U2 Still has a great album in them

[Dr. Lemonseed]

Just a feeling I've had, and hoped for...

I've always felt they have another killer album in them, then call it a career. A la late-era Leonard Cohen.

If they can let the air out of the hit-making balloon and just get really real. They ain't gonna rule the world again.

Something like Songs of Ascent, although that's over-expected at this point. But it should be spiritual. Meditative, cathartic.

Your thoughts?

 

[cobl04]

I absolutely believe they have another killer album in them. Several, even.

But they won't make them. They won't even try.

Their idiotic desperation for relevance means they won't put out a record unless it contains a bunch of shit songs designed to make them big again.

The Edge has given up trying, Bono is brainwashed and surrounded by yes-men, Larry is happy to collect a pay cheque for playing Sunday Bloody Sunday, Beautiful Day and Elevation a few times a year and Adam doesn't get a say in anything.

I am firmly of the view that there is plenty of good music left in U2. Your third sentence is spot on. But they'll never do that.

 

[mofo82]

I believe they can make a full album that would be considered a killer or great/ classic album. But I believe it needs to be from whatever vein they tapped that kicked out Little Things/ Red Flag Day/ Troubles/ Raised by Wolves + the energy of Blackout + the spark from the Apollo show, plus Edge tinkering enough to find a different sound that ignites the bands imagination. Kind of like Bono explaining to Edge put the sound of El Salvador into a guitar and out comes Bullet the Blue Sky - that sort of spark. My wife and I were extremely fortunate to be in person at that show & there was not one part that felt mailed in, so they have the interest to make music in a small room and blow the roof off. That’s important.

And how the European leg of e&i transformed, including Landlady & Summer of Love which in my optinion from a lyrical songwriting perspective is them at their peak, they still believe in the power of their new stuff in concerrt, which ultimately seems to fuel them, envisioning the new material to work in front of a crowd. When they reset the staging of the tour theme, I think that allows themselves a blank canvas to insert the new songs first. So that’s a positive of them getting past e&i.

I think ultimately their health and health of their family will determine if they have the time and energy to commit themselves towards those musical goals.

 

[womanfish]

I also believe they do. And I think they will make a semi-great one before calling it quits.

Unfortunately we've seen two semi-great albums these past two albums. Marred slightly by exactly what cobl04 said, but to me, better than the ATYCLB, Bomb and No Line. IMO

I do think their only hope is to go the spiritual, meditative, cathartic route and for the edge to get re-engaged. The full out rock album that Bono mused about... errrr... I just don't think they can go there.

I don't know if they can pull off a full, cohesive album of this, They have proven they are unable for the last 20 years. Bomb was at least a more cohesive thought and execution of a consistent theme, but just too many mediocre songs across the board. I guess the same could be said for ATYCLB. There was a overall feel that keeps it all together well, but It has its standouts, along with some really poor songs on it that drag it down. No Line obviously is the king of being killed by "HITS!" A true example of a project that was full of scattered ideas that no one on their production team had the balls to say - cut that shit out.

But I am hoping for them to buck the odds and do something that exceeds our expectations.

 

[womanfish]

I believe they can make a full album that would be considered a killer or great/ classic album. But I believe it needs to be from whatever vein they tapped that kicked out Little Things/ Red Flag Day/ Troubles/ Raised by Wolves + the energy of Blackout + the spark from the Apollo show, plus Edge tinkering enough to find a different sound that ignites the bands imagination. Kind of like Bono explaining to Edge our the sound of El Salvador into a guitar and out comes Bullet the Blue Sky - that sort of spark. My wife and I were extremely fortunate to be in person at that show & there was not one part that felt mailed in, so they have the interest to make music in a small room and blow the roof off. That’s important.

And how the European leg of e&i transformed, including Landlady & Summer of Love which in my optinion from a lyrical songwriting perspective is them at their peak, they still believe in the power of their new stuff in concerrt, which ultimately seems to fuel them, envisioning the new material to work in front of a crowd.

I think ultimately their health and health of their family will determine if they have the time and energy to commit themselves towards those musical goals.

