I’ve read a number of reviews for No Line on the Horizon, the new release from U2. Some think it’s a masterpiece, others think Bono and the boys must have put it together over the weekend.
The variety of reviews made me wonder what kind of pressure the four kids from Dublin must feel when they step into the studio. And I’m not talking about a fear of the critics. The critics are the least of their worries. Imagine being a 50-year old family man, spokesman for a global aid organization and mediator of peace between dignitaries and also having to pull off this:
• Make sure there are at least two arena songs on the album. Arena songs are anthemic, upbeat songs that drive crowds at large concerts. Why, because U2 is an enormous company with hundreds of employees whose families depend on a world tour. It’s not about Bono, it’s about hundreds of people, and those people are on their minds when they walk into the studio. A subtle and creative album would be nice, but essentially that would mean laying off friends who’ve worked for them for decades and count on them to bring in enormous crowds at their live shows.
• Appeal to every civilized culture on the planet. The album will sell and the tour will travel through the west, for sure, so make sure it’s in touch with American sensibilities (remember the disaster of Lemon, inspired by the underground techno scene all the rage in eastern europe, and a complete miss in the states?) but also English and Irish subtleties. And don’t forget the Italians, the French, the Eastern European countries and the enormous following in Latin America. And make sure every culture feels like the album is a soundtrack for their lives, as varied as those lives may be.
• Distance yourself from the politicians and the pious social work because you keep getting bad press for that stuff. Knock it a bit in the lyrics, but don’t knock it too much because God knows you’re not going to give it up. You’ve established thousands of relationships with dignitaries, and you can’t damage those because the movement you’ve created depends on their support. But fans want escapism, not conformity. They want you to stick it to the man. Give them that feel but don’t actually do it.
• Go ahead and speak your spiritual themes, but don’t get too Christian. It’s uncool. Really uncool. Not that you care but you do. Walk the line between expressing the powerful redemptive themes in your work and translating those themes to a western audience that puts those themes in the box of absurd anti-science and judgmental condemnation. Make people who know Jesus think you’re talking about Jesus but don’t talk about Jesus. And do this with a clean conscious. And mean what you sing.
• Continue to appeal to a young generation you may not understand. These kids are into technology. They Twitter and blog and have the attention span of gnats. They think you’re old because their parents like you. but they’ve got the money, so throw them a bone. The twenty-somethings are all crazy about Radiohead. Thom could piss on a pizza and they’d think he was a genius. Did you hear what Thom did, he pissed on a pizza, they’d say. I know, I heard, he’s so creative. If Bono pissed on a pizza they’d want him to act his age.
• That Joshua Tree record was a masterpiece. And remember that Ach Tung Baby album. I loved that. They both sounded so different. Do it again, or I’m done with you. Thom Yorke just pissed on a pizza.
Is it as good as The Joshua Tree or Ach Tung? Not at all. But the pressures are different. And they haven’t quit the game just yet.
Still, they somehow managed to deliver all of the demands listed above.
Get on Your Boots will work in an arena, as will I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t go Crazy Tonight. Magnificent will get all the Christians talking about what an awesome Christian Bono is. I already received a text message saying it was a classic worship song for the ages. And yet the song never mentions God or Jesus. I can jsut see God in heaven, flattered, holding his chest saying Are they talking about me, lil old me? Bono really is a genius. Stand up Comedy will distance you from the very politicians you are in bed with. The tech-crazy kids are going to love the “Restart and re-boot yourself, Password, you enter here” lines in Unknown Caller. That or they’ll think they’re trying too hard to relate. At least they’re trying.
Is there obvious strategy in this album? Yes, and unfortunately it shows. Some of the authenticity gets lost. So does some passion and some soul. But there are glimpses.
