MichealFelker.com » U2

Music Friday: Failure?

mjfelker1980 — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 22:14:53 +0000

Last week, a friend contacted me to ask about my thoughts on an interview published in the Irish Times with producer, Steve Lillywhite. In the article Lillywhite states explicitly that U2′s No Line on the Horizon album was a out-in-out failure. Of course you know that I have my own opinion on this but let’s take a look at Lillywhite’s statement and see what he has to say.

Legendary U2 producer Steve Lillywhite has said the band’s latest album No Line on the Horizon did not achieve what it set out to achieve and its relative failure had affected them.

The album, released last year, sold a fraction of its predecessors and received mostly lukewarm reviews though it did get a five-star rating in Rolling Stone magazine. Lillywhite, who was its co-producer along with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, said No Line on the Horizon lacked a big song and the North African ambience that it tried to recreate did not work.

“At the end of the day, the public are always right especially when you have a platform as big as U2,” he said. “Of course it affects them. They are only human. They put their heart and soul into everything they do, but the sales were not what they expected because they did not have the one song that ignited peoples imaginations.

“It’s a pity because the whole idea of Morocco as a big idea was great. When the big idea for U2 is good, that is when they succeed the most, but I don’t think the spirit of what they set out to achieve was translated. Something happened that meant it did not come across on the record.”

First, let’s acknowledge that Steve Lillywhite has had a long and storied career producing some of the greatest artists and albums in music history. I want to engage his comments not throw them out completely. There is a great deal of nuance in these three paragraphs.

The question is, “Was NLOTH a failure?”

If we are judging by the criteria set forth by Lillywhite in this interview then the answer is Yes. No Line on the Horizon was a failure. However, the easy answer isn’t always the correct answer. Let’s unpack this.

NLOTH sold a fraction of its predecessor and received mostly lukewarm reviews. Sort of. In reality, NLOTH debuted in the Number 1 spot in thirty different countries and received 5 star ratings from RS, Blender, and Q. NME rated it at 7 out of 10 and Entertainment Weekly gave it an A-. While actual units sold may not have lived up to U2 numbers (whatever that means) the album was received well both commercially and critically. Could it be that Lillywhite has the bar set pretty high when it comes to album sales and reviews? I think so.

NLOTH lacked a big song. Let’s take a look at the U2/Lillywhite history books shall we. Lillywhite has worked with U2 on the following projects:

Albums: Boy, October, War, Achtung Baby, How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (Album of the Year 2006)
Songs: I Will Follow, Sunday Bloody Sunday, One, Beautiful Day, Walk On, Vertigo

Lacking a big song is a pretty vague excuse for failure. By “lacking a big song” do you mean failing to have a song that rocks the airwaves, becomes part of the cultural consciousness, and wins awards? If that is what you mean than, yeah, NLOTH failed. No doubt, Get on Your Boots was no Vertigo.

Let me ask you a question though? In your city, what station does U2 get played on? What station was playing “Get on Your Boots” or “Magnificent” in your town? The Dallas/Ft Worth radio market is the 5th largest in the nation and when I want to hear U2- old stuff and new- I have to tune into the classic rock stations. Unfortunately, nothing on the classic rock stations- old or new- will have the opportunity to compete for listeners of Lady Gaga and Justin Beiber. While LittleMonsters and those with BeiberFever can have quick and regular access to new tracks those fans of artists like U2 have to go searching. New listeners are harder to come by because their listening habits are subject to a high turnover rate. You put Magnificent on heavy rotation on a Top 40 program and you’ll get that “big hit” you’re looking for. Guaranteed.

The North African ambience that NLOTH tried to recreate did not work. I’ll simply say this- 3 songs with Moroccan drums does not a North African album make.

As a fan of U2 I can understand why someone would feel that NLOTH fell short of its predecessors. I can understand why the producer and the band might feel a sense of disappointment. However, to say that something is a failure because it isn’t larger than life is silly. To come out a full 20 months after an album’s release and then judge it by previously unknown criteria is frustrating and an exercise in futility. Songs from this album served as the soundtrack to the World Cup and it has gone on to support the largest and highest grossing concert tour in recent history.

