Coping With the Second Crap Album From My Favorite Band* - Page 2

2Hearts · 01-10-2005, 08:18 PM

I just have to step in and say that Miami and Playboy Mansion are not duds to me. THEY represent the same "culmination of creativity and artistic merit" that Discotheque, Gone, Velvet Dress, etc. do. I simply adore the lyrics to Miami. And Playboy Mansion's are even better. The only lines in Playboy Mansion that could be improved upon would be the opening ones where pop culture is being described. Everything else is money.

LyricalDrug · 01-10-2005, 10:00 PM

Isn't it ironic that a writer who can't write (I counted at least 10 grammatical or spelling errors) has no shame about telling a band that it can't play?

shaun vox · 01-10-2005, 10:21 PM

hmmm so im not alone (yes i dont like htdaab)!!!!

Ellay · 01-10-2005, 10:37 PM

So let me get this right then, from your last paragraph, you say you like FIVE of the new tracks?.

Not bad, seeing as I've bought (non U2) albums in the past for far less tracks than that. (and probably most of us have)

D'oh! · 01-10-2005, 10:56 PM

i guess everyone is entitled to their own opinion....
even Achtung Baby had it's share of critics when it was first released.......

i disagree with the writer.....i don't think HTDAAB is a crap album..i think it is just behind Achtung and track for track i think it is on par with JT.

paulrg · 01-10-2005, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jamila
Simply can't agree.

For me, HTDAAB is the fulfillment of all the roads that U2 has travelled, all the experiences that U2 has had over their lifetime.

U2 has literally POURED THEIR HEARTS OUT TO US and the entire world in this album.

I agree entirely with this sentiment. I've been a fan of U2 since the Joshua Tree came out in '87. There have been a few ups and downs since then musically. But even items such as the Passengers album, which on first listen I was not overly fond of, I still reach back for from time to time (in the case of Passengers usually a late night drive - it's great sometimes at 4 in the morning on the highway).

Now with a band that's been around for this length of time you are not going to get earth-shattering new sounds on every album. The truth is I don't really bother to consider the musical merits of U2 releases anymore. And if I did I would be disappointed by the re-use of certain guitar sounds etc. Instead I judge a new U2 release on how it makes me feel.

On this album, technically the guitar sound on Miracle Drug right after the line "God I need your help tonight" is typical high-note Edge. We might have heard it before, it certainly sounds familiar. But its placement in this particular song, the more I hear it, is just perfect. It's like a blast of sunshine. It's kind of a sum of the parts thing.

Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own on first listen might not sound very musically innovative, but on repeated listen there are some beautiful parts in there - drums, bass and guitar. But I don't really care about that now. I don't love this song for it's technical musical accomplishments but for how it makes me feel.

I am pleased that, with one or two exceptions, U2 have continued the musically restrained approach on this album that began on All That You Can't Leave Behind. Mine may not be a popular view but I appreciate the fact that U2 do not concentrate on showing off with glib new musical sounds but instead play in a more understated way that just improves with repeated listening.

Music is a powerful force and is definitely the most mood-altering drug I've ever experienced. With HTDAAB I've found there is always a track for the moment, day or night. As Jamila said this is U2 pouring out their hearts. And this time we got a book as well! I just love the story in there about the Himalayan mountain goats. U2 for me are better than ever.

HelloAngel · 01-11-2005, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheFly84138
Whoever wrote this reviews lacks musical knowledge and ability to critique the U2 catalog. While I agree with the basic argument of the album being weaker than others, saying Pop was a "crap album" shows no taste or understanding of music. The album has some real duds like "The Playboy Mansion" and "Miami," but the rest of the songs are brilliant and represent U2's culmination of creativity and artistic merit, heard only perhaps in Achtung Baby. "Do You Feel Loved" should only leave you scratching your head in worshiping its sheer perfection. "If You Wear That Velvet Dress" is another nonperil U2 recording that shys away from the standard delay effects and enormous sing-a-long choruses, not to mention just great musical ideas for the vocal and minimalist instrumentation. Do yourself a favor and listen to the album. As for crap albums, look no further than The Unforgettable Fire. Had "Pride" and "Bad" not appeared on the album it would have ruined their career.

