U2 "Vertigo"

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Okay, so a radio rip of "Vertigo" is making the rounds. It's pretty interesting - way more rocking than I expected (they kept saying that it'd rock, and I took that with a grain of salt, since they said the same about the last one and they told everyone that Pop was a disco album), almost like Bono fronting the Hives or something. There's one guitar part which reminds of the Stone Temple Pilots, even. The bridge is pretty old school Boy-era Edge stuff. I like the song, but I don't love it. It's definitely got me interested in hearing the rest of the record.

What do you think?

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Thursday, 23 September 2004 18:54 (twenty-one years ago)

This Rocks it definitely reminds me of say their old stuff (I will follow) very rocky a good melody almost clash like. Counting down the days to the new album.

― Justin Contursi, Thursday, 23 September 2004 19:01 (twenty-one years ago)

I like how it's the "big corpo rock" version of the style from their first 2 or 3 records. I can't imagine they could sustain this kind of vigor for the length of an entire record anymore... they've gotten too comfortable. I'm betting "Vertigo" is a bait and switch tactic.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Thursday, 23 September 2004 19:05 (twenty-one years ago)

Well, from what I understand, three of the songs are pretty rocking, and the rest is mid-tempo stuff and ballads. Which is basically the formula for every U2 album.

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Thursday, 23 September 2004 19:13 (twenty-one years ago)

All I know is that I really hope that "City Of Blinding Light" is good, because it's one of the best titles in their catalog.

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Thursday, 23 September 2004 19:14 (twenty-one years ago)

I remember reading that they were claiming is was all Sex Pistolsy. True? I somewhat doubt it.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 23 September 2004 19:39 (twenty-one years ago)

First thought was that I was hearing "Elevation," and I got frightened. These lyrics aren't exactly thick with meaning. Maybe Bono scribbled them down on a napkin between meetings or something.

But that "I can feeeeel" in the chorus is straight vintage U2, like a teenage kid screming in the streets at dawn. Then that bridge hits you, and Edge brings out the church chimes, and you're listening to I-Will-Follow style punk all over again. Fantastic. Not bad for a bunch of grown men.

― sixtoe, Thursday, 23 September 2004 19:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Shit, I like it. U2 always does that to me, I never want to like it but I always do.

― molly mcbutter, Thursday, 23 September 2004 19:43 (twenty-one years ago)

thick with meaning

Heh. But, i'm sure they're still plenty "thick".

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 23 September 2004 19:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Lyrics here. Oh, they're thick alright.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Thursday, 23 September 2004 20:03 (twenty-one years ago)

It's gonna be a classic

― Toto, Thursday, 23 September 2004 20:22 (twenty-one years ago)

That middle section, the instrumental part immediately following the 2nd chorus, is a bit Sex Pistolsy.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Thursday, 23 September 2004 20:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Right around the 1:45 mark.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Thursday, 23 September 2004 20:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Apparently, the b-side to "Vertigo" is a cover of Kraftwerk's "Neon Lights" which is apparently floating around out there too. I just haven't found a source for it yet.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Thursday, 23 September 2004 20:36 (twenty-one years ago)

I've got a one-minute snippet of their "Neon Lights" but that's it; it's quite pretty.

Would love to keep reading you guys' comments on this, since over at U2log our thread was just shut down by an avalanche of thirteen-year-olds posting VOTE GEORGE W BUSH 2004 over and over again. Sometimes websites just aren't worth the trouble...

― Chris Conroy, Thursday, 23 September 2004 20:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Okay, so some people are saying this is still not the final version (Bono giving the engineer directions and such in the talkback), but I think taming it down any would really be a bad idea.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Thursday, 23 September 2004 20:45 (twenty-one years ago)

an avalanche of thirteen-year-olds posting VOTE GEORGE W BUSH 2004 over and over again. Sometimes websites just aren't worth the trouble...

That is wildly depressing.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 23 September 2004 20:47 (twenty-one years ago)

I say it's revenge for Bono calling Bush Sr. from the concert stage every night.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Thursday, 23 September 2004 20:50 (twenty-one years ago)

uno, dos, tres, catorce...
1, 2, 3, 14...

r'n'r forever

superb

― udos, Thursday, 23 September 2004 20:56 (twenty-one years ago)

well the lads get damed about if they use meaningful lycrics and if they dont. they get damed if they rock and if they dont, in fact they are damed whatever they they do. but they still do it for me, still showing todays so called bands how to do it. read em and weep. u2 still rock

― NIGEL, Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:02 (twenty-one years ago)

As far as the song's concerned, I'm not 100% sold -- it's fun (and I'm possibly the only person in the world who really really loved "Elevation" with all of my heart), but it just doesn't sound like a style that fits them, to me -- it seems like "punk" isn't something Bono can just do, it feels like an act for him. It makes the song into a kind of comedy record for me -- when they do the BOY/OCTOBER breakdown (which I love) I actually laugh out loud. I can also see them getting hammered by a lot of reviewers for putting on a punk-rock show 25 years into their extremely lucrative career. But then, if you're gonna hate on U2 as a reviewer, it's not like you need a new reason. I'm sure I'll probably end up loving it eventually, but it doesn't normally take me several listens to get into a U2 track...

