Someone over on u2.com (Zootopia), got an invite to go and listen to the album (she has pics to prove it), her review is below
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I was able to hear the album twice and I will try and tell you what I can - but Im no music journo and this is one album that is very complex. Songs start in one direction and then bolt in another!
But it is totally different from the last 2 albums and will take many listens to fully take in what's going on....which I love!!!!!!!! Im sure I'll think of many points to add after writing all this........I'll update as I remember
1 - no line on the horizon
A few seconds of slow and then a huge slap in the face and off it goes!!!!!!!! Instantly I burst into a huge smile and thought WOW!!!!!!! Brilliant choice for opening track......Bono's vocals are pretty varied...singing, a bit of shouting....I just loved this song instantly.......I was very overwhelmed and had to take a minute to calm down and pay attention! Would be a great single!
"every night I have the same dream ....scheming some scheme"
2 - Magnificent
And it is......a bit of an electronic sound and then Larry launches into it.......such a killer drumming track!!!!!! And few bits reminded me of Streets and I think t will get a similar reaction live.......Bono's voice is incredible and I felt this track was a bit of a tribute to their wives......fast paced track and I loved it instantly...will be a u2 classic!!!!! And, could be (and should be) a single.
"only love can leave such a mark" ..."i was born to sing for you and sing whatever you wanted me too"
3 - Moment of surrender
I'd heard alot about this track - album highlight etc - and even at over 7 minutes, it is!!!!!!
the start reminded me of "your blue room".....much slower tempo after the first 2 tracks.....kind of hymn/gospel like. Lots of bass and Edge has an awesome solo in the middle of the song.....need to hear this track alot more because there is so much in it.....beautiful.......
"At the moment of surrender, Ive fallen to my knees - I didnt notice the passers by and they didnt notice me"....."Playing with the fire til the fires playing with me"
4 - Unknown Caller
Im having a bit of trouble recalling this after Moment...lol...... Starts off quietly ...."sunshine, sunshine"...the vocals were quite jolted / almost chanting and Edge (and maybe Eno/Lanois) on backing vocals....reminded me of The Unforgettable era........although parts of Edge's guitar reminded me of Joshua Tree
"shout for joy if you get the chance"....."speed dialling with no signal at all"
5 - I'll go crazy if I dont go crazy tonight"
Another more fast paced track - maybe a future single....lots of drums and heavy bass and has a classic Ooohh Ohhh we can all sing along to on tour!!!!!! Almost shouts the chorus. I felt like Bono was singing to his wife in a few parts..... "every beauty needs to go out with an idiot" lol......" the right to be ridiculous is something I hold dear"...."It's not a hill, its a mountain - as you start out the climb"
6 - get on your boots
Well, this fits so perfectly right here and when you hear it you will know exactly what I mean!!!!! I looked at a few familiar faces in the room and we all were beaming and frankly I wanted to jump on the table and dance!!!!! Perfect perfect placement and the fast tempo is just what's needed at that point.
7 - Stand Up Comedy
You can hear the Led Zeppelin influence and it rocks!!!!!!!!! Drums are standout and Edge with a really heavy riff....LOVED this track!!!!!! Very rock and will be another classic live.....
"stand up for hope, faith, love"..."stand up to my ego but my ego its not really my enemy"...."be careful of small men with big ideas".....lol.....time to get past the height thing Bono - we all love you!!!!!!!
8 - Fez/ Being Born
Slow paced track - Fez is beautiful...only goes for maybe 1 minute....very experimental Eno.....lots of background sounds and Bono's "let me in the sound" quietly playing over....has a quirky circus sounding riff....and then BANG....into Being Born.....huge bass on this track....not alot of vocals.......very Eno
9 - White as snow
Gorgeous slower track....quite traditional Irish sounding and Bono is remembering many years ago.......time spent with his brother and travelling around the home land......"as boys we would go hunting in the woods"..."and the water was icy as it washed over me"...."if only a heart could be white as snow"......beautiful song!
10 - Breathe
Very fast paced song...Piano to start.... awesome drumming...big Larry track!!!!.not as quick as REM's "end of the world" vocally but Bono is speaking/ singing very quickly......this song is very dense...so much going on and will take quite a few listens to grasp...this has the cockatoo reference ...lol.....talking about being a travelling salesman....then there is a gorgeous cello/violin section toward the end, then lots of Edge to finish.....I liked it but need to hear it more....
" got a love you cant defeat"
11- Cedars of lebanon
Medium paced - Bono is speaking through most of this...like One Step Closer....sounds amazing...deep vocals....story of a soldier...backing vocal is very choral, probably eno/lanois and Larry's drumming is very military.....again, I need more listens but I liked it alot - quite an abrupt end to" the album...." this shitty world sometimes produces a rose"......."choose you enemies carefully coz they will define you"
Over all, absolutely LOVED it....lots of classic U2 sounds and moments but not like anything else they've done....theyve blended so many new sounds and when you think you know where a track is going, it turns! Bono's vocals are outstanding - as great as ever and they vary so much....some shouting style, classic singing, speaking, whispering, and a little falsetto!
Stand outs for me are No line on the horizon, magnificent, Moment of surrender, GOYB, Stand up Comedy & Cedars.......
2 listens and I need another 100!!!!!! Paulie, Mac, Rich, Gibbo....you're going to LOVE it!!!!!!!!!!! And to hear it loud.....get ready for those stadiums!!!!!!!!
The next singles have not been decided yet, as previously reported.
There is so much more I wish I could express but I am exhausted from all the excitement.....and as a fan of 24 years, I am so excited to get my copy and immerse myself in it........will be one of their best albums....2009 IS U2's year................
And finally, as it turns out, 2 other Aussies made it in to hear the album as well
Leonie and Nik.....so we have been 3 very lucky Aussies and you couldnt have seen 3 happier people!!!!!!!!!!
We couldnt help but take a few pics afterwards...the grins say it all!!!!!!!
Also for the Aussies, album will now be out feb 27th - say day as Ireland....woo hoo!!!!!!!!!!!
Me and Leonie