We were treated to a press listening of the new U2 album yesterday in Sydney, a move geared not towards generating in-depth review coverage, but rather highly emotional blathering, such as this. It’s all about creating buzz —

Lady: Lisa, Bart's got something you can't learn in school.  Zazz!
Lisa: What is 'zazz'?
Lady: Zing!  Zork!  Kapowza!  Call it what you want, in any language it
spells mazuma in the bank!

— and to get us all talking about No Line On The Horizon over the next month to the point of gibberish. The posting of this entry being proof of U2’s terrifying powers of mind control.

In all, my impression is that it’s a strong album that sees U2 referencing their 90s experimentalism with a heavily Eno-influenced sound, massively percussive with big, glammy, hard rock riffs. It’s also really loud. I’m sure someone will do a Death Magnetic comparative chart when the time comes.

Meanwhile Pitchfork has posted the leaked version of Get On Your Shirt Boots.

I’m so relieved we can all put the last decade of Hallmark sentimentality behind us.