An Assessment Of NLOTH In The Context Of U2's Career and U2's State of Relevance

[LastNameonEarth]

Basically, when in your life you "find" U2, dictates where the initial peaks and troughs lie. Then when you become saturated by U2, you - should - realise that War, The Joshua Tree, and Achtung Baby are the albums that really matter, and that every other album has hugely significant moments. In my opinion, the significance of NLOTH seems to be that U2 can sound like themselves, and yet still sound fresh, exciting, and relevant. It's definitely not perfect, but NLOTH looks set to nestle alongside Zooropa in my list of favourite U2 albums, which is a cherished and lofty place to rest.

 

[Brian-C]

The crazy boots suc(k) trinity didn't fit in at first, but now I see it as a nice break after the 1-2-3 punch of Magnificent-MOS-UC. Kind of like In god's country and Trip through your wires after that spectacular run of opening songs on JT or MW and especially Tryin' to throw... on AB to provide some breathing space. Even their darkest album had something like Miami on it.

"Miami" is pretty seedy. Dark in a Beat Generation kind of way. The decaying effects of social propaganda.

Here I go getting all philosophical again. Silly boy...

 

[cdirani]

great post, but one of the longest thread titles ever

 

[Brian-C]

Basically, when in your life you "find" U2, dictates where the initial peaks and troughs lie. Then when you become saturated by U2, you - should - realise that War, The Joshua Tree, and Achtung Baby are the albums that really matter, and that every other album has hugely significant moments. In my opinion, the significance of NLOTH seems to be that U2 can sound like themselves, and yet still sound fresh, exciting, and relevant. It's definitely not perfect, but NLOTH looks set to nestle alongside Zooropa in my list of favourite U2 albums, which is a cherished and lofty place to rest.

Nice Waits icon.

Kind of fitting, since his eras seem to beg a delineation line. For U2, their 1978-83 music has a uniform, almost militaristic, post-punk sound, with the aching, religious overtones that make Bono's word so powerful. After Eno/Lanois come into the picture, the band make a turn to the more abstract and artistic, while still being uniquely anthemic. No matter how mysterious their music became, there were these anthem-like lines that grew out of the haziness. No way that "One"'s verses could have predicted the epic turn that song would take by the end.

 

[david]

I felt they were headed in Tattoo You territory with Bomb.. You know, like early 80's Stones only having a few good songs left in them on an album.

But man. This new album. When you have songs like NLOTH, Magnificent, Moment, Breathe, White as Snow, Cedars, Fez/Being Born... Holy crap.

They definitely redeemed and saved themselves in my opinion.

 

[sue4u2]

a spot-on post, especially in how nostalgia works on the ears of fans.

Well seeing I'm even older, nostalgia plays a big part of it. You had to be there kind of moment. It would have been different for everyone, but nostalgic none the less.

Now, I haven't heard the new album, but GOYB was pretty insulting to many fans, including myself, except for the "Let Me In The Sound" part.
The fact is that Eno and Lanois let on that this was an incredible album and the band has suggested that this could be their best. .

With all due respect, you need to stop reading and start listening.

But man. This new album. When you have songs like NLOTH, Magnificent, Moment, Breathe, White as Snow, Cedars, Fez/Being Born... Holy crap.

They definitely redeemed and saved themselves in my opinion.

This album is a masterpiece to me. I love Bomb still. But this album is something different. The songs I didn't get into at first are the ones most stuck in my head now. (SUC and Crazy Tonight) It's very conflicting at times, they are all fighting for a place in my head at any given moment.

 

[jrjunior31]

Quote:

This album is a masterpiece to me. I love Bomb still. But this album is something different. The songs I didn't get into at first are the ones most stuck in my head now. (SUC and Crazy Tonight) It's very conflicting at times, they are all fighting for a place in my head at any given moment. [/QUOTE]

I've found the same thing for the past week, little parts of at least 5 different songs stuck in my head...

After about 10-15 listens I'm astounded they can they can still be this creative in their late 40's....

 

[Earnie Shavers]

What is great about the album is that it completely trashes all the fears post-Bomb. Everything about it – from the catchy but forgettable tracks to the lazy artwork to the crappy same-as-last-time tour to what seemed like an explosion of compilations and re-releases and books and films and all of that – strongly smelled of a band that has either gone stale or seen a too easy and comfortable future ahead of them.

