I think it's kind of interesting, for a band as successful as U2, to have an album that is widely perceived as a mishapp and yet, by its qualities, can be appreciated as a hidden gem.
I love the sound of it. I love the intention behind it. I love the people who did it.
If there is such a thing as being "perfectly flawed", well... you have it.
Well said
"the flawed masterpiece"
Perhaps the biggest "flaw" of this album, if there is one, are Bono's vocals. And that's not a dig at his vocals, which i think are perfectly suited for this particular album. But it's call to note that the typically beautiful voice of Bono, in this instance, can often be rough, ragged, and even possibly more spiritually and emotionally urgent as a result of this recording.
I think it is great and well suited for the material.
Think of Mofo; with all of the chaos in this song you don't necessarily need an opera singer trying to compete with the musical equivalent of putting a saddle on Superman and riding him all the way to planet Krypton. But when the music does take a break
"mother....mother....mother.....mother am i still your son....." there's no mistaking Bono trying to make sense of it all as opposed to his earlier raspy whispers that kind of goes with the flow. Later on he screams out for his mother again, like a child who's suddenly woke up in the dark, scared and alone, and he's just realized that she's not gonna be there to comfort him.
Gone. What else can you say about this song? if Mofo was a ride with superman to the outer limits, maybe Gone is what happens once you've arrived. Floating through rainbows and magical sunsets in a world of mystical creatures and mythological Gods, question is, are you one of them? Or just a dinner guest for their pleasure....where does it end and why should it? Life was great where you came from but never ever anything like this...
Velvet Dress. It's the song you need to listen to under the stars with a lover, when one of them falls you're there to catch it for that special person. Or you might be in the castle room alone, shadow of the lit fire, knowing the shimmering sounds are preparing you for the many rooms of the mansion where a lover awaits.
Dare i say this
is a perfect album, your shield and your armor. It took the punches for you when you needed it the most. Together you emerge battered and bruised.
If there ever is a remaster, i do hope they resist the urge to re-record the original songs. Leave them alone! But please do give us the rare jewels that are hidden in the vault, throw in a poster from the era, a pretty book, maybe a pop t shirt, and perhaps some remixes, and a surprise bonus live DVD that we don't already own.
POP
Even if you listen to it alone, you're never actually alone in this journey.