And man, Bono's lyrics are mighty iffy, aren't they. This one doesn't have even one immediately memorable line in it beyond the "Ola!" and "Donde esta?"

(I'm reopening the comments at U2log, we'll see how it goes.)

― Chris Conroy, Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:06 (twenty-one years ago)

they twinkle as the boys play rock and roll
they know they cant dance
but at least they know....

― nigel, Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:09 (twenty-one years ago)

I can also see them getting hammered by a lot of reviewers for putting on a punk-rock show 25 years into their extremely lucrative career.

yeah, but didn't they dust off all that "we're going back to our Punk roots" rhetoric circa Achtung Baby? Likewise REM circa Monster? At this point, likening your earlier music to Punk Rock isn't something anyone's really going to get up in arms about anymore, somewhat sadly. In a world where Ashlee Simpson and Avril Lavigne are busy appropriating the sartorial trappings of Punk Rock, who could fault U2 (who at least have comparatively credible ties to the genre).

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:10 (twenty-one years ago)

At least U2 are old enough to remember what Punk Rock actually was.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:11 (twenty-one years ago)

A flashback to pre Unforgettable Fire and Joshua Treee... The music is great but the lyrics are shite - then again Kraftwerk were great at sound craft and crap at singing. I bet Neon Lights is better than - Vertigo... Still we have an album to come and hopefully it will rock...

― The munt, Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:13 (twenty-one years ago)

just listened to it again with lights out. it sounds great after all what else is out there to ROCK to right now. busted (lol) (mcfly) lol
or maybe dry your eyes mate this song might just make me give up on music...

― nigel, Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Good - will take several listens. Didn't give me the wow!! feeling of my first listen to Beautiful Day. Goes back to the roots really. Like many others have said, I bet the album is way different.

Still, bet I'll be singing this full volume in the car, come tomorrow night!

― Markus, Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:26 (twenty-one years ago)

Vertigo sounds like a combination of this: starting with big stomping riffs: Jane's Addiction, Sex Pistols, Warrior Soul, Ac/dc: check 1 min 45 seconds for this whole lotta rosie guitar licks, INXS [a similar uptempo/ melodic swagger tempo], check 2 min 15 for The Comsat Angels and Echo & the Bunnymen and a US band called: Dear Mr President - circa 1988 [who later become: Flesh 'n' Blood] and an 80s irish band: Something Happens: who had a single that also used the Hello chant. Also Vertigo isn't that far from 2004 Interpol.

Indeed this single could almost be U2 taking ideas off the more rockier Irish band Something Happens [an Irish band of the mid 80s - early 90s]and another 80s U2 Clone Irish rock band: Tuesday Blue.

it will be a popular radio song, it lasts only 3 min 11 put there is enough variation packed into this time.

U2 are still way short of the 80s irish rock masters: Cactus World News who released the blistering intense rock masterpiece: Urban Beaches

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Anyone remember Blue in Heaven (Irish band)?

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:36 (twenty-one years ago)

ofcourse: explicit material in 1986

u2 + joy division + the stooges + the furs

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:39 (twenty-one years ago)

I remember Blue in Heaven.

This song's not bad at all but the count-in's embarassing. But that's par for the course when Bono opens his mouth these days.

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Very tough to find their stuff these days.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:40 (twenty-one years ago)

um.....i'm having this strange feeling.....could i actually be EXCITED to hear a new U2 song in the year 2004??

i think so.....i'm all confused now.

― M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:41 (twenty-one years ago)

it will be a popular radio song, it lasts only 3 min 11 put there is enough variation packed into this time.

U2 are still way short of the 80s irish rock masters: Cactus World News who released the blistering intense rock masterpiece: Urban Beaches

-- DJ Martian (altmartinu...), September 23rd, 2004.

oh for crying out loud.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Blue In Heaven: were a far more convincing rock band than U2 on Vertigo in the Angst dept - the slashing burning riffs and a moody angry vocal display.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:41 (twenty-one years ago)

ha, kilian your too young to remember the irish rock 80s.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:42 (twenty-one years ago)

hey, i remember the four of us and the waterboys!

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:43 (twenty-one years ago)

you rightly forgot to mention An Emotional Fish.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:44 (twenty-one years ago)

i also remeber that u2 band...i quite like them, too

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:45 (twenty-one years ago)

I knew this thread was going to be at the top...I have to put a vote in for it, it sounds good.

― 57 7th (calstars), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:46 (twenty-one years ago)

A-House in 1988 were interesting though, but even better in the demo days of 86. Plus Fountainhead were ace in the electro-rock stakes.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Matt, are you feeling nostalgia?

― 57 7th (calstars), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Less An Emotional Fish and more Fatima Mansions please. Thanks.

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:49 (twenty-one years ago)

what was the name of the fatima mansions album released around 1992?

