U2's Vertigo
“How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb” may just be U2’s punk masterpiece. First single “Vertigo” harkens back to innovators like The Ramones and The Sex Pistols with its chaotic energy, sonic imperfections and brevity. The cover art for the new single, with its stark collage look, also pays homage to the punk movement.
But it’s not only punk that U2 and design firm Four5One is paying tribute to with “Vertigo’s” artwork—consciously or not, this new U2 aesthetic is truly taking its cues from the art of the Russian Revolution.
Interesting. Read the rest at Interference, a U2 ‘zine.
Comments:
I think it was Henry Rollins who said something like “The Clash is the band U2 wants to be.” Trying to keep this focused on design, I’ve always been fond of the cover of London Calling. (Ignore, of course, the very un-punk “25th Anniversary Legacy Edition” addition.)
I like that indeed. (Both the quote and the cover, actually.)
First single “Vertigo” harkens back to innovators like The Ramones and The Sex Pistols
I’d like some of what that reviewer is smoking. First time I heard the single I thought it was a corporate-created boy band trying to sing punk, very far from The Ramones, the opposite in fact.
Bono has lost his voice and his vision. They are empty commercial shells of their former selves — musically and visually.
For some appropriated Russian constructivism, I thought this was very well done:
http://www.knife-party.net/movs/barry.mov
Nevermind that it’s left wing conspiracy theory stuff (which I kinda like too).
I have this hilarious (to my mind, anyway) image of Bono and the boys art-directing over the shoulder of some poor designer who knows U2 is anything but punk.
To paraphrase from a Simpsons episode: “It’s got to be more punk…give me a nice schmear of punk.”
Why does it have to be labeled???? Is it not music??
Sure, i know musicians are the most critical of all critics, but give the boys(U2) a chance, there is far worse music out there today, that is even questionable as to if it is even music, and you question a successful band like U2. What was the last big hit you made???
The last big hit I made? There isn’t one. But the last time I checked, there wasn’t a rule that you had to be a successful musician in order to talk about music. If there is such a rule, then you shouldn’t be talking either…unless…is that you, Bono???
I haven’t checked the credits on this album, but I was surprised to discover that apparently they’ve used the same design studio for their entire career — and it’s the same one responsible for this.
U2 is my staple band. Food for the rest of our lives. They have it all.
Edge and Bono crash in an airplane and go to heaven, where they see God sitting on the great white throne. God addresses Edge: “What do you believe in?” Edge replies, “I believe in the Gibson Explorer and that if we had made more U2 records, the world would have become a better place.” God thinks for a second and says, “I can live with that. Come and sit at my right.”
God then addresses Bono: “What do you believe in?” Says Bono: “I believe you’re in my chair!”