U2
All That You Can't Leave Behind
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During the ‘80s U2 was one of the most earnest (and cynics would say one of the most pretentious) rock bands in the world, crusading for causes, playing emotionally uplifting concerts and turning out anthemic songs. Then as the post-ironic ‘90s dawned, the Irish band decided to both deflate and inflate their legend simultaneously. Massive, glitzy stadium tours found lead singer Bono taking on wacky personas (The Fly, MacPhisto) and the band generally poking fun at themselves and trying to subvert expectations musically, delving into techno dance music and minimalist electronica.

Entertaining as it may have been, much of the band’s ‘90s output played against their strengths, notably songwriting, Edge’s distinctive guitar sound and Bono’s soaring voice. Moreover, the band’s antics often threatened to overshadow the music and make their crusade for causes seem somehow less sincere.

Well it seems that with a new decade and a new millennium has come a new U2--or at least a partial return to the U2 of old. This year has found Bono the crusader back in action in support of Third World debt relief. And on their latest album, U2 returns to many of the strengths that made them one of the biggest bands in the world. While the record is by no means free of drum loops and other electronic experimentation, the focus appears to be back on the songs.

The opening song and first single “Beautiful Day” is a classic slow-build, “With Or Without You”-style number with Edge’s airy guitar riffing and wailing backing vocals providing a counterpoint to Bono’s open throated singing. It’s the best Bono’s voice has sounded in years. “Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of” is a great soul and gospel inspired tune in the mold of Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready” or the band’s own “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” Bono sings: “I’m just trying to find a decent melody/A song that I can sing in my own company.”

“Elevation” on the other hand wouldn’t have sounded too out of place on one of U2’s ‘90s records. It incorporates some weird synthesizer sounds (courtesy The Edge and producer Brian Eno) and Bono’s falsetto “woo-hoo” vocals. It also sounds like Bono may have picked up a few vocal tics working on Michael Hutchence’s posthumous solo record.

“Walk On” begins with a spoken intro by Bono that leads into one of Edge’s best anthemic guitar parts. The song is dedicated to suppressed Burmese political leader Aung San Suu Kyi. It concludes with a section similar to Pink Floyd’s “Eclipse.” “All that you fashion/All that you make/All that you build/All that you break,” Bono sings. But the melody and Bono’s lyrics don’t seem focused enough to really put the song over the top. Indeed this record seems curiously lacking in definitive statements. There is nothing as indelible and basic as say “Pride (In the Name of Love).” Of course it’s a lot more complex world these days than it was in the idealistic ‘80s.

Indeed Bono’s idealism seems to have given way to frustration and cynicism at the slow pace of change on “Peace On Earth.” He sings: “Sick of hearing again and again/That there’s gonna be peace on earth.”

“When I Look At the World” is another effective showcase for Edge’s guitar pyrotechnics. He turns in some nice slide work on “Kite” as well. For the most part, though, The Edge’s guitars are used primarily to provide texture to the songs and aren’t the main focus. Co-producer Daniel Lanois also contributes some fretwork.

The last two songs on All That You Can’t Leave Behind sound like Bono has been pulling out his Lou Reed and Velvet Underground records again. “New York” in particular owes a lyrical debt to Reed but melodically might have fit in on U2’s October as well. Crashing in about half way through, Edge and drummer Larry Mullen Jr. really make the song pack a wallop. “Grace” is an atmospheric, thrummy ballad with a poetically clumsy but heartfelt Bono lyric. “Grace, it’s the name for a girl/It’s also a thought that changed the world,” he sings.

While it may not hit the musical heights of their masterpiece The Joshua Tree, All That You Can’t Leave Behind does seem to get U2 back on track to being the band we always knew they could be. Just for a few moments, it takes us back to a time when a rock band thought they could change the world and in some ways did.

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