"Shush Now" Bono

Read the quote below from Bono after the Fordham gig and it really pissed me off!

"Every album is like our first album. And we want to do the thing we did with our first album and go out and play the colleges," Bono told MTV News on Friday after the show. "Play to the people who are living closest to the music."

Bono said that for the most part, young people can best appreciate new sounds. "They're often students," he said. "They're often not people in their 30s. Bob Dylan has this line, 'He not busy being born is busy dying' [from 'It's Alright Ma, I'm Only Bleeding']. I love that line. I often think it applies to music. People, as they get older, they stop listening to the music. We want to go to where people are still passionate for music."

I'm sick of Bono saying things like this, why can't he appreciate ALL U2 fans' ability to embrace the new? I know he was speaking at a college and so was focused on young people, but there was no need to write off most older people. Do you lose passion for music just because you are over 30? I know lots of young people who have never even been to a concert and are not into music at all, and yes there are older people like that too, my point is you shouldn't generalise about people as Bono seems to be doing here.

I am still passionate about music and so are my U2 friends who are all well over 30. Music is one of the things that I think actually keeps me young inside. And there are still times when I get that that special feeling when I hear a new song, you know that feeling - when a song touches you deep inside and you go "Wow!" I love it when that happens and there is no age restriction to that. In fact the last time that happened to me was last Monday when listening to a new album some middle-aged band called U2 ......

Ok rant over, maybe I'm just a bit cranky today, I'm tired. I feel better now.

U2 At Fordham

There's a great write up about the U2 mini gig at Fordham yesterday. Read about it here

Twitter

Well, I've decided to try Twitter. I've heard so much about it so decided to plunge in, I'm not the best a technology, but my SMS text to myself worked so I'm doing something right! I've put a link in the sidebar of my blog for anyone who is interested in watching my tweeting or whatever it's called LOL!

No Line On The Horizon - Take Two

Well here I am five days after the U2 album release, having had the chance to listen to it many times and for me to really sink into it (great description Captain, hope you don't mind me pinching it!) And , as expected, a lot of my views have changed.

Still love NLOTH, unbridled is the word that comes to mind when I think of it. The energy of it, music pounding away relentlessly, the way Bono's impassioned vocals soar - especially like the bit where he sings softly and then, wham, in comes the music full force, brilliant!

Magnificent too is still a favourite. It's much more classic U2 than NLOTH, but there's nothing wrong with that! I really like the intro building up to the vocals. This would be a good second single as non-avid-fans would easily like this song.

Another long intro for Moment of Surrender, and this is a song that has grown on me a lot. Love Edge's fab guitar solo that is a totally new style for him, lovely. Bono's voice is amazing on this and he's written some of the best lyrics on the album for this song. The sadness it evoked in me still is there.

Number four on the album, Unknown Caller, still is my least favourite. It doesn't capture me in any way. Edge's guitar and Bono's voice is there during the verses, but I don't like the chorus of male voices where Bono only just discernible, it doesn't feel like U2 for me.

I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight, God what a convoluted title! As I thought this song has grown on me as well. As I've listened to it I kept thinking "What song does this remind me of?" and then yesterday I realised, Original Of The Species, especially the chorus, but I feel this is a much better song. We'll all be singing along to this at the concerts! Again Bono is singing his heart out brilliantly here.

Again I'll miss GOYB, I've said all I can about that song.

Rockin' guitar on Stand Up Comedy, Edge almost going heavy metal! LOL! Great bass line and drumming, this song will really rock live. Not amongst my top five of the album, but I don't dislike it either.

For me the biggest surprise has been how Fez - Being Born has grown on me. I'm really loving the unusual rhythms within it, mixing east with west, and it's experimental nature. It's great that U2 are willing to put something like this on an album, this is them exploring music is a truly creative and open way. I admire any artist that is able to do this when it would be so easy to stick to a winning formula.

