STEWART COPELAND

I just got it here in the office...sounds cool; I don't hear terrific tracks, I mean there are NO singles like the ones we got in the past; far far away from the days of 'Where the Streets...', 'One', 'Gloria', etc...but it sounds a great recording; surely one of the best thing they've done in years; you can easily listen to the efforts they try in evolving, looking for something new to say musically speaking, and that's enough for me.
Surely an album to listen to more and more times to 'understand' the direction; too many things...it seems like every second was 'studied' on his own, do you know what I mean?
'No Line On The Horizon' and 'Magnificent' are the tracks that captures at first listening; the others (beyond 'Get On Your Boots) need more attention, but have 'that thing' that makes me think will grow up on me in a few weeks.
Bravi.

While this song isn't 'available' yet, you can get it.
You can also stream it from the band's website, or their myspace.

I agree that it takes some repeated listens to sink in.

I also agree about the lack of a single.

However, the album for me has a cohesion that I haven't heard in a long time. There aren't many 'great albums' IMHO that work from beginning to end, and have a have a beginning, a middle an an end. I think this one does.

While there seems to be a great consensus about 'Magnificent' I'm really a fan of 'Breathe'. It's sort of like 'Bullet the Blue Sky' with a little more tongue in cheek, and a happier ending.

They performed Breathe and Get on Your Boots the other day on French Television. Those versions kicked way more ass than the album versions.

Here's the youtube of the Breathe performance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veABafOh0FA

GOYB:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUni1a1x7P0

Here's the link to the french website.
(Higher resolution video and audio, but SLOW....)

http://player.canalplus.fr/#/217752

Thanks guys. Think I'll buy the first U2 album in a pretty long time.

Thank you for the preview Gio and Dan. The remarks about cohesion are particularly encouraging. It has been a while since there was a U2 album that I wanted to keep listening to as a whole. (Scarily measured in decades, rather than mere years!).

I'm not so sure. I listened to like 2 songs and wasn't impressed so I forgot about it. I'll go try again!

Not checking it out unless I hear from a fellow self-confessed U2-hater who miraculously loves it.

Hey, but at least that'll be one mega-tour/ticketbastardclusterfuck I'll be saving my money on!

Thanks for the reviews, Giovanni & Dan.

Thanks Gio.
Dan, thanks for posting Breathe from French televsion. I agree, I love that performance.

Streaming it now.
Will definitely need to take a few listens to.
I am getting a mid 90’s Zooroopa, Passengers, Pop vibe. Unknown Caller I was waiting for the Pavarotti vocal to kick in.
FEZ Being Born reminded me of a slow downed Zooroopa.
White Snow opening gave me an October flashback.
Agree with Dan on the cohesion, and Breath. Amazing performance live on French TV. May have to give the kids college fund to TicketBastardVileNationBarryDillerIrvingAzoff to see them.

Don’t know if I am going to go ga ga over it like some critics(5 stars Rolling Stone)

What’s up with Cedars Of Lebanon? Can’t stream it on myspace page.

[quote="giovanni"]you can easily listen to the efforts they try in evolving, looking for something new to say musically speaking, and that's enough for me.[/quote]
Amen to that!
Has it really been thirty years since the first singles came out
In case you have not noticed, I am pretty obsessed with U2.
But I love that I got peeps here to share the obsession with!

Hmmm...U2, interesting case.

I listened to some of the new tracks and I still come to the same conclusion : It's incredibly produced, beautifully melodic, original and mature, but it just washes over me without leaving any longlasting impression. U2 seem to put all their balls upfront (listen, to "Get your Boots on" but somehow the final impression lacks exactly what they wanted to purvey : I.E : Balls !

I really don't understand why, they obviously try so hard and are accomplished musicians, etc... but the hair just doesn't tingle on the back of my neck..

George, you nailed my feelings perfectly. I couldn't have said it better and agree 100% about the new material.

[quote="george"]It's incredibly produced, beautifully melodic, original and mature, but it just washes over me without leaving any longlasting impression. [/quote]

I agree.

'Fez - Being Born' is my fav right now.


They will be at BC Place on Oct 30.

Hey Guys, It's been a while i haven't written anything on the forum, i am more busy reading it and getting the updates. Just wanted to give sign to Gio that i am alive and well !!! ;P
I couldn't pass up this discussion and it brings me to say that i agree with George and Conroy on this one. U2 sound more like they are trying too hard to fit in somewhere than just being themselves ... which is sounding more like U2 and not other actual present bands. I think their best effort of the years 2000 was "All That You Can't Leave Behind", it had a few memorable tracks on there and very U2 like to me.
I think they should just play shows and stay off the charts for a while and not turn into the Rolling Stones.
I still revisit alot of the older U2 albums upto Zooropa which i thought was an amazing album as a whole. They will still be praised by the critics and probably get another grammy because they are U2. Bono should seriously go solo ... It would be very interesting but he's too chicken to pull a "Sting" on his bandmates ;P

On the other hand the Police could have given us 10 albums worth easily, but hey that's life !
My 2 cents

Kinetic Kid

I also have to admit that I'm probably a little sore that I'm not listening to The Police new album...and so I'm taking it out on U2 !