U2 launches retrospective album

By Hera Diani

JAKARTA (JP): When a band which has succeeded in staying together for two decades and is universally regarded as one of the world's uber rock 'n' roll groups releases a new album, expectations are high.

Listening to their latest album, the group's 10th studio album, it becomes clear that the album's title, All That You Can't Leave Behind, is really appropriate.

After spending 20 years pushing different musical styles, from the fiery rock U2 released during the 1980s to the techno-laced sound of the 1990s, the Irish lads are back with something of a return to basics.

Basics in term of turning up the intensity and turning down the effects, which peaked in 1997's Pop, an album dipped in club music and electronic-fueled sound.

Basics in term of going back to several sounds that emerged in the albums prior to Pop, like showcasing The Edge's trademark guitar riffs, which were basically kept under wraps on recent albums.

And basics in term of collaborating with producer and old friend Daniel Lanois, who, with an exception of Pop, has worked with the band since 1984's Unforgettable Fire.

All That You Can't Leave Behind is all about simplicity, laid- back and melodious sounds. There is hardly any of the techno style or dark sounds that appeared on The Million Dollar Hotel soundtrack, released earlier this year.

"I'm just trying to find a decent melody, a song that I can sing in my own company," Bono sings in the gospel feeling Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of, a number to which audiences are likely to raise their arms and wave their lighters.

The album is an 11-song collection of effortlessness and tunefulness that can be found on any album put out by the numerous bubble-gum groups.

But because this is U2, the results are anything but boring and plain, and the songs do not fade with repeated listening.

From the first track and first single, the smooth and striking Beautiful Day, to the swinging Rolling Stones-esque Wild Honey, the album is in perfect tune.

Stuck in a Moment is an inspirational number with flavorful organs and personal lyrics that the group says are about "some people they got to know who ended up becoming complete victims and losing sight of what life is all about, and going completely under".

Elevation resembles the 1991 single from Achtung Baby, Mysterious Way. Peace on Earth is rather cheesy and mellow, but In A Little While is melodic and passionate.

U2 has not completely forsaken their political causes with this album, dedicating Walk On, with its minor-key dance of guitars and rhythms, to Aung San Suu Kyi.

Bono's distinguished voice might sound a bit less powerful and flamboyant, but it does not fail to be as passionate as ever.

So what is it that inspired the group to go back to the basics?

"It felt like the time had come around again for us to turn our attention back to what we do as a band that is unique," Edge said in a recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine.

"In this instance we just kept being drawn back to a really stripped-down sound and feel."

In their 23 years of playing together, U2 has become famous for their ever-morphing sound -- their ability to constantly evolve -- and their political and social causes.

"Rock 'n' roll should send a message," Bono said. "I like this idea that rock 'n' roll is politics,".

The four released their debut album, Boy, in 1980, followed by October a year later. Their international breakthrough came with 1983's War, with the singles Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year's Day commenting on the violence in Northern Ireland.

Three years later, the blues/gospel/roots-inspired album The Joshua Tree, an undisputed critical and commercial success, was released. By that time, Bono, The Edge, bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen Jr. were international superstars, featured on the covers of major publications, a staple on MTV and fixed in American rock 'n' roll lore.

The movie Rattle and Hum, which told the story of the Joshua Tree tour, and its accompanying soundtrack came out in 1988. The movie and album were criticized by some, who found them too "preachy".

The lads reinvented themselves in 1991. With leather pants and superfly glasses, they released Achtung Baby, an album which marked a shift in style, featuring funkier beats, electronica- seasoned pop and intimate love songs.

The dance card was played again on 1993's Zooropa, which was followed by 1997's Pop, which is the band's poorest-selling album in the U.S., along with Boy and October, with only one million copies sold to date (compare that to the 10 million copies of Joshua Tree sold).

So, is All That You Can't Leave Behind a redemption for the band, the album that will win back the American audience?

"I don't know," Edge said, adding that in America right now the hip-hop thing was still huge.

Or as Bono sings in Kite: "The last of the rock stars when hip-hop drove the big cars ... in the time when a new media was the big idea."

But does U2 really care whether this album will be a return to past glory? In fact, younger artists should learn from U2 how to have honesty and integrity.