Moment of Surrender sounds like a U2 we can look forward to when they quit the game. And if that’s what we can look forward to, we are in for some great music. It’s scotch on the rocks music, the sort of song you listen to and remember that time when you screwed up your entire life. That one thing you did. And I’ll Go Crazy is a text message from a friend about needing to blow some steam, and those are great text messages, aren’t they? Cedars of Lebanon souds like Bono is narrating Adam’s base line, like the words are the low bounce and Bono is just translating. No Line on the Horizon, the title track would play perfectly in a club in Memphis, and music out of Memphis plays well in the whole world. It always has.
Will the critics critique? Sure. But in doing so they fail to remember being a rock-star is a job. You’re the frontman and the CEO. You’re the Executive Committee.
What do I think of the album?
I think they did a great job.
You make some great points here. And despite the less-than-timeless lyrics of “Unknown Caller,” the music & melody is absolutely transcendent.
That kind of a pressure is something I can relate too. It is similar the pressure a worship pastor feels every Sunday.
wow – pretty sweet post. I forget that they’ve been around so long that parents of tweens and teens might really be into them, and not just cool, edgy parents that listen to KEXP (or whatever the Portland equivalent is
), but the ones that also listen to CCM or “Adult Alternative”
I’ll admit, I hadn’t realized the lyrics to Magnificent until I saw it performed on Letterman tonight and I fell for it. Hook. Line. And sinker.
But I love it because it reminds me of the time I heard U2 in concert and just had this moment of clarity. I remember thinking, “There are a multitude of people here, singing these songs, and completely missing the point.” Maybe I should have felt sad for them, but I ultimately felt like I was let in on a huge secret. And it made the concert that much more sweet. More personable.
And that is why I continue to love U2. Because they so captivate me by making religion not so religious.
Thanks Don. I really agree with your thoughts about the comparison of previous great albums. I’m glad you said it because not as many people listen to me.
jake
nice recap, and a good reminder of the unseen pressures we (the “fans” and “critics”) too often forget.
Looking forward to hearing the album myself.
Great post, Don. I’m lovin’ the album but it sure doesn’t make me think of U2, inc. as I listen to it. How do you think of things like that?
The initial word was that this album was going to be a turn for them in the same way that Achtung Baby was (which is my 2nd favorite U2 album of all time). The boys can still pull it off now. I think they’ll continue to stay with the times musically as much as possible. They’ll probably be like Springsteen — his new music stays relevant, he gets lots of praise, sales, cred from the younger crowd, but still remembered more for his classics. The only other alternative they have is start covering old standards (via Rod Stewart), which I don’t see the Dublin boys stooping to that level.
I haven’t heard the whole album yet, but I’m sure I’ll have it by the week’s end.
Wow, Don. Two blogs in a week? You’re blogging like a crazy man!
Some good thoughts too. U2 sure has some complicated weight on their shoulders, but I’m glad they keep putting out music. Regardless of whether or not this album is their best ever (which I don’t think it is), they’re still brilliant and worth listening to.
It is one of those albums that gets better every time you listen to it.
Don–as far as the song, “Magnificent,” that very title IS, in fact, used of God in the Psalms. Ps 145:1-3, Ps 43:4, Eph 3:15, all in The Message.
I was going to say Moment of Surrender feels like U2. Definitely a highlight on the album for me. I love the album more with every listen. Been loving them on Lettermen so far. Breathe and Magnificent were both great live.
Whenever I think of Bono now, I think of Randy Newman…And Jackson Browne.
Anyhow, I think I’ll have to give that album a serious listen
Your review is intriguing to say the least.
First of all, what you said about Thom was hilarious!
Breathe steals the album. It’s the perfect blend of everything I expect out of a U2 album. This doesn’t steal any of the glory from Joshua Tree days, but it holds its own and I’m excited about wearing it thin for the next few weeks.
Carrying the ball seems much more difficult than being the underdog. I hope Bono and the boys, as well as other Christian’s with their innumerable stresses, will find rest for their weary souls. I am glad I am just a no-name therapist. I hear many of these stories and I walk away thinking how easy my life is in comparison to famous people or CEO types. That would be too much pressure for my fragile ego. Peace to the boys from Dublin, but if you ever make another “Lemon” we will all have to abort your music. No pressure!
