SOE
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U2 - Songs Of Experience (2017)
 Tracks: 14

  1. That's enough internet for one day.


    Definitely still loving this album. Lyrically, this album feels much more grounded than what we've seen from the past few albums. The more I listen to it, the more I really appreciate the mixing job that's been done. The sounds hit the mark in all the right places for me, so it's been incredible to listen to.

    I don't think I'd put this album in the top spot, but I'd definitely put it in my top 3-4.
  5. Originally posted by bpt3:[..]
    Curious for the sake of discussion about some of your points here, which I disagree with but would love to talk more about (no “opinion bashing” intended!):

    1. What songs sound “unfinished” to you on SOE? I don’t hear any that sound that way, though even if that were the case i am not sure that would be a bad thing after SOI, which the band has since admitted suffered from being a little too polished.

    2. What do you mean by “Bono album”? Lyrically, SOI was more of an autobiographical type album from Bono. Now, SOI does have more of an overall “rock” sound to it, but I would argue that SOE has more “classic” U2 songs on it - Little Things, Love is Bigger, GOOYOW, etc. Edge’s sound on these songs is more distinctive than many songs on SOI. And I actually think SOE has some of Larry’s best drumming in a long time. Lights of Home’s hip hop style, Best Thing’s buildup on the chorus, Blackout’s fills, etc...

    3. Dieder mentioned this already, but I can relate to his point that SOE ticks all the rights boxes for a U2 album. It just feels like there is more variety expressed here than SOI, an ebb and flow in terms of music and emotions conveyed, where SOI charged pretty much straight ahead with no slowing down apart from Song for Someone. I appreciate the album for that reason, but if we are talking “completeness” I find SOE to top SOI. (That said, i wish they would have experimented just a bit more yet and echoed more of their 90s irony, but that’s another story...)

    good post, you're better at putting it down than me. Agree with your two points.
    Some additions:

    1. SOI, however very overproduced, sounds more 'unfinished' to me compared to SOE. All the ideas of SOE sound crystallised, thought out, perfected. Listen to some songs on SOI (Raised by Wolves, This Is Where You for example) and I enjoy them, but can only think 'the idea of this song is better than this song'.

    2. Yes, yes. SOI feels more U2 'by the numbers' (if there was ever something like that). Listen to SFS. Bread and butter U2 ballad. SOE leaves more to the imagination (Love is Bigger - Lights of Home), more depth.
  6. Originally posted by MoFoNYR15:
    And not one riff even comes close to Cedarwood Rd on SOE. The only guitar work I like on SOE is Little Things. I mean in two songs the guitar riff isnt even written by the edge. SOE is very middle of the road for me personally. I enjoy SOI far better.

    Oh man, that is painful to read but so true And they're 2 of the top SOE songs imo. It's so sad.
  7. Originally posted by MoFoNYR15:[..]
    I’ve played through both SOE and SOI on drums. SOI is miles better in the Larry department IMO.

    And not one riff even comes close to Cedarwood Rd on SOE. The only guitar work I like on SOE is Little Things. I mean in two songs the guitar riff isnt even written by the edge. SOE is very middle of the road for me personally. I enjoy SOI far better.

    I applaud anyone who thinks this is their best work since AB. I’m jealous of that feeling you have with this album.

    I am highly anticipating the upcoming tour. I think most of these songs will sound better live.


    Are you a drummer yourself? I am sure you are in a better place to rate Larry’s work between the two, if so, as I am not a drummer personally...and you’re right that Larry has great moments on SOI. Maybe it’s still the newness of SOE or maybe it still goes back to “variety” for me here, too, that makes his drumming stand out more on certain songs...

    Agreed that no riff touches Cedarwood Road! And it does feel a little weird that Edge didn’t write the riff in Lights of Home or Summer of Love, but that doesn’t stop me from enjoying them both as distinct U2 songs better than most of SOI. Somehow, to me, SOE sounds both more experimental and more confident as a U2 album as a whole.

    But believe me, I don’t consider SOE their best work since Achtung Baby...though I do think it’s their best since Pop. I also wouldn’t even put it in my top 5, as I don’t think the 90s trilogy, JT, and War will ever be topped for me. But so far, it’s definitely resonated with me much more than SOI did initially or has done since, and like you I am very much looking forward to the tour.
  8. Originally posted by bpt3:[..]


    Are you a drummer yourself? I am sure you are in a better place to rate Larry’s work between the two, if so, as I am not a drummer personally...and you’re right that Larry has great moments on SOI. Maybe it’s still the newness of SOE or maybe it still goes back to “variety” for me here, too, that makes his drumming stand out more on certain songs...

    Agreed that no riff touches Cedarwood Road! And it does feel a little weird that Edge didn’t write the riff in Lights of Home or Summer of Love, but that doesn’t stop me from enjoying them both as distinct U2 songs better than most of SOI. Somehow, to me, SOE sounds both more experimental and more confident as a U2 album as a whole.

    But believe me, I don’t consider SOE their best work since Achtung Baby...though I do think it’s their best since Pop. I also wouldn’t even put it in my top 5, as I don’t think the 90s trilogy, JT, and War will ever be topped for me. But so far, it’s definitely resonated with me much more than SOI did initially or has done since, and like you I am very much looking forward to the tour.
    Great post! And yes I am a drummer.
  9. AB and SOE, different age, different moments, different locations (Berlin and not LA Dublin or London), different world of music, different sounds, everything is different from 1991 to 2017. These are great albums but i wouldn't compare both. Imo
  10. I really don't know if I';m going off-topic now but I received the Songs of Experience Silhouette Black T-shirt (U2T76538) and it has a big hairline mark on it...



  11. That's LAME. You can send a complaint form, maybe they send another one or give your a refund or coupon for another purchase.
  12. The album is slipping a bit for me not gonna lie...... I miss Edge. A lot. I loved it first listen, now it feels a bit bland and MOTR

    Interesting that Bono said Larry is still unsure or something along those lines in the RS interview.
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U2start is run by fans for fans. Help us reduce personal costs. Consider to make a donation to support us.
U2start is run by fans for fans. Help us reduce personal costs. Consider to make a donation to support us.