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: Instant Classic!!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
I've been holding my breath since Achtung Baby, waiting for the U2 I know and love to return. With ATYCLB, U2 has indeed recaptured a lot of what many fans have been missing. It's tough to find fault with this album. The production work is outstanding. But what else would you expect from Lanois and Eno? Lyrically, this is certainly their strongest album. Bono has always had a gift for conveying a lot of emotion in his voice. But this is the first time I can remember being moved by the lyrics by just reading them in the liner notes. The musicianship is nothing but perfect. But this time, instead of falling-back on hard-hitting techno-ish rock songs (like Zooropa), or bounding anthems, U2 has opted for deeper, perhaps more cerebral songwriting. Still, although a "deep" album, it's also highly accessible. There are clearly some great singles on this album, some with relatively catchy hooks. But nothing here is driven down your throat. This is a very well-balanced album.
For those who keep talking about Bono's voice weakening, I disagree. I hear the occasional cracks and splits from time to time. But I tend to think these were an intentional part of the recording and simply a part of Bono's emotive vocal style. On track 6, In a Little While, for example, his voice cuts through, but sometimes cracks a bit. For me, this only adds to the emotion of the song. Anyone who has heard Bono sing knows the power of the man's voice. And with Lanois and Eno involved, if you weren't meant to hear a voice crack, you wouldn't.
Many people have already commented on how this album almost seems retrospective and representational of all their previous work. Yes, but this album also has a very definite identity unto itself. At times sounding like Joshua Tree, and then more like Unforgettable Fire, with a dash of Achtung Baby, the album still manages to move smoothly through 11 wonderfully crafted tracks. There is definitely something here for every U2 fan. But those who don't like ATYCLB are probably waiting for the next Zooropa, which I pray we won't see again.
If you've been waiting to hear some genuinely good music, if you appreciate fine song writing, if you're sick and tired of the slapped-together mall-pop garbage that some people call "music," buy this disc, put it in, and remind yourself why U2 is one of the greatest bands of all time. ATYCLB is an absolute beauty!
Free Music Review: I have to speak up again....
Hit: 5 Stars
I've already written a review for this album and I realize that I can't give it more than 5 stars, but I have to speak up again to at least try to clear up some of the ignorance that is being spewed forth in these reviews. I have followed this stellar album closely, from the first pre-recording news of it to the most recent reviews of it (and by the way, there has not been a single professional music review that has been less than stellar). I'm reading reviews (albeit in the extreme minority) that are trashing this album because it doesn't sound like "the U2 of the past" or the "return to their roots". Well here's the truth. NEVER ONCE has U2 or their record label promised that this album would be a "return to thier roots" as so many of you misinformed reviewers are claiming. They have NEVER promised Joshua Tree II and thank God for that. Did Orson Welles need to remake "Citizen Kane" to prove that he was a great director? For those who are bashing ATYCLB because it doesn't sound like a CD from the Reagan years, realize that you have been misled, maybe by bad media, that U2 was returning to their so called roots, whatever that means. This misconception grew from the fact that U2 was stripping the electronica away, and going for a more "true rock" sound. That's it folks... And what real fan that appreciates U2 for what they are, would want them to cash in on past success? That is completely what U2 will not do. They have ALWAYS changed and grown, sometimes more successful than others, but they must be respected for thier inventiveness and unrest with settling. So for those who were hoping and waiting for "Joshua Part II" along with "Another War", and "An Even More Unforgettable FIre", I hate to be the one to ruin the very prolonged acid trip you are on, but the 80's are over dude. So you can take off the faded jean jacket, unpin and unroll the cuffs on your bleached Levi's, and save your unfounded reviews and comments for some 80's retro chat room. Again, U2 have NEVER promised that this album was going to be a "return" of any sort. For those completely dismayed by this, go get the latest Def Lepard and take comfort...and I just heard that the cast of the "Breakfast Club" is reuniting for a remake!! Bottom line...the boys of U2 have grown up...hint, hint.Free Music Review: Joshua Tree Part 2
Hit: 5 Stars
In An overblown pop seen where the popular artists are So formulated, we see nothing but shock jock skin heads, female sex Kittens, Talentless Boybands, and TLC clones. This is where U2 steps in with All That You Can't Leave Behind. The Album shows an honest soul of a band which has the experience and is veteran, yet doesn't blow it like so many other comback albums. But this isn't a comback album in the since that It helps to save the Career of a fading artists. This Album Marks the comback of meaningful music. The Album's Brilliance lies in Its blend of soulful lyrical content, Haunting vocals, and strong melodies. This CD gets better each time you listen to it and the meaning evolves each time you push play.