NIce post. You list many of my favorites from the recent albums.
I think an album with the feel of Love is all, 13, Landlady, Book of Your Heart, Sleep Like a Baby, EBW, The Troubles would be incredible. But it would still have to be brought to a new level, most of that resting the edge's shoulders.

 

[lazarus]

I absolutely believe they have another killer album in them. Several, even.

But they won't make them. They won't even try.

Their idiotic desperation for relevance means they won't put out a record unless it contains a bunch of shit songs designed to make them big again.

The Edge has given up trying, Bono is brainwashed and surrounded by yes-men, Larry is happy to collect a pay cheque for playing Sunday Bloody Sunday, Beautiful Day and Elevation a few times a year and Adam doesn't get a say in anything.

I am firmly of the view that there is plenty of good music left in U2. Your third sentence is spot on. But they'll never do that.

All of this, though Cobbler and I differ greatly on the quality of SOI and SOE. If you have the non-album tracks to work with and can prune some of the crap off, I think you could turn each of those into very good to great albums.

I also think that while Edge really disappointed me on SOE with all the guest guitarist and the general lack of inspired sounds, I did think he had a lot of retro energy on SOI: Wolves, Volcano, Reach Around, all sounded like blasts from the early 80s past.

But yeah, I'm not holding out much hope. The band is more likely to put out some saccharine, post-Coronavirus album about global healing that sounds like ATYCLB Part 2 than it is to do something truly vital.

 

[womanfish]

The band is more likely to put out some saccharine, post-Coronavirus album about global healing that sounds like ATYCLB Part 2 than it is to do something truly vital.

Aw fuck. That is my worst case scenario. The forced feel-good uplift songs are the worst of U2 for me. That would be a brutal way to go out

 

[lazarus]

Come on, you don't want to see that tour? Bono doing a 5-min intro to acoustic Miracle Drug, which is accompanied by footage of doctors and nurses working in hospitals?

Show ends with One as names of coronavirus victims scroll up the screen for 10 minutes.

 

[cobl04]

^ that is.... too real.

I do think their only hope is to go the spiritual, meditative, cathartic route and for the edge to get re-engaged. The full out rock album that Bono mused about... errrr... I just don't think they can go there.

I don't think either of these are good ideas. The first route leads to the situation Laz described below, while the second one, agree, they can't pull off.

For me, the brilliant, late-career album is right there, and we can see pieces of it over the last 11 years: Cedars of Lebanon, Moment of Surrender, No Line on the Horizon (with a better chorus), Fez, White as Snow (but not boring), Landlady, The Troubles... that vibe, where they aren't trying so damn hard, works really well. But all these songs mostly get forgotten because they are focused on utter shit like Best Thing, American Soul, Get Out...

I would kill for an album from U2 that is grounded in the experimentation and creativity of the above songs.

All of this, though Cobbler and I differ greatly on the quality of SOI and SOE. If you have the non-album tracks to work with and can prune some of the crap off, I think you could turn each of those into very good to great albums.

I think there's at least one full quite good album in there.

 

[Irvine511]

I think we’ll get more pretty great songs from them, but at this point there’s far too much expectation for what a U2 album has to “do” for them to pull off something great as an album. It’s like how great, old directors can still give us amazing individual scenes, but their movies dont quite cohere in the way that they once did.

Oddly, the COVID has me on a U2 kick, and it’s been a while.

 

[AndrewCowley]

Stop. Trying. To. Make. Hits.

It’s not like this stupid philosophy has actually produced any hits.

The best songs from NLOTH, SOI and SOE are the non forced ones. Instead of doing 2-3 of those per album, do a whole album of them. At least for no other reason than trying something different.

Who are their peers? Let’s say Pearl Jam, Radiohead and Springsteen to name 3. Here you have 3 acts that long since gave up on hits and relevance. Arguably all 3 are left with more credibility than U2 have left themselves with.

If they do another album, please please try something different.

