Well, let's go straightforward, without any introduction. I have quite funny sensations about U2's last years and the next possible record. Let's face it, doesn't matter how much it hurts, U2 are worn out, spent away by their own members. I have real high expectations about the new record, but just because it is U2; I've been following them for long years, it could be said they are the original soundtrack of my life, but that doesn't mean I cannot criticize them when I think I must.
U2's last records (specially the last one) haven't been that good. I must recognize I bought the bomb and listened to it and went to see the Vertigo tour just because it is U2. Don't misunderstand me, I am not trying in any way to compare it with achtung baby, or the joshua tree. I mean it hasn't even reached U2's standard level. Music has all gone about production and publicity, two things U2 (and sorrounders) have reached to master in the last ten years, and all I would expect U2 to do is fuck it all off and make "something". Well it's plain clear Bono has lost himself in the Saving-Bono role, and the band has run out of ideas. They are legends, prophets, people everybody will listen to, and they know. Maybe I would be happy if they could still make real big concerts, where you could see them run, jump, have real fun, but The Rolling Stones or Bruce Springsteen are much older and can still kick your ass live. U2, at their best these days, can only make YOU shake it. They play with the fact that many people will feel good just being near them.
There isn't any music any more. The best they could do was release 3 compilations, 7 re-editions (count them: boy, october, war, under a blood red sky, the joshua tree, zoo tv live and popmart live) and 3 and a half live dvds (the half I mean the dvd accompanying the special edition of the 18 singles) in less than 10 years. Only 2 extra songs and 2 records, and at least one of them really sub-standard. U23D was nice, but a bit too late in time. Millions of photographs, tv and papers appereances and marketing maneuvers everywhere just for the world not to forget they are alive. But not kicking.
But I think I am falling inside an ocean of rethoric. Let's speak about what they have forgot: the music, the magic, the difference. It used to be "here's what the rest are doing, here's U2's twist about it". Nowadays all that matters is the hook, not the sound, not the overall meaning. "Vertigo" is funny live, but it's just another catchy song with a fast riff (that many others could have written) and an easy-to-learn chorus: hello, hello (anybody home, Mcfly?). I keep the whole "Sometimes" waiting for something to happen, but can't find it. It's a nice bono's voice work, but nothing else (and don't make me name his father, let's not get that personal for someone I didn't even know). "Species" gets its best live and with the piano alone. "Love and peace" has a nice rhythm, but the lyrics need rewriting, ¿What about "one step closer", "a man and a woman", "city" (well, the only one that moved me live),...? They could have never existed, or have been writen by a tribute band, really.
It's like when you start going out with a new girl (boy), and the second minute you know it won't go very far. "U2 are releasing a new record": cool, but uhm... More that that, I'm starting to feel quite angry by all the circus. In my opinion, the leaks are getting too obvious, and don't sound quite well, in both technical and musical ways. I just hope they are a distraction maneuver while they take the rabbit out of the hat. If the concerts were at least as spectacular as zoo tv or popmart, maybe I could live with that, just as the rolling stones do: "just nice" records as reasons to go on tour, but what tours! Larry once (or maybe more times) said he didn't want to be a human jukebox of popular U2 songs, and came back with an "achtung baby" under his arm. Maybe they'll stick a nice high heel boot in my mouth and come back with a real piece of art, but I don't think so. And if it bothers Paul McGuinnes that much, I could be downloading the next record instead of buying it. That will be better than throwing stones, as many soccer fans do when the team they support messes up.
What do you think?
U2's last records (specially the last one) haven't been that good. I must recognize I bought the bomb and listened to it and went to see the Vertigo tour just because it is U2. Don't misunderstand me, I am not trying in any way to compare it with achtung baby, or the joshua tree. I mean it hasn't even reached U2's standard level. Music has all gone about production and publicity, two things U2 (and sorrounders) have reached to master in the last ten years, and all I would expect U2 to do is fuck it all off and make "something". Well it's plain clear Bono has lost himself in the Saving-Bono role, and the band has run out of ideas. They are legends, prophets, people everybody will listen to, and they know. Maybe I would be happy if they could still make real big concerts, where you could see them run, jump, have real fun, but The Rolling Stones or Bruce Springsteen are much older and can still kick your ass live. U2, at their best these days, can only make YOU shake it. They play with the fact that many people will feel good just being near them.
There isn't any music any more. The best they could do was release 3 compilations, 7 re-editions (count them: boy, october, war, under a blood red sky, the joshua tree, zoo tv live and popmart live) and 3 and a half live dvds (the half I mean the dvd accompanying the special edition of the 18 singles) in less than 10 years. Only 2 extra songs and 2 records, and at least one of them really sub-standard. U23D was nice, but a bit too late in time. Millions of photographs, tv and papers appereances and marketing maneuvers everywhere just for the world not to forget they are alive. But not kicking.
But I think I am falling inside an ocean of rethoric. Let's speak about what they have forgot: the music, the magic, the difference. It used to be "here's what the rest are doing, here's U2's twist about it". Nowadays all that matters is the hook, not the sound, not the overall meaning. "Vertigo" is funny live, but it's just another catchy song with a fast riff (that many others could have written) and an easy-to-learn chorus: hello, hello (anybody home, Mcfly?). I keep the whole "Sometimes" waiting for something to happen, but can't find it. It's a nice bono's voice work, but nothing else (and don't make me name his father, let's not get that personal for someone I didn't even know). "Species" gets its best live and with the piano alone. "Love and peace" has a nice rhythm, but the lyrics need rewriting, ¿What about "one step closer", "a man and a woman", "city" (well, the only one that moved me live),...? They could have never existed, or have been writen by a tribute band, really.
It's like when you start going out with a new girl (boy), and the second minute you know it won't go very far. "U2 are releasing a new record": cool, but uhm... More that that, I'm starting to feel quite angry by all the circus. In my opinion, the leaks are getting too obvious, and don't sound quite well, in both technical and musical ways. I just hope they are a distraction maneuver while they take the rabbit out of the hat. If the concerts were at least as spectacular as zoo tv or popmart, maybe I could live with that, just as the rolling stones do: "just nice" records as reasons to go on tour, but what tours! Larry once (or maybe more times) said he didn't want to be a human jukebox of popular U2 songs, and came back with an "achtung baby" under his arm. Maybe they'll stick a nice high heel boot in my mouth and come back with a real piece of art, but I don't think so. And if it bothers Paul McGuinnes that much, I could be downloading the next record instead of buying it. That will be better than throwing stones, as many soccer fans do when the team they support messes up.
What do you think?
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