Dessner is a little too subdued for what I really want them to do. I want some big anthems with some loud guitar and full-band interplay. That’s not really his MO, at least not lately.
they played an (unfinished) new song live the other night. word is lillywhite on prod for the new new
Been in a U2 mood lately…went through and did a album ranking… 1) Achtung Baby 2) The Joshua Tree 3) Zooropa 4) The Unforgettable Fire 5) Pop 6) War 7) How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb 8) October 9) Boy 10) No Line on the Horizon 11) And All That You Can’t Leave Behind 12) Songs of Innocence 13) Songs of Experience
Joshua Tree Achtung Baby All That You Can't Leave Behind Songs of Experience Unforgettable Fire Atomic Bomb Zooropa War No Line Pop Songs of Innocence Boy October
1. Joshua Tree 2. All That You Can't Leave Behind 3. Unforgettable Fire 4. War 5. Achtung Baby 6. Boy 7. How to Dismantle 8. October 9. Pop 10. No Line on the Horizon 11. Zooropa 12. Songs of Experience 13. Songs of Innocence
For me, they don't really start tapping into what I love about them as a band until War. Those first two albums are good, but I almost never reach for them.
i will accept we look for different things to a degree in that band because all that you cant leave behind is my last place lol
It achieve what it needed to do (reintroduce the band to their core audience) but it’s just so damn bland coming after Zooropa/Pop back to back. I mean, I have Lemon in my top U2 songs, so that prob give you an idea of what era I look back fondly on.
1. Achtung Baby 2. How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb 3. The Joshua Tree 4. War 5. Songs of Innocence 6. The Unforgettable Fire 7. Songs of Experience 8. All That You Can't Leave Behind 9. Zooropa 10. No Line on the Horizon 11. Boy 12. Pop 13. Rattle and Hum 14. October Special thanks to Chorus Rank Anything.
Atomic at 2 is quite the take, not bad though. There’s some late era tunes on there that never got their fair shot. Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own, Crumbs From Your Table, and Original of the Species were some of their best mid-tempo tracks in a long time. Vertigo just felt like a last minute addition to this album, City of Blinding Lights should’ve been the lead single.
The Joshua Tree Boy All That You Can't Leave Behind War The Unforgettable Fire Rattle and Hum achTUNG.... bb October Songs of Innocence Pop How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb Songs of Experience No Line on the Horizon Zooropa
Even I agree it's quite a take haha! And I couldn't agree more with your Vertigo/City perspective, though I do like Verifi as a simple rock song. City is just U2 at their stadium rock best. Atomic was one of the first records I bought with my own money so it holds a special place for me, and still love it after deep diving their discography.
Achtung, Baby! Joshua Tree War Zooropa Boy Songs of Innocence Pop Unforgettable Fire Songs of Experience No Line Rattle and Hum All That You Can't Leave Behind October Atomic Bomb I’m all over the place
Okay I'm finally diving into their discography. For some reason, I had already listened to Pop back in 2010 and got A LOT into it. I've since heard this album isn't particularly beloved, so I'm curious to revisit it once I get to it. I was particularly obsessed with the song "Gone" though, to the point of rewatching some performances over and over again. Something about that high pitched guitar lick and the desert like ambience had a big impact on me. Despite this connection, I don't know why I didn't continue with the other albums back then, nor why I stopped early when I started from the very beginning two or three times afterwards. Anyway, holy hell this is extremely my shit. Where have I been? I feel like they've been an fundamental missing piece in my musical journey considering I've been listening to and been influenced by bands that have been influenced by U2 for so long! I've been on a huge post-punk kick this year, and so the first couple albums are hitting perfectly so far. Excited to continue with The Unforgettable Fire tomorrow.
The Unforgettable Fire is a really special one, enjoy it Pop is a funny one because critical consensus always paints it as a disappointment but so much of their fanbase loves it with a passion. it's certainly one of the weirdest, rawest albums a band of their status has ever made, you look at them now and wonder how this band ever released Pop lmao. there are a few stinkers but I count Staring at the Sun, Please and God Will Send among their absolute best
I feel like the last time he was involved in what you're describing was Wilder Mind by Mumford and Sons (by far their best album in my opinion).
I can't rank U2 albums beyond just the idea that I think I hold their more recent output in higher esteem than most U2 fans*, but I am absolutely here for the Wilder Mind love. Fantastic album. * (I feel I need to add the disclaimer that I actively seek out b-sides like "Mercy" that they inexplicably drop from albums and then just consider that as part of the album in my head)