I'm an Is That All? fundamentalist as well. I was hooked first listen. Such a powerful tune. Outright 2nd fave song from October (behind my fave U2 song Gloria), and defintely in my all-time U2 top 20.
Whenever I hear ElectricOh live, The Cry is by far the most powerful part of the song, and I get immensely disappointed when they don't end up playing Is That All instead of ElectricOh. Opportunity lost!
" Singing this song makes me angry
I'm not angry with you" - what a delightfully deceptive lyric! He's angry (and he sounds it!), but not with you, so it's all OK. Directed at God? Angry at the world, angry at God's people?
"Singing this song makes me happy
I'm not happy with you" - Deceptive again, all is not OK. He's happy, but not with you, you wonder why.
The vocal compliments the twisted lyrics perfectly, it is U2's best album closer, cause what does it mean? Is That All You want from this album, this band? Surely, a reference to the spiritual plight the boys were going through in writing and recording October and toruing Boy. The choice between Jesus or Art?
So underated and understated, love the ambience and Edge's ringing guitar.....