After a year...what do you think about NLOTH?

[An Cat Gav]

It is esily the best album they have released since Pop, featuring some songs which rank well with their best from their catalogue, NLOTH, Cedars, FEZ-being Born, MOS and most of all , Magnificent, which is right up there with my favourite U2 songs. Howvever, like many others have stated, it loses it's way with CT, goes off in a totally different, albeit interesting, direction with Boots, and then plumbs the depths of crap with SUC. I think that SUC is so at odds with the feel of the rest of the album that it's almost impossible for the album to retain any kind of cohesion. Such a shame because with outtakes such as Winter and Soon included, this album could have been one of their best. Boots and Crazy tonight are fine, but I'd have preferred if they had been released at another time and not on this album, SUC should never ever have seen the light of day.

 

[cobl04]

Magnificent sucks!

 

[Vlad n U 2]

Magnificent sucks!

 

[Galeongirl]

Magnificent sucks!

Still strong on the hate eh?


After way more than a year I'm still very much in love with this record and it's my favourite after AB. I even warmed up to MOS, though I don't think it's the best thing since sliced bread. The only downer on it for me is Cedars, and the lack of NLOTH2. But yeah, same opinion I had before. And I still do not get the hate for CT, Boots and SUC. Hoping they're gonna debut the latter live. And Fez-BB as opener. Definitely Fez as opener!

 

[bram]

I know what you mean, but I doubt we can make this broad of a statement about a group with as large an appeal as U2. The "around here" in your post seems to suggest you equate "hardcore fan" with "Interference regulars", but I would cast suspicion on this point. While the people on here are indeed harcore fans, I don't think they (we?) represent the normal big U2 fan. Well, we might, but I don't think it should be assumed so.

I didn't mean to conflate hardcore U2 fans with Interference regulars--I was speaking of the latter only, as I don't have significant exposure to the former. But this brings up the question: why would one specific group of hardcore fans vary significantly from another? It's certainly not impossible, but unless there's something/someone around here that's biasing people to a large degree in one direction (which I find hard to believe given the strength of opinions on all sides), I find it more plausible that Interference is representative of hardcore fans rather than exceptional among them. Obviously, we'd have to strictly define "hardcore fans" at some point if we wanted to try to get anywhere with this line of inquiry, but maybe we could simply go with "hardcore heavy internet-using fans".

 

[65980]

I didn't mean to conflate hardcore U2 fans with Interference regulars--I was speaking of the latter only, as I don't have significant exposure to the former.

I see.

But this brings up the question: why would one specific group of hardcore fans vary significantly from another?

Perhaps they wouldn't on the whole.

It's certainly not impossible, but unless there's something/someone around here that's biasing people to a large degree in one direction (which I find hard to believe given the strength of opinions on all sides), I find it more plausible that Interference is representative of hardcore fans rather than exceptional among them.

Could be.

Obviously, we'd have to strictly define "hardcore fans" at some point if we wanted to try to get anywhere with this line of inquiry,...

That's the key thing. Who's a "hardcore" fan and who isn't? Take myself, for example -- I've been listening to the group since 1989 and know more about them than Larry Mullen does, but I wouldn't call myself a hardcore fan. I'm more comfortable with defining harcore porn.

...but maybe we could simply go with "hardcore heavy internet-using fans".

I like where you're going with this.

Interferencers -- henceforth, ye shall make all reference to "hardcore heavy internet-using fans" when attempting to describe the monopoly of opinions on this forum.

(65980 approves of your wit, by the way.)

 

[bram]

Heh, right back at you. As I began typing my last message, I realized the inevitable nebulousness of this debate. The only cure is humor. Or perhaps I may yet develop an exceptionally high opinion of my own opinions, leading to extraordinary levels of confidence without needing resort to the dreariness of fact collection.

 

[65980]

One should never let facts get in the way of one's more fiercely-defended opinions. See 'The Tea Party' for more (nominally inspired by yer little town).

 

[djerdap]

Take myself, for example -- I've been listening to the group since 1989 and know more about them than Larry Mullen does, but I wouldn't call myself a hardcore fan.

 

[digitize]

That image...

 

[The_Edge89]

 

[Tyagu_Anaykus]

 

[65980]

Between this and your horrendous avatar, you have officially made the single least aesthetically-pleasing post in the history of Interference.

 

[Screwtape2]

For me, the album has slowly sunk to the bottom three with the other 2000's releases. It is still easily my favorite U2 album of the decade but I do not enjoy it as much as the band's pre-2000's albums. I think what hurts it the most is knowing the potential compared to what we actually got. Now anyone familiar with my posts knows that I love demo's and b-sides. Between Winter, Soon and the studio/Fez clips I can no longer listen to Crazy Tonight or Boots without thinking 'these are not very good songs.' I can no longer listen to NLOTH straight through without that attached feeling of frustration.