Sure, No Line has some disappointments – doesn’t quite live up to its thematic promise, it has those three middle tracks and likely others that were reigned in – but it says a hell of a lot about the band and their intentions for the future. They’re not just going to cruise off into the sunset like so many of us thought. A lot of what was great about U2 has returned, and hopefully the next step will bring the rest of it with it.

I mean, if in 2005 you told me that they’d release this album with this content and this rough theme and that it would all work brilliantly with the visual themes running through the artwork and the accompanying film and they’d launch a radical global stadium tour off the back of it all while pushing their next album which is a kinda concept album and is to be released in the next 12 months, I’d tell you that you’re fucking crazy and have you heard fucking Yahweh for fucks sake? Have you seen the Chicago DVD? This band is dead!

 

[Scarletwine]

Well seeing I'm even older, nostalgia plays a big part of it. You had to be there kind of moment. It would have been different for everyone, but nostalgic none the less.



With all due respect, you need to stop reading and start listening.




This album is a masterpiece to me. I love Bomb still. But this album is something different. The songs I didn't get into at first are the ones most stuck in my head now. (SUC and Crazy Tonight) It's very conflicting at times, they are all fighting for a place in my head at any given moment.

I'd agree with the age thing. JT & AB fight all the time for my alltime favorite, and then another song from UF or POP or SYCMIOYO comes to mind. I love waking up to lyrics in my head and NLOTH fits the bill nicely. NLOTH for a few days, Manificent most of the time, a few more listens and MOS (my current favorite btw) will be there. Oh and Unknown Caller yesterday. This is what makes it a great albumn. The live songs cement it all anyway and always have with this band.

 

[jecofficial]

Am i happy to have this album? Yes. Are parts of it not living up to expectations? Yes. Do I ever expect another JT or Achtung? No. Do I think U2 is more reliant on marketing than quality music? Yes. Could I die happy if I never heard another "ohh" come out of bono's mouth? Yes. Do I really expect anything radical or ground breaking from the band in the future? No. Do I appreciate that this is the tail end of their great career? Yes. Do i think NLOTH will be remembered beyond the hype? Not really...

It's been a fun ride, but for me what made U2 great has been lost, and that is spontaneity, it all just feels too scripted.

 

[Niceman]

Am i happy to have this album? Yes. Are parts of it not living up to expectations? Yes. Do I ever expect another JT or Achtung? No. Do I think U2 is more reliant on marketing than quality music? Yes. Could I die happy if I never heard another "ohh" come out of bono's mouth? Yes. Do I really expect anything radical or ground breaking from the band in the future? No. Do I appreciate that this is the tail end of their great career? Yes. Do i think NLOTH will be remembered beyond the hype? Not really...

It's been a fun ride, but for me what made U2 great has been lost, and that is spontaneity, it all just feels too scripted.

The song written and recorded in a single take was too scripted?

Honestly, a lot of the people who can't find the wonder in the album make me wonder if they're the ones who've lost the dream, not U2. Not meaning to single you out specifically, was just responding to that specific comment, but honestly that's my reaction to a lot of what's being said on this thread: fans getting older and not having the ability to find joy in new songs that they once did.......

It's not U2, it's you......
IMHO.

 

[jecofficial]

haha, well you are entitled, trust me...I'm looking for the joy, it' just not as readily available as it was on better albums from the past, and frankly it's approaching diminishing return status. Who knows though? maybe it is me, maybe 25 is too old for me to enjoy it anymore, the guys probably havent aged, gotten bored after 30 years, have remained unaffected, and aren't sorrounded by yes men...that could be it

 

[Niceman]

haha, well you are entitled, trust me...I'm looking for the joy, it' just not as readily available as it was on better albums from the past, and frankly it's approaching diminishing return status. Who knows though? maybe it is me, maybe 25 is too old for me to enjoy it anymore, the guys probably havent aged, gotten bored after 30 years, have remained unaffected, and aren't sorrounded by yes men...that could be it

I know people who lose their ability to find joy in new things at 25 and old men who have never lost it. Your chronological age doesn't dictate that....

