U2 fans are among the most rabid fans around. There are some who believe they haven't produced a great record since the Joshua Tree, while others have loved everything they have produced since, but not the early stuff. I guess that is partly to be expected from a rock group that has spanned over 3 decades...I am a fan of several different eras in the evolution of U2, but I think I am specifically drawn to Rattle and Hum. R & H was an album that fans and critics have often cited as the worst effort by the band. To me it captures the essence of what they distilled on the Joshua Tree record combined with an homage to American music, particularly rhythm and blues and early rock icons like Dylan and Hendrix. There is something visceral about the album that captures a still young band at a crucial moment in their career. The lyrics are among some of the best by Bono coupled with the gritty, yet reflective nature of the music the band produced in the late 1980s. Listening to it always takes me back to being an early adolescent, excited about one of the first CDs I ever purchased and listening to the magic of the music of U2 and even then recognizing there was something different about this band.
Showing posts with label bands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bands. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Rattle and Hum
U2 fans are among the most rabid fans around. There are some who believe they haven't produced a great record since the Joshua Tree, while others have loved everything they have produced since, but not the early stuff. I guess that is partly to be expected from a rock group that has spanned over 3 decades...I am a fan of several different eras in the evolution of U2, but I think I am specifically drawn to Rattle and Hum. R & H was an album that fans and critics have often cited as the worst effort by the band. To me it captures the essence of what they distilled on the Joshua Tree record combined with an homage to American music, particularly rhythm and blues and early rock icons like Dylan and Hendrix. There is something visceral about the album that captures a still young band at a crucial moment in their career. The lyrics are among some of the best by Bono coupled with the gritty, yet reflective nature of the music the band produced in the late 1980s. Listening to it always takes me back to being an early adolescent, excited about one of the first CDs I ever purchased and listening to the magic of the music of U2 and even then recognizing there was something different about this band.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
The Gospel According to U2
I recently finished We Get to Carry Each Other: The Gospel According to U2. A great read for any rabid U2 fans or people who are intrigued by the intersection of pop culture, especially music and faith. Well written, although slightly biased by the author's own admission of fascination with the band, but would you really want to read a book about a band that was written by someone that didn't even like them? The mysterious ways the band has embraced and seemingly renounced Christianity through the years is intriguing to those in the church and outside of the church. The band is never one to be easily pigeon-holed into a particular category or framework though. They are all over the map on issues and faith, certainly not your typical representation of conservative, evangelical theology nor of "Christian music" though at times they model perfection in both worlds. Bottom line, if you like the band, you will enjoy this book!
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