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: A wonderful ensemble of U2 at their best
Hit: 5 Stars
They've done it again. Another collection of wonderful songs to dive into and swim around in. They've managed to come up with something new and fresh and yet have the insight to grasp that soulful presence that we all know makes U2 what they are. You can tell from this album, that they wanted to get it right, to make it complete and they have done so again in fine fashion. In this album you'll find some enduring ballads that will surely be chanted by the thousands next summer. I could talk about each song like so many other reviewers, but I think I'll leave that to the guys who do it for a living. Here, I'll tell you why this album is as good as it is from a viewpoint of the band.
Once again, Bono excels in connecting his soulful lyrics to each song. He knows how to make the listener feel his emotions whether it's pain, joy or reflection. Very few artists out there can deliver work like this, especially so when such a wide variety are exposed at one time, as is the case in this album. His voice rises above the music at times with such emotion that the words almost overpower his will to go on.
The edge, as only he can, places his classic signature riffs into every song with subtle clarity, adding a few new ones along the way. His absorbing talent is present and felt in every song. Every now and again he steps forward and adds an enduring sound to the song that will forever hum in the minds of the masses.
Larry adds a heartbeat to the album like only Larry can. With the help of Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois on the production work, Larry delivers a pulsing backdrop to every song. I can't wait until he's out there on the big stage jamming away adding his usual vigor and presence to their music.
Adam adds his solid bass skills to the album and does so with determination and soul. Adam, like Larry, gives U2 that distinctive sound that is U2 and he delivers it with resounding presence. He knows how the sound of each song should flow and feel. It's as if he reacts instinctively to Bono words.
I can see now why the band enjoyed working on this album. Their talents and skills as artists complement and reinforce each other's thoughts and words to such an extent that this album simply flowed from their collective will to make something great.
People normally have a lot of high expectations from a band, especially a band that has produced great work in the past. This can have the effect of squeezing and pressuring a band to produce something to satisfy, and in many cases it has caused the well to run dry. In this case of U2 however, I don't think that their inspiration was squeezed. It was tapped. So go out there and soak it in.
Free Music Review: U2 shows the world how rock music is supposed to sound...
Hit: 5 Stars
I've never actually written a review on any album, although Ialways keep reading them. I've had this album for about a month nowand listen to it almost daily and I'm pleased to say that this is byfar the best album of the year, better than Radiohead's pink floydishand overly pretentious "Kid A". -The lyrics on this one areboth deep and catchy (more catchy than deep on the more upbeat songssuch as "beautiful day" and "elevation"). -WalkOn, In a Little While, Kite and Wild Honey are all instant classicsand "walk on" is a sure fire hit when the video comes out.-"Elevation" simply ROCKS, this song is too much fun tohandle and is possibly another chart topper. -"BeautifulDay" is a great song, everyone reading this has heard it and youknow how good it is. But I got news for you, BD is by far not the besttrack here, most of the ones mentioned above are better songs, some ofthem not as commercial, but better songs ;) -The last half of the CDis 40% filler material but its still good, the songs I mentionedalready are reason enough to give this CD 5 stars (too bad I can'tscore it more than 5). How many times have you bought a CD for justone good song? (Joan osbourne anybody?). How about 7 incredibly goodsongs of which 3 are instant classics for the same price?. Good valueeh?... thought so. As for the people who dont like this CD or keepsaying "listen to Achtung Baby instead" or comparing it toThe Joshua Tree, DONT LISTEN TO THESE PEOPLE, they are stuck in time,blinded by those albums that probably represent alot to them after adecade or so. Anyone who doesn't like "All that you can't leavebehind" simply does not like good rock music. Is it better thanAchtung Baby?... Its on par. Is it better than The JoshuaTree?... no, but as close as they have been in the past 8 years. Is itbetter than the experimental material from the past 8 years?... hellyes. As I said, its hands down the best album of the year. In a worldsaturated by stupid teenie bopper boy bands and singers, with songsthat were probably written by people of their own age (nobody over 20can be THAT shallow) its nice to see that someone can still inspireme. THANK YOU U2, once again, for restoring my faith in music. Buythis CD NOW, I ORDER YOU!, and if you dont like it just send me anemail over at schitzonix@hotmail.com and I will personally apologizefor misleading the readers. Thats how strongly i feel about my opinionand about this album. *note: please excuse any grammar errors and thelike, i'm having a hard time here since english is not my mainlanguage, just felt i had to write this ;)Free Music Review: Bono and CO hit back with a real masterpiece!
Hit: 5 Stars
Many people have looked down on this album. After Pop (which I think is a fantastic album) everyone was hoping this album would go back to the old U2, the guys who made the Joshua Tree and the Unforgetable Fire. Sadly, they were no doubt disappointed because ATYCLB is a new direction once again for the band. Persoanally I think this is great. It shows that U2 are one of the most adaptive and creative bands in the world. The black and white says it all, this album is all about simplicity. They're no longer using the studio as a fifth member and the album is very much a collection of CD singles. Each song creates its own mood and theme but in the end, they all go well together like pages in a book. If you skip tracks, u miss some of the brilliance.
Yes, Bono's voice isn't as sharp as it used to be but then who can blame him considering all the passion he has showed for his fans for the last 20 years. Signs of his voice losing its sharpness were on Pop but I feel his voice is now more mature and full of soul. He is still the best vocalist in the world by far.
Those of u who wanted another Joshua Tree are really dumb, no offence. I mean, why did these guys change their sound in 1991 with Actung Baby? To avoid going into extinction! Anyone who doesn't change with the tides is gonna go down hill, everyone knows that. And U2 have avoided it for the last 10 years. Change is good!
