Passengers was a little known side project that was composed and recorded between Zooropa and Pop.
After Zooropa, U2 had hit a brick wall creatively so Brian Eno suggested they just improvise and see what happens. This was kind of fruitful so they decided to record a soundtrack for the film The Pillow Book. This didn’t work out. Eno then just suggested that they make soundtracks for imaginary films. This is the idea that became Original Soundtracks.
According to Wikipedia, the liner notes contain summaries of the imaginary movies that each song appears on. There are , however, three exceptions: Ghost in the Shell, Miss Sarajevo and Beyond the Clouds. The authors names are both Brian Eno. One is an anagram and the othe is just Brian’s name just spelled with the letters following the proper ones.
Usually I devour liner notes, but for this album I merely glanced at them (and that’s only after listening to it several times over). The album is mesmerizing. It claimed that because Brian Eno was full songwriting partner and the experimental nature of the music Passengers was chosen as the moniker. If this is the official explanation (and I doubt there is such a one) then I believe it’s improper. If it was to merely separate it from the more conventional U2 albums, that not only does a disservice to Brian Eno but also to the music. By having him as a full songwriting partner (he also plays throughout) alters the chemistry thereby making it another band. Brian Eno does produce a lot of their albums but he is not nearly as involved. In my opinion, this makes it a different entity. If the reason were purely promotional, then it is gutless. After all, they’ve already established themselves and made a lot of money for themselves and the record company; why not make a more artistically fulfilling album?
The album is almost entirely electronic and is a great soundscape. “Your Blue Room” and “Miss Sarajevo” alone are worth the price of the album. The music on this is much more adventurous than anything they had ever done. In my opinion, it is more worthwhile than anything since Achtung Baby (and you might be able to included that as well). I found the music very genuine and moving. Music is beyond words. Words only underscore give a little extra depth and on this album they are sparse and well-used. Compare this with Pop you will see the difference in inspiration. Frankly, I wish they would do more of this.
It’s true that you can’t make a great album every time, you can only make the best you can at the time. To consciously do anything else is to waste your time and everyone else’s. There so many times that bands do a great album that is successful and the question afterwards too often, “How do we follow it up?” That question is merely a monetary one. It should not be a concern; the concern should be to carry on. Make the best album you can at the time; screw everything else. This, of course, is easier said than done with a record company breathing down your back and bills to pay.
The thing that often gets forgotten is that music is intangible. The music itself cannot be a market campaign. It’s a minor miracle when endures if dollars are the main concern. Even then, it is beyond the artist and everyone involved. This album stands on its own. The members of U2 should consider this an artistic achievement (obviously Larry Mullen Jr. does not, see Wikipedia article). For Brian Eno, it’s just another day at the office. This is not to be construed as a put-down of U2.
The dismaying thing about this album is that U2 did not try to more effectively incorporate this idea into their own albums. But that is inconsequential. It is a great one to seek out. It will make your car ride or time spent in the dark with headphones on more worthwhile.
Note: As always, all criticism is mine. Background for this entry was from Wikipedia who has multiple sources. This is not an advertisement for Wikipedia but I think the concept is good. Just understand that what is says is not always accurate and true. Same goes for my blog but I try not state something that is not true and accurate. I always give my honest opinion, no matter who I piss off.