Vertigo
Great opener for the new album - U2 once more rock! A punky guitar riff is driving the song forward, reminiscent of 'Boy' days, Bono's voice is its old self, and the slower middle bridge reminds of 'Out Of Control' or 'I Will Follow'. As Adam said about the album: 'This time we left the anti-rock sentiment at home.' 8/10
(Malakas)
Miracle Drug
Starts slowly, but gains power after the second verse with heavy guitar and after the chorus with a second bass line. Could be a single release! Larry is supposed to have sung on this track, but I did not hear it. Epic, an absolute highlight. 8,5/10
(Bulldozer)
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
There's a 99% chance this will be the second single from the album. Bono wrote the song for his father. Larry occasionally emerges with rimshots. Vocals are thickened by echo effects and the song sounds more unplugged, thanks to the acoustic guitar. It grows and grows - up to the end. Edge experiments further with some pitchshifting sounds, like on "Peace on Earth". There is still yet another nice slide break. In general the Song is nicely done. For me however, the scheduled release date (February 2005) is a bad choice - this is a typical Christmas song that serves perfectly as a present, thus a classic U2 ballad for the Christmas market. Very solid. (8 out of 10 Phaser stars)
(Phaser)
Love And Peace Or Else
Undoubtedy the best, most innovative and most courageous track on the album. A druggy blues, Queens Of The Stone Age could not have done it better. Heavily distorted, slurred bass and guitar open the song, before giving way to Bono and a heavy rhythm (including slow hand clapping). Nodding and stomping along is inevitable, until it all ends in a beautiful noise. Fantastic. 10/10
(Malakas)
City Of Blinding Lights
Together with 'Love And Peace' and 'Vertigo' the album's quality guarantee, perfectly positioned after 'Love And Peace". Slow start with keyboard tones reminiscent of Kraftwerk's 'Neon Lights', then 'Where The Streets…' like guitars rise to a bombastic chorus that without question will be a highlight of the forthcoming tour: 'You look so beautiful tonight'! 9/10
(Malakas)
All Because Of You
Anyone who knows the 'Achtung Baby' outtakes will (finally!) recognize the crashing 'Gonna Blow Your House Down' here. Drums and guitar - after a screeching guitar opening - chase through the song, after 'Vertigo' probably the most rocking track. Though the melody quickly sticks in your head, the chorus is a little weak and not particularly original. A standard U2 song, that equally could have found its place on the last album. 7/10
(Malakas)
A Man And A Woman
From the title a ballad, but not quite, as it turns out rather mid-tempo! Still a love song, of course. Quite long lyrics, Bono is clearly making an effort here. A typical Adam bass line completes the song. Requires repeated listening, though. 6,5/10
(Bulldozer)
Crumbs From Your Table
A groovy drum beat with driving bass. Very beautiful. This could easily become a single. The melody sticks in your ear. Especially the guitar riffs at the beginning remind me of the Achtung Baby Outtakes from Hansa Studios. They probably used up some old material here. For my that isn`t necessarily a bad thing. The result does the trick. Especially due to the outro this is a possible song for closing their live shows. The synties however sound quite horrible here. They do not fit the temparature of the remaining instruments - at least not for me. It's hard being a musician. (8 out of 10 Phaser stars)
(Phaser)
One Step Closer
Wow, One Step Closer takes the CD out of its midterm low and reminds one of the atmosphere of 'The First Time' - get out your sparklers! The song sounds like made for Bono, whose singing - and lyrics - really push the song forward. Especially the chorus really kicks in. Wim Wenders would love this song and will probably use it in one of his next movies - I have no doubts about that (8 out of 10 points).
(U2tomorrow)
Original Of The Species
Yes! The first song with a real chorus - the one I have been waiting for over half an hour now. It immediately promotes the song to a single candidate. I'm clinging to anything now. There isn`t much left. The guitars sound very much like U2. Very ringing in the style of Big Country. I know... I shouldn`t really put it this way... however this is a song to which I would like to have sex to from time to time. Marvelous! (9 out of 10 Phaser stars).
(Phaser)
Yahweh
Yahweh? Oh dear, that'll be another kitschy 'Grace'… Wrong! Rather sounds like faster tracks like 'Do You Feel Loved'! A song with power, and U2 have rarely, not to say never, closed an album like that. Nice, something different. 7/10
(Bulldozer)
.......DIFFERENT REACTIONS MAKE A GREAT ALBUM!!!!..........
so true
