SOE
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U2 - The Blackout
 Album:
Songs Of Experience (2017)
  1. Originally posted by blueeyedboy:[..]
    The world does need kindness.

    If you're referring to the recent court case, one might also teach a young girl to speak out and stand up. I think that dude threw himself under a bus...
    Oh I'm definitely NOT referring to that. I m glad she stood up as many women have to deal with hat sort of thing.

    I have a long list of grievances regarding Ms Swift but the top of my list is how she lied about the whole Kanye West thing from last year. She took advantage of someone who had a troubled relationship with he media (and perhaps mental illness) and she lied and played the victim.

    And the way she refuses to ever acknowledge she is in the wrong is not a trait I'd like my niece to acquire.
  2. Originally posted by kris_smith87:[..]
    Oh I'm definitely NOT referring to that. I m glad she stood up as many women have to deal with hat sort of thing.

    I have a long list of grievances regarding Ms Swift but the top of my list is how she lied about the whole Kanye West thing from last year. She took advantage of someone who had a troubled relationship with he media (and perhaps mental illness) and she lied and played the victim.

    And the way she refuses to ever acknowledge she is in the wrong is not a trait I'd like my niece to acquire.
  3. Anyway. Loving The Blackout so far. Listened to it a bunch today and my friend who is one of those "youth" that have been discussed thought the song was really cool when I showed him the video.
  4. So what do we think the chances are of something showing up on Spotify at midnight or whenever tonight?
  5. Originally posted by CMIPalaeo:[..]
    I agree - and this is why I'm bugged by a criticism of The Blackout I've seen on some sites, basically saying 'it's not political enough! Bleh! It should be exactly comparable to Bullet the Blue Sky!' Which... Is stupid...

    I don't think the band have really said anything regarding what The Blackout is actually ABOUT, but while it's hard to deny there's not some political slant to it (democracy is flat on it's back, Jack) it's almost as though some reviewers have latched onto that one bit an decided that's what the whole song should be... Whereas I think U2's thematic squishiness is one of their best traits! The Blackout could be about politics, natural disaster, personal turmoil, all, none... And sure, Bullet might be political, but political HOW? It's been used for Reagan and Central America, gun control, Trump, general anti-war sentiment, Nazism, and corporate greed.

    I guess I'm just a bit tired of U2 being constantly criticised for their content. Just because they HAVE BEEN the biggest activist band ever doesn't mean they ALWAYS HAVE TO BE. And, a lot of their oh-so-political classics people are often so keen to unfavourably compare their newer works to are often pretty nebulous themselves...

    Gosh, I just like the way just about all their stuff FEELS, The Blackout very much included. Maybe it's not so sophisticated, but hey, my favourite band just dropped a new song, it's groovy and I dig it. I'm alright with that, at least.


    I couldn't agree more.

    It could be political, it could be spiritual, it could be about natural disasters (why do they happen?), it could be about being at a club when the lights go out, or a combination of these. Who knows? The ambiguity is what makes so many U2 songs special and allows each listener to develop their "own" special connection to a song.

    I personally think Bono wants to be known as political as people focus on that rather than what really drives his actions - the spirit. For many, it is easier to talk about politics than spiritual matters (avoiding the use of the term religion on purpose).
  6. Originally posted by kobrien:[..]


    I couldn't agree more.

    It could be political, it could be spiritual, it could be about natural disasters (why do they happen?), it could be about being at a club when the lights go out, or a combination of these. Who knows? The ambiguity is what makes so many U2 songs special and allows each listener to develop their "own" special connection to a song.

    I personally think Bono wants to be known as political as people focus on that rather than what really drives his actions - the spirit. For many, it is easier to talk about politics than spiritual matters (avoiding the use of the term religion on purpose).
    For many there is no line on the horizon between spiritual and ideological matters
  7. Yep, trying to having a conversation b/t these two polarizing groups is like trying to dismantle an atomic bomb
  9. I guess it didn't come out
  10. Maybe will make its debut in Detroit
  11. Originally posted by kobrien:[..]
    Ned is short for Nedabiah. I simply searched google for Ned in the Bible and found the info - that's all.

    Zack is short for Zechariah
    Yes, but with all due respect for the Bible, there is no King Fred there...

    If one googles for "Fred Bible," one finds the "King Fred (Phelps) version," which, on its turn, refers to the late American Baptist minister Fred Waldron Phelps Sr. Apparently he made some (incorrect!) selections from the Bible to support is anti gay campaign...

    Complete rubbish! Especially Fred's reading of Luke 6 (27-38) is completely missing the point of benevolence, charity, and Love in general!

    Definitely a stretch! So here's to the Fred Waldron Phelps Sr interpretation:

  12. The dust has settled and I've come to like the song - headphones on the bike and singing along definitely help (as opposed to listening low volume at home with two excitable toddlers running around).

    It's definitely not overproduced. It is a proper stadium rock rocker. It will work wonders live.

    The actual version isn't perfect. But it definitely drives the message home!