U2 launches retrospective album<\/p>\n
By Hera Diani<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): When a band which has succeeded in staying
\ntogether for two decades and is universally regarded as one of
\nthe world's uber rock 'n' roll groups releases a new album,
\nexpectations are high.<\/p>\n
Listening to their latest album, the group's 10th studio
\nalbum, it becomes clear that the album's title, All That You
\nCan't Leave Behind, is really appropriate.<\/p>\n
After spending 20 years pushing different musical styles, from
\nthe fiery rock U2 released during the 1980s to the techno-laced
\nsound of the 1990s, the Irish lads are back with something of a
\nreturn to basics.<\/p>\n
Basics in term of turning up the intensity and turning down
\nthe effects, which peaked in 1997's Pop, an album dipped in club
\nmusic and electronic-fueled sound.<\/p>\n
Basics in term of going back to several sounds that emerged in
\nthe albums prior to Pop, like showcasing The Edge's trademark
\nguitar riffs, which were basically kept under wraps on recent
\nalbums.<\/p>\n
And basics in term of collaborating with producer and old
\nfriend Daniel Lanois, who, with an exception of Pop, has worked
\nwith the band since 1984's Unforgettable Fire.<\/p>\n
All That You Can't Leave Behind is all about simplicity, laid-
\nback and melodious sounds. There is hardly any of the techno
\nstyle or dark sounds that appeared on The Million Dollar Hotel
\nsoundtrack, released earlier this year.<\/p>\n
\"I'm just trying to find a decent melody, a song that I can
\nsing in my own company,\" Bono sings in the gospel feeling Stuck
\nin a Moment You Can't Get Out Of, a number to which audiences are
\nlikely to raise their arms and wave their lighters.<\/p>\n
The album is an 11-song collection of effortlessness and
\ntunefulness that can be found on any album put out by the
\nnumerous bubble-gum groups.<\/p>\n
But because this is U2, the results are anything but boring
\nand plain, and the songs do not fade with repeated listening.<\/p>\n
From the first track and first single, the smooth and striking
\nBeautiful Day, to the swinging Rolling Stones-esque Wild Honey,
\nthe album is in perfect tune.<\/p>\n
Stuck in a Moment is an inspirational number with flavorful
\norgans and personal lyrics that the group says are about \"some
\npeople they got to know who ended up becoming complete victims
\nand losing sight of what life is all about, and going completely
\nunder\".<\/p>\n
Elevation resembles the 1991 single from Achtung Baby,
\nMysterious Way. Peace on Earth is rather cheesy and mellow, but
\nIn A Little While is melodic and passionate.<\/p>\n
U2 has not completely forsaken their political causes with
\nthis album, dedicating Walk On, with its minor-key dance of
\nguitars and rhythms, to Aung San Suu Kyi.<\/p>\n
Bono's distinguished voice might sound a bit less powerful and
\nflamboyant, but it does not fail to be as passionate as ever.<\/p>\n
So what is it that inspired the group to go back to the
\nbasics?<\/p>\n
\"It felt like the time had come around again for us to turn
\nour attention back to what we do as a band that is unique,\" Edge
\nsaid in a recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine.<\/p>\n
\"In this instance we just kept being drawn back to a really
\nstripped-down sound and feel.\"<\/p>\n
In their 23 years of playing together, U2 has become famous
\nfor their ever-morphing sound -- their ability to constantly
\nevolve -- and their political and social causes.<\/p>\n
\"Rock 'n' roll should send a message,\" Bono said. \"I like this
\nidea that rock 'n' roll is politics,\".<\/p>\n
The four released their debut album, Boy, in 1980, followed by
\nOctober a year later. Their international breakthrough came with
\n1983's War, with the singles Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year's
\nDay commenting on the violence in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
Three years later, the blues\/gospel\/roots-inspired album The
\nJoshua Tree, an undisputed critical and commercial success, was
\nreleased. By that time, Bono, The Edge, bassist Adam Clayton and
\ndrummer Larry Mullen Jr. were international superstars, featured
\non the covers of major publications, a staple on MTV and fixed
\nin American rock 'n' roll lore.<\/p>\n
The movie Rattle and Hum, which told the story of the Joshua
\nTree tour, and its accompanying soundtrack came out in 1988. The
\nmovie and album were criticized by some, who found them too
\n\"preachy\".<\/p>\n
The lads reinvented themselves in 1991. With leather pants and
\nsuperfly glasses, they released Achtung Baby, an album which
\nmarked a shift in style, featuring funkier beats, electronica-
\nseasoned pop and intimate love songs.<\/p>\n
The dance card was played again on 1993's Zooropa, which was
\nfollowed by 1997's Pop, which is the band's poorest-selling album
\nin the U.S., along with Boy and October, with only one million
\ncopies sold to date (compare that to the 10 million copies of
\nJoshua Tree sold).<\/p>\n
So, is All That You Can't Leave Behind a redemption for the
\nband, the album that will win back the American audience?<\/p>\n
\"I don't know,\" Edge said, adding that in America right now
\nthe hip-hop thing was still huge.<\/p>\n
Or as Bono sings in Kite: \"The last of the rock stars when
\nhip-hop drove the big cars ... in the time when a new media was
\nthe big idea.\"<\/p>\n
But does U2 really care whether this album will be a return to
\npast glory? In fact, younger artists should learn from U2 how to
\nhave honesty and integrity.<\/p>",
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