OT: Reviews of U2's new record

[pk500]

I've been listening to "How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb" lately, and it's a really good record. But how any reviewer can put this album in the same league as "Achtung Baby" is beyond me.

"Atomic Bomb" is a record made by guys in their early 40s, reflecting on their lives so far and hopeful for the future of our world. So I think it definitely resonates with people in that age bracket, including me.

But it's not a dangerous, dark, challenging rock-and-roll record like "Achtung Baby." That record was a masterpiece, merging themes of love and sex, earnestness and excess, sin and forgiveness, cynicism and hope.

I think U2 is deservedly reaching the point in the rock-and-roll pantheon of greats where every next record it releases will be its "best" according to some critics unless it's absolute trash. U2 is a rarity -- a rock band from the 70s and 80s that still flourishes and makes meaningful music, so I think it receives a bit of a free pass from critics in an era where there is so little meaningful new mainstream rock released.

"Atomic Bomb" is a damn good record. But it's not as great as some critics are calling it. It's on the level of "All You Can't Leave Behind," but it's not on the level of "War" or "Achtung Baby," in my opinion.

Take care,
PK

[GTHobbes]

I'm sure that I'm in the minority on this, but personally, U2 stopped mattering to me a long time ago. It's been at least 15 years since they've made a great album, IMO. I'll take Pearl Jam over U2 as Best Rock Band any day of the week.

[JRod]

PK,
Good point, but something about U2 is that they continue to make music that isn't half bad and sells. While must rock bands seem to implode in their later years or become a characture of their earlier years they have remained rather good at making music that's listenable.

As for U2's future. I think that U2 is capable of making music that rival Actung or Joshua Tree. That reason being is U2 is a different type of band. U2 is atleast concerned with the surrounding and current events. Its much like their earlier years when they sang about the troubling issues of N. Ireland.

But I think Bono's and the band's commercial side says that an album like that will not sell. I wish Bono would take on contreversial issues like U2 did in the early albums. I think that would mark U2 in the upper echelon of bands not just a great band that turn into a great commerical success with little substance later in life.

[Leebo33]

I love Pearl Jam, but I really haven't enjoyed their past few albums or found them interesting at all. It's ironic that a band that is so anti-establishment has fallen into the "cookie-cutter" 3 to 4 minute rock song rinse/repeat cycle. I would love to hear them jam more often. A couple of recent songs annoyingly fade out right at the time when they seem to be getting started.

"Achtung Baby" is my favorite album of all-time by far. It reaches a plateau that will probably never be reached again by U2 or any other band. I think "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" is a very solid album with 12 quality songs, but I agree with PK.

I am just amazed that the group I adopted as my favorite band from the first time I ever heard them in 1982 is still producing fabulous records. BTW, I thought the MP3s I downloaded at a fairly high bitrate were impressive, but the actual CD sounds much better.

[pk500]

Agree with Leebo on Pearl Jam. Eddie and Co. fall into two phases, to me: Passionate Seattle grunge that started to border on cliche, followed by bored Neil Young wannabes.

U2 has been around much longer than Pearl Jam, but its sound has evolved a lot more since 1991 -- when Pearl Jam broke onto the world scene -- than Pearl Jam's has, in my opinion.

U2 has been all over the musical landscape with "Achtung Baby," "Zooropa," "Pop," "All You Can't Leave Behind" and "Atomic Bomb" since 1991. Sometimes it has worked; sometimes it hasn't. But it certainly hasn't been formulaic, refreshing and remarkable for a band that has earned enough money and sold enough records to easily lapse into formula-driven mediocrity.

Take care,
PK

[Leebo33]

Ironically, the song "All Because of You" reminds me of Pearl Jam...LOL.

[TheMightyPuck]

I've been listening to "How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb" lately, and it's a really good record. But how any reviewer can put this album in the same league as "Achtung Baby" is beyond me.

"Atomic Bomb" is a record made by guys in their early 40s, reflecting on their lives so far and hopeful for the future of our world. So I think it definitely resonates with people in that age bracket, including me.

But it's not a dangerous, dark, challenging rock-and-roll record like "Achtung Baby." That record was a masterpiece, merging themes of love and sex, earnestness and excess, sin and forgiveness, cynicism and hope.

I think U2 is deservedly reaching the point in the rock-and-roll pantheon of greats where every next record it releases will be its "best" according to some critics unless it's absolute trash. U2 is a rarity -- a rock band from the 70s and 80s that still flourishes and makes meaningful music, so I think it receives a bit of a free pass from critics in an era where there is so little meaningful new mainstream rock released.

