The new U2 direction in the new album

[socceroo]

I think it's wonderful there are these newer bands that take influence from U2.
I've often thought that U2 could eventually do some Celtic influenced stuff towards the end of their career. At the start they never would've!
I think Adam does a great job of bass in the band. His playing in New Year's Day was what caught my ear initially. So simple but effective, just like Paul McCartney who usualy played the right thing at the right time. Sonically the U2 sound was/is each instrument or voice occupying it's own space or frequency range.
I don't care what they do next as long as there are a few new surprises, some great melodies & lyrics & their usual finesse.

 

[Muad'zin]

I agree, the band should try for something new. For two records they've been copying themselves, and while doing it well, it lacks the innovative spirit of the 90's. There may not be a backlash now like at the end of the 80's but another ATYCLB mk.3 might cause that again.

They're in a unique position anyway, with a large and loyal part of their audience that will follow them regardless. They might lose the odd loyal fan here and there and maybe the MTV crowd. But that crowd is fickle anyway. Like been said, today at a U2 concert, tomorrow at Robbie Williams.

And a new album doesn't have to be about dusting of the grooves, samples and electronics of the 90's again. Surely Edge can make his guitars sound not like guitars like Radiohead does and still let it rock? Or make it sound even more like a guitar and push a new album all the way into metal territory.

 

[shart1780]

I'm pretty much of the opinion that if U2 tried ANYTHING differently (within reason) it would be a great thing.

 

[U2girl]

I think the band has had some trouble with albums ever since AB.

I don't know whether Eno and Lanois and Lillywhite can help them make something like War or JT or AB again. I wouldn't mind them steping aside for a bit, assuming this doesn't mean another Thomas-like debacle and a huge album delay.

 

[An Cat Gav]

I dont think they need to head off in new sonic directions, although that would be nice. I'd like them to just lock themselves in a studio with Eno and Lanois(NO LILLYWHITE!!) and just try to record some really good songs, simple, nice melodies that aren't over produced and aren't chosen or written by committee and then after two months just release an album. They could do it, no problem and it would be great.

 

[ntalwar]

I've often thought that U2 could eventually do some Celtic influenced stuff towards the end of their career. At the start they never would've!

Sunday Bloody Sunday.

 

[BVS]

I'd say 'Tomorrow' is much more Celtic inspired than SBS.

 

[ntalwar]

I'd say 'Tomorrow' is much more Celtic inspired than SBS.

I agree. But SBS has the Irish-sounding violin and Edge does the solo with a Irish-style drone string.

 

[Snowlock]

Well I wouldn't be surprised if we see a sort of Blues/Creole album next (which I wouldn't be too excited about). Edge has spent a lot of time in New Orleans and Bono in Africa and when those two meet up in the studio, I'll bet they bring those sounds with them and try to blend them.

I HATE that bono's learning the piano; I wish Edge would FORGET how to play the piano. But We'll probably see a lot of piano in this new record as well. Somehow U2 can be both innovators and immatators at the same time, and with the Coldplay/Keane rage, I would expect some stripped down piano numbers on the record.

What's cool though is they've said NOTHING about what the theme is (probably because they got pretty burned with "punk rock from venus"). So as to what we get, it's a total crap shoot. I sincerely doubt we're gonna get the commercialism of the last two albums though.

I do hope they team back up with Eno and Lanois though. Their best albums - and most innovative - are by them. And since Lanois is a New Orleans native, and Edge is spending so much time there; it'd be highly likely.

 

[U2girl]

What's cool though is they've said NOTHING about what the theme is (probably because they got pretty burned with "punk rock from venus").

Probably because it's way too early at this point to talk about a theme.

Yes, of course a quote from a year or two before the album came out, before the shift of the album's direction and a change of producer applies no matter what.

 

[schnumi]

I have only 1 wish:

Cut the american style rock crap and get back to european rock invention.

Like with Zooropa, Achtung Baby and POP. I don´t care if a albums sells 2 million more copy´s. It´s about the quality.

And people saying U2 needs to stop looking at other bands: I believe those other bands imitated U2, how can you say U2 need to stop sounding like Coldplay while they are trying so hard to immitate U2.

