U2start.com | Songs of Innocence: general album thread

RattleandHum1988

I'm just so happy these songs exist. They're all so fantastic.

One of the amazing things from this album is (sadly) how relevant is in these days. In The Troubles we have:
Somebody stepped inside your soul
Somebody stepped inside your soul
Little by little they robbed and stole
Till someone else was in control

Fanaticism, political indoctrination, pointless conflicts based on feeble group identities have been the story of 2014, and Bono's lyrics in songs like Raised by Wolves capture perfectly the moment.

LikeASong

10 years

After a second, more detailed listen...

Summary

Trying to hold back from the excitement and the mindblowing presentation move, and focusing just on the music... It's a more consistent album than NLOTH and HTDAAB, steadier, less hit&miss. It has a disctinctive sound all throughout (these albums didn't have any actually). And even though there aren't as many highlights or stand out tracks as in NLOTH (MOS, UC, Cedars, Breathe and No Line were all mindblowing), it has a bigger "album feel" to it - which is something I love.
Edge is truly on fire this time, he's loosen up a bit (and got wild on the fuzz pedal) and it comes through blatantly. Adam is a bit absent on some tracks (something that didn't happen in NLOTH, which was "his" record as many of us said) but stands out in others. Larry is consistently good, with some highlights like Wolves or Iris. Bono is... Bono. A bit too much screaming at times, and I as a singer myself think he'll have trouble singing some of these songs: they're way too high on the vocal range. Let's see how he delivers on tour. The lyrics are amazing anyway!

Top tracks (in no order)
Raised By Wolves
The Troubles
This Is Where You Can Reach Me Now

Rank: too early for this but... Between the good albums and the great ones. Somewhere around Rattle And Hum or NLOTH. I dare to say... 8/10?

Thank U2. Thanks for being the sountrack of my life and the reason I was born and I'm still alive. Love ♥

LikeASong

10 years

3:51 AM over here... Good night lads. Thanks for all your amazing company. Been a great run

RattleandHum1988

10 years

Originally posted by LikeASong:After a second, more detailed listen...

Summary

Trying to hold back from the excitement and the mindblowing presentation move, and focusing just on the music... It's a more consistent album than NLOTH and HTDAAB, steadier, less hit&miss. It has a disctinctive sound all throughout (these albums didn't have any actually). And even though there aren't as many highlights or stand out tracks as in NLOTH (MOS, UC, Cedars, Breathe and No Line were all mindblowing), it has a bigger "album feel" to it - which is something I love.
Edge is truly on fire this time, he's loosen up a bit (and got wild on the fuzz pedal) and it comes through blatantly. Adam is a bit absent on some tracks (something that didn't happen in NLOTH, which was "his" record as many of us said) but stands out in others. Larry is consistently good, with some highlights like Wolves or Iris. Bono is... Bono. A bit too much screaming at times, and I as a singer myself think he'll have trouble singing some of these songs: they're way too high on the vocal range. Let's see how he delivers on tour. The lyrics are amazing anyway!

Top tracks (in no order)
Raised By Wolves
The Troubles
This Is Where You Can Reach Me Now

Rank: too early for this but... Between the good albums and the great ones. Somewhere around Rattle And Hum or NLOTH. I dare to say... 8/10?

Thank U2. Thanks for being the sountrack of my life and the reason I was born and I'm still alive. Love ♥

Good one Sergio. Disagree and agree with parts, but that's a good thing.

I won't give a full review yet, but I will say this. U2 have found a way to take everything modern in music and infuse it with their magic. This album is so U2 and so not at parts, and it's that which makes this album consistently good. I was wrong when I said around here that U2 are too old to be relevant in modern music. This album already sounds both of this century and even transcends it. It's the greatest thing I've heard in a long time. When NLOTH came out one of the first things I thought was "I like this, but it can't touch their classics". This album honestly makes their catalogue sound old and played, and all I want to do is discover the new U2 and listen to this over and over. There's something to be said for that, and it's not just the U2 high. The music on here is interesting and different and catchy and soulful and biting, and Bono's lyrics are his best in a long time. So very happy

jdoyle84

10 years

Well I haven't been on here in a long time. Just so geeked to see new album, had to swing back thru. So far so good. U2 for the new age. IMO.

Ali709

10 years

They did it

I still can't believe it...a few days ago most of us were pissed, and now...wow. What a way to handle a release. They've exceeded every expectation I had!

It was a surreal and memorable night for me too. Had a deadline to submit a report tonight, but watched the whole stream - was left shocked and amazed at the end, but didn't listen till I finished the report.

Finally listened on headphones on the way back, midnight, on a London bus. Amazing experience!!

I won't review it yet, but I mostly agree with Alex. This sounds fresh, decisive and confident. Can't wait for the rest of it, the promos, the tour, possible next album...BRING IT ON BOYS!!!

NeonTiger64

10 years

A new U2 ALBUM!!! FOR FREE!

I only wish I was home when it was announced, have not listened to it yet but just WOW!

Oh and I've just registered here a month or two ago, looks like a pretty good place to chat about U2. Hope to be around more often!

jasvan

10 years

I really recommend listening with a good set of headphones. There is so much going on in this album with production and sounds and texture. It will be missed in a car or computer.

lucas_ramos1000

10 years