where i learned all about minimalism

i just want everyone to know that the new u2 album is awesome. i've been ingesting for the last few days, and it's some good stuff.

i got into u2 way back in the day, before they were the super popular "epitome of the 80's", all over everything with "the joshua tree". they kind of relished being more obscure and alternative for awhile, until "beautiful day" hit it big in 2001. now they are back again, with their own ipod, commercials galore and more hits.

but i feel compelled to say that these guys have written some of the best music around for 25 years now. if anyone ever bothered to listen to the stuff they put out before "the joshua tree", you would hear some young lads experimenting with minimalism, discovering the power of music and not being too pretentious about it.

and i hate to break it to all of you, but "the joshua tree" isn't even their best album. for my money, i'd pick "achtung baby".

all of their albums have one thing that everyone seems to forget about: songwriting. there are many bands with more talent, but u2 continues to succeed no matter the genre, because they know how to put together a good song. even their weakest and weirdest album ("zooropa") has some really good songs on it.

so there you go. give "atomic bomb" a listen, and you'll hear some old irish guys at the top of their game.