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Haha, I was thinking about An Emotional Fish the other day, but why...oh right, I was stuck seeing the Thrills and thinking that even AEF was better than them.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:53 (twenty-one years ago)

a friend of mine worked in the housing estate that fatima mansions were named after. it's a scary place. i have no idea what that album is called, sorry martian.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Less An Emotional Fish and more Fatima Mansions please. Thanks.

Forget ye not Microdisney.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:57 (twenty-one years ago)

1992? AMG lists Valhalla Ave and Tima Mansio Dumps the Dead. For me it's still 90's Viva Dead Ponies though.

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:57 (twenty-one years ago)

That goes without saying, Alex.

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:57 (twenty-one years ago)

ned the thrills have at least 4 good songs - that's four more than AEF had, at least.

microdisney is sean 'high llamas' o hagan, isn't it?

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 23 September 2004 21:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Microdisney was also Cathal "Fatima Mansions" Coughlan.

Anyone remember Zerra One?

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Thursday, 23 September 2004 22:05 (twenty-one years ago)

"Vertigo" is a pretty decent song. Better than the singles from the last album, which I couldn't stand for the most part. There's something about the bassline that bugs me -- they're going for a really heavy, pit of your stomach feel and it's not hitting home for me. Otherwise, I've got no complaints. There have been a lot of comments here about crap lyrics but I don't really listen to lyrics until the 3rd or 4th play.

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Thursday, 23 September 2004 22:17 (twenty-one years ago)

A & R scouts hunt like sharks: U2 were big - so every major label dispatched an A & R scout to Dublin in 1985 looking for rock bands.

Melody Maker had an Irish rock bands issue in February 1986 - highlighting many new bands.

Zerra One were one of the worst to get a deal - they were the Irish Then Jerico.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Thursday, 23 September 2004 22:17 (twenty-one years ago)

a quick scan of the allmusic reveals that microdisney were both coughlan and o'hagan...as for u2, i would like a whole album with the vocals very low in the mix, please. i take it this is not forthcoming?

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Thursday, 23 September 2004 22:24 (twenty-one years ago)

i would like to see U2 go progressive epic rock ala Tool.

Or imagine U2 going pagan black metal band with a joint effort from fellow irish types:

Primordial
http://www.hammerheart.com/primordial/index2.htm

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Thursday, 23 September 2004 22:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Bono drenched in corpsepaint and Edge learning atmospheric black metal riffs

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Thursday, 23 September 2004 22:30 (twenty-one years ago)

and Edge learning atmospheric black metal riffs

"Learning"? I always think of the Edge as knowing every single mathematical guitar riff possible. I'm pretty sure that when U2 aren't recording or touring, he just sits around his house playing guitar ALL DAY. Then at around 10 or 11PM, he knocks it off for a sandwich and an hour of browsing astronomy websites. It's like what Michael Stipe said about Peter Buck in an interview the other day -- all he does when R.E.M. isn't busy is play with his daughters and listen to old records...

― Chris Conroy, Thursday, 23 September 2004 22:45 (twenty-one years ago)

learning was implied that edge hasn't experienced black metal such as Emperor ala anthems to the welkin at dusk.

i could be wrong, maybe Edge regularly reads Terrorizer magazine?

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Thursday, 23 September 2004 22:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Pity about the new art direction....

http://galeon.com/u2magazine/NUEVA/universalpromoU2.jpg

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 24 September 2004 01:49 (twenty-one years ago)

jeez, is early '90s back-of-book ad-space art direction back again already?

― Cripps Pink (Jody Beth Rosen), Friday, 24 September 2004 01:55 (twenty-one years ago)

suddenly i feel like buying an emf album

― Cripps Pink (Jody Beth Rosen), Friday, 24 September 2004 01:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Unbelievable.

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Friday, 24 September 2004 02:13 (twenty-one years ago)

is that the cover art or just an ad, though?

if it is the cover....well....er.....hmm

― Gear! (Gear!), Friday, 24 September 2004 02:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Same sorta direction as...

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000TB050.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 24 September 2004 02:18 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm personally not positive that that's a legit promo image. For one thing, that's just a treated version of a photo that recently appeared in BLENDER magazine, and the art direction is similar, but not exactly like, the legitimate cover of the VERTIGO promo single -- and both that photo and that cover hit the web about 48 hours before that image, which puts it squarely in fan-Photoshop territory. I can tell you with 95% accuracy that that is NOT the album's cover image -- we've heard from a pretty damn good source that the cover image has them sitting down on it. (Y'know, as befits 40-plussers.)

― Chris Conroy, Friday, 24 September 2004 02:38 (twenty-one years ago)

I just wish Bono would ditch the Paris Hilton look. And Larry finally looks like he's succeptible to the rigors of age. Translation: put your shirt back on.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 24 September 2004 02:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Finally listening to this now. Seems to me Bono's going to have a hard time hitting the high note ("I can FEEEEEEL....") in the live capactiy. Also, this song sounds a bit like a composite of past U2 styles, no? Or am i just sleep-deprived?

