So, it's the end of the year and all the best-of/biggest-seller lists are coming out. Apart from NPR, U2 seem to be doing remarkably well on these lists, considering all the kvetching there was about the quality of the album and its sales. Rolling Stone, in particular, still seems to love No Line on the Horizon. They predictably always love U2 (I'm not complaining; their enthusiasm has produced some really great articles over the years), but still, it's nice to see that their love for the album hasn't dimmed since March. It's always possible they could do an about-face from their positive reviews, as they have done with Pop, but I don't think they will.
U2's unusual release schedule this year has given us a situation to review their work for 2009 in a way that we don't normally have. They've normally just released the album at the end of the occidental calendar year. They're normally still on tour at the end of the calendar year, not on a six-month hiatus. For the past couple albums, they've normally just received a load of the highest Grammy nominations, not a few low-tier awards. We don't normally have this breathing room with the band at a time of the year when many of us pause and reflect on what the past year has brought us.
I've found myself thinking about No Line on the Horizon a lot over the past few weeks. "Disappearing Act" has been a powerful reminder of how much I love the band's music, especially their bitter and/or judgmental songs. (Yes, "Disappearing Act" is from the Unforgettable Fire remaster, but I still consider to be current with No Line….) Bono's lyrics are always best when he's passing judgment, especially criticism: "Please," "Dirty Day," "One Tree Hill," "A Sort of Homecoming," "Crumbs From Your Table." "Disappearing Act" prompted me to re-evaluate the album, since I'd put it aside to a degree for a couple months. It doesn't sound as cold as it did when it first came out. I've got "Unknown Caller" playing right now, and it doesn't feel like the bizarre, fascinating commentary on what technology can do for us that I took it to be when I first heard it. It feels like a gospel song. I still think that the middle combo of "Crazy Tonight"/"Get on Your Boots"/"Stand-Up Comedy" is woefully out of place on the album, but the single mix of "Crazy Tonight" and the live remix have made me appreciate the song instead of almost totally disliking it. "Fez-Being Born" is still one of the most interesting songs I think the band has ever done, but it's got a greater context in their catalogue for me now. "No Line on the Horizon," still my favorite song on the album and the track that should have been the first single, has cracked my top 10 favorite U2 songs, something I never thought a song from this album would do. And of course, "Breathe" has always rocked.
It was a tough album to get into. I underestimated it. It has a heart as strong as anything they've released. However, rather than wearing it for show on their sleeves, as usual, they've buried it beneath so many layers that it's like they're getting ready for an Arctic stroll. If it were any other act, I wouldn't have put out the effort. Even their other "difficult" albums like Passengers and Pop didn't require this much effort. The band is fortunate that they've got such a die-hard fan-base that is willing to spend the time. I'm glad as hell that I did.
Sorry for the essay there. It's been kind of a light news week, so I figured I'd make this more of a reflective OTR. Here are a few closing thoughts, though:
I got to see my first 360 show a month and a half ago. Without a doubt, the biggest, most astonishing thing I've ever seen in my life. It wasn't necessarily my favorite U2 show ever, due to the greatest hits-heavy set list, but I was constantly amazed at how such a massive, bizarre structure could be turned into such a beautiful work of giant art. It was also sweet to see U2 in their natural environment. For all the talk of how people prefer arena shows due to the more intimate environs, seeing four men (in truth, one man) own a space that normally requires two football teams was a revelation. The arena shows were some of the best nights of my life, but the stadium is where I feel like I got to see the band at their most magnificent.
New U2.com exclusive album = some more yawn for everyone. I'm patiently waiting for the day when they actually try on one of these.
I may not be much of a Black Eyed Peas fan, but Fergie knows how to work it. She owns their music and their stage.
The best cover the band has done, and appropriate for this time of year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfIWCiX21qg
I'm fortunate enough to get to spend the next year and a half studying in Europe, so I hope to make new U2 buddies in Spain and France. European crowds just seem to get the thrill of a concert more than their North American counterparts, so getting to attend a European show has me super-mega-excited. See you in San Sebastian!
© @U2/Ryan, 2009.
