The "Key" for U2 to Make Another Great Album

[Snowlock]

All the great albums have the following components

1. Big Lead Off Rock Single
2. Great Mainstream Ballad (doesn't necessarily mean love song)
3. Great pop song.
4. Great Anthem
5. Follow up rocker (generally comes out after the ballad)

It seems when they hit all five of these as singles they have a monster. When they even miss one, the album doesn't seem to rank as high... with one GLARING exception.

Achtung Baby
1. Lead Off Rocker- The Fly
2. Anthem - Wild Horses
3. Ballad - One
4. Pop Song - Myst Ways
5. Follow up rocker - Even Better Than The Real Thing

The Unforgettable Fire:
1. Lead Off Rocker - missing.
2. Anthem - missing
3. Ballad - TUF
4. Pop Song - Pride.
5. Follow Up Rocker - missing

Rattle & Hum
1. Rock Single - missing
2. Anthem - missing
3. Ballad - All I Want Is You
4. Pop Song - Desire, Angel Of Harlem, When Love Comes To Town
5. Follow Up Rocker - Missing

Zooropa
1. Rock Single - Missing (should've included HMTMKMKM and released it as lead off single)
2. Anthem - missing
3. Ballad - Stay
4. Pop Song - Numb, Lemon
5. Follow Up Rocker - missing

ATYCLB
1. Lead Off Rocker - Beautiful Day
2. Anthem - Walk On
3. Ballad - Missing
4. Pop Song - Stuck
5. Follow Up Rocker - Elevation

Pop
1. Lead Off Rocker - Discotheque
2. Anthem - Please
3. Ballad - Missing
4. Pop Song - Staring At The Sun
5. Follow Up Rocker - Last Night On Earth

HTDAAB
1. Lead Off Rocker - Verigo
2. Anthem - COBL
3. Ballad - Sometimes, OOTS
4. Pop Song - Missing
5. Follow Up Rocker - All Because Of You

And then there's the Joshua Tree that's missing the sweeping anthemic single. But the album was so full of anthems, I guess nobody noticed. Also, TJT led off with the ballad rather than the rocker. Of course, WOWY was so good that no one cared about that either.

Joshua Tree:
1. Lead off Rock Single - missing
2. Anthem - missing
3. Ballad - WOWY
4. Pop Song - ISHFWILF
5. Follow Up Rocker - Streets

 

[Peterrrrr]

It's nice when he hits that note, but entire songs in that key would be annoying.

Didnt mean a whole song Just some notes here and there on some songs.

 

[Blue Room]

Actually they did to a certain extent. Bono speaks of 1986 as the year he spent reconnecting with friend who had for one reason or another been casualties of their rising success, Gavin and Guggi in particular, so I'm sure it involved a lot of emotional turmoil. Also, Bono visited El Salvador and Nicaragua during this time as well. Then of course there was the death of Greg Carroll which was extremely distressing for all of them but Bono in particular because they had become very close. Then add to that they interupted their recording work to do the Conspiracy of Hope tour which was a major affect on them considering the way they work.

Dana

I wouldnt consider that any type of crisis. Just events that inspired them. They were in complete turmoil for Achtung Baby. They have things going on like you mentioned above before most of their albums. Bono's relief efforts, some family crisis, etc... But nothing like Achtung Baby. That is what I was responding to. My point being I dont think there has to be turmoil going on for them to make a great album which what I was responding to from another poster. I stand by what I said, there was nothing major going on prior to Joshua Tree (IE divorces, creative differences, threat of breaking up the band, etc.) and I consider it their best album.

 

[rihannsu]

I wouldnt consider that any type of crisis. Just events that inspired them. They were in complete turmoil for Achtung Baby. They have things going on like you mentioned above before most of their albums. Bono's relief efforts, some family crisis, etc... But nothing like Achtung Baby. That is what I was responding to. My point being I dont think there has to be turmoil going on for them to make a great album which what I was responding to from another poster. I stand by what I said, there was nothing major going on prior to Joshua Tree (IE divorces, creative differences, threat of breaking up the band, etc.) and I consider it their best album.

Well, I guess it depends on what you consider major. The death of a very close friend counts as major in my book. Also, I didn't mention in my previous post but remember now that Bono has said that 86-87 was when he had what he considers a midlife crisis.

