2017 was, as I’m sure you know the anniversaries of a couple of U2 albums–The Joshua Tree, celebrating thirty years, and Pop, which was released twenty years ago last year. We spent a good deal of time commemorating both releases, both here in these articles of mine and elsewhere (including a little tour that you […]
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A couple of weeks ago, I had cause to listen to and think about the Passengers album. I know that there is a lot of debate as to whether or not the album should even be considered part of U2’s catalog. I personally feel that since the band has performed songs from this album live, […]
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I have a fair bit of respect and admiration for Marvin Gaye–he’s not even my favorite R&B singer from the sixties or seventies, but I recognize that he wrote some fantastic social commentary that still resonates today. Bono, however–Bono must be a pretty big fan of the late singer-songwriter. At least, he really likes the […]
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Bono is a fan of space travel. He made no secret of that fact during the 360 Tour, even singing “space travel turns me on,” and featuring countless visits via satellite with those amazing men and women who were serving aboard the International Space Station. That I can think of right now (and this might […]
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Like most of you fellow U2 fans who are reading this, I go through phases in my U2 listening. There are some songs, for instance, that I just get in a mood for sometimes.
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With Valentine’s Day this week, I thought that it would be appropriate to cover one of the love songs from U2’s latest album. I chose the bonus track “The Book of Your Heart,” which is only available on the deluxe edition of Songs of Experience. As I said, it is a love song, but it […]
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Of the many references, both subtle and overt, to Songs of Innocence that can be found on Songs of Experience, the one that I think I enjoy the most is probably found in “13 (There is a Light).”
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When U2 debuted “The Little Things That Give You Away” in Vancouver this past May, I wasn’t sure what to think of it at first. I thought that the piano during the first half of the song was a little predictable and formulaic, and I didn’t get immediately what the lyric was about.
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One of my favorite guitar parts on the new album is the recurring riff that appears in “Summer of Love.” It’s chill and beautiful and melodic and serves as a great counterpoint to Bono’s vocal on the chorus, peaking in a high note just as the singer’s voice drops. It is a deceptively sophisticated piece […]
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Last week, I wrote about “Red Flag Day,” a song that I only came to appreciate after a few listens. This week, I’m writing about a song that I have a similar relationship with — that is, one that didn’t bowl me over with my first listen, but one that I have come to love […]
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