New Album Discussion 10 - Songs of Sir, this is a Wendy's, durr

[pacemaker]

Last thread was over 1000


On a side note, I found the deluxe ZooTV funko pop set at my local Walmart (coastal North Carolina) on clearance for $25. I couldn't not buy it at that price.

[Headache in a Suitcase]

Songs of Songs

[DeVaul]

Songs of Oseary

[TinKnight]

Over on Reddit, “Ultra Vi-oh-let” has the plurality but not the majority.

There are clips where the Edge is bringing his lips together and clearly making an “ov” sound. However, live performances are not canon, and honestly whatever Bono says today is not canon. Guarantee he’d say “ultra violet is a prayer. The lyrics are actually “no one can see the ultra violet” “ knowing how much he likes to cram as many syllables into old songs.

[dan_smee]

Bono live on 360 was definitely ultra-vi-oh-let.

[DeVaul]

I apologize for posting in the old thread.

[DeVaul]

Originally Posted by dan_smee

Bono live on 360 was definitely ultra-vi-oh-let.

This is true.

Also, the booklet lyrics tell us nothing.
From the vinyl:

IMG_7847.JPG

[DeVaul]

Folks…

https://youtu.be/Hhr_sUgGi8E

[DaveC]

ultra violent dwight

[TinKnight]

Originally Posted by DeVaul

Folks…

https://youtu.be/Hhr_sUgGi8E

Compelling evidence, probably the most important document we have in this in terms of raw U2 canon.

[womanfish]

So I waited to comment, because it took me about 6 listens of Pride over two days to land on how I felt about it. Pride I give a 6 mostly because of the last half. WOWY is a bit tougher.

At first listen I didn't like it much. Then reading all the comments about the "cracks" in Bono's vocal, which stood out to me at first as well. But here's the thing. This style suits WOWY much better than Pride. It's about a troubled relationship, a man feeling broken with "nothing left to lose" So the vocal makes perfect sense to me and feels right and actually give a whole new dimension on the feeling of this song.

I also really like the lush synths going on in the background. I think that should have been used even more prominently.

So now the bad. I've said it before, but I feel like they are still married to much to the original and even in a reimagining, can't let go of it enough. I don't love the transition from the low to higher register. Why do we even need it?? Could have been more interesting if the entire song was low register and it never "lifted". Thinking more Johnny Cash-esque. But again, too married to original. In the back half, this is where they needed a good vocal editor. I used to comp vocals back in the day. There are parts here where he slips just out of key for a moment, that could and should have been cleaned up. Also the mix is a bit odd. Bono is so up front at the beginning which is fine, I think it works for effect. But then when the big woooahh ooohhhs, come in, it's way back in the mix, which is odd sounding.

And of course the ending. I feel like we are getting these truncated ends maybe because time restraints of putting 40 songs on cd and vinyl?? Sort of how SOI had songs that could have played out with cool outros (The Troubles) but did not.

Also, my least favorite part is Bono singing "with our without you" as the final line. To me the much better end would be to end the song with the "woooaaah oooohh oohhh oohhh's" once those end - a beautiful synth, long fade out ending.
But again, too married to the original, so he sticks that last line in there. At least the original has a gorgeous long played out end.

That said, I give this a 6.5 cause I feel that I do really like the low register, broken man vocal here, I like the backing synths and instrumentation. So opposite of Pride. I'd take a full song of the first half of WOWY, and I like the back half of Pride.

Now bigger picture of this project. I agree with some of the posts here. I think if it had come out the same day as the book, and sold it separately and as a book+album combo, it would be understood better. I think the songs would be seen more as musical sketches or accompaniment to the chapters. Making it its own release so far from the book release makes it seem like a much bigger deal and thus the expectations of a polished and truly solid reimagining become higher.

And while re-doing 40 songs is not at all lazy... Some of these feel like they should have had more time put into them.

One last thing please, before you post "But it doesn't have the things I like from the original!!!" Please reflect on that statement and realize that that is the entire point of this project. I'm on the opposite side and think that they are sticking a bit too close to the original songs.

So far a 6, a 6.5, and if BD doesn't have any big shifts or surprises from the long clip we heard, I'd say a 5.

My hope is that the original songs I like the least may be made better, or at least bring some surprises. Thinking I may end up really loving about 5 or so from this, liking 20 and then feeling meh or badly about the remaining ones.

