Here are some more observations that might be on the money or might be insane, incoherent, ideas.
Homemade millionaires trend Republican while inherited family wealth goes Democrat- It makes sense that the entrepreneur would favor less government intrusion, taxation, and want to keep as much of his hard earned money as possible. The person coming from wealth hasn't had to put in the requisite effort that grandpa did and they might feel guilt associated with the largess of their lifestyle. They can afford to push more social causes because their money is tucked away in a trust.
Hollywood is unabashedly liberal and is making a concerted effort to "liberalize" main-stream America- I hear the pundits on the right talk and you think that Hollywood is out to deliberately destroy values and tradition. You listen to the left and Hollywood is only out to offer different points of view. So what is it? Are the Hollywood elite a nefarious and elitist cabal ought to destroy religion and American values? Or are they more benign- just concerned about making a buck and coming up with entertainment.
The internet will ultimately make the next generation of American kids less competitive- The internet deludes us, and most notably kids, in thinking that the answer is always just a click away. No hard work or research is necessary when you can find a half-baked site via Google. The internet also kills attention span by creating a sensory overload. This inherent laziness will kill our kids when it comes to math and science. We will have a generation of kids who are brilliant at creating fun and zany websites but who can't communicate and solve serious problems. Please prove me wrong.
The less lawyers the better the America- Why do we have lawyers? Because people can't trust one another. If there was inherent trust then all deals would be sealed with a handshake and there would be no worries about being hoodwinked. So is there is a direct relationship between the amount of lawyers in America and the state of our Country? The more there are the worse off we are?
Since I've never been one to wait until Christmas to find out what my gifts are it should come as no surprise that I don't have the patience to wait until my favorite band, U2, officially releases their albums. There is a definite thrill that comes with finding ways to prematurely obtain the music. The boys from Dublin can rest assured as I will always purchase the album once it is released...heck I've spent enough on that band to completely refurbish the guestrooms of their Riviera villas.
A brief breakdown of my first experiences with each U2 album from Achtung to the present:
Achtung Baby (1991)- My love for the band was just blossoming as I was entering high school. The local radio station, KJQ, managed to play the entire album one week before release. Their aim was to play one new song on the top of every hour. I carried my little boom box around with me to ensure that I was able to record every song to tape. I distinctly remember playing basketball in Fruit Heights after school and abruptly stopping the play so I could record when "Wild Horses" came on. I was originally confused by most of the songs but the album would slowly grow on me over the ensuing months and years to where it is now my 2nd favorite U2 album. Most people were turned off by the new direction that the band was taking but I stood my ground and defended their innovation and fearlessness. History would prove me right.
Zooropa (1993)- Fast forward to the summer before senior year. U2 with their "Fly-MacPhisto" shtick and was really wearing on alot of my "purist" friends. I continued to love what they were doing. The release of this album was abrupt and came somewhat as a surprise. The album was scheduled to be released at midnight at our local Hastings music store. It was a summer night and we were all attending a high school dance. At 11:30 me, Norm, and Robb Finlinson hopped into Norm's yellow honda and went to the record store so that we could fulfill our obligation with the band. I distinctly remember the heavy electricity and anticipation as we put the cd in and listened to "Zooropa" for the first time. We drove around in the early morning hours taking in each new track. I remember pulling up to the school and creating quite a buzz with the new purchase.
Batman Soundtrack (1995)- The next few releases were somewhat difficult as they were released during my mission. "Hold Me Kiss Me Kill Me Thrill Me" was the much anticipated single that was to support the latest Batman movie. My problem was that it was being released the week after I entered the MTC. Dear friend, Peter Watkins, understood my dilemma and mailed me a contraband copy of the song with a package of cookies. I had to listen to the song in secret for fear of inciting a riot in these ultra obedient confines. I could only get one listen in before I was overwhelmed with guilt. The tape would remain buried in my belongings throughout the remainder of my mission.
Passengers (1996)- My "at home" sources alerted me to the release of this one. I waited until a P-Day and made the purchase at my local Wal-Mart. I climbed on the roof of our little house so that I could listen in private. Once again the guilt only permitted one listen. I did love "Miss Sarajevo" and "Your Blue Room". I later confessed to my mission president this indiscretion. He thanked me for my honesty and then just laughed.
