You remind me of myself when I was your age, a grand whopping two years ago (well, I turn 16 in a few days). Judge for yourself whether or not that's a good thing.
But it's always good to see a fellow teenage U2 fan.
NLOTH Album Reviews Pt 3
- Thread starter Irishteen
- 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.
You remind me of myself when I was your age, a grand whopping two years ago (well, I turn 16 in a few days). Judge for yourself whether or not that's a good thing.
But it's always good to see a fellow teenage U2 fan.
Here's my song-by-song review after first listen:
1- No Line On The Horizon (4:12): Great opening track. Powerful, solid and it could be a great concert opener. Love the backing vocals. Listen careful to that "Fly" guitar. 9/10
2- Magnificent (5:24): When I first heared the first bars, I thought "What the hell? is this U2 doing Sabbath's Iron Man?"
The riff at 0:45 is really COLDPLAY-like sounding!. Surely it will be a single. It's really a great song. Everything's good in here, specially Edge's slide solo: 10/10
3- Moment Of Surrender (7:24): First of all, this song has NOTHING in common with Surrender from War album. It's lengthy as well, but it's slow, with a sort of "Passengers" feeling. Bono starts singing at 1:17, and I really don't like his vocals entry at all. The slow song is dominated by percussion loops and keyboards, and a piano more distant in the mix. I never liked that larynx-throat kind of rough singing @ 3 AM after drinking and smoking, pretty much like "In A Little While" or "Man And A Woman". In a word: CRAP. If he can give the best on the song, then rest some days and record another vocal take!. The song itself is boring, and goes nowhere, without a brigde or chord progressions, it's all the same melody: 3/10
4- Unknown Caller (6:02): The start of the songs reminds me a bit of Pink Floyd's "Take It Back". But then is another song, and so far, the best backing "ooohhh" of the album. It's a mid tempo song, with Larry playing like "Running To Stand Still". The chorus is a highlight, and there's a nice bridge at the middle of the song.
... and we have another Edge's guitar solo!
8/10
5- I'll Go Crazy (4:14): This sounds absolutely refreshing and beautiful, I dig this tune. The drums sound could have been better (too dry for my taste, like a marching drum). There's a nice change in the middle, and the strings arrangements like War album suit perfectly. 9/10
6- Get On Your Boots (3:25): The more I listen to this "song" the more I think "what the hell is doing this junk on the album"?. After I'll Go Crazy, this is an abomination, a rupture from the unity of the previous songs. CRAP, crap on toast. 1/10
7- Stand Up Comedy (3:49): Another rocker song, but with a stronger riff and quite catchier feeling ... until chorus. Up to that point, the song was going well, but the chorus is really, really bad. It's clear this song came from hours of jamming and rehearsing, because it lacks direction. Even with ALL sort of guitar effects, the song goes nowhere 3/10
8- FEZ-Being Born (5:17): First bars ... "mmm ... is this Moment Of Surrender part 2?" After a minute of filler, the real song starts. This is another overproduced and underwritten song. All those Bono's screams are completely unnecessary. At 3:27, neverthless, the song delivers. Love that moment with all those voices singing. But the last part of the song (from 4:17) is really from another song, lacking cohesiveness 5/10
9- White As Snow (4:41): The title suggest it: This is a slow song, but it's really nice. Sadly, the guitar work is absolutely uninspired and sort of ideas. It's a song you can listen to, but you can live without it as well. 6/10
10- Breathe (5:00): Is this as good as Pink Floyd's? Well, this song couldn't be more different than Floyd's. Bono doing Dylan. It sounds different and quite risky, I like it. It's not U2 by numbers. 8/10
11- Cedars Of Levanon (4:13) another song that reminds me "passengers". I dare to say that this is perhaps their greatest album ending since at least "Wake Up Dead Man". I think THIS is the direction U2 should take, like a mature band, playing great material, without thinking or struggling to play stupid "rockstar" crap like Vertigo or Boots. Simply a masterpiece 10/10
Overall: As you can tell, I have mixed feelings for a mixed bag. Not their "third masterpiece", but has its moments
1- No Line On The Horizon (4:12): Great opening track. Powerful, solid and it could be a great concert opener. Love the backing vocals. Listen careful to that "Fly" guitar. 9/10
2- Magnificent (5:24): When I first heared the first bars, I thought "What the hell? is this U2 doing Sabbath's Iron Man?"
