To say I'm a U2 fan is an understatement. I've followed them since I first saw the music video to "New Year's Day" played on TV back home in Australia on New Year's eve 1983. It's been a while since then and beyond a doubt I always enjoy a new release from them, mainly because I'm never really sure what to expect.
This CD is definitely different, yet it's still U2. Bono's vocals are so distinct, and the Edge's guitar even more so, but there are definitely some changes. I got a feeling that Brian Eno would have enjoyed producing this one. The music overall sounds like a maturer "Unforgettable Fire". You can really sense his influence, and not just with the ethereal sounds and "unusual" loops.
Unlike past releases there isn't a stand out power/chart topping song. No "Pride..." or "Where the Streets..." or "Beautiful Day" or "Vertigo"... but it makes it up with some very creative lyrics and some interesting sound arrangements.
I remember buying Peter Gabriel's "Up" CD a few years back and listening to the first song "Darkness" and thinking... "huh!". It made for a very strange way to open a CD. The way U2 have opened this CD with "No Line on the Horizon" gave me the exact same impression, and like "Darkness", it's really grown on me. Bono really stretches his vocals, more so than I think I've ever heard him do (it's a constant theme through out the CD... the passion that comes from his vocals is incredible). My favourite part of the song, is something that highlights the whole CD, the keys. I know the Edge has done a heap of work mixing keys and synths, but this is definitely all Eno...
I'm not sure why they went with "Get On Your Boots" as their first single, "Magnificent" would have been my choice. It has everything about the CD encapsulated into one song. You would almost call it a typical U2 song, if there is such a thing.
My favourite song by far on the CD is "Unknown Caller". Can't nail down what it is... the feel maybe? I love the Edge's guitar on it... the bass, the drums... it's just a well rounded song. Complex, yet simple. On the other end of the spectrum I really don't like "Get on Your Boots". I don't mind an artist experimenting, and I certainly don't mind diversity on a CD, but this kind of feels like "Discoteque" from "Pop", (not so much in the sound, but in the feel), in that it's almost like U2 are forcing the issue (or in this case, the sound). Another song that doesn't go down well, though I enjoyed the creative arrangements, is "Stand Up Comedy"... it really is a Jimi Hendrix rip off, and if there's one thing I like about U2 is their originality. You really lose it with this song. Of course they make it up with the next song "Fez - Being Born", though I'd like to know how much Gavin Friday influenced the sound. Either way, it's a great song and the simple keyboard part just makes it. Eno again?
Overall this is definitely a CD to get. It's not an easy listen, but if you are a fan of U2, this will not disappoint you.
Rating: 7/10