"Atomic Bomb" is a damn good record. But it's not as great as some critics are calling it. It's on the level of "All You Can't Leave Behind," but it's not on the level of "War" or "Achtung Baby," in my opinion.

Take care,
PK

Achtung Baby was a classic. Then again my life at the time was about love and sex, earnestness and excess, sin and forgiveness, cynicism and hope. Perhaps it resonated a bit more Frankly I think U2 is a bit self absorbed these days. I just picked up The Black Keys: Rubber Factory. Makes me feel like a kid. I love it.

[Sport73]

U2 is without question my favorite band of all time, but I'm capable of discerning that Pop and Zooropa were failed, rushed, and ultimately bad attempts by the band.

The Joshua Tree may be the single best 'album' ever recorded for the way the songs flow into one-another yet stand on their own as individual masterpieces. Achtung Baby is almost equally as cohesive and masterful a work.

I've not listened to Atomic Bomb more than once so far, so I'll reserve judgement, but it's clear that it's a real record. When U2 takes their time and gives their craft the attention it deserves, they consistently produce amazing results. From what I've heard so far, Atomic Bomb will remembered among the band's best efforts.

[bayousooner]

It is not there best album, but at least it closer to there roots than was Pop and Zooropa. I have been a fan since the beginning, and it is just amazing that the same four guys are still together after 25+ years.

[bdoughty]

Never been a big fan of U2 and they were hitting it big when I was in HS and loved by all. I still don't get the whole fly thing. Oh and could they play that Vertigo song just a few more times in TV commercials. Yea, Yea, Yea, Yea, that is something I just can't get enough of.

[wco81]

There was a time when people questioned whether any rockers past the age of 30 could be taken seriously, let alone 40 and beyond.

But Rolling Stones blazed that trail (I would think they'd fill stadiums still?) decades ago, as they drew parents in their 40s and 50s and their teen children to concerts for a nice family outing.

When U2 announced their deal with Apple (BTW, it must not be automatic for U2 to sell millions just because of their name if they had to do such a deal to get a lot of promotion for their new release), a lot of people snarked on various boards questioning why Apple signed such an "old" band.

As for bands that redefine themselves or experiment with new musical styles, I think that's overrated. Yes there is some expectation that musical artists evolve to reflect their changing life circumstances. So at least the critics think artists should write songs about becoming parents, reassessing their lives at midlife, etc. after being more idealistic or preoccupied with sex in their youth. U2 isn't the first nor will they be the last to "redefine" themselves if they want to continue selling records.

As for musical experimentation, Beatles did that without turning 30 (not sure but I thought they were mostly under 30 when they broke up). Groups like the Stones could hire new producers to "refresh" their sound or be hailed as "eclectic." In other words, big groups probably get the record company backing to produce the most commercial records at any given time so I'm not sure if these are artistic choices so much as catering to the dictates of the market.

I'm not saying U2 is necessarily doing that but their career is not that unique. It's because of their previous successes that the record company would give them the latitude and the money to "experiment" with electronic music or whatever the flavor of the moment was.

[JRod]

Pop and Zooropa were out of place but U2 basically brought the tencho music into the mainstream with those two releases. Problem was we were in a grunge trend not techno. They were probably 18 months ahead of the musical landscape.

[pk500]

Good point, John. Your point also reminds me how much Madonna's "Ray of Light" album brought techno into mainstream pop.

I'm no Madonna fan, but "Ray of Light" is a damn good record, musically and lyrically. I think it's Madonna's best, by far.

Take care,
PK

[dbdynsty25]

Good point, John. Your point also reminds me how much Madonna's "Ray of Light" album brought techno into mainstream pop.

I'm no Madonna fan, but "Ray of Light" is a damn good record, musically and lyrically. I think it's Madonna's best, by far.

I have officially lost all respect for you. F'n Madonna man? Geeze.

Of course I'm kidding about the respect thing, but Madonna...sheesh.

[pk500]

"Ray of Light" is a damn good pop-dance album with techno influences -- I'll admit that.

It's not "Sgt. Pepper's," "Kid A" or Beethoven, but it's a very fine pop-dance record. A far cry from "Papa Don't Preach."