While NLOTH is not my favorite U2 album… I do like it. There are some strong tracks on here- Magnificent, Breathe, Moment of Surrender, Crazy. It may not be perfect but it isn’t a failure by any stretch of the imagination.

You can’t judge the present by your past. You present your gift, knowing that you did everything possible to deliver your best effort. You give it away and then you get back into the studio or hit the road or pound the pavement eager to work on your next offering.

360degrees of Awesomeness

mjfelker1980 — Wed, 26 May 2010 15:11:05 +0000

Last week, U2 postponed the North American dates for the 3rd Leg of the 360 Tour. Bono had emergency back surgery for a “severe compression of the sciatic nerve.” The Edge is saying that with Bono’s recovery lasting a minimum of 8 weeks that they should be back on the road by mid August. Apparently that’s not soon enough for the Fürer . (If you are reading through RSS click through to see the video)

I think my favorite line is, “What was he doing? Saving the world too hard?”

Personally, I think I know when, where, and how Bono hurt his back and I put the blame squarely on the Obama Administration.

Get well soon Bono!

Links:
@U2- Hitler Learns About 360 Tour Postponement
U2 Tour Posponed
Bono Released from Munich Hospital
Edge 95 Percent Sure About European Dates
“Downfall” Parodies

All That Can’t Leave You Behind

mjfelker1980 — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 03:44:49 +0000

I’ve been listening to one of my all-time favorite albums, U2′s All That You Can’t Leave Behind, most of the evening. I absolutely love this album. It reminds me of early college life and all the new experiences and fun that come with time of your life. We’ve been rearranging some furniture in the house tonight but I have found myself a little distracted. You see, it seems as though some lyric or line captures my attention and pulls me into the music. This has happened on each and every song (yes, even New York and Wild Honey). So, as we listened, I collected my favorite lines or verses below.

To me, music doesn’t get much better than Beautiful Day, lyrics don’t get much better than Stuck In a Moment, hope doesn’t get much better than Walk On, and love doesn’t get better than Grace.

Beautiful Day
See the Bedouin fires at night / See the oil fields at first light and / See the bird with a leaf in her mouth / After the flood all the colors came out

(Beautiful Day ranks #1 on my “Greatest Songs to Wake Up To” list)

Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of
And if the night runs over / And if the day won’t last / And if our way should falter / Along the stony pass / It’s just a moment, this time will pass

(Perfect finish.)

Elevation
Love, lift me out of these blues / Won’t you tell me something true / I believe in you

(Narrowly beat out the line A mole living in a hole / Digging up my soul. Narrowly.)

Walk On
You’re packing a suitcase for a place none of us has been / A place that has to be believed to be seen

(The live version takes you home with a chorus of “Hallelujahs” at the end.)

Kite
Who’s to say where the wind will take you / Who’s to say what it is will break you / I don’t know where the wind will blow / Who’s to know when the time has come around

(When Bono dedicates this to his late Father I dare you not to tear up.)

In a Little While
In a little while I won’t be blown by every breeze / Friday night running to Sunday on my knees

(There’s an entire youth group message series contain here in)

Wild Honey
Did I know you, did I know you even then / Before the clocks kept time, before the world was made / From the cruel sun you were my shelter / You were my shelter and my shade

(Every album needs some throw away ditty. Thankfully these lyrics narrowly save this one. Narrowly.)

Peace On Earth
Their lives are bigger than any big idea

(This song is bigger than any one lyric.)

When I Look At the World
So I try to be like you / Try to feel it like you do / But without you it’s no use

(“When you see as God sees, you will do what God says.” – A. Stanley)

New York
In the stillness of the evening / When the sun has had its day / I heard your voice whispering / Come away now

(Every album needs an odd track.)

Grace
What once was hurt / What once was friction / What left a mark no longer stings / Because Grace makes beauty / Out of ugly things

(Boom.)

