New Album Discussion 1 - Songs of..... - Unreasonable guitar album

[Headache in a Suitcase]

they didn't say what kind of bird

 

[DancingBrft]

Why do they continue to pretend Pop doesn't exist? It clearly has its admirers from an artistic point of view, whether that be the fanbase of music media.

Yet on the other hand they continue to batter everyone over the head with the embarrassing slop of the last 10 years.

I think Pop was brilliant. I never would have known it was “unfinished “ unless they told us. And seeing how they have become such the “over cookers”, they may have ruined it had they had more time. The new versions of Pop songs that came out on the Greatest Hits, etc. neutered those songs IMO. I think Pop was Bono’s last great album lyrically as well. There was a balance with heavy and the ironic, and he was not as prone to cliche as to what was to come.

 

[mikal]

I think Pop was brilliant. I never would have known it was “unfinished “ unless they told us. And seeing how they have become such the “over cookers”, they may have ruined it had they had more time. The new versions of Pop songs that came out on the Greatest Hits, etc. neutered those songs IMO. I think Pop was Bono’s last great album lyrically as well. There was a balance with heavy and the ironic, and he was not as prone to cliche as to what was to come.

Agreed. Tracks 1-7 all hit. Last 5 songs are more atmospheric and I wish Please was more like the single version.

Discotheque wasn't a great choice for the 1st single, but I love the song. Wish it was Mofo or Last Night On Earth.

 

[MattD]

I think Pop was brilliant. I never would have known it was “unfinished “ unless they told us. And seeing how they have become such the “over cookers”, they may have ruined it had they had more time. The new versions of Pop songs that came out on the Greatest Hits, etc. neutered those songs IMO. I think Pop was Bono’s last great album lyrically as well. There was a balance with heavy and the ironic, and he was not as prone to cliche as to what was to come.

Those rerecorded Pop songs they did for Best Of was an absolute butchering. They took everything sonically great about them and turned it into the generic 'rawk' bollocks that predominates to this day.

 

[Achtung Ya'll]

HTDAAB was a jeopardy answer tonight.

 

[U2inUtah]

What is, punk rock from Venus?

 

[PookaMacP]

My hunch is also that there are a lot of demos for POP, but probably in a much more "sketchbook" manner because of the old rushing to complete it story; to the point they'd be very tempted to "finish" them with extra touches. However, do I see it happening? No. Let's face it. While a POP reissue sounds more likely lately on its upcoming anniversary than I ever thought it would, it's still historically one of the more "Don't look over here" albums in their catalog. My guess is a deluxe edition would/will look like five discs/LPs: 1. remaster 2. the b-sides/outtakes/single-edits we already know 3. & 4. Audio of the Mexico City show 5. A remixes disc of remixes we mostly already know with maybe one or two new remixes thrown in.

Unfortunately, this does sound highly plausible - especially the 'thrown in' remixes, which would be hyped in the u2.com announcement of the whole package.

 

[dan_smee]

Those rerecorded Pop songs they did for Best Of was an absolute butchering. They took everything sonically great about them and turned it into the generic 'rawk' bollocks that predominates to this day.

I never understand the vitriol towards those versions. SATS is probably not as good, but Gone is far better on the 2002 version. Discotheque sounds more finished but not lesser for it. They aren’t fundamentally hugely different.

 

[phanan]

I agree on Gone, it sounds more like how they played it live (minus the piano bit) and truer to what they really wanted it to be.

I can do without the others though. The originals are superior.

 

[PookaMacP]

To me, the Best Of versions just sound like they have the edges (no pun intended) smoothed off them. Except the re-done Staring at the Sun; I'll never understand why the drums are so far forward in that mix.

 

[namkcuR]

On a Pop re-issue, I'd want to see the following:

They've always spoken of an alternative version of Playboy Mansion with different(less dated) lyrics. In fact, two of them. One from the original Pop sessions, and another from the Best Of 90-00 sessions that didn't make the album. I'd love to hear those.

The early versions of IGWSHA, Velvet Dress, WUDM, and HMTMKMKM from the Zooropa sessions.

COBL has always been said to have originated during the Pop sessions, so whatever there is of that, I'd love to hear it.

 

[MattD]

Hope to see more of the restraint of songs like 40 Foot Man on the next album. Something that sounds grown up and mature. That's a good song that.

 

[dan_smee]

On a Pop re-issue, I'd want to see the following:

They've always spoken of an alternative version of Playboy Mansion with different(less dated) lyrics. In fact, two of them. One from the original Pop sessions, and another from the Best Of 90-00 sessions that didn't make the album. I'd love to hear those.

The early versions of IGWSHA, Velvet Dress, WUDM, and HMTMKMKM from the Zooropa sessions.

COBL has always been said to have originated during the Pop sessions, so whatever there is of that, I'd love to hear it.

Didn’t the rumoured lost ATYCLB b-side “Novelty Act” also come from the pop sessions?

