Album Review by EDF
This is a biased review. There, I said it. It had to be done. I am a U2 fan and proud of it. As far as this album goes, fans will be proud of it too. The opening track, VERTIGO is a blistering guitar driven track about playing rock ‘n’ roll. MIRACLE DRUG owes a little to the feel and approach to early 1980’s U2. This song about hope shows off Bono’s lyrical range while ONE STEP CLOSER and SOMETIMES YOU CAN’T MAKE IT ON YOUR OWN are both about Bono’s deceased father, with the latter track guaranteed to send shivers down your spine. Of course this album is not just about Bono. In fact, this is more of The Edge’s album as is highlighted on the cut and paste job of LOVE AND PEACE OR ELSE featuring a Brian Eno keyboard spot. The lyrical wonder of CITY OF BLINDING LIGHTS is something that first time visitors to New York can relate to.
Another stadium rock monster that unleashes itself onto the listener’s ears is ALL BECAUSE OF YOU. A MAN AND A WOMAN and ORIGINAL OF THE SPECIES reminds us that when U2 keep it simple, the results are so memorable you can imagine them appearing on the streets somewhere busking these tunes. Eventually, Bono, the activist was going to surface as he does on CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE, which recounts how it was difficult to convince fundamentalist Christians in America to help in the fight against Aids in Africa. YAHWAH is a typical soaring U2 song that in its own way brings hope and religion to those who have lost faith with the world. Depending where you are, the last track on this album is FAST CARS, a fun acoustic Moroccan sounding track that was recorded on the last day in the studio. For the first time in nearly 20 years, U2 have released 2 brilliant albums in a row. Yes, the boys have showed that after 25 years, they still have a range, imagination and emotion that put some other bands to shame.
