Vogan, Togo Superthread

[Vlad n U 2]

It seemed to be a popular theory amongst your usual anti-Russia/anti-Belarus paranoia types about a decade ago. I'm surprised anybody took it seriously.

The Americans?

If anyone here is anti-them then expect a massive keyboard attack.

In other news, what do you guys think of that so-called RollingStone.com update on Songs of Ascent? I'm not feeling too good about it to be honest, it has really dampened my excitement.

 

[Vlad n U 2]

Did you guys see the new article on Songs of Ascent?

Beat me to it.

 

[Axver]

I think some of us really got too prematurely excited about Songs Of Ascent. I still find the big gap between 2nd and 3rd legs of 360 to be suspicious though, you'd think something would come out then.

Well, we'll see. The band do seem to have multiple options and I'd like to think they could put something out.

 

[RavenBlue]

I haven't seen the news for Songs of Ascent.. I take it it's not good

 

[Vlad n U 2]

Larry, Bono etc. want to have more "singles" on the pop charts.; This really annoyed me, if I ever met him I would say; Do you really want to be associated with all those low-quality, cheesy, pop acts?

It's dampened my spirits.

 

[Axver]

I still stand by my theory that the band are intentionally dampening expectations (either through their own initiative or being told to do so by Paul McGuinne$$). We've heard them promise albums before and not deliver when they said they would, and although Songs Of Ascent seems further developed than other albums were when unfulfilled promises were made, it's only wise not to build hopes when U2 have a habit of suddenly deciding something's not complete and spending another year on it.

 

[RavenBlue]

That is a bit of a bummer. I mean for me, U2 are so beyond charts now. Come on!

 

[Vlad n U 2]

I still stand by my theory that the band are intentionally dampening expectations (either through their own initiative or being told to do so by Paul McGuinne$$). We've heard them promise albums before and not deliver when they said they would, and although Songs Of Ascent seems further developed than other albums were when unfulfilled promises were made, it's only wise not to build hopes when U2 have a habit of suddenly deciding something's not complete and spending another year on it.

Sometimes I wish they threw Paul McGuinness into a gym and left him there. My only matter of worry is the fact that they want more "singles", no matter how good the song would be I don't want to hear it after and before the likes of Nickelback, Lady Gaga etc.

I don't mind if they spend an additional year on it, though.

 

[RavenBlue]

It will likely lead to more shows, hopefully

 

[Axver]

I like that they're talking about not taking so long with an album, even in the midst of Bono and Larry crapping on nonsense. But then they promised they'd be back sooner rather than later after HTDAAB, and we all saw what happened there.

I just hope U2 have learnt from Boots. Every album this decade, they've had to lead with a "comeback" single due to taking so long. They were unlucky with Boots. What they need is to put out an album soon enough that making a big comeback statement is unnecessary.

 

[Vlad n U 2]

There must be no comeback single, that's why the "poppy" EBW needs to be released soon, if it were to be released in the same time Boots was (mid-late January), then that is a win. I just hope it is not some cheesy pop single ala-Vertifail.

 

[Axver]

Today's gig may be, uh, interesting ... no obvious source right now. But then we ended up with a video feed in DC after initially believing there was no source ...!

 

[RavenBlue]

The talk of returning to the Rubin sessions intrigues me.. perhaps that All my life I've been waiting for song will see the light of day yet

 

[Axver]

The talk of returning to the Rubin sessions intrigues me.. perhaps that All my life I've been waiting for song will see the light of day yet

I'd love that, same goes for I Believe. Though I'm pretty sure Crazy Tonight musically contains some elements of All My Life.

Let's hope Thank You remains buried forever though.

 

[Vlad n U 2]

If we make an album out of the Rubin sessions it'll just be another Bomb-like album, heavy compression and "look-at-me-I-can-still-rock-out" songs like Vertigo, All Because of You.

I've heard All My Life/404 only recently and although I think the clip sounds decent, I don't want them to return to it, release as a b-side.

 

[Axver]

If they rock out like Vertigo/ABOY, I'll pass.

