Peace, Love and U2

First let me open by saying that I am delving into unknown and uncomfortable territory. Writing a review in music is not my strong point. Or maybe just writing any review for that matter! :o)

I bought this latest CD from the band as a Christmas Present to myself, since no one else would oblige. I had recently rented U2 Go Home Live from Slane Castle from Netflicks. After watching this dvd, I realized that I have missed the band, admittedly one of my favorite bands since the mid 1980's. Of course before I bought the cd I read a few reviews here on Epinions and was torn about purchasing it. The reviews were not all good. But I bought it anyway and I am glad I did.

The opening song starts off with Vertigo and Bono shouting Uno, Dos, Tres, Catorce! Who else but Bono could take something like that and make it so cool? Okay, so he can't really count in spanish, but this line is so Bono. The rest of the song grinds on with a catchy, pumping beat with the Edge's whining trademark guitar ringing in the background. There is a lot going on in this song all at once, I admit on first listen I did not care too much for it, but now I really like it, it is new yet reminiscent of older things.

I Could review each and every song on this CD, but I think if you are a true U2 fan you should just go out and get it yourself. Let me say this, Joshua Tree is my favorite U2 album of all time, and then I like Rattle and Hum second, This cd reminds me very much of both of them. I admit it took me a few times of listening to get sucked back into the greatness that is U2. Every song on this cd with the exception of a few reminds me in some way of something from the past. Bono has written some powerful lyrics and sings them with his usual zest and emotion.

Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own is so gut wrenching and sad you want to reach out and give the guy a hug. Love and Peace or Else is a pounding, bluesy song with a bass beat played by Adam Clayton and only a bit of the Edgethere. City of Blinding Lights again reminds me of older stuff sounding a lot like Where the streets Have No Name.

Tracks 6, 7 and 8 are the ones for me that offer a newer side of U2 especially A Man and A Woman this song also has a lot of bass in it instead of Edge. It has a more flowing sound with a continuous beat underneath. One Step Closer is a sweet slow paced song, sounding a bit like a ballad but not long enough to really be one. It sounds different than the usual U2 stuff at the beginning with the strings that are added in, but then you get to the the chorus and Edge with that famous back and forth couple of notes picking thing that he does and it is all U2 for a moment. The whole thing ends with a song called Yahweh which I believe is another name for Jesus. Maybe this is a tribute or a prayer of some sort on Bono's part.

I must admit the first few times I listened to this CD I was a little disappointed, I kind of felt like I was getting a watered down version of some U2 songs that lacked the passion and drive that make the band so awsome. After a lot more listening I realized this CD is just as good and easy to like as a lot of the older stuff from them. I feel a lot of pain and sadness in the lyrics, which to me makes this CD seem a bit more subdued than some of their other stuff. But overall, the unique sound that is U2 is still there and there is not a song on the CD that I pass over because I don't like listening to it.

My favorites on this CD are Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own, City of Blinding Lights and Original of the Species. If you are an old U2 fan I recommend adding this one to your collection, but you do have to give it a chance to grow on you. If you are a new fan this one will be a good starting point for you.

As always, thanks for taking the time to read!

;o) Reno