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"So one of the reasons we invented this entity Passengers, is to allow U2 to be somebody else besides U2, I suppose." -- Brian Eno |
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"So one of the reasons we invented this entity Passengers, is to allow U2 to be somebody else besides U2, I suppose." -- Brian Eno |
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@U2 QOM April 2010: Music Recommendations for U2U2 wants to listen to one non-U2 album from your personal collection. What non-U2 music would you give U2, and why?
@U2,
May 05, 2010
(Each month, @U2 puts a spotlight on U2 fans with our "Question of the Month." We pose a question to our readers and invite answers of 200 words or less. If you're interested in taking part, check our home page to see if the current question is still open. If not, check back shortly after the beginning of next month and we'll have another question ready to be answered!)
Jeff Young: The Dead Weather Horehound. There's some edginess (no pun intended) that they bring that I think could be infused into U2's music right now. Not just to emulate that style, but to just let loose and bring it! Add a radical feel and free yourselves up a bit! Let loose boys! Ellen Schoof: Hei, I would advise U2 to listen to Norwegian folk music, especially Lillebjørn Nilsen. I am a Dutch U2-fan who has learned lots of Norwegian, because I love landscapes that look like that in the "A Sort of Homecoming" video (though that's Sweden, not far from Norway). And I love the sound and melody of Scandinavian languages and dialects. Nilsen is a right man who sings folk music in different dialects and he also thinks of people from other countries. Of course he learned me more of the language, but most important: he uses rhythm that only Norwegians can produce, because that language has a lot of itself. I have extremely sharp ears and good rhythm and words are great for me, also in U2 music. I love the Norwegian violin too, the hardingfele. Nilsen uses one in his songs sometimes. Maybe it is not very easy to understand the good Norwegian texts when you haven't tried to read something Scandinavian before, but Google can help to translate, or you are smart enough together. My favorite typical Norwegian song is Nilsens "Fisketur i øsende regn" ("Fishing when it rains cats and dogs") from the album 40 Spor. Anthony Emerson: I'd give them Hello Hurricane by Switchfoot because it is an album about the moment of surrender. It is about facing the problem that is ourselves and releasing control to a higher power. Thematically, it is very near to NLOTH. One of the songs is even called "The Sound"! Damian Burns: Seldom Seen Kid by Elbow. Because it's simply brilliant. Justin Sims: I'd give them Saturdays=Youth by M83 because I would love to hear them use more synthesizers and dance club electronics on future projects, whether that's on B-sides, albums or EPs. I know they've heard it since a lot of the music played on the PA system before 360 tours was M83 but it's a great album. And I can hear Bono's voice echoing across some of the synthesizer atmospheres the album creates. Edge's ringing guitar would no doubt adapt well to the sound as well. Larry and Adam, of course, would make the rhythm even better. Johnny D: That's a tough one. Maybe Hello, Mannequin by Joy Electric. Reason: U2 may be kind of over electronic music per se, but that's one album I own they may never have heard, and I think they may be encouraged or perhaps inspired by another artist that synthesizes artistic innovation with Christian spirituality without slumming it in the "Christian rock" ghetto. Sean McGee: I would give U2 OneRepublic's Dreaming Out Loud. I would give them that because well, it's got some good pop songs on there and some good rockier songs (not much rock though). Leo Gonzalez: When U2 announced recording sessions in Morocco for what would become No Line on the Horizon, I was intrigued and very eager to hear the final result. One of my favourite bands is The Tea Party, a trio that was around from 1990 to 2005, and they had a very unique sound that was infused with Middle Eastern influences. On most of their albums, the band used many instruments not usually associated with rock music, such as the sitar, sarod and oud. The best example of this melding of styles was on their second album, The Edges of Twilight, released in 1995. I would highly recommend this album to U2. Listening to a song like "Fez-Being Born" makes me want to hear more of this style of music from U2, and The Edges of Twilight would prove a valuable listening experience for the band to see just how far you can take this sound. Elsha Stockseth: I would probably have them listen to The African Children’s Choir because they are such inspirational kids. They have been through so much yet they are so happy especially when they are performing. I hope that one day everyone gets a chance to hear and see the choir because they will change the way you look at the world. Brian Mahoney: Rush 2112 -- most progressive for its time. Joey Santa Cruz :Flogging Molly -- They are great live, very political and have good music to back it up. Drunken Lullabies is my fave. Check it out. Allison Lehenbauer: For me this is a tough one. It is a toss-up between two, the first being Nothing Is Sound by my other favorite band, Switchfoot (although you could pick any album of theirs blindfolded and not go wrong), and also Ry Cooder's Chavez Ravine. I love music that mixes elements that don't sound like they would go together but end up sounding amazing! Chavez Ravine is one. It is an interesting social commentary, partly political, and an amazing mix of mariachi and jazz! Everybody should own both these albums! Doug Watson: Direct Action by The Alarm. Just came out a couple of days ago and it would be a fitting album for a band who believe in change to hear once again a band that toured with them back in the early days. All these years on, Mike Peters has a passion for good music and a longing that the music he makes will make a difference in the lives of those who listen. A similar passion exists in the heart of U2. So that would be my recommendation and that's what I'd give the members of U2. John Marston : My choice for a non-U2 album would be Elvis' Back In Memphis (the Legacy edition) album. It contains the most mature and varied work of his career. Recorded at American Studios in his hometown (and my hometown) of Memphis in 1969, these songs include the classic "Suspicious Minds" and some wonderful covers of soul, country, and pop music. My particular favorite is "Wearin' That Loved On Look" -- a funky soul song that Elvis completely makes his own. The album as a whole makes for some great listening and shows why Elvis was considered the King! Daithi G.: It would have to be Play by Moby. Such a perfect album of relaxing melodies and quirky tones. An album I can listen to and never need to reach for the controls to skip a track! A bit like Zooropa. Julie: I would give The Cure Disintegration to U2 to listen to because (like Achtung Baby) this album pulled me through some stressful times in my life. I would play the cassette (and eventually CD) over and over to forget the stresses of the day. Robert Smith & Co pulled together awesome lyrics and amazing music to create a wonderful album and each song has a different memory attached to it. One example is the song "Pictures of You" that reminds me of a love lost but a friend gained; although we didn't succeed as a couple we have remained great friends and that song reminds me of a time of great happiness. Erin Wefel: I have to say Rob Zombie's Past, Present, and Future. Pete Stacey: My answer would be to give them a listen to Bitte Orca by Dirty Projectors. It's a forward-facing album, and one that sounds distinctly uncommercial. In fact, that's exactly what I think U2 should do with their next record; stick to a vision, forget trying to wedge in singles, forget Radio America and just go for it!
(c) @U2/individual contributors above, 2010.
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Nugget: Odyssey Number Five by Powderfinger, with "Stumblin" as a bonus track, just so they can hear the line "I'm stumblin' all of the way, 'cause it's not such a beautiful day." 