Next Album Rumours Thread III - The Gospel of Adam
- Thread starter pacemaker
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone that follows U2.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
the tourist
Blue Crack Addict
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2003
- Messages
- 27,919
Nah.
tommycharles
War Child
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2005
- Messages
- 778
If they had nailed SATS electric in ‘97 I bet people wouldn’t say that.
Buuuuuuut they didn't
I've heard a few people claim they preferred those acoustic versions of the SOI tracks over the album versions, that is a genuine head scratcher for me. In my opinion, the electric versions are far superior (and the live versions far more so...) and in those acoustic sessions bono sounds out of tune half of the time, plus his voice breaks on multiple instances!
Last edited:
JamietheEdgefan
Refugee
Agreed, although the one exception for me is the acoustic 'California', if only because I thought the brass worked really well, and should have been in the studio version (though I guess that's just more proof that an acoustic arrangement on it's own wasn't enough - it's the brass that stands out for me).
mikal
Blue Crack Addict
A sneaky good acoustic version is "Miracle". I quite enjoy that.
Completely agree. Not overproduced to the point of being annoying. Grittier quality that hews closer to being a folk song, which totally works for the subject matter. Would’ve been a wonderful way to open the album.
The_acrobat
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
I think this all stems back to Rick Rubin's criticism that U2 don't write songs that can be played on an acoustic guitar or a piano, they rely more on soundscapes and effects. I really think that fucked with Bono and Edge's ego a little bit. Rubin was never the right fit for U2.... he works well with artists who already have demos recorded, and then helps them turn these rough drafts into full songs.
I really don't prefer acoustic versions of any U2 song. It doesn't play to their strengths as a band. Part of what makes me like a song like Stay, SATS or Stuck are what is happening sonically in the recordings. When you strip all that away to just an acoustic guitar, it just feels so empty to me. Whereas now they seem to think it's only a good song if you can play it on an acoustic guitar.
I really don't prefer acoustic versions of any U2 song. It doesn't play to their strengths as a band. Part of what makes me like a song like Stay, SATS or Stuck are what is happening sonically in the recordings. When you strip all that away to just an acoustic guitar, it just feels so empty to me. Whereas now they seem to think it's only a good song if you can play it on an acoustic guitar.
mikal
Blue Crack Addict
So, seeing what Edge said, looks like we really are a few years out still. Might honestly be the best thing for them to have their heads clear, take an extended break and come back to it with a fresh perspective.
I think the constant critiques by those who don't like U2 along with their inability to really jell with, oh, every producer outside of Brian, Danny and Steve has led them to dismantle the thing that always made U2 great.
Sure, Where The Streets Have No Name or Bad aren't songs that the guy playing acoustic guitar at the bar is going to be able to play and play well for decades to come - but, ya know, who gives a shit?
LuckyNumber7
Blue Crack Addict
It says a lot about Miracle that I can’t even recall what it sounds like so I can’t imagine it acoustic.
womanfish
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
Dear U2.
I have compiled an exhaustive list of every person that wants to hear an acoustic version of your older or upcoming songs.
1. Keith Miller - Dayton, OH
2. Isabel Molina - Valencia Spain
That is all.
Yours truly,
Womanfish
mikal
Blue Crack Addict
I just called Keith's church.
https://youtu.be/QRzKFPUJvbw
This version is better, especially considering the subject matter.
There are other good acoustic U2 songs... maybe not better than the original, but good.
Love Is Bigger
https://youtu.be/m2uBQr4XeTY
Ordinary Love
https://youtu.be/Fum3g86zUPc
(This also was the last time that U2 weren't a laughing stock, because their next appearance in public was a few months later at the Apple press conference)
That... that's about it. Temple bar wild horses is good, but the original is so much more powerful that the acoustic version completely changes the song. I also don't mind bossa nova Best Thing.
This version is better, especially considering the subject matter.
There are other good acoustic U2 songs... maybe not better than the original, but good.
Love Is Bigger
https://youtu.be/m2uBQr4XeTY
Ordinary Love
https://youtu.be/Fum3g86zUPc
(This also was the last time that U2 weren't a laughing stock, because their next appearance in public was a few months later at the Apple press conference)
That... that's about it. Temple bar wild horses is good, but the original is so much more powerful that the acoustic version completely changes the song. I also don't mind bossa nova Best Thing.
mikal
Blue Crack Addict
If anything, U2 should do more music with Strings/Orchestra. Lights of Home strings version kills.
The acoustic comments sound more like another Best of, not a new album.
Also, legends talk is not even a question. JT, AB, zoo tv/popmart/360.
Honourable mention War, UF and SOI*
A band with all this under their belt is legendary.
*I know ATYCLB will continue to get all the press but SOI is their most consistent album in the 00s.