Dana

 

[Blue Room]

Well, I guess it depends on what you consider major. The death of a very close friend counts as major in my book. Also, I didn't mention in my previous post but remember now that Bono has said that 86-87 was when he had what he considers a midlife crisis.

Dana

OK, so you are saying there has to be a major crisis going on for them to make a great album? I disagree, thats my point. Bono's father passed away 2001, did that make Bomb a classic? I think alot here would say no.

Like I said before, they have major things going on all the time throughtout their lives. Doesnt mean a great album was the result. The most turmoil with the band ever was recording Achtung Baby, I dont think there is any dispute about that. They have not had that kind of turmoil at any other recording session they have done from what I have read. Look at October, I would say the band was in alot of crisis then, probably #2 bad time for the band as whole behind Achtung Baby. Lost lyrics, Adam not fitting in with the Christian aspect, Edge not sure if he even wanted to be in the band. Was October a classic? I think its their worst album.

 

[rihannsu]

OK, so you are saying there has to be a major crisis going on for them to make a great album? I disagree, thats my point. Bono's father passed away 2001, did that make Bomb a classic? I think alot here would say no.

Like I said before, they have major things going on all the time throughtout their lives. Doesnt mean a great album was the result. The most turmoil with the band ever was recording Achtung Baby, I dont think there is any dispute about that. They have not had that kind of turmoil at any other recording session they have done from what I have read. Look at October, I would say the band was in alot of crisis then, probably #2 bad time for the band as whole behind Achtung Baby. Lost lyrics, Adam not fitting in with the Christian aspect, Edge not sure if he even wanted to be in the band. Was October a classic? I think its their worst album.

No, I am not saying that. I was just responding to the part of your post where you said there was no turmoil before Joshua Tree. Simply pointing out that there was turmoil to some extent. I don't have an opinion one way or the other but was just pointing out the possible error in your supposition. However if you don't consider those things turmoil then your arguement stands. I just like to see everyone have all the facts when arguing a point. Peace.

Dana

 

[mrex]

I think that people are missing something here. To me, what's essential for U2 to make a great album, is that the previous album must be a commmercial/artistic failure...

U2 makes Boy. The album does well and is well recived by critics, and followed by a small, but important tour.

Full of confidence, they record October. The album is met with luke warm responses, slow sales, and even the band feels dissatisfied.

Now, having once been stung by "failure" they record WAR. The ablum sells well, and is very well recieved by the press.

Confident and bold, they record The Unforgettable Fire. While many, including the band, consider it an artistc success, it isn't a huge seller, and while the tour is strong, the differences between the War material and the UF songs creates some issues.

Now, U2 feel they need to really focus on songs, and ot just ambiance, they record The Joshua Tree. It's a knockout. Huge Sales. Critical praise. Everything they ever wanted.

Feeling that they can do no wrng, they record Rattle and Hum. The album sells well, but they are crucified in the press for taking themsleves too seriously.

Hurt and confused, but as ever determined, they reinvent their sound and image with Achtung Baby. Again, it's a monster. Huge sales. Critical Praise!

So they record Zooropa. (This one's kind of the exception...) The album is a critcal success, but not a huge seller. The band is happy with the album...

Full of confidence they record POP. The album does not sell well at all. Critcally, it is initially well recived, but in the long run that praise doesn't hold up. The band is very frustrated with the album.

Hurt and determined, they record ALL..., again the album is a huge critical/commercial success.

U2 are confident and bold as the record BOMB. While reviews and sales are great, the band themselves are not happy in the long run, saying that the album doesn't hold together.

So, if you look at their history carefully, the great albums come right after albums that the band is either not happy with artisticaly, or did not perform they way they wanted commercially.

That's the key to a great u2 album!

 

[dr. zooeuss]

you seem to have put a lot of thought into this but i have trouble following your thought process, and don't understand where you're getting all of these statements from...

some seem very random to me, in particular the assessment of UF as a "failure"

and Zooropa as a "success"

by switching between "commercial success" and "artistic sucess" to "The band were//weren't happy with it" (and i'd like to see some quotes to back those claims up), you could get nearly every album to fit the "success" or "failure" criteria...

