U2 - "All That You Can't Leave Behind"

U2 released what is easily their best album since Achtung Baby! with 2000's All That You Can't Leave Behind. Seems hard to believe it's been 15 years. Several big singles: "Beautiful Day," "Walk On," "Elevation," and "Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of" were all very successful. My favorite track is "Kite" - just really beautiful and powerful.

Something
Is about to give
I can feel it coming
I think I know what it is

I'm not afraid to die
I'm not afraid to live
And when I'm flat on my back
I hope to feel like I did

And hardness
It sets in
You need some protection
The thinner the skin

I want you to know
That you don't need me anymore
I want you to know
You don't need anyone
Or anything at all

Who's to say where the wind will take you
Who's to say what it is will break you
I don't know
Which way the wind will blow

Who's to know when the time has come around
Don't want to see you cry
I know that this is not goodbye

It's somewhere I can taste the salty sea
There's a kite blowing out of control on the breeze
I wonder what's gonna happen to you
You wonder what has happened to me

I'm a man
I'm not a child
A man who sees
The shadow behind your eyes

Who's to say where the wind will take you
Who's to say what it is will break you
I don't know
Where the wind will blow

Who's to know when the time has come around
I don't want to see you cry
I know that this is not goodbye

Did I waste it
Not so much I couldn't taste it
Life should be fragrant
Rooftop to the basement

The last of the rocks stars
When hip-hop drove the big cars
In the time when new media
Was the big idea
What was the big idea

U2 - "Songs of Innocence - Record Store Day edition

I was fortunate enough to pick up a copy of U2's new RSD limited edition of their excellent "Songs of Innocence" LP. The RSD "flipping" is going on in full force. Check out one listing for the U2 album. Insane.

U2: "Achtung Baby"

 Probably nothing I can say about this album that hasn't already been said, but damn it still sounds great.  Picked it up a vinyl copy last night for a really decent price, and falling in love with it again.  Every freaking song on this album is killer - no exceptions, no filler.   Absolutely amazing songwriting, and the perfect production for the time and the material.   It's dark, shadowed, exciting, electronic, guitar rock..  but the real strength is the feeling and meaning of each song.    One of the all-time classic albums in rock history, no question.   And although they have had many stellar moments, I have a feeling "Achtung Baby!" will end up being their greatest single achievement when all is said and done.