jick
Refugee
Edge one said that he plays few notes because "notes are expensive." I think the same can be said for Mullen when it comes to his use of cymbals (or lack thereof).
Much has been said about Bono's singing, Edge's minimalist chimes, and Clayton's driving bass - but little has been said about Mullen.
Much has been said about Bono's save-the-world act, and PLEBA is basically a Clayton lovefest. Then when the fake Edge started showing up here, the whole forum became a "blue crack Edge @ss-kissing binge."
So where does this leave Mullen? Sure he has been known for his martial drumming in Sunday Bloody Sunday or his double bass style in Pride (In The Name Of Love). But I think Mullen's brilliance lies in other songs, where he has this sparring use of cymbals.
Perhaps the sound of crashing cymbals are expensive to Mullen. Check out the U2 epic called Bad - the verse part doesn't have cymbals. Ditto for Where The Streets Have No Name - just Mullen and his snare drum (sure a few cymbals here and there). Clayton's driving bass in With Or Without You would never have been highlighted if not for Mullen's decision to can the hit-hat and the crashing cymbals in favor of a rounded leaner sound. The same thing can be said for the verse part of All I Want Is You.
Let's fast forward to the new album where Mullen once again shines. First with Vertigo. It's a fast paced song with so many things going on in three minutes. Yet Mullen manages to create a contrast from the verse and chorus by playing cymbal-less in the verse and crashing everything in the chorus. The second verse of Miracle Drug is also cymbal-less which makes the atmostphere more desolate and more like being inside someone's head and reading his thoughts.
I think it is a shame that Mullen doesn't get the credit he deserves in U2 forums such as this. For me, my favorite U2 songs are those with a lot of segments without cymbals. I just love Mullen's sparring use of cymbals.
I feel that this drumming style also suits the band well - it makes Bono's vocals prominent, give the Edge his room to creating his atmospheric sounds, and covers up for Clayton's lack of formal bass training.
Come on guys, let's all give Mullen his due. He deserves it. Even with this new album, he has still demonstrated he is a drumming genius who plays to the bands strengths and weaknesses. I think Mullen is more than just the guy who gave Bono his first job by posting the note, Mullen is actually a great drummer.
Cheers,
J
Much has been said about Bono's singing, Edge's minimalist chimes, and Clayton's driving bass - but little has been said about Mullen.
Much has been said about Bono's save-the-world act, and PLEBA is basically a Clayton lovefest. Then when the fake Edge started showing up here, the whole forum became a "blue crack Edge @ss-kissing binge."
So where does this leave Mullen? Sure he has been known for his martial drumming in Sunday Bloody Sunday or his double bass style in Pride (In The Name Of Love). But I think Mullen's brilliance lies in other songs, where he has this sparring use of cymbals.
Perhaps the sound of crashing cymbals are expensive to Mullen. Check out the U2 epic called Bad - the verse part doesn't have cymbals. Ditto for Where The Streets Have No Name - just Mullen and his snare drum (sure a few cymbals here and there). Clayton's driving bass in With Or Without You would never have been highlighted if not for Mullen's decision to can the hit-hat and the crashing cymbals in favor of a rounded leaner sound. The same thing can be said for the verse part of All I Want Is You.
Let's fast forward to the new album where Mullen once again shines. First with Vertigo. It's a fast paced song with so many things going on in three minutes. Yet Mullen manages to create a contrast from the verse and chorus by playing cymbal-less in the verse and crashing everything in the chorus. The second verse of Miracle Drug is also cymbal-less which makes the atmostphere more desolate and more like being inside someone's head and reading his thoughts.
I think it is a shame that Mullen doesn't get the credit he deserves in U2 forums such as this. For me, my favorite U2 songs are those with a lot of segments without cymbals. I just love Mullen's sparring use of cymbals.
I feel that this drumming style also suits the band well - it makes Bono's vocals prominent, give the Edge his room to creating his atmospheric sounds, and covers up for Clayton's lack of formal bass training.
Come on guys, let's all give Mullen his due. He deserves it. Even with this new album, he has still demonstrated he is a drumming genius who plays to the bands strengths and weaknesses. I think Mullen is more than just the guy who gave Bono his first job by posting the note, Mullen is actually a great drummer.
Cheers,
J
