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  1. Originally posted by Zooropean:This is a solid piece of work and the band seem pleased with the results (for a change). I find the overall tone of the album to be "loss of inocence" which is captured perfectly in the lyrics of some songs.

    Bono sounds in great shape, so the band should reward us with a studio version of Miss Sarajevo as played on recent tours

    As for reviews, I try to ignore them. If the reviewer was once in a band and experienced the process of coming up with an album then fair enough, they have an insight. Otherwise its just an opinion really.

    Speaking of Bono being in great shape, check out that falsetto in Sleep Like a Baby Tonight! Bono hasn't displayed that sort of range since Lemon. The fact he can still pull it off now is impressive in its own regard.
  2. i gotta say i thought the falsetto was shit, he really struggles with the notes, worst part of an otherwise terrific, terrific song
  3. Originally posted by dylbagz:i gotta say i thought the falsetto was shit, he really struggles with the notes, worst part of an otherwise terrific, terrific song

    Agree. The falsetto isn't nailed at all in the studio version... So I hope he doesn't try doing it live, it would be brutal
  4. Originally posted by LikeASong:[..]

    Agree. The falsetto isn't nailed at all in the studio version... So I hope he doesn't try doing it live, it would be brutal

    +1

    Listened to the whole thing again straight through last night - amazing how much difference a couple of days made to my take on it. Also giving oneself the chance to lose yourself in the sounds makes such a difference.

    Still some minor reservations (mainly wanting Edge to really let rip), but am now inclined to rank it amongst the best they've done since AB/Zooropa. If nothing else, I don't think there's a weak song in the entire album - some stand above the rest, but I think it all feels very tied together, much more so than, say, NLOTH or HTDAAB. Definitely agree that an entire DM-produced piece would have perhaps been even better, but as it is, a solid effort that's grown immensely quickly on me.
  5. Originally posted by dylbagz:i gotta say i thought the falsetto was shit, he really struggles with the notes, worst part of an otherwise terrific, terrific song

    You don't think they left it on purpose? The vocals are pretty raw through out the song, especially with the effect on his voice. think it actually fits perfect. I'm sure they all knew it wasn't nailed.
  6. Maybe it's meant to mimic crying or something. There are parts on this album where Bono hits falsetto perfectly fine that aren't far off from this one. I like the idea that it's meant to sound broken, and it hasn't bothered me. I'm glad Bono is still shooting for the moon with his vocals and hasn't gone all baritone on us
  7. Doesn't bother me at all.
  8. Originally posted by RattleandHum1988:Maybe it's meant to mimic crying or something. There are parts on this album where Bono hits falsetto perfectly fine that aren't far off from this one. I like the idea that it's meant to sound broken, and it hasn't bothered me. I'm glad Bono is still shooting for the moon with his vocals and hasn't gone all baritone on us

    I thought it sounded a bit like a church choir... I don´t know, I concluded it has to do with the theme of the song.

    Just got back from a camping trip... No internet... Can´t believe I missed all of this.

    After three listens, it´s a great and cohesive album: 7/10. Very very solid songs. I really like how the album goes towards the end. On the otherside, I didn´t quite like The Miracle as much as I like the rest of the tracks and I think I haven´t decided if they tried too hard.

    I just hope they keep the Songs of Experience plan, but I am a bit insecure... The reviews I´ve read are either really good (Rolling Stone) or really bad (Pitchfork). I think I´m somewhere inbetween

    I also think that all this crazy stunt for the release might dim out the songs...
  9. I'm not happy in the end with this album.
    There's 5 tracks that made it into my 500+ mix playlist which I run on shuffle on my iPhone, which contains "fave songs and some more, good for pushing away the traffic sounds".

    I really tried it. But I catch myself everytime that from track 6-7 on I totally loose focus and interest and it just blurps down on its own in the background. The last track even makes me sleepy and depressive. Plus: I don't like female voices, so that finally ruins everything that might have been in that song for me.

    Usually I really like U2's mixing of styles but there's too many tracks for me, where the styles don't fit each other. There's a nice, even great chorus - and then the verse is just so damn low and uninteresting in sound that even a dropping water-tap far in the bathroom distracts me and pulls me away.
    So many parts where Bono is def trying TO HARD to gain whatever - it's not even the high notes as such, but also kinda "pressing" in his voice, like "I have to sing that now though I don't want to".
    Lucky me I didn't spot Chris Martin so far - probably he's part of those parts I loose focus on.

    Yeah, it's probably their most personal record and for once again pinning his heart out onto a billboard Bono has my fullest respect and there are truly some great lines on that record. But if the wrapping doesn't fit the content and makes it look (sound) wrong, the topic doesn't help it. To me, at least.

    Edge's really doing some great stuff on this record, you can hear his happiness in playing rough riffs and kinda different styles (and there's 1-2 tracks where I'm really looking forward seeing Edge playing them live), but not even this can convince the other 6 tracks to me. Maybe a live or acoustic rendition can save another track or two from totally getting banned from my U2 catalog.
    Adam has a big part on the album, thumbs up for him. But then again there's moments, where it's just too much of drum and bass.

    I don't feel like the rest of the album will grow on me. Those 5 tracks I already put into my shuffle list might be runner ups in a few months or so on my U2 playlist, but the rest I feel like I better leave them where they are.

    It's just the way it is. I don't need to force myself to love this album as much as I love others. This album just contains sounds and lines that I simply cannot connect to in any way, and I surely can live with it. Other fans can't. Unfortunately.

    Additionally: The fact Apple forced the album onto every itunes device (that hasn't been disabled on auto downloads etc.) pushes the music itself way out of focus and the band created at least as much new U2 haters as they created new fans, maybe even more haters and fueled the arms of those haters that are already there and as a U2 fan you again have to defense yourself for that Sure it's a trick releasing it that way, but it also brings many probs to the band. And us in some way.
  10. I downloaded the photos from the RMP page, and the photoshoot images are from 2&20 October 2013, the album sleeve from August 20th 2014 and the single artwork from september 5th 2014
  11. Originally posted by dieder:I downloaded the photos from the RMP page, and the photoshoot images are from 2&20 October 2013, the album sleeve from August 20th 2014 and the single artwork from september 5th 2014

    Still admirable they could keep it a real secret until the very end, especially considering how many people would've been in on it!
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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.
U2start is run by fans for fans. Help us reduce personal costs. Consider to make a donation to support us.