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Printablesassybritches said: I think its a great record but i'm not surprised some people are not happy with it. I thought Zooropa and Pop were great records and I was very unsatisfied with All That You Can't... but my opinions on those three records were total opposite of the mainstream.
I realize others were involved but this record is definitely an Eno produced record and I think a lot of it is reminiscent of the Eno/Bowie collaborations in the 70s, yet with a very distinct U2 element along with current influences (ie, the arcade fire, white stripes). When the band said this cd didn't sound like anything U2 has done in the past, they were being very honest. It doesn't, and that means a lot of people will not know what to do with it. I think this is a record they will be simultaneously lauded for and critized for but I think it was necessary to stay relevant. An interesting observation is that people in my office who don't really get into U2 are liking this, as is a friend of mine who has zero U2 in her music collection (until last night, that is). This is hardly a record that sounds like a bunch of 50 year olds and for that they should be applauded. Some people will not like this and that's fine. The most important thing from an artistic standpoint is to remain excited and creative, evolving and changing over time. U2 has once again done that with this record and I'm thrilled with the results. Good, this is exactly what I wanted to hear about the new record. As much as I liked the last two albums, they definitely had a sense of "U2 playing it safe", and I think they took that about as far as they could. As time has gone on, the left-turns they've taken in their career have really stood out to me. Unforgettable Fire, coming off the heels of War is just a complete 180 in direction. Obviously, everyone mentions Achtung Baby as their great re-invention, but Zooropa really doesn't sound too similar to AB, and people overlook it. I've been waiting for an album along those lines. I didn't want to spoil the album, so I had my best friend (who is also a big U2 fan, although maybe not to the same level as myself) dowload it and tell me what he thought. He called me after the first listen and said that he really liked about 5 songs. Called me again today and said that the rest of the album is definitely growing on him. To me, that's the sign of a great album. I'm the first mammal to wear pants. | |
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Axchi696 said: sassybritches said: I think its a great record but i'm not surprised some people are not happy with it. I thought Zooropa and Pop were great records and I was very unsatisfied with All That You Can't... but my opinions on those three records were total opposite of the mainstream.
I realize others were involved but this record is definitely an Eno produced record and I think a lot of it is reminiscent of the Eno/Bowie collaborations in the 70s, yet with a very distinct U2 element along with current influences (ie, the arcade fire, white stripes). When the band said this cd didn't sound like anything U2 has done in the past, they were being very honest. It doesn't, and that means a lot of people will not know what to do with it. I think this is a record they will be simultaneously lauded for and critized for but I think it was necessary to stay relevant. An interesting observation is that people in my office who don't really get into U2 are liking this, as is a friend of mine who has zero U2 in her music collection (until last night, that is). This is hardly a record that sounds like a bunch of 50 year olds and for that they should be applauded. Some people will not like this and that's fine. The most important thing from an artistic standpoint is to remain excited and creative, evolving and changing over time. U2 has once again done that with this record and I'm thrilled with the results. Good, this is exactly what I wanted to hear about the new record. As much as I liked the last two albums, they definitely had a sense of "U2 playing it safe", and I think they took that about as far as they could. As time has gone on, the left-turns they've taken in their career have really stood out to me. Unforgettable Fire, coming off the heels of War is just a complete 180 in direction. Obviously, everyone mentions Achtung Baby as their great re-invention, but Zooropa really doesn't sound too similar to AB, and people overlook it. I've been waiting for an album along those lines. I didn't want to spoil the album, so I had my best friend (who is also a big U2 fan, although maybe not to the same level as myself) dowload it and tell me what he thought. He called me after the first listen and said that he really liked about 5 songs. Called me again today and said that the rest of the album is definitely growing on him. To me, that's the sign of a great album. to me this is pretty much along the same lines as ATYCLB or HTBAAB they just tried to make it more zooropa-like by putting many little ideas into the songs that would make them "left field" but to me the end result is an overproduced version of the last 2 albums that tries really hard to be Achtung Baby but ends up being neither as weirdly cool as that or as relaxed and at ease as the last two. i totally hope it will grow on me but i've listened to it four times completely now and it just doesn't jump out at me at all. it suffers a bit from the Zeitgeist (smashing pumpkins) syndrome of being too full of too much sound, which ends up making everything on the album sound the same, except for the real quiet bits which are like short pockets of relief from the pounding cacophany. as soon as the rush slows down things get interesting or at least your ears get a chance to pick up subtle nuances. sadly those are far and few between. my guess is that i'll be able to tackle this record best if i take the songs individually, one at a time, out of the context of the album. and true love lives on lollipops and crisps | |