I liked White As Snow from that first listen last Monday, the purity of Bono's voice and the all pervading sadness is what struck me then. I still find it very evocative, sad and yet strangely beautiful. Bono has said this song is about a soldier dying in Afghanistan and the length of the song is the time it takes him to die. Yet even without knowing that, the overall feeling is of sadness. It also feels very intimate, like Bono's singing into your ear, you can hear each breath he takes -which considering the song's subject matter is quite poignant. I find it a very moving song, I just know I'll be crying if they play this live!

Breathe has continued to grow on me, good rocker, not sure if it'll be high in my top U2 songs list but I like it much more than I did.

Cedars of Lebanon is another song that hasn't grown on me much, good lyrics, but it hasn't really done it for me.

So quite a few changes in my views of No Line On The Horizon - as I knew there would be. I find it fascinating how snippets from songs from their past have crept into the new music. Moment of Surrender - the oh ohs at the end from Stay. Unknown Caller the hypnotic few guitar notes right through the song reminiscent of Bad. Crazy, touches of Original of the Species and some Ultraviolet "Baby's". Wonder if that was done on purpose, kind of reaching to their past, where they have come from with one hand, whilst taking the future firmly in hand with the other.

I feel really proud to be a U2 fan at the moment!

U2 On Letterman

What can I say? Lurrrrrve it!

Three Friends, One Album And U2

I've had a few days off blogging as my good friend - and fellow u2 fan and blogger - came to stay for a few days so we could listen to the new U2 album together for the first time. There was a real glut of U2 appearances in the UK last week both on radio and TV which was a treat, so much after years of so little from our lads! Now the PR focus has moved across the Atlantic and I'm left with the new album for my U2 fix.

Debbi and I were joined by another friend, Dawn who lives close to me yesterday to listen to No Line On The Horizon for the first time. We had all been very good and the only new songs we had heard were No Line On The Horizon, Breathe and Magnificent on their UK TV appearances.



As we listened I wrote down my very first impressions and feelings about the songs and that's what I've put here. I know my opinion will change as I listen to the album more, (and I will write an updated review in a while) but I want to convey what my very first views of the album was, so here goes!

No Line On The Horizon

I'd seen the live performance of this song already on The Culture Show and absolutely loved it on there and I feel the same about the album version. This is exactly how I love U2 to be, it has the passion, rawness and energy reminiscent of Mercy, a song that's a firm fave of mine. Great insistent, almost punkish guitar. Bono's voice a bit raw and rough round the edges, breaking with emotion. When Bono sings this way it touches me deep inside, I love the sheer abandon of it. And the song really rocks.

Magnificent

I'd seen this live too on the BBC rooftop performance, so it was not entirely new to me. Wonderful Edge guitar work, that vintage "waterfall" effect. This for me is the most classically U2 sounding song on the album. At one point Bono's woo hoos blend into Edge's guitar very much as happens With Or Without You. Gorgeous, soaring song.

Moment Of Surrender

Back to Bono's raw singing here, he is in amazing voice on this song. It has a very strong baseline and Edge plays as I've never heard him play before. There's a blanket of sadness hanging over this song. It is very long, maybe too long.

Unknown Caller

The beginning reminds me strongly of Bad. The chorus vocals don't sound like U2, who is singing there? This song doesn't do much for me at all.

I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight

This song has a strong vocal, think this one will grow on me, not sure at the moment.

Get On Your Boots

I've already written about this in an earlier post so won't write more now.

Stand Up Comedy

I hear touches of The Fly at times here. Quite a rocker, could be great live I think. I found it a bit disjointed, but think it will be a grower.

Fez - Being Born

Strong Moroccan influence, the wailing intro reminds me of the iman calling the faithful to prayer from the minaret. I feel Eno's influence here is very strong. The most experimental song, not sure if it works for me.

