41. Jordan Stepp Discusses U2, Pop

Send us Fan MailIt's rare that I get to talk about a band I know as well as U2 on this podcast, but I got a real education on the band and on their Pop album from Jordan Stepp of Athens Music Junkie. In addition to walking me through the dozen tracks of Pop, Jordan talked about working for an academic press, writing as a freelance music journalist and the important place that Pop holds in U2's discography.Jordan recommended that I watch the video for Discothèque, and I'm glad that I followed that advice. If you haven't seen it, take five minutes and enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpvF7Qq9svkYou can (and should) follow Jordan on Twitter at @AthMusicJunkie.Also, check out Jordan's fantastic site, Athens Music Junkie, especially if you want to know what's going on in the Athens music scene. It's at athensmusicjunkie.com.1:26 Jordan joins the show2:04 Jordan talks about some of the music books that were pitched to UGA Press4:56 Jordan recounts writing about music on MySpace and for Flagpole7:33 We pondered whether it’s best to not revisit one’s own past writing9:51 For better and worse, U2’s albums have been marked by perfectionism13:58 Jordan urges Al to listen to the Passengers album16:38 Jordan talks about being introduced to U2’s music19:41 Al views ATYCLB differently now that he’s heard Pop22:55 Seeing U2 on the War tour made Al a fan24:35 Al checked out on all of his favorite bands around the time that Pop was released26:59 Jordan likes Pop as U2’s “misfit” album28:55 U2 tends to shy away from playing tracks from Pop live30:13 Pop was a unique album for U2 because of its “meanness”Track-by-track breakdown33:08 Discothèque39:42 Do You Feel Loved46:27 Mofo53:50 If God Will Send His Angels57:01 Staring at the Sun1:03:03 Last Night on Earth1:09:04 Gone1:15:45 Miami/The Playboy Mansion1:20:14 If You Wear That Velvet DressA brief departure from the album…1:22:35 Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me1:26:10 Please1:30:38 Wake Up Dead ManSupport the show