U2 - All That You Can't Leave Behind
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Free Music Notes for All That You Can't Leave Behind
Free Music Review: U2 All they can't leave behind & all they are now. AMAZING
Hit: 5 Stars
I got to know & admire U2 in the 80's, during their often dubbed "anthemic" era; these guys had a lot to say about a lot of serious issues. Never just pumping out music, their songs had a message & purpose for them & for us. I've been a fan ever since. Like any über-band, they have adapted all of their music to changing times in the '90's & now, rocked us into the 21st Century. "All that you can't leave behind" is truly one of those rare recordings of start-to-finish excellent songs that one can listen to straight through, again & again. Many say it shows the maturity & mellowing of the band; I see it as a natural progression of talented artists, & at times, activists. The cuts on this latest CD meshed seemlessly with all of their past "anthems" & hits when played live. It wasn't just clever production of the shows; it's exemplary of a band that has grown & changed, along with the rest of us in an ever changing & often troubling world. In this recording, I think they still "hear" the anthems but have gone introspective & progressed on to a way of coping with "all that we can't leave behind," as history always serves to remind us & hopefully, teach us. The latest CD made up a considerable portion of both concert sets (10/24, 10/25 NYC)which might ordinarily irk a crowd (think Madonna's "Drowned World Tour" which included material from only her last 2 records except for "Holiday" & "La Isla Bonita"; great staging, costumes & effects saved that show!) yearning to hear the blasts from the past. This CD is *so* good (& so in sync with all of their music) that the crowd cheered as loudly for every new tune (maybe louder!!) as they did for the stuff of their early days. Not one of us ever sat down the entire show, & since then, I've been unable to listen to anything but U2 - most notably "All that you can't.." and their "Best of" CD which is missing too many great tunes, leaving room for another greatest hits CD or an awesome box set.
The talent of the band endures & improves as any great band does. Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr and Adam Clayton have created one of the greatest bands & thank God, they stuck together; not an easy thing in today's crazy music biz. While they are each ultra-talented in their own rights, they seem to know that the collective brilliance of their talent is the greatest gift they can give to each other & to their lifelong & newbie fans. Don't deny yourself the experience of this masterpiece showcasing the remarkable talents of four Irish mates. BUY IT, BUY IT, BUY IT!!
I recently attended back to back shows on the 3rd leg of their 2001 tour (kudos for all their efforts & dedication to their fans, not to mention keeping ticket prices within reach of virtually all of their fans) both of which were INCREDIBLE and slightly different re: sets, but both shows rank high among the best concerts I've ever seen & I've seen most of "the biggies" in rock/pop...I should have seen U2 sooner! Anyway, I've always been a fan, but this CD (and concert) would make a fan of anyone, especially fans a bit younger than me (35) that may not have known them & their politically charged '80's tunes. At the 24th October show, everything seemed to come full circle for Bono & U2 as the IRA laid down their weapons in a move to further solidify the budding peace in Ireland. Just as U2's music has evolved & come full circle, it was a signifigant moment to be there on that special night in history, especially in the aftermath of 9/11.
The show featured many cuts from "All that you can't leave behind" & that helped make the show totally *rock* when combined with the best of their vast catalogue of inspiring, rhythmic music, plus a few surprises that were a treat. What a band! Most touching of all, and *so* U2 was the moment when, midway into the show, a screen rose up behind the band upon which all the names of the victims on all four planes, the NYPD, NYFD scrolled before us while the names of all the other angels and heroes lost in the tragedy were projected above us onto the ceiling of the arena. Few tributes have been as subtly touching & appropriate as this one; the band simply let the names & the music speak to us; no pontificating, just a selfless, respectful remembrance. I can't remember night two, but on night one, the tribute was accompanied by "One" which couldn't have been more perfect & had me in tears. Not sure which song played to the tribute on night two.....it was a transcendental moment that may have numbed me; I live in NYC & at one point in my career, worked on 101st floor of 1 WTC. It's been hard on America & the World, but indescribable here in NYC.
Treat yourself or the music fans on your holiday lists to this "must have" CD & ENJOY! Thanks U2 for this wonderful collection of music & a catalogue that proves you've rightfully earned your place among Rock & Roll's all time greatest bands.
