Too Old To Rock N' Roll, Too Young To Die
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Greetings. Yes, this blog is still alive. Life just sometimes gets in the way, aside from the fact that the end of the year is possibly the least inspiring time to be a music fan, since the only new music coming out is in the form of compilations and wretched Christmas LP's.
The big story now is, of course, the new U2 single, which was blogged and discussed to death by the entire internet within 24 hours of it's release. Pop was the first U2 record I actively remember hearing upon its release, so I can't speak for "The Fly" or "Numb," but I firmly recall the first singles off every U2 release since 1997. They took criticism for taking chances on Pop and then equal criticism for playing it safe on the last two records, but "Discotheque," "Beautiful Day," "Vertigo," and even "Electrical Storm" were kick-ass, memorable singles. "Vertigo" might have been a ridiculous song, but it was immediate, catchy, and to the point, while the other tracks were clear highlights of their respective albums.
"Get On Your Boots" is something else entirely, and for the first time, I'm not sure what to make of a U2 song. On the one hand, it's a different sound than the last couple albums. On the other hand, it sounds like "Vertigo" and "Fast Cars" mixed together and given a calculated "edgy" production. And while I'm excited to hear U2 collaborating so intensively with Eno and Lanois again, replacing Larry with a drum machine for half the song with such a simple beat is really, really irritating. I'm still hopeful for the rest of the album, but I can't help but feel that the track is a calculated attempt to recapture the spirit of sonic innovation and evolution of Achtung Baby and Zooropa that unfortunately fails to be moving or organic in the way those albums were.
I want to be excited about my favorite band; I want to scream from the digital rooftops (or at least my Twitter account) that U2 is BACK and that they've made the kind of record that will prove all the naysayers wrong, but unfortunately this isn't it. The song itself just isn't that memorable...it's an interesting piece, and I anticipate it could end up a bit like "Love And Peace Or Else" or "Mofo" as a worthy album cut that doesn't need a catchy or anthemic chorus to work in its proper context, but a hit single it isn't. Comparisons have already been drawn to the pre-album release of "The Fly," an equally unlikely single (but significantly better song) released more as a taster to the album's sound than an attempt to score a genuine hit...whether "Boots" is part of the same strategy remains to be seen.
The song has grown on me a bit since I've heard it, but given that "sexy boots" is the most awkward thing to come out of Bono's mouth this decade (and that is saying a lot), I'm not sure I'm ever going to be able to fully come around to this one, although letting Larry play his drums when they perform it live would be a nice start.
The song is streaming here for at least the immediate future.
posted by Steve @ 1:54 AM,
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The Author
Steve C.
Steve is a graduate of the music department at Columbia College Chicago and just moved to Nashville. Why? Why not. He likes the crackle and hum of vinyl, long walks on the beach, and bacon. Especially bacon.
About This Blog
This blog is written by a fan who has spent way too much money on music over the years, simply as an outlet to rant and share what he loves to hopefully lessen the amount of rambling done in person to his friends. Also, in case anything as horrible as Avril Lavigne singing "The Scientist" ever again graces the internet, I need a suitable place to post about it. The end.
