U2 The Unforgettable Fire Remastered

U2 are remastering The Unforgettable Fire for its 25th anniversary which I think is their most underrated album especially since the Joshua Tree is really the companion to it and we all know the Joshua Tree is good but not as good as the critics say. Anyways, what is so special about this reissue?? Well...their will be 4 different versions that include B-sides from TUF sessions, live recordings and other goodies.

The 4 versions include:
1. Vinyl album version
2. Standard remastered CD version
3. Deluxe double CD with 36 page book
4. Limited edition deluxe box set which includes the double CD version , 56 page book, 5 prints and a DVD with a making of doco. In case you were wondering I will be buying this one!!!

Rumour has it that this is the tracklisting:

Main Album - I presume this will be all retouched like their other anniversary reissues
1. A Sort of Homecoming
2. Pride (In the Name of Love)
3. Wire
4. The Unforgettable Fire
5. Promenade
6. 4th of July
7. Bad
8. Indian Summer Sky
9. Elvis Presley & America
10. MLK

2nd CD
1. 11 O'Clock Tick Tock (Unreleased)
2. Bass Trap
3. Boomerang I
4. Boomerang II
5. Love Comes Tumbling
6. 60 Seconds In Kingdom Comes
7. The Three Sunrises
8. Sunday Bloody Sunday (Live from Live Aid)
9. Bad (Live from Live Aid)
10. Walk On the Wild Side
11. Ruby Tuesday
12. Satellite of Love
13. Disappearing Act (Unreleased)
14. Yoshino Blossom (Unreleased)

The most interesting thing here is the inclusion of Disappearing Act which was originally started in 1983 with Eno and Lanois and called 'White City' at the time but was revisited again this year. I love how the lads revisit songs that didn't make old albums how fantastic. They played a snippet of it in an interview with BBC radio and you can hear it below. By the way, it's not the greatest quality but it will do.



Are you as excited as I am for The Unforgettable Fire reissue which will be released on October 27th.

U2 I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight

Please please check this video out from U2's 360 Tour it's UNBELIEVABLE! This just proves that the lads have still got it. The stage design is amazing and they keep doing it over and over again with a show that no one has ever seen before. I mean the progression is staggering from ZooTV to Popmart to Elevation to Vertigo to THIS...bloody hell. They still have the most innovative live shows amongs any band anywhere in the world and manage to put on a rocking show too.

I really hope this turns out to be the official video for this single it's their best concert video yet. Sorry it is linked here as their official site won't let me embed it. Just follow the links its the Live from Barcelona one...enjoy

I'm really hoping this tour comes here but I seriously doubt it. However, there are some amazing videos on the net that make you feel like you are there which is a small consolation. This YT video channel is particulary good. I wish I had the time and could afford to follow U2 around on a world tour when I win lotto that is what I'll do...hehehe

U2006com's Channel

Bands That Changed Me: U2

My introduction to U2 was unusual as I was always aware of them. I can even remember seeing the video for ‘Please’ and I had heard ‘With Or Without You’ on the radio but it was not until ‘All That You Can’t Leave Behind’ came out that I really took notice. As it is with any band that have a long career before I discover them I go back to their early stuff and listen and read what the critics and people say about them. I came to discover that first, U2’s early stuff was f***ing amazing especially their innovative work in the 90s and the fact they make a distinct effort to reinvent themselves with every album. Secondly, they are a band that reflects many of my views on politics, human rights, humanitarianism and social activism. This was the career path that I wanted and still am taking. To put it shortly I became obsessed with their music and their work, not just Bono’s solo efforts to initiate change but the way the whole band have worked on issues and have embedded this within their music. I’m constantly in awe of them! Also, their live shows are out of this world as they have put on some of the most visually stunning tours particularly ZooTV and PopMart. A U2 tour always uses huge screens and they and their production team are pioneers in their ability to design a set that despite the large venues they play has a level of intimacy for fans. I think the heart-shaped pit with people in it and around it on the Elevation Tour perfectly illustrates this.
The band also continues to make improvements so that we get the most value for money and the opportunity to see something new every time they go on tour. I was lucky enough to see them on their Vertigo Word Tour but I would give almost anything to go back in time and see them on the ZooTV and PopMart Tours. Since this is not possible I have to console myself with my ZooTV ‘Live from Sydney’ and PopMart ‘Live from Mexico City’ DVDs. I urge you all to go and get these as they are some of the most brilliant tour concerts ever and even if you’re not a fan you won’t regret it as I’ve converted a few with them. Anyways, they’re also going to be on their 360° Tour this year which is proving to be just as big as their others so keep an eye out for any footage, I certainly am and will post it here!

