This is it: I have finished reading ALL my U2 books and watching their DVD!
This last show was on the same level than the Vertigo tour, that is to say much interesting than Elevation, Popmart, ZooTV but definitely less moving and engaging than Rattle! Personally, i found the set design hideous (a sort of crab claw) but it gives them space and the band seems to merge with the audience. As in the Vertigo tour, U2 can offer great new songs (unknown caller, magnificent, no line on the horizon), add some welcomed classics (unforgettable fire, mlk, acrobat) but persist on playing the same past tracks over and over (until the end of the world, one, Sunday, with or without you, where the streets, i haven't found). They should balance more because October, Rattle, Zooropa, Pop, HTDAAB have great songs too.
After 2 months in this U2 world, what are my feelings now?
1) I won't buy any more musical shows on DVD because it's boring or at least, watching a lot concerts in a row!
2) Songs are the most obscure artistic medium: they touch us in spite of having unintelligible meaning. Unlike books or movie, the moment we know the song or the melod, we can reach them every time we want, wherever we are. That's why i laugh when i see people with Ipods because i don't need one. All are in my head and in my heart!
3) U2 is indeed the biggest band! They are really generous, caring people, giving all their hearts for music and people. Lately, they seem to be a bit lost, always bragging about their best (album, band, tour) and whining about songwriting (how it's difficult) and taking long delays to release an album. I think it's just becoming older and mature!
4) For U2, the inspiration comes essentially from what they experience as a band, especially on touring: Boy was the birth certificate of their young band. October was written at the climax of their Christian faith. War is the result of their awareness of being Irish after touring in America. Fire is a respiration after a crazy and exhausting War tour. Joshua is their first album after a break off and personal discoveries. Rattle is the definitive album of their love of America and the exploration of traditional roots. Baby and Zooropa deals with failures in their world and Europe. Passengers and Pop are their exploration of technology. Since ATYCLB, they have reached a sort of inner peace: they are now adults with responsibilities.
5) My final word would be to urge U2 fans to read their book "U2 by U2" because it's their voice and for one time, they are clear! It offers also wonderful pictures making feel the time ticking: My favorite are a picture of Bono's mother because she was all smile and tiny and a picture of Bono and his son at the funeral of his father because you see what sadness is!
Thanks U2!