Pop (1997)- This one came out at the tail end of the mission. I remember being in Edinburg, Texas when it was released. We were at an old folks center doing service. The TV was on and I think I was casually watching during the work. Right then the infamous U2 press conference, the one given from the lingerie aisle of the K-Mart, came on. It had my complete attention and I completely enjoyed their sense of irony. It was a brief worldly respite from my otherwise angelic two years. Since I only had a few months left I made the commitment to hold out on buying the album. I did give in and purchase the first single, "Discoteque". The same result: one listen, guilt, destruction of the tape, confession to the mission president, laughter from the mission president.
All that you can't Leave Behind (2000)- Free from my ecclesiastical duties I was able put my whole heart into preparing for this release. It was during the hey day of Napster so there were rumors and fake songs flying all over the internet. There was quite a frenzy during the last two months leading up to the release. Finally the damn broke and the album leaked about a month prior. I managed to have the album pretty much memorized by the time it was finally released. I also managed to get a nasty virus on my computer.
How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004)- For whatever reason I wasn't too involved in the build up to this one. I had just finished business school and was in a pretty crappy relationship. I actually waited until the album was released before listening to it. I think I even waited a week or two before buying it. I got it at the local "Barnes and Noble" over at the Biltmore in Phoenix. I remember being somewhat underwhelmed.
No Line on the Horizon (2009)- I was back in the game for this one. I contacted the European guy who managed to record the tracks outside of Bono's place in the south of France. This was a good year before release so my appetite had plenty of time to grow. A few weeks ago the band released "Get on your Boots". A couple weeks later the title track followed. Then articles and reviews started to surface from heavily guarded advanced listening parties. The buzz was all very positive and I was ready to get my piece of the action. People began to speculate as to whether or not the album could be released without being leaked first. With all of the draconian measures that Universal Music was taking to protect their prize the smart money was on yes. But then the dam broke. Some Australian numb skull accidentally put the album up for sale on their website. Despite the fact that it was only up for a few minutes it was enough for thousands of fans to get in there to make the purchase. By the time anyone could respond the album was flying unfettered on thousands of links and torrent sites. Early numbers had it being downloaded over 100k times in just a couple days. Naturally I got my piece of the action. I have spent the last two days listening to the album. I will reserve my judgment until I give it some time to settle in.
And that is how I have experienced each new U2 album over the last 20 years.
To say I was disappointed with the Grammy's last week would be somewhat of understatement. There's something about a bloated awards show that can really make great music (U2, Coldplay, Robert Plant, McCartney, Radiohead, Neil D) sound so boring and corporate. But it did get me thinking about one thing. It gave me the opportunity to catalog the key components of my favorite songs. This list is incredibly subjective but I believe that it adequately describes the essential ingredients to great music.
My Essential Elements of Excellent Music:
Emotion- The greatest songs are forged in the exceptional emotions. The best artists, music or otherwise, don't wear dockers and live on main street. Their trials and tribulations have created the necessary emotional currency that gives them the license to offer their songs. One of the reasons why most pop music rings so hollow to me is due to the fact that it generally tries to artificially inseminate the essence of the song with faux emotions.
Examples: "Bad"- U2 "Riders on the Storm"- Doors "Waiting in Vain"- Bob Marley
Innovation- Sure, not everyone can be the Beatles or Floyd or Roxy Music but that doesn't mean that there isn't still room for fresh ideas. Unfortunately most music these days is as formulaic as the latest CBS procedural show, nothing more then a few savvy music executives looking to plug the latest "pretty" face into their Billboard 100 algorithm. But keep in mind that innovation, in and of itself, isn't the ideal end. It must be coupled with the other listed ingredients in order to really succeed. Radiohead has given us some pretty interesting sounds but at the end of the day most of their music is just ....interesting sounds. The most innovative music will spawn legions of followers and can create spurts of creative genius that can last years.