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IstenSzek said: Axchi696 said: Good, this is exactly what I wanted to hear about the new record. As much as I liked the last two albums, they definitely had a sense of "U2 playing it safe", and I think they took that about as far as they could. As time has gone on, the left-turns they've taken in their career have really stood out to me. Unforgettable Fire, coming off the heels of War is just a complete 180 in direction. Obviously, everyone mentions Achtung Baby as their great re-invention, but Zooropa really doesn't sound too similar to AB, and people overlook it. I've been waiting for an album along those lines. I didn't want to spoil the album, so I had my best friend (who is also a big U2 fan, although maybe not to the same level as myself) dowload it and tell me what he thought. He called me after the first listen and said that he really liked about 5 songs. Called me again today and said that the rest of the album is definitely growing on him. To me, that's the sign of a great album. to me this is pretty much along the same lines as ATYCLB or HTBAAB they just tried to make it more zooropa-like by putting many little ideas into the songs that would make them "left field" but to me the end result is an overproduced version of the last 2 albums that tries really hard to be Achtung Baby but ends up being neither as weirdly cool as that or as relaxed and at ease as the last two. i totally hope it will grow on me but i've listened to it four times completely now and it just doesn't jump out at me at all. it suffers a bit from the Zeitgeist (smashing pumpkins) syndrome of being too full of too much sound, which ends up making everything on the album sound the same, except for the real quiet bits which are like short pockets of relief from the pounding cacophany. as soon as the rush slows down things get interesting or at least your ears get a chance to pick up subtle nuances. sadly those are far and few between. my guess is that i'll be able to tackle this record best if i take the songs individually, one at a time, out of the context of the album. or...maybe you just don't like it? its' funny that you say there's too much noise/sound because i think the record is pretty mellow. no line on the horizon, moment of surrender, unknown caller, FEZ - Being Born, White as Snow, Cedars of Lebanon...that's over half the record and they are hardly loud, noise filled sonic assaults, lol. An individualist is a man who lives for his own sake and by his own mind; he neither sacrifices himself to others nor sacrifices others to himself... | |
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It's the best album I listened this year...
And I am not kidding. It's pure beauty. Their best of this decade. Fairly uncommercial, but really intense. "Unknown Caller" is pure magic. | |
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mikematronik said: It's the best album I listened this year...
And I am not kidding. It's pure beauty. Their best of this decade. Fairly uncommercial, but really intense. "Unknown Caller" is pure magic. thank God the year's still young..... | |
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abierman said: mikematronik said: It's the best album I listened this year...
And I am not kidding. It's pure beauty. Their best of this decade. Fairly uncommercial, but really intense. "Unknown Caller" is pure magic. thank God the year's still young..... Sends an Antony and the johnsons cd to your address | |
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Interesting. | |
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Its a strong album from a strong album band, its that simple. I dont like to compare and put albums against each other from artists that actually have a catalog and grow, because thats just not possible. If your gonna live looking for "the joshua tree" and what it made you feel like back then, i suggest you never buy new albums by artists that have catalogs. "We went where our music was appreciated, and that was everywhere but the USA, we knew we had fans, but there is only so much of the world you can play at once" Magne F | |
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Listened again today, more closely. More of the songs stood out, though I still didn't really hear any classics.
I really don't get where all the hype about this being some kind of return to pushing their sound and breaking new ground comes from. It sounds a lot like the last two, but only with less distinctive songwriting, both in terms of melody and lyrics. The few moments that do sound a little "different" are reminiscent of past glories from Unforgettable Fire or Achtung Baby. I hear nothing new here. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it while it's playing, for the most part, but I really don't hear anything that's going to keep my interest for long or that I can remember after the album is done. The high points for me are probably the first 2 tracks. Things go downhill rather quickly with "Moment Of Surrender" and I still really don't like "Put On Your Boots" at all. Some stuff toward the end grabs me, but it's kind of "too little, too late." | |
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errant said: Listened again today, more closely. More of the songs stood out, though I still didn't really hear any classics.