White As Snow

This is adapted from a traditional song and that is easy to hear, I like that. Beautiful song, Bono's voice is so wonderful nowadays, rich and full-bodied like a vintage wine, but with a slight roughness to it.

Breathe

I'd heard this song twice before on the Jo Whiley and Jonathan Ross shows and wasn't that keen on it then. But on listening to it on the album I am warming to it. Think it will be good live and that it will grow on me more.

Cedars Of Lebanon

I feel this song is more of an impression, a narrative than a song. It didn't really do much for me on the first listen.

So there we are, my brief first impressions of the songs on U2's album. Overall thoughts I have are that it is a brave album, it's not instantly commercial, it needs to be worked at and really listened to, it definitely is a grower. It is different to all they have done before, yet frequently there are touches of songs from their past within the new and that just seems right somehow.

It will take me time to get used to Bono writing in the third person, I am so used to him bearing his soul to us lyrically, but here many of the songs are in the third person and that feels different to me. A pall of sadness seems to hang over much of this album.

Edge's guitar work is as fabulous as ever, and we are hearing a lot of new stuff coming from him on this album. As I've mentioned before, Bono's voice here is wonderful! It has a richness, maturity and passion that is captivating.

I am pleased U2 have given us a release like this, after two good but "safe" albums I was wondering whether they had the guts to go out on a limb, were they still willing or able to experiment? This album shows us they still have the balls to be different and to show all the others how it's done. Whether it will be a big hit I'm not sure, maybe it's not commercial enough, but it certainly is a hit on an artistic level.

Spring's Nearly Here!

After the worst winter for two decades I'm ready for the spring and a sunny and warm summer (U2 is touring so it will be a good summer!). Today I was out walking my dogs and spring was definitely in the air. In northern countries like mine there is a day when nature definitely turns the corner from winter to spring and today I felt that in the air. The lovely birdsong was everywhere, daffodils were blooming, the tree buds fat, ready to burst open and the sun had a slight warmth about it once more. The spring rebirth amazes me every year, nature waking up once more always fills me with wonder and joy.

Caught In The Act

Now who could it be that had such fun disemboweling the cushion?!

U2 At The Echo Awards In Germany

U2 played at the Echo Awards in Germany last night and as usual with the various award ceremonies they performed at they were first on. Bono was pulling some Fly moves from the past, I think he needs to work on something new on that score, we don't want Zoo Part II. I must say though I think that the band nailed the song at this gig, Bono took charge of the vocals in the "sound" part, voice strong and didn't lose track of it. I felt that Bono lacked some of the energy he had at the Brits though and there was no revealing of the satanic eyes this time. Interesting to see how the song and performance are developing.

Watch the performance here

The Brit Awards 2009

We arrived in London in the early afternoon and made our way to our hotel which turned out to be really nice and only a short walk from Earl's Court, perfect!

We went round to Earl's Court and there were already lots of people waiting by the red carpet artist's entrance. We found a place over the road from there which wasn't ideal but we could see who was arriving and all the cars passed by us. It was interesting to watch this whole celebrity "thing", I'd never been to a red carpet event before. Fans screaming, swanky cars with blacked out windows, some egocentric celebs, some down to earth celebs, micro skirts, massive high heels, designer clothes. All a bit of madness really, and I was part of it. Reality stepped in a regular intervals when a cleaner would whizz over the red carpet with a carpet sweeper! Also, at times when there was a lull in arrivals and the screaming stopped a bird's song, which was more beautiful than many of these people's music, rang out from somewhere close by.

We saw all kinds of celebs, singers, bands, comedians, actors, presenters, Tom Jones, Alan Carr, Girls Aloud, David Hasselhoff to name a few. Most didn't come over to our side of the road. Girls Aloud spent a lot of time with the fans and did come over to our side, they were very beautiful girls. For the males reading here's a photo I got of Kimberley Walsh.

The only member of U2 who we saw arrive was Edge, he looked great and spent quite a lot of time with fans close to the red carpet. He was too far away to get a good photo of but here's one I found on the Net.