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 24 September 2004 03:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Who produced this? I had heard they were using Chris Thomas (there's your punk connection right there) but that they ultimately went with Lillywhite again (no Eno this time, just like, er, "Pop"). Of course, in this digital age Chris Thomas and Steve Lillywhite sound like everyone else.

― Josh in Chicago (Josh in Chicago), Friday, 24 September 2004 13:12 (twenty-one years ago)

oh well.

guess that the end of my love-in with u2.

i only came on board when they 'experimented' a little with their sound (ie Actung Baby and beyond ) the earlier stuff just always washed over me ... and this track does indeed hark back to boy/war era ..

― mark e (mark e), Friday, 24 September 2004 13:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Steve Lillywhite produced the new album.

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Friday, 24 September 2004 14:50 (twenty-one years ago)

It's the bridge of "Victoria" by The Kinks.

― billstevejim, Saturday, 25 September 2004 03:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Finally listening to this now. Seems to me Bono's going to have a hard time hitting the high note ("I can FEEEEEEL....") in the live capactiy. Also, this song sounds a bit like a composite of past U2 styles, no? Or am i just sleep-deprived?

Maybe. I did think of "I Will Follow" when I heard this.

― Aja (aja), Saturday, 25 September 2004 19:31 (twenty-one years ago)

This is the worst first single off an album from them ever.

― edward o (edwardo), Saturday, 25 September 2004 23:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Yes, worse than Discotheque.

― edward o (edwardo), Saturday, 25 September 2004 23:20 (twenty-one years ago)

"Discotheque" is better than "Beautiful Day."

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 25 September 2004 23:25 (twenty-one years ago)

but I think the latter is unlistenable.

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 25 September 2004 23:25 (twenty-one years ago)

They're both unlistenable!

― edward o (edwardo), Saturday, 25 September 2004 23:28 (twenty-one years ago)

This is the worst first single off an album from them ever.

You're all clearly forgetting "Numb" off Zooropa.

"Discotheque" is fucking great, by the way.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Sunday, 26 September 2004 00:12 (twenty-one years ago)

No it isn't. It's the worst song off the (for the most part) quite unfairly-maligned Pop, and Numb isn't THAT bad.

― edward o (edwardo), Sunday, 26 September 2004 00:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Numb isn't THAT bad.

Well, it's not THAT good either, is it. It's a doodle. An unfinished sketch...like most of the rest of the album that spawned it.

"Discotheque" has, at least, a great riff...although, I'll admit....the lyrics about bubblegum are pure shit.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Sunday, 26 September 2004 00:18 (twenty-one years ago)

"Numb" was, at the very least, a brave first single, because it's really weird, and it sort of came out of nowhere. I definitely appreciate "Discotheque" a lot more today than 7 years ago. "Beautiful Day" is ok, but it was probably their least best lead single, until "Vertigo."

― billstevejim, Sunday, 26 September 2004 02:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Weird song. It's like "Ray of Light" spliced with Pearl Jam's "Habit." But I kinda like it. It has a real energy that reflects the times ... dance tonight because tomorrow might not be here.

And I actually like "Numb, "Discoteque," AND "Beautiful Day." The latter being the best of the three. Of course, nothing will ever beat "With or Without You" as a first single. What a perfect song ...

― Chris O., Sunday, 26 September 2004 02:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Wow, I hate it. I heard it last night. It's terrible; it's droney, dull, and repetative.

― {Sand in the [vaseline} on the lens] (x Jeremy), Sunday, 26 September 2004 02:14 (twenty-one years ago)

It's many things... but "droney?"

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Sunday, 26 September 2004 02:17 (twenty-one years ago)

= whiney.

― {Sand in the [vaseline} on the lens] (x Jeremy), Sunday, 26 September 2004 02:22 (twenty-one years ago)

This sounds like the Offspring, right down to the Spanish countdown that kicks it off. They seem excited about that new Batman movie.

― edgar frog, Sunday, 26 September 2004 02:48 (twenty-one years ago)

"Numb" was, at the very least, a brave first single, because it's really weird, and it sort of came out of nowhere.

This is true.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Sunday, 26 September 2004 14:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Does anyone else remember that "The Fly" was the first single/video from "Achtung Baby?" Now that's what I call brave. I remember coming across that one on MTV and just thinking WTF?!

― Josh in Chicago (Josh in Chicago), Sunday, 26 September 2004 19:54 (twenty-one years ago)

I thought "the Fly" was fucking awesome. I remember hearing Edge quoted when someone asked about the guitar doodle before the drums kick in...

"That's the sound of four guys chopping down the Joshua Tree!"

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Sunday, 26 September 2004 19:56 (twenty-one years ago)

I thought "Mysterious Ways" was the first Achtung single.

― billstevejim, Sunday, 26 September 2004 21:35 (twenty-one years ago)

The Fly
Mysterious Ways
One

Those were 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Who's Gonna Ride... and Even Better... were singles also, but I can't remember the order.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Sunday, 26 September 2004 21:57 (twenty-one years ago)

To be fair, often times UK singles and US singles don't always mesh up.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Sunday, 26 September 2004 23:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Is Bono singing in Portugese at the begining?

