Damien Rice – One

I’ve already posted Jack White’s cover of “Love Is Blindness” for the U2 cover album AHK-toong BAY-bi. But after hearing Damien Rice’s stunning version of “One,” I couldn’t not share it.

you can’t be holding on to what I’ve got when all I’ve got is hurt

Beautiful. Haunting. Emotive. Perfect.

Damien Rice – One (U2 cover)

Jack White – Love Is Blindness

Jack White is ruddy brilliant. Vocally. Instrumentally. Interpretationally (sic). His cover of U2’s “Love Is Blindness” for the album AHK-toong BAY-bi, a cover album of of Achtung Baby, celebrating the seminal album’s 20th anniversary.

Thanks to Consequences of Sound for posting the track, and be sure to check it out below, as well as a live version of the U2 original.

Jack White – Love Is Blindness

U2 – Love Is Blindness

U2 – M&T Bank Stadium (6.22.11)

[Editor’s note: This guest post was written by my little brother Ezra, who attended the U2 show in Baltimore on Wednesday night. This is his second or third guest post here.]

As I was walking out of M&T Bank Stadium in downtown Baltimore Wednesday night after seeing U2, one of the most mind-blowing performances I had ever witnessed, I was at a loss for words. Just one word kept on playing through my mind: incredible. Everything about the night was simply incredible. The fantastic light show, the complex stage, the pure energy of the 75,000+ crowd. Everything was incredible.

Pearl Jam: 8th Greatest Live Act

Rolling Stone just released the results of their reader’s poll for the Top 10 Greatest Live Acts, and our beloved Pearl Jam made the cut. That’s pretty significant since they’re the only band in the list that wasn’t formed in the 60s or 70s. Also awesome is that all of these bands have clear influences in Pearl Jam’s music.

Bruce, The Dead, and Zeppelin have given PJ the model for both touring intensity and tenacity. Mike and Matt are hardcore Kiss superfans. The guys toured with U2 in ’92, and have spoken of the stuff they learned from Bono. They’ve covered the Stones, and Eddie seems to be somewhat in love with Pete Townshend – turning Pearl Jam into the greatest The Who cover band ever.

After my first ever concert – a Pearl Jam show in 2000 – I turned to my dad, who came along for the ride, and asked him what he thought.

“They were good, but it was no Pink Floyd.”

No, it wasn’t. But it was pretty darn close. Congrats PJ on this honor.

Pearl Jam – No Way

From Rolling Stone:

When you see Pearl Jam you never quite know what kind of show you’re going to get. Sometimes they play all the early hits like “Jeremy,” “Black” and “Alive,” while the very next night be mainly deep tracks from Yield, Riot Act and No Code. Regardless of what they perform, Pearl Jam approaches every show with a Springsteen-like level of passion and respect for their fans. They go out of their way to make each show special, often extending out the encores for well over an hour. It’s one reason why they continue to pack giant venues without radio hits or much media mainstream attention.

The List

1. Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band
2. The Rolling Stones
3. The Who
4. Pink Floyd
5. Led Zeppelin
6. U2
7. Queen
8. Pearl Jam
9. Grateful Dead
10. Kiss

I want to feel sunlight on my face

Sometimes life is easy, and sometimes life is difficult. Sometimes, things get so tough that we end up turning to prayer. And when we just can’t pray anymore, then we still have hope left. Hope. Music. Love. Right now, that’s what we’ve got.

We’re beaten and blown by the wind

Trampled in dust…

Brother, this one’s for you.

It’s all I can do

U2 – Psalm 116 >> Where The Streets Have No Name