At 7pm we went inside to pick up our tickets. We thought it would take ages but it was very well organised and within minutes we had our tickets and made our way inside. It had been six hours since we'd either had something to eat or drink so our first priority was to find sustenance.

We then found our seats which were in the top tier, but close to the stage. Debbi spotted Dallas on the stage so we realised that u2 were going to be on first. The hosts were James Corden, Matt Horne and Kylie Minogue - I thought Kylie in particular was very good and she wore some beautiful dresses.

U2's performance at The Brits was much better than at the Grammys, for a start the sound was better (and I noticed even better still on TV than live) and the band seemed more relaxed. Lots of energy and that Bono can still strike the rock poses! He had the famous eyeliner on, along with eye shadow this time, must say I prefer just the eyeliner myself . Once he took off the glasses he kind of went into a character that looks so evil. Wouldn't like to meet this guy on a dark night! Wonder if he's going to stay and become part of the tour like MacPhisto.

I don't think they have quite nailed the song, again I felt that during the "the Sound" part Bono lost track of it towards the end. But that's my only criticism of the performance. Whether it works as an all-round rocker I'm not sure. The standing crowd at the front were going crazy at first when U2 came on but the dancing around stopped as the changes in pace during the song happened. (Both photos in this article taken off the Net I do not know who took them).

All too soon U2's performance was over, but I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the show. I thought Coldplay were really good, the sound of those huge drums resonated around the arena and the and the multi-coloured "confetti" effect was brilliant to see. Chris Martin's vocals were great. Take That appeared in a flying saucer like set that came down from above the stage, with flashing lights and much smoke, very effective. Duffy, who was the big award winner that night, gave an excellent performance, she's one hell of an singer. Kings Of Leon also gave a very strong performance and were very popular with the audience.

The outstanding achievement award went to The Pet Shop Boys and they performed a medley of their hits accompanied by inventive graphics on a screen behind them. Brandon Flowers (who had announced and given them the award) joined them onstage towards the end of their set - what a wonderful voice he has!

And that was it, the end of a really brilliant show. We went back outside and waited for a while where the artists were leaving, hoping to catch U2. As we waited we were entertained by an amusing Cockney security guard who chatted away. When one guest in five inch high heels nearly fell into the road as she was coming out he said. "Careful I don't want to do all the paperwork at this hour!"

We didn't see U2 but we did meet Dermot O'Leary who we both like. He was so sweet and kind, very down to earth. I got my photo taken with him, not the best of me but nice to have anyway!

So that was our Brits experience, well worth coming to London for. Lovely to see U2 live on stage once more, roll on later this year when we see whole U2 shows!

Off To The Brit Awards!

Well I'm off to The Brits Awards early tomorrow morning - I can hardly believe that I'll be seeing u2 play live tomorrow, I'm so excited! I'll be writing all about it here so come back later in the week to get the details.

U2 Action In The UK

U2 are going to be doing/appearing in a few things in the UK over the next couple of weeks.

This Sunday they will be featured in The Observer's Monthly Music magazine.

They will also be on the cover of the NME due out on the 18th February, inside there will be an interview with the band on the making of NLOTH.

On Friday 27th February U2 will be appearing on the Jonathan Ross Show - this is according to The Guardian newspaper.

And finally, from the BBC website:

U2 have announced they will be playing a special live set for Radio 1 on Friday 27 February. The band, whose new album is out in March, are due to perform a three-track Live Lounge session. Jo Whiley will host the band in her first week back on Radio 1 after maternity leave. She said: "It's always a bit nerve-racking going back after having a baby. But having U2 playing in the Live Lounge is especially thrilling."

Fans of the Irish rockers will also get the chance to witness the special performance. Details of how to apply for tickets will be announced during Jo Whiley's show on 23 February.

