I haven't posted on here for ages, so a retrospective thread like this seems like a good place to return. U2's return to live activity has put them back on my radar again, and I dusted off NLOTH for it's first play in maybe a year or so. Here goes:
A general criticism / observation is not that the songs themselves are too long, more that there's lots of meandering intros and outros that maybe could've been edited out for a more focused listening experience. I also don't think that the album would've benefited from having any version of 'Winter' on there. For me, it's a totally bland and forgettable song. NLOTH isn't a commercial album at all, and in that sense it was brave to release something fairly atypical. But,I suspect that some of the songs (especially Crazy Tonight) made the tracklisting because the band chickened out a wee bit and felt the need for what they considered to be possible singles. But I wonder what could've been left on the cutting room floor to make way? So, the final product is an odd and disjointed mix of the daring and the obvious.
1. No Line On The Horizon - I adore this song, I honestly think it's one of the best they've ever done. Still can't decide which version I like more, but either is fine. The band missed a HUGE opportunity by not opening live shows with NLOTH. (Oddly, when I heard it live, it didn't sound as 'huge' as I was hoping for - I was expecting massive clattering guitars and cavernous drums that weren't quite there.)
2. Magnificent - Some say 'U2 by numbers', I say so what? Overlong perhaps, but when it gets started, a passionate performance and a great chorus. Edge on slide guitar is always welcome for me.
3. Moment Of Surrender - So deep into their career, I'm stunned that Bono's still capable of coming up with a vocal performance as wonderful as this. Has he ever sung better? I treat the band's comments about the spontaneity of this recording with a pinch of salt though, especially the likelihood of Bono coming up with such a focused set of lyrics off the top of his head. Maybe, maybe not! The song is a languid piece of beauty that makes the world a better place for it's running time. Indescribably stupendous. (But a disastrous choice to end the live shows - many people were halfway home by the time it finished.)
4. Unknown Caller - Distinctly average for me, I'm afraid. Not particularly melodic and an anticlimactic chorus. An Edge guitar solo was surprising in itself, but this one isn't his best - I hate to say it, but an aimless and pointless addition to the song.
5. I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight - The thunderous live remix was amazing and unexpectedly daring, the album version OK. I think it's a slightly desperate attempt to come up with a hit single, though I like the little solo near the end. I don't skip the song, so I like it more than, for instance, UC.
6. Get On Your Boots - In isolation, a transparent attempt to get a hit single by rehashing the Vertigo template, with very inferior results and asinine lyrics. On the album, totally out of place even if it was the first or last song. Whatever loose concept the album may or may not have, GOYB sticks out like a sore thumb because it was 'the single' that actually may have killed the album's chances of getting a good reception.
7. Stand Up Comedy - Not as horrible as I remembered, and am surprised that it was never attempted live (it's chances of getting a reprieve in 2010 or 2011 have to be nil!). If I was skipping randomly through my iPod and this song came on, I'd keep on going!
8. Fez/Being Born - This is the exception to my criticism about long intros, as for once the sonic textures and production make for a really atmospheric listening experience. The N African vibe is really tangible here, and the actual BB song is very intriguing. There's a sense of dynamic urgency in the song, driven by strong instrumental performances and fine lead vocals. One of the best songs on the album.
9. White As Snow - An overlooked gem, for me. Sparse, bleak and icily wonderful.
10. Breathe - Lyrically, this seems to be a poor man's Bob Dylan, and I didn't like the song a year ago. But it's really grown on me now, full of exuberance and fun. (It's disappearance from the current live shows is a big mistake, as it's one of the few NLOTH songs that actually worked live!)
11. Cedars Of Lebanon - Possibly Bono's best ever lyrics, but not much of a song. Maybe the tired vocal delivery is intentional, but it's a monotonous and flat end way to end the album.
to all of this! Especially for having the guts to criticise Eno!
