Below is a list of some of the longer analytically essays I’ve written. Click on the arrows to reveal a brief summary of the essay as well as the link to the full text.
Opinons
Of course I’ve got opinions. Everyone does, especially about the things they value most. For me, it doesn’t get any better than U2’s music. Here’s where I share my (hot?) takes about the “Biggest Band in the World.”
Opinon: Achtung Baby is U2’s Greatest Album
“As good as The Joshua Tree is, however (and make no mistake, I think it’s a wonderful record that belongs in the pantheon of all-time greats), I don’t think it’s U2’s greatest album. Here, I’ll outline four reasons why that distinction belongs to Achtung Baby.”
Click HERE for the full text.
Theoretically Speaking…
Have you ever been listening to a familiar song and suddenly noticed something new about it? This happens to me all the time, especially with U2’s music. If I hear something new or particularly interesting, my music theory training instinctively kicks in and compels me to dive deeper. That’s what this series, “Theoretically Speaking…”, is all about: an exploration of music through the lens of music theory.
You may be thinking, “What is ‘music theory’?” It’s a discipline within the field of music that approaches the subject from technical perspectives in an attempt to understand how music “works.” Rhythm, meter, pitch, contour, form, harmony, and voice-leading are just a few of the elements music theorists explore. Therefore, this series examines music by engaging primarily with various aspects of the music itself. From there, I derive different interpretations or connections to extra-musical elements like lyrics, religion, or even history, thereby deepening my understanding of the music.
Before I begin, here’s a little background about me. I have a Ph.D. in music theory; my dissertation analyzes the formal and stylistic characteristics of U2’s signature sound. I teach music theory at the college level, where my students learn how to read and write music proficiently as well as how to analyze music of different genres from both written and aural standpoints. Popular music is my research specialty. I focus specifically on form (how songs are constructed), the perception and indentification of song structure, and the interpretative connection between lyrics and music.
Theoretically Speaking… Rhythmic Representations of Uncertainty in U2’s “Zooropa”
“Analyzing the lyrics and rhythm of ‘Zooropa’ has shed new light on why it works so well as a bridge between ‘Bullet The Blue Sky’ and ‘Where The Streets Have No Name’ in the context of the Innocence + Experience show.”
Click HERE to read the full essay.
Theoretically Speaking… Meter as Perspective on U2’s “Songs of Experience”
“This essay analyzes the band’s treatment of meter and its symbolic significance in relation to the songs ‘Lights Of Home,’ ‘Red Flag Day,’ and ‘The Little Things That Give You Away’ individually as well as to an overarching theme on Songs Of Experience.”
Click HERE for the full text.
Like A Song
Originally published for the fan site @U2 (the now defunct atu2.com), these “Like A Song…” features are shorter impressions of songs. The content and writing are less technical than the “Theoretically Speaking…” essays, reflective of the more general tone of the “Like A Song…” series.
Like A Song: “Gone”
“I like the Pop album. There, I said it. I know I’m in the minority, but I think it’s a solid record that has been underrated ever since its release 15 years ago. It’s not a perfect album, nor is it an all-time great album. Some songs feel unfinished, but it’s a good effort with its share of highlights. ‘Gone’ is one of those highlights.”
Click HERE for the full text.
Like A Song: “Magnificent”
“It is comforting and inspiring to know that, despite all the negativity in the world, people are still creating music that is unapologetically hopeful and positive. Times as low and as dark as these need music as buoyant and as bright as ‘Magnificent.'”
Click HERE for the full text.
Like A Song: “Breathe”
“One of my favorite qualities of U2’s music is that I can listen to it regardless of my mood. There is a U2 song for practically any emotional state, and often one song can apply to several moods. ‘Breathe’ is one of those songs for me.”
Click HERE for the full text.
Like A Song: “Zoo Station”
“’Zoo Station’ perfectly reflects what it feels like to finally make it through this arduous process. As the first track on Achtung Baby, it is the song that ushered in a new era for the band. It signals the beginning of a new stage for U2, just as my new job is the start of a new stage for me and my family.”
Click HERE for the full text.
Like A Song: “The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)”
“‘The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)’ is a reflection on how hearing punk rock for the first time was a revelatory experience for Bono. That got me thinking about my own life. I have a good job doing something I love. How did I get here? This is the story of my ‘miracle’ moment.”
Click HERE for the full text.
Like A Video
Similar to the “Like A Song” series, the “Like A Video” essays center around U2’s music videos and the impression they offer. In particular, I explore the connection between the visuals, music, and lyrics. Originally published for the fan site @U2 (the now defunct atu2.com), these “Like A Song” features are shorter impressions of songs.
Like A Video: “Where The Streets Have No Name” – Elevation 2001 U2 Live From Boston
“My favorite live version of “Streets” is from the band’s Elevation 2001 U2 Live From Boston DVD. It captivated me when I first watched it almost a decade ago (!!) and it continues to amaze and inspire me to this day.”
Click HERE for the full text.
Like A Video: “The Fly”
“I discuss three aspects of the video for “The Fly”–its similarities (and differences) with the “With Or Without You” video, its superb coordination of the visuals to the music, and the text that appears throughout the video–and how those elements lend an already significant song even more import.”
Click HERE for the full text.
Like A Video: “Where The Streets Have No Name” – Elevation 2001 U2 Live From Boston
“My favorite live version of “Streets” is from the band’s Elevation 2001 U2 Live From Boston DVD. It captivated me when I first watched it almost a decade ago (!!) and it continues to amaze and inspire me to this day.”
Click HERE for the full text.
Like A Video: “One” – Zoo TV Live from Sydney
“For this piece, I’ll share some of my insights into U2’s performance of “One” from their Zoo TV concert performance in Sydney, Australia. Some relate to the band’s performance, others relate to the song’s lyrics. They all, however, relate to the visceral experience of watching this video of my favorite band perform one of my favorite songs.”
Click HERE for the full text.
Like A Video: “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own” (Single Take Version)
“The single-take version is the subject of this essay, which I dedicate to my unborn son. The song and video both contain a message that I want to tell my son now and every day for the rest of his life.”
Click HERE for the full text.
Like A Video: “Invisible”
“I’m not the only one in my family who can’t get enough of ‘Invisible.’ My 18-month-old son loves watching it, too. It has become one of his go-to calming videos, as you can see here. His immediate reaction to the video got me thinking about the lyrics and how they relate to my newest and most arduous adventure yet: parenthood.”
Click HERE for the full text.
U2 Lists
I love a list. Rankings. Favorites. Best ofs. GOATs. Some technical writing here. Lots of subjectivity. Endless debate. These are some of my U2 Lists.
U2 Lists: Top 7 Funeral Songs
“So, for this list, I tried to imagine U2 songs that would be appropriate regardless of who had died or who attends the ceremonies… My goal was to keep this list as universal as possible. Included here are seven songs that I think could be used at a wide range of funerals.”
Click HERE for the full text.
U2 Lists: Top 10 Favorite Bass Lines
“So, grab a pair of decent headphones (preferably something better than the pair that came with your MP3 player or smartphone) and focus your attention on the lower frequencies for a while. Here is a list of my Top 10 Favorite U2 Bass Lines. Some are included for their technical and theoretical qualities; others simply because I like them.”
Click HERE for the full text.
Christopher Endrinal 