Free Music Review: Their most complete rock album in many years
Hit: 5 Stars
I wrote a review of this album about a year ago. Last year U2 was nominated for 3 Grammy awards, just for the song Beautiful Day. It won all 3 and was now nominated for 8 more...I think this album has changed the way America has thought since September 11th. On that day, the world changed forever. I went to U2's Elevation tour and they played their song, Sunday, Bloody Sunday and related it to the terrorist attacks. They showed a list of all those who were killed in the attacks. Since that day, I haven't been able to listen to Peace on Earth, When I Look at the World or New York without it bringing to mind all the lives lost at the twin towers...I just hope everyone buys this cd just because of those three songs. However the rest of the cd is so deep, profound and moving that it is a must for any modern music listener. For the sake of updating the track listing, here it is again.Track Rundown. 1. Beautiful Day 7/5. This song is the highlight of the album. You have probably heard it on the radio. When I got this cd I looked at the lyrics while listening to it and it made me feel a certain deep emotion. It left me breathless. "The skies of blue shoot up from the stony ground. There is no room, no space to rent in this town...It's a Beautiful Day..." The song is talking about even though the world is depressing, you don't have to be depressed by it. Look at the sky. It's a beautiful day anyway. 2. Stuck In A Moment You can't get out of 5/5. This song is a little bit different than most songs by U2. I heard somewhere that it was kind of about a close friend who committed suicide. It definitely captures that emotion and how you can't seem to get that person out of your head. 3. Elevation 6/5 This song is very interesting. When I first heard this song, I hated it. I thought that it sucked, but after listening to it a lot then I loved it. The tomb raider mix isn't as good but it so fun to sing along to. Now that I have heard it like a hundred times, It is now one of my favorite songs on the album. I like that it is different from the rest of the album. It gives a fresh feeling and the lyrics are awesome. It is a cool driving song. One that is good to pound out the riffs. 4. Walk On 6/5. This song as you may or may not know is dedicated to Aung San Suu Kyi who is under house arrest. I don't know the story on it but I am sure it is a bad situation. I love this song. It is about leaving a sad situation or place and moving on to a better one. Whether it is referring to this life or the life to come, it gives hope to the masses. 5. Kite 4/5. This is a great song about a changing relationship. At the concert Bono talked about his father's death in relation to this song. It is so deep. 6. In A Little While 4.5/5 A cool oldie...;style song. More like a pop style song from the 60's. It is about coming home to your family. I am sure it is a song that U2 can relate to. For that it makes the songs real to them and you can feel that emotion. 7. Wild Honey 5/5. Another song that is oldies style that is like a hidden song written by John Lennon. The Beatles are cool. That is why I like it a lot. A good song about a relationship gone sour. About the good times of the past and the times in the future that aren't going to be good. Excellent. 8. Peace On Earth 6/5. This song is basically a prayer to stop the violence, stop the terrorism, stop the wars. U2 as a group is pretty adamant about that. They support a bunch of causes that are against things like that. It think it is a profound realization on what times we live in. 9. When I Look At The World 6/5. A good song about how the world looks from Bono's point of view. This song is a little too quiet but it does have cool lyrics. 10. New York 6/5. A cool song about living in New York and the people that live in New York. It shows the emotion of the city. 11. Grace 5/5. This song is a great song to finish the cd. It relates the word grace to a person named grace, using personification. It is another song about Peace. Peace is the overall theme of this album. Most Americans take peace for granted because it has always been around for them. As an overall rating out of 100. It gets 96. There are few similarities between this album and Joshua Tree, or any other U2 cd for that matter. The only similarities are Bono's captivating voice and the poetic and deep words. I know it is hard for big U2 fans to agree, but I find this their best work. I'm not saying anything against their other albums, but this is the album that I know best.
Free Music Review: Give it time.