The riff at 0:45 is really COLDPLAY-like sounding!. Surely it will be a single. It's really a great song. Everything's good in here, specially Edge's slide solo: 10/10
3- Moment Of Surrender (7:24): First of all, this song has NOTHING in common with Surrender from War album. It's lengthy as well, but it's slow, with a sort of "Passengers" feeling. Bono starts singing at 1:17, and I really don't like his vocals entry at all. The slow song is dominated by percussion loops and keyboards, and a piano more distant in the mix. I never liked that larynx-throat kind of rough singing @ 3 AM after drinking and smoking, pretty much like "In A Little While" or "Man And A Woman". In a word: CRAP. If he can give the best on the song, then rest some days and record another vocal take!. The song itself is boring, and goes nowhere, without a brigde or chord progressions, it's all the same melody: 3/10
4- Unknown Caller (6:02): The start of the songs reminds me a bit of Pink Floyd's "Take It Back". But then is another song, and so far, the best backing "ooohhh" of the album. It's a mid tempo song, with Larry playing like "Running To Stand Still". The chorus is a highlight, and there's a nice bridge at the middle of the song.
... and we have another Edge's guitar solo!
8/105- I'll Go Crazy (4:14): This sounds absolutely refreshing and beautiful, I dig this tune. The drums sound could have been better (too dry for my taste, like a marching drum). There's a nice change in the middle, and the strings arrangements like War album suit perfectly. 9/10
6- Get On Your Boots (3:25): The more I listen to this "song" the more I think "what the hell is doing this junk on the album"?. After I'll Go Crazy, this is an abomination, a rupture from the unity of the previous songs. CRAP, crap on toast. 1/10
7- Stand Up Comedy (3:49): Another rocker song, but with a stronger riff and quite catchier feeling ... until chorus. Up to that point, the song was going well, but the chorus is really, really bad. It's clear this song came from hours of jamming and rehearsing, because it lacks direction. Even with ALL sort of guitar effects, the song goes nowhere 3/10
8- FEZ-Being Born (5:17): First bars ... "mmm ... is this Moment Of Surrender part 2?" After a minute of filler, the real song starts. This is another overproduced and underwritten song. All those Bono's screams are completely unnecessary. At 3:27, neverthless, the song delivers. Love that moment with all those voices singing. But the last part of the song (from 4:17) is really from another song, lacking cohesiveness 5/10
9- White As Snow (4:41): The title suggest it: This is a slow song, but it's really nice. Sadly, the guitar work is absolutely uninspired and sort of ideas. It's a song you can listen to, but you can live without it as well. 6/10
10- Breathe (5:00): Is this as good as Pink Floyd's? Well, this song couldn't be more different than Floyd's. Bono doing Dylan. It sounds different and quite risky, I like it. It's not U2 by numbers. 8/10
11- Cedars Of Levanon (4:13) another song that reminds me "passengers". I dare to say that this is perhaps their greatest album ending since at least "Wake Up Dead Man". I think THIS is the direction U2 should take, like a mature band, playing great material, without thinking or struggling to play stupid "rockstar" crap like Vertigo or Boots. Simply a masterpiece 10/10
Overall: As you can tell, I have mixed feelings for a mixed bag. Not their "third masterpiece", but has its moments
Sleep Over Jack
Refugee
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2004
- Messages
- 2,089
namkcuR
ONE love, blood, life
I'll say this- I work with a guy who does something in the music biz in his spare time. We were talking about new records today, and his horrific taste in Creed, Linkin Park, and others, and he said "You know, through XXXXXXXX, I heard the new U2 record.............and it is really, really good. I mean, I was blown away."
And this is a guy fully indifferent to U2, who (as stated) has more of a liking for Creed.
