1. Originally posted by cesar_garza01:I don't know, Summer of Love or Book of Your Heart seem very adventurous to me and they pushed their boundaries while still preserving their sound and identity.
    Actually, Summer of Love is one of the tracks that I really love.

    Agreed.
  2. The job of a reviewer or a critic usually demands them to be cynic about everything, otherwise risks to be called a fanboi...
    I am not and I don't want to be a reviewer or a critic, I just want to enjoy the album of my favorite band.

    ---

    Now, I think this album has been pushing their musical boundaries...
    Safe U2 by numbers? ok, we have our regular happy meal: there's Best Thing, Get Out and American Soul, (although I think they're better songs than previous in that category).

    But the rest of the album? is either too mature or too out of their comfort zone to say they're just playing it safe.

    And the last album had a more interesting sound.
    And then, with all its flaws, No Line had many interesting things going on.

    So... by "playing it safe" I'd go with Atomic Bomb and Leave Behind. After that it's just the obligatory "happy meal" included in each album and that's it.

    ---

    The most important thing I read in the RTE review is this:
    ...and the listener’s interest in the singer’s private life will dictate how much room in their hearts they have for another paean from a very famous bloke to his wife and kids.

    Maybe that's the heart of the matter.
    If you don't care about the things Bono and U2 care (be it love, or refugees, or family), if you don't "know" what he cares about and why, maybe that's a huge impediment to enjoy these albums that I love.
    Not sure, but it made sense when I read it in there.
  3. Originally posted by Bloodraven:The job of a reviewer or a critic usually demands them to be cynic about everything, otherwise risks to be called a fanboi...
    I am not and I don't want to be a reviewer or a critic, I just want to enjoy the album of my favorite band.

    ---

    Now, I think this album has been pushing their musical boundaries...
    Safe U2 by numbers? ok, we have our regular happy meal: there's Best Thing, Get Out and American Soul, (although I think they're better songs than previous in that category).

    But the rest of the album? is either too mature or too out of their comfort zone to say they're just playing it safe.

    And the last album had a more interesting sound.
    And then, with all its flaws, No Line had many interesting things going on.

    So... by "playing it safe" I'd go with Atomic Bomb and Leave Behind. After that it's just the obligatory "happy meal" included in each album and that's it.

    ---

    The most important thing I read in the RTE review is this:
    [..]

    Maybe that's the heart of the matter.
    If you don't care about the things Bono and U2 care (be it love, or refugees, or family), if you don't "know" what he cares about and why, maybe that's a huge impediment to enjoy these albums that I love.
    Not sure, but it made sense when I read it in there.
    Oh yeah, I think that’s a big part of it. BIG part of it. There’s no universal “Still Haven’t Found” on these albums because they are very personal and specific. I can’t relate to many of the songs, but hey, that’s not always the most important thing in music, or what necessarily makes music good.
  4. Originally posted by Bloodraven:The job of a reviewer or a critic usually demands them to be cynic about everything, otherwise risks to be called a fanboi...
    I am not and I don't want to be a reviewer or a critic, I just want to enjoy the album of my favorite band.

    ---

    Now, I think this album has been pushing their musical boundaries...
    Safe U2 by numbers? ok, we have our regular happy meal: there's Best Thing, Get Out and American Soul, (although I think they're better songs than previous in that category).

    But the rest of the album? is either too mature or too out of their comfort zone to say they're just playing it safe.

    And the last album had a more interesting sound.
    And then, with all its flaws, No Line had many interesting things going on.

    So... by "playing it safe" I'd go with Atomic Bomb and Leave Behind. After that it's just the obligatory "happy meal" included in each album and that's it.

    ---

    The most important thing I read in the RTE review is this:
    [..]

    Maybe that's the heart of the matter.
    If you don't care about the things Bono and U2 care (be it love, or refugees, or family), if you don't "know" what he cares about and why, maybe that's a huge impediment to enjoy these albums that I love.
    Not sure, but it made sense when I read it in there.
  5. Will the record become available on Spotify as well this Friday?


  6. See that's the thing I don't accept. I don't like taking into account the point that the band is at. I think it's irrelevant whether or not they release this album at 57 or 27. I sit down, listen to the album and take a step back, and try to be objective. I don't care that the songs on SOI might tickle the fancy of some die hard fans who know what cedarwood road is about and where it is, or if there's a song on SOE about Ali, and whether or not they tie in with the band's history. It's like an inside joke that you aren't in on. You won't get it. I just care whether they're good songs and if they can hold their own and compete with music from other artists who are making music at the moment. I just prefer what others are making, it's as simple as that.