If they rock out like Gone, I'm so fucking there.

In other words, some rocking out from U2 could be good, just as long as the songs themselves don't blow.

 

[RavenBlue]

I'm curious as to what they'll come out with. And of course a shorter wait time between albums is always nice.

 

[RavenBlue]

If they rock out like Vertigo/ABOY, I'll pass.

If they rock out like Gone, I'm so fucking there.

In other words, some rocking out from U2 could be good, just as long as the songs themselves don't blow.

In depth rockage, if you will

I really hope they eventually play something from Pop. Pop fits that stage.

 

[Vlad n U 2]

If they rock out like Vertigo/ABOY, I'll pass.

If they rock out like Gone, I'm so fucking there.

In other words, some rocking out from U2 could be good, just as long as the songs themselves don't blow.

QFT.

If these Rubin sessions produce rockers that are ballsy, have some sort of meaning behind them, even emotion and vulnerability in a rocker is excellent. If it has anything like Gone, The Fly, Until The End of The World then that is confirmation that U2 have re discovered some mother rockin' mojo!

 

[RavenBlue]

Exactly. For now, I guess we're in a wait and see mode.

 

[Axver]

In depth rockage, if you will

I really hope they eventually play something from Pop. Pop fits that stage.

God yes. The lack of substantial rockers is criminal.

QFT.

If these Rubin sessions produce rockers that are ballsy, have some sort of meaning behind them, even emotion and vulnerability in a rocker is excellent. If it has anything like Gone, The Fly, Until The End of The World then that is confirmation that U2 have re discovered some mother rockin' mojo!

Damn straight.

Though I also love U2's atmospheric side, obviously, and if they do something softer, as Songs Of Ascent has sometimes been described, then I'll be happy too - as long as it's more ASOH/White As Snow/Heartland-ish and less SYCMIOYO/Peace On Earth/OOTS-ish.

 

[Vlad n U 2]

Damn straight.

Though I also love U2's atmospheric side, obviously, and if they do something softer, as Songs Of Ascent has sometimes been described, then I'll be happy too - as long as it's more ASOH/White As Snow/Heartland-ish and less SYCMIOYO/Peace On Earth/OOTS-ish.

Once my iPod is fully charged, i'll listen to some Mofo and Gone-magic. Songs like HMTMKMKM and The Fly are great rockers because they have a distinct personality, it's a new character sort of thing.

If the album were to be meditative it must have songs like "Kingdom of Your Love" on it, it would make a good album opener.

Not much to do but wait until we get some track descriptions.

 

[Axver]

I honestly thought this tour would see HMTMKMKM's return. It's a well-known, popular single, it's awesome live, and it's the kind of song just made for this stage's presentation. After all, it was right at home on Popmart, and this tour is heir to Popmart's grandeur.

 

[Vlad n U 2]

We could yet see something in the upcoming legs. Plus that Popmart version from Mannheim you sent me really is full of win ... "Lemon ... lemon ... the chicks love the lemon" and "'ello, 'ello, 'ello, 'ello, 'ello ..." ...

 

[RavenBlue]

Me too Axver, HMTMKMKM is such a bold, hardcore rocker.. and it is such a great song.

 

[Axver]

So, setlist. Breathe/Boots/MW/BD. Same as NYC II so far. Hope this means NLOTH is in the set (it'll be next, if they stick to NYC II).

 

[Vlad n U 2]

Me too Axver, HMTMKMKM is such a bold, hardcore rocker.. and it is such a great song.

You're a headache, in a suitcase.

So, setlist. Breathe/Boots/MW/BD. Same as NYC II so far. Hope this means NLOTH is in the set (it'll be next, if they stick to NYC II).

No Magnificent yet, it seems.

 

[Axver]

As I predicted, NLOTH is fifth. NYC II again being the guide, Magnificent will be sixth.

 

[RavenBlue]

No line returns thank god

 

[Vlad n U 2]

Pretty good set so far, listening to studio version of "Hold Me ..." now, so well produced. Larry and Adam are flamin' on their respectively, heck, everyone is!