And that is your opinion on "Pop" and UF. Let's not insult the writer simply because you disagree with him.

HelloAngel · 01-11-2005, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LyricalDrug
Isn't it ironic that a writer who can't write (I counted at least 10 grammatical or spelling errors) has no shame about telling a band that it can't play?

Actually, the reviewer is a great writer and this piece was edited by two professional editors. Please feel free to email me if you want to discuss editorial mistakes.

Patrick Bastow · 01-11-2005, 06:27 AM

HTDAAB is not the second worst album and neither is POP. The worst album for me is ATYCLB. Thats when then stopped being innovative and lost the plot and turned into MOR rockers. Its amazing that such a weak album is the best selling album of U2's career!!

HTDAAB is dispointing in some ways becuase it does not set a sonic blueprint like Actung Baby or JT did. But how many bands can change sounds like that?? Very few.

I think HTDAAB is just below the brilliance of AB and JT. The songs are very strong, the performances are great and Bono sounds on form. Yes its not super innovative but it is a consolidation and refelction of sounds from their career. Not many bands can do this or have done this before. For me, a fan off 22 years, its thrilling to hear references to the music that got me liking U2 in the first place! I don't think HTDAAB is retro in anyway. You can easily claim that the likes of the Strokes and Franz Ferdinand are develving back to far more obvious retro references than U2.

This album won't be as groundbreaking or as influential as AB (check out the Snow Patrol album and listen to the AB grunge 'Zoo Station' type sounds in that record) but its a good solid record. Name me a band that has been going as long as U2 that has produced an album as strong as HTDAAB at the same stage of their careers?? I can't think of any other band. This is why HTDAAB is such acheivement.

So you're wrong HTDAAB is not a crap album. Listen to last 3-4 Rolling Stones records if you want to hear a great band in terminal decline. U2 wobbled on ATYCLB. Now they are close to be being as good as they always have been.

dsmith2904 · 01-11-2005, 09:55 AM

All of these are your opinions, just like the original review was that writers opinion. No one can say with definite certainty whether or not something is, for a fact, good, it's all subjective.

Yahweh · 01-11-2005, 10:01 AM

How about posting an article by somebody else that shows the other side of the story. This is an article that I feel is totally off base to reality.

If he defines this album as a crap album I want to see what else hes listening to and say why it is so much better then How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb or POP. Until then this article has very little use to anybody.

dsmith2904 · 01-11-2005, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Yahweh
How about posting an article by somebody else that shows the other side of the story. This is an article that I feel is totally off base to reality.

If he defines this album as a crap album I want to see what else hes listening to and say why it is so much better then How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb or POP. Until then this article has very little use to anybody.

We already did...

http://u2.interference.com/t103001.html

We posted this review to show the other side, to show that not all fans love, or even like, this album.

TheFly84138 · 01-11-2005, 11:00 AM

Well, maybe you should find some new writers because I wouldn't pay a dime to read anything as poor as this review.

U2girl · 01-11-2005, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Patrick Bastow
HTDAAB is not the second worst album and neither is POP. The worst album for me is ATYCLB. Thats when then stopped being innovative and lost the plot and turned into MOR rockers. Its amazing that such a weak album is the best selling album of U2's career!!

Opinion, not fact.

Also, U2's best selling album is Joshua tree. AB and Rattle and Hum and the first Best of also sold more than ATYCLB.
And so far, HTDAAB is outselling ATYCLB at the early stages.

lauren430 · 01-11-2005, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Yahweh_OMG
There is only one Achtung Baby in a band's career, I agree with you U2girl. I don't know why people expect "the best u2 album" everytime U2 release an album..... it's crazy, it's like asking a 100 meter runner to beat the world record everytime he runs!

Very true

01-10-2005, 10:37 PM	#19
Ellay Refugee Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: England Posts: 1,633 Local Time: 06:57 AM	So let me get this right then, from your last paragraph, you say you like FIVE of the new tracks?. Not bad, seeing as I've bought (non U2) albums in the past for far less tracks than that. (and probably most of us have) Last edited by Ellay; 01-10-2005 at 10:38 PM..