Bonus: The Ground Beneath Her Feet was a bonus track on some of the early presses of ATYCLB. No lyric hit me but I rocked out some sweet air guitar to the Edge’s solo.

Scenes from U2360

mjfelker1980 — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:29:58 +0000

I had an absolute blast at the U2 concert on Monday. Unfortunately, my camera battery died halfway through the show so these are the best of best shots I was able to capture. I cannot explain to you how great this show was. U2 has ruined all other bands for me.

I was able to catch them in Atlanta last week and the show was great. the Dallas show however, was over the top! The energy level was amped up, Bono’s voice sounded crisp, and the whole thing was just that much better. What an experience! See ya next time boys!

5 Leadership Lessons From Rock Royalty

mjfelker1980 — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:01:46 +0000

If you get the chance, go see the new documentary film, It Might Get Loud. This film is a 90 minute love letter to the electric guitar starring three of the most amazing and talented rock icons. The film chronicles the careers of Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), The Edge (U2), and Jack White (The White Stripes) letting the viewer catch a glimpse (or a listen) of the history, hardware, and creative power that fuels each artist’s unique sound.

Never one to pass up a learning experience, I walked away from the film with a little bit more than just a greater appreciation for all things rock. As I listened to each of these masters talk about their experiences I couldn’t help but jot down a few notes for myself. I feel like I got a good dose of rock ‘n roll today but I am even more appreciative of the leadership lessons I gleaned from the movie. Here are 5 Leadership Lessons I Learned from It Might Get Loud:

1) ABL- Always Be Learning: Jack White, 34, is the youngest guitarist in the film’s trio. He is fourteen years younger than The Edge, 48, and thirty years younger than Jimmy Page, 64. White is featured in the film because, without a doubt, he has developed a distinctly unique sound. When you hear him play you know for certain that it is Jack White. White could have strolled into the studio, unique sound in hand and a chip on his shoulder, ready to show the old guard a thing or two. Instead, White showed that he understood the opportunity handed to him through this project. White, with a huge knowing smile, says, “I plan on tricking these guys into showing me all their tricks.” Always be learning starts with a humble attitude and a desire to make the most of every opportunity. Yes, White has a lot to bring to that table but someone with a teachable spirit and a heart for learning will walk away from experiences like these richer for it.

2) Disregard Most Critics: Everyone has a shared experience in receiving criticism. Critics love to cut you down and write you off. A perfect example of this comes from Jimmy Page as he is discussing the harsh criticism that he and the other members of Led Zeppelin received with each album release. Page says that Led Zeppelin IV was only given a one paragraph review. One paragraph!!! For those of you who are unaware, this album contains a wide variety of music and some of rock’s quintessential tracks including Black Dog, When the Levee Breaks, and Stairway to Heaven. Everyone can listen and learn from constructive criticism. However, most critics just love to hear themselves talk. Learn to discern the helpful from the hurtful. Get better from the critics who want to see you do better and ignore the ones who just want to cut you down.

3) God Moves In Mysterious Ways: Jimmy Page says that the only reason he even began playing guitar was because they had moved into a new house and the previous owner had left a guitar behind. The only reason one of the world’s greatest guitar players even picked up a guitar was because some man’s trash became another boy’s treasure. I don’t know what Jimmy Page’s religious persuasion is. I believe that God determines the steps of the believer and non-beliver alike. I believe that coincidences like this are not really coincidences at all. That well worn passage in Jeremiah says that God has plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. He does this- directs our steps- so that we will call on him and seek him with all of our hearts. Maybe God has led you to this place, opened this door, or given you this gift so that you may see him, know him, and seek him. What ever it is you do, do it for the glory of God.

