from a toe tapper, but has something going for it. I hear a “Western” movie in it for some reason. ***
37 stars out of twelves songs is an average of 3.08 for the album. This album is definitely one to put in the rotation more frequently as Please, Gone and If God Will Send Us His Angels have strong potential to fall in love with even further upon heavier listening.
Originally posted by KieranU2:[..]
Okay, Pitchfork, I will never trust another review of yours again. Gone & Last Night on Earth three stars, Velvet Dress two stars?! All because the track is a little caustic (which is why it's great, by the way)? Come on, man.
Originally posted by JimmyMac91:[..]
Kieran...my reviews aren't to be trusted...more to be mocked and laughed at
Originally posted by zooropa93:The 1991-2000 versions of discotheque and gone were poor. Single versions of Please, God Will and Last Night are better than album versions
Originally posted by popmarter:[..]
The Single version of Please is much better and complete with a great guitar solo from Edge and the live version on the PopHeart EP is epic as is the live acoustic version of Staring at the Sun which is even better on Artificial Horizon.
Discoteque, Gone ,and Mofo are the best song's on the album
