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  2. I've been a fan of U2 since 1984; so, like some other reviewers, I have a particular fondness for that period of U2's music. At the same time though, one of the things I really love about U2 is their reinvention and constant desire to stretch the boundaries of their music.

    That's maybe why I was a bit let down by HTDAAB. It had some great songs; but lacked that inventiveness we all expect & want from a new U2 record. But I digress.

    I've listened to GOYB now 30+ times. My initial reaction was good - liked the main guitar riff, the drums & the bass also. Not so sure about the singing - a bit high in tone & fast in pace, which I think will be hard for Bono to translate to the live setting, at least without a few hiccups along the way. I wouldn't have the same concerns with the rest of the band though - I'm pretty sure they'll cook up a stomping live version!!

    Anyway, the drum playing is solid without being too inventive and comparisons to John Bonham are still off the mark - Larry is way too much of a background drummer than that; but what's really impressive about the drums is their sound - you can really tell both Eno & Lanois have been hard at work here from a sonic point of view; and you can also hear the electronic drums coming in during the "Let me hear the sound" bridge towards the end of the song - this part really references "When the levee breaks" from a drumming point of view, which is all good, and the use of the electronic drums really works well here - particularly the high-hat part.

    Led Zeppelin & 70s hard-rock influences abound elsewhere also, particulary in Edge's guitar playing which starts off with yet another great, yet simple riff - one of those that makes you think "why couldn't I come up with that?"; but then again that's the genius of the Edge - I'm sure he comes up with these transcendent riffs over his breakfast at this stage!! He also produces some trademark shimmer notes, and scratches across the strings a la Vertigo in the verses; so, overall - 10 out of 10 for the Edge.

    Not much to add in terms of Adams bass playing - it's great throughout and really forward in the mix, so you can see that they've thought about the sonics of the songs a lot. Also, even though great attention has been paid to the production of the song, it still doesn't feel over-produced or polished, which, to be honest, was a worry of mine when I heard they pushed back the release from last year.

    So, overall:

    Drums: solid playing, nice intro and good mix of live & electronic drums; great production also.

    Vocals: fast & pacey; could be hard to sing live night-after-night?

    Lyrics: won't be remembered as being particularly strong in the U2 canon. Too much of a mish-mash of ideas and you can tell that these came after the music as they so often do with Bono. "You don't know how beautiful you are" will be a great one to sing along to though in a live setting. Same goes for the "Let me hear the sound" bridge.

    Guitar: brilliant riff, trademark notes, some weird & funky "scratching" sounds at the start during the "Sexy Boots" bit; but could perhaps have done with more of a crescendo-type finish / solo even? Love the "squiggly" bits done in time with the "Get on your boots" chorus-call at the end though.

    Bass: class - turn it up loud!!

    8 / 10 - a great precursor to the album!!

  3. Don't think it's 'sing along' or catchy enough for a lead single. Bono is a little bit too high and I think the structure between chorus and verse is a bit all over the place.

    I do however like the heaviness, the pace, the rhythmn and the drumming.

    It's no indicator for me as to whats coming in the new album though.
  4. Guitar: Really good, a nice Vertigo-like riff.
    Bass: I love this bass, sounds like Love And Peace Or Else and it will rock in live.
    Drums: Nothing special, the drums are like what we expect from Larry.
    Vocals: Bono has a wonderful voice and he uses it very well.
    Lyrics: Erm ... not so good. There's some good lines, but it didn't catch me. But that's not a big problem, just think about Vertigo.

    Overall: I like this song, this is a very good song, but not for a first single for a new album. Don't want to be the black sheep, but ... they have worked on THIS for one and a half year?
  5. Originally posted by germcevoy:Don't think it's 'sing along' or catchy enough for a lead single. Bono is a little bit too high and I think the structure between chorus and verse is a bit all over the place.

    I do however like the heaviness, the pace, the rhythmn and the drumming.

    It's no indicator for me as to whats coming in the new album though.


    True, it's a very chaotic song. Sounds fresh and funky however.
  6. Originally posted by germcevoy:Don't think it's 'sing along' or catchy enough for a lead single. Bono is a little bit too high and I think the structure between chorus and verse is a bit all over the place.

    I do however like the heaviness, the pace, the rhythmn and the drumming.

    It's no indicator for me as to whats coming in the new album though.