Also, legends talk is not even a question. JT, AB, zoo tv/popmart/360.
Honourable mention War, UF and SOI*
A band with all this under their belt is legendary.
*I know ATYCLB will continue to get all the press but SOI is their most consistent album in the 00s.
JamietheEdgefan
Refugee
U2songs have posted the interview with Adam
https://www.u2songs.com/news/adam_clayton_on_whats_coming_next
"“Well, you know we are playing around with rearranging some of the songs that we have and setting them in a more acoustic environment. Edge got a bit of a bee in his bonnet and said you know, no pun intended, said lets look at these songs and imagine them in a different context. So we are playing around with that.
He’s putting a lot of work into changing the keys, and moving them onto piano and that sort of thing. And hopefully we will have something towards the end of the year that will show a different light on U2.
I think it’s an opportunity to explore different versions of the band in a way. Because it’s very much the early days, it’s embryonic, it could go somewhere between Leonard Cohen or Johnny Cash – very stripped down and bare – towards something that is very lush. Very hard to say where it will end up or if it will all end up with the same tone across it, or if each song will be treated differently. I’m excited to see how the songs could exist in a different universe.”
It's still not entirely clear, but it sounds more to me like they're recording acoustic versions of older material. Can't say I'm particularly interested but hey, better than having nothing (and it'll likely be another couple of years before another album art least).
https://www.u2songs.com/news/adam_clayton_on_whats_coming_next
"“Well, you know we are playing around with rearranging some of the songs that we have and setting them in a more acoustic environment. Edge got a bit of a bee in his bonnet and said you know, no pun intended, said lets look at these songs and imagine them in a different context. So we are playing around with that.
He’s putting a lot of work into changing the keys, and moving them onto piano and that sort of thing. And hopefully we will have something towards the end of the year that will show a different light on U2.
I think it’s an opportunity to explore different versions of the band in a way. Because it’s very much the early days, it’s embryonic, it could go somewhere between Leonard Cohen or Johnny Cash – very stripped down and bare – towards something that is very lush. Very hard to say where it will end up or if it will all end up with the same tone across it, or if each song will be treated differently. I’m excited to see how the songs could exist in a different universe.”
It's still not entirely clear, but it sounds more to me like they're recording acoustic versions of older material. Can't say I'm particularly interested but hey, better than having nothing (and it'll likely be another couple of years before another album art least).
OP
OP
pacemaker
Refugee
Cool, that's what I wondered a bit back - definitely better than nothing, which might be the point. I forget what the terms of their LN contract are regarding albums, but this could be a placeholder record to make a deadline or hit a watermark.
Whatever it is, I hope it ends up a) being old songs, reworked and b) getting the acoustic stuff out of their system to make way for a new album (as opposed to the acoustic stuff informing a new album)
Whatever it is, I hope it ends up a) being old songs, reworked and b) getting the acoustic stuff out of their system to make way for a new album (as opposed to the acoustic stuff informing a new album)
Gonna Run 2 U
New Yorker
Not sure what’s worse. U2 covers or U2 acoustic.
lazarus
Blue Crack Supplier
On one hand, they’ll be taking a break from trying too hard to sound cool for the kids.
On the other, an album full of this is going to make them look like boring old men.
On the other, an album full of this is going to make them look like boring old men.
dan_smee
ONE love, blood, life
Actually not angry about this.
I’ve been thinking that the chances of U2 making new music in a lockdown environment is slim to none - the magic happens in the room. So it makes sense they would turn to songs they know, and I’d rather them look at some fresh takes (piano and strings preferred to acoustic, but a blend could be ok) than release another best of with the same content.
It could also be something like The Cure did, disc one is a version of a best of, and disc 2 is acoustic re-takes of those songs.
I’ve been thinking that the chances of U2 making new music in a lockdown environment is slim to none - the magic happens in the room. So it makes sense they would turn to songs they know, and I’d rather them look at some fresh takes (piano and strings preferred to acoustic, but a blend could be ok) than release another best of with the same content.
It could also be something like The Cure did, disc one is a version of a best of, and disc 2 is acoustic re-takes of those songs.
the tourist
Blue Crack Addict
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2003
- Messages
- 27,919
100% this.
LuckyNumber7
Blue Crack Addict
Really? I tend to think that them acoustically is just boring, but there’s a 50-50 chance the cover is cringey
Completely agree, but totally epic & sprawling atmospheric rock - like in the vein of 'Hold Me Thrill Me', or 'Always Forever Now' (although, I'm pretty sure these are synth-strings by Brian Eno in this particular case).
Last edited:
Similar threads
Latest posts
-
-
-
-
-
-
Ongoing Mass Shooting Thread #3... that's right, a third thread. Because 'Murica.
- Latest: MrsSpringsteen
-
-