U2 - 'I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight'
U2 get their fair share of thoughtless flack, it's fair to say. Some people can't stick Bono's unique personality cocktail - one part social conscience, one part charisma, three parts ego - others have a problem with the hot air, of which so many of their songs seem to be pumped full. And there's a strong contingent that claims that they're a betrayal of the essential spirit of rock 'n' roll, and a sign that standards have slipped in the world since...y'know...THEN.
I tend to think there's a lot to love about the band, but that doesn't mean they're above criticism. After a decade mucking about with silly old pop music, they've spent three albums going back to their musical roots, and there are definite signs that they could possibly do with stretching out again, before they end up recycling themselves out of existence.
(. It's purdy!)
Bono, after babbling incoherently through 'Get On Your Boots', and over-reaching to try and achieve something decent on 'Magnificent', now sounds husky and tired. His voice straining to hit the high notes and lacking in power. He sounds, for want of a better word, spent.
Whether this is because of all of his extra-curricular activities or just that he's getting on a bit these days is hard to tell. But could we maybe suggest an afternoon nap once in a while? It would probably help to sell this lyric about going wild if the person singing it didn't already sound hungover.
Bono is not the sole problem, for once. Everyone appears to be puffed-out and coasting on this. The Edge, sparkly and twinkly as ever, has mined this particular riff seam for over 25 years now, and seems to be attempting to make a fresh nugget from the crumbs of old ideas he has already dug out and polished up. Adam and Larry aren't exactly spurring him to new heights either.
And it can't be fun for the band or their audience in a gig situation, everyone knowing they've got any amount of astonishing songs to play, but having to endure what is essentially a photocopy of a photocopy of a drawing of a brass-rubbing of what they sound like when they are good, in the name of progress.
I'd have given them an extra star for it being - all things considered - not that bad a song, but the TV phone ads that use the second verse have rather ruined things. Or, further ruined things, to be accurate.
Download: Out now
CD Released: September 7th
³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Music page
(Fraser McAlpine)
Comment number 1.
At 1st Sep 2009, keithfusco wrote:Shame they're not as 'good' as they used to be.
Maybe they should maybe give it up, so go back to re-record some greatest hits for a new album and then do one last tour with all of the songs from the back catalogue?
If I was them, I'd be back home drinking Guinness.
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Comment number 2.
At 1st Sep 2009, Sagna Is Predator wrote:Fraser do you see any hits from No Line On The Horizon? I instantly thought Breathe was a good song when I heard it, but surely they would've released it by now?
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Comment number 3.
At 1st Sep 2009, RandomEnigma wrote:Is the year of underwhelming comebacks or what?
U2, Eminem and Green Day just aren't releasing very exciting material these days.
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Comment number 4.
At 1st Sep 2009, Daniel wrote:U2 who?
It's about time they went home and put their slippers on.
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Comment number 5.
At 2nd Sep 2009, BloggingLiam wrote:Aqua are currently making a come back. Cant wait.
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Comment number 6.
At 2nd Sep 2009, dakdrummerboy wrote:so farI think this is one of their best albums...it's not much for new riffs but it sounds great.
It sounds a lot like the unforgettable fire and rattle and hum...my two favorite albums...is nice to hear some old stuff woth the new
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Comment number 7.
At 2nd Sep 2009, CurtainJerker wrote:Not listened to the song, but the title sounds like something by an 80s hair-metal band.
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Comment number 8.
At 2nd Sep 2009, RandomEnigma wrote:I do actually like this song though, it's way better than Get On Your Boots and Manificent.
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Comment number 9.
At 10th Sep 2009, mickydint wrote:The album is a huge improvement on the past two efforts and at least they are going forwards again as a creative force. I think the perceptual damage was done as when they released 'Get on your boots' as the lead single (oddly this song sounds as if it belongs in this album and not on the radio).
On the gig side of things, I had the good fortune to witness U2 in Sheffield (supported by the fantasic Elbow) and I have to say that the gig is easily one of the best I've been to. Just like Achtung Baby and the Zoo TV/Zooropa tour, the new songs just seem to come to life and belong on the 360 tour stage.
In summary, it's a decent uplifting song by a band who are getting a little long in the tooth but are still pushing to discover new sounds to keep THEMSELVES and the fans interested.
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