One Tree Still
Acrobat
Well, okay, it's been almost 2 years now since the release of ATYCLB (can you believe it?) and I have to say, as much as I love U2, I really think ATYCLB sucks by comparison.
There are few bands, especially active bands, with the kind of catalogue U2 has. Deep, wide, diverse and solid.
This album doesn't contribute much IMO.
Song by song...
Beautiful Day - Interesting composition, good (not great) "riff", clumsy lyrics. ATYCLB rank: 4, Overall grade (in comparison to other U2 songs): C+
Stuck In A Moment - Michael Bolton will be singing this song soon. I can't tell you how much I hate this song. The video sucks too. Album rank: 11, Overall Grade: F
Elevation - This song pretty much works for me, but the lyrics sound like they were written by Lenny Kravitz. The music is great and it was sweet live, but it pales in comparison to it's beautiful sister "The Fly". Album rank: 3, Overall grade: B
Walk On - This is the best track on the album, and not 'cause it sounds like classic U2, 'cause it really doesn't sound like anything U2 has done before. It is simply a strong song all-around and it will be the one song that people remember ATYCLB by. Album rank: 1, Overall grade: B+
Kite - Can you say "November Rain"? This song is more full of cliches than an interview with Al Gore. The closing lines are almost embarassing to listen to. Album rank: 9, Overall grade: D+
In A Little While - I really like this song, but I hope it isn't the direction U2 is headed. It's a breath of fresh air after "Kite" and the guitar lick is sweet. It's very Van Morrison-ish, which is cool, but again, not the U2 I am hoping for in the future. Album rank 5, Overall grade: B
Wild Honey - A throwaway song. Should have been replaced by a finished version of "Summer Rain". The concept is so far from the rest of the album (which really has no concept) that it is annoying. The bridge is pure torture. Album rank: 10, Overall grade: D+
Peace On Earth - A lot of people dislike this one, but I think it's okay. I am very fond of event-inspired U2 songs and this one obviously qualifies. Some of the lyrics seem like they were rushed (trees:knees), but the overall vibe of the song is good IMO. Album rank 6, Overall grade: B-
When I Look At the World - This one puts me to sleep every time. Again, the ugly sister of the gorgeous "Dirty Day". The message is tired too - it worked much better on "Wake Up Dead Man". Album rank 7, Overall grade: C-
New York - Great music, horrific lyrics. I will give Bono props for giving props to the classic "Neeeew Yooorrrk" Sinatra wail, but the patched together lyrics drag this one down. Album rank 8, Overall grade: C
Grace - I like this song, save a couple lines (lips:skips:fingertips). It has all the makings of a good U2 album closer and it has the strongest message of any of the tunes IMO. It's definitely low-energy, but it doesn't try to be anything else. Album rank:2, Overall grade: B+
Okay, so you can see why I think this album sucks by U2 standards. Of course, I know that many of you love this album, but I don't and I just explained why.
Here's to U2 - they rule - but I hope they step it up next time. U2 is at their best when they put together a thematic album and wow us with their significant lyrics.
fire away...
There are few bands, especially active bands, with the kind of catalogue U2 has. Deep, wide, diverse and solid.
This album doesn't contribute much IMO.
Song by song...
Beautiful Day - Interesting composition, good (not great) "riff", clumsy lyrics. ATYCLB rank: 4, Overall grade (in comparison to other U2 songs): C+
Stuck In A Moment - Michael Bolton will be singing this song soon. I can't tell you how much I hate this song. The video sucks too. Album rank: 11, Overall Grade: F
Elevation - This song pretty much works for me, but the lyrics sound like they were written by Lenny Kravitz. The music is great and it was sweet live, but it pales in comparison to it's beautiful sister "The Fly". Album rank: 3, Overall grade: B
Walk On - This is the best track on the album, and not 'cause it sounds like classic U2, 'cause it really doesn't sound like anything U2 has done before. It is simply a strong song all-around and it will be the one song that people remember ATYCLB by. Album rank: 1, Overall grade: B+
Kite - Can you say "November Rain"? This song is more full of cliches than an interview with Al Gore. The closing lines are almost embarassing to listen to. Album rank: 9, Overall grade: D+
In A Little While - I really like this song, but I hope it isn't the direction U2 is headed. It's a breath of fresh air after "Kite" and the guitar lick is sweet. It's very Van Morrison-ish, which is cool, but again, not the U2 I am hoping for in the future. Album rank 5, Overall grade: B
Wild Honey - A throwaway song. Should have been replaced by a finished version of "Summer Rain". The concept is so far from the rest of the album (which really has no concept) that it is annoying. The bridge is pure torture. Album rank: 10, Overall grade: D+
Peace On Earth - A lot of people dislike this one, but I think it's okay. I am very fond of event-inspired U2 songs and this one obviously qualifies. Some of the lyrics seem like they were rushed (trees:knees), but the overall vibe of the song is good IMO. Album rank 6, Overall grade: B-
When I Look At the World - This one puts me to sleep every time. Again, the ugly sister of the gorgeous "Dirty Day". The message is tired too - it worked much better on "Wake Up Dead Man". Album rank 7, Overall grade: C-
New York - Great music, horrific lyrics. I will give Bono props for giving props to the classic "Neeeew Yooorrrk" Sinatra wail, but the patched together lyrics drag this one down. Album rank 8, Overall grade: C
Grace - I like this song, save a couple lines (lips:skips:fingertips). It has all the makings of a good U2 album closer and it has the strongest message of any of the tunes IMO. It's definitely low-energy, but it doesn't try to be anything else. Album rank:2, Overall grade: B+
Okay, so you can see why I think this album sucks by U2 standards. Of course, I know that many of you love this album, but I don't and I just explained why.
Here's to U2 - they rule - but I hope they step it up next time. U2 is at their best when they put together a thematic album and wow us with their significant lyrics.
fire away...