mhughesuk

Is it just me who thinks it sounds remarkably similar to One Tree Hill from The Joshua Tree?

Well, I have my tickets for December, and I can't wait. I stand by what I say though about stuff I've seen. All over the place singing, and jumping around like a baboon on stage!

Look I hate to be controversial, but I agree with the original post. I am a big fan, and the new record has really grown on me. I am due to see them in the UK in December, and can't wait, but I have been less than impressed by their live stuff recently. I've heard some radio gigs, seen some Youtube stuff, and watched a tv performance in New York. A few things bothering me: - Total poor showmanship. Chris is looking very awkward onstage. If you're one of the biggest rock bands in the world, I'm sorry but you need to look the part on stage. He's jumping around the stage like a gibbon, and he needs to stop. I remember years back seeing them on the Rush of Blood to the Head gigs, and he was totally awesome. - What is going on with Chris's singing?! It's not good enough. I have seen various clips lately, and he's just not singing properly! Just singing in a lazy tone, changing things. I'm sorry but thats not good enough. I watched a clip of Fix You from Las Vegas, and he was all over the place. If I had played $100 to see a gig, I would expect the singer to be putting everything into the performance. Go and watch a clip from U2's last tour, and see how Bono puts his heart and sould into every gig. He's pushing 50 now, but recognises his voice isn't as sharp as it was in 1987, so he has a vocal coach. Chris take note........ - That set list, I agree, isn't good at all. I love the new album, I really do, but it looks like they've not put much thought into the set list. Hey, it's early days on this tour, and I'm sure by the time I see them in December, they'll be really tight.

Its a shame it's leaked so early. It was inevitable I guess. Are the record company mad, they should just release it now on I-Tunes. I did a pre-order. As for the record, I am a bit disappointed. Have given it a listen a few times, and for me it's full of fantastic musicianship, but it's not as good as previous records. I admire them though for branching out and going for a new sound. I hate to say this, I really do, but some of it feels badly mixed, and bit over produced. It is good though, don't get me wrong, and I'm not slating the band. They're a supremely talented group, and have a long future ahead of them. Just some of the stuff Chris has said in recent interviews about this being a masterpiece, and that he wants to set the standard for songs at the moment, is just way off the mark. If they'd made something like the Joshua Tree with this, then fair enough,but this is not a masterpiece. Highlights for me are 42, which is just awesome, and should have been the next single. Viva La Vida is excellent, and for me should have been the opening single, not Violet Hill. Lowlights, Lost, which is way way overproduced for my liking, and Strawberry Swing does very little for me. I agree with one of the postings on here, which said the records lacks any massive songs. I agree with a lot of views on X&Y, in that it was over produced and too long, but it had some blinding songs on it that weren't singles like What If, Square One and Low. Oh and while I'm at, the amount of plageurism on this record is shocking. Am I the first to notice that the riff on Life in Technicolour is the same as Vertigo by U2? OK, so Edge probably nicked it too, but come on, thats a total theft. The ending on Death and All His Friends, that guitar work sounds like Status Quo, and on 42 it is a serious nod to Imagine, but I'll forgive that because it's a blinding tune.