I found that take very heartening- those are the most objective reviewers out there....
Good sign
U2SJ
Refugee
Wow, I think that NLOTH is just beautiful. I won't stop smiling for a long time with this one. I didn't listen to any clips and read very few reviews, so I could be surprised and
I would say after 3 listens that Magnificent, NLOTH, and for some reason, I LOVE Fez! I also think Stand Up Comedy and Breathe are going to be awesome. Honestly, I really enjoyed every song... this didn't happen for me on HTDAAB or ATYCLB... so I am genuinely excited. Bono's voice is sounding strong and incredible, and I love all the sounds I heard. Right now is the first time in the headphones... and it is even more beautiful.
Thank you U2
I would say after 3 listens that Magnificent, NLOTH, and for some reason, I LOVE Fez! I also think Stand Up Comedy and Breathe are going to be awesome. Honestly, I really enjoyed every song... this didn't happen for me on HTDAAB or ATYCLB... so I am genuinely excited. Bono's voice is sounding strong and incredible, and I love all the sounds I heard. Right now is the first time in the headphones... and it is even more beautiful.
Thank you U2
Bonogirl777
Blue Crack Addict
You remind me of myself when I was your age, a grand whopping two years ago (well, I turn 16 in a few days). Judge for yourself whether or not that's a good thing.
But it's always good to see a fellow teenage U2 fan.
It is great to see another teenage fan, yeah.
Amazing review also adypole!!
Exactly how I feel. TheEnd
The Fly
I agree with your entire review...spot on from my perspective. I quoted the selection above because it's exactly where I was prior to this album. I don't think much of the past two albums and Bono's quote about the two album rule has been on my mind quite a bit over the past few years. This album is a huge relief. They have reset the counter
dan_smee
ONE love, blood, life
Here's my song-by-song review after first listen:
1- No Line On The Horizon (4:12): Great opening track. Powerful, solid and it could be a great concert opener. Love the backing vocals. Listen careful to that "Fly" guitar. 9/10
2- Magnificent (5:24): When I first heared the first bars, I thought "What the hell? is this U2 doing Sabbath's Iron Man?"
The riff at 0:45 is really COLDPLAY-like sounding!. Surely it will be a single. It's really a great song. Everything's good in here, specially Edge's slide solo: 10/10
3- Moment Of Surrender (7:24): First of all, this song has NOTHING in common with Surrender from War album. It's lengthy as well, but it's slow, with a sort of "Passengers" feeling. Bono starts singing at 1:17, and I really don't like his vocals entry at all. The slow song is dominated by percussion loops and keyboards, and a piano more distant in the mix. I never liked that larynx-throat kind of rough singing @ 3 AM after drinking and smoking, pretty much like "In A Little While" or "Man And A Woman". In a word: CRAP. If he can give the best on the song, then rest some days and record another vocal take!. The song itself is boring, and goes nowhere, without a brigde or chord progressions, it's all the same melody: 3/10
4- Unknown Caller (6:02): The start of the songs reminds me a bit of Pink Floyd's "Take It Back". But then is another song, and so far, the best backing "ooohhh" of the album. It's a mid tempo song, with Larry playing like "Running To Stand Still". The chorus is a highlight, and there's a nice bridge at the middle of the song.
... and we have another Edge's guitar solo!
