No U2 for Eno

Correction: they're not off to the studio

A spokesman said Eno isn't working with the band at this time.

Listening Party provides feedback to NOLO


"No Line on the Horizon"

Larry really shines here; pay close attention to the intricate tom-tom fills appearing in the right channel at 1:13-1:52. He later shifts to a nice, military-style snare fill (that time in the Artane Boys Band was well spent), also in the right channel, at 3:33-3:48.

"Magnificent"

Several details in this one. Hand claps in the right channel and tambourine in the left at 0:46-1:09, and beautiful interaction amongst Larry's hi-hat (right channel) and Adam's bass (center) at 1:15-1:51. Edge double-tracked his main riff in left and right channels, and the result is spectacular. Edge also differentiates the parts at 2:25-2:59, where he's playing some subtle melodic stuff in the left channel and rhythm guitar in the right (unless of course he's playing with Lanois, in which case it's anybody's guess who's playing what). Bono lends some lovely light vocal support to the keyboard part at 4:12-4:27.

"Moment of Surrender"

There's a nice organ in the left channel and piano in the right at 0:47-1:14. Adam has a wonderful bass wind-down to the song at 6:41-7:14.

"Unknown Caller"

There's a sound collage at 0:21-0:58 composed of several instruments that almost seems like animals waking up. There's even what sounds like a high-pitched processed guitar sound reminiscent of a "digital butterfly" flitting by in the left channel at 0:38-0:41 and again at 4:35.

"I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight"

Hear the rising whirr from 0:00-0:02, very much like the intro to "I Will Follow" -- perhaps intentional, perhaps not. Interesting rhythmic acoustic guitar parts are in the right channel at 0:12-1:02; could be Lanois. The double-tracked guitar part at 3:03-3:19 is a nice surprise.

"Get On Your Boots"

Listen for percussive electric guitar bursts from Edge in the right channel at 0:20-0:25, 0:39-0:48, and 1:27-1:35, and for cool, double-bass kick drum work from Larry at 2:31-2:36.

"Stand Up Comedy"

There's wonderful variation in parts on this one. Adam's bass is a real treat in the verses. Edge appears to have unleashed what could only be called a "giant wasp attack" at 2:47-2:58. (I now can't hear this part without imagining him running around the studio in a bee costume singing the rare Who b-side "Wasp Man" at the top of his lungs.)

"Fez - Being Born"

It begins with market sounds and some hand drums, and at 0:19-0:22 two different voices appear in the right channel, speaking in what sounds like an Arabic language. (Can someone out there translate?) Larry plays a variation of his "No Line" drum part at 1:03-1:34. At 1:45-1:53, an odd cross between a moped engine and a sitar crosses from left to right, and appears again at 2:55-3:02. A classic Eno synthesizer break -- very reminiscent of his '70s solo work -- appears at 3:06-3:26. Eno again interjects with some nice variations at 4:26-4:50. Edge adds some nice, mellow riffing in the right channel at 4:53-5:12.

"White As Snow"

There are backwards guitar loops in the left channel from 0:00-0:25. A fingerpicked guitar in the left channel starts at 0:31, with another alternating-bass style guitar part in the right channel; an educated guess tells me it's Lanois on the left and Edge on the right. A gorgeous, eerie mandolin part arrives in your right ear at 2:28-2:52 and, at least for me, really strengthens the emotional tenor of the song. Hear the beautiful two-part harmony vocals at 3:56-4:23.

"Breathe"

There are lots of harmony vocal overdubs all over the song. Mixed low at 2:22-2:33 is some nice, Elton John-style piano chording in the right channel. There are massed background vocals at 3:54-4:12. There are some slurred cello parts throughout the song in the right channel, a la "I Am the Walrus."

"Cedars of Lebanon"

This begins with a sample of Eno's and Harold Budd's "Against the Sky" from their wonderful record, The Pearl, and then builds on it with hip-hop snare shuffles from Larry, fingerpicked arpeggios from Edge in the left channel, and even some infinite guitar at 2:51-3:07. (Has it really been 22 years since "With or Without You"?) A vocal sample appears throughout the song, maybe in an Arabic language again?

I do hope this has given you a nice taste of "active listening" and an enhanced experience of one of U2's most creatively and sonically diverse records. In the 28 years I've been listening to this band's recorded work, No Line on the Horizon stands out as a wonderful surprise that blossoms under scrutiny and repeated listening. It is well worth the time to sit back, relax, and soak up the sounds in a distraction-free environment such as the darkened room I mentioned before. Enjoy!

