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  1. I'm already there - and gone!

    Hartford (2006-05-13)

    This one starts out the same way as Toronto 1 – “Severed Hand,” “World Wide Suicide,” “Life Wasted” (all three are solid) and “Marker in The Sand” (not as good). Once again, I think the intro to “Severed Hand” works very well to open a show. Unfortunately, when they play this one first there’s is almost no chance you’ll be hearing songs like “Oceans” or “Long Road” that night.

    A usually upbeat version of “Hail, Hail” follows but it’s “Animal” that is the highlight so far. Omitted from the two Toronto shows as well as Albany, it makes a grand entrance to the tour - LOTS of energy on this one. “Dissident” is the second of two straight Vs songs and as good/classic a song as it is, it doesn’t follow the pulsating “Animal” very well. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great song but I just think that it works better after something a bit more subdued.

    “Unemployable” is played next. No further comment.

    Now...let’s go.....the two big ones from Vitalogy make an appearance – very solid performances in both “Corduroy” and “Better Man.” I’m sure many fans (both casual and hardcore) really appreciate hearing these numbers at this point.

    The two “returnees” from Ten, “Garden” and “Why Go” are next and they are placed very well in the set. However, one thing I’ve realized is that as great as “Garden” is, I don’t really like the pounding 2006 intro to it. I prefer the quiet start is gets nowadays.

    An awesome version of “I Got Id” follows and really keeps the momentum going while changing the style of the music at the same time. The obligatory “Even Flow” is next – I like EV’s call out, “Red Rover, Red Rover, let Michael McCready take over” before MM’s solo. MM continues to show off his skills (both as a guitar player AND as a song writer) with “Inside Job.” I like the position of this song in the setlist.

    With the main set winding down, you can’t go wrong with “Black” and “RVM” to close. It’s always great to hear these two and I didn’t realize how long they were actually played – I just let myself listen to and enjoy the band members work together as a unit.

    The main set ends and at this point, it’s the best of the four shows so far. Unfortunately, the encores did quite maintain the same standard.

    EV picks away at his guitar until he remembers how to play “I’m Open.” I can’t say that I was “excited” to hear this one but it is in line with them trying to play more of their back catalogue in this tour and it’s nice they brought it, I suppose.

    The somewhat subdued mood continues with “Sleight of Hand,” one of the lesser known tracks from Binaural. I would gather only (some/many) of the diehard fans would have enjoyed this one. Casual fans would likely find this one a bit dull, as do I. I’ll say no more a I know that you like this one, Ed.

    EV announces that they are moving from “first to fifth gear” and they rip into ... “Comatose.” Not the song that I was hoping for. Maybe if they had played “Do the Evolution” instead (which is played next), the show would have regained some of the earlier momentum.

    EV begins the second encore by i) stating that the band didn’t play enough songs during the first encore and ii) introducing the band. He assigns various political positions to each member (Bono tends to do this kind of thing quite frequently with the members of U2 – the Rose Bowl DVD comes to mind). Oddly enough, it’s only 2006 (and they’re not in Chicago) but he states that Boom is the band’s Barack Obama - interesting, if anything.

    When they get around to playing music again, they rip into “Go” – awesome! That’s four of the heavy hitters from Vs on this night and I like it.

    Unfortunately, the curfew or something must be coming into effect soon as they don’t seem to play any longer than normal and finish with a rather “typical” finish of “Alive,” “RITFW” and “Yellow Ledbetter.” Great tunes, ho hum positioning. The crowd eats it up anyway – I’m sure I would have too if I was in attendance.

    Highlights: Animal, Corduroy, Better Man, Black, RVM, and Go (I’m stuck in the 1990’s)

    Overall Rating: Four Stars
  3. Interesting article Matt,and that was a solid review of Hartford.......looks as if U2 have been in the studio since 360 ended..say Aug/Sept '11 ?..I was not aware of them being in the studio for that length of time.Kinda nervous about Danger Mouse producing my boys....this month is my 30th anniversary as a fan of U2.I still have my New Years Day 45 single..must getting old huh..lol

    As far as PJ...I wont even go into one of my rants..it is what it is...I will hope for the best,but prepare for no new material....
  4. i come some months after for the 30th anniversary hehe
    about the producer of U2 .. i think that among all the names made in the last years (will i am .. redone.. guetta..) the mouse should be the less danger hehe ... he already produced some interesting stuff.
    my dream for Butch Vig, Jack Endino, Brendan O'Brien or Steve Albini to produce the boys is going to remain in my bedroom hehehe

    (like i said i'll read the review after i write mine : )
  5. My U2 fan-dom began in 1987, so I guess I'm on year 26.

    PJ started in 1992 so last year was my own PJ20. That said, we a a bit of a separation from 2000 to 2006. We've made amends, however.
  6. You made up for it Matt....lol

    I think (hope) U2's next release is more in line with Bomb..straight up like Vertigo,Crumbs and Love & Peace....same goes for the next tour.I dont think they can top the spectacle that was 360..and it was a spectacle,as well as extraodinary I admit........just break it down,and go back to arena',s and couple of video screens...the basic's...

