Customer Reviews

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays U2

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

The music of U2 has never sounded worse that it does on this disastrous offering from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Most symphonic records fall completely flat; others really work (Kashmir: Symphonic Led Zeppelin) and others are simply awesome (Metallica's S & M). There are two reasons why this album fails: 1) U2's music simply does not cater to a symphonic treatment (Led Zeppelin and Metallica do) and 2) the arrangements are completely uninspired.

The versions of some of U2's classics like "Sunday Bloody Sunday," "New Years Day" and "One" are the same as the originals, except for some added instrumentation, and the addition of saxophones, oboes, trumpets and organs substituting for Bono's vocals. Amazingly, the world renown Royal Philharmonic Orchestra do not sound like a world class symphony on this album, they sound like a high school band.

A symphony should not use standard rock instruments like an electric guitar, electric bass and synthesizer for its renditions of rock and roll songs. The fact that symphonies lack these instruments is the whole point of symphonic records: it is suppossed to be a new and different interpretation. The RPO apparently does not feel the same way.

The RPO's guitarist, bassist and drummer all do weak imitations of the Edge, Adam and Larry (I'd list the names of the individuals who actually played these instruments, but the liner booklet fails to list the members of the orchestra). This trio is employed on all the songs, in effect acting as a pathetic substitute for the real U2. The proper symphony merely plays around them. As a result, the songs sound a lot worse than the originals they are emulating.

The only track that works here is "Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses," and this is because the arrangement is different from the original version. The RPO's rendition is slower, filled with lush strings and is very romantic. Unfortunately, the rest of the album is a dud. The RPO messes up the opening drum pattern to "Sunday Bloody Sunday" (listen carefully) and they make Van Dyke Parks' grand arrangement for "All I Want Is You" sound completely lifeless.

The selection of songs is also a complete mystery. What is "Even Better Than The Real Thing" doing here? Did the RPO honestly think it would work? The same goes for "Two Hearts Beat As One." Why didn't they throw in "Mysterious Ways" while they were at it? "Running To Stand Still" has potential to work as a symphonic arrangement, as does "Exit" and "Mothers of the Disappeared" (all from The Joshua Tree). "40" from October could've worked too. Selections from POP that could have worked include "If God Will Send His Angels" and "Please."

"One" has worked symphonically prior to its appearance here. Maestro Michael Kamen's brilliant counter melody brought a new level of sublime beauty to the song. Here, "One" is reduced to a laughable attempt at one of the great songs of the decade. The bass line is played in a jazz style, which takes away from the seriousness of the song. Worse still, "One" degenerates at the end when the guitarist conjures up a lame Joe Satriani -type solo. Ugh.

Pride: The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays U2 is a shining example of the detrimental effects of poor work ethic. The RPO rested on their laurels and failed to create any new, fresh or interesting arrangements; and those that they did create are flat out boring and uninspired. If a new symphonic U2 album ever appears further along down the line, let's hope Michael Kamen is at the helm.

Sure, it's not going to substitute for picking up U2's greatest hits album, but the Royal Philharmonic does a pretty nice job. This isn't elevator music by any stretch; the orchestra's sound is well-defined, with mainly strings and horns meshing with various background instruments.

I'm a pretty big fan of the group and would rather put on one of their CDs over this one. "RFO plays U2" doesn't take a whole lot of chances and copies more than creates. But the album serves its purpose. It's soothingly mellow and lets one listen to U2's tunes without being distracted by lyrics--perfect ambient sound.

I don't know where to begin with this disaster of a CD. I admit that when I saw the CD in the bin, I thought it was an interesting concept... if done well. This was not done well.

The RPO took some incredible songs by one of the greatest bands of all time and churned out a bunch of arrangements that High School marching bands will be using in upcoming competitions. I find it an insult as a fan of a still alive-and-kicking rock band to have their music turned into Lawrence Welk fodder.

Yet, it's still better than the "We Will Follow" tribute album if only for the cleavage-showing cellist on the Jewel Case artwork.

Wow! I have to admit that I'm very impressed...
The cover says that the Symphony goes beyond U2 in writing their own music - I'd say that's almost a theft and heresy...
but the Orchestra does a fantastic job of bringing out the small aspects in U2's music... and not in a bad way -more like changing Row, row, row your boat from a kids song to something worthy of theatrical artistry. It sounds like a soundtrack really - except that the electric guitar is the orchestra's surprisingly unique touch.... In Pride (in the name of Love) its strong, and EXTREMELY energizing. The trumpets in Even Better Than The Real Thing are great. and super violins and electric guitar in Bloody Sunday...
I couldn't sit still in my seat to the first five songs... the rest were a great listen also, though it tapers at the end (besides.... my legs were tired from dancing!).

If you like Soundtracks, this is a great look into. Classical.. well.. not sure, but its definitly a great beat for the car or random entertainment. :)

This album is a huge waste of time for any U2 fan, even if you are attempting to gather a collection of every album with the U2 stamped on the cover. The Royal Philharmonic completely misses the soul and fire that makes U2 great. Imagine sitting in a sports car and not getting to start it, or strapping on a parachute, climbing to 15,000 feet and not being able to jump. Well, this album is pretty much the same. The most exciting part of it is the anticipation on the trip home.

It's just like a high school band has gotten a thin arrangement of their favorite U2 songs for the pep rally. Furthermore, it sounds as if it was recorded in their band room. I was expecting more. It is very shallow and disappointing.

The best part of this CD is the bass players cleavage on the front. I'm a diehard U2 fan so when I bought this, I was hoping for sounds like I would hear from John Williams (Star Wars, Indiana Jones) or James Horner (Braveheart, Titanic) but all I got was some crap you'd hear in an elevator. I felt like I was in a Macy's department store. People who like this album are listening to a totally different album than I am. This is one selection that should be discontinued. It's like it was rushed into production so the RPO just cobbled it together. Listen to some sample music before you buy. It's not worth your time. If you look at the majority of the reviews on this page, you'll see what I mean...

For a good reference on how a song should be covered in a classical style, listen to Mancini's version of "With or Without You." Wonderful buildup, delicate arrangement, good use of a rhythm section to keep the song on tempo. This CD is nothing of the sort. A shame. It's flat in sound, classical songs shouldn't be "normalized" at a constant volume!

It's hard to figure out what the intent of this CD was. Electric guitar with distortion? Instead of attempting to reinterpret the songs with the feeling of an orchestra and the wonderful sound of a full orchestra, it sounds more like a high school rock group renting a 10 piece orchestra.

Maybe of more concern than the lameness of this CD is the fact that some U2 fans seem to like it. Apparently anything of U2 must be good? Shows that if Bono made an album of himself using a urinal, a U2 fan would somehow find something artistic about it.

Ugh. What a horrid, horrid, horrid, dare I say... blasphemous CD. What started as a great concept was quickly butchered over 12 tracks. The music is played without heart, without soul, and without any of the passion that it deserves. The instrumentation lacks, the arrangements are weak, and tears were brought to my eyes by the end... tears of pain.

This is a very-very terible for The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra plays U2's music. The sounds does not match at all and not even a bit especially when I listening 'Desire'. I'm very big fan of U2 and I'm very mad of it. Thanks.