5- I'll Go Crazy (4:14): This sounds absolutely refreshing and beautiful, I dig this tune. The drums sound could have been better (too dry for my taste, like a marching drum). There's a nice change in the middle, and the strings arrangements like War album suit perfectly. 9/10
6- Get On Your Boots (3:25): The more I listen to this "song" the more I think "what the hell is doing this junk on the album"?. After I'll Go Crazy, this is an abomination, a rupture from the unity of the previous songs. CRAP, crap on toast. 1/10
7- Stand Up Comedy (3:49): Another rocker song, but with a stronger riff and quite catchier feeling ... until chorus. Up to that point, the song was going well, but the chorus is really, really bad. It's clear this song came from hours of jamming and rehearsing, because it lacks direction. Even with ALL sort of guitar effects, the song goes nowhere 3/10
8- FEZ-Being Born (5:17): First bars ... "mmm ... is this Moment Of Surrender part 2?" After a minute of filler, the real song starts. This is another overproduced and underwritten song. All those Bono's screams are completely unnecessary. At 3:27, neverthless, the song delivers. Love that moment with all those voices singing. But the last part of the song (from 4:17) is really from another song, lacking cohesiveness 5/10
9- White As Snow (4:41): The title suggest it: This is a slow song, but it's really nice. Sadly, the guitar work is absolutely uninspired and sort of ideas. It's a song you can listen to, but you can live without it as well. 6/10
10- Breathe (5:00): Is this as good as Pink Floyd's? Well, this song couldn't be more different than Floyd's. Bono doing Dylan. It sounds different and quite risky, I like it. It's not U2 by numbers. 8/10
11- Cedars Of Levanon (4:13) another song that reminds me "passengers". I dare to say that this is perhaps their greatest album ending since at least "Wake Up Dead Man". I think THIS is the direction U2 should take, like a mature band, playing great material, without thinking or struggling to play stupid "rockstar" crap like Vertigo or Boots. Simply a masterpiece 10/10
Overall: As you can tell, I have mixed feelings for a mixed bag. Not their "third masterpiece", but has its moments
I really wish I hated NLOTH, UC, Magnificent and Cedars so I could say i disagree with you on everything
sfu2doc
The Fly
You absolutely nailed it...
This is their most consistent record since Achtung. For me, there are no duds, no songs to skip - even after 10-15 listens of each song today.
On the last album, I started skipping ABOY, Yaweh, and Vertigo (yes Vertigo - sorry) about a day or two into it. Still liked Bomb, but didnt love it. Loved the concerts though.
On ATYCLB, I was skipping In a Little While, Elevation, Peace on Earth, and Grace pretty soon after it came out.
Prior to NLOTH, Achtung is the last record of theirs where I think every single song is strong. JT as well.
In an age of singles driven by iTunes, U2 has made a holistic *album* - this is an album - not just a collection of 4 singles and some filler.
The casual fan will likely not love this album and would prefer more Vertigos, Beautiful Days, etc. That's cool. The way I see it, NLOTH is a gift to the die-hard fans
This album is amazing. The textures that Eno created are astounding on nearly every track. I really have a new respect for Eno.
And to back up what someone else said - this is really Adam's record - song to song he just crushes it on the bass.
This is their most consistent record since Achtung. For me, there are no duds, no songs to skip - even after 10-15 listens of each song today.
On the last album, I started skipping ABOY, Yaweh, and Vertigo (yes Vertigo - sorry) about a day or two into it. Still liked Bomb, but didnt love it. Loved the concerts though.
On ATYCLB, I was skipping In a Little While, Elevation, Peace on Earth, and Grace pretty soon after it came out.
Prior to NLOTH, Achtung is the last record of theirs where I think every single song is strong. JT as well.
In an age of singles driven by iTunes, U2 has made a holistic *album* - this is an album - not just a collection of 4 singles and some filler.
The casual fan will likely not love this album and would prefer more Vertigos, Beautiful Days, etc. That's cool. The way I see it, NLOTH is a gift to the die-hard fans
This album is amazing. The textures that Eno created are astounding on nearly every track. I really have a new respect for Eno.
And to back up what someone else said - this is really Adam's record - song to song he just crushes it on the bass.
dan_smee
ONE love, blood, life
Listening to this disc, I wonder if they just added Eno's name to ATYCLB.
Seriously, I don't think he was even there for at least 99% of the sessions.
Seriously, I don't think he was even there for at least 99% of the sessions.
namkcuR
ONE love, blood, life
When I Look At The World sounds like Eno. Parts of Beautiful Day too. Other than that, I always said I heard much more Lanois in ATYCLB than Eno.
dan_smee
ONE love, blood, life
yeah true, only slight parts of BD though. WILATW is only in the synths that loop over the verses.
