Achtung Tree
The Fly
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2009
- Messages
- 34
To the people who are rating it mediocre or average or even good, I definitely get why. I voted good. If you listen to the album, it's evident that nothing was spared in terms of garnishing songs and changing sounds but it all feels very contrived. There are also a few key ingredients missing.
If you listen to The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby (maybe even a little Zooropa), these albums sound purposeful, let somewhat effortless. This time around, it feels as if they were done sounding American, done sounding European and were now hell-bent on gaining inspiration from another continent. I felt the whole Morocco thing was covered enough in "Mysteryious Ways" and thus, the video. This sounds a little uninspired, a little weak and a little choppy. Its almost as if they tried too hard a few times (Stand Up Comedy, Fez-Being Born, Breathe) and therefore do not end up with the linear emotion of songs like "Pride", "One", "Where The Streets Have No Name", "New Years Day" and a hundred other songs that stand out in that respect.
If you notice, on HTDAAB, Bono hits strident notes during the middle eight of "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own" and "Original Of The Species". This amazing sound, reminiscent of the powerful vocal break of "With Or Without You", is obviously missing from ANY song on the album.
On top of all this, it sounds very...depressing. This thing makes the October album look like a Disney production. It's said that depressing movies don't do well in a recession and I'm guessing the same goes for music too. After track 5 the album drops off dramatically and seems to become instantly forgettable. We get to hear about how long it takes a soldier to bleed to death, the commentary of a war reporter and the mish-mash that is "Fez-Being Born". The stand outs seem to be the more uplifting ones such as "No Line On The Horizon", "Magnificent" (although barely uplifting...just serious but fast-paced) and "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight".
This is good for a second or third album. This is not an impressive creation from a band of this caliber. ATYCLB was a great reawakening, but the driving force behind that was emotion and a sense of optimism. This is just like reveling in doom and gloom.
"What would you do differently?" is what I was asked by a friend of mine. My reply is pretty simple. I would breathe life into the 2nd half of the album. There are lots of ways to do it. Do some crazy stuff, shake it up a bit. Maybe a song sung by The Edge...that would be a nice surprise and blast from the past. Maybe the Bass can take a more prominent role. Maybe speedup the tempos, maybe cut out a few minor chords (not that it always matters). How about a little less death and war and a little more life and peace? A little more "Beautiful Day" and A LOT less "Oh, Emanuelle". If you want to be depressed, put on the news...check your portfolio...apply for a mortgage. By the way, we know theres a war going on and it isn't pretty.
If I had to rename his album, I think I would take the predominant theme of the album and put it ito one simple expression. Rather than go all out and name it "Depression", I think I would keep it consistent with what they were constantly reminding us of during this album. Ladies and Gentlemen...I give you my suggestion for this album......."War"
If you listen to The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby (maybe even a little Zooropa), these albums sound purposeful, let somewhat effortless. This time around, it feels as if they were done sounding American, done sounding European and were now hell-bent on gaining inspiration from another continent. I felt the whole Morocco thing was covered enough in "Mysteryious Ways" and thus, the video. This sounds a little uninspired, a little weak and a little choppy. Its almost as if they tried too hard a few times (Stand Up Comedy, Fez-Being Born, Breathe) and therefore do not end up with the linear emotion of songs like "Pride", "One", "Where The Streets Have No Name", "New Years Day" and a hundred other songs that stand out in that respect.
If you notice, on HTDAAB, Bono hits strident notes during the middle eight of "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own" and "Original Of The Species". This amazing sound, reminiscent of the powerful vocal break of "With Or Without You", is obviously missing from ANY song on the album.
On top of all this, it sounds very...depressing. This thing makes the October album look like a Disney production. It's said that depressing movies don't do well in a recession and I'm guessing the same goes for music too. After track 5 the album drops off dramatically and seems to become instantly forgettable. We get to hear about how long it takes a soldier to bleed to death, the commentary of a war reporter and the mish-mash that is "Fez-Being Born". The stand outs seem to be the more uplifting ones such as "No Line On The Horizon", "Magnificent" (although barely uplifting...just serious but fast-paced) and "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight".
This is good for a second or third album. This is not an impressive creation from a band of this caliber. ATYCLB was a great reawakening, but the driving force behind that was emotion and a sense of optimism. This is just like reveling in doom and gloom.
"What would you do differently?" is what I was asked by a friend of mine. My reply is pretty simple. I would breathe life into the 2nd half of the album. There are lots of ways to do it. Do some crazy stuff, shake it up a bit. Maybe a song sung by The Edge...that would be a nice surprise and blast from the past. Maybe the Bass can take a more prominent role. Maybe speedup the tempos, maybe cut out a few minor chords (not that it always matters). How about a little less death and war and a little more life and peace? A little more "Beautiful Day" and A LOT less "Oh, Emanuelle". If you want to be depressed, put on the news...check your portfolio...apply for a mortgage. By the way, we know theres a war going on and it isn't pretty.
If I had to rename his album, I think I would take the predominant theme of the album and put it ito one simple expression. Rather than go all out and name it "Depression", I think I would keep it consistent with what they were constantly reminding us of during this album. Ladies and Gentlemen...I give you my suggestion for this album......."War"
