Zoocoustic
War Child
Marcy gives me hope for the future of U2...
First of all, don't get me wrong, I like HTDAAB. And I like ATYCLB. But I am in the group that finds these albums much less exciting and challenging than anything else U2 has ever done in the past. I do believe they are pandering to the Top 40 radio crowd, and intentionally doing whatever they can to stay relevant in pop culture. And to their credit, it has worked...BD and ATYCLB were truly the "third coming" of U2...they came back from being labeled as "has-beens" after Popmart, and secured their legacy. But there is no doubt that the music since 2000 has been (by U2's standards) very, very safe.
Then I heard Mercy.
I'm not sure what it is about this song, specifically, but it gives me a whole lotta' hope for the future of my favorite band. Something about that song is so unique, so different, so...not what they've been doing. It isn't a throwback to the old days, but it feels to me like it comes from a whole new place U2 hasn't been before. If they could just tap into that place, wherever it is, and let it spawn some new material with the same feel...now THAT would be something.
I will not concede that the U2 that made brilliant, unique albums such as AB and Zooropa is dead when I hear a song like Mercy. This song is proof to me that the band can still push ALL the boundaries - even those that they've somewhat created with the past two albums. I think, if they are brave enough to venture into this new uncharted territory, we could hear some amazing music in the near future.
Here's to hoping...
First of all, don't get me wrong, I like HTDAAB. And I like ATYCLB. But I am in the group that finds these albums much less exciting and challenging than anything else U2 has ever done in the past. I do believe they are pandering to the Top 40 radio crowd, and intentionally doing whatever they can to stay relevant in pop culture. And to their credit, it has worked...BD and ATYCLB were truly the "third coming" of U2...they came back from being labeled as "has-beens" after Popmart, and secured their legacy. But there is no doubt that the music since 2000 has been (by U2's standards) very, very safe.
Then I heard Mercy.
I'm not sure what it is about this song, specifically, but it gives me a whole lotta' hope for the future of my favorite band. Something about that song is so unique, so different, so...not what they've been doing. It isn't a throwback to the old days, but it feels to me like it comes from a whole new place U2 hasn't been before. If they could just tap into that place, wherever it is, and let it spawn some new material with the same feel...now THAT would be something.
I will not concede that the U2 that made brilliant, unique albums such as AB and Zooropa is dead when I hear a song like Mercy. This song is proof to me that the band can still push ALL the boundaries - even those that they've somewhat created with the past two albums. I think, if they are brave enough to venture into this new uncharted territory, we could hear some amazing music in the near future.
Here's to hoping...