 

[dan_smee]

u2songs | Novelty Act |

U2Songs.com

www.u2songs.com

 

[Irvine511]

There’s that “Sun/moon/stars” I was thinking of.

 

[The John Tree]

Couldn't disagree more on "Gone." The Pop version is the true version for me. I didn't need it to be a full blown arena rocker with all the guitars - the siren-like high pitch guitar works better in the chorus, along with the piano. Also, Bono's vocal take on Pop is supreme.

 

[The John Tree]

an alternative version of Playboy Mansion with different(less dated) lyrics

While I totally understand the appeal of this, I kinda like that The Playboy Mansion is dated. It's a postcard from another time. In general, it's fantastic when lyrics are evergreen, but I also enjoy the rare occasion when a song is very much of its time and place.

 

[Rich79]

Couldn't disagree more on "Gone." The Pop version is the true version for me. I didn't need it to be a full blown arena rocker with all the guitars - the siren-like high pitch guitar works better in the chorus, along with the piano. Also, Bono's vocal take on Pop is supreme.

Agree. The biggest loss for me is that drum fill going into the bridge. It goes hard, but it's nowhere to be found on the update. I also can tell there's a cut/paste job done on his vocals in the bridge on the "You're taking steps..." line. Give me the album version any day.

 

[namkcuR]

While I totally understand the appeal of this, I kinda like that The Playboy Mansion is dated. It's a postcard from another time. In general, it's fantastic when lyrics are evergreen, but I also enjoy the rare occasion when a song is very much of its time and place.

Agree. The biggest loss for me is that drum fill going into the bridge. It goes hard, but it's nowhere to be found on the update. I also can tell there's a cut/paste job done on his vocals in the bridge on the "You're taking steps..." line. Give me the album version any day.

Co-signed, the Pop version is superior, and Edge's guitar tone is really unique.

I do love Edge's "down"s in the chorus from the live version, but they're too buried in the mix in the Best Of version anyway.

Another thing about the Best Of version - and maybe this is just me - but the line "what you thought was freedom was just greed" is changed, with the words "just" and "greed" reversed, so it's "what you thought was freedom just was greed". Always drove me nuts.

 

[namkcuR]

While I totally understand the appeal of this, I kinda like that The Playboy Mansion is dated. It's a postcard from another time. In general, it's fantastic when lyrics are evergreen, but I also enjoy the rare occasion when a song is very much of its time and place.

Oh, I'd never want to lose the album version. I just think the supposed alternate versions could be really interesting, and perhaps preferable if I'm in that evergreen kind of mood.

 

[lazarus]

The New Mixes can all fuck off. The 1997-98 single versions are more debatable, Please being the best.

 

[mikal]

The New Mixes can all fuck off. The 1997-98 single versions are more debatable, Please being the best.

The only thing I didn't like about the Single Version of Please is that it doesn't pack as much punch as the live version, even though it's basically the live version. Mostly Bono's vocals are the issue. But I still appreciate having that version.

 

[The John Tree]

Even on 'Please,' I prefer the Pop album version.

 

[mikal]

Even on 'Please,' I prefer the Pop album version.

I remember someone made a hybrid of the album version and the single version and it actually sounded pretty good.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

They posted the same short clip on Instagram. Not earth shattering, but the the little "early access to what comes next" part intrigues me.

 

[phanan]

I remember someone made a hybrid of the album version and the single version and it actually sounded pretty good.

Yep, it was really well done and the only way I've listened to Please since.

 

[Fly-2000]

Even on 'Please,' I prefer the Pop album version.

The off-kilter opening bass, and the fact the album version sounds more "fragile" sells it more to me, also I get a little irked by the strings swelling up towards the end in the single version that scream "feel emotion NOW dammit", like someone pushing a button for the audience to applause. I'm probably being harsher on it than I should be.

 

[dan_smee]

I was just coming to post this. It’s interesting in the context of recent comments pointing more to next year

 

[Irvine511]

The off-kilter opening bass, and the fact the album version sounds more "fragile" sells it more to me, also I get a little irked by the strings swelling up towards the end in the single version that scream "feel emotion NOW dammit", like someone pushing a button for the audience to applause. I'm probably being harsher on it than I should be.

I agree with this. The single has the better crescendo that they figured out live and then tried to put on the single, but so much of it is overdone.

For me it’s live or nothing at all.

Wish they’d find a place for it again. But doubtful.

 

[mikal]

The off-kilter opening bass, and the fact the album version sounds more "fragile" sells it more to me, also I get a little irked by the strings swelling up towards the end in the single version that scream "feel emotion NOW dammit", like someone pushing a button for the audience to applause. I'm probably being harsher on it than I should be.

No I hear that for sure. I think the real shame with Please is that they really found the perfect arrangement live, but in trying to recreate it on the single version, completely stripped away the tension from the album version. The thing I always appreciate about the album version is that it's following 3 light-hearted tracks and then just slaps you.