 

[Inner El Guapo]

I think if you could draw a parrallel between HTDAAB>>Album#12
you might look at Rattle and Hum>>Achtung, an album that sold well, was generally reviewed positive and a movie that soured lots of people. It wasn't just the movie, it was the oversaturation. Okay, we get it, you won the Grammies, we know who you are and how great you think you are. "Best band in the world!"

Except there wasn't a movie this time, it was just Bono.

His 'bordering on arrogant' speeches at award shows, gladhanding the most unpopular politician in decades, Ipod ads, awkward colloborations with R&B singers, oversaturation, a tour which was seen by some as redundant, even to the point Bono had to call a critic personally, it goes on and on etc.

I think it could be argued that it has not gone as gracefully as one might think, post album release. The topping on the ice cream is, you can tell from the comments of the band themselves, they know this album has not aged well. They could have easily banged out the 'third in the 4th trilogy' and been touring it on as we read. I think they are trying to not repeat the mistakes of the past, and if they even smell a whiff of Rattle and Pop flavor, they are trying to cut it off before it dooms them.

An album every 4-5, hell even 3 years, doesn't give much room for error if you are trying to stay in the mix of what's going on

 

[J_NP]

a tour which was seen by some as redundant

U mean the Vertigo Tour ?

 

[Pero]

i just hope there won't be much of the africa themes in the album.
imo, bigger subject is coexist stuff they did on vertigo

 

[U2girl]

All the great albums have the following components

1. Big Lead Off Rock Single
2. Great Mainstream Ballad (doesn't necessarily mean love song)
3. Great pop song.
4. Great Anthem
5. Follow up rocker (generally comes out after the ballad)

It seems when they hit all five of these as singles they have a monster. When they even miss one, the album doesn't seem to rank as high... with one GLARING exception.

Achtung Baby
1. Lead Off Rocker- The Fly
2. Anthem - Wild Horses
3. Ballad - One
4. Pop Song - Myst Ways
5. Follow up rocker - Even Better Than The Real Thing

The Unforgettable Fire:
1. Lead Off Rocker - missing.
2. Anthem - missing
3. Ballad - TUF
4. Pop Song - Pride.
5. Follow Up Rocker - missing

Rattle & Hum
1. Rock Single - missing
2. Anthem - missing
3. Ballad - All I Want Is You
4. Pop Song - Desire, Angel Of Harlem, When Love Comes To Town
5. Follow Up Rocker - Missing

Zooropa
1. Rock Single - Missing (should've included HMTMKMKM and released it as lead off single)
2. Anthem - missing
3. Ballad - Stay
4. Pop Song - Numb, Lemon
5. Follow Up Rocker - missing

ATYCLB
1. Lead Off Rocker - Beautiful Day
2. Anthem - Walk On
3. Ballad - Missing
4. Pop Song - Stuck
5. Follow Up Rocker - Elevation

Pop
1. Lead Off Rocker - Discotheque
2. Anthem - Please
3. Ballad - Missing
4. Pop Song - Staring At The Sun
5. Follow Up Rocker - Last Night On Earth

HTDAAB
1. Lead Off Rocker - Verigo
2. Anthem - COBL
3. Ballad - Sometimes, OOTS
4. Pop Song - Missing
5. Follow Up Rocker - All Because Of You

And then there's the Joshua Tree that's missing the sweeping anthemic single. But the album was so full of anthems, I guess nobody noticed. Also, TJT led off with the ballad rather than the rocker. Of course, WOWY was so good that no one cared about that either.

Joshua Tree:
1. Lead off Rock Single - missing
2. Anthem - missing
3. Ballad - WOWY
4. Pop Song - ISHFWILF
5. Follow Up Rocker - Streets

A few comments:

AB - Fly was a lead single, but not a big single.

UF - Pride is the big lead single.

Rattle and Hum - Desire is the big lead single. I would also consider When love comes to town the follow up rocker and Angel of Harlem the anthem of the album.

YES, Zooropa shold have included HMTMKMKM. Perfect opening single, too.

Pop - I'd say SATS is the anthem, and Please is the ballad. There is no pop on Pop.

HTDAAB - OOTS is the pop song for the album.

And I'd say for JT:

- rocking single; Streets
- anthem: I still haven't found...
- ballad: WOWY
- pop song: In god's country*
- follow up rocker: One tree hill*

* JT technically had 3 worldwide singles only, In god's country came out only in US/Canada and One tree hill came out in New Zealand.