Examples: ""Wolf Like Me"- TV on the Radio "A Day in the Life"- Beatles "Heroin"- Velvet Underground
Production- A good sound needs to be captained by someone who can successfully guide the true essence of the song from the mind and heart of its author to the exciting reality of vinyl and mp3 play. Too much or too little production can kill a song. Each additional layer or track should provide necessary depth.
Examples: "Made Up Lovesong #43"- Guillemots "One"- U2 "Nights in White Satin"- The Moody Blues
Lyrics- The words behind a song might be the forth or fifth thing I look for in a song but that doesn't diminish their overall importance. Words can create as much imagery as any exotic instrument or arrangement. Conversely, nothing can kill a song as quickly as stupid lyrics. (Just ask Bono why he felt compelled to sing about moles digging in holes)
Examples: "It's the End of the World as We Know It"- REM "Trying to Throw your Arms Around the World"- U2 "Luckiest"- Ben Folds
Vocals- The words of the song is the beautiful rose while the vocals are the manner in which it is presented. You may offer up a gorgeous lily but if it is placed in a tin can, the only thing that the recipient will look at is the rusty tin can. That's how it goes with vocals. Some of the most memorable artists (Dylan, Reed, C. Martin) don't have professional quality voices. But they don't need to, so long as they don't distract from the song. If anything the unique and somewhat flawed voice gives an honest texture to the song that gives it a stronger connection to the average listener.
Examples: "Be Here Now"- Ray Lamontagne "Wonderful World"- Louis Armstrong "Anyone Else But You"- The Moldy Peaches
Staying Power- A good song will provide just as much enjoyment on the 100th listen as it did on the 10th. It will continue to be relevant and won't be unnecessarily tied to the era from which it sprang. It is timeless. "Staying power" is usually the sum result of doing the aforementioned other things right.
Examples: "Where the Streets Have no Name"- U2 "Imagine"- John Lennon "Fake Plastic Trees"- Radiohead
----- This list is in no way comprehensive or complete. The author (ME) reserves the right to update and edit this list as he(ME) sees fit.
With the Grammy's being too corporate and boring I have decided to redirect my musical efforts and combine a few insights and tidbits from the upcoming U2 album.
1st, enjoy the new video for "Sexy Boots". Very James Bond. It is one of those rare occurrences when the video actually really enhances the music.
2nd, I found a site that contains 30 second snippets of every track from the forthcoming album. While it is very difficult to get a read on the songs from most of the clips, I'm willing to take whatever bone I can dig up.
My first takes:
Positive:
Stand up Comedy
Unknown Caller
White as Snow
Indifferent:
No Line on the Horizon
Magnificent
Moment of Surrender
I'll go Crazy...
Sexy Boots (But we all know this one well by now)
Cedars of Lebanon
Negative:
Breathe
Confused:
Fez
Third, here's a good review from someone who has had the chance to listen to the album in its entirety. My statistics training has taught me that if I want to get a good sense of something I need to survey a big enough sample. I've probably read more then 20 independent reviews of this album. I can say with a 90% degree of confidence that this album will be very good.
As we enter the DEFCON 1 environs of Universal Music (not really, just hand over your mobile please. And your soul), I can only think that teenage me would really be freaking out right now to be hearing an advance copy of a new U2 album a full month before it becomes ubiquitous out in the world (maybe sooner, if a copyfight happy employee decides to leak it. C’maaaaaan, chumpy!)
Adult me is also pretty excited.
Focus! We were only permitted to hear it through once, and the sheer joy I felt afterwards over it not being searingly terrible has forced a lot of critical faculties out of my brain. Still, I would characterise No Line On The Horizon overall as falling firmly near the Achtung Baby/Zooropa/Pop triumvirate (OF AWESOME) with a sprinkling of Boy (also, excellent) and very far from the All That You Can’t Dismantle You Leave Atomic Bombs Behind, or whatever they were called twinset (OF TERRIBLE), with only a few nods to the later 80’s with a lot of OH OH OH OHHHs that surely this band can take a patent out on now.
