aNOop Line On The Horizon

After listening to it for three days running I'm still not sure how I feel about U2's latest, 'No Line on the Horizon.'

It is more mid-tempo than their last two records. Like 'How To Dismantle a Neutron Bomb' there is a heavy emphasis on lyrics and vocals. But unlike that record, or 'All That You Can't Leave Behind,' I don't think there is enough of The Edge. As compelling as Bono is, and let's face it he's the only rock star who pull off being a self-conscious ROCK STAR yet still be cool and likable and charismatic, U2 works best when the music and not the lyrics are the focus.

That is the paradox of U2: Bono dominates but it's Mr. Edge's band. Anthemic songs and phrasing are hallmarks, but lyrics really aren't U2's bread and butter. The fact that Bono can make often trite or cliched lyrics so compelling is part of his charm.

But at least for me, that is not the main reason U2's music has held up so well for more than 25 years. "Achtung Baby" and "Zooropa" make the case for me. The Edge dominated U2's early material, but on those two records is was not his guitar but the sound he crafted that is at the center of U2's sound. And both of those records, especially 'Achtung Baby,' still sound great more than 10 years later.

U2 sounds better when The Edge's music and not Bono's lyrics are front and center, and the best band in the history of rock and roll - hands down best band of all time - has it backwards on this record.

[At least that's how I feel now. As is often the case, one's opinion of a record almost always changes when you listen to it over and over again.]

I could be wrong, or I could be spoiled. One reason U2 is the greatest band of all time is that at their age they've released songs like Vertigo, Elevation, Beautiful Day, City of Blinding Lights, etc There's nothing on this new record as compelling as those songs.

Anoopian Idol

Some of you know that I watch American Idol with Ariadne and Evan. Both of them get pretty into it, especially Ariadne, and it's also a good chance to talk about pop music with the kids (i.e. - Elton John stinks; Stevie Wonder is a great American).

But this year, instead of simply watching I have a rooting interest, Carolina alum Anoop Desai. And he had a Tyler Hansbrough-esque week. First, he made it back as a wild card performer. Then tonight Anoop made it as the final and thirteenth contestant. AI usually only has a dozen finalists, but Anoop's talents are so great the judges made an exception and have a final baker's dozen this year. Finally, Anoop referred to the anniversary of student body president Eve Carson's death at the end of the show.

Anyway, good for Anoop and a good omen as the Heels get ready for the Dukies on Sunday.

GO HEELS!

Heels Tough Out Road Win in Blacksburg

Carolina did a nice job closing out a tough road game tonight in defeating Virginia Tech, on senior night in Blacksburg, 86-78. 

The Heels controlled the game - the Hokies never led - but could not put Virginia Tech away until late in the game. That in itself is great news. Carolina has not been great in closing out games.  Even in games they've won - at Florida State and at Miami, for instance - the Heels lost leads late.  And of course there's the Maryland game.

Losing on the road in the ACC is nothing to be ashamed of, even for a team as talented as this year's squad. But winning on the road tonight is something to be proud of. Similar to the Terps, the Hokies were desperate for a win. Carolina's offense didn't flow for 40 minutes straight, but they did have 3 significant spurts to build and hold a lead. My man Danny Green hit a big three with 8 and half minutes left to stop one Hokies run, and down the stretch Hansbrough and Lawson made enough baskets - and barely enough free throws - to ice it. 

And in the last four minutes, Carolina's defense kept Virginia Tech's desperation from turning into points. So on both offense and defense, Carolina toughed it out, and put a good team away, for a nice win against a desperate team playing on senior night.  Good stuff.

A Few More Notes

• A large portion of Carolina's defensive toughness was provided by Virginia-native Ed Davis.  In the first half Davis scored and in the second he controlled the defensive end of the floor.  He altered or blocked a number of shots - 6 to be exact - during various Virginia Tech runs and played a very effective 17 minutes.  In less than a half he finished with 8 points, 4 boards and 6 blocks.
• Wayne Ellington and Hansbrough carried Carolina in the first half, with help from Deon Thompson and Davis.  Ellington got back on track from 3 in the initial stanza, and in the second half had a few nice drives to finish with 15 points.
• As they did against Georgia Tech, Carolina did a great job feeding the post especially in the first half. It was great to see Hansbrough have back to back great games, as Psycho T finished with 22 and 15. Deon and Davis also got some great looks in the first half.
• Danny Green was off for most of the game, but when his team needed him he hit two big trademark 3s.  Danny Green, BTW, is god!
• In the second half Green hit his two 3s, Carolina kept going to Hansbrough, but the last half of the game was controlled by Ty Lawson. He did a great job picking his spots to drive, pass or feed the post.  Smart and in control the entire second half.

So another quality road win against a tough team. The Heels made plays on both ends of the floor and closed out a team playing their final road game.  A good night's work for the Heels as they head into a bittersweet day: the final home game for Bobby Frasor, Danny Green and Tyler Hansbrough against Duke this weekend.

A few random notes:

• Two ACC teams really hurt their chances to make the NCAA tournament tonight.  With the loss Virginia Tech needs to defeat FSU in Tallahassee on Saturday to finish 8-8 in the ACC. 
• But the team that REALLY shot themselves in the foot is Miami.  They lost to Georgia Tech, granted in Atlanta, for their ninth loss. The U will need to beat NC State in their final game at home, then probably win two games in the ACC tournament to make the NCAAs for the second year in a row.
• But the Wolfpack will be a tough out.  They defeated Boston College tonight, and the Pack can finish 7-9 if they defeat the U.  If they do that, then win a couple in the ACC tournament, NC State could conceivably make the tournament.
• Despite the loss, BC can finish with 9 wins if they take care of Georgia Tech in Chestnut Hill this weekend.
• Finally, Maryland is probably out after losing their ninth game last night to Wake.  

Lots of action this week in the ACC, and coming up this weekend. Carolina, Duke, Wake, Clemson, FSU, and BC are in; Virginia Tech can play themselves in with a win in Tallahassee.   Then on to the ACC tournament for Miami, NC State and maybe Maryland.  

GO HEELS!

Almost forgot the other big Tar Heel win tonight - Anoop Desai is back on American Idol after winning wild card night!  Anup is a native of Chapel Hill, and I think has two degrees from Carolina.