(23 October 2010) Blue Sky Vertigo (Electron Love Theory (USA), [digital release] 2010) is the fourteen track follow up album to Electron Theory's Color Of The Galaxy (review) featuring four female vocalists. An earlier version of this album was released as a compact disc bu Electron Love Theory under the name In the Shadows of U2: Electronic Tribute to U2 in May 2009 with a fifteenth bonus track. A few copies of the earlier album are still available through online outlets.

With contributions from fourteen extraordinary female vocalists, Electron Love Theory's latest release is certain to draw interest from our visitors. That the recordings are covers of U2 classics is clearly a bonus. It is the first female vocal compliation to cover a classic rock band since Love Her Madly (2002) which was comprised of nineteen individual female artist interpretations of songs originally written and recorded by The Doors (review). We believe that Blue Sky Vertigo is also the first such album to be cohesively arranged and produced by a single artist.

Jeff Leisawitz, the award winning musician/producer behind Electron Love Theory and Blue Sky Vertigo, has always been a U2 superfan. After watching Bono swing the white flag around at Red Rocks about a hundred times Jeff spent untold hours figuring out the deceptively intricate guitar parts to "Sunday Bloody Sunday" before banging out the killer bass line in "Gloria." These songs were soon performed in Jeff’s infamous high school cover band, Quarter Pound of Ghandi.

Before long Jeff pushed his way up to the stage on the Joshua Tree tour, bought every import remix 12-inch he could find, lined his bedroom walls with U2 posters and wrote some gushing fan mail to the band. Believe it or not, they responded with an autographed black and white promo photo. When Jeff made his way into the professional music press he wrote glowing reviews for pretty much every U2 release and even managed to get a backstage pass to the Zoo TV tour in LA. Unfortunately the band didn't hang around for the meet and greet.

As the ultimate salute to his all time favorite band, Jeff recruited a bevy of fourteen female vocalists and set them to the music of U2. Electron Love Theory's Blue Sky Vertigo is a heartfelt collection that honors the original songs as it pushes into new electronic spaces. Fused with electric and acoustic guitars these recordings range from slamming dance tracks like "Two Hearts Beat as One" or "Vertigo" to quiet downtempo pieces like "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "One."

About U2. A rock band from Dublin, Ireland, U2 consists of Bono (vocals and guitar), The Edge (guitar, keyboards and vocals), Adam Clayton (bass guitar), and Larry Mullen, Jr. (drums and percussion). The band formed at Mount Temple Comprehensive School in 1976 when the members were teenagers with limited musical proficiency. Within four years, they signed to Island Records and released their debut album Boy.

By the mid-1980s, they had become a top international act. They were more successful as a live act than they were at selling records, until their 1987 album The Joshua Tree, which, according to Rolling Stone, elevated the band's stature "from heroes to superstars."

U2's album Achtung Baby (1991) and the accompanying Zoo TV Tour were a musical and thematic reinvention for the band. Reacting to their own sense of musical stagnation and a late-1980s critical backlash, U2 incorporated dance music and alternative rock influences into their sound and performances, abandoning their earnest image for a more ironic, self-deprecating tone. Similar experimentation continued for the remainder of the 1990s. Since 2000, U2 have pursued a more conventional sound, while maintaining influences from their earlier musical explorations.

U2 have released twelve studio albums and are among the most critically and commercially successful groups in popular music. They have won 22 Grammy Awards, more than any other band, and they have sold more than 150 million records.

In 2005, the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. Rolling Stone magazine ranked U2 at number 22 in its list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time."

Throughout their career, as a band and as individuals, they have campaigned for human rights and philanthropic causes, including Amnesty International, the ONE/DATA campaigns, Product Red, and The Edge's Music Rising.--About U2 courtesy of Wikipedia (accessed October 2010)

Blue Sky Vertigo. The fourteen track tribute was produced, mixed and arranged by Jeff Leisawitz. He also contributes guitars, bass, synth, loop manipulation. Also contributing are: Aaron English (keyboards, [8]); Moses Gershbein (live beats [5, 6, 9, 13]; Leif Tofusek (guitar [8], vocals); and Don Gunn (live drum recording and mixing). The album was mastered by Steve Turnidge (Ultraviolet Studios). Guest vocalists include Amber Flame [9, 14]] and Katy Webber [9]. Pictured left, the album's featured vocalists individual contributions follow their names.

Blue Sky Vertigo opens with Lola Love's tremendous rendition of "Vertigo." Pulsing arrangements provide a perfect backdrop for the artist's soaring solo excursions in the verses and layered harmonies in the lush chorus. A certain favorite of this album is the percussive "I Will Follow" sung by Alison Bazarko. Vocally somewhat similar to Caroline Lavelle, the producer has layered harmonies exploring the singer's range in the familiar chorus.

The up beat and powerful arrangements in "All Because of You" are perfectly suited to Jerri Roberts' rocking lead and lush harmony vocals. StayC Meyer signs on the dance-oriented "Two Hearts Beat as One." Her deep and powerful voice perfectly suit the rich arrangements. "Bullet the Blue Sky" is rocking track sung by Trish Shallest. We especially appreciated the vocalise textures against the raunchy electric guitar.

Sammy Barret does a tremendous job with the vocal work on album standout "Beautiful Day." Sparse yet pulsing verses are perfectly complemented by warm, multi-layered choruses. "New Years Day" is produced with a pulsing beat and balanced with powerful and especially well produced vocal work by Flora McGill. "Walk On," sung by Sarah Christine, is another one of the album's standouts. Sarah's voice has the unique ability to be sensual and powerful when delivering the lyrical message in this stunning track.

The U2 classic "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" is sung by Philana Goodrich. Glistening electric guitars provide a rich foundation for the singer's lovely vocal excursions. Kelly Ash sings "Bad" and is reminscent of Balligomingo's stunning Jody Quine in her crystalline delivery. "Sunday Bloody Sunday" is nicely delivered by Emilia Sosa. Listen for the crisp percussion in the mix. Most likely the most sensual track on the album, "One" is a downtempo number sung wonderfully by Ilen Young. Again, lush harmonies contribute to the warmth of the chorus.

The album standout is clearly "With or Without You" sung by Leilani Paulson. Rich guitar-based and again pulsing arrangements provide a stunning introduction and excellent backdrop for the singer's crisp, crystalline and powerful delivery. Leilani's power obviates the need for multi-tracking anywhere in this stunning performance. There are, however, very light harmonies in the chorus.

Blue Sky Vertigo concludes with the downtempo "All I Want Is You" sung by Bridgid Roney with Amber Flame. Roney's sensual whispy voice is perfectly suited for the lyrical delivery while Flame's soaring crystalline accompaniment in the chorus produces a richness that complements the guitar and rhythm section.

The new album by Electron Love Theory, U2 Electronic Tribute: Blue Sky Vertigo is a stunning tribute to the hits of U2 produced by) Jeff Leisawitz (guitars, bass, synth, loop manipulation, etc). Leisawiz, a long-time fan of U2 has selected a bevy of stunning female vocalists to cover and provide a unique interpretation of the classics. The producer has taken a different road for this album than his former efforts. It will be exciting to see where he goes next!