    Well put. I love it musically, but I m still not convinced about the lyrics or the vocals.
  7. Allright here is my analysis after a couple of listens (around 50 I think)

    I tried to think of previous songs with which I can compare this song, but I can't. It's completely new. Edge guitar is heavily influenced by Jack White, and I think that's a blessing. The guitar during the verses sounds a bit like Zoo Station. And the chorus with 'You don't know how...' sounds to me like Queen, and it sounds great but I don't wanna think of Queen actually. I dislike that band. The drums sounds so weird but very cool, this must be a result of the electronic drum kit of Larry. And Adam is presented very well too, but as always it doesn't spring in the ears but it's indispensable. Bono's voice sounds in a good shape and I actually like the high parts.

    Overall it sounds to me as Achtung Baby in the 21th century. A great, modern rocksong. I'm very curious how they are gonna play it live. It can become a killer and I think they will find a way to rock the roof of the stadiums. Now I'm curious of the live performance in February.


  8. Yes that's it. It sounds like their newest album "The Cosmos Rocks".
    They wanted to do a real good song, but they didn't managed to do.
  9. I have heard it two times off U2.com and I have to say there are some hints of Jack White, Vertigo, Zoo-Station which I believe is a good thing. This album will be I think a more light/darker Achtung Baby. This first single is definitely very promising but I don't know how they will be able to play all of it live. The hip-hop drumming live I hope goes over better then when Dave Matthews Band performed the Stand Up songs live for the first time four years ago. I can also see people singing along with this one with the chorus. Maybe I'll listen more to it on the site now.
  10. My first intention when I first heard this one: WTF I never expected this kind of song. It really reminds me of Pop.

    After a few listens I can conclude that this is a good song, a real grower indeed. That bass and rums are one of the best I heard in a while. Imagine that awesome bassline to be played live Not so sure about the lyrics, although the song has great lines. And Edge is as always decent.

    I'm also happy that this one isn't a standard single. I don't think it will be played on radiostations like the Dutch SkyRadio or Q-Music radio stations. So the song probably will not be killed by overplaying (like Coldplay's Viva La Vida was killed, I heard it all day long here).
    Still strange they took this one to be released as their first single. But we haven't heard the whole album yet, so we can't decide as if this one was the best choice
  11. So, here comes my little "review". And before I start it: I like it. It's decent song. not spectacular but okay.
    Now to my observations (Keep in mind that it's always easier to point out what you don't like than to elaborate what you do like):

    - as I said a million times before: Bono's voice is a tiny bit too high for my taste
    - the "Hip Hop twist" sounds more like Queens "We will rock you" or Depeche Mode's "Rush"
    - all the "background" stuff sounds a lot like Coldplay's "Rainy Day" -> Eno heavily involved in both tracks
    - I'm curious about the live arrangement, there might be a good chance to hear Bono's guitar skills again
    - the way Bono's singing in the verses sounds a lot like "Wild Wild West" by The Escape Club
    - a little less of "alright now, yeah, hey" would have been good
    - they should have stopped the song at the 3.00 mark
    - the guitar sounds are great
    - how did they get Muse to do the chorus?
    - as mentioned before, to me that's Vertigo, Fast Cars, Daddy's gonna pay..., HMTMKMKM all packed in one track

    Nice evolution from Vertigo/Fast Cars - definitely a grower and one of these tracks where you'll explore something new on each listen. But then again, you could easily be bored with it pretty quickly.

    6/10
  12. My review :

    General: I like the song
    Bono: Not as bad as i expected. Sounds pretty good, but sometimes he goes a bit to high to my (and others i see) taste.
    Larry: Drums blew me away when I first listened it. Like Larry's work a lot.
    Adam: A decent effort by the bassman. Remembers me of POP a lot.
    Edge: Very good backup vocals. Good riff. Maybe a bit to repetive. But hasn't really bothered me.

    As other people noticed, there are a lot of layers. I listened to it this afternoon, and I am listening to it now. It sounds different every time I listen to it. Good song for background music as well.

    Sometimes I think to hear the 'industrial' soundeffects from Numb. And the other moment I hear Discotheque. But also a lot of similarites to Fast Cars. But sounds really fresh.

    Conclusion
    I like it better than Vertigo and put it on the same level as Beautiful Day. But it will take some time to appreciate the song. I loved the 20sec preview and the leaked riff, but today I've had multiple OMG's and WTF's! But in the end i like it a lot

    I dont think it is a good indicator for the album. Because we know there are a few longer songs and I dont think U2's singles are a good indicator for the album.

    One thing I know for sure... I can't wait until i have the album!
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Contribute to the U2 community with uploading photos or by telling us which shows you have visited.
Contribute to the U2 community with uploading photos or by telling us which shows you have visited.