Salome
you are what you is
you could make as much of a case for a 2-1, 2-1 etc theory as for the trilogy theory
which might be saying something
which might be saying something
I'm not sure if I agree. Firstly I think the radicalism of NLOTH has been underestimated, secondly I think that of AB has been over-estimated so they meet in the middle. Yes clearly AB was a radical departure, and a brilliant one may I add, but WGTRYWH, UVLMY, One and even UTEOTW update and refresh existing sounds. Zooropa was the real curveball I think. You will remember also how Zoo Tv also started out fairly cautiously in indoor arenas, gainnig more and more confidence and ambition as it went on. So I think AB was radical but its chief importance was to make possible even more radical works in the future.
I can already hear people calling me nuts about Breathe = Original of the Species, so I'll respond directly in advance and say that I simply meant they fill the same hole on the album.
Another thing I think that makes me think of Breathe as a product of this decade is the stupid crunchy guitar. And another uniting factor between Bomb and Line is that Bono has developed this habit of falling over himself on the final choruses in a fit of breathless passion rather than going for perfection. On Breathe with his "Walk out!" and on the last chorus of Crazy Tonight with an overemphasized "Hiiiiill"; its just like on Original of the Species last chorus. I'd rather he aimed for perfection. Regardless of taste, I think its another small but uniting factor that connects NLOTH and HTDAAB. I don't recall him really ever doing this before, and on NLOTH I don't think it works as well as he was aiming for.
I enjoy Get On Your Boots as well. Its the layered and modern production. More like that instead of Crazy and Stand Up (even though I think both are fine songs) and I'd be totally on board.
3rd on ab zoo and pop are a true trilogy
I used to believe in the trilogy theory, but it's really crap. It's like reading a horoscope and finding the reasons that it applies to you.
Every single album has clues to the next album. There is no radical, "out of the blue" departure---even from R&H to AB. The big clues to AB were God Part II and the entire Lovetown tour. The rock got harder; the only thing that was different was the addition of various effects and a vocoder. People erroneously think that there was a big jump between JT and AB because they forget about R&H and Lovetown. Looking back, the biggest jump is probably War to UF, but even that had some foreshadowing. NYD, to me, is closer to Pride than it is most songs on Boy or October. Surrender and 40 are just an Eno treatment away from fitting on UF. ATYCLB is foreshadowed by IGWSHA, perhaps even WUDM, IYWTVD, and maybe even Playboy Mansion & Miami in terms of lyrical style (think: New York).
There are no massive jumps that come without warning. The issue is that the warning goes unrecognized until the next album is made.
I don't think you're anywhere near right.
Haha, so much for being "nice!"
Sorry if that didn't come across the way I meant it... No voice tone on the internet!
Let's just say; I completely disagree! If The Fly isn't a slap in the face, even after God Part II, then I can't imagine what would be.
No worries.
Sure, I totally agree that The Fly is a slap in the face....but aspects of TTTYAATW aren't lightyears away from Rattle & Hum.
1st one agree
2nd one eh
3rd on Ab Zoo and Pop are a true trilogy
The trilogy idea holds weight, however I've never looked at it strictly from a musical view. I think it's more about the band's image and attitude towards performing and recording. Indeed, it's more about Adam, Bono, Edge and Larry as people or U2 as a band of brothers more so than a musical thing.
The band obviously never intends a trilogy, but for the sake of grouping things together and defining U2 eras, the trilogy idea works quite well.
The most significant shifts in what U2 is or who U2 are happen between War and UF, R&H and AB & POP and ATYCLB. I don't think that is questionable. You can attribute the change to all sorts of things, and not just the music. It can be the lyrics, the scale of the live show, the physical appearance of the band members, their approach to marketing the album, the change in the dynamics of their commercial appeal.
I haven't heard NLOTH yet, but the vibe I get is one that is line with completing the trilogy, as abstract as the idea might be.
Wait until you hear it. It's part one of a new era, not the end of the last one.
Boots, mag and fez all have trance elements. The theory is bullshit.
Just because a song has a few electronic sounds doesn't mean it has "trance elements".
you could make a case for that thematicallyi personally put war and tuf together