01-11-2005, 09:55 AM	#25
dsmith2904 Rock n' Roll Doggie FOB Premium Gold Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tempted to keep the car in drive Posts: 9,156 Local Time: 10:57 PM	All of these are your opinions, just like the original review was that writers opinion. No one can say with definite certainty whether or not something is, for a fact, good, it's all subjective. __________________ Don't you know it's gonna be alright?

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01-10-2005, 08:18 PM	#16
2Hearts War Child Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: SC Posts: 637 Local Time: 06:57 AM	I just have to step in and say that Miami and Playboy Mansion are not duds to me. THEY represent the same "culmination of creativity and artistic merit" that Discotheque, Gone, Velvet Dress, etc. do. I simply adore the lyrics to Miami. And Playboy Mansion's are even better. The only lines in Playboy Mansion that could be improved upon would be the opening ones where pop culture is being described. Everything else is money.

01-10-2005, 10:00 PM	#17
LyricalDrug Refugee Premium Gold Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: SF Bay Area, California, USA Posts: 2,200 Local Time: 10:57 PM	Isn't it ironic that a writer who can't write (I counted at least 10 grammatical or spelling errors) has no shame about telling a band that it can't play?

01-10-2005, 10:21 PM	#18
shaun vox New Yorker Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: LA.cal ROCKnRoll city! Posts: 2,987 Local Time: 06:57 AM	hmmm so im not alone (yes i dont like htdaab)!!!!

01-10-2005, 10:56 PM	#20
D'oh! War Child Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: India Posts: 685 Local Time: 12:27 PM	i guess everyone is entitled to their own opinion.... even Achtung Baby had it's share of critics when it was first released....... i disagree with the writer.....i don't think HTDAAB is a crap album..i think it is just behind Achtung and track for track i think it is on par with JT.

01-11-2005, 06:27 AM	#24
Patrick Bastow Babyface Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: West Sussex, UK Posts: 1 Local Time: 06:57 AM	HTDAAB is not the second worst album and neither is POP. The worst album for me is ATYCLB. Thats when then stopped being innovative and lost the plot and turned into MOR rockers. Its amazing that such a weak album is the best selling album of U2's career!! HTDAAB is dispointing in some ways becuase it does not set a sonic blueprint like Actung Baby or JT did. But how many bands can change sounds like that?? Very few. I think HTDAAB is just below the brilliance of AB and JT. The songs are very strong, the performances are great and Bono sounds on form. Yes its not super innovative but it is a consolidation and refelction of sounds from their career. Not many bands can do this or have done this before. For me, a fan off 22 years, its thrilling to hear references to the music that got me liking U2 in the first place! I don't think HTDAAB is retro in anyway. You can easily claim that the likes of the Strokes and Franz Ferdinand are develving back to far more obvious retro references than U2. This album won't be as groundbreaking or as influential as AB (check out the Snow Patrol album and listen to the AB grunge 'Zoo Station' type sounds in that record) but its a good solid record. Name me a band that has been going as long as U2 that has produced an album as strong as HTDAAB at the same stage of their careers?? I can't think of any other band. This is why HTDAAB is such acheivement. So you're wrong HTDAAB is not a crap album. Listen to last 3-4 Rolling Stones records if you want to hear a great band in terminal decline. U2 wobbled on ATYCLB. Now they are close to be being as good as they always have been.

01-11-2005, 10:01 AM	#26
Yahweh Refugee Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,329 Local Time: 06:57 AM	How about posting an article by somebody else that shows the other side of the story. This is an article that I feel is totally off base to reality. If he defines this album as a crap album I want to see what else hes listening to and say why it is so much better then How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb or POP. Until then this article has very little use to anybody.

01-11-2005, 11:00 AM	#28
TheFly84138 The Fly Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: USA Posts: 183 Local Time: 06:57 AM	Well, maybe you should find some new writers because I wouldn't pay a dime to read anything as poor as this review.