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  1. Originally posted by ahn1991:I'd say that listening to the albums always sounds refreshing because we're inundated with so many live versions (thank goodness for that!) that sometimes it's hard to go back and listen to a song as it sounds on an album.

    Also, I can't see the parallels between NLOTH and Pop. Pop is a really moody album to me. Every time I listen to it, I'm always hit with a different feeling. Sometimes I get super absorbed in Gone, Please, and Staring At The Sun, while other times I can't stand the sound of Mofo. I will admit that my opinions of the album have improved significantly since my first listen, but it's taking an awful long time for me to warm up to it. I honestly feel like this is a direct effect of me being a teenager during their ATYCLB and HTDAAB era. There have been many studies showing that people develop and solidify their musical tastes during the early to mid teens, which is why older fans miss U2's older material and I am adamant about ATYCLB being their best work.

    Nice post!
  2. There is a freshness on SOI that was missing from NLOTH. Went back this morning and listened to NLOTH and while there are some great tracks (MOS, Magnificient & Unknown Caller) there is a sense that the tracks feel forced at times. Can't explain it but with SOI there is just an energy, spark, excitement (I don't know the word I'm looking for) that was lacking with NLOTH. To JuJuman's point about the album being very sad there are sad moments on SOI as well (Iris for one) but leaves you with a feeling of hope and optimism. I believe that U2 has finally achieved what I think they have been trying at for some time. Delivering an album that is greater than the sum of its parts.
  3. Originally posted by AMLBONO:There is a freshness on SOI that was missing from NLOTH. Went back this morning and listened to NLOTH and while there are some great tracks (MOS, Magnificient & Unknown Caller) there is a sense that the tracks feel forced at times. Can't explain it but with SOI there is just an energy, spark, excitement (I don't know the word I'm looking for) that was lacking with NLOTH. To JuJuman's point about the album being very sad there are sad moments on SOI as well (Iris for one) but leaves you with a feeling of hope and optimism. I believe that U2 has finally achieved what I think they have been trying at for some time. Delivering an album that is greater than the sum of its parts.

    I completely agree Indeed, the NLOTH songs sounded forced at times. And yes, while there are sad moments on SOI, the overall impression is indeed one of energy, spark and excitement. I agree: SOI has depth too; it's not just a collection of synths and easy choruses.

    It reminds me a little of Mylo Xyloto. But with much better songs overall, and less overblown too.

    Some 80's nostalgia on SOI too (e.g. on Iris); but not of the U2 80's - rather, of what U2 were avoiding at the time This is yet another element in common with Broken Bells, who breathe 80's nostalgia...
  4. with NLOTH one has to think about "what could have been"... Pop was pure experiment but No Line is only half way there, still a great album but all the "radio friendly" pop songs just don't fit in

    they probably won't play many NLOTH songs on the next tour but they didn't even play songs from HTDAAB during 360 (only 2) so i think it will be similar situation
  5. Originally posted by Release3:There are talks of NLOTH on various threads, so I wanted to put my opinion of it on here. It's an amazing album. The first 5 songs are incredible. The album, however, starts losing momentum in a tremendous way after Get On Your Boots. The second half of that album is very plain, and meh. I really like White as Snow and Fez, Breathe is another legit favorite along with the first 5 songs, but overall it seems like they lost track of what they wanted to do half way through recording. Idk, just my two cents.


    Originally posted by LikeASong:The only thing actually lacking about NLOTH are the concept (similar to what you say) and the Morocco sound&feel in my opinion. It's still a very good album besides the GOYB mess. It has 3 of the best songs U2 have produced after the change of the decade (aka Moment Of Surrender, Breathe, Fez/Being Born) and three other great songs that are really above average (title track, Unknown Caller, Cedars Of Lebanon). Magnificent, Go Crazy, White and Cedars are average but still very good (specially Cedars). It's a really strong album and probably the last time ever we'll hear the band taking an experimental route.
  6. I knew I would love this album when it wasn't their current release. Now that this is the case, I really do love it. Because it's off the hook, not on trial so to speak. They don't have to defend it. They described it recently as esoteric, which is a great term for it. It's a U2 album that primarily is catered and cared for by U2 fans. Even songs like Boots and Stand Uo, which I struggled with, I find enjoying them immensely.

    For me, the only way I listen to it now is with the Linear tracklist. It works so much better and actually flows. The segment of No Line through Boots is great. Unknown Caller is a far better opener in my opinion and I love the quiet of Winter and White as Snow. MOS also works better towards the end next to Cedars. The official tracklist feels jumbled and awkward, but I get what they were going for. I've been listening to it almost non stop since the first leg came to an end. It also makes SOI feel like a veil was lifted and they reemerged brand new and naked in their approach this time around.

    Context is everything and within this context I think this album stands up very tall.
  7. I also think it's one of the rare occasions where the studio versions of the song work better than the live ones
  8. NLOTH was a great album, but it's too bad we were too stupid to realize it until 5 years later.
  9. Originally posted by thefly07:

    For me, the only way I listen to it now is with the Linear tracklist. It works so much better and actually flows...The official tracklist feels jumbled and awkward, but I get what they were going for. I've been listening to it almost non stop since the first leg came to an end.


    I actually haven't listened to it in this order since I first watched Linear but have been looking for a way to "rediscover" NLOTH now that we have a break before leg 2 starts. Thanks for the reminder and idea!
  10. Originally posted by bpt3:[..]


    I actually haven't listened to it in this order since I first watched Linear but have been looking for a way to "rediscover" NLOTH now that we have a break before leg 2 starts. Thanks for the reminder and idea!
    I always do the vinyl for this one. It was made for vinyl, man... listen to it on the turntable and it'll give a whole new perspective.
  11. I still disagree. I never listen to it.

    Fez-Being Born is still a diamond in the rough, but the rest of it sounds like U2 getting close to experimenting but chickening out. The result is a haphazard kind of mess of standard U2 rock fare and weird stuff that doesn't really fit or mean anything.
  12. Like Edge said... its an album for true fans.
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