Show off! Just because your a citizen of the world, or something like that, you don't have to sing in a strange foreign language.

― Aja (aja), Sunday, 26 September 2004 23:12 (twenty-one years ago)

you're

― Aja (aja), Sunday, 26 September 2004 23:12 (twenty-one years ago)

I love Numb, I think it's one of their best ever singles. (speaking as a fan of sparse, minimal backing tracks).

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Sunday, 26 September 2004 23:17 (twenty-one years ago)

order of AB singles, for Paul:

The Fly
Mysterious Ways
One
Even Better Than The Real Thing
Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses
Until The End Of The World (video only)

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Monday, 27 September 2004 11:01 (twenty-one years ago)

why is portuguese any stranger than any other foreign language?

― amateur!!!st (amateurist), Monday, 27 September 2004 12:53 (twenty-one years ago)

didn't bono do a spanish-language cover of "Anarchy in the USA" for some shitty wim wenders flick? that's kind of what i'm imagining this is like (i haven't heard it yet)

― \(^o^)/ (Adrian Langston), Monday, 27 September 2004 14:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Sinceramente, não esperava nada parecido com os três primeiros discos, definitivamente! Os caras ainda mantêm toda a vibração da sua mais tenrra idade - descontando a voz desgastada de Bono - o que certamente resurgiu pelas mãos do competente ( e não coincidente primeiro produtor) Steve lillywhite. Fizeram comparações ao achtung baby mas pelo visto o recomeço desta vez foi a volta as orígens! Que venha então HTDAB.

― Leonardo Salgueiro PE, Friday, 8 October 2004 22:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Ja, du hast rechts.

― My name is Kenny (My name is Kenny), Friday, 8 October 2004 22:33 (twenty-one years ago)

It's a incredible thing, I'm not talkin about the U2 new one. If you wanna see what I mean Look this Brasilian Blog. It's so funny!!

― baygon, Saturday, 9 October 2004 20:39 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.pajaracas1.weblogger.terra.com.br/index.htm

― baygon, Saturday, 9 October 2004 20:41 (twenty-one years ago)

And now here's the video; http://homepage.mac.com/callumalden/gfx/vertigogogo.mov or if that goes crazy wrong, or if you want to right-click save target as - www.callumalden.tk - its in the blog under music, under Kick Ass.... Vertigo Full Length Ad. Thank's apple.

Callum Alden

― Khayyam Alden, Thursday, 21 October 2004 13:03 (twenty-one years ago)

what a terrible song

it's clear they're trying way to hard to be a rock band, and i hate how bono does the uno, dues, tres, quatro bullshit.

― reo, Thursday, 21 October 2004 23:08 (twenty-one years ago)

catorce, but still.

LAME

― reo, Thursday, 21 October 2004 23:10 (twenty-one years ago)

If this is song they've been playing on the Apple commercials, then Sonic Youth should probably talk to their lawyers about how parts of it sound very much like "Dirty Boots".

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Friday, 22 October 2004 02:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh please, Spence, it doesn't suck that bad.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 22 October 2004 02:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Haha. I sort of thought it was ok, but then I realized why. The chorus is almost exactly like the part in "Dirty Boots" that goes "Time to take a ride.."

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Friday, 22 October 2004 02:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Hmmm. Let me listen again.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 22 October 2004 02:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Doesn't anyone else notice this?!

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Friday, 22 October 2004 18:03 (twenty-one years ago)

I really really really don't hear "Dirty Boots" in "Vertigo."

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Friday, 22 October 2004 18:04 (twenty-one years ago)

"Vertigo" would be much better if Bono said "hi de ho" in it.

― Al (sitcom), Friday, 22 October 2004 18:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Two things:

1. "Dirty Boots?" WTF?!
2. Is this the actual video for the song? Or just an extended ad? Because if it's indeed the actual video and the band is pimping iPods I'll have lost any respect I had remaining for them.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Friday, 22 October 2004 18:55 (twenty-one years ago)

it is not the actual video.

― mark p (Mark P), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:02 (twenty-one years ago)

God that was hilarious.

It's "Dirty Boots" via Monster.

It also reminds me of Monster in the sense that I can't totally figure out what emotion they're selling. I don't know exactly how that song would work outside of an ad. It's very Lenny Kravitz.

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:03 (twenty-one years ago)

airbrushed badass

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:03 (twenty-one years ago)

If they are pimping iPods I will gain respect for them in the sense that they clearly aren't afraid of pissing off the (largely nonexistent) cred-obsessed portion of their fanbase.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:06 (twenty-one years ago)

oh and airbrushed badass isn't bad per se, I just like for there to be something MORE to it than that. It seems like the point of this song is for us to break dance at Target to it and nothing more. The Edge guitar break is kinda good. Maybe he'd be nice enough to stop putting those in halfway through the second verse and do his thing over an ENTIRE SONG again.

they're probably going to mention how Apple has donated a million dollars to the some cause of Bono's, so I'm not as amused as I would be if they were just "pimping ipods." Plus Ipods are like, the future of music. This would be better if it was for Doritos. Especially with his speedy rodriguez lilt throughout.