"When you stop seeing beauty, you start growing old. The lines on your face are a map to your soul."

And I'm not looking to single you out or accusing you specifically of anything. I don't know you and don't presume to know anything about you.. I'm just saying that this is my reaction to reading comments like I'm reading on this thread that seem so OBVIOUSLY false to me.

It's like; if someone tells me that GOYB or White as Snow, or any specific song isn't to their taste I can respect that. Taste is taste, but these comments about the album being less inspired or spontaneous..... my personal reaction to these comments isn't to question what I'm finding in the work, but to question the way people making the comments are approaching the work.

And, LOL!, I say all of this with the greatest of respect!

 

[rihannsu]

IMHO this is the first U2 album where they have been fully and comfortably themselves. They have embraced all of the great aspects of their past AND continued to push forward. I think one of the things that is confusing to people is that all of the past changes in direction or reinventions have involved rejecting the previous incarnation of U2. This time they have accepted all aspects of U2 while also pushing forward. They have tried new things on this album but they did it without blocking off anything from the past. They made full use of all of their repitoire and as a result this album is complete U2 not 80's U2 or 90's U2 or 00's U2 just U2. They've fully assimilated themselves. It's too soon to call it a masterpiece because I feel that is something that is only revealed fully with time but for me it is right up at the top of the list because what I hear is a band that accepts all of themselves and is revelling in the process of creativity. They have commented that they were making music for each other as much as anything else and that feeling comes through for me when I listen to it. I hear the love, respect, awe and wonder they have for each other and the creative process and for that to still be there after 30 plus years together is nothing short of amazing. I actually haven't been able to make myself listen to any of their other albums yet since I got this. I think it will be a while before I go back to my usual listening routine of cycling the entire catalogue. All I want for U2 is for them to continue to make music that they love and that inspires them.

Dana

 

[Irvine511]

i like the middle three songs. almost as much as i like "E.T." or "Champagne Supernova."

i think the worthiness of "Crazy Tonight" was completely affirmed with the Letterman performance, and i expect it to slay in the stadiums this summer.

i like the extremes of U2 -- either when they're on the verge of despair, or on the verge of bursting into flames of joy, it's the middle-of-the-road stuff that leaves me tepid.

 

[Popmart Shopper]

I'm glad that they released this album now.Even though its not as much of a departure as was once described I would say that it still is Innovative.A bit more experimental.I like ATYCLB and HTDAAB but something different than another one of those kind of back to basics albums.

 

[AEKU2]

haha, well you are entitled, trust me...I'm looking for the joy, it' just not as readily available as it was on better albums from the past, and frankly it's approaching diminishing return status. Who knows though? maybe it is me, maybe 25 is too old for me to enjoy it anymore, the guys probably havent aged, gotten bored after 30 years, have remained unaffected, and aren't sorrounded by yes men...that could be it

At age 25 you've never lived what its like to buy JT when it first came out on vinyl or AB when The Fly first came out and shocked the pants off every U2 fan that loved JT. You can't compare NLOTH to the others because you never lived it. You cant live in the past when you weren't even there in the first place. I find a lot of the naysayers are generally too young to have gone through the hype of the JT or AB launches and have just been living in the shadow. You cant compare. I've lived through it and understand what U2 and the fans are going through at the moment. To tell you the truth its awesome. They've nailed it but wont get credit for it until U2360 is out there.

 

[sue4u2]

IMHO this is the first U2 album where they have been fully and comfortably themselves.

I hear the love, respect, awe and wonder they have for each other and the creative process and for that to still be there after 30 plus years together is nothing short of amazing.Dana

This is the way I felt about the Unforgettable Fire, when it came out. Pop was almost there, wonderful in its on right. Now, No Line has completed this, what's the word?..concept? I can't explain it.

i like the extremes of U2 -- either when they're on the verge of despair, or on the verge of bursting into flames of joy, it's the middle-of-the-road stuff that leaves me tepid.

But grief and fear are powerful emotions. In a creative sense, maybe Bono and Edge had so much going on in that phase of their lives and that it was what they could give us. They've dealt with it. Much like we all deal with shit in our own lives.

Now they can incorporate that into some really great music. I feel like we've just seen a come back, if you will, with NLOTH. They are back. I'm blown away.