The First Track, "Beautiful Day" Appears to be a song about leaving home. "Stuck in the moment" Is about being in a bad place told in second person "Elevation" is about an attraction to a girl who we find out in the recently relaced Video is Laura Croft
"Walk on" At first glance seems to be a song about holding your ground, and it is. The interesting is that it is written in dedication of a Burmeese Freedom fighter under house arrest. "Kite" is a song that can have so many meanings that it is pointless trying to interpret it. "In a little while" is more of a song with great Guitar by the edge with backup vocals by Bono. "Wild Honey" is a smile. "Peace on Earth" shows the Political side and spiritual side of Bono and really forces a tear if you really listen to the lyrics. "When I look at the world" is pretty much a creed of feeling blended with a love song. "New York" is possibly the darkest song. In which the listener is thrown into the tormented psyche of Bono at a time past coming to grips with somthing. Like most of the album we can never totally know what the song is about. "Grace" is the perfect way to end the album. A very soft layed back song it really differs from most of the album. It is the kind of thing you want to hear at the end of the day. A lulliby for grown-ups.
In contrast to Albums like Mellenium or Oops I did it again, This album is so unformulated that it really doesn't fit into the pop scene, yet the fact that it won 3 grammys gives hope that it could start a new movement to important music like Joshua Tree Did.
Free Music Review: A Classic, Beautiful Album.
Hit: 5 Stars
U2's "All That You Can't Leave Behind" is a return to the essence of the band, to the elements and moods that have made them classic and timeless. The 90's was a time of great experimentation, feauturing the band trying out techno rhythms and shades of dance music. After the good, but weak "Pop," fans and the rock world at large were beginning to worry as to what road U2 was planning to embark on. But with "All That You Can't Leave Behind" the band returns to the simple idea of crafting great songs. "Beautiful Day" opens the album with a vibrant, soaring feel in The Edge's wonderful guitar melodies, Bono's voice flights and the entire classic feel of the song's production. "Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of" is both inspirational and good ear-candy with Brian Eno's synths. One of the qualities that makes the album sound so good is that Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, the producers behind "The Joshua Tree" and "Achtung Baby," along with Steve Lillywhite mixing a few tracks are back after taking a break during "Pop." The return to the mold signals the return of the band to good old rock n' roll. "Walk On" shows U2 at their best, it is a song laced with wonderful melodies and moving lyrics. It joins the ranks of previous U2 love songs like "With Or Without You" which are real love songs, not just simple puppy chowder. And yet the band can still jam, "Elevation" is straight-ahead rock n' roll with an intoxicating hook, catchy beat and a vibrant, fun sense of exhilaration. "New York" also has a more harder edge the band was lacking in "Pop." "Kite" is a dreamy little number with The Edge doing some memorable slide guitar. "All That You Can't Leave Behind" is a great achievement for U2 because it manages to show the band almost like a symphony. It lets every good thing about this group shine, every song has individual parts that stand out. Bono's talent and range as a singer are no longer over-powered or over-shaded with synth beats and The Edge, one of the great creative guitarists in rock, here sounds more liberated from the constraints of electronica. "All That You Can't Leave Behind" isn't just good rock, it's good music, a wonderous journey for the ears and heart. A classic album that will endure.Free Music Review: Should satisfy everybody
Hit: 5 Stars
The latest album from the irish forever youngs is a good effort. What is important is their fans are happy with their latest venture. Some even wants to place it right beside "Joshua Tree" and "Achtung Baby", I am not going that much. The 1996 release "Pop" was a mellow effort, that doesn't mean it was a bad effort, it just lacked the pure U2 sound ... the experiment which the most of the fans didn't like (I didn't dislike). No such problems with this album. Let us see what does it contain -Beautiful Day - The song that swept 3 grammy awards. Beautiful instrumentation. (You know already having seen it 53 times in music channels).
Stuck in a moment - The second hit didn't impress me much.
Elevation - The third hit is just an ok song, lots of power in it.
Walk on - Bono insists to 'Walk on' and we insists him to 'Sing on' songs like this.
Kite - This is a very good song, the album title is in this song, Bono excellent.
In a little while - Based on a nice guitar theme. Bono does a lots of extended Uhu ... in this. The theme is worth listening.
Wild Honey - Wonderful starting guitar riff. Bono is arguably not the greatest vocalist on earth, I must say although he has a very uneven kind of voice, I really wonder how does the songs he sings almost always end up being a wonderfully sung track. One of the best in the album.
Peace On Earth - Starts like a Pink Floyd album, very slowly ... picks up slowly and evenly, again comes down then again picks up(not much). Wonderfully sung again.
When I look around the world - Beautiful instrumentation like old day's U2. This song reminds of their 80's days. Passionate vocals.
New York - Starts with a continuing background music and very serious sounding Bono. Average.
Grace - Another slow "God" track by U2 (You know already if u r an U2 fan, that U2 likes to keep a "God" song in their album). It seemed a boring. Not very good.
This album really scores in the title track and tracks 4-9. This should impress everybody, both the old, the new fans and even who are listening to this great group for the first time because it is able to balance its songs. So, if you are willing to buy another U2 album after "Joshua tree", "Achtung baby", Buy this one or "War". The actual rating should be 4.6.