Official U2.Com: Where The Album Has A Name, "No Line On The Horizon" Part 2

[KUEFC09U2]

Matt McGee is spot on. Larry's answer works perfectly in that context. And song descriptions, along with the beach clips we've heard are telling us that this is far from a wildly innovative, experimental record. It may have been something like that somewhere in 2007, but this is what happens when you work on 12 songs for over 2 frickin' years.

Like always, I really hope I'm wrong.

Why do you hope your wrong? does it matter aslong as its a great album? and is it me or does larry actually mention that there IS experimentaion on this album?

god the amount of people calling this crap before its even out is silly.

 

[U2Fanatic4ever]

god the amount of people calling this crap before its even out is silly.

you're telling me jeez. people get a frickin grip will ya!

 

[Vlad n U 2]

It's probably experimentation but not like Zooropa or Passengers, it's a different sort imo.

 

[zooperson]

Has anyone mentioned this from Matt McGee's column at atu2.com?

"Speaking of new U2 material, fans are still buzzing about what the new album might sound like and those quotes in the new Q magazine are only fanning the flames. There are still comparisons to the change from The Joshua Tree to Achtung Baby, but did you read some of the quotes listed last week on U2.com? The one that really stands out to me -- and alarms me, frankly -- is what Larry said when asked if U2 is "returning to experimentation" --

I don't know the answer to that. Initially, the idea was to do this esoteric thing and have a few hits there as well. It's kind of morphed into something else. I think there is experimentation in there.. it's just a different animal. It's not quite what people would expect a U2 experimental thing would be. I mean, if you think of Zooropa, or Passengers, this is not that. This has got a lot of weight.... I think it's some of the best music we've ever written.

I so badly want to be bouncing off the walls about what this is gonna sound like, and want to hear a sound that's different from the last two albums, but this quote kinda scares me. "I think there is experimentation in there" ... it's not experimental like Zooropa or Passengers were ... it was originally going to be somewhat esoteric, then "morphed into something else"?

It almost sounds to me like Larry is going out of his way to contradict what others have been saying about a new sound and change of direction -- like he's trying to downplay this idea of U2 being somewhat experimental.

I sure as heck hope I'm wrong. We're talking about Larry's quotes in the forum -- feel free to share your thoughts."


What do you guys think? I have to admit that I felt a bit of uneasiness myself when I read this. Like Larry felt he had to cover something. Not the most encouraging thing in the world. Last_unicorn, et al., please don't immediately flame me for this. Thanks.

This worries me a little too. sometimes I think Larry's practicality holds U2 back from being the innovative band they could be. Just a thought. gotta get back to work now. bye.

 

[KUEFC09U2]

you're telling me jeez. people get a frickin grip will ya!

But the thing is, its the usual people again, and no matter what, hell will freeze before they actually say the new album is good, even if it actually is, i will put a bet on that now.

 

[U2Fanatic4ever]

But the thing is, its the usual people again, and no matter what, hell will freeze before they actually say the new album is good, even if it actually is, i will put a bet on that now.

you are exactly right.. I have been here long enough to see that several times over..

 

[bram]

No one is calling it crap, but this quote from Larry deserves close reading and discussion in my opinion. Given Larry's widely-known feelings about Passengers, it seems clear to me that he is trying to assure people that they didn't go down that road again. But he doesn't seem to be able to define exactly what they've done either. The hard part about these interviews for the band, I'd imagine, is that they hadn't actually heard the album yet themselves. They knew the songs, but they hadn't listened to them end to end with the final production and tracklisting.

 

[bram]

you're telling me jeez. people get a frickin grip will ya!

These types of posts are completely unnecessary and only add to the antagonism.

 

[djerdap]

Why do you hope your wrong? does it matter aslong as its a great album? and is it me or does larry actually mention that there IS experimentaion on this album?

god the amount of people calling this crap before its even out is silly.

The crying baby is at it again.

