U2 - Achtung Baby
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Free Music Notes for Achtung Baby
Free Music Review: "One" Techno Masterpiece!
Hit: 5 Stars
'Achtung' has to rate as one of two of the best albums by U2. It ranks with 'Joshua Tree,' which has more variety, even if 'Achtung' gratifies the listener with more immediacy. U2 reinvents their own sound wheel with the help of Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, once again, but with "Flood" added to the helm. The lyrics cover the gamut of love realized and unrealized with the fluency and passion of their best work.
Their skill and repertoire are furthered on this outing. "One" matches the anguish and passion of "With or Without You," but takes it to a sermon on the street addressing "sisters...brothers". The cyclical sound of Edge's guitar pattern make the song a winning canticle. Fast forward they really deliver with the meaty "The End of the World," which is really more apocalyptic romantically than anything else. "Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses" also tugs at unrequited romance with splendid poetry and musical development. If the techno hypnosis weren't apparent enough, then the harrowing opener "Zoo Station," (the "Magical Mystery Tour" for them) and the heavy metal "The Fly" truly impress. The lyrics for both are great, especially for the latter. (Again, they are skillful at presenting human rights' victims in serious circumstances.) As true as is necessary, they take on more playful subject matter like the spare, but eloquent "Trying to Throw Your Arms Around the World" and the mesmerizingly beautiful "Ultra Violet". Additionally, they master power pop on the uplifting "Even Better Than the Real Thing" and the funky "Mysterious Ways". They end their magnum opus with a stark and shimmering piece of dark somnamulism with "Love is Darkness".
If you haven't discovered 'Achtung Baby' yet, you have missed out on one of their bravest adventures. One of their best songs is "All I Want Is You," (from 'Rattle and Hum') a foreshadowing to this album in theme only. It indicated that when shaking through subject matter, love comes out on top.
Free Music Review: Still rewarding
Hit: 5 Stars
Lyrically one can say that this is distinctly a man's record, from a male point of view. The central theme running through the album is that of betrayal, modern man cut adrift and the loss or equalization of power in modern relationships, or better still the fragmentation of relationships in the post modern age. The fact that woman does not necessarily need a man anymore is just unimaginable to him, so he continues to pursue her as if nothing has changed only to stumble and fall every time leaving him confused. He is however prepared to crawl. The record is like a wasteland of sexual ambiguity, littered with sexual innuendo and cruelty. The only track that offers any light has to be Acrobat with a need to keep on trying to love. If Bono is not writing from personal experience then I'm lead to believe that this is his greatest artistic achievement, however The Fly does say that all artists "kill their inspiration and sing about their grief".
Sonically the album is also a rather giant leap for U2. It's not however a complete surprise, evidence of the new sound did start to appear on tracks like God part II in 1988. The most interesting thing though is the new claustrophobic sound of record that clearly has a roof over it's head, rather grimy also, instead of the massive desert expanses of the Joshua Tree. From the sick desperation in the vocal delivery and the industrial tones in the guitar playing one can hear the distinct yearning that man feels for a 'sense' of stability, that is also bourn out also by a rock solid rhythm section. The influence of European industrial music and hip-hop rhythms are clearly felt here.
The sad thing about this record is that I believe it to the last truly great and complete U2 record. It appears that after this they began listening too much to what the critics were saying about the new U2 sound, and the process decided to play it safe by trying to stick to the formula instead of broadening it. I can only say that the last three albums are disappointing affairs to say the least. Achtung Baby however does belong with The Unforgettable Fire as U2's greatest albums. I only wish U2 had put out more records between these two. I estimate that I must have listened to this a least 2000 times.
Free Music Review: Amazing album
Hit: 5 Stars
I love this album. Classic songs. One, Until the End of the World, Mysterious Ways, So Cruel, the Fly, and many others really show U2's incredible style. This or Joshua Tree is the best album by U2. And since U2 is my favorite band, in my opinion, these are the best albums ever. If you're not a U2 fan just listen to One or Until the End of the World, and you'll see what makes this band so great. Great album. If you don't have this album, get it. You haven't heard real music until you listen to this. Free Music Review: The Greatest?
