[Killer Whale Tank]

Achtung Baby is one of the best pop albums of all time, never mind of U2's repetoire. 'The Fly,' 'Acrobat' and 'One'---any one of those could define an entire career. It rates with Sgt. Pepper in my books.

Zooropa and Pop were also fine. But I thought ATYCLB was, with the exception of the jaw-dropingly excellent single 'Elevation', an overproduced bore. It had none of the wit or troubling introspection of those other discs. Just bombast. And enough reviews have said this new CD sounds like that one to lead me to steer clear of it. If that's a bad move, do let me know!

[direwolf74]

I lile it, but nothing really stands out, I agree that it seems they are going throught the motions.

I totally disagree. Just because it's their most U2-ish sounding album in years, it doesn't mean they're going through the motions. To me this record sounds fresh, relevant, exciting, and full of energy. Much moreso than Pop or Zooropa. While there were some great songs on both of those albums, it sounded to me like they were stuck in neutral back then, like they were trying to make Achtung Baby 2 and 3, and it just wasn't working.

This new record is U2 doing exactly what they do best. Playing grand, sweeping rock n' roll using it's primary ingredients of bass, drums, guitar, and vocals. They've built on the energy created by ATYCLB and the Elevation Tour and added a few new twists. To me it doesn't sound like a re-tread at all, but more of a summation of everything that came before it and a glimpse of where they're headed. Also, the album just plain ROCKS. The last time they rocked this hard was on Achtung Baby, so it's nice to see them cranking up the guitars again. Bono recently said that the only downside about being in a band for 25 years and putting out new records all the time is that you have to drag your entire back-catalogue behind you, and everything gets compared to what you did before, so of course people are going to hear this album and say that it reminds them of older records.

[The Darkest Canuck]

Achtung Baby is one of the best pop albums of all time, never mind of U2's repetoire. 'The Fly,' 'Acrobat' and 'One'---any one of those could define an entire career. It rates with Sgt. Pepper in my books.

Zooropa and Pop were also fine. But I thought ATYCLB was, with the exception of the jaw-dropingly excellent single 'Elevation', an overproduced bore. It had none of the wit or troubling introspection of those other discs. Just bombast.

my thoughts exactly, well put my friend, you forgot to mention one thing though...



MYSTERIOUS WAYS!

[direwolf74]

Achtung Baby is one of the best pop albums of all time, never mind of U2's repetoire. 'The Fly,' 'Acrobat' and 'One'---any one of those could define an entire career. It rates with Sgt. Pepper in my books.

Zooropa and Pop were also fine. But I thought ATYCLB was, with the exception of the jaw-dropingly excellent single 'Elevation', an overproduced bore. It had none of the wit or troubling introspection of those other discs. Just bombast.

my thoughts exactly, well put my friend, you forgot to mention one thing though...



MYSTERIOUS WAYS!

I really enjoyed ATYCLB, specifically Beautiful Day and Elevation. I also think Walk On, Wild Honey, and New York are great tunes. But I agree, it's not even close to the brilliance of Achtung Baby, which is still one of the best records I've ever heard in my life. It's their masterpiece.

[cferneyh]

But I agree, it's not even close to the brilliance of Achtung Baby, which is still one of the best records I've ever heard in my life. It's their masterpiece.

You think Achtung Baby was their masterpiece? Really? Interesting. I've always felt that the Joshua Tree was their masterpiece. Don't get me wrong - I love Achtung Baby. But if I could only choose to listen to one of the two for the rest of my life I'd choose the Joshua Tree.

Which leads to a question that's likely been discussed many times - if you could only listen to one Hip CD for the rest of your life, which would you choose (at least today - opinions are subject to change of course)?

I think I'd choose Phantom Power, but it's tough to turn my back on DFN.

[Lizard King]

But I agree, it's not even close to the brilliance of Achtung Baby, which is still one of the best records I've ever heard in my life. It's their masterpiece.

You think Achtung Baby was their masterpiece? Really? Interesting. I've always felt that the Joshua Tree was their masterpiece. Don't get me wrong - I love Achtung Baby. But if I could only choose to listen to one of the two for the rest of my life I'd choose the Joshua Tree.

Which leads to a question that's likely been discussed many times - if you could only listen to one Hip CD for the rest of your life, which would you choose (at least today - opinions are subject to change of course)?

I think I'd choose Phantom Power, but it's tough to turn my back on DFN.

Id pick Up to Here or Fully Completely, thats a toughie!

[The Darkest Canuck]

FC all the way.

[prz]

The one thing with this album that I cannot understand is why "Fast Cars" was left off. Its the bonus song if you bought the cd and book. Its a great song that would have picked up the tempo on the album.

As for their great albums, AB and Joshua Tree are it. There sleeper I think is War. For the sounds of that time, there are some great tunes on there.

[direwolf74]

But I agree, it's not even close to the brilliance of Achtung Baby, which is still one of the best records I've ever heard in my life. It's their masterpiece.

You think Achtung Baby was their masterpiece? Really? Interesting. I've always felt that the Joshua Tree was their masterpiece. Don't get me wrong - I love Achtung Baby. But if I could only choose to listen to one of the two for the rest of my life I'd choose the Joshua Tree.

Which leads to a question that's likely been discussed many times - if you could only listen to one Hip CD for the rest of your life, which would you choose (at least today - opinions are subject to change of course)?

I think I'd choose Phantom Power, but it's tough to turn my back on DFN.

No question, the Joshua Tree is an absolute classic, and it sits firmly on my list of greatest albums of all time. But Achtung is still my fave.

As for choosing one Hip album for the rest of my life, I too would have to go with Phantom Power, followed closely by IBE and DFN.

[Killer Whale Tank]

I find The Joshua Tree technically excellent but basically a great big bore, partly because of Bono's bombastic over-singing but mainly because of the utter humourlessness self-importance of the music. I started liking U2 when they acquired a sense of humour, without losing the passion and intensity, i.e., Achtung Baby. But hey, that's me.

The one Hip CD on a desert island: DFN, with IBE a close second. But Coke Machine Glow would trump either.

[jen]

I absolutely love it :thumb: