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!