Are you criticizing them or praising them? Honestly, I cannot for the life of me tell. Bono is an inspiration, regardless. I remember reading that he and maybe Edge were gonna quit the band to pursue their faith, and that they could not reconcile that with the rock star lifestyle, but thankfully they did not.
Unfortunately, I have not picked up their new CD yet (I get paid tomorrow…I don’t think the store will take my Whimpy quote,”I’ll gladly pay you Thursday for a U2 CD today”). However, I’ve been an avid fan since Boy (I’m not THAT old, but have always been passionate about music- ask my family), and quite frankly I’d be surprised if the guys put that much thought into their formula for success. I think they follow their hearts more than a formula. Have you read “Bono in Conversation with Michka Asayas” yet? In that book he talks to Michka about the ZooTV tour and the fear of complete failure. Also, even very early on they decided they did not want to be pegged a Christian band even though their lyrics are heavily laced with scripture references. From what I’ve read (starting way back in the 80′s) they have stood by their reasons as a matter of their faith and belief that God is bigger than their vision as a band (I’m paraphrasing). Like when they once considered ditching the band (early 80′s) to be sort of monks or missionaries. Ultimately they decided God could use them as a band just as well as the other.
Now, I’m not saying you are way off base with your suggestions. Any good business minded person consders marketability with what they are producing. But think about it…maybe the “Unknown Caller” song was inspired by a conversation Bono had with one of his teenaged children? (I haven’t listened to it yet, just speculating)
And, in the aforementioned book, Bono does talk about his responsibility to the band (and all that entails) when he’s making his activist choices and says sometimes they need to remind him his priorities.
Don,
What about ‘Breathe’? You didn’t mention that one at all. It’s another one that would sound killer in an arena.
Andrew
PS: ‘Blue Like Jazz’ changed me life – no joke.
Great post Don. Great thoughts. I love the album. i think they sound great! Can’t wait to see them live!
i have yet to hear the new project… but the pressure of follow up success has got to be huge, i imagine there is some formula to figure out how much the pressure increases as does success… U2 has to be flirting with some kind of record in that area
on a side note… do you think they care that much about what people think? especially those who want to paint them as the ultra-hip-Christian spokesmen on the edge, it seems to me that they do not care about that perception.
i do believe they want to be valued for their art, and i definitely think they want to make a difference in the world (you can’t question their sincerity in that area, although many do)… but i don’t think they want to be poster boys for an edgy Christianity (at least i hope that they don’t want to be that)
i am a big U2 fan, and look forward to hearing the new album, i have to buy it on principal alone, they have earned the right to produce a few snoozers… i will keep buying their albums
You’re ever clever and I love it. Perfect post.
It’s funny how most of us Xians wanted Bono to be our badass frontman so we could be attached to someone cool instead of the likes of Carmen. Masses crowned them as a Christian band and then got all huffed and puffed when they said something they didn’t like.
…but the boys never claimed to be anything but a great band that wanted to make a difference. I think they accomplished those goals.
I’ll always love U2 (…and you too! get it? pff! Come on, it’s funny) AND I love their new album.
P.S. Thom ain’t got nothin’ on Bono.
It’s amazing! It only took a few listens for me to get it.
coupla folks have wondered whether i thought bono really cared that much. to be honest, i think he’s fairly good and portraying himself as not caring what people think of him, but the truth is it’s impossible to get to where he is and stay there without spending every moment positioning yourself. he was accused of having a messianic complex and he said he thought that was true of himself. still, what amazes me about bono is that he uses celebrity like a commodity. he is authentic enough not to deny it and say he doesn’t like it, and he works very hard to create quality music. i watched a video he did for a specific conference in texas. he sent the video so a one-time live audience could watch it. he gave a five minute speech on the video that i swear he must have spent hours writing. that or he has speech writers. what he does, he does well. he’s a professional, for sure.
OK I’ve downloaded! and it’s just what i needed to keep me in my chair today…despite my ‘gnat-ish’ attention span
you can’t help but love these guys. their music is powerful…satisfies my constant pensive mood.