4) Do the Hard Work: The Edge is a master technician. A great aspect of the film is watching him run his guitar through various amps, filters, pedals, and gadgets to produce just the right sound. In fact, The Edge calls the sounds from his guitar “his voice” and righty so. In the film, you get to watch The Edge alone in the studio with just his guitar, equipment, and computer tweaking away at a few chords for what ultimately becomes the opening of “Get On Your Boots.” You see him working late into the night- strumming here, moving a dial there, stepping on a pedal over here- until the final product emerges. What started out as a straight-forward lick becomes and full fledged rock riff. It all came about because the Edge put in the hard work. Many may never know the behind the scenes struggle, the tweaking, or the long hours you put into something but you know that it was in those moments that the project was given life and brought to fruition. Do the hard work every time- even if you are the only one who ever knows.

5) Seize Opportunities: Every U2 fan knows that the band was formed when the boys were schoolmates in Ireland. Larry Mullen, drums, put a flyer up on the school bulletin board to recruit band members. The rest they say is history. The film takes you back to the school with the Edge as tour guide. He walks through the halls and over to the bulletin board telling us that this was where the flyer was posted. The Edge admits that he probably would have joined another band at some point but he wonders what would have been different. Would he have gone on to fame and fortune if he had ignored the flyer? He admits he couldn’t play very well at that time. What if he had seen the flyer but had been too afraid or self-conscious to follow up on it. In a very matter of fact way the Edge says, “Who knows? I could be working at a bank somewhere.” Seize every opportunity! Don’t let fear or critics or even your “small” abilities keep you from pursuing the right opportunities when the present themselves. The Edge answered that flyer and found what he was looking for.

I absolutely loved this film. If you like rock music or documentary films or if like me, you like both of these things, find a theatre showing It Might Get Loud and rock out with your bad self. The music is great, the conversation is great, and you might walk away thinking about more than just rock ‘n roll.

Namesake

mjfelker1980 — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:35:00 +0000

Top O’ The Mountain To Ya

mjfelker1980 — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:47:29 +0000

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone! We had a great day on the mountain although ski conditions started to get a little icy. I went back to tackle that jump again. I had a much better outcome today. I didn’t bite it. I didn’t fall. I stuck the landing and stayed on my feet. Major victory!!! We only skied for half the day because of the ice but we had fun. Today was a good day.

In celebration of St. Paddy’s I skied to an all U2 playlist today. Here is what helped me have a great day carving snow.

U2 Ski-tastic Playlist
1) Bad / 40/ Where the Streets Have No Name- “Bad” and “40″ make great songs to listen to as you ride the lift. Time your ascent so that “Streets” kicks in as you reach the top of the lift.
2) Elevation- Original, I know.
3) Mofo
4) Electrical Storm
5) Magnificent
6) Fast Cars
7) Cry/Electric Co.- I credit this song for helping me stick the landing on the jump today.
Get On Your Boots
9) Out Of Control
10) Breathe
11) All Because of You
12) I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight

So, there you go. Maybe you weren’t as fortunate as me and you didn’t get to spend your Spring Break on the slopes. Maybe you’re thinking, “Great Micheal! How can I use this playlist since I’m stuck behind my desk and nowhere near the mountains.” No worries my friend. This is really my U2 Workout Playlist so hit the treadmill, hit the trail, or rock out behind your desk. There is no reason to think that this playlist is limited to the mountain time zone. Enjoy!

Stand Up 360

mjfelker1980 — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:08:48 +0000

So the official tour announcement was released today for U2360. The STADIUM tour kicks off in Europe at the end of July and will make its way around these parts in September and October. Take a look at the stage configurations that U2.com revealed today.

Is this not SICK?!?! I can’t wait to see some live shots of what it looks like in the real world. I am intrigued and, needless to say, pretty stoked. The only question I’m wrestling with is whether I get tickets up close to this monster or do I hang out in the back and take everything in? I really want to get into the thick of the crowd though. I’ve spent my time in the back! I guess only time (and ticket prices) will tell what I do.

BTW, Word around my house is that my wife will actually try and join me for a U2 concert. Hey, fourth times the charm I guess.

I am also totally digging on the following song. It has a great hook and some really great lyrics. My favorite is “Stop helping God across the road like a little old lady.” BOOM! That line is a great challenge to me. God doesn’t need my help. He is fully capable and thankfully he has invited me to follow him. It is more like He walks this blind man across the street which I must always remember and gladly comply with. I hope you enjoy the song.

