U2 - The Unforgettable Fire
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Free Music Notes for The Unforgettable Fire
Free Music Review: The Great Fire of 1984
Hit: 5 Stars
U2 had a lot going for them in the early 1980's. With three solid albums under their belts including their U.S. breakthrough, `War', the lads of Dublin decided it was time to play with fire. In other words they were poised to release something uniquely out of tune with the garbage piling up on the empty-headed pop scene. As it is said, where there is smoke there's fire and where there is U2 you have an album here so good it laid waste to everything else on the charts in the Autumn of `84, while refreshingly misrepresenting the band as Ireland's response to the last call of new wave. Okay, TUF didn't soar to the top of the charts, but its methodic ascent gave us plenty of time to relish a selection of songs that would brand the band as true architects of their craft. So where does one begin to train the water on a conflagration that burned off the long grass of a field under an `Indian Summer Sky' during that certain Fall? Well, the phenomenal success of `Pride'{in The Name of Love}, one of their biggest singles ever, is a testament to the group's rallying cry for freedom and a blast heard `round the world, thanks to its radio- friendly composition. If this is their anthem song, then `Bad' is the LP's signature cut. All of the factors for a melodic equation merge here for a perfect U2 number; those powerful, unmistakable vocals, forceful, precision guitar playing, nimble drumming and a throbbing bass during the refrain. `Promenade' is a peaceful ride through the English countryside, but when the Edge plugs into `Wire' things really heat up. His tight and intense guitar work here, puts him in an elite class few other players occupy. `A Sort of Homecoming' is a lyrical gem forged not from a cauldron of gloom and doom, but rather from a warm safe seat by the fireplace. On this one, Bono and his mates wax positive singing of hope and salvation, as if an endearing phoenix has just risen from the ashes to bring its message of revelation. However, in naked contrast to most of TUF's content is the absorbing title track. Its suggestive story aside, this song is simply outstanding, with a fluctuating score, vital orchestration and adventurous vocals that puts the band's front man in a class also, few others deserve to be. There is, at the very tail end of the piece, a barely audible 4 or 5 note fade out. Brief, yet stirring, it is a conclusion that would give a cinematographer the closing shot of his dreams. This is the record that really brought U2 to the shores of America, where they would, only 4 albums into their recording career, blaze a trail through the musical wilderness of the 80's with nothing shy of the scope of the country in their sites. The Fire is still burning just as bright today, like a pilot light that's never had to be re-ignited...an eternal flame of a masterpiece.
Free Music Review: 'into the half lights and through the flame'
Hit: 5 Stars
U2 is much more than a rock band. By now this proper name could stand for and define the awareness of the fact that we are all in it together. Like it or not, you will not find your complete peace and happiness amid the misery of others. There is some invisible web connecting our consciousness and every single thought matters. You are in pain when your child or mother is and just because the reaction is significantly less immediate on the national or planetary level, does not mean it is any different. You too are affected and yes, so much could be directed towards both of you. Plenty of meaning in U2. Bono is great with meanings. He understands all of the above and in the beautiful straight from the heart Irish way he tries to make us aware of our destiny.
I know that this is the album which neither contains most of U2's hits (Joshua Tree would probably be that album) nor is it the album which brought us their first greatness. However, to me Unforgettable Fire is the most important album of U2 and the one which contains their most powerful song. The atmosphere of the Unforgettable Fire brings on the passion of what is at hand, desire and impatience towards great things ahead, and gratitude for things fulfilled and accomplished. There is peace approaching but the spirit is still so used to fighting. The sound belongs to the earlier phase of this special band's career. It is still raw at times but it builds into quite dramatic landscapes.
Few are the bands which have given us more breath taking songs than U2. It is not an easy choice but for me the most powerful of them all is Bad. Its beginning does not reveal it but its progression is spectacular. It must be that special energy coming out of earth in Ireland and not only these guys are tapping into it (please listen to Mostly Autumn). I know it is not Guinness because I used to tap into that for a while (and I just got sleepy). Who knows, perhaps Bad will not affect you so much, but please listen to it on repeat 1 at least 7 times. My next favorite song here is the title song. This one starts like it means it so you can sense its power right away. Pride is one of U2's most known songs and Promenade is very strong as well. As far as the rest of their great career, to be very honest, although I respect U2 tremendously, ever since the beautiful day played everywhere I have had problems with their newest things and it is possible that I have omitted something recent and great. My favorite songs of U2 (or their members) are the following: Slug, Love Is Blindness, Bad, Rowena's Theme, Running To Stand Still, The Unforgettable Fire, October, With Or Without You, Your Blue Room, Promenade, One, Where The Streets Have No Name, Miss Sarajevo, All I Want Is You, Pride, New Year's Day.
Free Music Review: U2's First Reinvention
Hit: 5 Stars
In 1984 U2 were facing a dilemma, they had just come off their successful War Tour and had begun to notice a new element creeping their audience, that of the Hard Rock fan. This was largely due to the War album's success and sound. Difficult as it may seem today U2 at one point in their career were concerned by punk-rock credibility. `The Unforgettable Fire' was their first attempt to try and shed some of their newfound fan-base, `Achtung Baby' being the second.
