U2start.com | NLOTH: General discussion thread #2

Originally posted by MWSAH:[..]

Haha..well, I see you already didn't count GOYB. It indeed feels short..I have the same 'problem'.

Me too, it goes so fast..

blink

16 years

really, I had the feeling it was quite long

RememberEveryMoment

16 years

No Line On The Horizon
Great ambient opener, this version lasts longer than the B-side version on the Get On Your Boots single. It’s not their best album opener ever; Where The Streets Have No Name, Zooropa and Zoo Station are better although I have to admit that it’s actually quite impossible to beat the almighty Streets. No Line On The Horizon is still a very strong song with a good riff (The Fly’ish). Better than Vertigo (as a opener, they should have picked City Of Blinding Lights as How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb’s openings song), Discotheque, and possibly (not sure yet) better than the openers of the first three albums. I rate this the same as Beautiful Day and A Sort Of Homecoming. 7/10

Magnificent
Ah, here is where the magic begins. Great intro. The song has a little Euro Vision character, but it’s not unpleasant in any way. This will be a killer live. The ‘Only Love’ chorus is very addictive and the verses are pretty cool too. Edge picked up some 80’s U2 for this song.
Lovely. 9/10

Moment Of Surrender
This album’s One? I like it better than the album version of One though. It contains one of the best lyrics of the album: ‘I did not notice the passers-by - And they did not notice’ is only one example of the very strong lyrics of this song. Bono isn’t singing actually, it’s halfway shouting and saying for the biggest part of the song. Totally unexpected if you hear the intro, but it works out very well. Great outro and solo by Edge. Could be the best song on the album, not sure yet. It’s a grower. 8/10

Unknown Caller
Opens with whistling birds… Fez? Was this meant to fill the first seconds of Breathe? Sounds like a happy song, great riff by the guitarist and a good solo at 2/3 of the song. Fits right after the overwhelming Moment Of Surrender. 7/10

I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight
Sounds like a leftover from All That You Can’t Leave Behind with a Pop-twist. Love the singing, and especially the ‘baby baby baby, I know I’m not alone’ part.
The song misses a great groovy riff though. Still very catchy, but could be their least. 7-/10

Get On Your Boots
Big bang. Song sounds out of place on this album, feels like someone just banged on your head while sleeping. Still a good song and it really continues were Vertigo stopped. Same sort of riff and singing. 6.5/10

Stand Up Comedy
I love (‘love love love love love’) this song. Heavy riff that reminds me of Led Zeppelin. Pretty weird singing, but it works again. Chorus is addictive (again), great solo while Bono is singing ‘God is love – And love is evolution's very best day’ ‘Come on you people, we’re made of stars’ sounds incredible. If they get this right it will be a killer live. 8/10. Stand Up For Rock Stars!

FEZ/Being Born
Masterpiece this is. FEZ is a great intro to a great song with has a huge bassline (or is it Edge as a second layer – oh, it’s both) and a typical Edge-riff. Little lyrics, but this is a healing song. I love how Being Born kicks in. Great melody. Not far behind from Breathe, this song. Don’t think they can play this live. The most experimental song on the album. Reminds me a little of Zooropa. 9/10

White As Snow
Mentioned by Bono as their most intimate song (ever). Beginning sounds a bit dull but when the song continues it ends up in a good ballad. Still a grower and can’t say that much of it actually.
Once I knew there was a love divine
Then came a time I thought it knew me not
Who can forgive forgiveness when forgiveness is not?
Only the land as white as snow
Great. Instrumental very strong.
7/10

Breathe
Wow. This song has everything in it. Great intro with a simple drum loop and suddenly Edge kicks in with a great riff. Uptempo singing, which continues during the whole song but bores no second. Great piano part in it, too. Chorus sounds Beatles’ish. ‘Walk Out In The Street’ great, I love this song. Ah, cello parts. Monster solo by Edge in my left ear while Bono is singing the last verse in my right ear. The whole band is on fire here. Song ends with Edge, Larry and Adam on fire, while Bono wisely shuts his mouth. Yep, this is my number one right now. 10/10

Cedars Of Lebanon
One of their best closers. At least as good as Mothers Of The Dissapeared and Love Is Blindness. ‘Return the call to home’. Wow. Makes me feel like I’m in the U2 church.
‘I’m here, cause I don’t wanna go home’. On the background there are people whispering words I can’t understand and every word that Bono says hits the full score. Little solo by Edge but so perfect. Song ends abruptly. 10/10

Overall
Never thought they could make an album like this actually. And it’s not what I expected either, but as Bono says: ‘People expect a lot from U2 but they never get what they expect’. Certainly true. This album is their third masterpiece, and when it grows further on me I would possibly rate it higher than Joshua Tree or Achtung Baby as their best (not my favourite).

RememberEveryMoment

16 years

Originally posted by Remy:Fangroup 1: 'Please no more ATYCLB or HTDAAB stuff, get some new stuff!'
Fangroup 2: 'Please get back to ATYCLB or HTDAAB'

U2 will lose fans, and win fans on this one, I don't care by the way

Well actually I'm between the two groups. I love ATYCLB to death but dislike HTDAAB. And new stuff is always welcome

Doc32

16 years

Originally posted by dieder:No Line On The Horizon
possibly (not sure yet) better than the openers of the first three albums. I rate this the same as Beautiful Day and A Sort Of Homecoming. 7/10

Not to be picky but the opener to War is Sunday Bloody Sunday. Love the review though

flowerchild

16 years

Originally posted by dieder:
I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight
Sounds like a leftover from All That You Can’t Leave Behind with a Pop-twist. Love the singing, and especially the ‘baby baby baby, I know I’m not alone’ part.
The song misses a great groovy riff though. Still very catchy, but could be their least. 7-/10

nice review

and concerning the 'baby baby baby' part in I'll go crazy, I always expect it to end '... light my way'

lol.

MoFoNYR15

16 years

Now I know why Bono ner overdubbed his voice! Thats the main problem I have. His voice is fine as a single track with Edge backing him. Hopefully without the headphones I wont notice as much.

yeah

16 years