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:09 (twenty-one years ago)

whoops! speedy gonzalez. sorry.

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:09 (twenty-one years ago)

U2's new album! Now available for $5 bucks with any entree at Chi-Chi's!

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:11 (twenty-one years ago)

now it reminds me of fucking "crazy beat" by blur

― cinniblount (James Blount), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:12 (twenty-one years ago)

which also worked best in an ad!

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:14 (twenty-one years ago)

is there actually a market for this? it's not very transcendent or relevant. it lacks the grandeur of bullshit like "beautiful day" or "walk on." plus you can get monster for less than a glass of water at taco bell now.

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Anthony, you're forgetting that people still like U2 while REM doesn't amount to dick.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:23 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah it'll be a hit as much as any other uptempo rock song is nowadays

― cinniblount (James Blount), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:24 (twenty-one years ago)

i know a lot of people like U2 but I don't see why this would do better than, say, "Last Night On Earth." It's definitely got better chances than anything REM's done in years but I can't see them grabbing the pop audience with this. There's no emotional hook and the kids haven't been into this kinda thing since, well, since Monster!

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:32 (twenty-one years ago)

i know a lot of people like U2 but I don't see why this would do better than, say, "Last Night On Earth."

aside from promo blitzes, I mean. And god help me, Lenny Kravitz does this kind of thing with more hooks and HIS albums have been doing poorly since the Greatest Hits.

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:33 (twenty-one years ago)

When was the last time U2 aimed themselves at "the kids"? I think it was maybe 1983.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:34 (twenty-one years ago)

when was the last time "the adults" bought a "rock" album? The hits on All That You Can't Leave Behind were all ballads.

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:35 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm assuming the next single will be more of an inspirational.

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:36 (twenty-one years ago)

ok, the "hello, hello" and "it's everything I wish I didn't know" parts are like the "Dirty Boots" parts that go "Time to take a ride" and "and if you wanna go". I'm not saying the song "sounds" the same, I'm saying that the melody for those few notes is identical.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:37 (twenty-one years ago)

it'll do better than "last night on earth" cuz it's the first single and it's announcing the u2 brand as 'rock! rock! rock!' instead of '"techno"! european!' which turns off certain quarters of the american market (you of all people should be familiar with this).

― cinniblount (James Blount), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:37 (twenty-one years ago)

"beautiful day" and "elevation" were ballads?

― cinniblount (James Blount), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:38 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah it will do better than the 3rd single off a flop but the concept of rock is more techno-y (ipods, man) then actual rawk radio is. the imagery is still pretty european.

"beautiful day" was a ballad. "elevation" wasn't a hit.

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Remember all those claims that "Beautiful Day" ripped off "The Sun Always Shines on TV" by A-Ha? It kinda did, too.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:39 (twenty-one years ago)

compared to this "rock! rock! rock!" song "beautiful day" was DEFINITELY a ballad.

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:40 (twenty-one years ago)

anthony i know you're anti-dancing on principle but i didn't know that included slow dancing. "beautiful day" was not a slow song.

― cinniblount (James Blount), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:40 (twenty-one years ago)

anthony i know you're anti-dancing on principle

ok you're doing your cranky over-reaching thing. over a u2 song's commercial viability. count to 10.

"Beautiful Day" was a power ballad. It wasn't a "1! 2! 3! 4!"

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Compared to Atari Teenage Riot, "Anarchy In The UK" is a ballad. This doesn't actually make "Anarchy In The UK" a ballad.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Hahaha

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:44 (twenty-one years ago)

and if you want to get technical on hit status - in the sense of crossing over to the pop charts and landing in the top fifty (being very generous) - the ONLY hit was "beautiful day". everything else did well on the rock and modern rock charts only and scraped the bottom of the pop charts maaaybe. and the rock charts are practically as relevant as the jazz or classical charts in terms of the pop charts or landscape. no one buys it, no one listens to it.

― cinniblount (James Blount), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:45 (twenty-one years ago)

billboard top 100 peak position

"beautiful day" - 21

"walk on" - didn't chart (peak on other charts: modern rock - 10, mainstream rock - 19)

"elevation" - didn't chart (modern rock - 8, mainstream rock - 21)

"stuck in a moment you can't get out of" - 52 (modern rock and mainstream rock it peaked at 35)

― cinniblount (James Blount), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:49 (twenty-one years ago)

"Elevation" was truly awful as I remember.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 22 October 2004 19:50 (twenty-one years ago)

only song on All That You Can't Leave I really liked! Had no idea it got so high on the modern rock chart (even if yeah, no. 8 on that merely means the subset heard it).

Yeah I thought "Beautiful Day" was the only real crossover, and while yeah it's not a ballad a la "Sister Christian" it's still pretty swoony. It's not a "here comes badass" track, which is what this seems to be and its a position I'm surprised if U2 can pull off commercially.