Where did I say it will be crap? I hope I'm wrong because I want this album to be innovative, experimental and kickass. I just didn't like it when last time there was a big rock n' roll "punk rock on Venus" album announced - we got A Man and a Woman. I like The Bomb, but I feel that if it wasn't so much fucked around with (watering down Native Son, ABOY and Xanax and Wine for one), it would have been a much better record. This new one could be suffering from similar symptoms. So pardon my skepticism. It's an honest discussion, there's no irrational bashing involved. Too bad you see it in every single sentence that is slightly skeptical.

 

[sue4u2]

But he doesn't seem to be able to define exactly what they've done either.

Babe, it must be art.

anyway, I don't think they want to define it.
Why should they - just so every music/news outlet can define it that way. That never works.
I'll know how it'll be defined when I hear it so I don't know or care how it's defined by the band or anyone else.

 

[bram]

Babe, it must be art.

anyway, I don't think they want to define it.
Why should they - just so every music/news outlet can define it that way. That never works.
I'll know how it'll be defined when I hear it so I don't know or care how it's defined by the band or anyone else.

Good point. They don't want to get pigeon-holed with "punk rock from venus" again.

 

[Vlad n U 2]

The thing is, Larry thinks it's gonna be a great album. That's GREAT! Plus he thinks it's the best work they've ever done. He says it's gonna be experimental but not like Zooropa or Passengers, well that's what I think.

This thread is going insane.

 

[U2Fanatic4ever]

These types of posts are completely unnecessary and only add to the antagonism.

not really. I have a right to voice my frustration/opinion on the matter just as you.

 

[Needle_Chill]

Why do you hope your wrong? does it matter aslong as its a great album? and is it me or does larry actually mention that there IS experimentaion on this album?

god the amount of people calling this crap before its even out is silly.

I agree. Good songs are good songs, period. I think experimentation is done solely to explore new sounds for the purpose of finding good songs. You're not going to discriminate against a U2 song for lack of experimentation if it's quality material. Even Achtung Baby wasn't a good album because it was experimental... it was good because it had good songs as a result of experimentation...

Look at One... it is the least experimental song on that album. It is just a good effing song.

 

[bram]

not really. I have a right to voice my frustration/opinion on the matter just as you.

Yes, but those posts are designed to needle another person ("get a grip people"), not to discuss the matter at hand. Which is the album. Why antagonize the people who disagree with you when you could likely have an intense, grounded discussion?

 

[bram]

The thing is, Larry thinks it's gonna be a great album. That's GREAT! Plus he thinks it's the best work they've ever done. He says it's gonna be experimental but not like Zooropa or Passengers, well that's what I think.

This thread is going insane.

After reading U2 by U2, I must admit that I value Larry's opinion the least. But it still is a good sign that he thinks it's great. Edge has been working himself to death over it, according to Adam, so that's probably a good sign. Edge is the "talent", as they say.

 

[Zoots]

The crying baby is at it again.

KUEFC09U2

 

[Vlad n U 2]

After reading U2 by U2, I must admit that I value Larry's opinion the least. But it still is a good sign that he thinks it's great. Edge has been working himself to death over it, according to Adam, so that's probably a good sign. Edge is the "talent", as they say.

So who's opinion do you think should be valued the most, Adams? Edges?

 

[dan_smee]

^ I think bono overstates things, larry understates things, adam overdescribes things, and edge plays guitar

 

[U2Fanatic4ever]

Yes, but those posts are designed to needle another person ("get a grip people"), not to discuss the matter at hand. Which is the album. Why antagonize the people who disagree with you when you could likely have an intense, grounded discussion?

oh for god's sake.. nevermind..

 

[Vlad n U 2]

Edge it is!

 

[PowerSurge]

^ I think bono overstates things, larry understates things, adam overdescribes things, and edge plays guitar

brilliant

Why do you hope your wrong? does it matter aslong as its a great album? and is it me or does larry actually mention that there IS experimentaion on this album?

god the amount of people calling this crap before its even out is silly.

No one's calling it crap....at least not the people that you are referring to.

If you don't like the discussion then don't engage in it, right?

 

[zooperson]

all i am saying is that I think Larry is the most comercially conscious person in the band (Bono and Larry have said many things that allude to that fact)... and i think the reason people want to talk about these quotes from our dear Lardence is because, whether they liked HTDAAB or not, it would be nice to hear something really different than HTDAAB (which in my opinion is one of U2's most palatable and listener friendly albums... which isn't a bad thing if the songs are good... agreed) but the people here have a right to be anxious about the album, don't they.