 

[BVS]

Cut the american style rock crap and get back to european rock invention.

 

[schnumi]

Sorry i got a bit "out of control" to stay in U2 terms.

 

[monke]

wow, i need to get it togueter, i posted this on another topic

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Well, as long as they dont turn into Mana (latin band) that band is one stringed, there all great, they just play it safe, and that what i think u2 are doing, dont get me wrong i love ATYCLB and HTDAAB, i just dont hear that spark that i got from every other album, a spark of evolution, of a band playing with music, finding out there limits.

After the explosion that was POP (je) the band needed to get everyone to, well forget about it, and thats the whole back to basics fase, listening to what inspired them, and ATYCLB was a good album, a diferent sound t u2, sure it was like everything else out there, but u2 hadnt played it safe, so it was new for them, for some reason i saw it as u2 singing straight from the heart, not trying to be anything but straight and to the point, tahts why a lot of people dont like the lyrics so much.

The mainstreem loved it, u2 was back, even if they never left, they got the attention of everyone, they were back on top, they toled everyone they were invinseble, not to many bands can keep going after POP, but u2 did, now was the time to wow everyone with an tiemless album in the vein of The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby.

What was the next step? HTDAAB, more of an extention f ATYCLB than a master evolution, it was considered better by many, timeless by very few, "punk rock from venus" was promised, but wasnt delivered, the "hand of god" were revelaed ( ), and some people lost respect for the band (note: "some people"), and now u2 is tought of as the biggest rock band in the world, and they deserve it, but now, two paths are in front of them, continue the formula and risk overkill, or really ush themselves like they used to.

*(shall we say)disclaimer: this could be seen trough many eyes, maybe they are pushing themselves like always, but, this is whats coming out, and its not bad, it just isnt timeless, it isnt interesting (IMO), and of course, this is most probably the same effect that achtung had on some 80s fans, the change (or lack of) has turned off some people to the point of not caring, but anyway, u2, the ball is (as always) in your court, wow us.

rant over

 

[Zoots]

I don't think there's any need for in-depth analysis here. U2 sucks and they have been doing so since they lost their balls after Pop. Let's hope they stop sucking on the next album. I don't have high hopes though.

















oh... IMO

 

[LemonMelon]

U2 hasn't done anything right since Pop.

And U2 hasn't done anything REALLY well since Achtung Baby.

What U2 have made recently is nothing but Enya-like crap that needs to buried in a landfill somewhere, then desroyed with an atomic weapon so no one will be able to go in the region for decades.






Wow, it hurt for me to even pretend to be like one of you guys...how do you live with yourselves?

 

[Zoots]

U2 hasn't done anything REALLY well since Achtung Baby.

What U2 have made recently is nothing but Enya-like crap

Now now.. don't put words in my mouth.

 

[Snowlock]

What's so funny about this crap about Pop being experimental and groundbreaking was that U2 did Pop to stay RELEVENT! It's the least experimental, the least risky of any of their albums. Just like sooo many other rock acts from 1996 to 1999, they went electronica too. The whole thing was so big and bloated and commerical and mainstream. And yet now those kids who grew up with that as their first intro to U2 crucify U2's recent stuff for being exactly what in actuality Pop was. The main differents between those two periods was that Pop failed on almost every level and the later albums didn't.

So why on earth would you want a return to it?
I mean, there was a post by someone earlier that said what he liked best about this period was that it didn't sound like U2!?!? WTF?? Why are you here then?

Keep in mind, I'm no Pop hater. I'm just not a Pop worshipper. Please will be consistently in my top 10 probably forever.

Personally, if U2 are revisiting past influences now, and HTDAAB was a return to the boy-war years, I hope we get more influences from TUF & TJT next. Mercy seems to be an indication of that with Edge's guitar echo and the atmosphere it creates. Plus TUF and part of TJT had strong piano parts to it and Bono's learning. It'd be cool to hear OOTS & RTSS with full guitars by Edge and Bono on the ivories.

 

[U2Man]

Snowlock

 

[shaun vox]

someone needs to tell u2 that their last two album's atyclb and htdaab are crap!!
thats two craps albums in a row AND YOUR OUT!!!