U2 in my opinion are the last of the great bands in the truest sense of the word as they represent a great unit that all have an equal say in the song writing process, direction and touring. But most importantly they are still relevant and writing great songs whilst being the best live band around today. I have so much faith in them that I have a particular line from 'One' tattooed to me with space to add one more line!

U2's New Video: MAGNIFICENT

The video for one of the best songs off No Line On the Horizon, Magnificent has been released tonight (Oz time). Wow it's beautifully shot!

CHECK IT OUT HERE

U2's MAGNIFICENT from Anton Corbijn's LINEAR film

I already talked about Anton Corbijn's film 'Linear' that came with some of the versions of U2's No Line on the Horizon. I also said it was almost impossible to find online as you need a special code and password that only comes once you buy the album and its various bits and pieces. However, I was online and stumbled across the gem below, U2 performing Magnificent in Corbijn's 'Linear'. Obviously this is not the whole film but I do recommend going to buy the digi-pack or box set, anything beyond just the standard album to get access to this film. I promise you it is worth it!!!

Single Reviews: U2 - MAGNIFICENT

U2 have released the photo for the front cover of their new single, 'Magnificent'. I just have to say this is a worthy single and really should have been first after hearing the whole album. There is nothing wrong with 'Get On Your Boots' but it just didn't set the vibe for the record. The song is great and shows off U2's ability to write great uplifting songs. Also, the band are filming the video for the tune in Fez so expect something stunningly beautiful. Anyways, enough of my ranting...here it is
Loz

Anton Corbijn's Linear

I have Internet back...lets all celebrate this with a moment of silence. Anyways just wanted you all to listen to the link below because its a song called Winter by U2. Rumour has it was supposed to be on No Line on the Horizon but did not make it due to track ordering issues which I believe is the reason the album was released later than expected. However, it doesn't matter because if you bought any of the versions beyond the standard version of the album then you have the ability to download the Anton Corbijn film, Linear which features Winter and some of the band in it. This is worth the price of buying the special edition releases because I have not seen it available to download which is actually really good marketing when you think about it.

I won't talk about the film but do you like/hate the song? Does it sound like another big song of 2008 particuarly at the start? Is Winter worth omission from the album? Personally, yes...now over to you.

2009 Album Reviews: U2 - NO LINE ON THE HORIZON

So it has been approximately 5 years since 'How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb' and every time U2 release a record it's an event and therefore you cannot rush reviewing their new work. It is so easy to be influenced by what music critics say so it was best that I took my time and got familiar with the new songs and watched some of their promo tour to see how the songs sounded live. I think this time around the hype was particularly obvious or bad, depending on how you look at it because they delayed the release of the album from late 2008 to Feb/March 2009. Over the last 3 or so months I felt the build-up for this album but it became really intense about February (especially if you know where to look) and this, I think puts pressure not only on the band, but makes Bono & Co. seem above criticism which they most definitely are not. The hype and circus, from where I stand is a lot about the music industry looking to U2 as the saviours of the industry itself. This is a huge weight to put on the band and no one can live up to this expectation as there will always be people who hate or love the record/band. I love U2 and am not afraid to admit that they are in my Top 5 favourite bands however, I am afraid that all the stuff that surrounds U2 will overtake the reason U2 exists in the first place, to make good music as a band; which is where they began and where they will ultimately end. I think Larry talked about this in an interview where he said that at one point senior people from Microsoft would drop into the recording studio which was a distraction from making music. It is often forgotten that U2 is not just Bono but there are 3 other band members who have just as much to say or more.