Out,
PK

[F308GTB]

Picked up the CD and it's OK. I didn't take an instant liking to it like I have for some other albums (Radiohead, Coldplay, Wilco, Belle and Sebastian, etc). I think ever since they released Joshua Tree it's been more about trying to get even more commercial success. I thought The Unforgettable Fire was a departure point from the more raw U2 to more refined band. It's probably my favorite U2 album as it mixed quite a few styles. After that the band lost some significance to me as I moved on musically. Atomic is still a good CD, but driving up to Dallas last night I much preferred the soundtrack to Garden State.

[Leebo33]

I think ever since they released Joshua Tree it's been more about trying to get even more commercial success.

I'm not sure about so sure about that. They went out on a limb with "Achtung Baby" and re-invented themselves when they could have just as easily released The Joshua Tree 2. Maybe it just seems that way because they have tried so many different styles of music and now they are "settling" in to something that's comfortable for them and the fans. Many U2 fans hated "Pop" (especially the tour set-up) and thought the band was heading in the wrong direction away from their roots. "All That You Can't Leave Behind" and "Atomic Bomb" are moving back from where they came from. I don't fault them for that. Since the Joshua Tree they've released songs/albums with influences from the blues, punk, electronica, hip-hop, spoken word, jazz, country, etc.

I do think that "Atomic Bomb" is their "safest" album since "War." If they are going to be around another 3 or 4 albums it would be nice to see them experiment again on the next one. They really need to try another producer. I've heard people suggest Rick Rubin.

The great thing about U2 is that you could ask 100 different people what their favorite albums are and you'd get many different responses. I know a lot of people are fond of "The Unforgettable Fire", but that is one of my least favorites. It's just a bridge to "The Joshua Tree" IMO.

[pk500]

I do think that "Atomic Bomb" is their "safest" album since "War."

"War" was safe? Maybe musically, but certainly not lyrically. And I don't even think it was safe musically.

The prior album, "October," is U2's most spiritual album, by far. Bono addresses issues of his faith directly, especially with tunes like "Rejoice." Some of the songs on the record have fairly mellow, etheral music, too, such as "Rejoice" and "Tomorrow."

Now fast-forward to "War," still the band's most strident, in-your-face, political record. It also arguably is the band's most raw-sounding record, production-wise, the band's final early-career album with producer Steve Lillywhite, who crafted the "U2 sound" through its first three records.

To me, "Atomic Bomb" is the "safest" U2 album since "Rattle and Hum." "Atomic Bomb" simply is an extension of the kind of tunes U2 made on "All You Can't Leave Behind," just as "Rattle and Hum" continued the band's fascination with America and the Southwest landscape that was exposed in "The Joshua Tree." Nothing wrong with that in either case.

Speaking of "The Joshua Tree," it was a great record for its time. It was the time-out, the antithesis, to the greedy, go-go 1980s. But unlike "Achtung Baby" and even "War," I don't think it stands up as well today as those two other records. "The Joshua Tree" sounds fairly pretentious lyrically and somewhat cliched and samey musically, with "Bullet the Blue Sky" one of the few exceptions. "The Unforgettable Fire" is a much more interesting record musically than "The Joshua Tree," although I thought it was a lyrical mess in which Bono wrote some nonsensical sh*t to offer a contrast to the starkly direct lyrics of "War."

"The Joshua Tree" is an album of arena anthems and ditty ballads and little else. "With or Without You" doesn't stand up to "One" as a ballad of meaning and emotion, in my opinion. "The Joshua Tree" also was the album that caused Bono to actually think he was an idealistic world savior, a belief he thankfully shed with the blatant hedonistic "Achtung Baby."

Enough of my pathetic attempt at moonlighting as a Rolling Stone reviewer ...

Take care,
PK

[Leebo33]

I always forget about "Rattle and Hum"! It does have 9 original songs, but I always forget about it when I am thinking of U2 studio albums.

I read somewhere that U2 like to "reinvent themselves" after every 3 albums. It makes sense then that "Atomic Bomb" would follow "ATYCLB":

Boy, October, War
Unforgettable Fire, Joshua Tree, Rattle and Hum
Achtung Baby, Zooropa, Pop
All That You Can't Leave Behind, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, ?

BTW, if you downloaded the MP3's when they were first leaked or bought the regular CD, the Collector's Edition came with an additional song "Fast Cars." It's interesting and has a Mediterranean beat. There are a couple of other songs floating around that are well worth a download: "Mercy" and "Are you Gonna Wait Forever" (B-side of "Vertigo"). It seems like "Mercy" must have been cut or held back late because it is listed as a track on a page of the handwritten notes in the book that came with the Collector's Edition.