On a positive note, I think Cedars has improved with time.

 

[quiltybones]

I feel about NLOTH pretty much exactly as I did after my first several listens.

I still think the first four songs comprise one of the greatest twenty minute stretches of music in their career.

I sometimes almost like Crazy, but more often than not I sort of hate it. It's too ... sappy for my tastes.

I still like Boots. Don't love it, but do like it.

I still think SUC sucks.

Fez and White as Snow are great. WAS has been the biggest "grower" for me.

I think Breathe is just a good, solid song. I confess I'm still haunted by the beach clip version of it, which, to my ears, sounded much rawer and more visceral and better, especially the outro. Basically, I've never quite gotten over my slight disappointment with the album version.

Cedars = great.

Overall, NLOTH is up there among my favorites by U2. Definitely their best since POP. And now I think I'll open another beer ...

 

[djerdap]

Between this and your horrendous avatar, you have officially made the single least aesthetically-pleasing post in the history of Interference.

What?!



Thanks!

 

[An Cat Gav]

For me, the album has slowly sunk to the bottom three with the other 2000's releases. It is still easily my favorite U2 album of the decade but I do not enjoy it as much as the band's pre-2000's albums. I think what hurts it the most is knowing the potential compared to what we actually got. Now anyone familiar with my posts knows that I love demo's and b-sides. Between Winter, Soon and the studio/Fez clips I can no longer listen to Crazy Tonight or Boots without thinking 'these are not very good songs.' I can no longer listen to NLOTH straight through without that attached feeling of frustration.

On a positive note, I think Cedars has improved with time.

 

[bram]

I feel about NLOTH pretty much exactly as I did after my first several listens.

I still think the first four songs comprise one of the greatest twenty minute stretches of music in their career.

I sometimes almost like Crazy, but more often than not I sort of hate it. It's too ... sappy for my tastes.

I still like Boots. Don't love it, but do like it.

I still think SUC sucks.

Fez and White as Snow are great. WAS has been the biggest "grower" for me.

I think Breathe is just a good, solid song. I confess I'm still haunted by the beach clip version of it, which, to my ears, sounded much rawer and more visceral and better, especially the outro. Basically, I've never quite gotten over my slight disappointment with the album version.

Cedars = great.

Overall, NLOTH is up there among my favorites by U2. Definitely their best since POP. And now I think I'll open another beer ...

Very close to my own feelings about the album (and about drinking beer).

 

[mikal]

I feel about NLOTH pretty much exactly as I did after my first several listens.

I still think the first four songs comprise one of the greatest twenty minute stretches of music in their career.

I sometimes almost like Crazy, but more often than not I sort of hate it. It's too ... sappy for my tastes.

I still like Boots. Don't love it, but do like it.

I still think SUC sucks.

Fez and White as Snow are great. WAS has been the biggest "grower" for me.

I think Breathe is just a good, solid song. I confess I'm still haunted by the beach clip version of it, which, to my ears, sounded much rawer and more visceral and better, especially the outro. Basically, I've never quite gotten over my slight disappointment with the album version.

Cedars = great.

Overall, NLOTH is up there among my favorites by U2. Definitely their best since POP. And now I think I'll open another beer ...

wow. i second these thoughts as well. that's about right on the money.

 

[FitzChivalry]

Surprisingly, I feel pretty much the same about it as I did in the beginning. I'll do a list like quiltybones'

--I really like it a lot. It's my favorite of U2's "2000's" releases.

--No Line On The Horizon is still my favorite track by far. It just rocks exactly how I wanted to hear U2 rock again.

--Magnificent is a behemoth of a song, but for me, the verses keep it from achieving true monster greatness like, say, Bullet The Blue Sky. I love the intro the most, the choruses are good, but the verses fall flat for me. Adam and Larry are the most impressive on this song. I think Edge's guitars are too nondescript, subtle and unmemorable in the verses.

--I still love MOS and IGCIIDGCT as much as I did in the beginning

--UC has grown on me a little, and that is completely thanks to the 360 tour and Carlos.

--I still skip SUC 9 out of every 10 times.

--Fez and Breathe are good, solid songs that I enjoy, but don't absolutely love.

--I enjoy Get On Your Boots a lot. Is it up their with their greatest songs? No. Is it too reminiscent of Vertigo? Yes. Do I still enjoy the heck out of it, especially the "Let me in the sound . . . " break? Yes.