Anyways, on to the record itself...
This album marks a return to a more experimental sound rather than just a straight up rock album. I wholeheartedly embrace U2’s experimental side as I'm a fan of ‘Pop’ which I think is their most underrated album and not truly understood. Everyone should go back and listen to the small nuances of this record. In my opinion all U2 records have something special but ‘Achtung Baby’ will always be my favourite, which Bono has said in the past is the sound of U2 chopping down the Joshua Tree. This is such an apt description...love it!

So imagine hearing this is what the band were returning to for their 12th studio album. I was super excited as I admittedly was waiting for the band to change up their sound and slightly disappointed in their previous two albums, ‘All That You Can’t Leave Behind’ and ‘...Atomic Bomb’ in terms of risk taking. I am a fan of the U2 that keeps the public, fans and critics guessing. I had heard early reports that it was a bit ‘Achtung Baby and some ‘Zooropa’ and ‘Pop’ in there as well; but I was really surprised when I heard it in full as I immediately compared it to ‘The Unforgettable Fire’ with some similarities to those records above with a lot of new stuff in there too. I am thoroughly impressed that after three full listens it keeps getting better. On the first listen, I was taken back as I didn’t expect it but it is full of great song writing. This is the U2 I know and love and I think inviting Brian Eno and Danny Lanois into the song writing process with the band turned out to be quite a good idea. The Eno/Lanois touch is definitely noticeable on the album.

I understand ‘No Line on the Horizon’ to be introspective and reflective as it does not bombard you like ‘Achtung Baby’ does but gets you in a much more subtle way. This is Adam and Larry’s album because it shows off the intricacies of the U2 rhythm section and how good those two are. It seems that the more U2 experiment the better the drum parts and bass lines get. Good for you lads! There are problems with this record and I think it does stem from the way the tracks are organised and certain songs just not being my cup of tea. The song writing is in parts epic and in others flat but I think this has a lot to do with lyrics...sorry Bono. All the songs in terms of the music are good but some of the lyrics just ruin it but there are moments of genius e.g. Moment of Surrender where Bono truly shines as a lyricist.

A track-by-track look at each song:

1. No Line on the Horizon – One of my fave tracks! The promo tour didn’t allow for us to hear this live but I think it will be awesome as it has a certain quality to it. I love the line “No. No line on the horizon”...the way he sings it is beautiful. As lyrics go, there are a lot of ooohhhsss... The melody is what sets this song apart from others and it almost could have gone on ‘The Unforgettable Fire’ or ‘The Joshua Tree’.
2. Magnificent – This is very much U2. It’s an epic anthem that will work well in stadiums when they go on tour later this year. I can imagine it will be a crowd pleaser as it builds much like ‘Where the Streets Have No Name’ and has an amazing drum part, once again proving that this is the rhythm section’s album. The chorus is typical U2 and the whole song is a testament to Bono’s lyric writing but the best part is when B croons “I was born, I was born to sing for you...I didn’t have a choice but to lift you up...” On David Letterman this worked well and Bono’s falsetto was in full glory for all to see and showed that it has a transcendent quality like ‘One’ and ‘WTSHNN’.
3. Moment of Surrender – This is possibly the best song on the album. It shows the band in all their grandeur as it’s a 7 minute or so masterpiece. What a fricking beautiful song was my initial reaction to it. It is a slow-ballad type song so I am giving you all fair warning but it has an amazing quality to it. Also, as a part-time drummer I found out that Larry recorded this on an electronic drum kit...how cool is that. This also has great lyrics like “At the moment of surrender of vision over visibility, I did not notice the passers by and they did not notice me...”
4. Unknown Caller - Easily my least favourite song. I found the music fine but the lyrics and structure are kind of all over the place. I'm not sure how to even go about breaking this down in all honesty. It doesn’t have something that pulls you in like all U2 songs do.
5. I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight – This is going to be a great song live as it has shown on the promo tour. I originally thought it wasn’t that great but once I heard them perform this live I was convinced it is a great pop song. It just has a natural beauty about it particularly the bridge and a bit of country when The Edge’s guitar solo kicks in. Is that just me? My favourite lyric is “...Every beauty needs to go out with an idiot...”
6. Get On Your Boots – My review for this is in a separate post and I thought it was good but now that I have heard the whole album and the more I think about it doesn’t belong on this album. I will say now it should not have been the first single as it doesn’t really represent the album at all.
7. Stand Up Comedy – This is certainly interesting as an unconventional love song. The best line is “...be careful, of small men with big ideas." I wonder who they are talking about here...I'm picturing Bono right now talking about poverty! The production of this is amazing too.
8. FEZ – Being Born – Obviously this began in Fez, Morocco and it does have an African feel. This is interesting because it starts off as one thing and becomes another. I think people might find it confusing but I see it as showing off their ability to push the boundaries and make songs that are almost like films. I hear the cinematic nature of the music and it is uncomplicated like that with very few lyrics. This is about the music.
9. White As Snow – What a beautiful song I feel like crying just thinking about it. This is very melodic and it definitely tells you a story. I am in love with the line: “Now this dry ground, it bears no fruit at all. Only poppies laugh under the crescent moon...” It sounds like a hymn.
10. Breathe – I know Bono has said that this is fast becoming his favourite song on the album. I am not sure I can agree with it being my fave on the album. It is a great song by most standards but along the U2 standard it falls a bit short. It will probably be a single at some point.
11. Cedars of Lebanon – This is an interesting song in terms of what is about. Bono said it was written from the perspective of a war correspondent and going by this it makes sense with lyrics like “...Spent the night trying to make a deadline, squeezing complicated lives into a simple headline..” Bono is almost speaking the lyrics at certain points in the song which serve to highlight the words and what it is actually about. It is not as beautiful as ‘White As Snow’ but it is a strong tune that leaves an impression. An excellent closer for a record.