 

[mikal]

I still think any disdain for SOI (other than the Apple blunder) is just really strange. I think it's by far their best album since Pop, even with the somewhat cringe worthy "Miracle (of Joey Ramone)" to open the album and leaving "Crystal Ballroom" and "Invisible" off the album. I still, almost 6 years later, can pop this album on and listen all the way through without skipping a song. And then after, I'm inspired to go listen to the live versions. I think it's a shame that the Apple debacle has shaded over how absolutely brilliant this album is. And if they don't make another brilliant album this late in their career, I'm ok with the fact that they already made one in their mid 50's.

 

[zoopop]

I still think any disdain for SOI (other than the Apple blunder) is just really strange. I think it's by far their best album since Pop, even with the somewhat cringe worthy "Miracle (of Joey Ramone)" to open the album and leaving "Crystal Ballroom" and "Invisible" off the album. I still, almost 6 years later, can pop this album on and listen all the way through without skipping a song. And then after, I'm inspired to go listen to the live versions. I think it's a shame that the Apple debacle has shaded over how absolutely brilliant this album is. And if they don't make another brilliant album this late in their career, I'm ok with the fact that they already made one in their mid 50's.

The Apple Blunder & Bono's accident really killed any hope for SOI. You take those two incidents away and there would have been some good buzz for SOI.

I still wonder how awkward it would have been to be press member/techie & U2 walks out to perform 'The Miracle' in a building. This is cringe worthy for any rock band. The Rolling Stones could have came out & played Exile on Main Street completely thru & it would have been akward. Then to top it off they put their album on everyone's phone.

They did recover with some great live shows for the next 3/4 years. But the damage was done to SOI in the public's eye. If anything they'll make fun of themselves about the Apple Incident on the next album/promo.

Everyone is right though, there are some really good/great U2 songs from the last 3 albums that could've been a subtle hit for them & some credibility.

 

[rennowba]

If you go off the last two album cycles then songs like :

Every breaking wave
The crystal ballroom
Raised by wolves
Invisible
Summer of love
Red flag day
The little things that give you away
The blackout

They are all top class songs . The two tours accompanying the albums were both incredible tours . There’s a lot left in the tank .

Anyone think with the current situation u2 will tour next year ? One because they will probably want to and feel like they have to and two to help livenation make some money after this disastrous year .

 

[lazarus]

Tour for what? Achtung Baby 20th anniversary?

As low as they've sunk, I can't imagine them touring just to tour, without any material to specifically promote.

They were on the road a lot the past few years, my guess is they'd prefer to take some time recording, especially after this downtime has likely lead to a lot of introspection for all four of them.

 

[DaveC]

i would be surprised if the demand exists for a fourth U2 tour in a 6 year span.

 

[dan_smee]

Tour for what? Achtung Baby 20th anniversary?

As low as they've sunk, I can't imagine them touring just to tour, without any material to specifically promote.

They were on the road a lot the past few years, my guess is they'd prefer to take some time recording, especially after this downtime has likely lead to a lot of introspection for all four of them.

AB 30th, you mean?

So exactly what they did for JT...

 

[Hewson]

Live Nation won't need U2 in 2021. I joked with a concert buddy earlier this year (before the shit hit the fan) that "everybody besides U2" was touring in 2020. Most or quite likely all of those tours will be pushed to 2021 so there'll be plenty of opportunity for Live Nation to earn money next year without U2.
And a sizable percentage of folks will probably be hesitant (and rightly so) to jump back into crowds so quickly. U2 won't be hitting the road any time soon.

 

[zoopop]

The live experience/price will change after this is all over. Most people will not see a need to go to a live show like they once did. And most people are not gonna pay the big bucks for a while. Stones charging $400+ a show. VIP packages from artist. I would be shocked if that will still work.

Artist have been really taking advantage of the market the last decade. Even though sales /revenue in music is down, people still pay good $ for concert tickets. And everyone is touring nowadays. Its the money maker for these artist (including U2).

Bono would be 61 next year. So if their gonna tour it has to be sooner than later with his age/health. The 360 model worked and fans seemed to be ok with prices. I could see U2 doing another stadium tour with reasonable priced tickets just let the people/market recover. I see time table of:

2020 U2 hunker down/let this virus play out/release Joshua Tree Tour Film/DVD)
2021 Reocord/Release an album
2022 New U2 Tour

 

[mikal]

The live experience/price will change after this is all over. Most people will not see a need to go to a live show like they once did. And most people are not gonna pay the big bucks for a while. Stones charging $400+ a show. VIP packages from artist. I would be shocked if that will still work.