Hit: 5 Stars
Let's face the facts, folks... U2 are peerless within the music industry today. No other band working today has the ability to conjure atmosphere from basic instrumentation and arrangement the way U2 does. Most bands from their era of the early 80's have long since slipped quietly into obscurity, but U2 remain relevant, captivating, and most importantly, vital. This is no ordinary feat, either. Not too many bands can suffer a mis-step as great as "Pop" is considered to be (within the U2 catalogue) and still remain in the public consciousness for 3 years. But with ALL THAT YOU CAN'T LEAVE BEHIND, U2 return... possibly as good as they've ever been. For the first time in over a decade, the band relies simply on songs to carry them. No irony, no glam, no gimmicks... just great music with the incredible atmosphere that only U2 know how to create. There are a good handful of tracks here that are, quite simply, perfect. The first single, "Beautiful Day" is a classic example of U2, and a wonderful song... reverbed, delayed guitars; strong, mounting rhythm; anthemic chorus; passionate vocals... in fact, the only detractor critics can find in this song is that it sounds just like U2. Deservedly so, "Beautiful Day" is screaming up the radio charts. "Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of" combines an R&B groove with a gospel arrangement to staggering effect. "Walk On" begins in a breathy whisper, and builds to a driving, soul-full climax. "Kite" could have been written 15 years ago... its sounds so deliciously like classic U2... metaphorical lyrics, simple heart-felt chorus of "Who's to say where the wind will take you? Who's to know what it is will break you? I don't know which way the wind will blow." "In A Little While" is refined R&B/soul at its finest... perhaps not since Smokey Robinson's heyday has a song been delivered with such smooth, effortless passion as this. "Wild Honey" is the most unabashedly pop song the band has ever written, and it succeeds marvelously just as that. Hearing Bono's falsetto in the chorus is perhaps the most euphoric moment on ATYCLB. "When I Look At The World" is another classic sounding U2 moment... a quiet exhale becomes a living breathing train of lyric and melody... and then fades out again into the oblivion. "New York," may be Bono's most personal moment ever. As the Mullen's drum sample easily swishes along, Bono relates a summer experience in New York City... echoing Frank Sinatra's own "New York" in the chorus, the lyrics and building tempo reflect a change in one's self in a perfectly paced and measured way. However, for all that is wonderful about ATYCLB, there are moments on this disc that somehow drag the rest of the material down. The only true mis-step on this album is "Elevation." With its meaningless lyrics ("Like a mole, digging in a hole, digging in my soul, going down, excavation" ?) and post-electronica groove, it is the only track included here that one wonders 'Why was this included on the album?" In fact, it just sounds too much like POP for its own good. In a way, it defeats the purpose of this album... to distance U2 from the hoopla and gaudiness that was POP. The other two remaining tracks, "Grace" and "Peace On Earth" are effective pieces, but compared to the rest of the fantastic material here, don't really hold up. They aren't bad songs or even misplaced (though, admittedly, one could ask for a better ending to such a fine album than "Grace")... they just exist rather than transcend the way most of the material here does. Despite these less-inspiring moments, this album is very much the product of an excellent band at the height of its abilities. Admittedly, though, much of the credit must go to Bono's re-inspired and goosebump rendering vocals... Not since THE JOSHUA TREE and certainly not since ACHTUNG BABY has Bono's delivery been so passionate and moving. Overall, U2 are to be praised highly for this effort: Honest, simple, un-cluttered... a refreshing breath of air... ALL THAT YOU CAN'T LEAVE BEHIND is in the least a strong contender for album of the year... at its most glorious, though, it threatens to do the seemingly impossible by sitting along side both THE JOSHUA TREE and ACHTUNG BABY as an undisputed example of timeless and transcendent rock music.Free Music Review: Finding beauty in everything
Hit: 5 Stars
When you realize that the actual musical scene almost never receives good artistic and musical quality works that can be combined with a little grade of commerciality to make them listenable by the massive audience and that, instead of this kind of albums, we are invaded by an interminable sucession of pop "stars" who release easily rejectable productions, it's easy to say that U2's "All That You Can't Leave Behind" is the best original album published last year (2000, and I'm counting out "1" by The Beatles, only because it's a compilation and not an original album). I wouldn't have bought this album by myself, because I only spend money in old CDs by The Beatles and their solo carrers, but I got it as a gift from a friend who's a big U2 fan. And I will thank her forever for giving me this album and for introducing me to what I think it's the only "superband" that exists in the present times.As the title says, U2 "leaves behind" various forms of experimentation and spectacularity which formed part of past albums like "Achtung Baby", "Zooropa" and "Pop", and centers, although always supported by an adequate basis of synthesisers and keyboards, in a group of good pop/rock melodies that can hardly be found on another actual records. The rhytmic basis is always handled by The Edge's guitars, which are less notorious (apart from his solos on "Beautiful Day" and "New York", he is a little in the shadows here), but always impeccable, and the always competent rhythmic Larry Mullen Jr/Adam Clayton duet on drums and bass. Bono's voice is a little damaged by years, but this very fact only adds another little dramatic element to the general concept of the album: the end of the century (or the beginning of the next one), meant to U2, a grown-up and well-respected band, a tired feeling, and the needing to find again the musical and affective roots that they had once. This is a problem that everyone suffers. Again, U2 interpretates the living experiences of a whole planet, through a musical work that, exactly for that fact, can even be considered as "conceptual".