In due time I will collect my thoughts for a real review closer to the release date, for now I’ll just transcribe my notes:
No Line On The Horizon
U2 have been listening to Kings of Leon. Dirty big Fly-like riff tears out of speakers, masses of percussion upfront in the mix. First of several Boyesque choruses, Oh-oh-oh-oooooh! This song is incredibly loud. Phwoar, good start.
Magnificent
U2 have been listening to the Killers. Oh wait, only a bit. Stomps along at maybe U2’s quickest ever clip, (they’re aren’t really for fast ones though, are they?) a neat 4/4 disco rock beat. THIS is the guitar album they have been banging on about for a decade. Huge riff. Some Real Thingish slide guitar choruses. Is this one of Bono’s God songs? Could definitely be about a woman (very good at that trope now, Bono.) “Only love can leave such a scar.” This is incredibly aptly titled, clever U2. Stadium ready “You and I will make a fire!” This will be a single.
Moment of Surrender
A downtempo, Eno-heavy gospel thing, a soul ballad built on a heavy bass figure and prominent, processed drums. Ok, so everything is on fire (“We’ll set ourselves on fire.”) Right, U2 own this Ohoh oh ooh OOHHHH thing, I got it. “I’ve been down every dark road”, I love it when Bono gets existential, this is my favourite Bono mode. Then he’s on his knees in a revery in the street, “I did not notice them, they did not notice me” perhaps the only time Bono has vocalised a desire for anonymity. “ATM machine”. Well, we all call them that.
Unknown Caller
Birds?? A Morroccan drone. Guitar figure sounds a lot like… Walk On? (AGAST I AM. Still sounds pretty great.) Is this about someone getting mugged? Some kind of tech nightmare, “you know your password, key it in.” Something about making it out alive. “3:33 in the morning and the numbers dropped off the clockface” (here I have double underlined, LOVE THIS. I am glad Bono uses concrete imagery.) Urgent sounding church organ, a horn section (whoa.) First-ever instance of double tracked lead vocals. Double the Bono! (Again I have underlined LOVE THIS.) “Escape yourself and gravity.”
(I am trying very hard to not stare too long or obviously at the photos in the press pack, which is hard because U2 look very handsome in them, especially Adam “Silverfox” Clayton. Edge looks in one like he might punch the photographer. Edge is very good looking. Bono, it is Edge who has a beard. And for God’s sake GET SOME NEW GLASSES. Or a new stylist. Or are you dressing yourself? Stop doing that. I am thinking of starting you a PayPal account.) I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight
Awesome in spite of immensely stupid title. Bono hits crazy high notes in chorus (see what he did there?) Is this song addressed to anyone in particular? A party girl who longs for a quiet life, but we want her to perform, part of us wants her to go crazy! She’s a rainbow! Leave her alone. A Beatlesque guitar figure, building a very sweet, pop melody and into a rousing “Baby, baby, baby” chorus (love when Bono says ‘baby’ without being ironic.) Will absolutely kill live, “I think I’ll go crazy if I don’t go crazy tonight!” Stomping again. Good good.
Get On Your Boots
Here’s the Elvis Costello song. This is so damn catchy. The tried and tested U2 trick of a lead single not really indicative of the rest of the album. Still love that glam rock riff.
Stand Up Comedy
Dreading this, the worst of the superbad titles. Then, huge Led Zepplin riff, into Stone Roses groove. Most Achtung-like track, big celebratory rock song, amazingly good. We’re at a peace rally. “Stand up for your love!” A big crunchy bass line and McCartney-infused melodies. “Stand up to rock stars!” A pattern emerges: the worse the title, the better the song.
FEZ-Being Born
Sounds like a crowded marketplace, phones are ringing. Recycles ‘Boots’ “let me in the sound!”, underwater. Eno all over. Flat out, exceedingly weird. EXCELLENT (double underlined.) Blips and noise, Passengers return. OK! New song. A militaristic shuffle propels uptempo rock. No discernible hook but instead weaves a sound, layers of keyboard and chiming notes. Many voiced chorus. ENO (circled, underlined.) Totally out there.