--WAS, I go back and forth. Sometimes I like it, sometimes I don't. But even when I don't like it, I don't dislike it; in those instances, I think it's just okay.

--And I love Cedars of Lebanon, probably just as much or even more than in the beginning.


ATYCLB has really fallen in my opinion since I first heard it. And HTDAAB has also fallen, though not quite as much as ATYCLB. But NLOTH has stayed the same for me . . . and that makes me happy!

 

[TonyH]

For the most part, I still love the album! I usually find myself skipping over Fez, WAS, and Cedars.

I just heard a nice version of WOWY transition into Mercy by a U2 tribute band the other night. It was awesome! Didn't realize I liked Mercy that much until it came up as a complete surprise.

 

[silkensky]

NLOTH - still rocks hard, even more so live. Can feel some Achtung influence going on here.

Magnificent - tied with NLOTH for me, though lyrically its got some weak spots but its OK, Edge's riff makes up for that.

MOS - was hoping it'd grow on me, but I can't get into it. It feels so unnatural for U2. I guess others really love it, that's cool. Live it is a bit better, and must admit that I quite like the ending, especially Bono's improv rap that he tacked onto it at the 360 shows. See the Rose Bowl dvd, that whole moment toward the end is brilliant.

UC - like MOS, for the most part I feel like I have to force myself to like it. It is a decent song, but thats honestly the best i can say about it. Ah well... perhaps more time is needed for it.

Crazy - Must admit that this one has grown on me a lot, and the live remix is hella fun.

Boots - Stupid fun i guess. Cool riff and the middle 8 is great. Cringeworthy lyrics, though.

SUC - I like Edge's slide part/middle 8, but the rest of it is vomit

Fez-BB - A song i still wish they'd try live, my third fav on the album. Great atmospherics and ambience. The vocals are haunting.

WAS - Still a snorefest for me.

Breathe - Damned good song, felt it was a little awkward at first, but it's got some guts and guts is good. Sometimes I feel it works alright as an opener (Larry's drum intro is fantastic) but ultimately I feel that NLOTH, Mag, or Fez would work much, much better.

Cedars - absolutely love Bono's vocal delivery, the lyrics for the most part are OK, though what I like most about the song is its mood.

So breaking the songs down on NLOTH, at least for me:

The Great:
No Line on the Horizon
Magnificent
Fez-Being Born

The Good:
I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight
Breathe
Cedars of Lebanon

The Mediocre:
Unknown Caller
Moment of Surrender

The Crap:
Stand Up Comedy
Get On Your Boots
White As Snow

All in all this a damned good album, IMHO, but not quite great. I still feel that some parts of it are too unnatural, perhaps disjointed and just a little too half baked for my tastes. That said, I must say that I'm loving Soon, despite being only two minutes, and I hope they explore THAT sound further on the next record.

 

[verhalen]

I'll be honest, it has taken me at least a year to really enjoy this album. Oddly, MOS was the biggest stumbling block for me -- there it was, track 3 (usually a crucial position on a U2 record), and it was downtempo, meditative, and I couldn't find any emotional connection to it. It threw the whole album out for me. My feelings about it (MOS) finally changed when, with a correct lyric sheet and help from commenters here, I started to "get" the drug abuse / recovery theme in it. (It also helped that I finally got "clean" myself.) Once I made that personal connection with MOS, my feelings about the whole album changed. Still it took a few more discoveries / substitutions to arrive at a play sequence that has endured in my iPod:

1 - NLOTH version "2" -- The "official" track 1 version has been a letdown to me since the first listen. I also didn't like the "2" version at first but eventually came to terms with the less-polished-ness of it and finally preferred it as the opener.
2 - GOYB -- My favorite flavor of U2 will always be the darker, aggressive and noisier kind, so this is one of my favorites on the album. Has to go near the front since it's the track I crave the most.
3 - Magnificent adam k / soha club mix -- Remixes almost never feel natural in an album sequence but this one is so polished that it *almost* could fit. The regular album version lost interest for me after a few listens, but this remix revived my love for the song. The long, ambient outro transitions really well into UC (see next track...)
4 - UC -- Not a favorite for me but it does hold up well enough here; best parts are the intro and the section from the french horns to the end.
5 - Crazy -- It's OK, it's got some hooks I don't mind hearing repeatedly, sometimes i end up really liking it.
6 - SUC -- Obviously one of the most divisive tracks on the album, but it's maybe my 4th favorite track here... I like a lot in the lyrics and I'm almost always nodding along to the groove.
7 - MOS -- as mentioned above this is the track that started to change my perception of this album for the better. However, it is so substantial that if it comes too soon in the sequence, it punctuates the album too early and deflates everything that follows. I like it much better in this position, where it creates a very compelling transtion to the ruminative closing stretch.
8 - Winter -- why ? because the sequence needs 4 tracks to feel complete after MOS, and WAS puts me to sleep so it's outta there. Winter is a very interesting if imperfect "b-side" and fits well for me after MOS.
9 - Fez / BB -- I have to confess i still don't really get this musically or lyrically, but at the very least it works really well as a palate-cleanser to cue up Breathe.
10 - Breathe -- A really distinctive sound for U2; it'll never be one of my favorites but is enduringly enjoyable for the defiantly hopeful message and the undeniable chemistry in the crashing final section.
11 - Cedars -- I like it, not love it, but it is a really nice album closer.

