I totally disagree with you MOM. I am a huge U2 and even though the last two albums were necessary to bring U2 back to the masses and maye to a new and younger audiences, on the whole they were quite boring, with the odd good moments, but I just don't think they were that great.
If you go back to albums like JT and AB there was something exciting and interesting about them, whether it was the strength of Bono's vocals, the lyrical content, the music etc. I think U2 has lost two things I have enjoyed most in their music, innovation and expansiveness (the big sound). I'm not saying they should recreate old sounds/songs, but create a new interpretation of the big soundscapes they used to create and merge them with the innovative techniques used in AB and Zooropa, but not with dance and industrial music, but a harder rock sound, soul/funk, blues etc.
They are worried about being the biggest band in the world and therefore do not take the risks like they used to, so there is a lack of experimentation with new sounds or musical styles and I'm not sure I think going down the stripped down/acoustic route is the best thing for a band like U2. Maybe the odd song yes, but not a whole album.
The last two albums were kind of similar in sound and style and I don't think the band will continue doing music in a similar vein, as Bono and Edge have stated. Plus, with Rick Rubin coming on board it could influence them to change their sound and try out new ideas.
I heard Bono in an interview talking about an orchestra coming in to play with them, so maybe they are looking at a greater range of instruments beyond the four guys in the band. I can't remember the last time they did that, maybe it was for All I Want Is You and some extra musicians on Angel Of Harlem.
The problem with that, as the live performance of Hold Me, Thrill Me, on Popmart illustrated, is that some songs just don't have the same power and effect with just the band, they need the accompanyment sometimes.
I for one would like to hear a bigger,maybe darker and edgier (no pune intended) sound. I liked some of the sounds they explored on HTDAAB ie Adam bass at the beginning of Love and Peace, Edge guitar on Yahweh and the highlight song City Of Blinding Lights.
I'd like them to take this further, with Adam really developing his bass sound, Larry's drumming becoming more prominent, as the previous albums have left him in the background, Edge coming up with some great guitar solos, different sounds and some atmospherics/strings he used in tunes like Night and Day and Wild Irish Rose, Bono to use his piano lessons to good use and concentrate on getting his vocals smoother.
Go MOM!