White as Snow
Piano playing a lullaby. Spare, Johnny Cash guitar. This is what the Wanderer might have been like had he recorded it. Intro sounds like the Necks. I deeply love this. Bono does Nick Cave. A murder ballad, “my brother and I would drive for hours.” “The water was icy, the road refuses strangers.” “They were hunting in the woods.” Hypnotically slow narration. I can see this rapidly becoming one of my favourite ever U2 songs. Like nothing they’ve ever done. Please make a bare-bones country album one day. Breathe
Wacky time signature, 16/9? Band and Bono come crashing in, Bono is trying to out-Dylan Dylan with free-form rapid fire choruses (“A cockatoo!” WHAT.) Time straightens out into massively catchy 3/4 chorus (“Walk out, into the street/ See your heart, see my heart out”). Huge guitar line, Achtung Baby x Joshua Tree. Strings and piano join, Bono reaching his upper register in an unabashedly uplifting chorus up there with U2’s best melodies. I wish this would go forever. I can see Bono belting this with his face up to the sky and that beatific grin, as 60,000 people join in. Crazy if this isn’t a single.
Cedars of Lebanon
Bono is in deep-talking sexy mode, like Velvet Dress (actually this is my favourite Bono mode.) Bluesy keys and guitar build a very sombre mood, this album is ending on a heavy, downbeat note as the best U2 albums always have (even heavier than Wake Up Dead Man/Love is Blindness which are equally a little like being hit in the head with a shovel.) A war correspondent recalls a litany of shit and his now disjointed senses, but “the shitty world sometimes produces a rose” bringing small note of stubborn optimism. Bono neatly slays the entire profession of journalism: “the best of us are masters of compression.” Yikes. Definitively proves “crap title equals killer track” rule.
______________
In conclusion:
I’m dying to hear this album again. And again many times over. Definitely U2’s most challenging record, with the band hitting previously unheard of straps. Bono especially sounds far better than he has over the last decade, or longer, and never sounds like he’s pushing to hit notes he can’t reach, instead totally flying.
In closing: Thankyou U2, for not sucking. I will not be ending our relationship on Facebook.
You remember the old saying, "jack of all trades, but master of none"? That old adage has widespread application; especially in the digital age. In the age of wikipedia and instant Internet access we are only a click away from a "definitive" opinion on our searched topic. No real sweat or effort goes into learning the subject and as a result we have a wide, but shallow understanding of many things. No real depth.....moving to relationships.
In the last several years we've seen an absolute explosion of Social Media like Linked In, Facebook, and MySpace that allow us to socialize and network. I remember signing up for the first two several years ago while at Thunderbird. Initially it was a fun novelty that lost its luster due to low user participation. But these applications have reached critical mass and it's nearly impossible to avoid them now.
As a result of this widespread usage I've now been able to reconnect with hundreds of people that I thought were consigned to memory and dusty pages from an old yearbook. It's been interesting to catchup, view photos of families, and brag about how "cool" our lives are. It also raises several questions that just didn't exist in the ancient days that proceeded Netscape and the text message. Among them are:
Do these technologies impact relationship fidelity's? You know what they say about the grass is greener. I can only imagine that there are scores of people who aren't happy with their current station and daydream of "what if" with past flames. Those flames can be fanned with escalating emails and communication.
Does social media affect the way we look at people? We've got a whole new generation of voyeurs that can spend countless hours peeking into the lives of people. Hours can be wasted trying to find an old roommate or looking for juicy tidbits that can gain currency as gossip.
Productivity drain? How many hours are spent posting crap and waiting for people to comment on our little kid who we feel is the cutest thing since Shirley Temple?
Do these tools cheapen our relationships? Instead of having a close circle of friends that receive the majority of our attention do we neglect them by casting a wide net over people that have little impact on us? For example, how many of us blow off quality time with our spouses in order to talk about how cool our freshman assembly was with a couple of long, lost school mates?
Sure there is much to be gained by this new technology. But I would dare say that they also create a new host of issues. Just remember that an actual conversation always trumps an instant message and that cyberspace and reality sometime don't operate in tandem.
I've got to run....someone just pinged my twitter account...lol
Here are some more observations that might be on the money or might be insane, incoherent, ideas.