    (I know this is PJs topic space,but this is a U2 site..so Id imagine, U2 can be talked about anywhere on here ..LOL)
  7. Originally posted by clover68:i come some months after for the 30th anniversary hehe
    about the producer of U2 .. i think that among all the names made in the last years (will i am .. redone.. guetta..) the mouse should be the less danger hehe ... he already produced some interesting stuff.
    my dream for Butch Vig, Jack Endino, Brendan O'Brien or Steve Albini to produce the boys is going to remain in my bedroom hehehe

    (like i said i'll read the review after i write mine : )


    Your as old as me then... ..LOL

    I would welcome Lillywhite solo ..he recently went back to DMB,and the album is fantastic.He produced DMB's first 3 releases,as well as U2s....Eno/Lanios acted as if they were doing everything and leading the band (U2) around by their noses....some of Bombs best tracks were produced by Lillywhite I believe....we will see,maybe an October '13 release for U2,and a massive 2014 tour ??
  8. I didn't realize that Lillywhite was with DMB - interesting. Maybe PJ should give him a try.

    (I've finished both 2006 Chicago shows by the way - and a review for the first show.)
  9. Woa,slow down Matt....let me post Hartford today....
  10. Even when I get reviews done (assuming I maintain this pace - which is unlikely) I will not post the next one until the two of you have posted yours.

    That said, I think we have a five-star candidate coming up!
  11. Crap. I've already listened to Grand Rapids but haven't done a review of Chicago 2.
  12. Hartford,CT 05.13.06

    The big 3 open up.Severed Hand,WWS and LW.Solid way to showcase the new release.Ed's voice cracks more than once on WWS,other than that,they sound very good.

    They push it too far,and Marker drops the feel.Below average new tune = bathroom break,and another round of beers.

    Hail Hail picks things up.A solid rocker.The set would have flowed so much better without Marker.

    Animal (a personal fav of mine) is up.Its sounds good,but it doesnt have the fire of Lisbon,05.23.00.Dissident (another oldie that should be played more) sounds spot on.Mike doesnt flub the start,sounds very good.This could have been a really epic run.But it isnt.

    “Unemployable” is introduced as “an uplifting American number”. As you guys know,the hypocritical nature behind this song infuriates me.I have no problem with what the band are saying here.In 2006,the unemployment rate was crap.Hence this song.My problem here is simple.The unemployment rate since Obama took office has been at record lows,therefore,Ed (the hypocrite) stopped playing THIS SONG.Not because the song sucks (which it does),but because it isnt politically correct, to bash a liberal President.I hate that.Say what you want,and keep saying it.I would repect that.Pearl Jam actions are not consistent with their "claimed beliefs".That is weak and hypocritical.

    Corduroy picks this back up.The song gets a big cheer,and I would have been running back to my seat,beers in hand.

    Ed introduces “Better Man” saying “this is where you give Uncle Eddie a break”, and the crowd sings the entire first verse.It sounds good,but it just ends.No tag,no jam.Sounded rushed to me.

    Why Go is a great live tune.I love it,and this keeps the crowd well involved.Garden is next up,this is another favorite song of mine.This is a very short version.At 3.30,the songs ends before it can take off.Listen to Stockholm 06.28.00,then this version.There is no comparison.

    I Got Id keeps this great run going.Ed introduces the song by its real name “I Got Shit”, but says tonight it can be called “I Got Shit Tickets”. Interesting.

    Even Flow is played towards the end of the set.I like it here.The band jam it out.Mike goes ballistic on the solo as usual.

    Ed introduces “Inside Job” with “There will be some lasers on this song, so if you have something besides a cigarette to light, now would be the time.” This is one of the better songs off PJ.Really solid version *****

    The immortal Black follows Inside Job.They blend well together.Not much to say about Black.Its PJ best song IMO,and this is a great version We Belong Together tag,band are spot on.

    The fans are still singing the "do do do, do do do do " from Black,when RVM starts in.Its always a crowd pleaser.But as I have said in the past,its just too long.This version clock in at 10 full minuets.It should be moved earlier in the set as well.

    Good way to end the set though.This set was really very good.If you skip Unemployable,its an almost epic run from Hail Hail on.

    Encore 1

    Ed attempts to start playing “I’m Open” and stops, saying “I was gonna play something but I can’t remember how to play it”.He continues,and its a decent verion.The rare Sleight Of Hand makes an appearance.I really like this song,but it does not being in the encore.The band flub the start,and it sounds rusty.(If you want to hear a great version,listen to it from Oslo,Norway 06.29.00.)

    The loud,going nowhere fast Comatose is played.A below average new tune being forced on the crowd DURING THE ENCORE ?Terrible placement.Jeremy anyone ?

    The classic Evolution quickly picks things up.Solid version.But this is a short uninspired encore.

    Encore 2

    Great version of Go starts off the 2nd round of encores.Always love this one.They can open with it,close the main set,or put it in the encores.I love it.Mike riffing all over the place.Going off.Matt slamming the drums.

    Alive is next.Its classic Pearl Jam.No question,but its predictabliity in the encore has hurt this one over the years.Everyone knows it comming.How about closing a few sets with it ? Or playing it mid set,as they did in Europe 2000.

    RITFW is good.But Im sick of it.It bores me now,and is of course predictable.

    Ed thanks the crowd,thanking “right field, center field, left field, third base, short-stop, second base, first base. I guess we’re the catcher, so here’s the pitcher” and leads Mike to start “Yellow Ledbetter”.Yellow Ledbetter is of course a great tune,it just needs to be moved.This encore was lacking something,more classics I,d say.

    4 stars

    A solid main set,with both encores being a letdown.

    Highlights: BLACK, I Got Shit,Inside Job,Sleight Of Hand and Go
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U2start is run by fans for fans. Help us reduce personal costs. Consider to make a donation to support us.
U2start is run by fans for fans. Help us reduce personal costs. Consider to make a donation to support us.