It only seems appropriate to review this record on St. Patrick’s Day. After all, we shouldn’t forgot that this band made its mark by singing out (literally) about the struggle that is modern Ireland. War was an indelible mark on that decade and reached far beyond the significance of “Sunday Bloody Sunday” politically and musically.
It’s easy to forget where this band started given its original contributions to soundtracks for such memorable films as Batman Forever and Goldeneye. (These singles are conspicuously absent from the list appearing on the official website…hmm). Given that and the quality of the band’s last record (which I like to call “How to Dismantle a Legendary Band”), I approached the new record with some trepidation. But I am nothing if not an intentional optimist, so I gave it a swing.
What a pleasant surprise when the title track first rang through my little Bose boxes. I found myself almost immediately considering this U2′s best work since…but wait, before I could make that decision I decided to wait to see what would come next. Neither “Magnificent” or “Moment of Surrender” disappointed and I was thinking about a comparison to The Unforgettable Fire by the time I got through “Unknown Caller.” Then of course, it happened – the obligatory single (or at least one of them). The “Crazy song” (whose long and silly name I will not repeat here) sent me backward. The equally hook laden (and boring) “Boots song” did the same. I cringed as I imagined being assaulted by these songs should I dare get anywhere near a Gap store in the next few months.
Then I stopped to consider what I had just heard and had a thought. Despite this three song transgression (“Stand Up Comedy” is no prize either), this album still contained the best new U2 music I had heard since Achtung Baby. I should note here that the second half of the record (or the last four songs anyway) while not a grand as the first four would have completed a truly outstanding album (even if a bit short).
As for those middle three songs, I understand that a band gets to a place where it understands itself and its audience well enough that it can simply create a single that will get some traction, if not become a hit. I think the Rolling Stones did demonstrated the concept with “Start Me Up” which is still an anthem after all these years (I also willingly admit that Tattoo You was hardly that band’s halcyon recording). The point is this: somebody has to write the single for the next iTunes commercial, so it might as well be these boys from the little island up north.
While this is a real review, I will not go on about the split production team (but the Eno songs are easily better) or the self-aggrandizing “we’ve reclaimed our soul” blather that is being used to promote this record (isn’t that what we heard two records ago?). No. On this (still?) religious holiday, I choose to drive the snakes out of my mind (uncheck the middle three tracks) and embrace the eight wonderful songs that Bono and company have delivered. This is a fine effort.
by Gunter Grass. All are welcome.
