U2 | Songs of Innocence

[Lament]

Raised By Wolves, Cedarwood Road, and This Is Where You Can Reach Me Now are my early favorites.

[Lament]

This album really cements itself in the second half. From Raised By Wolves on through the end it reaches some really nice heights.

[dsb1218]

For those still having issues locating the download, would it be fair to say that...

*suavely whips out a pair of sunglasses

...you still haven't found what you're looking for?

/Caruso'd

[stip]

Now I really want to listen to this tonight, but I have so many playlists to get through...

[Jorge]

For those still having issues locating the download, would it be fair to say that...

*suavely whips out a pair of sunglasses

...you still haven't found what you're looking for?

/Caruso'd

[stip]

Was this a total surprise or did U2 fans know this was coming?

[Lament]

A few weeks ago a high ranking exec at Apple leaked something along the lines of "One of the biggest names in music history is about to drop a brand new album with no advance notice and give it away for free on iTunes in the immediate future." On the U2 boards I lurk, there was really heavily speculation that it would be U2. But other than that, it was kept under wraps remarkably well.

[LetMeSleep]

Now I really want to listen to this tonight, but I have so many playlists to get through...

I was midway thru Plat's playlist which was ditched for U2. Take that, buddy.

[Kaius]

Cool. I'll be checking this out tonight or tomorrow since I don't work.

[Lament]

I was getting ready to do my review of the latest Secret Mix, but it got scrapped for this. I'm on my third listen now.

[PryTo]

Nice of 'em to do this. Listening now.

[ridleybradout]

Quote from Bono "If you like Songs of Innocence, stay with us for Songs of Experience. It should be ready soon enough… although I know I’ve said that before…"

With two new albums and a tour on the cards, I guess we'll have to wait until 2017 for the Pop Deluxe reissue

[stip]

ahh, the hell with it. U2 is a top 10 band, even if I haven't cared about them much for a while. Listening now.

[stip]

this first song better be great. I hate the ramones

[Jorge]

Wow this sounds super Danger Mousy.

[stip]

The Miracle (of Joey Ramone): the music is really good, but that's never their problem. I don't know if I'm sold on Bono yet. This song has potential, but it wasn't love at first sight.

Every Breaking Wave: This better be about Eddie Vedder.

I'm immediately put in mind of With or Without You with the bass. I didn't like that they went to an an thematic chorus. But I'm of the opinion that since Bono can't do what he used to these sorts of songs will only suffer by comparison, and it detracts from the more intriguing verses. I really like what edge is playing in the second verse.

California (There is no End to Love): Some weird beach boys homage at the start of this? It's distracting. The music is really good. But I feel like this song is aiming for more balls than it has during the verses, and more abandon during the chorus.

[stip]

Wow this sounds super Danger Mousy.

is that good, bad, or just an observation?

[Jorge]

Just an observation, I really like some Danger Mouse-produced albums and really dislike others.

I don't think there's a band whose music I've gone from loving so passionately to hating intensely as much as U2. I'll give this a dedicated listen at some point this week.

[stip]

5 songs in I don't think this is going to do much for you. It's definitely recorded by the same band and the same sessions that produced that Invisible song from the superbowl. I'm almost halfway through and not really impressed. I hope Lament is right that the second half comes into its own.

[stip]

Song for Someone: Not a big fan of this one. The music isn't particularly interesting (sounds very U2 balladish, but uninspired), and the resonance lost in Bono's voice is on display. It's not that he sounds bad. He just sounds thin, and since the music here isn't particularly rich it's really up to him to fill up the space. That bridge isn't very good.

Iris (Hold Me Close): Ahh, there's that familiar edge guitar chime. It's such a great sound. So u2. Though they aren't doing much with it in here. At this point we've heard this sooo many times there needs to be something interesting surrounding it. The fun is hearing that familiar sound in a new way. The background vocals on this are not doing the song any favors.

Volcano: Very early 80s u2 bassline. Actually, the same is true of the guitar. War/Unforgettable Fire era sound. Pretty good verses. Another let down of a chorus.