After a few listens, I'm still in shock. I had let my guard down to expect another NLOTH...which I like, but I so fell for all the pre-release hype. Innocence has the sound of a band willing to kick itself in the ass and not rest on past accomplishments. I'm very very happy today. Getting the thing for free while Bono and Tim Cook went through their little comedy routine was kinda funny. In the back of my mind, I'm saying, oh yeah, they're gonna give it away free..and then he says it! What a day. No matter where this albums ranks after it sets in, the gimmick along with some very strong songs will make this a memorable day for me...and for a long long time.
"Song For Someone," is really moving me right now. I feel like writing some new music myself. I love the similarities to "Babyface," in the vocal arrangements, and Edge's guitar may recall a bit of the original "I'll Go Crazy," but a much better song. I feed homeless cats on occasion at a nearby grocery store parking lot, and a few weeks ago, I named one of them "Volcano." And he's got a new U2 song named after him that I love. As someone mentioned, the "Glatsonbury" guitar riff lives on, but in a much better song. I am not so fond of "Iris" yet, but the yearning soaring vocal from "Invisible" is in there, so it's not a bad song. I will admit to not liking the Ramones, but the punk attitude of "Volcano," and "The Miracle" are the sounds I was hoping the band would gravitate to on this album. "This Is Where You Can Reach Me Now" has the playfulness of Spider-man's "A Freak Like Me Needs Company," with a little less absurdity, but remaining a fun song. This is a fine record...a mature band embracing maturity without compromising their sound. Many older artists try to hard to sound like younger bands, or get "Sting disease" where they sound like they are making albums for their Grandfather...U2 have managed to avoid both traps. This album is not just for themselves, but it's an obvious gift to us....the fans.
