Zoocoustic
War Child
I've finally figured out why Pop received such mixed reviews.
No, this has nothing to do with "unfinished songs" or the album's title, or even with the fact that Discotheque may have been a misleading lead-off single.
The reason, I've decided, is that Pop takes the listener on such an emotional roller coaster that by the time you're done with Wake Up Dead Man you feel completely drained. Those who aren't ready for this type of experience are going to be left with a bad taste in their mouth.
Bono once said that Pop was a very surprising record to many listeners because "it starts out as a party record and then turns mean on you. The song where that change takes place is Gone." I'm not even sure that it can be put that simply.
Truly, Discotheque, DYFL, and Mofo, could almost be the soundtrack for any nightclub. Throw in IGWSHA and you've even got the perfect ballad to slow dance to. Staring At The Sun is a deep, introspective song, with almost a miniature plea for peace built into its heavy acoustic feel. A soul-searcher to say the least. LNOE and Gone are the two rocking songs, placed back to back in great fashion. This one-two punch starts out as something you want to pick up a guitar and jam with, but the lyrics get deeper and deeper with each song, and the anger builds. Ultimately, you're more interested in listening to the message than just jamming. Suddenly, Miami breaks through - a throwaway to say the least - but a song that makes you wonder if you should be laughing. Playboy Mansion - another throwaway - finally gives you that excuse to laugh, and is a lighthearted breather that is well needed. Suddenly, the riff fades into a synthesizer and dark, probing guitar that is IYWTVD. This is the dark, passionate tune, one Bono referred to once as being "haunted", and for the first time on the album truly makes the listener think about love and romance. Just when you're getting used to these emotions, Please bursts in - nothing less than the biggest, loudest, most desperate cry for peace on the album, and is quite possibly the darkest song to this point. The finale - Wake Up Dead Man - almost leaves the listener feeling dead as well. Another desperate cry for something that almost seems hopeless, leaving the listener feeling very alone.
Yup, just writing this has taken me through the emotional whirlwind that is Pop. It's a very difficult album to appreciate and enjoy because on first listen it throws you for so many loops. It doesn't have that overall "feel" to it like you get from the joyful soul of ATYCLB. Pop drags you and your emotions through light heartedness, humor, soul-searching, sorrow, despair, anger, passion, joy, love, and hate.
Ain't it great?
[This message has been edited by Zoocoustic (edited 10-31-2001).]
No, this has nothing to do with "unfinished songs" or the album's title, or even with the fact that Discotheque may have been a misleading lead-off single.
The reason, I've decided, is that Pop takes the listener on such an emotional roller coaster that by the time you're done with Wake Up Dead Man you feel completely drained. Those who aren't ready for this type of experience are going to be left with a bad taste in their mouth.
Bono once said that Pop was a very surprising record to many listeners because "it starts out as a party record and then turns mean on you. The song where that change takes place is Gone." I'm not even sure that it can be put that simply.
Truly, Discotheque, DYFL, and Mofo, could almost be the soundtrack for any nightclub. Throw in IGWSHA and you've even got the perfect ballad to slow dance to. Staring At The Sun is a deep, introspective song, with almost a miniature plea for peace built into its heavy acoustic feel. A soul-searcher to say the least. LNOE and Gone are the two rocking songs, placed back to back in great fashion. This one-two punch starts out as something you want to pick up a guitar and jam with, but the lyrics get deeper and deeper with each song, and the anger builds. Ultimately, you're more interested in listening to the message than just jamming. Suddenly, Miami breaks through - a throwaway to say the least - but a song that makes you wonder if you should be laughing. Playboy Mansion - another throwaway - finally gives you that excuse to laugh, and is a lighthearted breather that is well needed. Suddenly, the riff fades into a synthesizer and dark, probing guitar that is IYWTVD. This is the dark, passionate tune, one Bono referred to once as being "haunted", and for the first time on the album truly makes the listener think about love and romance. Just when you're getting used to these emotions, Please bursts in - nothing less than the biggest, loudest, most desperate cry for peace on the album, and is quite possibly the darkest song to this point. The finale - Wake Up Dead Man - almost leaves the listener feeling dead as well. Another desperate cry for something that almost seems hopeless, leaving the listener feeling very alone.
Yup, just writing this has taken me through the emotional whirlwind that is Pop. It's a very difficult album to appreciate and enjoy because on first listen it throws you for so many loops. It doesn't have that overall "feel" to it like you get from the joyful soul of ATYCLB. Pop drags you and your emotions through light heartedness, humor, soul-searching, sorrow, despair, anger, passion, joy, love, and hate.
Ain't it great?
[This message has been edited by Zoocoustic (edited 10-31-2001).]