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Now playing: U2 - Magnificent
via FoxyTunes

Marriage to Bono can be interesting


Bono's wife, Ali Hewson, has said that she couldn't imagine living anywhere but Ireland. The down-to-earth wife of the U2 singer said she feels that staying in Ireland has given the family the stability they needed. Ali (48) described her life at home as "rounded but frantic" but said it is important her family grew up here.

"It helps for us to live here, where we're part of the community," Ali said. "Ireland is what keeps us grounded -- the Irish are no-nonsense and we're Irish and it's home."

And the founder of the EDUN fashion label said that it helps that family and friends all live relatively close to the couple's mansion in Killiney, Dublin. "My mum and dad are always close by and so is Bono's brother and the rest of U2," she added.

And it seems as if Ali is not perturbed by Bono's many female fans or rock-star status. "It's about having respect for each other -- allowing each other the space to grow and respecting that growth," she said.

In the interview with Harpers Bazaar, the Dubliner revealed that her marriage is often difficult, particularly when Bono has to travel with U2. "There is no fairy tale," she said. "As in any marriage, there's a lot of hard work. But if you can get through the difficult moments, then you enter a new phase of a relationship that is better than before."

The couple who have two daughters, Jordan (19) and Memphis Eve (17) and two sons, Elijah (9) and John (7), first dated as young teenagers. Bono was 14 when he turned to Ali after his mother died from a brain aneurysm at her own father's funeral.

Faith

"I don't think Bono would want to lose another woman in his life," she revealed. "Knowing someone's memories is when you really know them inside out -- when you've grown up with them and made that journey through adulthood together," she added.

Ali is the patron of Chernobyl Children's Project International, the organisation which works with children, families and communities who are affected by the nuclear disaster. And the human rights campaigner said that her belief in God has got her through some of the more difficult times in her life.

"I couldn't live without faith," Ali said. "I would find that a very dark place to be."

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Now playing: The Last Shadow Puppets - My Mistakes Were Made for You
via FoxyTunes

See them up close and personal

U2 360° tour will be stopping at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa! Fortunately, you can find cheap U2 tickets without a hassle here. Since it comes to U2 tickets in Tampa, these limited seats at Raymond James Stadium are certain to be selling out fast!

Buy U2 tickets now and experience the U2 Concert LIVE in Raymond James Stadium!

Section:Lower 139 ROW B Seats provided at time of purchase due to security - Sorry - Rules must be followed -

http://tiny.cc/LIKkj

U2 and Eno Again

U2 and Eno Again

Producer says they're off to the studio

The legendary producer didn’t give any more details at all – but made the comment at the very end of an event last night in which he discussed philosophy and politics with US trumpeter and composer Jon Hassell.

The talk at London's South Bank Centre was the opening to this year’s Ether Festival, and on Sunday and Monday night Eno will perform alongside David Byrne as part of the same event.

The legendary producer and former Roxy Music member is credited with the invention of ambient music, and during his career has worked with the likes of Talking Heads, David Bowie, U2 and Coldplay as well as producing numerous world music records.

Hassell collaborated with Eno on the 1980 album ‘Fourth World Vol. 1: Possible Musics,’ and early in his musical career worked with the revered composer and sound pioneer Karlheinz Stockhausen.

In his career Eno has recorded more than forty solo and collaborative studio albums, beginning in 1973 with Here Come The Warm Jets, and most recently last year’s Whatever Happens Will Happen Today with David Byrne.

6 Music will be at Byrne and Eno’s gig on Sunday night – so tune in to our music news bulletins and check the website on Monday for reviews and reaction from fans.

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Now playing: Plain Jane Automobile - While They're Watching
via FoxyTunes

U2.com has posted the schedule for this week's pre-sales

The last batch of pre-sales for the 2009 tour. Here ya go:

Raleigh, NC (October 3rd), Dallas, TX (October 12th), Houston, TX (October 14th), Norman, OK (October 18th), Phoenix, AZ (October 20th), and Las Vegas, NV (October 23rd).

Tues. 10AM local venue time - Horizon
Wed. 10AM EDT/9AM CDT/8AM MDT/7AM PDT - Breathe
Wed. 6PM EDT/5PM CDT/4PM MDT/3PM PDT - Boots
Presale ends Thursday 5PM local venue time.

UPDATE: The first five shows listed above will all be sold via Ticketmaster. Pre-sales for the Las Vegas show, however, will be sold through www.getfirstaccess.com, because Sam Boyd Stadium is not part of the Ticketmaster system.

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Now playing: Plain Jane Automobile - While They're Watching
via FoxyTunes