7. Sounds like Broken Bells on fire meets radio rock. This is U2 at their very poppiest.
Good news: still more uplifting stuff. Still a million miles away from JT, AB, Zooropa & co. But hey, album's called Songs of Innocence - innocence = pop naiveté?
I have to say that I am trying, and I think succeeding, to express my feelings on this album without being overhyped by the excitement of its surprise release (that is so like them, y'know?).
This is definitely the best U2 record of the 21st century and may very well be their greatest record since Achtung Baby.
The heavy, electronic sound puts me in mind of not just The Clash and Ramones, but also (on Volcano especially) Arctic Monkeys and (on This is Where You Can Reach Me Now) Muse. But of course there is something distinctively U2tastic about the whole thing.
I loved every song. I'll admit listening to The Miracle (of Joey Ramone) in the rubbish livestream I was cautious... but hearing it on the album, booming in my ears... Yes, it is a terrific song.
All the songs are very good. All of them have a 5-star rating in my iTunes and I severely doubt any will drop with subsequent listenings.
My five favourites on the album? Hard to say, but from the first listen, I think:
-The Miracle (of Joey Ramone)
-California (There is no End to Love)
-Iris (Hold Me Close)
-Volcano
-Cedarwood Road
I finished it and: wauw! Im impressed, this is was defo worth the wait. One of their best work, for sure. Every breaking wave stands out for me. What an album..!
Listening to "California" right now, and sure it's got some Beautiful Day in there, but you can hear Adam and Larry, and Bono's voice is in great shape. It's too early for me to judge this thing, but I'm loving it so far. I'm probably overwhelmed with excitement from the moment Bono asked Tim Cook if he could press the magic apple button and give it to us. After all the doubts I had, and a little anger at how long it was taking, all in the world is right again...a new U2 album without even going to the stores...and Prince has 2 of them for me at the end of the month!