 

[MrPryck2U]

I think the key for U2 is to be true to themselves. If they make an album that they enjoy, then I'm sure the fans will like it as well. They are all in their mid to late 40's, so they should put out an album that reflects just that. The Boys aren't boys anymore. Music has changed so much in the last ten years and there aren't too many artists making relevant music in their mid to late 40's and beyond.

 

[doctorwho]

Mostly inspiration, musically.

Third major lyrical theme, like America/desert worked for JT and new Europe/Edge's marriage breakdown worked for AB. Mortality or Africa, perhaps.

ATYCLB had a great start, all very good songs from 1-5 (minus Elevation) but then you can feel it run out of gas.

While I disagree with your assessment of "Elevation" (yes, it's a simple song with simple lyrics, but it's uplifting, about God and great fun - and that's a huge part of what makes music great), I do agree with your views on the latter half of ATYCLB, which is why I actually enjoy HTDAAB more. Maybe ATYCLB flows a bit better as an album, but seeing that an album is really just a collection of songs, I feel HTDAAB has a better collection.

AB is a great album because it has great songs and it flows. JT flows and has great songs, but it runs a dangerous risk of having too many songs sound too similar. This has always been my problem with JT - too many songs just blend right into each other, and the few that do stand out, like "Bullet" and "Trip", I don't like (at least not on JT). Still, I agree that the album mostly flows.

What I really think made JT and AB stand out as great albums is a central theme. JT was about the Americas, but also about harsh lives (and the affect America has on those lives). AB was about love - brotherly love, spiritual love, and romantic love - as well as lost love. Those two main themes (America and love) set the tone for those albums and it works.

Most U2 albums don't have such dominant themes. UF plays around a bit with martyrs and loss, "Zooropa" plays around a bit with the concept of an unified Europe, but most of U2's other albums have more of a musical theme, rather than a song or lyrical one. "Boy" has post-punk elements. "Pop" has European dance groove elements. R&H has more dominant blues elements. ATYCLB focuses more on a "pop song" style. And while musical themes work to an extent, I don't think they succeed as well as when the music and lyrics work together, as they did on JT and AB.

Hence, while it can be argued which of U2's albums are "classics", if U2 really wants to create another lasting classic, I think a central lyrical theme, accompanied by corresponding music, is once again needed.

 

[Irvine511]

i think Elevation is underrated, lyrically.

it's sex-as-epiphany. the rhyming "sky-fly-high" is simple, but the ideas behind it are quite profound.

 

[Irvine511]

I think the key for U2 is to be true to themselves. If they make an album that they enjoy, then I'm sure the fans will like it as well. They are all in their mid to late 40's, so they should put out an album that reflects just that. The Boys aren't boys anymore. Music has changed so much in the last ten years and there aren't too many artists making relevant music in their mid to late 40's and beyond.

but don't you see? U2's job is to give me an album that reflects where i'm at in this particular moment in time. i don't care what they want or what their interests an concerns are. it's their job to write massively popular songs that somehow capture what's unique only to me and my particular situation. because U2 albums are only about me and my particular wants and needs, and if U2 fails to do that, i'm going to spend the next 4 years complaining about how much they need to make the same album that made me a fan in the first place.



(sarcasm heavy post -- i agree with you 100%, so long as they are honest with themselves, we'll get a worthy album)

 

[U2girl]

Most U2 albums don't have such dominant themes. UF plays around a bit with martyrs and loss, "Zooropa" plays around a bit with the concept of an unified Europe, but most of U2's other albums have more of a musical theme, rather than a song or lyrical one. "Boy" has post-punk elements. "Pop" has European dance groove elements. R&H has more dominant blues elements. ATYCLB focuses more on a "pop song" style. And while musical themes work to an extent, I don't think they succeed as well as when the music and lyrics work together, as they did on JT and AB.

Well, it could be said Boy deals with teenagerhood, the transition from boy to man. Pop tried to have a theme with commercialism and loss of faith, and ATYCLB tried to delve in mortality/jof of life (even if the band denied that the album has any theme at all).

None of them suceeded in having a theme as JT or AB (maybe not so much love as the broken heart) though.