 

[innocent_eyes]

Shuan Vox, maybe one of the millions of people who bought those last 2 albums should tell them???

 

[BANZAI]

someone needs to tell u2 that their last two album's atyclb and htdaab are crap!!
thats two craps albums in a row AND YOUR OUT!!!

Why do you always keep repeating yourself?!

 

[Axver]

someone needs to tell u2 that their last two album's atyclb and htdaab are crap!!
thats two craps albums in a row AND YOUR OUT!!!

How about two crap posts and you're out?

 

[GibsonGirl]

How about two crap posts and you're out?

Shaun would have been gone a very long time ago, in that case.

 

[shart1780]

Stop complaining! I'd like to see you guys make better albums!!

Heh heh...

 

[Aygo]

I don't think there's any need for in-depth analysis here. U2 sucks and they have been doing so since they lost their balls after Pop. Let's hope they stop sucking on the next album. I don't have high hopes though.

someone needs to tell u2 that their last two album's atyclb and htdaab are crap!!

It still amazes me how a lots of people in this forum spent lots of time here (we can see that by the total number of posts) bashing (mostly the band's recent work) and without saying anything relevant in their posts, only empty messages about how bland, cheesy and whatever U2 became in this decade.

What about if all these people got anything more interesting to do in their lives than come to a forum about a band that thet seem to detest?
Get a life!

 

[Zoots]

It still amazes me how a lots of people in this forum spent lots of time here (we can see that by the total number of posts) bashing (mostly the band's recent work) and without saying anything relevant in their posts, only empty messages about how bland, cheesy and whatever U2 became in this decade.

What about if all these people got anything more interesting to do in their lives than come to a forum about a band that thet seem to detest?
Get a life!

Much of my post count is from the continuous post whoring of 'Describe' in LS. I've learnt my lesson now.

Shaun would have been gone a very long time ago, in that case.

Now that is just too funny!

 

[Zoots]

What's so funny about this crap about Pop being experimental and groundbreaking was that U2 did Pop to stay RELEVENT! It's the least experimental, the least risky of any of their albums. Just like sooo many other rock acts from 1996 to 1999, they went electronica too. The whole thing was so big and bloated and commerical and mainstream. And yet now those kids who grew up with that as their first intro to U2 crucify U2's recent stuff for being exactly what in actuality Pop was. The main differents between those two periods was that Pop failed on almost every level and the later albums didn't.

So why on earth would you want a return to it?

Let me just speak for myself cos I can't speak for anyone else here. I don't give a crap about whether Pop was experimental or whether it was mainstream or whether it conformed with other bands at that time or whether it was underproduced or overproduced or whatever. It's just that in my eyes, it's clear as night and day that U2 was good up until and including Pop. And ever since then, they're just not that good anymore. There's something in their attitide, stage presence, image (maybe it's Bono especially) etc. and last but definitely not least the music itself, since 2000 that's not rubbing me the right way. But it's okay.

 

[ponkine]

Personally, if U2 are revisiting past influences now, and HTDAAB was a return to the boy-war years

Sorry mate, but find me ONE boy-war song in HTDAAB...
I really can't believe how come someone can say HTDAAB is a return to their early days, come on my friend!

HTDAAB is nothing less and nothing more than...

ATYCLB II, that's all, and the new album will be ATYCLB III

 

[Snowlock]

Sorry mate, but find me ONE boy-war song in HTDAAB...
I really can't believe how come someone can say HTDAAB is a return to their early days, come on my friend!

HTDAAB is nothing less and nothing more than...

ATYCLB II, that's all, and the new album will be ATYCLB III

Love and Peace, Vertigo, All Because Of You, Yahweh, Fast Cars, One Step Closer.

Don't let the admittedly over production fool you. Those were supposed to be raw songs, anthems like those found in the early days. Just because a couple hack producers like Hacknife Lee got a hold of them and nearly ruined them doesn't make them any less.

I mean, look at the culture of the album, and the tour; especially the first leg. Their idea was stripped down, no frills. The album was black, the picture was decidedly punkish. On tour they brought back the Boy album cover and did a lot of early songs that they haven't done in nearly 15 years like 40, An Cat Dubh, Gloria, etc.