I've listening to it non-stop since I got it two weeks ago. I especially like the last three songs - Breathe, White as Snow and Cedars of Lebanon.


[Edited 3/9/09 19:17pm]

It seems like an album of b-sides.

There's not much in the way of a return to experimentation ala' Achtung Baby as it was hyped to be imo.

I like how it doesn't hit you over the head but it seems like a hard cd to create a tour for.

yes

honestly, the only thing i've been listening to for the past 2 or 3 weeks is this and the handsome furs. i have no line on the horizon on repeat on my ipod and my desktop.

Magnificent is my jam!

I have to say, that as much as I want to like it, I'm not sure I do.

I'll hang off for a while before I make a definitive opinion, but the early signs aren't good.

Here's the thing. I like the production. I like the feel. I like the musical direction, i.e. instrumentation ..etc... BUT! when it comes down to it, the songs themselves are weak. There are some OK tracks & some quite good tracks, and there are no real stinkers.

.....But after 5 years 'OK' & 'quite good' doesn't really cut it.

Not a single track would have made the cut on Achtung.


NEXT!. .....what another 5 years? Really? Better be good!!

xlr8r said:

This is what makes it a grower.
That was my first impression 'doesn't hit your over the head'. But it requires a few listens before revealing itself.
Now I love it. No it's not AB/POP/Passengers/Zoo.
Think more Unforgetable Fire with a modern feel and elements of the last 2 albums all thrown together. It reminds me the most of UF.

TyphoonTip said:

Actually, another several months. U2 is releasing another album by the end of the year. It will be the songs they did with Rick Rubin.

I think this is an awesome album. Fully listenable from start to finish. Tunes are quite different one from the other (what some people critizise). I love track 3, Moment of Surrender. First 3 songs really flow one to the other... Buy it if you like U2, you will not be disappointed

It's growing on me.

I still don't think it's deserve some of the 5 star reviews it's received.

I need to listen to it some more, my last listen was my sixth and after that I started to appreciate some of the songs a bit more especially moment of Surrender.

Still think White As Snow is boring as hell.

Fave tracks

Unknown Caller
Get On Your Boots
Fez
Breathe

Overall it's a good album but not as good as Acthung Baby which for me is by far their best album but on a par with the last couple.

I'll give it 7/10.

Shawnt26 said:

Actually I beleive it's stuff they did for NLOTH but felt didn't fit.
Supposed to be more meditative and ethereal. The suff Brian Eno was really diggin. Not sure U2 dug the stuff they did with Rubin. I know I didn't care to much for what I heard. Albeit 2 songs.

It's interesting in hindsight that the Rubin/U2 relationship broke down.

Rubin's approach has always been a hands off, let the band come up with good songs, before we even consider getting into the studio. Of course that hasn't always worked for Rubin, but he has a pretty decent track record all the same.

Given that approach, I wonder what Rubin's opinion of the new songs is (i.e. not the recordings)?

As far as a new album @ the end of the year. a) My hopes aren't high if they are NLOTH run off. b) I'll beleive it when I see it. I'm not sure how keen the record company would be. 2 albums in a year? hmmm.
[Edited 3/10/09 19:38pm]

Predictably, I love it. It does remind me quite a bit of Unforgettable Fire, and that's never a bad thing. Stuff like "Fez/Being Born" could've never been on the last two records. "Breathe" and "Magnificent" are U2 anthems for the ages, and I totally adore them.

I don't agree that this album is on par with Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, or War. Hell, I'd still probably not put it with Zooropa. Still, I'm absolutely not disappointed. "Cedars of Lebanon" has been in my head for days and I don't see it leaving any time soon.

Moreover, after seeing the proposed ticket prices, my love for U2 knows no bounds. I was front row (actually inside the VIP circle) during the last tour, and my ticket cost me a whopping $55 (including service charges). I was afraid that they might really jack up the prices for this go'round. Imagine my surprise when I read that they were going to lower prices for this tour.

Actually, I was a little nervous about this CD; in the past few years most of my favorites have delivered a sub-par album or so. Weezer's been on a terrble streak since the Green Album (well, maybe half of Maladroit), Madge's last one wasn't one of her best efforts, I haven't dug any of the past few REM albums, Janet's been sub-par since Damita Jo. I was thinking that it was about time for U2 to drop the ball. I am so thankful that it didn't happen here.

Haven't revisited this yet since the week of the leak. I keep meaning to, but I never remember to get around to it. I hope I like it more the second time around.

Axchi696 said:

Maladroit is a very under-rated album. Not sure why it doesn't get that much love. I revisit often and am always surprised @ how good it is. Make Believe is mostly terrible. And for the most part the Red album isn't that great either.

But there is a 'but' with the Red album! I eventually bought the 'deluxe' version with 4 extra tracks. Now with those in the mix, particularly 'Pig' & 'Miss Sweeny', it's an entirely different album. Quite good even!

Yeah digging the cd.
I like FEZ.
That should have been the opening song.

errant said:

I think you will. If you give it some time it reaps benefits.
Understand my faves:
War
Unforgettable Fire Prolly my fave.
JT (of course)
AB
Zoo
Pass v.1
POP
and now adding,
NLOTH

This feels more like an album to me than HTDAAB or ATYCLB.

I find the more I listen to it, the more I like it.

i like it much better than the last 2. not a masterpiece but a very strong effort

Axchi696 said:

Actually the last REM was easily their best since "Monster" and "hi-fi" though "around the sun" was from a bad record, the only record of theirs that i kind of dislike is UP

lastdecember said:

it just irks me when someone states opinion as fact. so...ACTUALLY, YOU happened to like the last REM as much as or close to the same amount as YOU liked Monster and Hi-Fi.
[Edited 3/11/09 14:03pm]

Already a thread here folks http://prince.org/msg/8/295018 - locking dupe