That ended up being fairly epic. WOW!

U2.com > News > U2 360° Tour Revealed

U2.com > News > U2 360° Tour Revealed

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U2 at David Letterman, GMA & BBC

So...U2 have been on a massive promo campaign and they have been performing on rooftops, tv shows and doing random comedy sketches. Well most of it is over now so I can accumulate all the videos available and let you view them all in one go. I advise you all to check out the band on David Letterman as their performances are top notch and it gives you a hint on how the new songs will work live. I think 'Magnificent' was unbelievable and now I actually really like 'I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight' after hearing it live.

David Letterman

Night 1- Breathe


Night 2- Magnificent


Night 3- I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight


Night 4- Beautiful Day


Night 5- Get On Your Boots


GMA-Fordham University

Part 1- Get On Your Boots and Magnificent


Part 2- I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight


Interview


Part 3- Beautiful Day


BBC Rooftop Gig

Part 1- Get On Your Boots


Part 2- Magnificent


Part 3- Vertigo


Part 4- Beautiful Day


Ok, that is all for now. Also, so there has been a lot of U2 but it should die down after I have my review up. Also, look out for a review of Bat For Lashes latest.

Loz

U2 Breathe Live on French tv

So U2 have been all over the place and today is the day, the release of their new album....woooohooo!! Anyways, all their tv appearances etc...have focused on the new single 'Get On Your Boots' but on French tv they also played Breathe which is a great song and probably better than the first single. This song is amazing and I think it gives a better overall picture of what to expect from the new album than 'Get On Your Boots'. I am just thoroughly impressed and I think their live performances will improve especially once they go out on tour and see what works and doesn't.


See ya guys!!

U2.com > News > Countdown to No Line

U2.com > News > Countdown to No Line

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U2 @ ECHO Awards

The band have been doing the rounds promoting the new single and album. Here they are in Germany opening the ECHO Awards. This is all becoming very repetitive but the performance is getting better and better.


Loz

U2 @ Brit Awards

I thought I would link all of you to U2's performance at the Brit Awards.
The band opened the show in a similar fashion to their performance at the Grammys. This was better than the Grammys in terms of sound quality and Bono's voice sounded better particularly. So here it is...