 

[Yahweh_OMG]

I love it.

But I still can't listen to Crazy tonight (worst song since Wild Honey), I skip Cedars as well.

The rest is great, sometimes even masterpieces with FEZ, NO LINE, MOS, UC.

Best album of U2's 2000 by 1000 miles.

ATYCLB is the worst by 1000 too (in the whole U2 catalogue).

 

[david]

I pretty much still like it in its entirety a year later.

Same could not be said about how I felt about Bomb a year after its release.

 

[nielsgov]

I just listened to it again and I have to say that I really like it. Achtung Baby is U2's masterpiece but TJT, Pop and this album follow really closely.

For me NLOTH has three of U2's best songs: Moment Of Surrender, Unknown Caller and Fez-Being Born. All the rest vary from average (Crazy and Stand Up Comedy) to really good (the title track, Cedars...). And I don't even dislike Crazy and Stand Up Comedy but when I compare them to other U2 songs they're pretty weak but there are only a few U2 songs that I don't like so I still think they're pretty good.

I also think this U2's most diverse album (some like it and other think it doesn't flow well) You have anthem U2, pop (not the album) U2, 2000's rock U2, anthemic rock U2, dark U2, ballad U2...

 

[U2girl]

It is very diverse, probably due to the band getting lost in the music. I like it, I think it makes for a very strong (three-part record comment someone made early on is dead on) and ageing-friendly record, not to mention fantastic sequencing.

The weak links - yes, every U2 album has them - I feel don't really sink the album, and I'd take any of the "worst NLOTH song" candidate over "worst Zooropa-Pop-ATYCLB-Bomb song" anytime.

That said Crazy tonight feels out of place on an album like NLOTH; it would be better placed on ATYCLB or Bomb. Boots is the weakest song, and the worst lead single U2's ever had.

 

[NotBono]

I still consider the album to be my favorite (U2 album) of the 2000's.

1. No Line On The Horizon -- Absolutely love this song as much as the first time I heard it. I like this version better than NLOTH 2.

2. Magnificent - Another brilliant track. This was the true standout track when I listened the album when it first streamed on MySpace.

3. Moment Of Surrender - Maybe I just haven't "got" this track yet. I was never a fan of the slower, longer songs. I usually skip it.

4. Unknown Caller - An average U2 tune. Nothing real special about it, but it isn't bad either. I enjoyed it more live than on the album. I usually don't skip it though.

5. I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight - Another average U2 tune. I am a huge fan of the 360 version. It was definitely one of the highlights of the tour for me.

6. Get On Your Boots - This "song" still sucks.

7. Stand Up Comedy - I don't understand all the hate regarding this song. Maybe its the fact that it's the U2 sound fusing with one of my other favorites, Led Zeppelin. Its probably my third favorite song not he album.

8. Fez/Being Born - I still can't believe this managed to make the album (in a good way). This track is out there; almost Passengers/Zooropa 2 track. I don't listen to it frequently, but I do enjoy the track.

9. White As Snow - Another average song. I love the lyrics, but I am just not a huge fan of the slow songs. I felt that it didn't with the rest of the album which was very fast paced and different.

10. Breathe - This song made a killer opening in 360. I enjoy listening to it a lot and is my fourth favorite on the album. Just a generally fun song.

11. Cedars Of Lebanon - I don't know why, but this song reminds me a little bit like "Love Is Blindness". A great song though.

 

[rastacruz]

it's a very forgettable album for me

Magnificent is a good song

 

[asr]

I make a playlist on my iPod with this album and I always omit CT and SUC. I leave GOYB on there because it goes with the flow with the whole "let me in the sound let me in the sound" thing that spills into FEZ-Being Born. It's my ideal version of the album.