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:03 (twenty-one years ago)

"Elevation" just seemed so forced. "yeah, we can still rock!" Not quite.

The video for same wherein they fight their evil twins was vastly lamentable.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:06 (twenty-one years ago)

wait - what video was that?????? i just remember the lara croft one

― cinniblount (James Blount), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:08 (twenty-one years ago)

they fought their evil twins with the HELP of Lara Croft! It was hysterical. And "Elevation" was definitely forced in a Monster sense but I like songs from Monster and its dippiness was blessed relief from the emoting "be-as-one" shit on the other tracks (though I can get behind "Stuck In A Moment" if I'm in the right mood).

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:11 (twenty-one years ago)

i swear the opening scene features the line "hello, this is the evil Bono. We have the Edge." wtf.

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:13 (twenty-one years ago)

wait - what video was that?????? i just remember the lara croft one

That is the Lara Croft one. Watch it again, if you can stomach it.

oh xpost. whoops.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:14 (twenty-one years ago)

plus All That You Can benefited from post-9/11 zeitgeist and Grammyosity. Don't see this one getting either of that. Maybe they've got some subtly "Kerry won!" anthems to push out after the election.

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:14 (twenty-one years ago)

yknow people always shit on monster or use it as a punchline in a haha awful awful nineties sense and i always join in or comply silently at least but then afterwards i'll think 'wait a sec, at least half that album's pretty great'.

― cinniblount (James Blount), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Pics like this won't help...

http://u2.reicht.net/history/u2pics2002/2002-03-14-bono-bush.jpg

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:17 (twenty-one years ago)

I saw the MTV Making of the Video for that "evil twin" video. It was the lamest half hour of television ever.

x-post - yeah, at least Monster had some good songs, even though they weren't hits and didn't revitalize R.E.M.'s image, or whatever.

― morris pavilion (samjeff), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Monster had hits! It sold 4 million copies!

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:20 (twenty-one years ago)

(3.9 million of which were then sold back to used cd stores, but whatever)

― n/a (Nick A.), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:22 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah but let's not pretend Cracker Rear View was a flop! That's revisionist.

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Unlike Cracked Rear View, I don't think Monster had much in the way of radio hits, but I could be wrong. I'm sure "Seether" did a lot better at rock radio than anything off Monster.

― morris pavilion (samjeff), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:26 (twenty-one years ago)

"What's The Frequency" and "Bang And Blame" were no. 1 modern rock hits. no. 21 and no. 19 on the pop charts. "Star 69" and "Strange Currencies" also made the modern rock top 20.

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:30 (twenty-one years ago)

"Seether" went to no. 8 on the modern rock charts.

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:31 (twenty-one years ago)

"Crush With Eyeliner" made the mainstream rock top 20 but NOT the modern rock one! Cuz it was so raw.

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Interesting. How did Elastica's "Connection" do, my 1994 checking cuz?

― morris pavilion (samjeff), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Connection made it to no. 2. the info is all at allmusic.com if you register.

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:41 (twenty-one years ago)

no. 2 modern rock that is.

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Hey, I just realized that I saw R.E.M., Veruca Salt, and Elastica in concert that year (or the next)!

― morris pavilion (samjeff), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:42 (twenty-one years ago)

I had my finger on the pulse, y'see.

― morris pavilion (samjeff), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:43 (twenty-one years ago)

My first two concerts ever were the Monster tour in Pittsburgh and at Hersheypark.

― manthony m1cc1o (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 22 October 2004 20:47 (twenty-one years ago)

i like this song now! help me!

― kyle (akmonday), Friday, 22 October 2004 21:22 (twenty-one years ago)

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0006399FS.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

Apparently, dismantling one involves a lot of sitting around in expensive sunglasses and funky shoes.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Sunday, 31 October 2004 22:08 (twenty-one years ago)

This song sounds like "You Keep Me Hangin' On" by the Supremes. Starting where he goes "hello hello" in the chorus you can just hear it:

Set me free, why don't cha babe
Get out my life, why don't cha babe
'Cause you don't really love me
You just keep me hangin' on

― wetmink (wetmink), Monday, 1 November 2004 00:58 (twenty-one years ago)

(pssst... download album here.)

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Sunday, 7 November 2004 00:29 (twenty-one years ago)

this song is currently the no. 1 modern rock track on billboard. I am flabbergasted.

― miccio, Sunday, 7 November 2004 00:56 (twenty-one years ago)

no. 32 on the billboard top 40 already

― miccio, Sunday, 7 November 2004 00:57 (twenty-one years ago)

mark my words: by the end of this year u2 will be a big famous rock group.

― cinniblount (James Blount), Sunday, 7 November 2004 01:23 (twenty-one years ago)

and yet lenny kravitz could barely dent the chart with "Are We Runnin." Racism.

― miccio, Sunday, 7 November 2004 01:25 (twenty-one years ago)

the jews got lenny in the race draft dude

― cinniblount (James Blount), Sunday, 7 November 2004 01:27 (twenty-one years ago)

This song sounds like "You Keep Me Hangin' On" by the Supremes. Starting where he goes "hello hello" in the chorus you can just hear it:

YES! YES! IT'S NOT JUST ME WHO KNOWS THIS!!!

