OMG I AM SO BEHIND.
I have a millionty-two things to el-Jay about. Let's see, where to start...
U2!!!!!!!!
They ROCKED their week on Letterman. AND.....THEY'RE COMING TO ATLANTA. Yep. Stadium tour this time, so fewer shows, but the set-up looks tremendous. I last saw my boys in 2005 - both nights in Atlanta, and on Saturday night odabee_jones and myself were on the rail on Edge's side. Bono noticed that I was refusing to hold my arms up like everyone else on the front line, so he sauntered over to me and got on his knees, gestured for me to get into the music and then laughed. He then smiled the biggest smile and I died a little in the most wonderful way. He and Edge both came back and stood an arm's length away from us for some of the big notes and solos. Everything about that night was magical, including all the fellow U2 fanatic friends we made standing in the bitter cold in line for 16 hours.
So yeah, I'm SUPER-EXCITED about new U2 tour. *grins like a fool*
As for the album? Well, to my shame I haven't dedicated the time to it that I want. Listening to U2 is an active way to spend time - they're not background music, not even in the iPod while at work. I tried it for a little bit, but I can't work and try to make the new album my own. I need to set aside some time this weekend and give it my full attention.
I do have first impressions, however. "Magnificent" is magnificent. I and about a billion other U2 fans are waiting for this song to take its rightful place on a setlist amidst "City of Blinding Lights," "Where The Streets Have No Name," and "Miracle Drug." In fact, this is much like a sequel to "Miracle Drug" -- no, an answer. It is bravely optimistic, overtly spiritual, and daringly, unequivocally evocative of Bono's Christian faith. Edge's gorgeous, trademark reverb and jangles just shimmer here, and they are propelled by the solid gallop of Larry and Adam, who've never been tighter. It's a song that feels like it has existed for years as a part of U2's catalog and we all know it. It's just that we're only hearing it for the first time now.
"Get Your Boots On" needed to grow on me a bit, but even as I was frowning at it coming through the TV speakers I thought to myself: this needs a loud stereo. Sure enough, slap that baby on your big system and forget your neighbors because the song rocks. It's dizzy, snarky, zinging with a slick buzz of guitar and Edge's ubercool backing vocals.
I can hear that on this album they have really tried to correct for the biggest flaw from Atomic Bomb: Bono. While his lyrics are still on perfect point, his voice has suffered in recent years. The resulting shrillness and shabby overlays on Bomb really hurt a few songs ("Crumbs from Your Table," "All Because of You"). We all know that deep, earthy richness from Joshua Tree is gone, as is the dark, sinister voice from Achtung Baby. Bono seems to have finally learned to adapt, and thank goodness for that.
I'm still pondering over several songs, but overall it's a fantastic record. Without doubt a step forward for the guys.
AND I'M GONNA SEE THEM SOMETIME SOON!! *squeak*
U2!!!!!!!!
They ROCKED their week on Letterman. AND.....THEY'RE COMING TO ATLANTA. Yep. Stadium tour this time, so fewer shows, but the set-up looks tremendous. I last saw my boys in 2005 - both nights in Atlanta, and on Saturday night odabee_jones and myself were on the rail on Edge's side. Bono noticed that I was refusing to hold my arms up like everyone else on the front line, so he sauntered over to me and got on his knees, gestured for me to get into the music and then laughed. He then smiled the biggest smile and I died a little in the most wonderful way. He and Edge both came back and stood an arm's length away from us for some of the big notes and solos. Everything about that night was magical, including all the fellow U2 fanatic friends we made standing in the bitter cold in line for 16 hours.
So yeah, I'm SUPER-EXCITED about new U2 tour. *grins like a fool*
As for the album? Well, to my shame I haven't dedicated the time to it that I want. Listening to U2 is an active way to spend time - they're not background music, not even in the iPod while at work. I tried it for a little bit, but I can't work and try to make the new album my own. I need to set aside some time this weekend and give it my full attention.
I do have first impressions, however. "Magnificent" is magnificent. I and about a billion other U2 fans are waiting for this song to take its rightful place on a setlist amidst "City of Blinding Lights," "Where The Streets Have No Name," and "Miracle Drug." In fact, this is much like a sequel to "Miracle Drug" -- no, an answer. It is bravely optimistic, overtly spiritual, and daringly, unequivocally evocative of Bono's Christian faith. Edge's gorgeous, trademark reverb and jangles just shimmer here, and they are propelled by the solid gallop of Larry and Adam, who've never been tighter. It's a song that feels like it has existed for years as a part of U2's catalog and we all know it. It's just that we're only hearing it for the first time now.
"Get Your Boots On" needed to grow on me a bit, but even as I was frowning at it coming through the TV speakers I thought to myself: this needs a loud stereo. Sure enough, slap that baby on your big system and forget your neighbors because the song rocks. It's dizzy, snarky, zinging with a slick buzz of guitar and Edge's ubercool backing vocals.
I can hear that on this album they have really tried to correct for the biggest flaw from Atomic Bomb: Bono. While his lyrics are still on perfect point, his voice has suffered in recent years. The resulting shrillness and shabby overlays on Bomb really hurt a few songs ("Crumbs from Your Table," "All Because of You"). We all know that deep, earthy richness from Joshua Tree is gone, as is the dark, sinister voice from Achtung Baby. Bono seems to have finally learned to adapt, and thank goodness for that.
I'm still pondering over several songs, but overall it's a fantastic record. Without doubt a step forward for the guys.
AND I'M GONNA SEE THEM SOMETIME SOON!! *squeak*