I really don't get where all the hype about this being some kind of return to pushing their sound and breaking new ground comes from. It sounds a lot like the last two, but only with less distinctive songwriting, both in terms of melody and lyrics. The few moments that do sound a little "different" are reminiscent of past glories from Unforgettable Fire or Achtung Baby. I hear nothing new here. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it while it's playing, for the most part, but I really don't hear anything that's going to keep my interest for long or that I can remember after the album is done. The high points for me are probably the first 2 tracks. Things go downhill rather quickly with "Moment Of Surrender" and I still really don't like "Put On Your Boots" at all. Some stuff toward the end grabs me, but it's kind of "too little, too late." I dont think anyone close to 30 years in the game can possibly be expected to "break new ground", it just isnt going to be and its a waste to hold out for it, i mean this is a major issue with Prince too, fans are looking for this Purple Rain 2 or Sign o the times with a twist and its just not going to be. Those records and times are gone. I dont feel this album is like ATYCLB, which still to me is one of their best, this record seems like a move towards a more dis-jointed sound, but without going way overboard with sounds, because afterall U2 is a band, and you cant replace players with sounds, thats just a death wish for a band right there. "We went where our music was appreciated, and that was everywhere but the USA, we knew we had fans, but there is only so much of the world you can play at once" Magne F | |
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lastdecember said: errant said: Listened again today, more closely. More of the songs stood out, though I still didn't really hear any classics.
I really don't get where all the hype about this being some kind of return to pushing their sound and breaking new ground comes from. It sounds a lot like the last two, but only with less distinctive songwriting, both in terms of melody and lyrics. The few moments that do sound a little "different" are reminiscent of past glories from Unforgettable Fire or Achtung Baby. I hear nothing new here. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it while it's playing, for the most part, but I really don't hear anything that's going to keep my interest for long or that I can remember after the album is done. The high points for me are probably the first 2 tracks. Things go downhill rather quickly with "Moment Of Surrender" and I still really don't like "Put On Your Boots" at all. Some stuff toward the end grabs me, but it's kind of "too little, too late." I dont think anyone close to 30 years in the game can possibly be expected to "break new ground", it just isnt going to be and its a waste to hold out for it, i mean this is a major issue with Prince too, fans are looking for this Purple Rain 2 or Sign o the times with a twist and its just not going to be. Those records and times are gone. I dont feel this album is like ATYCLB, which still to me is one of their best, this record seems like a move towards a more dis-jointed sound, but without going way overboard with sounds, because afterall U2 is a band, and you cant replace players with sounds, thats just a death wish for a band right there. then they should have toned down the pre-release hyperbole. all this album is, to my ears, is the last 2 but with much less striking songs.  | |
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mikematronik said: abierman said: thank God the year's still young..... Sends an Antony and the johnsons cd to your address  I'd take this album x 10.000 than anything by that freak! | |
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I'm working on a re-shuffling of the track order. I think I might like it a little better if it didn't sort of jump around so much. Kind of thought the same about the last one, too.
But I'm not really sure I can work up enough enthusiasm to be bothered with putting in the effort. I really hope this one is a grower. Or that the supposed 2nd album (yeah, right) later this year sheds some more light on these sessions. | |
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I'm not a U2 fan who buys each record they release
but as I grew up in the 80's it was difficult 2 ignore these guys 
Under a blood red sky was great teenage stuff,Unforgettable Fire & Joshua Tree classic albums and Achtung Baby was the first U2 album I bought myself. And off course I have the 2 Best Of compilations. I liked the singles from Zoo but didn't like Pop at all. All that you can't leave behind is my fav U2 album since AB,it's an album every older would like 2 make! Bringing your familiar,old sound with a new,fresh vibe. Recognizable but not old fashioned. Something Prince tried with 3121,imo. I think they want to mix ATYCLB with POP/Zoo now,I hope they don't try 2 hard. I have a collegue who's a huge U2 fan,but he doesn't like the new single.. not at all!! Love4oneanother | |
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errant said: I'm working on a re-shuffling of the track order. I think I might like it a little better if it didn't sort of jump around so much. Kind of thought the same about the last one, too.