Hit: 5 Stars
U2-Achtung Baby *****
The greatest album of all time? Maybe. We certainly wouldn't have the U2 of today without this album. Thats right no All That You Can't Leave Behind, no How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb. Achtung Baby laid the blueprint for what would become modern day U2. No more western influence, no more country western sounds (well except for the occasional stunt with the late and very great Johnny Cash). With Achtung Baby U2 embraced the underground techno-club scene that was happening in Europe at the time and brought it into rock and roll. While throwing all caution to the wind and letting any and all ideas be used and letting all the creativity flow U2 managed to create one of the if not the all time greatest rock and roll album. One things for sure it offers something for everyone.
Bono, what can you say about this man that hasn't already been said a hundred fold? As a person he is amazing, as a musician he is even better. His voice reached a peak on this album. Sometimes operatic, at times raspy, and others just signature Bono. Many believe that Bono hit a lyrical peak with this album, and their write. Much wider of subject matter, and more passion behind the subjects. The Edge absolutely kills on this album. Simply fantastic. Doubt able that he ever played better then on this album before or since. `The Fly' alone is a testament to that. Larry and Adam did more then step out of the box on this record they created a whole new one, one that many weren't ready for but were glad to hear.
`Zoo Station' opens the album, a song that threw many for a loop at first listen. "This isn't U2!" Well it was and a totally new U2, one that was better then ever. A great way to open the album. `Even Better Than The Real Thing' is one of the strongest tracks on the album and a true fan favorite. A classic in fact.
`One' The single greatest song the band ever recorded. Nothing like it in the bands cannon or in anyone elses. Perhaps the most misunderstood song ever along side The Polices' `Every Breath You Take.' If you were to compile a list of the greatest songs of all time this would be in the top fifteen.
`'Until The End Of The World' is a downer. It points the finger at all the downers in the world and yet at the same time makes you feel better about yourself for not being one, unless you are then, sorry.... `Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses' is one of the most original songs in the history of rock. The entire production behind the song is fantastic. The lyrical content is nothing short of amazing. Truly a classic among classics. `So Cruel' is slower and very melodic. Very deep with beautiful lyrics, some of Bono's all time best.
`The Fly.' `The Fly' is the coolest and most original song the band ever recorded. Totally uncatogorizable. It's rock, yet soul, and Gospel and so many more things all at the same time. It features a killer guitar solo by The Edge, one if his all time best, not to mention the brilliant guitar riff. The lyrics are a personal favorite, and the doweling chorus is over the top.
`Mysterious Ways' was the biggest hit single off Achtung Baby, and for good reason it has the greatest groove ever. The lyrics are so catchy it's ridiculous. `Trying To Throw Your Arms Around The World' is a really pretty song. Not sur eon the subject matter but one things for sure this is one of the bands all time best songs. Hands down. `Ultra Violet (Light My Way)' is a great song. Very spacey and different. One of the better songs on the album really. `Acrobat' is too cool to put into words. This is one song that must be heard to be understood, brilliant. `Love Is Blindness' is a very cliche song title, and in reality the lyrics follow the same pattern. But that doesn't take away from the greatness of the song. Easily the best choice for the closer.
The Joshua Tree showed us that U2 could fill arenas, Achtung Baby showed us that U2 was and still is one of the greatest bands in the history of rock and roll. So when I think of how to end this review a saying comes to mind, "Ahead Of It's/Their Time," well that just simply will not do. Timeless is more like it. Highly, Highly recommended.
Free Music Review: This is a good rock pop album to keep
Hit: 5 Stars
I am not one of those that can say that I know the trajectory of U2. Im more of a prog rock fan in this field. However, I can spot good rock-pop music, and this album has it.. do not know the context of the bands evolution, but this is art.