I’m reminded of the band Kansas…i think they could have accomplished a similar feat of singing about faith, without talking about it…
Great last line, “I think they did a great job.”
[...] Don Miller Blog » Why They Stay on Top http://donmilleris.com/2009/03/04/what-u2-faces-when-they-create-an-album-and-why-they-stay-on-top/ [...]
[...] ‘What U2 faces when they create an album, and why they stay on top’ March 4, 2009 Donald Miller [...]
[...] Donald Miller on the New U2 Album Posted by donaldkim under Society Here’s a review in typical Donald Miller fashion (HT: Daily Scroll): • Go ahead and speak your spiritual themes, [...]
I guess your point is that U2 music is not pure expression, but calculated for sales and to keep the U2 machine going. I personally have never really liked U2 music that much, but always liked their “brand.” I guess that proves your point – they are great professionals and can sell their image even to people who don’t really care for the music…
And in reality, that’s life in this big, bad world… where, pretty much, everything is for sale.
Thank you, Don. I’m grateful for your post.
So many of the reviews have made me sick. How many people are going to misunderstand “Magnificent” as an ego trip about Bono singing to his fans, and miss the fact that it’s a paraphrase of so many Psalms, a song to the Almighty?
(He’ll probably declare it as a song to the Almighty when they play it live, just for the slowest listeners to get the point. Just like he took to shouting “Judas! Come on down” before “Until the End of the World.”)
(And of course, I suppose I shouldn’t expect critics to be literate enough to know a psalm if it smacked them in the face. But really… don’t people read lyric sheets anymore? I guess they don’t if they download an MP3, do they?)
I’m also sick of people demanding my full assessment of the album when it’s only been out a few weeks. How can *anybody* declare a work of art’s importance or lasting significance when it’s only just arrived? Art takes time… time to dream up, time to absorb, time to interpret. Frankly, I’m still working on an assessment of “Zooropa.”
Christians talk and talk and talk about the need for great “Christian artists.” But how can any artist survive, much less do good imaginative work, when they’re criticized and scorned every time they open their mouths? How can any Christian move in the public circles where U2 move without having their fellow believers publicly question their salvation? (Have you seen the way they’re *still* saying Bono’s not a man of faith in the Comments posted after the Christianity Today review of NLOTH… which was, I thought, a thoughtful article by Andy Whitman)? It’s humiliating and sad.
Thank you for bringing some perspective to the whole dismaying hubbub.
And I’m with you on “Moment of Surrender.” Made me stop the car and cry like a baby.
Jeffrey Overstreet
U2 has been apart of my life since I was 15. That was a while ago. Lets put it this way – I no longer am young to enough to enjoy urine soaked pizza. Sorry Thom but try writing songs again, you were pretty good at that.
At this point I believe Bono and the boys can do almost anything. Don, you noted that Bono is incredible at multi-tasking and I just wanted to add to it.
For instance we already know he can dismantle an atomic bomb – but I believe he could do that while preparing pan-roasted duck breast, steamed root vegetables and speckled butter beans for a party of ten, while playing Mancala – the 7000 year old Arabic board game – with his daughter, while hosting a peace summit for the Israelis and the Palestinians, while… well, you get it.
Pretty much, Bono and crew can do anything and they prove it again with this album.
I don’t know whether I should love or hate U2. On one hand, they’ve written some amazing music, like “The Unforgettable Fire” and “The Joshua Tree.” But then sometimes Bono gives off this “Look at me, I’m a sexy rock star with something to say” vibe.
I’ve only heard one track off the new album, “Get On Your Boots.” Meh. Hopefully the rest of the album is better.
I’m still coming to terms with the fact that How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb was quite over-rated. I haven’t spent much time listening to it.
But Thom Yorke rules!
Whatever pressure U2 has on its shoulders it asked for. That’s no reason to give them a pass if the album doesn’t rock.