    I also think that's what a lot of people on this site need, a bit of a reality check about being objective. Most people here get so caught up in the excitement of new music that they can't do anything except act like kids in Christmas day. It's like criticism isn't allowed. I don't care that they're my favourite band and I've seen them live a few times, I take anything they release for what it's worth. And I don't think it's much
  7. Originally posted by dylbagz:[..]


    See that's the thing I don't accept. I don't like taking into account the point that the band is at. I think it's irrelevant whether or not they release this album at 57 or 27. I sit down, listen to the album and take a step back, and try to be objective. I don't care that the songs on SOI might tickle the fancy of some die hard fans who know what cedarwood road is about and where it is, or if there's a song on SOE about Ali, and whether or not they tie in with the band's history. It's like an inside joke that you aren't in on. You won't get it. I just care whether they're good songs and if they can hold their own and compete with music from other artists who are making music at the moment. I just prefer what others are making, it's as simple as that.

    I also think that's what a lot of people on this site need, a bit of a reality check about being objective. Most people here get so caught up in the excitement of new music that they can't do anything except act like kids in Christmas day. It's like criticism isn't allowed. I don't care that they're my favourite band and I've seen them live a few times, I take anything they release for what it's worth. And I don't think it's much
    well, that's ok.
    I honestly don't know what to say, it sucks that you didn't like it, and I honestly hope that there's another album and that you love that one.

    Just one thing, I don't think we need a "reality check", certainly I don't. Even if I live in a fantasy world where U2 is making the most best amazing music ever, I'm happy in this world; if I really want to check the music some other bands are making and I prefer it over U2, I'm perfectly capable to find it.

    So, again it sucks it didn't work for you, I'm honestly sorry to hear that, but I hope you don't make your mission to try to spoil the fun of everyone else just because you think you need to "open our eyes".

    Also, hopefully eventually you start liking at least a couple of songs from this album.



    (we can always talk about the albums you really love)
  8. Yeah, like I’ve said before, I envy the people who enjoy things because they’re enjoying while I’m not, and I feel bad for those who can’t, if they’ll permit me.

    I don’t like that there’s a viewpoint of criticism not being allowed, maybe we need to take a step back.

    U2’s music certainly is not the only music I listen to by a long shot, but they’re my favourite band by a long shot, and philosophically I do think I see that differently, in that I do view a new album as another notch in their career and don’t view new albums as singular pieces of music. I always listen to them as part of the U2 canon. Does that mean I’ll allow concessions where I wouldn’t with other artists? Probably, but it also means I’m harsher too, and I think that goes for many here too. We can all be harsh and critical when we’re not feeling it, and jubilant when we are, because we all care so much.

    But yeah. I think at the end of the day we listen to a new U2 album differently, and that’s fine. But I do stand by this being a great album even if U2’s name wasn’t the one on the cover.
  9. I'm actually glad the leak happened because Friday is going to be a busy day for me and I wouldn't have the time to really listen to SOE and absorb the songs, lyrics, etc.
  10. Originally posted by RattleandHum1988:Yeah, like I’ve said before, I envy the people who enjoy things because they’re enjoying while I’m not, and I feel bad for those who can’t, if they’ll permit me.

    I don’t like that there’s a viewpoint of criticism not being allowed, maybe we need to take a step back.

    U2’s music certainly is not the only music I listen to by a long shot, but they’re my favourite band by a long shot, and philosophically I do think I see that differently, in that I do view a new album as another notch in their career and don’t view new albums as singular pieces of music. I always listen to them as part of the U2 canon. Does that mean I’ll allow concessions where I wouldn’t with other artists? Probably, but it also means I’m harsher too, and I think that goes for many here too. We can all be harsh and critical when we’re not feeling it, and jubilant when we are, because we all care so much.

    But yeah. I think at the end of the day we listen to a new U2 album differently, and that’s fine. But I do stand by this being a great album even if U2’s name wasn’t the one on the cover.


    I'm too obsessive, I go for long periods of time with my obsessions...

    When I'm in U2 mode (like now and for the last few months), I really don't like to listen to anything else. When I'm sick of listening to U2, I just play Achtung Baby or Pop, until I want more U2 and go back to Boy or TUF or SOI.

    But then, it comes the time when I'm finally done with it, and so I move to Pink Floyd, and it's the same story... I'll spend a couple of months listening nothing but PF.
    Then it'll come James turn most likely.

    And then, it'll be a year or more where I will listen to anything else in my collection or finding out new music, anything but absolutely nothing to do with U2 (seriously, I actively avoid listening to U2 or PF for months).

    Luckily for me, this one came while in U2 mode for me.
  11. Originally posted by cesar_garza01:I'm actually glad the leak happened because Friday is going to be a busy day for me and I wouldn't have the time to really listen to SOE and absorb the songs, lyrics, etc.
    ...we had all weekend