I definitely am anticipating each new song they will put out there before the release and am enjoying this little detour as we wait for something else down the road.

[dan_smee]

I do think that, regardless of your opinion of these songs, they have made a strategic blunder in releasing 2 untouchably great, recognisable tunes as the intro to the project. It opens the door to comparisons. I personally think comparisons miss the point and are inane, but I understand why people are doing it. If they had chosen two songs that were lesser known singles - recognisable without being in the all-time bracket then perspectives would have been a bit more grounded.

[dan_smee]

If they had gone with, say COBL or Stay or Lights of Home for the first two then they wouldn’t be getting such visceral hatred for ruining people’s favourite songs.

[dan_smee]

Originally Posted by womanfish

So I waited to comment, because it took me about 6 listens of Pride over two days to land on how I felt about it. Pride I give a 6 mostly because of the last half. WOWY is a bit tougher.



At first listen I didn't like it much. Then reading all the comments about the "cracks" in Bono's vocal, which stood out to me at first as well. But here's the thing. This style suits WOWY much better than Pride. It's about a troubled relationship, a man feeling broken with "nothing left to lose" So the vocal makes perfect sense to me and feels right and actually give a whole new dimension on the feeling of this song.



I also really like the lush synths going on in the background. I think that should have been used even more prominently.



So now the bad. I've said it before, but I feel like they are still married to much to the original and even in a reimagining, can't let go of it enough. I don't love the transition from the low to higher register. Why do we even need it?? Could have been more interesting if the entire song was low register and it never "lifted". Thinking more Johnny Cash-esque. But again, too married to original. In the back half, this is where they needed a good vocal editor. I used to comp vocals back in the day. There are parts here where he slips just out of key for a moment, that could and should have been cleaned up. Also the mix is a bit odd. Bono is so up front at the beginning which is fine, I think it works for effect. But then when the big woooahh ooohhhs, come in, it's way back in the mix, which is odd sounding.



And of course the ending. I feel like we are getting these truncated ends maybe because time restraints of putting 40 songs on cd and vinyl?? Sort of how SOI had songs that could have played out with cool outros (The Troubles) but did not.



Also, my least favorite part is Bono singing "with our without you" as the final line. To me the much better end would be to end the song with the "woooaaah oooohh oohhh oohhh's" once those end - a beautiful synth, long fade out ending.

But again, too married to the original, so he sticks that last line in there. At least the original has a gorgeous long played out end.



That said, I give this a 6.5 cause I feel that I do really like the low register, broken man vocal here, I like the backing synths and instrumentation. So opposite of Pride. I'd take a full song of the first half of WOWY, and I like the back half of Pride.



Now bigger picture of this project. I agree with some of the posts here. I think if it had come out the same day as the book, and sold it separately and as a book+album combo, it would be understood better. I think the songs would be seen more as musical sketches or accompaniment to the chapters. Making it its own release so far from the book release makes it seem like a much bigger deal and thus the expectations of a polished and truly solid reimagining become higher.



And while re-doing 40 songs is not at all lazy... Some of these feel like they should have had more time put into them.



One last thing please, before you post "But it doesn't have the things I like from the original!!!" Please reflect on that statement and realize that that is the entire point of this project. I'm on the opposite side and think that they are sticking a bit too close to the original songs.



So far a 6, a 6.5, and if BD doesn't have any big shifts or surprises from the long clip we heard, I'd say a 5.



My hope is that the original songs I like the least may be made better, or at least bring some surprises. Thinking I may end up really loving about 5 or so from this, liking 20 and then feeling meh or badly about the remaining ones.



I definitely am anticipating each new song they will put out there before the release and am enjoying this little detour as we wait for something else down the road.

Lots to unpack here, and I appreciate a well thought through post.

Main thing is I agree 100 that they are too close to the originals. But I also think that I would feel if they were fundamentally different then they’d be wasting musical ideas they could put into new songs. It’s a catch 22, but if you brand something as re-imagining, then it does need to be more than removing the crutch of the well-known riffs but keep the same melodies and structures and emotional pacing.