Artist have been really taking advantage of the market the last decade. Even though sales /revenue in music is down, people still pay good $ for concert tickets. And everyone is touring nowadays. Its the money maker for these artist (including U2).

Bono would be 61 next year. So if their gonna tour it has to be sooner than later with his age/health. The 360 model worked and fans seemed to be ok with prices. I could see U2 doing another stadium tour with reasonable priced tickets just let the people/market recover. I see time table of:

2020 U2 hunker down/let this virus play out/release Joshua Tree Tour Film/DVD)
2021 Reocord/Release an album
2022 New U2 Tour

I agree with the order of events but I would make 2021 and 2022 recording the new album with a release and tour in 2023. Don't think we'll see anything sooner than that.

 

[cobl04]

I very much hope we’ll get ZooTV 30th anniversary tour.

 

[AndrewCowley]

If 2023 rolls around and U2 are still indulging themselves in the studio, then yeah we may get an AB 30 tour. But only if LN kicks their heads in. I am adamant this is the only reason for JT 30.

That said, when does their LN contract expire? It’s not for life, is it?!

 

[womanfish]

If you go off the last two album cycles then songs like :

Every breaking wave
The crystal ballroom
Raised by wolves
Invisible
Summer of love
Red flag day
The little things that give you away
The blackout

They are all top class songs . The two tours accompanying the albums were both incredible tours . There’s a lot left in the tank .

Anyone think with the current situation u2 will tour next year ? One because they will probably want to and feel like they have to and two to help livenation make some money after this disastrous year .

Yeah, for me the last two albums have presented some amazing material.

Along with your list
Every breaking wave
The crystal ballroom
Raised by wolves
Invisible
Summer of love
Red flag day
The little things that give you away
The blackout

I would add

Love is All
Lights of home (St. Peters)
Sleep Like a Baby
Landlady
13

And look at that. A perfect little album of thirteen songs.

SOI had even had really good "second tier" songs - Iris, Reach, Cedarwood, Volcano (probably their best "rawk" song they've done in a long time)

After a few years of listening now, I would put SOI as the more consistent record, with SOE being strong overall but having a few more highs and definitely a few more lows (Get Out, American Soul, The Showman) But both are better for me overall, just as an enjoyable listen, than any of the 3 albums that proceeded them.

 

[The Panther]

I personally think (and I know I'm in the minority) that Songs of Innocence was a fabulous album. It was lean and mean, well produced/mixed (for a change), tuneful, and without any cringe-inducing Bono moments.

To get picky about it, "Cedarwood Road" isn't my favorite tune, but each of the other 10 tracks is quite strong. "Every Breaking Wave" (in this studio form, only) is one of U2's very greatest tracks, ever.

There are a few problems, like invoking "Joey Ramone" by name on the title of the opening track, which was a bit desperate, along with the "Oh-oh-oh's" draped all over it (the one bit of over-singing on this album, but at least it's not Bono's lead). The song is a bit too obviously targeting a hit single (it failed). (I also could live without the frankly weird sleeve photo on the CD release, which looks like a high-class DVD cover to a gay-porn film. The i-Tunes release "sleeve" was a lot cooler and reflected the "back-to-the-70s" vibe of the songs better.)

But for me, it's the best U2 album since 1991.

The thing is, I think what the OP is looking for here is not so much a "great" album from U2 as the experience of something new and different and really exciting from U2. And if that's what you're looking for, I would guess you're going to be disappointed.

 

[zoopop]

Cedarwood Road is the only song I just don't really care about. I like the ending but everything feels clunky. And if you take GOOYOW & American Soul (though it rocked live) you have a really solid album. Add Invisible & Crystal Ballroom, U2 wrote some really solid songs to add to their catalog.

 

[lazarus]

"Every Breaking Wave" (in this studio form, only) is one of U2's very greatest tracks, ever.

This is the one track that I would remove, personally. And replace it with the earlier, guitar-heavy version.

