Minding my own business dashing in and out of a mega-retail, I accidentally noticed a giant, bold, black and white “U2” propped up along the record aisles. I must have missed the big news about a new U2 album, but it was no time before I was in line at the cashier with a copy of “No Line on the Horizon“. Just like seeing a queen of diamonds card in “The Manchurian Candidate” I’m subconsciously triggered to buy U2 records. Remember my last story about the weird places I ended up after being “activated”? Not so bad this time, I actually remember walking back to my car, ripping through the plastic, and loading the CD in my stereo. I’ve been playing it a few times to figure it out and it is growing on me. You know it’s hard though to introduce something new to the context of very deep memories. U2 records have been a part of my life to the roots of my identity, and this is their twelfth, almost thirty years from their first. It’s a stretch to accept new books in the bible.

It’s obvious this is going to be another U2 record where the guys work the same formula: Bono’s crafty lyrics and grandstanding vocals, The Edge’s chicken plucking guitar, Adam’s aloof, plodding bassline, and Larry dwelling to this day in “Achtung Baby”. You might write the act off like 20 years of the same gags in “The Simpsons”, but I see U2 very differently now. Bono is, after all, only a part-time rock star now to supplement his day job as an outspoken humanitarian emissary. I see him giving speeches and spending lots of face time with world leaders, so you can understand how I lost track of his creative work. I also admire the four of them for their hard work, professionalism, friendship, and character. I remember when they upstaged Saturday Night Live on the December, 2000 show with their set, and they took over the end credits for an unprecendented(?) third song. Last week U2 pulled a pretty great stunt by playing all five shows of Letternman. They bring a lot of positive energy, the rhythm section is tight, and Bono can’t contain himself. I hope I’m not operating any heavy machinery or entrusted with any important responsibilities when tickets go on sale for the world tour.