[iota]

Originally Posted by dan_smee

I do think that, regardless of your opinion of these songs, they have made a strategic blunder in releasing 2 untouchably great, recognisable tunes as the intro to the project. It opens the door to comparisons. I personally think comparisons miss the point and are inane, but I understand why people are doing it. If they had chosen two songs that were lesser known singles - recognisable without being in the all-time bracket then perspectives would have been a bit more grounded.

The whole slow, excruciating rollout for an album of remakes is a strategic blunder. This should have been a surprise drop of the entire album. I think that if everyone could hear the entire collection at once, the response would be positive. But the concept as a concept isn't that exciting, and it won't generate hype as a concept for two more months. The choice of singles is also a major factor in the negative backlash. I was hoping for 11 O'Clock Tick Tick, which appears to be a banger.

Hopefully the St. Paddy's Day documentary and full 40-song release will rekindle some goodwill in the fanbase, but it's brutal out there right now, and I'm saying that as someone who is excited for this release.

[ascender_RS]

So far, I prefer Pride, but I really want to hear the album because on face value those two sound very similar in style and interpretation. I'm hoping for a lot more variety across the 40 tracks, but I can see why they've released those two first.

I'm still of the mindset that this would have been a fantastic lockdown release if they'd finished it in time. I know Bono's book wasn't out and that this isn't a throwaway project, but my gut says it would have fitted the period perfectly given what everyone was going through.

I see Bono has added some more dates to his solo show taking it in to May now.

It's hard to read the room when it comes to fan reaction online anymore as people are still keen to label any piece of art as the new "Best Thing Ever" or some sort of hate crime. Putting those to one side, there are a lot of people who didn't know this album was coming... thought it was versions from Bono's show... thought it was a new album of original songs... didn't know there were snippets of them in the audiobook... or a combination of one or more of the above!

All I've taken from that is that their fan engagement still isn't the best. As if that's news to us on here... But these are taken from online social media groups/forums of dedicated U2 fans. So is a bit weird at the same time.

[womanfish]

Originally Posted by iota

The whole slow, excruciating rollout for an album of remakes is a strategic blunder. This should have been a surprise drop of the entire album. I think that if everyone could hear the entire collection at once, the response would be positive. But the concept as a concept isn't that exciting, and it won't generate hype as a concept for two more months. The choice of singles is also a major factor in the negative backlash. I was hoping for 11 O'Clock Tick Tick, which appears to be a banger.

Hopefully the St. Paddy's Day documentary and full 40-song release will rekindle some goodwill in the fanbase, but it's brutal out there right now, and I'm saying that as someone who is excited for this release.

Wise words here. A full drop would have been really cool. And would not allow it to get picked apart song by song as we wait for 2 months to get the full thing.

[Rich79]

I have to jump in and say I take back my "grandpa" voice comments (mostly).

Something happened over the weekend. I was having my 3rd or 4th listen because I was making a friend aware this project even existed. The difference going from headphones to my television sound-system was rather stark. I don't know if it was the alcohol talking, but I found WoWY growing on me a little from the vocal-tone standpoint.

Even so, there are still enough things that bug me about this interpretation that I can tell it's not going to come out being a favorite among the rest. The abrupt ending everyone is talking about is odd unless it's going to somehow transition immediately into Stay on the album. I don't like the forced change of pacing of the lyrics and new words just for the sake of being different in a mostly just stripped-down version of the song; which leads me to what someone else said...

I don't think it took enough risks. Because it's just kind of a scaled-back variation, the things that ARE different feel forced and fall flat because you can't help but compare it to the original. A more thorough reimagining allows that degree of freedom of "well, that's not what we were going for"

Last thing I'll say is if you're going to hook people on a new version emotionally right out of the gate, you'd best have some instrumentation that's of at least equal value to Clayton's simple, yet driving bassline and I would say that was not achieved here.

I was wavering between 4 and 5 on Friday, but today I feel like it's maybe a 5.5

[lazarus]

Originally Posted by pacemaker

On a side note, I found the deluxe ZooTV funko pop set at my local Walmart (coastal North Carolina) on clearance for $25. I couldn't not buy it at that price.

I was just passing by a Walmart and stopped in, and theirs wasn’t marked down.

They did have a RUN-DMC collectors set on sale for $20.

[Headache in a Suitcase]

Originally Posted by lazarus

I was just passing by a Walmart and stopped in, and theirs wasn’t marked down.

They did have a RUN-DMC collectors set on sale for $20.

It's like that, sometimes.