I'm glad that they released this album now.Even though its not as much of a departure as was once described I would say that it still is Innovative.A bit more experimental.I like ATYCLB and HTDAAB but something different than another one of those kind of back to basics albums.

^see middle of the road comments above. and get ready for what's next.

 

[Salome]

IMHO this is the first U2 album where they have been fully and comfortably themselves. They have embraced all of the great aspects of their past AND continued to push forward. I think one of the things that is confusing to people is that all of the past changes in direction or reinventions have involved rejecting the previous incarnation of U2. This time they have accepted all aspects of U2 while also pushing forward. They have tried new things on this album but they did it without blocking off anything from the past. They made full use of all of their repitoire and as a result this album is complete U2 not 80's U2 or 90's U2 or 00's U2 just U2. They've fully assimilated themselves. It's too soon to call it a masterpiece because I feel that is something that is only revealed fully with time but for me it is right up at the top of the list because what I hear is a band that accepts all of themselves and is revelling in the process of creativity. They have commented that they were making music for each other as much as anything else and that feeling comes through for me when I listen to it. I hear the love, respect, awe and wonder they have for each other and the creative process and for that to still be there after 30 plus years together is nothing short of amazing. I actually haven't been able to make myself listen to any of their other albums yet since I got this. I think it will be a while before I go back to my usual listening routine of cycling the entire catalogue. All I want for U2 is for them to continue to make music that they love and that inspires them.

Dana

thank you for stating this so well

 

[Sken]

At age 25 you've never lived what its like to buy JT when it first came out on vinyl or AB when The Fly first came out and shocked the pants off every U2 fan that loved JT. You can't compare NLOTH to the others because you never lived it. You cant live in the past when you weren't even there in the first place. I find a lot of the naysayers are generally too young to have gone through the hype of the JT or AB launches and have just been living in the shadow. You cant compare. I've lived through it and understand what U2 and the fans are going through at the moment. To tell you the truth its awesome. They've nailed it but wont get credit for it until U2360 is out there.

 

[Rob33]

I agree with this in theory, and certainly don't mind the relief in the "eye of the hurricane". My problem is that the examples you're giving seem to blend better with the sonic fabric of the albums they're on. Now I understand No Line has a wider palette than JT or AB, but they still stick out like sore thumbs.

I'd also say that there's nothing in those older songs as cringe-inducing as that "baby baby baby" section of Crazy Tonight, which is perhaps the most generic and godawful moment of their entire discography, not to mention sounding a million miles away from the sophisticated compositions and international flavor of the rest of the album. Perhaps some people take similar issue with "Miami...my mammy!" but to me that doesn't seem out of place on Pop.

Bottom line is that the band wouldn't have made such a wrong-headed move when they were recording their peak works.

Really? So what was this all about?

Baby, baby, baby...light my way
(alright now)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way

(oh, come on)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
(oh, come on)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way

Oh...ultraviolet...
Ultraviolet...
Ultraviolet...
Ultraviolet...

Baby, baby, baby...light my way

Baby, baby, baby...light my way
(oh, come on)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way

Ultraviolet...
[Repeat 4 times]

Baby, baby, baby...
Baby, baby, baby...
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
[Repeat 3 times]

Baby, baby, baby...light my way




"Bottom line is that the band wouldn't have made such a wrong-headed move when they were recording their peak works."

The above is from AB, as you well know....so...not sure what you're talkin bout there Laz

I personally think the "baby baby baby" section to Crazy Tonight fits perfectly

 

[lazarus]

I've acknowledged the difference before, so there's no need to be a smart ass about it.

It's not simply the lyrical content that's the problem. It's that sonically it sounds like it was transplanted from countless cheesy radio hits of the 80's; from the music to the vocal melody itself.

By contrast, the feeling of the CHORUS of Ultraviolet (where the "baby baby baby" is not just a disparate throwaway section like it is in Crazy Tonight), comes from a much more painful place. It's plaintive and desperate, and its simplicity works because it's a primal cry for help in the darkness.

Worlds apart, and if you weren't so caught up in trying to play "Gotcha!" you'd realize that.



^^^ You probably can't make it out, but this one's flipping you the bird.

 

[zwervers2]

Really? So what was this all about?