To those of you who are not familiar with `The Unforgettable Fire' this album sounds like nothing else in their back catalogue. It was a complete departure from their original sound for which I believe credit should be given to the fact that it is their first album with Brian Eno producing. The album was recorded at Slane castle, which gave the album a wonderful reverberating tone, but the significant difference here is the fact that Larry and Adam's playing really starts to shine through. The rhythm section on `The Unforgettable Fire' has an almost unstoppable quality that for me is the strongest of their career. The Edge's guitar playing and Bono's vocals and lyrics take a significant step up also. The Edge really develops his signature 80s playing style by simply laying his spiralling impressionistic playing style over the top of the rhythm section to great effect. Bono's song writing ability shows massive improvement, gone are the standard bulldozer `Sunday Bloody Sunday' type lyrics and instead a more vague, poetic and sometimes improvised approached is used. For this reason his received some criticism at the time.
Of course the highlight of the album was the first single `Pride (In The Name Of Love)' that ensured the album was a massive hit. Ironically if one wanted to shed some of the undesired fan-base then another song would have been a better choice for first single, like `MLK' or `Elvis Presley and America' for example. I think they learned that lesson on `Achtung Baby' by releasing `The Fly' as the first single instead of the obvious `One', but by that time they were so big it made little difference.
`The Unforgettable Fire' is for me U2's greatest artistic statement as a band and definitely the best album in their catalogue. The album has great dynamic width, which would be explored again on `The Joshua Tree' but to less effect. `Indian Summer Sky'; `Wire'; `Bad'; `A Sort Of Homecoming' and `Pride' are genuine gems in the U2 catalogue and certainly some of the best up to that point. I just wish they played them more often.
Highly Recommended.
Free Music Review: 'Unforgettable' Passion
Hit: 5 Stars
'Unforgettable Fire' is a shimmering and passionate masterpiece. Perhaps it is only slightly less brilliant lyrically as 'The Joshua Tree' and at times uneven, but the propulsive energy, the celestial production, and the flowing imagery make this C.D. one of U2's very best.
The familiar ground deserves mention. "Pride," a remarkable tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King is majestic with the Edge's guitar ringing out sonorously and Bono's vocals and Larry's drumming meeting and surpassing the demands of the challenge. "Bad" is another great anthem. It works into a throbbing crescendo, then leaves us satisfied. The title track is mesmerizing in a way that hardly is muzak to our ears. Existential and sociological in its implications to spirituality and nuclear annhilation, it provides food and music for thought. The unheralded songs are accomplished, too. "Wire" is as frenetic and tense as they get. It is simply one of their greatest songs, driven to bring home a first-person drama--a subject from "Amnesty International," whom they support. They bring home more sublime spirituality with "Indian Summer Sky" and the meandering, but excellent "Elvis Presley and America". The opener "A Sort of Homecoming" is an excellent diagnosis and another worthy anthem regarding the "quiet desperation"* of modern life. Then, the album needs some tenderness to avoid overdrive. "Serenade" is beautiful masterpiece as is the reprise-like closer "MLK". "Fourth of July" is evocative of Bono's statement that "America both fascinates and frightens me." It is a short intermission on the threshold of "Bad". On the previous 'War' U2 looked at the world, but specifically at Ireland. On 'The Unforgettable Fire'they look at the world especially at--or through--the eyes of America.
The energy of their early years was matched and surpassed on "The Unforgettable Fire". The lyrics are nuanced, yet direct. Bono was certainly reaching maturity vocally and lyrically on this album. The Edge reaches playing heights and intricacies found no where previous, and Adams bass is more expert, throbbing ably through the mix. Larry's athletic drumming is one of the most idiosyncratic accomplishments one can think of. Then, the perfectionistic production of Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, newly at the helm, provide a beautiful synthesis of the music. Perhaps 'The Joshua Tree' represents more variety and maturity, but the propulsiveness of 'The Unforgettable Fire' is a hallmark achievement.
*Henry David Thoreau
Free Music Review: The Key to Future Success
Hit: 5 Stars
U2's 1984 release, the Unforgettable Fire, has proven to be the key to U2's timelessness. The album proved to be a shock to those fans who had come aboard during the Boy/October/War era as it was nothing at all like the band's first three albums. It's a very moody, atmospheric piece that has proven to be timeless, something much music from 1984 has not proven to be. It is this album that forever removed the possibility that U2 would be just another guitar band or protest band and paved the way for the landmark 1987 album, The Joshua Tree, which vaulted U2 to the pinnacle of the music world, a place they've inhabited ever since.
U2 had experimented before. The previous effort, War, featured more politically oriented lyrics (U2 had been very personal on the first two LPs) and introdduced more vocalization, keyboards, and even brass and strings on some tracks. The Unforgettable Fire would go far beyond the attempts of war, changing the sound completely.
So what do we have? Pride (In the Name of Love) is well known. Much else here is not recognized by the casual listener. A Short of Homecoming comes with beautiful imagery and a beat that moves it forward. Pride is what it is, a great rock anthem. Wire is much more kinetic and confused, though I think this is intentional. The Unforgettable Fire is a beautiful song that contains more poetic imagery. Promenade is a personal favorite. 4th of July is a moody instrumental. Bad is one of the best songs U2 has ever written. Indian Summer Sky is akin to Wire - very kinetic. Elvis Presley and America is often hammered, but it may be favorite track. The lyrics was improvised at the behest of Eno and the imagery is fantastic. I also find the song to be full of raw emotion. MLK is an atmospheric tribute to Dr. King.
Throughout the album the lyrics and sounds are imprecise and not as firm as the U2 of the previous three albums. This lends a real timelessness to the album. I'll admit, it took me several listens to really get into the album - the most of any U2 album - but the rewards are even more satisfying. This album takes you somewhere and leaves you with a smile as opposed to U2's darker works that would come after it. This would be U2's brightest effort until All That You Can't Leave Behind and How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. Most of their catalog is somewhat optimistic albeit dark. This one is not so and is a joy to listen to; give it a chance.