A Heartwarming Video

I think we have all seen the news and pictures of the terrible destruction and loss of life in Australian bush fires and our thoughts are with those people. But amidst all the devastation it's lovely to hear of a heartwarming story of firefighters giving help to a distressed koala bear they came upon in the burnt out bush.

U2 At The Grammys.....And Afterwards

Nice. shame about the sound though.

On stage.....

Is that himself from Zoo days on Bono's tee shirt?

And at the aftershow party.....

Someone managed to catch Larry even though he's hiding behind his hand! Love Edges expression on the last one.

Phew It's Hot Out There!

A friend recently sent me this., I'm a softie when it comes to cute animal stories so I thought I'd share.

It has been so hot in SA for over a week…40+ degrees Celsius everyday, and very dry. A guy at work lives at Maude. His wife sent him these photos of a little Koala which just walked into the back porch looking for a bit of heat relief. She filled up a bucket and this is what happened!

Strange Goings On.....

I've been thinking about NLOTH and it strikes me that it is having a painful and messy birth (well I wrote about my U2 marriage, so now I'm writing about a U2 birth!).

First working for a year or so with Rick Rubin, then binning all that work to start from scratch again with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois.

Then the rumoured release date is put back to March.

The proposed album cover is released to the public only for it to come out that the same cover picture, by Japanese artist Hiroshi Sugimoto, has already been used for Deupree and Chartier's Specification.Fifteen, released in 2006. How come U2 or their people did not know that? It certainly takes the edge off it (forgive the pun!).

Then the first single from the album Get On Your Boots is released for airplay 19th January with the accompanying video due to be premiered January 30th. The video is pulled at the last minute. Then a rough cut of the video appears all over the Internet, complete with Getty Images watermarks that were the reason the video was pulled in the first place. Someone messed up big time and we all saw it. Now, seven days later U2.com says the video will be premiered on their website before 5pm GMT. It's 4pm now so they've got an hour to get it on there!

The final mess (hopefully!) is that the single release of GOYB has been put back in some European countries. No explanation has been given for this so far. There are rumours that the single will be available for free download, what, after all that Paul McGuinness said about people stealing music from the Internet??? But that is just a rumour so maybe there's nothing in it.

So, No Line On The Horizon has had a difficult, almost chaotic birthing process. For a band like U2, who are very controlling, that's quite worrying. Let's hope the birth goes smoothly and new life of this album makes it all worthwhile.

Rumour - Dublin U2 Tour Dates?

I know I shouldn't bite when it isn't official, but I can't resist this rumour! On the @U2 Forum they are saying that an Irish newspaper and 2fm have said that the Irish dates for the next U2 tour in Dublin are 24, 25 and 26 July at Croke Park. They are also saying that the tour opens in Barcelona and will also play Paris, Nice, London and Manchester. I wish the band would announce the tour dates, so I can get my travels sorted for this year!

First Snowdrop!

The UK has been hit by snow straight from Russia, there have been heavy snowfalls especially in the south of the country, where the wintry weather caused absolute chaos. Here in Cumbria in the far north of England we are used to quite severe weather at this time of year but we escaped the worst of this icy blast. Yesterday we woke up to about three inches of snow (which is a lot for us, we rarely get snow). My neighbour built a snowman and my dog Max barked at it for about ten minutes thinking it was a real person (he's not very bright). My puppy Pepsi ignored the snowman (he's bright) and almost disappeared in the three inches of snow, but he thought it was great fun to leap through it with boundless energy through the first snow he'd ever seen!

My snowy front garden

It rained overnight and so today most of the snow has gone, and then I saw that the first snowdrop had blossomed in my garden! It's always a special day for me when I see the first snowdrop, it's the sign that spring is not too far off. By time I get to the end of January the days are starting to get longer and I'm ready to say goodbye to the winter, so the that snowdrop has a special significance for me. such a delicate yet tough flower. So here's to the spring, and, hopefully, a warm summer!