U2 - Zooropa
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Free Music Notes for Zooropa
Free Music Review: An oft-overlooked masterpiece
Hit: 4 Stars
I remember when I first heard this CD, around eight or so years ago. I would've been in the 10th grade, maybe the ninth. I grew up hearing anthemic hits from The Joshua Tree, and I distinctly remember hits such as 'One' and 'Mysterious Ways' from Achtung Baby before I fell upon the CD in review here.
While there is absolutely no comparison whatsoever between The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby, there is certainly no comparison with Zooropa with either of those albums. In fact, there is no comparison with it in regards to any of their previous or later albums. I remember falling immediately in love with this album, loving songs such as 'Lemon' and 'Daddy's Gonna Pay For Your Crashed Car.'
I ended up giving my copy of this CD to a close friend of mine, whose CDs ended up getting stolen. That was at least five years ago. In the course of those year, I lost touch with U2. This past year, I have really gotten into them again, and am finally going to see them in concert in Atlanta in November. I found a used copy of Zooropa at a store in town, and bought it. The very friend I gave my original copy to tried listening to it, but, despite his love for it years ago, couldn't get into it at all. He immediately labeled it as 'U2's worst album.' After a cursory listen, I immediately disagreed with my friend.
The jist of the complaints I've heard in regards to this album, and Pop---another masterpiece---and Achtung Baby, ultimately boils down to, 'It doesn't sound like The Joshua Tree.' My response to that is, 'Get over it.'
In fact, one thing that makes U2 so great, is that they don't play one style of music, cashing in on 'whatever sells the records.' No. They write what they want to write, and, surprise surprise, it's great. In fact, I think of U2 as the modern day Beatles, precisely due to the versitality that they have demonstrated over the 25 years or so of their musical career. Whereas some people think that their diversity is their weak point, I think it is precisely that which makes them legendary.
Cocamo Joe
Free Music Review: Taking bold steps pays off.
Hit: 5 Stars
Even though the album Achtung Baby tried some new things, and took a step away from the usual U2 sound, Zooropa is REAL experimentation. Heavy on electronics and techno elements, Zooropa is a gigantic leap from whatever you would expect from the band, and it pays off, through some meaningful songs that truely delight the ears... that is, if you give it the chance.
Let's get one thing out of the way first: I believe U2 are at their best when they are experimenting. They can produce some great rock songs, but really, U2 step into a new level of greatness when they try to convey their messages in other ways. Not all of their experiments work, but when they do, they work well. This is why I consider Zooropa, Pop and The Unforgettable Fire their best albums.
The album begins with the soaring title track, giving you an idea of what you can expect. Bono's vocals are still the centrefold of their music, but his messages of how technology and it's effect on modern like are amongst whirling synthesizers and electronic sound effects, which truely captivate and entice listeners. You have to be open minded to understand it's excellence.
After the outstanding opening track, we're treated with Babyface, which is a sexy, gorgeous song which I think is about falling in love with perhaps a celebrity you've seen on TV. Bono and the Edge work well in making teasing vocals, and it's got smooth, subtle backing instruments, ultimately delivering a warm, fuzzy song that is extremely underrated.
Numb is next, with The Edge on lead vocals. He churns out line after line of ways you should live your life, until Larry and Bono kick in with falsetto backing vocals, creating one of the most unique songs the band has ever done. It's a difficult song, but a great one.
Speaking of difficult songs... Lemon. Entirely sung in falsetto by Bono, with help from The Edge for the magnificant chorus', this song is truely delicious. Again, it lambasts technology and how it dominates the world today, describing how man wants to escape from what they have created, but never leaving. It is a magnificant track, and not only encourages much thought, but also gets you on your feet.
Stay (Far Away, So Close!)... wow. This is a masterful little song, sung from the perspective of an angel desperate to help those who struggle through life. I am not familiar with the film this song was based on, but I was touched, regardless. Bono's vocals are just incredible, and this song is the perfect example.
Daddy's Gonna Pay For Your Crashed Car is, perhaps, the most difficult song on the album. The meaning behind it is ambiguous; is it simply a song about a spoiled brat who crashed his car? Or is "Daddy" a much greater entity? This song is heavy on techno and synthesizers, drawing attention away from Bono's vocals. It's a very good song, but perhaps one of the weakest on this album.