As for the songs, "Beautiful Day", the first single and the opening track of the album, has an overwhelming strength, and it's a sampler of the musical search that the band develops. Frustration and anger are reflected in ballads treated with simple but amazing arrangements, like "Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of" and the sweet McCartney-ish "Kite" ("I know that this is not goodbye"). Other tracks are more optymistc: "In A Little While" and "Wild Honey" (another Beatle-flavoured, wonderfully arranged high point) make the mood of the album (generally tired) get a little lighter. Without falling into pesimism, "When I Look At The World" ("I can't wait any longer/I can't wait till I'm stronger") and "New York" ("In just got a place in New York/In New York you can forget/In New York I've lost it all") are good ways to appreciate the middle-age crisis theme that is present within almost all the tracks of the album. Bono's omnipresent political call is shown on "Peace On Earth", and the CD closes with the masterpiece "Grace". If the strength of this record were the sweet and well-arranged melodies and the clear, fresh lyrics about a world that turns too fast, this song IS the album. A sweet and soft track that, after the incredible lyrical/musical chaos that "New York" left, takes things to a more quiet level, and tries to find that point of mental peace that you "can't leave behind", all symbolized through this magic girl that "finds beauty in everything". Maybe she's the answer to all the questions that the album asks.
Overall, the music is simpler, the lyrics are more sincere, and you can always thank that. U2 is, like Grace, searching for beauty, and finding it in everything, even in the chaotic world we're living on. And the authenticity of that search is what makes "All That You Can't Leave Behind" a great record. U2 is an authentic band, and not a marketing product. That's why the album, simple as it is, can be considered as a masterpiece of the end of the century. That's why you have to buy it.
Free Music Review: quite possibly the greatest U2 album ever
Hit: 5 Stars
This is the one we've been waiting for. If you feel Pop was a let down, and maybe Zooropa wasnt quite what you were expecting, come find love in their amazing album 'All That You Can't Leave Behind'(ATYCLB). To me, this album is in a way a return to their roots, but still a new route for U2. It comes packed with all the soaring guitar riffs, poignant lyrics, and flustering rythms they have been known for. It also comes with something else...i can't quite say what it is, because i dont know. There is something about this album that is just so refreshing and heart-warming. It is truely their masterpiece. Many will dissagree with me, say that Achtung Baby or The Joshua Tree was their best album. it is true that those two mamoth albums are phenominal, but ATYCLB seems to take the best of both those albums..and then multiplies it a hundred times. I'll now give my opinion on the 11 magnificent trakcs on this LP:
Beautiful Day: this is the song that got me into U2 and many other younger fans. This song is simply wonderful. it tells us to just forget about the material things in our life, and rejoice in life itself. the guitar on this track is excellent too. Good work Edge!
Stuck in a Moment: This song is beautiful. Bono's singing is amazing, and his lyrics strike me as very relevant. It may be a "poppy" song, but it retains that U2 feel we've grown to love.
Elevation: Awsome track! This song rocks live!i will be eternally greatful of this song for two reasons. 1: it gave us one of the Edge's coolest guitar riffs to date 2: it gave us the world famous from Bono :D
Walk On: This track will go down as a classic, without a doubt. This may be the greatest song on the album, with it's amazing guitar work by the Edge and Bono's inspiring lyrics. this song took a whole new meaning after September 11, and it still sends shivers down my spine! VIVA U2!!!
Kite: this may be one of Bono's finest example of lryic writing ever. The lyrics, inspired by the sickness of Bono's father can relate to any one of us. i've cried dozens of time listening to this song. it is truely breath-taking.
In a Little While: This is the song that got me interested in guitar playing. The main friff to this song is one you wont be able to get out of your head. it is amazing. THis song sounds a bit bluesy, and the lyrics are about coming home drunk to your girlfriend
Wild Honey: this is a cute song. It features a nice acuostic arrangment and cute, sometimes cocky lyrics from Bono. dont expect a big U2 anthem from this song. Just sit back and enjoy
Peace on Earth: this is another song that became very relevant after 9/11. Im not going to go too far into the lyrics, but the title can give you a hint about what this song says
When I Look At The World: This is somtimes missed by listeners. However underrated this is, dont be fooled, it is a breathtaking song. Magnificent lyrics and a thundering solo bye the edge. This track is not to be passed by!
New York: Awsome song! great guitar! Cool lyrics! Great rythms! This song is most like Zooropa/Pop then any other on the album. Yuo can definately here the electronic influences here, but they arent as prominent as on Zooropa or Pop. Another great song live! Listen and love!
Grace: the slowest song on the album. the quietest song on the album. it wispers its way into your ear. After a 50 second instrumental in the beginning, Bono's voice breaks in singing beautiful lyrics about the grace of god. It may take a while to grow on you, but when it does, you will have wished it was 20 minutes long!
So, all in all, this may be the ultimate U2 album. it combines the best of the 90's and 80's into one breathtaking piece of music. If you read the other reviews that call thsi album too commercial or poppy, those people are blind to the fact that this album is and forever will be a classic, and will reign upon all other albums with grace and power!!! WALK ON!!!