Originally posted by WojBhoy:[..]
My bad Jeremy, I appreciate it was slightly out of tact.
Originally posted by haytrain:to each his own, i guess.....
i suppose we could say the same thing for the reviews, huh?
Originally posted by haytrain:[..]
I don't think there's anything wrong with that actually. I get where you're coming from. I want this album to be their best work ever, believe me I do. But that being said, these are people who have listened to the full album while most of us have only heard one single and a few beach clips or 30 second previews. Most of the reviews are positive, but when a negative one comes out, I don't think we can discredit it immediately and say the guy doesn't know what he's talking about.
Originally posted by MWSAH:If they say your girlfriend is plain ugly, you won't accept that either. That's called (and now it's getting cheesy) love for the band.
With having said that, I don't say criticasters don't love U2, but they will also tell their wife that a certain dress is horrible without saying 'Oh, lovely' without even looking.
Originally posted by haytrain:[..]
fairness or not, it still comes down to the critic/reviewer voicing his own opinions on what he sees or hears. can't fault a guy for having opinions, right?
Originally posted by MWSAH:If they say your girlfriend is plain ugly, you won't accept that either. That's called (and now it's getting cheesy) love for the band.
With having said that, I don't say criticasters don't love U2, but they will also tell their wife that a certain dress is horrible without saying 'Oh, lovely' without even looking.
Great comparison Originally posted by Yogi:But all the reviews of the world will be thrown in the Recycle Bin when album comes out.
Originally posted by WojBhoy:[..]
Have to disagree with that mate lol, just because the album proper will be released in under a month doesn't necessarily mean the reviews already made will be any different lol?
U2 - No Line On The Horizon
Review by Gernot Schödl (www.tribu2.at)
To write a review on a U2 album after you heard this once, is probably like trying the squaring of the circle. Therefore, the following are rather a few personal impressions from a man who spent a not insignificant period of his life on analyzing the music of the four Irish according under all rules of art.
"No Line On The Horizon" is like, sounds like, is reminiscent of ... NOTHING U2 have made so far. Not even "Achtung Baby", which may be disappointing for many fans, as many speculations on the eve of the album indicated that the follower of U2's masterpiece from the early 90s would have been found. You don't get into NLOTH on a first listen, and this is probably the most positive message, everything else would have been a disappointment. "Hits"? Sure, there are some, apparently, however, only 2-3 songs on this album fit in that drawer, the rest is waiting eagerly to be discovered. And that's good.
No Line On The Horizon
Grunge, hard rock, metal, etc., all this has been associated in advance, I would, however, do not spontaneously associate anything like this with the song. Admittedly, it lives by pushing semiquavers of guitar and bass that for U2 might sound hard. In reality it's an (over) produced track where Bono once more sings in the highest register in order to unwind his soul there. The pushing stanzas lead seamlessly into a quieter chorus. With the exception of a brief coda, the song is just verses and choruses, embedded in a lot of electronics. Brian Eno has left his signature on the first song already and is gonna do that more often.
Magnificent
Also no surprise - this is the "catchy" of the album and definitely a single. This song stays in the ear after the first hearing and captivates with a great chorus ( "Only love can leave such a mark"). It begins with gentle synth sounds, then develops quickly into an almost familiar U2 anthem. Somehow you know this song, although it has yet to be heard. Maybe because the guitar melody of the choruses is known from the "Million Dollar Hotel" ?
Yes, Daniel Lanois is definitely present here. It probably will have its place alongside all the other U2 classics. A short instrumental part, then a short slide-guitar solo, but otherwise dominated by the traditional verse-chorus pattern. Also here is the motto - less is more. And it does not need more for a great U2 song. Let's look forward to hear this live ...!
Moment Of Surrender
Here's Brain Eno feat. U2. Passengers Part 2? No. Adam's bass line, Bono's soul voice that drifts in "unsingable" heights and large choruses make this one an impressive soul experiment. Fascinating as the whole album will be how to the choirs will be implemented live. A short instrumental intermediate part, a brief attempt at a blues solos, but otherwise - Soul Meets Electronics. Nothing more to say - just to listen.
Unknown Caller
We hear at this point for the first time the all too familiar-sounding guitar delay from Edge. This is also a hallmark of the new album - who is waiting for the usual signature sounds of guitars will at least not widely find them. Rather sporadically used, but concise as on this number, that is defined by a great chorus. Again, more than 2 votes are at work, albeit not polyphonically. A big plus is also the beginning of the song, which virtually evokes a sunrise in your mind. Here, too, shows again the strength of the producers, to evoke images in the minds of the listener , as when Bono sings "I was lost between the midnight and the Dawning.". All in all a great song with a great outro that includes a church organ and a minimalistic guitar solo.
I'll go crazy if I do not go crazy tonight
If you're searching for singles, here is one. A pleasing song, but still not trivial, with a memorable chorus. We will therefore probably see a video and hear it on the radio. Strikingly, the coda, that recalls polka or something else danceable U2 and polka? No, do not worry, but definitely one of the catchy numbers of the album.
Get on your boots
Some hate it, others love it - at least almost all know it. One can be curious about the live implementation as the track lives by it's percussive elements, especially during the verses. Yes, U2 have dared something with releasing it as a single. And probably on purpose. The Fly has set a mark, and Boots is doing that, too - albeit a very different one.
Stand up comedy
A highlight of the album. Why? Because it's something definitely not yet heard by U2. 70s rock, musical number in the style of "Hair" and even a little touch of funk ... all attributes that one can not necessarily associate with U2 but would apply here. This should be a live highlight. It is important to emphasize the line "Stop helping god across the road like a little old lady." What does Bono want to tell us
Fez - Being born
Much electronics to begin with, and references to other songs of the album (eg "Let me in the sound" of GOYB). The track has a rolling beat and cool programming. Again, Master Eno probably intensely involved, and this is fun. Definitely a song with great innovative potential.
White as snow
So, there is a winter landscape, and in cold periods- it is best to stay in the warm bed. And the listener has the feeling to be there immediately. One number to sleep, like the bland "One Step Closer" on the last album. Good night.
Breathe
Bono trying not to sound like Bono. Does it work? A little Stones, a little early REM, a bit ... not Bono anyway. Ah yes, here she was again the guitar that, at some points we have almost missed. Here it is again dominant, although not in the familiar style. U2 trying once more to re-invent themselves ( "Every day I die again, and again I'm reborn)".
Cedars Of Lebanon
A highlight of the album and a strong Closer. Again, Bono who doesn't want to sound like Bono - here he succeeds much better than on Breathe. A quiet song that kidnaps the listener into a world away. The "Grace" of the album, albeit a bit more complex.
For the whole album - much attention has been paid to the arrangements of the songs. The question remains how they're gonna transport these arrangements and instruments into a live setting.
Conclusion:
It is exciting how these songs will sound live. To reproduce what they have created, it will need more than four musicians and their instruments. What remains is the feeling to look forward to the tracks, although - after the first listen - they don't inspire. A good feeling.
Originally posted by yeah:Another one from a guitar player in a U2 tribute band.
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