How to listen to the new U2 album before it's released--LEGALLY (1 Viewer)

[Clint B]

I'm listening to it right now, through the good graces of the folks at U2.com. You do have to register to hear it, but it's free. You listen to the tracks one at a time, but the entire album is there for the listening. It's quite good so far!

 

[John Garcia]

This was all over the news after a statement that they were aware of the pirated versions floating around.

 

[Angelo.M]

Disappointing album. :frowning:

 

[John Garcia]

IMO, practically everything since Rattle & Hum has been disappointing :frowning: (coming from a fan since 1980) I even stopped going to shows.

 

[Angelo.M]

John:

I almost completely agree, except that I don't like Rattle and Hum, the film (or ego project) or the album, and I think AB is interesting, but not great. I've been fan since around '83.

 

[John Garcia]

I didn't love Rattle & Hum either, but there were at least a few good tracks off there and their live show was still good, not full of itself. Still a good vibe at that point, but like you, I didn't like where it seemed to be going already. They seemed to do a 180; changed from simple honest music to catchy commercial crap. Since I have all their early stuff on vinyl, I don't listen to them that often any longer (no turntable right now). Favorite album would still have to be The Unforgettable Fire, but I like all of them before that.

 

[Ted Lee]

hmm...hard to diagnose.

initial reaction is that the cd is too mellow. but i'm more into mellow music these days so this may be a good thing. vertigo is certainly the "we need a pop single" release - that's for sure.

regardless, the idiotic completist in me will pick this up.

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been a fan since early 80's, seen them on every tour since joshua tree...oh wait...i skipped the pop tour. they still put on a rockin concert though. but i certainly agree they don't have that "raw" edge like they did before and right around the joshua tree days.

but i can't fault them for being experimental and growing. gotta remember these guys are ... what .... late 40's now? it's not like they're going to sound (or probably want to sound) like they did 15 years ago.

 

[Angelo.M]

Ditto. UF is also my favorite.

I've been able to catch each tour except Popmart. Best were the War Tour and JT Tour (saw them in NJ with Lone Justice years ago--great show).

 

[Tim Hoover]

Actually, it's a Joshua Tree outtake

Regarding the new album, I'm inclined to agree with Ted. My first impression was "When did they turn into Sting?"

 

[Brian L]

I gave each of the new tracks about 30 seconds to grab my attention.....weak, to put it mildly.

I love up-tempo U2, but when they get slow and ponderous, its nothing I want to listen to.

And by my reckoning, there are maybe only a handful of up-tempo to medium tempo tracks, the rest are just slowwwwwww mellow pieces. I am sure the lyrics tell wonderful stories, but I want to rock.

Methinks the critics (at least the fellow in Time) is drinking way too much of U2's kool-aide. I could probably take ATYCLB and the new one, and distill 'em down to one decent EP.

At times these guys remind me of Queen...when they want to (or wanted to in Queen's case), they can kick-ass like nobody can, but when they throttle back, its like Muzak for the socially concerned. Which is fine, if thats what you like, but I prefer my rock music full-throttle.

BGL

 

[Angelo.M]

And this was supposed to be a "guitar album." Come to think of it, so were "Pop" and "ATYCLB." Also come to think of it, I didn't buy those either.

 

[John Garcia]

DAMN, that's funny! Ironically, the best show I ever saw them play was the Amnesty International show which included Sting, Peter Gabriel and many others, back when Sting was fun and with Sting and Peter Gabriel on stage with them it was quite amazing; probably one of the best live shows I've experienced.

 

[Ted Lee]

hey angelo, i know you're an ipod fan, so you must have checked out "the complete u2" from itunes....right?

 

[john bourne]

Well, I guess I'm out on an island here....

I kinda dig the new CD, mellow yes, but very "listenable," U2's sound has definitely changed over the years - much like the progression of Pearl Jam, I guess they are just maturing...

 

[Angelo.M]

I just did.

First off, and this is somewhat off-topic, I really wish that iTunes would offer its tracks in AAC 192kbps. We can argue all day long about transparency of the various lossy formats, but AAC 128kbps just doesn't cut it for my ears. That said...

This is a pretty amazing collection. Early singles/EPs! Rarities! The "Point Depot" show! That was a very popular boot back in the day. Boston '81! "The Ground Beneath Her Feet"!

Of course, there's some redundancy and junk as well. You can keep all of the remixes, for example. And why include "Greatest Hits" tracks that are proper album cuts?

 

[Tim Hoover]

Hmmm...I may just have to spring for an Ipod soon. I have both the Point Depot and Boston shows mentioned above on cassette somewhere in the house. I absolutely looooooove Edge's guitar solo on "One Tree Hill" during the Point Depot show. You can actually hear the thing, as opposed to the album version where it's low in the mix and hidden behind a million layers of fuzz

 

[Ted Lee]

yeah, i was pretty impressed with the selection as well.

the live performances appear pretty good. for me, u2 has always been about the live performances and there are some that really appear to take u2's soul to heart. i may put together my own live compilation...not sure yet. kinda annoyed that some of the better live cuts are available album-only ... but oh well.

speaking of which, is 'hasta la vista baby' available anywhere? i remember looking for it in the past, but it seems like some phantom release.

the early stuff was interesting to hear, but i don't think i would pick it up though. about 97.5 percent of the remix stuff is garbage, but there's a couple that are interesting.

i guess if i didn't already have most of the mainstream stuff, i'd drop 150 on it ... it ain't that much to pay to have all the u2 stuff.

 

[Angelo.M]

Yep. It's a travesty that this band--arguably one of the greatest live acts in the history of rock--doesn't have a single, proper live album, let alone a comprehensive live boxed set (ala the Springsteen set).