MadForIt
Refugee
The first 2 tracks are brilliant
the rest of the album i am getting into slowly
Seems very solid
Very happy so far
they did not fail to deliever
only just listened to it once but Magnificent
the rest of the album i am getting into slowly
Seems very solid
Very happy so far
they did not fail to deliever
only just listened to it once but Magnificent
Dragonfave
New Yorker
I'm only going to post the last session of this review:
You can read a track-by-track review here:
U2 - No Line On The Horizon | musicradar.com
You can read a track-by-track review here:
U2 - No Line On The Horizon | musicradar.com
lazarus
Blue Crack Supplier
Why are people still posting personal reviews in here? Isn't there another thread for this?
No offense to aspiring music writers, but for someone who's looking for published reviews this is more than a little distracting.
No offense to aspiring music writers, but for someone who's looking for published reviews this is more than a little distracting.
gvox
Ghost of Love
I listened to the album with Media Monkey, which quite effectively starts each new song on the heels of the last...if you have been listening to this album in a way that puts spaces between the tracks, I recommend you do what I'm suggesting...the songs flow so nicely into each other!
My rating after almost 10 listens, if I have to factor in some of the 'lesser songs': 9/10. But if I take what a good 6 or more of the songs do for me and balance it all out (ie, if I could I'd rate those 6 higher than 10/10)....the album scores a 10 from me. Definitely a great album!
My rating after almost 10 listens, if I have to factor in some of the 'lesser songs': 9/10. But if I take what a good 6 or more of the songs do for me and balance it all out (ie, if I could I'd rate those 6 higher than 10/10)....the album scores a 10 from me. Definitely a great album!
thefly1979
Acrobat
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2009
- Messages
- 336
it´s a good one. like it. by the way, i´ve read the brit awards blog from the NME last night and their editor meant that "no line on the horizon" is "actually, their worst" album. could that mean that the NME will a harsh critic? and give NLOTH a 3 ?
otherwise, i don´t care about the NME.
yes, I noticed that Crazy Tonight flows straight into Boots! (listened with Media player-- I think if you enable crossfading with the value set to 0 ms overlap it will do it)
oceane
Refugee
For some reason it looks like the fan review thread and the press review threads have been merged.
Not sure why, I agree it's better to have to separate threads IMO.
The threads were merged. Not sure why...
gvox
Ghost of Love
Because we're professional U2 fans, that's why duh!
I don't give a fuck, personally. There's just way too much to be thankful for right now than to care about merged threads, imo.
I don't give a fuck, personally. There's just way too much to be thankful for right now than to care about merged threads, imo.
what a bomb!
Refugee
can anyone burn the released tracks on to cd? I 'm loving the album and want to hear it thru my sound system instead of my crappy PC speakers! not sure if its protection on the tracks or cheap blank disks that keep giving me a burn fail!!
Will be getting the cd to buy on march 3rd!
Will be getting the cd to buy on march 3rd!
PowerSurge
New Yorker
sorry, could you possibly rephrase that in the rare case that there are any posters currently reading this thread who may not exactly be "savvy" when it comes to digital music?
After 1 listen.
I think this is a transitional album, like UF was (it's not a reinvention like AB or ATYCLB). It will take time to see where it stands in the U2 canon for sure.
NLOTH: interesting reworking, good guitars and Eno keyboards. It's more fresh than NLOTH2 which was too reminiscent of Lady with the spinning head. Why was this not the 1st single ?
Magnificent: indeed, it is. Back to JT days sonically (anyone else feeling the I still haven't found what I'm looking for vibe in the lyrics?). Definitely the first peak of the album, along with the next song. Nice solo.
MOS: The comparisons to One are very apt. It's been a while since U2's had tracks 2 and 3 this strong. The only thing I wish for is that Bono had delivered this in a more J. Cash/L. Cohen style (edit: the vocal is growing on me though), and the "oh oh oh" part brings down the song a bit. The candidate for a future U2 classic. Nice solo, again. U2 should do gospelly things like this more often. Anyone else tearing up a little ?