The band did the Top Ten on Letterman today (Wednesday) and it was as funny as any Top Ten I’ve heard in years. If you missed it, search for the clip. Watch out for the Edge’s ad-lib.
seems to me this release is some unfinished business from the million dollar hotel period. i think its the best whole effort since achtung baby and that it will grow in favor with each listen.
and btw: white as snow which is listed on the liner notes as a traditional tune arranged by the boys – sounds like ‘o come o come emmanuel’.
Yeah, really can’t tell if you’re being serious or ironic. (would it be satiric?) Love your blogs regardless.
have not gotten a chance to listen to the whole album yet, but ‘cedars of lebanon’ and ‘magnificent’ are great. i am an avid, lovesick fan of U2. i think bono is pretty cool. i’d like to pick his brain about music, about life. its true the reviews of the album are all over the place, i think time magazine’s review was scathing. but then wsj and rolling stone both give it five stars. so there you go. i think U2 is so popular all over the world because they are relatable but also intriguing, and because they have an incomparable rhythm section. great post as usual, thanks don.
Just one time through the album and I’m not sure yet…
My big U2 phase was 20+ years ago. War through Joshua Tree. Which was high school and college for me. Seems like 1/2 the photos my parents have of me in that era are of me in a U2 T-shirt (nice mullet included).
Zooropa and Pop really didn’t do it for me… at all. And I sort of hate it when fans bail on bands as the music grows and matures. But that era just REALLY didn’t do it for me. I’ve come back around for the last couple albums.
So far NLOTH doesn’t have one song that really pulls me in with a great hook … like “Beautiful Day” or “Vertigo” did and keeps me listening. We’ll see how that goes. The Atomic Bomb album to me was brilliant in its balance. Songs that made me jump, scream, cry, think, praise…
As for all the other thoughts on the U2 machine… they are interesting thoughts. And if Bono and the boys really do have that all on their minds then they certainly have a ton of pressure on them. I side with the comments here that they compartmentalize more than that. For the music… they just do their music thing.
So the question to me is… Don Miller… do you feel the pressure with Book #5?
-To write a book as unique and brilliant as BLJ?
?
-To write a book that is the “storyline” of our lives?
-To write a book that the reviewers will like?
-To write a book that will keep the Evangelicals off your tail after coming out of the closet with the pro-Democrat/Obama viewpoints?
-To write a book that will appeal to liberals and conservatives both?
-To write a book that continues some element of Christian and cool?
-To write a book that will support the Miller family empire…
Or are you able to just do your thing?
I don’t mean any of this in a biting way at all. I just wonder if you think about all that stuff too. If you do, just know there are a lot of us here that are out here rooting for you with no stones in hand.
But watch out for that Willie P. Young guy… he’s pissing on pizzas left and right and sure creating quite a stir.
speaking of pressure for follow up success, how is the new book coming?
i am quite anxious to read it, i just re-read Searching for God Knows What and it is your best work in my opinion, but i am really looking forward to what’s next.
thanks for keeping a blog so the fan-boys like me have something to do while we are supposed to be working
Mike, I’m not sure what you mean about the ‘coming out of the closet for Obama” thing. Don’t been very clear about his left-leaning politics since at least BLJ.
mike,
i do feel the pressure. not a lot of what you listed, but certainly the pressure to make it a fun read. as for as unique as BLJ, not really. I think that book got a life of its own and you can’t duplicate that. But that was a pressure a couple books ago, for sure. As for reviewers, I’ve given up on them. I’m not that good. Reviewers read a lot of books, so they are comparing you to pulitzer prize winners. i don’t stand up. i only hope to help people laugh and find some beauty and by the end of the book have had a great ride. but that’s a lot of pressure in itself. as for liberals and conservatives, i’ve never thought of it. there is nothing political in this book at all, so it hasn’t come up. christian and cool, there’s nothing cool about christianity. the real thing rises above fashion, and the fake thing is not very fashionable, unfortunately. so im trying not to position this book. it doesn’t have as much spiritual overtone at all, though, because i am a christian, some of that lifestyle comes out. but in all, it’s a secular book. as for supporting the miller family empire, not much of an empire. i’m going to buy my dog a whole dead cow of bones if it becomes a bestseller. as to whether i’m just able to do my thing, absolutely not. always second guessing!
