Reviews
U2
How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
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Add to del.ico.us.Review Date: 2004-11-23
U2's perseverance boggles my mind. I mean, can you name any other band that managed to survive the 80's, persevere the 90's and still be nearly if not as big as they ever were today in 2004? I was talking about this the other day, and I just can't figure it out. Why of all the possible bands that could have pulled off this impressive fight does the one that is able to do it have to be U2? Let it be known I don't hate U2, and have at times owned or currently own some of their albums. But seriously the point is NOBODY else has done this. R.E.M you say? Absolutely not, their last three albums haven't done shit and they are nowhere near as strong today as U2 is. Aerosmith? Aerosmith still has a big following and makes massive money on tour, but when they release a studio album it tends to received as a bit of a joke. For some strange reason, U2 has been granted this automatic pass to super stardom. And regardless of the quality of the music they release they keep their popularity, and the next album they release is more hyped than ever. After hearing "Vertigo" which is plastered all over the radio and television right now I decided I must review this album. Personally, I think "Vertigo" blows, and it really pissed me off. That such a shitty song was getting massive airplay when much better music doesn't see the light of day on radio or much or mtv. So I downloaded the album and prepared to hate on the album.
The only problem is the album really wasn't all that bad. In fact, "Vertigo" is likely the song I like the least on the whole album. The album is getting mixed reviews, but I find it amusing because good or bad the reviews are saying the same thing. Either the album is awesome because it is U2 going back to their roots, and releasing an album filled with the type of songs that made them so popular in the first place, or the album is a disappointment because it lacks originality and is more or less just recycled new versions of songs they have released before. Kinda shows how objective album reviews can be eh? I think the latter is a far criticism, but then again in defence of U2 what the hell were you expecting? The saying you can't teach an old dog new tricks definitely applies to this band of Old Dogs. The days of them releasing innovative new sounding albums like "Pop" probably died when they released "Pop" and it was by far the least well accepted album they ever released. In further defence of U2, a few of the songs on this album truly do sound unique, and I like this album more than anything U2 has done since "The Joshua Tree". But that isn't saying too much because i didn't really love any other album U2 has ever released besides "The Joshua Tree".
I spent a lot of time up there so I'll be brief for the songs. "Sometimes You Can't Make it on your Own". Is a great U2 song. In every way this is your typical U2 song. It could have appeared on any of their albums other than "Pop" and people would have accepted it. With their trademark "With or Without You" like guitar, and a fucking terrific Bono chorus which he is singing at about as high a pitch as he can reach. I am a sucker for older U2 songs like "With or Without you" and "Streets Have no Name", and this song while not being as passionate reminds me very much of that sound. Gotta love it.
To me there is no question that "Love & Peace or What Else" is the best song on this album. It opens with a really dark grungey sounding intro. You half expect it to go to Tool or A Perfect Circle when its done. But instead it breaks into the rest of the band joining in after a drumroll. This is the hardest rock song that this band has ever released. As far as I am concerned. You have some groovy electric guitar by The Edge and Bono is playing off of him for a change. The result is kinda like U2 doing the Blues. Seriously.... that is what you are more or less hearing here. Except the lyrics are more perky than your typical blues song. Its a bizarre combination of sounds, but it really and truly works. Highly recommend this song, and it would be awesome if it comes out as a single. But I doubt they have the marbles.
I don't need to waste anyone's time explaining the sound of Vertigo. You have all heard it/seen it or else you must be blind and deaf. Let it just be said I think this song is crap. They are trying to rock out obviously but it comes across as lame and a bit of a cash grab. The video is also annoying if you ask me. The best way to sum it up is it tries to be cutting edge, and that is exactly what it looks like, like a band attempting to be cutting edge and instead looking lame.
"Miracle Drug" also sucks fairly hard. I have heard U2 do this song 10 times before and done it better. The guitar sounds uninspired, and the vocals are just not really gripping like Bono usually is on these soft passionate love songs. They are at it again with that trademark U2 guitar but the song never reaches the height and impact that U2 songs usually do when the guitar is just pounding and Bono is bellowing out his passion filled vocals. it has the framework of a succesful U2 song but they seem to be going at it half assed.
Alas, it doesn't matter what I think. This album is going to be astronomical either way, and people will adore it even though it is only slightly above average. If you like U2's less ambitious stuff I'm sure you'll get a kick out of this. And give it a far amount of spins on the ol' CD player. If you've never liked U2 before then big shocker, you won't be getting hooked anytime soon. Either way a new release from U2 means that you, me, and everyone on the planet will be bombarded with their videos and songs on the radio and TV for the next year or so to come. And that my friends, isn't such a good thing.
Songs that you should download: "Sometimes you can't make it on your own", "Love & Peace Or Else", "City of Blinding Lights", "Original of the species".
Score: 7.3
As far as my album reviews go a 7 or so would be what i would consider a completely average record. so this seems where to slot U2.
- Dan