U2, Irish rockers; responsible for some hilarious gags on South Park, and a
top 100 album of all time in The Joshua Tree. Realistically, U2 need no
introduction. Their career spans five decades, 12 albums, and an ever
increasing million dollar bank account. They will be releasing their 13th album
in 2014, with a release date to be announced at the Super Bowl in February -
yes, that's how big U2 are, the Super Bowl. It's a pity U2 never returned to
the Brian Eno produced form of 1987, but they've come close on occasion. Eno
worked with U2 on the following album Achtung Baby, and the pop praised Zooropa.
This trio of albums was undoubtedly U2's best period as a band, but can they
rekindle the fire with producer Danger Mouse for their 13th album? Well,
perhaps, but with "Ordinary Love", they seem to be taking a simpler,
and less original direction.
Because U2 have been surpassing Darwin's expectation of life in five
decades, it's no surprise their output has been lacklustre lately. No Line
on the Horizon was sub-par and its predecessor (though winning nine
pointless Grammy's) How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb wasn't the album the
success made it out to be. "Ordinary Love" is in retrospect, not a
comeback single. It's taken from the upcoming film Mandela: Long Walk To
Freedom. It will more than likely be on U2's upcoming album, but won't be
surprised if it's left off. There are always questions surrounding how Bono and
his entourage will compose, and write for an upcoming album. U2 actually excite
their listeners with this sort of hype, which fellow five decader's fail to achieve.
On the ear, "Ordinary Love" is a simple, refreshing song with a
clear Bono vocal. But that's The Joshua Tree fan in me writing, the
decades of averageness knowledge inside me notices the flaws on "Ordinary
Love". U2 take up a soft rock, stadium-esque vibe with "Ordinary
Love". It's not alternative rock, as U2 so easily fit in to. Edge's guitar
isn't soaring because of a similarity the quartet must have picked up on. This
is because U2 have taken the drop down version of four basic chords: D, A, C, and
G, or - The Chevin's "Champion". Yes, U2's "Ordinary Love"
seemingly takes influence, or simply the progression, of "Champion",
just far slower in tempo. It's not the end of the world, but I’m sure you'll
hear it, and The Chevin will hear it too (take a guess who one of their
influences might be...) U2 also take a page out of Coldplay's book by using a
simplistic piano riff mirroring the guitar and bass riffs. It's all too simple,
but it does put Bono in the light (as you would expect these days.) But that's
actually a strong point to "Ordinary Love", by Bono taking the
pressure off the overall sound and creative structure, "Ordinary
Love" comes across as a remarkable song. Sure, U2 are lacking originality
and are maybe playing to a specific soft following audience with this, but it's
the song-writing behind the lines that grab the listener, and put them in the
position of Bono writing them.
~Eddie
Gibson