Way too adult contemporary for my tastes.

And the track order on this album is a bit of a mess, but that's not a new thing for this band post-2000.

 

[zoopop]

This is the one track that I would remove, personally. And replace it with the earlier, guitar-heavy version.

Way too adult contemporary for my tastes.

And the track order on this album is a bit of a mess, but that's not a new thing for this band post-2000.

This one?



And I agree. Would have been great live. Guitars just come blasting in when Bono hits the chrous. But we get the piano version.....

Question. Never understood the track placement of EBW & California from a the narrative standpoint.

 

[womanfish]

I personally think (and I know I'm in the minority) that Songs of Innocence was a fabulous album. It was lean and mean, well produced/mixed (for a change), tuneful, and without any cringe-inducing Bono moments.

To get picky about it, "Cedarwood Road" isn't my favorite tune, but each of the other 10 tracks is quite strong. "Every Breaking Wave" (in this studio form, only) is one of U2's very greatest tracks, ever.

There are a few problems, like invoking "Joey Ramone" by name on the title of the opening track, which was a bit desperate, along with the "Oh-oh-oh's" draped all over it (the one bit of over-singing on this album, but at least it's not Bono's lead). The song is a bit too obviously targeting a hit single (it failed). (I also could live without the frankly weird sleeve photo on the CD release, which looks like a high-class DVD cover to a gay-porn film. The i-Tunes release "sleeve" was a lot cooler and reflected the "back-to-the-70s" vibe of the songs better.)

But for me, it's the best U2 album since 1991.

The thing is, I think what the OP is looking for here is not so much a "great" album from U2 as the experience of something new and different and really exciting from U2. And if that's what you're looking for, I would guess you're going to be disappointed.

Count me in the minority. I still would take POP and Zooropa (most days) over it, but it is an outstanding album. I think EBW may be the most underrated/underappreciated song in U2's entire existence.
I like the alternate version, but sometimes the guitar feels a bit... pasted in... and with the great guitar work, it's disappointing that it completely false flat after the bridge compared to the album version. Maybe a combo of those versions would be about right.

 

[tommycharles]

If 2023 rolls around and U2 are still indulging themselves in the studio, then yeah we may get an AB 30 tour. But only if LN kicks their heads in. I am adamant this is the only reason for JT 30.

I'm pretty sure we heard that at the time - they owed LN a tour in 2017, which should have been E&I, (with iHeartRadio and Dreamforce in '2016 being part of the album launch campaign), but when Bono went wrong that all fell apart, so instead we got TJT30 and E&I a year later.

 

[mikal]

Count me in the minority. I still would take POP and Zooropa (most days) over it, but it is an outstanding album. I think EBW may be the most underrated/underappreciated song in U2's entire existence.
I like the alternate version, but sometimes the guitar feels a bit... pasted in... and with the great guitar work, it's disappointing that it completely false flat after the bridge compared to the album version. Maybe a combo of those versions would be about right.

Yeah as much as I absolutely adore SOI, no way it goes above Zooropa or Pop. I tend not to rank albums though, ruins the experience for me. Instead, I look at everything from 1984-1997 as untouchable. U2 was simply brilliant and there are very few missteps for me personally. Pre 1984 has some amazing stuff, NYD and all of Boy also are close to untouchable. Post 1997 is a different U2 in my eyes and while not close to the 1984-1997 status, it's also not as horrible as some make it out to be. I still think ATYCLB, while not an album that I ever have the itch to put on and blast, is still a very important album. When it first came out, I listened to it non-stop and it was very cool to see the critical success they achieved as well as how they became directly involved in the Post 9/11 healing process for America.....something I'll never forget. Everything past that is inconsistent and I agree about the "reaching for hits" criticism, especially on NLOTH which should have been a brilliant return to experimentation. Personally, SOI is U2's most authentic effort of their career post 1997 as they weren't desperately reaching for that radio single. The closest is "The Miracle" but it's not a horrible tune ala "Stand Up Comedy". SOE has some brilliant stuff as well but it's a couple tracks too long and could have left the radio singles out again.

For the next record, if they can achieve what they did on SOI, that would be huge.