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LISTEN TO IT #96B: THE BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS OF SOME IRISH GUYS ARE IN YR JUNK MAIL
Thanks to Apple, everyone knows by now that U2 has a new album out, and at least 500 million people found out they already own a copy.
And as mentioned previously, everyone’s got an opinion about that, most of it negative. Ironically, one of the least critical people is Mark Hosler of Negativland, who were once sued by U2’s record label Island. He has some interesting things to say about the whole thing here.
Controversial distribution methods aside, there remains the most important question: is Songs Of Innocence any good? Or is it at least good enough to justify Apple sticking it gratis in yr iTunes?
Reviews have been mixed. And after having listened to it, I can understand why.
The album’s opening shot, “The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)”, is game enough, but for me it lacks the vigor and punch of songs like “Beautiful Day” and “Vertigo” that helped U2 revive their career in the ‘00s. Which I think is also why the album feels like it’s stuck in second gear for the next four tracks, staying well within the safety zone of atmospheric maturity that U2 is known for these days.
U2 finally gun the engine halfway through with “Volcano”, but it’s the following track, “Raised By Wolves” that really delivers the bristling tension and social commentary that defines many of U2’s best tracks. And from that point on, it’s a pretty engaging listen. But it’s a shame it takes that long for the album to strike sparks.
Overall, it’s a decent but average entry in the U2 library – at least on first pass. The weaker songs may still grow on me after a few listens.
PRODUCTION NOTE: The headline for this post is a Bono quote, in case you were wondering.
Meanwhile, this is probably ubiquitous enough that you don’t need me to provide a preview track, but just in case, here’s their performance at the Apple event.
Not that innocent,
This is dF
And as mentioned previously, everyone’s got an opinion about that, most of it negative. Ironically, one of the least critical people is Mark Hosler of Negativland, who were once sued by U2’s record label Island. He has some interesting things to say about the whole thing here.
Controversial distribution methods aside, there remains the most important question: is Songs Of Innocence any good? Or is it at least good enough to justify Apple sticking it gratis in yr iTunes?
Reviews have been mixed. And after having listened to it, I can understand why.
The album’s opening shot, “The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)”, is game enough, but for me it lacks the vigor and punch of songs like “Beautiful Day” and “Vertigo” that helped U2 revive their career in the ‘00s. Which I think is also why the album feels like it’s stuck in second gear for the next four tracks, staying well within the safety zone of atmospheric maturity that U2 is known for these days.
U2 finally gun the engine halfway through with “Volcano”, but it’s the following track, “Raised By Wolves” that really delivers the bristling tension and social commentary that defines many of U2’s best tracks. And from that point on, it’s a pretty engaging listen. But it’s a shame it takes that long for the album to strike sparks.
Overall, it’s a decent but average entry in the U2 library – at least on first pass. The weaker songs may still grow on me after a few listens.
PRODUCTION NOTE: The headline for this post is a Bono quote, in case you were wondering.
Meanwhile, this is probably ubiquitous enough that you don’t need me to provide a preview track, but just in case, here’s their performance at the Apple event.
Not that innocent,
This is dF