Some Days Are Better Than Others is the complete opposite of the above, offering us a happy, upbeat song that forces you to grin. Bono's lyrics are upbeat, and the bass really hold the bouncing drums and guitar together. It's a very good song, and it's probably its simplicity that stops it from being a masterpiece.
The First Time is more than your standard ballad. It is, indeed, a love song, but also one that also has a relgious interpretation, as Bono suggests he's in no position to speak for God in every instance. There are many interpretations of this song, but evidently, it's a tragic little song, that is very moving.
Dirty Day... the best song on the album. By a MILE. To me, it describes how difficult it is being religious these days, and that you have to accept things for what they are. Fantastic guitar and hissing synthesizers great a fabulous song, ending with a chilling climax. Just fabulous.
Finally the album ends with The Wanderer. With powerful vocals from Johnny Cash, it's a song about searching for meaning, and the desperate hope that meaning is searching for you. It is a creepy, haunting little song, and it ends the album extremely well.
This is the longest review I have ever written, but really, I could talk about this album for hours. It's a masterpiece. Period. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise. Sure, it doesn't sound like U2, and the new style of music isn't exactly easy to get into from the start. But give it time, and go in there with an open mind. Trust me, you'll thank yourself for it.
One of the best albums ever recorded.
Free Music Review: Ignore the last reviewer!!!
Hit: 4 Stars
This is miles better than ATYCLB, which already is sounding dated!!!
Zooropa is almost a five star album, and also has some great tracks like Numb, Stay, Daddy's gonna fix your crashed car, and The Wanderer!!!!
Free Music Review: Call It What You Will, Just Don't Call It Their Best
Hit: 3 Stars
As the Beatles were, U2 is a band that has, and continues to constantly change faces, which is by no means meant in a negative sense. Part of what makes them one of the greatest rock n' roll acts in history is their all-encompassing body of work. There is a U2 song, and often times an album, for any mood. With that said, it's inevitable that some of their experiments will go wrong.
While other U2 albums keeps some consistent underlying themes, such as the anthemic guitar playing and effects of The Edge, for the most part "Zooropa" fails to keep these intact. To put it simply "Zooropa" has so much less life than the U2 classics of old. It branches off into a more electronic sound, leaving behind the guitar- driven power exemplified on "The Joshua Tree." It tries to be discreet in its songwriting, such as in the track "Numb," while leaving behind their directness and life in writing that is so well exemplified on "Achtung Baby."
With all that said, "Zooropa" turned out to be an interesting experiment. The result is that U2 and electronic rambling don't mix. The only true gem on the album, "Stay," teaches us a different lesson, however. It's completely stripped of guitar effects, uses little production, and has a redundant lick repeated endlessly in the song. And yet, its simplicity is really its draw. There's no sound to hide behind, which gives the song a truly honest feeling.
Sometimes experiments go astray. That's completely fair, especially considering the other great U2 releases. "Zooropa's" existence may very well be the driving force for "All That You Can't Leave Behind"(a classic with staying power) because it forced U2 in a different direction. But please, let's not call this their best work, or even a good album. Let's recognize that it is an experiment and leave it at that.
Free Music Review: Some albums are better than others.
Hit: 4 Stars
It's easy to see how "Zooropa" might have gotten lost among other U2 albums, especially when following "Achtung Baby". However, I believe "Zooropa" is almost as perfect, and it's one of my top U2 discs. Even when compared to a much different album like "The Unforgettable Fire", it's hard to choose a favorite. The title track is one of their best openers ever, and has an energy that just grabs you and shakes you. "Numb" is one of those risks that paid off well, and is as catchy and unique as anything they've done, much like "Lemon". "Stay (far away, so close!)" is a classic U2 ballad, and while it seems simple, is quite emotional and moving. "First Time" and "Dirty Day" are both moody tracks, and "The Wanderer" with Johnny Cash is quite possibly one of the coolest things they've ever done. Similar to both "Achtung Baby" and "Pop", "Zooropa" isn't just a 90's must, it's an essential U2 album, for me anyway.