Don:
Thanks for the response. I tried to ask my questions in a manner that shadowed some of your thinking regarding the U2 approach and clearly that has its limitations. My attempt to be cute but ask some thoughtful questions I guess. And I am not that good. Sorry if the questions themselves implied a questioning of character.
Some of my comments… ie. the “Miller family empire” were intended fully tongue in cheek.
And I am glad you are not worried about the other stuff.
You have shared a lot about your process of writing. I guess what I was trying to get at is what pressure one REALLY feels as a successful author to go out and do it again? What really keeps you awake at night as you approach this book?
BLJ has become a bit of the Don Miller “Joshua Tree”… a book that has changed a lot of lives and changed the way a lot of us look at life and faith and Christ. It has even seemed to launch an entire genre of Christian books written from that outsider, “authentic” perspective.
RE JamesW’s comment. If you look at the several hundred comments that Don’s first post on this blog about emailing Obama generated, its pretty clear there was some general shock and awe over that left leaning support. All within the last few months.
Lastly… I am glad you resist the need to be “cool”. And what I was getting at there was not your authenticity at all. Its more about how things like BLJ or bands that are made up of Christian members but resist being labeled “Christian” get perceived. There’s no avoiding the fact that your writing has struck a chord in particular amongst a generation of the faithful that are struggling to find a balance in this post-modern world. And I have perceived some cynicism amongst many Christians that don’t seem to like to hear a fresh voice.
So I was wondering if you seek to strike a balance there? What I gather is that it is more a matter of the fact that your voice is simply your voice. It is what it is.
I mean what Christian author is able to relay his point by making the comments you did about Thom Yorke? We get it. And that is real, and funny, and well… “cool.”
Not sure if any of that makes sense. My comments here are WAY too long… so clear or not I will close.
Thanks.
I am enjoying U2′s latest offering, but having said that, I prefered How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb.
I doubt the guys worry too much about what the fans may think. Of course, they want people to enjoy their music, but U2 has nothing to prove. They are beyond that point. They have been around long enough that they can do what they want.
When it is all said and done, isn’t that what an artist SHOULD do? Speak what is on their hearts and not worry what everyone else thinks. And as music fans, isn’t that what we want? Soemone who is true to themselves and not selling out just to get radio play or sell albums.
I’ve been a fan from the start and can only imagine how hard it must be to produce on a consistant basis. That said I feel this album sounds almost as dreary as The Unforgettable Fire save for Magnificent. Topping Joshua Tree or Ach Tung Baby will always be difficult but this album takes a backseat to Vertigo and maybe HTDAABomb. The guitar work of Edge is way to muted for me. U2 excells when they do what they do best, and that is being a noisey rock and roll band combined with heart and soul. They missed it on this one but that’s ok, you can’t win ‘em all.
The more I know U2, the more I am convinced that everything they do is deliberate. I love your points you make here, and it’s true–how to produce great art when under such a microscope??? It’s best to probably not care about what all the analyzers will say, and just make the album you want to make for that moment; I love that U2 takes risks; I love that they’ll throw us a Zooropa one day and an HTDAAB the next. Good for them. In the end, this canon they are making is one long story, but some people just can’t stand they only get to see one chapter at a time.
Well, poo on those people. It’s much more fun to not take ourselves (or our mega super rock star band) too seriously, and just enjoy the ride.
[...] Miller has a post on what U2 faces everytime they make a new album. It kind of reminds me of the pressure a worship pastor [...]
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Thanks for the review – I heard you had written one; but I wanted to listen to the album on my commute this week before I read your thoughts. I think you are right on. In the album, I can sense the pressure Bono and the band must feel to please lots of folks and I think the songs are great; but this leads to a somewhat disjointed feeling. However, I find that with albums like this, the more I listen, the more I find the connectedness. Again, thanks for your analysis.