Baby, baby, baby...light my way
(alright now)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way

(oh, come on)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
(oh, come on)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way

Oh...ultraviolet...
Ultraviolet...
Ultraviolet...
Ultraviolet...

Baby, baby, baby...light my way

Baby, baby, baby...light my way
(oh, come on)
Baby, baby, baby...light my way

Ultraviolet...
[Repeat 4 times]

Baby, baby, baby...
Baby, baby, baby...
Baby, baby, baby...light my way
[Repeat 3 times]

Baby, baby, baby...light my way

Mentioning the awesome Ultraviolet in a discussion about Crazy

 

[Rob33]

Mentioning the awesome Ultraviolet in a discussion about Crazy

Ultraviolet is one of my favorite U2 songs....

I just hate it when people complain about Bono writing lyrics like "baby baby baby" and talk about the 90's or whatever, and how cheesy it all has become....I'm not trying to play the "gotcha" game...I just think the complaining about the bridge in Crazy Tonight is a bit ridiculous

 

[An Cat Gav]

Ultraviolet is one of U2's darkest songs, with some of Bono's best lyrics, the "baby, baby..." bit in that song is totally fitting, it's a begging and pleading cry from the darkness, nothing like Crazy Tonight.
That said, I don't mind IGCIIDGCT, other than the lame jig towards the end, I quite like it.

 

[Saracene]

The only thing about Crazy Tonight that I find really cringeworthy is Bono singing the end of "knows I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight" in a high-pitched voice. IMO it's just a bizarre vocal choice that doesn't work.

Regarding relevance, in general terms I think it's too early to judge U2's state of relevance with the album barely out. For me personally... well I haven't lived through their "peak" years and have no major attachments to AB and JT, so the phrase "third masterpiece" doesn't really come into it. To be totally honest I think that U2 are still to make a true masterpiece - as much as I love them I don't think they're all that great at putting albums together. NLOTH isn't it either but it's an album with a lot to offer and that's enough to make me happy.

 

[jacez]

why can't we just let U2...just burn out and fade away.


i guess they are still hungry!

 

[Salome]

Ultraviolet is one of U2's darkest songs, with some of Bono's best lyrics,

unfortunately he mixes some of his best lyrics with what I consider some of his worst

to me personally the entire
"When I was all messed up
And I had opera in my head
Your love was a light bulb
Hanging over my bed"
section is just rather painful
what makes it even worse is that you can sense a yearning for it to be considered deep
:shudder:

to each his own I guess
but I don't see anything inherently weaker about Crazy Tonight, Boots, Stand Up Comedy than some of the less amazing tracks on their other albums


brings me to another thing that's been annoying me
some people complain about the similarity in guitar parts between Unknown Caller and Walk On
then why isn't their an uproar that the main riff of Ultraviolet is so closely related to The Fly's main riff that in most civilized countries they wouldn't even be allowed to get married
and they're on the same album even!
3 tracks apart
oh well

 

[Chief43]

"Miami" is pretty seedy. Dark in a Beat Generation kind of way. The decaying effects of social propaganda.

Here I go getting all philosophical again. Silly boy...

Haha I'm a fan of the philosophical. Pop is their existentialist masterpiece.

 

[Chief43]

Ultraviolet is one of my favorite U2 songs....

I just hate it when people complain about Bono writing lyrics like "baby baby baby" and talk about the 90's or whatever, and how cheesy it all has become....I'm not trying to play the "gotcha" game...I just think the complaining about the bridge in Crazy Tonight is a bit ridiculous

I love Ultraviolet and I think the bridge of Crazy really lifts the song into another gear. Especially going by its live performance . Its easy to criticise the new material but never dare make a relative comparison to their older works .

I think the problem is that Bono is a charasmatic wanker. The thing to remember is that he always was and always will be - so whether sonically dark and depressing or uplifting the baby's still can be comprehended as attacking a similar theme.

By the way, OP, great calculated post. Although 87-93 are probably the creative peak (even though Pop is my personal favourite and masterpiece). Makes me wonder if Pop was released around 2000 in the Bubblegum Pop era whether the irony would have been better noticed leading to a greater received album. Ignoring the rushed mixing and scat singing (eg. IGWSHA)