ATYCLB is a brilliant album that gives the listener a more relaxed mood. Its an album that u can lie back and chill to. Other than Elevation and New York, no song really hits out with loud guitars. Nothing wrong with that. Many of U2's great tunes have been the slower ones on the whole. To me, all the tracks are great U2 songs, every single one! No other U2 album can be listened through without skipping the odd track - okay maybe the Joshua Tree comes a close second.
To end with, let me put it to u this way. The late 1980's made U2 a worldwide sensation. The 90's showed that they could do more than just the Joshua Tree. And now in the new millenium they have shown us that they are still able to churn out great songs, after 20 years, the passion is still there. Not many bands have achieved this. The Unforgetable Fire, Joshua Tree and Actung Baby were more important for U2, in the sense that they made them who they are but ATYCLB is a better album then all of them with fewer flaws and more style. There, I said it.
Anyone who looks down on this album needs a recap.
All music lovers have to like it and all U2 fans have no choice but to admire it and cherish the band who are still one of the best in the world.
Free Music Review: Zeitlos schön
Hit: 5 Stars
Das aktuelle Album der vier Iren bietet, insbesondere den Fans, eine zeitlos schöne Auswahl von 11 abwechslungsreichen Songs, mit einem Appell an das Gute im Menschen. Für alle anderen ist "All That You Can't Leave Behind" ein solides, aber auch weit unterschätztes Album, mit unkonventionellen Texten, welche in dieser Art von anderen Bands nur noch selten verwendet werden. Dieses Stilmittel bietet dem Fan einen Rückblick auf die vergangen Jahre U2s, welche die Menschheit wie keine zweite Band geprägt haben.Insgesamt betrachtet bietet "All That You Can't Leave Behind" Genuss vom Feinsten und gehört in die Plattensammlung eines jeden, für den Musik noch echte Gefühle zu vermitteln bedeutet. Hört Euch ein wenig rein, wie bei allen U2-Alben braucht es eine gewisse Zeit, um die ganze Vielfalt und Aussagekraft der einzelnen Songs zu entschlüsseln.
Mit "Beautiful Day" haben U2 den besten Song des Jahres 2000 geschrieben, welcher meiner Meinung nach auch zu einer der Besten der Band gehört. "Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of" ist eine sehr gefühlvoll gesungene Ballade, mit Anleihen aus dem Gospelgenre. "Elevation", der Titelsong des aktuellen "Tomb Raider"-Films ist eine rockige Nummer, welche mit "Walk On" und "Kite" fortgesetzt wird; zwei sehr an den früheren U2-Stil erinnernde Songs, von denen ich hoffe, dass "Kite" zu einer weiteren Singleauskopplung avanciert. "In A Little While", ein schönes Liebeslied, leitet "Wild Honey" ein, den vielleicht leichtesten und unbeschwertesten Song, den U2 je geschrieben haben. "Peace On Earth" und "When I Look At The World", beides sehr unterschiedliche Tracks, die aber das selbe Thema behandeln. Letzterer gefällt mir persönlich sehr gut, in ihm ist Bonos Stimme unglaublich ausdrucksstark. Auch "New York", dem wohl groovigsten Stück der CD, bietet jene Einzigartigkeit. Die letzte, gewohnt langsame Nummer, "Grace", läßt eine sehr beruhigende Atmosphäre entstehen, welche durch, der auf der deutschen Version von "All That You Can't Leave Behind" leider nicht mit vorhandenen Nummer "The Ground Beneath Her Feet", vollendet wird. Dieser Song ist aber auf dem "The Million Dollar Hotel"-Soundtrack wiederzufinden, den U2 übrigens auch mitproduziert haben.
Ein perfektes Album der besten Band der Welt und ein mehr als erfreulicher Auftakt auf die atemberaubende Weltournee 2001.
Free Music Review: I've found what I've been looking for
Hit: 5 Stars
I remember well the beginning part of this year, lamenting the sorry state of what passed as "music" on the radio. There just wasn't anything that held my attention. It just seems like a higher force was at work, as I was elated when I saw that U2 was coming out with a new CD. I thought "Finally, here's a group I know and love, it's about time they put out something new." I must say, I haven't been disappointed. I remember just a feeling of immense joy when I heard the first 30 second clip of "Beautiful Day", and resisted downloading the full songs when they became available (except for BD) It was worth the wait, I've listened to this CD numerous times, and I just love it. I've noticed that there are some complaints about this CD of: 1. "It doesn't compare to Joshua Tree or Achtung Baby in emotional power..." 2. "It doesn't sound like those CDs, It's boring and insipid, and they lyrics are bland..." Huh? Do we have the same CD? "Walk On" and "Kite", "When I Look at the World" are possibly three of the best songs they've ever written. I remember putting "Wild Honey" on repeat the night I first got the CD, and cried with joy, I find that song to be amazing, despite it's apparent simplicity. Give any of the above songs another listen, there's more to them than you might think, just listen carefully to the guitars, and Larry's drums. In the words of another reviewer who called the current music state overhyped and undertalented, I'd have to agree, and I've been longing for something worthwhile. Quite honestly, not even Radiohead's Kid A has grabbed my attention like this CD has. U2 has indeed put out a masterpiece as Rolling Stone called ATYCLB. I'd also have to strongly disagree with the reviewers who don't understand why this CD has received so much praise. I'd have to counter and say it does deserves it. I love Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby to no end, but I love U2 for this reason: Not every CD does sound alike: War doesn't sound like Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby doesn't sound like Boy, but all four are amazing in their own right. I don't think it's fair to try and compare one CD to another. As Larry himself has stated "It's a musical journey..." I couldn't agree more. ACYLB is another step, and oh, what a glorious step it is. To me, with this CD they've shown why they're head and shoulders above the vast majority of artists out there now, and will be remembered as being one of the greatest groups in all of rock history. Thank you, U2.