Also, the band's album was leaked by Universal Australia online. The website was selling the whole album for a few hrs. Even though it was only there for a little while the damage had already been done as it is now appearing on file sharing and YouTube etc... In all honesty I can't deny that I haven't heard a few songs too but I won't review it until I do my usual listening ritual when I get a new record (this applies to most of the albums I buy). If you're curious this involves...
#1 listening to the whole album straight through without anything
#2 Going through each song again and jot a few notes (less is more)
#3 Go away for a while (a day or so) and listen again
#4 Finalise review!
Cheers guys!

U2 & David Letterman's Late Night Surprise!

U2 & David Letterman's Late Night Surprise!

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GET ON YOUR BOOTS VIDEO

I have head varying news on the video for Get on Your Boots but I did find this online. I don't know if its official even though it says it is. I would recommend U2.com for further details on when the real thing will be released.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ7zKeYhU_8

Single Reviews: GET ON YOUR BOOTS-U2

I am sorry for the delay but real life gets in the way and I was unable to spend enough time to get all the things I wanted to do done. I will be better I promise!



The U2 juggernaut rolls on with their first single off No Line on the Horizon. This is what I've been waiting for in terms of a first single off of a new album. I have to be honest I was disappointed with 'Vertigo' which is catchy and good live but limited in terms of creativity and pushing the boundaries of rock & roll. I felt that U2 were trying to hard to get a hit single but this is a return to the U2 I fell in love with. There is something Achtung Baby about it and as I read other reviews people are on the fence about it as it sounds a bit different from 'Vertigo' or 'Beautiful Day' (which I love by the way).

Lets begin with the sound....fast paced with a good riff from The Edge. It isn't what I call an initially captivating song but it does grow on you. I think this song shows how versatile a drummer Larry is and I see comparisons with this and the Larry of 'The Fly' and 'Even Better Than the Real Thing'.

Bono's lyrics once again are mysterious but I find it comforting to not know exactly what he is talking about. I love this particular part of the song...

Hey sexy boots...
Get on your boots, yeah
Not right now
Bossy boots
You don’t know how beautiful
You don’t know how beautiful you are
You don’t know, and you don’t get it, do you?
You don’t know how
beautiful you are ....

I think Bono in recent years has been trying to find the middle ground in his growing political activist role with his 'day job' as the lead singer of a rock band. I admire his work outside music and his and the band's political work draws me to them even more as their music has meaning and are often about world events and certain points in time.

This song is a return for me and I am hoping the album is as controversial as 'Get on Your Boots' is with long time fans. I think it will reinvigorate rock music as many bands I love and adore release something that is innovative to only repeat it in their future albums e.g. Coldplay 'X&Y'. U2 strive for something bigger and have always suprised with their sound. I adore Pop and Zooropa because of their non-conformist sound and many people do not get it. I admit I was sightly unhappy with their previous two albums in terms of sound as they are in many ways a pair of albums and I think Bono himself has acknowledged this in the past. But the future is looking good.

I am now officially excited about them returning to the forefront of the music scene. The band will be on various tv shows promoting the record and I think it is confirmed they will play at the Grammys. However, I do acknowledge that this will probably not be a commercial success and will not hit #1 on the singles charts. Below is the link to the song on U2's official website so you can all listen to it for free.

http://goyb.u2.com/

Loz

U2's No Line on the Horizon Album Cover and Track Listing

So fellow music lovers here is the new album cover for U2's No Line on the Horizon as discussed in preview post. The artwork comes from Japanese artist and photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto. I think this rates so much higher than How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. I like not having the band on the cover and its simple which I always favour in art anyways. I think this is one of their best but still doesn't rate to War, Boy or the Best of.. albums.



The track listing is as follows (according to U2.com)

1. No Line On The Horizon
2. Magnificent
3. Moment of Surrender
4. Unknown Caller
5. I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight
6. Get On Your Boots
7. Stand Up Comedy
8. Fez – Being Born
9. White As Snow
10. Breathe
11. Cedars Of Lebanon

As you can probably guess I am a huge U2 fan I don't pretend that a lot of this blog might focus on them at least until the album is released and I can review the album in full. I will review the single "Get On Your Boots" on Mon or Tues depending if its streamed live from Irish radio.

Well thats it for new so will update soon...