Wednesday, November 24, 2004
| Another day, another inspiration. U2's How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb was officially released yesterday (written on my calendar for two months or so).
After watching the November 20th SNL performance, I thought that U2 couldn't inspire me more (and they inspire me a lot). I was absolutely wrong. The day after the SNL performance, the band toured New York streets on the back of a truck and subsequently ended up dominating Times Square and other prominent NY markers. Though they were filming for a new video, it caused me to wonder, does this band really love music this much? Yep, they sure do. The CD is brilliant. I wouldn't say I have a handle on what it is yet, but I would say it is a continuation of what was started with All That You Can't Leave Behind. At this point, I'm totally in love with the track, "Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own", which is a song about Bono's dad (who died during the ATYCLB tour). The corresponding DVD further inspires because of the everpresent comradery between band members and the honesty with which they approach their music. U2 is the soundtrack to my culture. |
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I think I'm too much of a critic...I can't just enjoy an album without questioning it, no matter which band it is. Perhaps like nearly everyone else, I'm overly focused on singles, rather than bands or albums.
Brilliant, eh? I feel like I'm treading on thin ice to challenge that one.
It does astound me that these guys continue to inspire people 20+ years after hitting the mainstream.
Brilliant, eh? I feel like I'm treading on thin ice to challenge that one.
It does astound me that these guys continue to inspire people 20+ years after hitting the mainstream.
Oh Jeremy,
I certainly think that this is where you and I differ - maybe on more than just the band level, but also on movies, books, and so on. I'm all about the band - the complete band experience. I cannot consider liking one song without liking the band. It somehow seems counter-productive, like an all-or-nothing theory. I understand it isn't perfect, though it is how I am.
For the most part, no matter what I think of the band, I do test the album on its own. The album needs to flow. For instance, Ben Folds Five "Whatever and Ever, Amen" album (which I purchased for its infamous 'Brick' - a reminder that singles aren't necessarily indicative of a band's sound) just doesn't flow. It is decent music, but not easy on the ears.
I think a CD should flow, from one song to another. A great example of this is "Achtung Baby". Even "Joshua Tree" is busted up because of 'Bullet in the Blue Sky" (makes me cringe to admit it, but...).
Having said all that, you know me, U2 is the shit. I love them for their life evolution, their values, their passion, and of course, for their courage. Therefore, I'd declare this album killer, no matter what.
I certainly think that this is where you and I differ - maybe on more than just the band level, but also on movies, books, and so on. I'm all about the band - the complete band experience. I cannot consider liking one song without liking the band. It somehow seems counter-productive, like an all-or-nothing theory. I understand it isn't perfect, though it is how I am.
For the most part, no matter what I think of the band, I do test the album on its own. The album needs to flow. For instance, Ben Folds Five "Whatever and Ever, Amen" album (which I purchased for its infamous 'Brick' - a reminder that singles aren't necessarily indicative of a band's sound) just doesn't flow. It is decent music, but not easy on the ears.
I think a CD should flow, from one song to another. A great example of this is "Achtung Baby". Even "Joshua Tree" is busted up because of 'Bullet in the Blue Sky" (makes me cringe to admit it, but...).
Having said all that, you know me, U2 is the shit. I love them for their life evolution, their values, their passion, and of course, for their courage. Therefore, I'd declare this album killer, no matter what.
Hey E - I'm with you the need for flow in an album! See my notes on my blogpost on my thoughts on Dismantling...and yes, in some ways for me U2 can do no wrong. But I don't feel this album has the flow of Achtung or ATYCLB.
The little book that comes with the collector's edition does give away some of the inspiration of the album...starting out with the quote about the atomic bomb "I am death, the mighty destroyer of the world" and closing with the quote from Ghandi "We must become the change we want to see in the world." - I love the depth behind the album - the lyrics may not be as deep or complex initially as a Dylan or a Cockburn but they are deeper than what they may seem at first glance.
The little book that comes with the collector's edition does give away some of the inspiration of the album...starting out with the quote about the atomic bomb "I am death, the mighty destroyer of the world" and closing with the quote from Ghandi "We must become the change we want to see in the world." - I love the depth behind the album - the lyrics may not be as deep or complex initially as a Dylan or a Cockburn but they are deeper than what they may seem at first glance.
Garth,
The day you posted this blog, I read that Gandhi quote. Such a great one. One I read recently, from his autobiography "A Story of My Experiments with Truth", really captured me and I feel it's relevant to the lyrics of songs being deep and complex. Not to mention the proactivity of Bonovox in the face of AIDS and clearing world debt. See here:
"To see the universal and all-pervading Spirit of Truth face to face one must be able to love the meanest of creation as oneself. And a man who aspires after that cannot afford to keep out of any field of life. That is why my devotion to Truth has drawn me into the field of politics; and I can say without the slightest hesitation, and yet in all humility, that those who say that religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion means."
This quote is very fresh to me because of the amount of responsibility it puts on believers - regardless of faith identity.
- E
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The day you posted this blog, I read that Gandhi quote. Such a great one. One I read recently, from his autobiography "A Story of My Experiments with Truth", really captured me and I feel it's relevant to the lyrics of songs being deep and complex. Not to mention the proactivity of Bonovox in the face of AIDS and clearing world debt. See here:
"To see the universal and all-pervading Spirit of Truth face to face one must be able to love the meanest of creation as oneself. And a man who aspires after that cannot afford to keep out of any field of life. That is why my devotion to Truth has drawn me into the field of politics; and I can say without the slightest hesitation, and yet in all humility, that those who say that religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion means."
This quote is very fresh to me because of the amount of responsibility it puts on believers - regardless of faith identity.
- E
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