Mar 12, 2009
As published on atu2.com
Whatever they say to hype their albums about reinventing themselves, going back to their roots, incorporating dance or electronica, U2 always end up sounding like U2. I wouldn’t have it any other way. But I can never remember the titles of U2’s previous two CDs. They weren’t bad and contained some great songs, but they weren’t memorable to me as albums. No Line on the Horizon is.
I’m not religious, I don’t bleed for Africa, I’m not keen on stadium rock. What turned me on to U2 was as much their military beat as a certain Celtic mysticism, their affinity with the European landscape, their singer’s do-or-die delivery and their big ideas.
For some fans, Achtung Baby is the touchstone in assessing a new album’s worth. For others it will always be Pop. My U2 is more ephemeral, present in moments found across their vast back catalog. You can hear echoes of these moments all over NLOTH.
“Moment of Surrender” reaches levels of intensity on par with “Bad” or “Please.” There’s a dash of “Van Diemen’s Land” with “White as Snow.” You’ll hear some Zooropa in “Magnificent” and “FEZ-Being Born,” the latter of which harks back to The Unforgettable Fire, while the first is the 00’s “Gloria”. “Unknown Caller” has roots in The Million Dollar Hotel. “Breathe” comes from the same songbook as “Gone.” And you may hate the single, but “Get On Your Boots” is probably their most Achtung Baby-like track in 20 years, and the title song borrows a riff from “The Fly.”
This is U2 doing what they’re best at: being U2. Except in “Stand Up Comedy,” where they attempt to be Led Zeppelin. Give it up, lads.
Jun 28, 2004
Long weekends are lovely (when they’re migraine free). Good things these past three days include:
A Sneakerfreak single release party. Managed by a co-worker of mine these guys are competent musicians, a little old fashioned (I got this 10,000 maniacs, Camper Van B. kind of vibe off them. I.e. bands that R.E.M. hung out with but did not sound like.) A little too ‘clever’ lyrically for me, but musically engaging. Good looking lads, they seem dedicated. Their lead guitarist’s just fabulous.
The end of the camera ordeal and subsequent farting around with it.
Meeting up with the lovely Caterina at ”t Loosje’ on Nieuwmarkt. Tasty frappucinos!
Holland beating Sweden in the quarter finals of the E.C. football (I *love* the game, you see, even if I hate the hype, the hysteria and most of all the bloody h’orange.)
Discovering very pretty parts of Amsterdam I never knew existed: Zeeburg.
More farting around with camera.
A game of tennis thwarted by a junior tournament – sun, tea and Vondelpark instead.
Grilled lemon scallops & assorted sushi at Zushi
Jul 2, 2000
ALLEZ LES BLEUS! (or is it bleux?). In a spot of a-typical nationalism, prol is happy those Italians didn’t win ‘cuz they beat OUR team’. Basically France deserved it – though perhaps not on the night. Fun moments: 1. the French team actually breaking the trophy! 2. Our queen looking a bit confused at the end. I don’t think she realised what happened when the ‘golden goal’ was scored. 3. The Italians across the road SHUTTING UP. Sheesh, all that noise when I’m trying to work.
All in all… a great tournament, with excellent football, ‘des equippes tres ’sympa’, and very little hype & hullaballoo. Now next time get rid of the hooligans all together: host it in England so we don’t have to deal with ‘em.