I for one am not the biggest fan of HTDAAB but i like it alright... it is just a little frustrating when you think that your favorite band isn't making the mind blowing kick ass albums you know that they can make. of course it's a matter of personal taste, and that is why everyone has a right to discuss what their opinion is.

I would agree that some people around interference seem like they will never be pleased with anything u2 does (and it is kinda annoying) but i honestly don't see any of that around here.

Just saying

 

[dan_smee]

all i am saying is that I think Larry is the most comercially conscious person in the band (Bono and Larry have said many things that allude to that fact)... and i think the reason people want to talk about these quotes from our dear Lardence is because, whether they liked HTDAAB or not, it would be nice to hear something really different than HTDAAB (which in my opinion is one of U2's most palatable and listener friendly albums... which isn't a bad thing if the songs are good... agreed) but the people here have a right to be anxious about the album, don't they.

I for one am not the biggest fan of HTDAAB but i like it alright... it is just a little frustrating when you think that your favorite band isn't making the mind blowing kick ass albums you know that they can make. of course it's a matter of personal taste, and that is why everyone has a right to discuss what their opinion is.

I would agree that some people around interference seem like they will never be pleased with anything u2 does (and it is kinda annoying) but i honestly don't see any of that around here.

Just saying

its true, i havent seen shaun around for a while?

 

[Vlad n U 2]

He's in hiding I believe, he's been all over town trying to find the exact same brand of eyeliner that Bono used in the photo shoot.

 

[dan_smee]

Make a refreshing change from Alcie Cooper's eyeliner

we love you shaun

 

[Vlad n U 2]

I was half hoping he wasn't in the active users reading this thread.

Heck he doesn't really come on here much does he?

 

[dan_smee]

not sure. he's good value though, takes jokes in his stride

 

[Vlad n U 2]

Is more of a lurker these days, only a few times recently he's posted.

But if there is something weird (like the eyeliner and Bono wearing a kilt), he'll be there as soon as possible.

 

[U2girl]

Has anyone mentioned this from Matt McGee's column at atu2.com?

"Speaking of new U2 material, fans are still buzzing about what the new album might sound like and those quotes in the new Q magazine are only fanning the flames. There are still comparisons to the change from The Joshua Tree to Achtung Baby, but did you read some of the quotes listed last week on U2.com? The one that really stands out to me -- and alarms me, frankly -- is what Larry said when asked if U2 is "returning to experimentation" --

I don't know the answer to that. Initially, the idea was to do this esoteric thing and have a few hits there as well. It's kind of morphed into something else. I think there is experimentation in there.. it's just a different animal. It's not quite what people would expect a U2 experimental thing would be. I mean, if you think of Zooropa, or Passengers, this is not that. This has got a lot of weight.... I think it's some of the best music we've ever written.

I so badly want to be bouncing off the walls about what this is gonna sound like, and want to hear a sound that's different from the last two albums, but this quote kinda scares me. "I think there is experimentation in there" ... it's not experimental like Zooropa or Passengers were ... it was originally going to be somewhat esoteric, then "morphed into something else"?

It almost sounds to me like Larry is going out of his way to contradict what others have been saying about a new sound and change of direction -- like he's trying to downplay this idea of U2 being somewhat experimental.

I sure as heck hope I'm wrong. We're talking about Larry's quotes in the forum -- feel free to share your thoughts."


What do you guys think? I have to admit that I felt a bit of uneasiness myself when I read this. Like Larry felt he had to cover something. Not the most encouraging thing in the world. Last_unicorn, et al., please don't immediately flame me for this. Thanks.

Edge did say half of the record are single-take Morocco songs and the other half is the stuff that went through normal U2-working stages. Some of it will sound new and some of it will sound like classic U2.

That said, Q and RS magazine both don't seem to go down as much with the "innovative" talk we heard from Lanois. Maybe more than a strong change in direction this will be an improved thematic/songwriting version of what they tried with All that.../ and Bomb.