UC: it's the U2.com choral singing clip song! Also good but is not quite grabbing me aside the chorus and solo. Again, JT-ish terrain for the band.
Crazy tonight: Coming from someone who enjoyed U2's pop songs on the last two albums, this one just doesn't do it. Abba wants those notes back, too. The weak link of the album. Would feel far more in place on ATYCLB.
Boots: works well in the context, I like it better now. U2 visits its Pop self.
SUC: I disliked the lyrics on paper, but go Edge ! I guess hanging out with Page payed off. Nice delivery from Bono too. Imagine Crumbs, but better and more fun and rocking.
Fez/Being Born: second peak of the album. Didn't think it would work as well as it does. Zooropa revisited.
White as snow: sorry. I usually like U2's slow/acoustic songs but this isn't one of them.
Breathe: see Stand up comedy. Reminiscent of Acrobat in the tempo.
Cedars: greatest closer since Love is blindness. Album ends on a very strong note.
I think this is a transitional album, like UF was (it's not a reinvention like AB or ATYCLB). It will take time to see where it stands in the U2 canon for sure.
NLOTH: interesting reworking, good guitars and Eno keyboards. It's more fresh than NLOTH2 which was too reminiscent of Lady with the spinning head. Why was this not the 1st single ?
Magnificent: indeed, it is. Back to JT days sonically (anyone else feeling the I still haven't found what I'm looking for vibe in the lyrics?). Definitely the first peak of the album, along with the next song. Nice solo.
MOS: The comparisons to One are very apt. It's been a while since U2's had tracks 2 and 3 this strong. The only thing I wish for is that Bono had delivered this in a more J. Cash/L. Cohen style (edit: the vocal is growing on me though), and the "oh oh oh" part brings down the song a bit. The candidate for a future U2 classic. Nice solo, again. U2 should do gospelly things like this more often. Anyone else tearing up a little ?
UC: it's the U2.com choral singing clip song! Also good but is not quite grabbing me aside the chorus and solo. Again, JT-ish terrain for the band.
Crazy tonight: Coming from someone who enjoyed U2's pop songs on the last two albums, this one just doesn't do it. Abba wants those notes back, too. The weak link of the album. Would feel far more in place on ATYCLB.
Boots: works well in the context, I like it better now. U2 visits its Pop self.
SUC: I disliked the lyrics on paper, but go Edge ! I guess hanging out with Page payed off. Nice delivery from Bono too. Imagine Crumbs, but better and more fun and rocking.
Fez/Being Born: second peak of the album. Didn't think it would work as well as it does. Zooropa revisited.
White as snow: sorry. I usually like U2's slow/acoustic songs but this isn't one of them.
Breathe: see Stand up comedy. Reminiscent of Acrobat in the tempo.
Cedars: greatest closer since Love is blindness. Album ends on a very strong note.
TheEnd
The Fly
White as Snow really seems to be a song that a lot of fans are panning. I get chills whenever I listen to it -- it's soul crushing. Is it possible that many fans don't know the context (song lasts the length of time it takes a soldier in Afghanistan to die and the song is about him looking back over his life and the choices he made) ?
I guess I'm just drawn to the darkness of this song and some people just don't like the dark underbelly. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Is it purely a musical problem that the lyrics/concept can't overcome? (I happen to love the simple and stark music BTW).
Hey guys dont forget, if you want to submit your reviews for Interference's main page check out this link.
http://www.u2interference.com/forums/f196/reviewers-sought-for-interference-mainpage-191768.html
http://www.u2interference.com/forums/f196/reviewers-sought-for-interference-mainpage-191768.html
last unicorn
Blue Crack Addict
I totally agree with you here. It's still my favourite song on the album. I could hardly bear to listen to it twice in a row. I think the song has a quality that you either get or don't, there's a darkness about it, and if you let yourself into that darkness and don't run from it, you can go into the heart of this song. Love it, also because of Bono's voice.
Personally, I have more problems with songs that are "too fast" and those that are "too slow". I think the meditative mood is perfect for that song.
TheEnd
The Fly
It is an awesome vocal. Very soulful.
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