jick
Refugee
Here is a clip from TIME magazine followed by a Bono quote made a year ago:
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The indispensable wisdom of the rhythm section was proved most recently during the making of U2's new album, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. For all its success, U2 has never enjoyed making records, largely because the force and diversity of the band members' personalities, combined with their politeness and respect for one another, turns the process into something slow, sloppy and complicated — like democracy. There was hope, though, in October 2003, when the group gathered in Dublin to give a close listen to songs that Bono, 44, and the Edge, 43, believed were ready for release. "All we needed was the assent of the politburo and the record would have been out for Christmas," says Bono. Clayton, 44, and Mullen Jr., 43, focused on each track and then voted decisively that the songs were simply not good enough. "When it comes to signing off on a project," says Clayton, "you ask questions like, 'Have we got a first single to open the campaign?' Frankly, we were missing more than just a first single." Says Mullen Jr.: "It was awkward, but it had to be said."
When it became clear that Clayton and Mullen Jr. were not going to budge, producer Steve Lillywhite was brought in to break the deadlock. "They played me the record," says Lillywhite, "and it was, well, it had the weight of the world on its shoulders. It certainly wasn't any fun." After several lengthy meetings, Bono and the Edge caved. "The songs were good," says Bono, "but good won't bring you to tears or make you want to leave your house and tour for a year. The bastards were right."
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Bono: "We've got a song up on the burner called 'Native Son.' The best way I think we can celebrate is to just finish out what we're doing: Make this song a scorching 45. The molecules in the air are vibrating quite nicely as a result of that phone call."
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Sure the TIME Magazine article is old news. So is the succeeding quote from Bono. But after reading both together and listening to the unreleased HTDAAB songs (which just came out recently), it is clear Mullen and Clayton were right. The unreleased HTDAAB are much cheaper unfinished one-dimensional versions of the album. If you put them together, you'd probably get a POP album part 2.
Imagine an album released last year. It would have the unreleased versions of Yahweh, Sometimes You Can't Make It, and All Because Of You. It would have had Native Son instead of Vertigo. It would have had Xanax And Wine instead of Fast Cars. Can you imagine how substandard that album would be? I am sorry Bono, no molecules are vibrating in Native Son and it is not a scorching 45 - Vertigo is.
I guess U2 have learned the POP experience that patience is a virtue. Thanks to the insistence of Clayton and Mullen. Instead of getting another junk album, we get a well-crafted hit-filled brilliant album from U2.
Many have dismissed me here as a Clayton-critic but I am not. I am certain it is one of Clayton's defining moments as a member of U2 to have the album date moved further to make it better. I think Mullen and Clayton have saved U2 this time.
Cheers,
J
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The indispensable wisdom of the rhythm section was proved most recently during the making of U2's new album, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. For all its success, U2 has never enjoyed making records, largely because the force and diversity of the band members' personalities, combined with their politeness and respect for one another, turns the process into something slow, sloppy and complicated — like democracy. There was hope, though, in October 2003, when the group gathered in Dublin to give a close listen to songs that Bono, 44, and the Edge, 43, believed were ready for release. "All we needed was the assent of the politburo and the record would have been out for Christmas," says Bono. Clayton, 44, and Mullen Jr., 43, focused on each track and then voted decisively that the songs were simply not good enough. "When it comes to signing off on a project," says Clayton, "you ask questions like, 'Have we got a first single to open the campaign?' Frankly, we were missing more than just a first single." Says Mullen Jr.: "It was awkward, but it had to be said."
When it became clear that Clayton and Mullen Jr. were not going to budge, producer Steve Lillywhite was brought in to break the deadlock. "They played me the record," says Lillywhite, "and it was, well, it had the weight of the world on its shoulders. It certainly wasn't any fun." After several lengthy meetings, Bono and the Edge caved. "The songs were good," says Bono, "but good won't bring you to tears or make you want to leave your house and tour for a year. The bastards were right."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bono: "We've got a song up on the burner called 'Native Son.' The best way I think we can celebrate is to just finish out what we're doing: Make this song a scorching 45. The molecules in the air are vibrating quite nicely as a result of that phone call."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sure the TIME Magazine article is old news. So is the succeeding quote from Bono. But after reading both together and listening to the unreleased HTDAAB songs (which just came out recently), it is clear Mullen and Clayton were right. The unreleased HTDAAB are much cheaper unfinished one-dimensional versions of the album. If you put them together, you'd probably get a POP album part 2.
Imagine an album released last year. It would have the unreleased versions of Yahweh, Sometimes You Can't Make It, and All Because Of You. It would have had Native Son instead of Vertigo. It would have had Xanax And Wine instead of Fast Cars. Can you imagine how substandard that album would be? I am sorry Bono, no molecules are vibrating in Native Son and it is not a scorching 45 - Vertigo is.
I guess U2 have learned the POP experience that patience is a virtue. Thanks to the insistence of Clayton and Mullen. Instead of getting another junk album, we get a well-crafted hit-filled brilliant album from U2.
Many have dismissed me here as a Clayton-critic but I am not. I am certain it is one of Clayton's defining moments as a member of U2 to have the album date moved further to make it better. I think Mullen and Clayton have saved U2 this time.
Cheers,
J