― Jimmy Mod always makes friends with women before bedding them down (ModJ), Sunday, 7 November 2004 02:18 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah, but that's a good thing though right?! i mean the supremes connection.

i like this track. it's nicely recorded.

― amateur!!st, Sunday, 7 November 2004 02:37 (twenty-one years ago)

(psst -thanks Johnny...)

― dave225 (Dave225), Sunday, 7 November 2004 03:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Apparently, dismantling one involves a lot of sitting around in expensive sunglasses and funky shoes.

Did Corbijn even try with the cover photo?

"Just sit down there."

"Oh OK."

*snap*

"$10 million, send me a check. Excuse me, I have to get the stage set ready for Depeche next year."

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 7 November 2004 04:56 (twenty-one years ago)

"i'm sorry bono - even numbered year. gahan gets to wear the cowboy hat."

― cinniblount (James Blount), Sunday, 7 November 2004 12:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Hahahahaha

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Sunday, 7 November 2004 14:23 (twenty-one years ago)

"Stuck in a Personal Jesus You Can't Get Out Of"

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 7 November 2004 14:31 (twenty-one years ago)

is there anything to that joke aside from mixing the titles of a u2 and a depeche mode song?

― amateur!!st, Sunday, 7 November 2004 14:50 (twenty-one years ago)

*wonders if I should go outside and ask somebody if there's anything more to the road other than tar and gravel*

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 7 November 2004 14:53 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.globalhermit.com/ilx/u2-asleep.jpg

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Sunday, 7 November 2004 15:48 (twenty-one years ago)

:-)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 7 November 2004 15:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Note to all people like me who were really into a U2 track for the first time ever ("Vertigo"): that was a one-off, no need to be alarmed, you can savely skip on the album.

― JoB (JoB), Sunday, 7 November 2004 16:10 (twenty-one years ago)

"All Because of You" is passable, if you must.

― JoB (JoB), Sunday, 7 November 2004 16:11 (twenty-one years ago)

I can't recall ever being less enthused about a new U2 album.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Sunday, 7 November 2004 16:59 (twenty-one years ago)

Weird, because I'm thinking it's easily the best thing they've made since Achtung Baby.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Sunday, 7 November 2004 17:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Well, I've only heard the single so far....which, while fine, is hardly worth jumping up and down about.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Sunday, 7 November 2004 17:33 (twenty-one years ago)

It's really the slower songs on the album that are surprisingly great... lots of Unforgettable Fire-type atmosphere going on.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Sunday, 7 November 2004 18:32 (twenty-one years ago)

the song isn't exceptional or anything but like i wrote it's nicely recorded, sounds kind of crunchy (not in the california sense). i have to admit that u2 are a fine band, even their sucky records are pretty damn listenable. "beautiful day" was a total instant classic, patchy overblown lyrics and all.

― amateur!!st, Sunday, 7 November 2004 18:38 (twenty-one years ago)

sounds like the chorus of "dirty boots" by sonic youth + some random vocals from "down" by 311.

― f ath, Sunday, 7 November 2004 19:53 (twenty-one years ago)

it sounds overproduced as usual
the lyrics read like RockStarBono pretending to be 80's Bono
verdict: ignorable

― Bonobo, Monday, 8 November 2004 01:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Well, I really like it a lot. I think that "Love And Peace Or Else," "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own," and "City Of Blinding Lights" are three of the best U2 songs ever.

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Monday, 8 November 2004 16:06 (twenty-one years ago)

The video for "Vertigo" is most unfortunate.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Saturday, 20 November 2004 10:44 (twenty years ago)

I does what it was charged with doing, which is focus the mind on the sheer level of money that U2 have to throw around. It also fucks up the speed of the record at one point, which is always nice.

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Saturday, 20 November 2004 13:27 (twenty years ago)

uno, dos, tres, catorce...

I had thought I was hearing things. Couldn't somebody have corrected this? Gordon Sumner wouldn't make this kind of mistake. And, after all, haven't they heard Wooly Bully?

― Ken L (Ken L), Saturday, 20 November 2004 13:36 (twenty years ago)

Has anyone considered that this was Bono's idea of a joke? Lots of bands warp the usual 1-2-3-4 and maybe he thought he was being irreverent here.

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 20 November 2004 18:23 (twenty years ago)

Yes, it might well be a joke, but if it is, it's about as funny as this allegedly funny joke.

― Ken L (Ken L), Saturday, 20 November 2004 20:56 (twenty years ago)

yeah but its shorter and less predictable

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 20 November 2004 21:01 (twenty years ago)

But thousands of kids around the world will grow up learning how to count incorrectly in Spanish, if we are to believe the Eggman. Who will be laughing then? Or, as Bono and no doubt Sting would put it:

¿Quién ríe ...quién llora?

― Ken L (Ken L), Saturday, 20 November 2004 22:13 (twenty years ago)

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