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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 [...]

Enjoyed dinner tonight at the Doug Fir with Matt Wertz and Tim Warren, frontman for The Alternate Routes, a band new to me but apparently a staple for a lot of folks. I ended up not being able to get into the show because my license was expired (really? you’re really not going to let me in?) and the guys were on stage so it was a lost cause, but the conversation was worth the outing. And I’ve since come home and bought more than a few of A/R’s songs, including their entire first album, and I’m sure the new album will follow. Some of the best stuff I’ve heard since I was introduced to Ryan Adams. If you’re up for some new music, check them out. My favorite conversations are with other artists, especially musicians, and my favorite topic is “the craft of writing.” For some reason, I’ve rarely met authors who I feel like I understand and who understand me. When we talk about the craft of writing, I don’t even feel like I’m talking with another writer, or rather, I feel like I must be some kind of strange writer because my process looks nothing like their [...]