Love love love love love
Love love love love love

I got to stand up and take a step
You and I have been asleep for hours
I got to stand up
The wire is stretched
In between our two towers
Stand up in this dizzy world
Where a lovesick eye can steal the view
I’m gonna fall down if I can’t stand up
For your love

Love love love love love

Stand up, this is comedy
The DNA lotto may have left you smart
But can you stand up to beauty
Dictator of the heart
I can stand up for hope, faith, love
But while I’m getting over certainty
Stop helping God across the road like a little old lady

Oh, oh
Out from under your beds
C’mon, ye people
Stand up for your love

Love love love love love
Love love love love love

I gotta stand up to ego but my ego’s not really the enemy
It’s like a small child crossing an eight lane highway
On a voyage of discovery

Stand up to rock stars
Napolean is in high heels
Josephine, be careful
Of small men with big ideas

Oh, oh
Out from under your beds
C’mon, ye people
Stand up for your love

Love love love love love
Love love love love love

God is love
And love is evolution’s very best day

Soul rockin’ people moving on
Soul rockin’ people on and on
C’mon, ye people
We’re made of stars
C’mon, ye people
Stand up then sit down for your love

Love love love love love
Love love love love love
Love love love love love
Love love love love love

Stand Up Comedy
U2
No Line On the Horizon

High Play Count

mjfelker1980 — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 09:34:08 +0000

She’s a rainbow and she loves the peaceful life
Knows I’ll go crazy if I don’t go crazy tonight
There’s a part of me in the chaos that’s quiet
And there’s a part of you that wants me to riot

Everybody needs to cry or needs to spit
Every sweet tooth needs just a little hit
Every beauty needs to go out with an idiot
How can you stand next to the truth and not see it
Oh, a change of heart comes slow

It’s not a hill, it’s a mountain
As you start out the climb
Do you believe me or are you doubting
We’re gonna make it all the way to the light
But I know I’ll go crazy if I don’t go crazy tonight

Every generation gets a chance to change the world
Pity the nation that won’t listen to your boys and girls
‘Cos the sweetest melody is the one we haven’t heard
Is it true that perfect love drives out all fear
The right to appear ridiculous is something I hold dear
Oh, but a change of heart comes slow

It’s not a hill, it’s a mountain
As you start out the climb
Listen for me, I’ll be shouting
We’re gonna make it all the way to the light
But you now I’ll go crazy if I don’t go crazy tonight

Baby, baby, baby
I know I’m not alone
Baby, baby, baby
I know I’m not alone

Oh oh oh

It’s not a hill, it’s a mountain
As we start out the climb
Listen for me, I’ll be shouting
Shouting to the darkness
Squeeze out sparks of light

You know we’re gonna go crazy
You know we’ll go crazy
You know we’ll go crazy if we don’t go crazy tonight

I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight
U2
No Line On The Horizon

Just another great song off of No Line On The Horizon. I would give you the play count number but… I’m not ready to admit that I have already listened to the album that much. It’s big and I’m a little shocked.

Magnificent

mjfelker1980 — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:08:57 +0000

I was born
I was born to be with you ?
In this space and time
After that and ever after
I haven’t had a clue

Only to break rhyme
This foolishness can leave a heart
Black and blue??

Only love
Only love can leave such a mark?
But only love
Only love can heal such a scar

I was born
I was born to sing for you ?
I didn’t have a choice
But to lift you up
And sing whatever song you wanted me to
I give you back my voice
From the womb my first cry
It was a joyful noise
Oh, oh

Only love
Only love can leave such a mark
?But only love
Only love can heal such a scar?

Justified till we die
You and I will magnify?
Oh, the magnificent?
Magnificent

Only love
Only love can leave such a mark?
But only love
Only love unites our hearts?

Justified till we die
You and I will magnify
Oh, the magnificent?
Magnificent?
Magnificent

Magnificent
U2
No Line On The Horizon