i don't think i understand that...does this mean you don't listen to things on random? ever? i mean, either you like the songs or you don't, right? i'm not knocking or arguing with your preferences (i mean, how can i? they're yours to have, lol) but i've never understood the whole "i like the very same songs better when i listen to them in a different order." An individualist is a man who lives for his own sake and by his own mind; he neither sacrifices himself to others nor sacrifices others to himself... | |
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not that i think rolling stone matters but its still nice to read their review, which gives no line on the horizon a 5 star rating and asserts it is U2's best record since Achtung.  An individualist is a man who lives for his own sake and by his own mind; he neither sacrifices himself to others nor sacrifices others to himself... | |
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abierman said: at track 3 (Moment Of Surrender) now.....I'm thinking: what the fuck?????
 My initial favorite on the album. On second listening I like it. I don't want you to think like me. I just want you to think. | |
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abierman said: Unknown Caller - anyone ever heard John Farnham's 'The Voice'?????
Reminds me of Genesis . . . . I don't want you to think like me. I just want you to think. | |
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Shapeshifter said: love2thenines2003 said: Wash your ears & stop listening shit music....the new u2 is a Masterpiece..Sorry! Sure. Will do. I've just dumped the new U2 album.  I'm enjoying it. It's not Achtung Baby or ATYCLB but it's good and without the depressing introspection of How to Dismantle . . . (although How to Dismantle is not a 'bad' album of all.) I don't want you to think like me. I just want you to think. | |
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LiveToTell86 said: VoicesCarry said: Terrible record, but you know it's going to win Album of the Year at the Grammys 3 years in a row.
 So true!
The album is a bore, nothing stands out. I can't believe after nearly 5 years this is all they could come up with...  Listening to it back to back and not disappointed or bored. This is a fine album. It's not as good as the Eagles 'Long Road Out of Eden.' but it's a good solid U2 album. I don't want you to think like me. I just want you to think. | |
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This album is alright. On first listen, only Moment of Surrender, Fez, and the title track stood out as great songs.
I'll give it another shot though, as I already like it better than their other two albums of this decade. I've seen the future, and boy it's rough... | |
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At first I found it as disappointing as many of the other folk in this thread, BUT it is a grower!
Best U2 album in a long time. It has a depth and believability that has been missing from them for a while. Takes a while to get under your skin, but worth persevering with. I really do think this is a special album. This is not an exit | |
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honestly, i haven't stopped listening to it since i was sent the leak last week. i did my test, lol, too...listened to achtung then the new one, listened to zooropa then the new one, listened to pop then the new one. i can easily say this is my 3rd favorite u2 record, right after achtung and zooropa. i think the only weaker track is "i'll go crazy...", which sounds like something that should be on atyclb. songs like the title track, magnificent, moment of surrender, unknown caller, fez, cedars of lebanon, white as snow...these are incredible songs! An individualist is a man who lives for his own sake and by his own mind; he neither sacrifices himself to others nor sacrifices others to himself... | |
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The single falls 12-20 in its second week on the UK charts, but the album is going to be a massive #1 there as first day sales are above 64,000. | |
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I switched to the dark side. The new album is wonderful. U2 is back! All you others say Hell Yea!!  | |
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lastdecember said: Its a strong album from a strong album band, its that simple. I dont like to compare and put albums against each other from artists that actually have a catalog and grow, because thats just not possible. If your gonna live looking for "the joshua tree" and what it made you feel like back then, i suggest you never buy new albums by artists that have catalogs.
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2freaky4church1 said: I switched to the dark side. The new album is wonderful. U2 is back!
They never left.
For real, NLOTH is my fave since POP. As I've stated in many other post, it reminds me of The Unforgettable Fire but in a modern U2 sense. And def a grower. Gets better with each listen. Fantasy is reality in the world today. But I'll keep hangin in there, that is the only way. | |
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It's growing on me, definately their most authentic album since atleast "Pop". We're here, might as well get into it. | |
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This album is a remarkable song cycle and Bono continues his streak as one of rock's most compelling singers and lyricists. U2 never disappoints. | |
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Another winner. "Magnificent" is everything a U2 song should be and then some. I'm the first mammal to wear pants. | |
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