U2 Songs of Innocence

NIMAN wrote: »

The old U2 were fantastic, now the fact that they gave away their new album to Apple for a PILE of cash sort of says to me that they are done.

You should try disassociate the music from the business side. Every band is a business, a brand, and are there to sell as many records as possible and promote themselves. U2 are no different, they just did something different.

I remember when Radiohead gave away "In Rainbows", everyone said they were geniuses for doing so.

eviltimeban wrote: »

You should try disassociate the music from the business side. Every band is a business, a brand, and are there to sell as many records as possible and promote themselves. U2 are no different, they just did something different.

I remember when Radiohead gave away "In Rainbows", everyone said they were geniuses for doing so.

Whatever about the music, its such a pain in the ass to see Irish people constantly criticize U2 basically because of their success. The Apple download thing being part of the success, the tax optimisation being part of their success (and for Irish people to criticize them on this point is reaching astral scales of hypocrisy).

U2 has reached a level of success that will never again be reached by any Irish artist or probably any Irish individual, while remaining grounded in Ireland and living in Ireland, and the general population goes hoo-haw, big deal. But then Hozier releases a couple of decent songs, and he is gods gift.

I'm a hardcore fan and have to say I found this album dreadful, mediocre stuff. Hard to believe it's the same band who wrote Achtung Baby. Even allowing for the fact that albums like that are a career high and usually a once off for any band, this new album is a shocking dip in quality for them.

Everlong1 wrote: »

I'm a hardcore fan and have to say I found this album dreadful, mediocre stuff. Hard to believe it's the same band who wrote Achtung Baby. Even allowing for the fact that albums like that are a career high and usually a once off for any band, this new album is a shocking dip in quality for them.

I think if you delve a little deeper into the second half, you'll find some things that will please you.

johnpatrick81 wrote: »

Lads those days are gone, U2 are never gonna release another Achtung Baby or Pop. They're all absolutely minted. Almost approaching retirement! They're hardly gonna be that hungry, that innovative.

What they are doing though is still releasing very good songs. Sure they aren't gonna be groundbreaking or artistically awe inducing. But they're polished, melodic, interesting, entertaining tunes all the same.

I'd love a raw angry passionate innovative record more than anyone. But the chances of that happening in this day and age, where they are in their lives, are very very low.

I'm still delighted with this new album.

You're dead right. Not writing off this album at all, there's some very strong stuff, especially on the second half. It just makes me miss the 90s stuff!

Id argue that they are now in the best position to take risks with their music, what have they got to lose at this stage?

They could release an album of Miley Cyrus covers and the subsequent tour would still be absolutely massive.

johnpatrick81 wrote: »

I agree, but when you think of it, what risks are left to take? A line dancing record? Banjos only? I guess I'd love another record down the Zooropa/POP road, but I'm loving this.

What they haven't done yet (and could do):

- An acoustic / stripped down record
- A fully electronic / no guitars record (Kid A style)
- An orchestral / symphonic record (a la Miss Sarajevo)
- A "duets" album, as in, collaborate with someone different on each track
- A proper soundtrack album (not just a few songs like Million Dollar Hotel)
- A big band / standards album (actually I could see Bono doing this solo - or a band album with songs like Two Shots Of Happy, One Shot Of Sad - decent, not like those terrible "swing" albums).
- A live album of new material, recorded and filmed in a small club and also released on DVD.

They won't go country and they won't go R&B (though they bloody might).

I would be personally very happy if they did "Original Soundtracks Vol 2" i.e. another Passengers record. Though I doubt Larry would want to be involved. Having said that they could do it without him. The three others with Eno, Howie B and whoever else. Something ambient and soundscape-y - Always Forever Now springs to mind. That's an awesome track. Passengers is an awesome album.

Well they did that, they went against type and made an 'electronic' record (though there were tonnes of guitars on Pop). It worked for AB and Zooropa, but for some reason Pop didn't click with the record buying public. And its a shame they took that to heart, as it was one of their more interesting and varied records (and that's probably *why* it didn't click with the record buying public).

If they want to stay operating on the level they do, you are right, they need big singalongs and soaring choruses that sound fine next to Where The Streets Have No Name.

They could do these projects (I personally like the idea of a no-guitars record and a symphonic record) and get away with it, but only if they scaled back their touring cycle and perhaps never did big tours again.

They have to decide if they're a touring band or a studio band; its very hard to be both. But they've made the first step with SOI, especially the second half.

I really like this album but it has got panned in a lot of reviews. Then again their last album was quite critically acclaimed at first and is probably the worst they have ever done.

johnpatrick81 wrote: »

Most reviews I have seen have been good to great. The only 2 noteable places that panned it were the usual, NME (pathetic click baiting attempt, shockingly poorly written review getting torn apart in the comments) and surprise surprise Pitchfork.

I always think the most relevant reviews are the ones on Amazon.

You never know what a journalists motivations are.

Rolling Stone gives every U2 album five stars.

i've listened to this album 5/6 times now, and i keep changing my opinion on it. Half the time i think it's an amazing, the other half I think it's a slightly better version of HTDAAB and NOLH.

Miracle - Reminds me of Breath but better
Every Breaking Wave - very enjoyable beside some cringe lyrics
California - love this besides the ropey intro.
Song for Someone - seems like an attempt to recreate Stay (Faraway, So Close!) and it's just that Faraway, So Close!
Iris - City of blinding lights-esq but not with the same pay off
Volcano - a cooler vertigo/boots - not going to be the hit i think they want it to be though
Raised by Wolves - again I really like this song, the chorus is brilliant
Cedarwood song - liking this
Sleep like a baby tonight - again sounds like another U2 song I can't remember. i like it, very 80s imo
This is where - it's ok, very snythy
The Troubles - cool, slow closer, love the other singer on it - really suits it.

I cannot wait to see some of these live, especially the first three songs. I can only imagine the band have some great ideas of how to get the most out of these on tour.

thegreengoblin wrote: »

Any song that starts off with a sample of the Angelus is alright by me!

It's a hard album for me to pin down at the moment, although obviously it's still very early days. One thing I will say is that the first trio of songs are incredibly strong, probably the best three starters since Pop. The prospect of hearing The Miracle live is tantalising. It's a classic opener. Just imagine that dirty guitar sound booming across Croke Park!

After that it flags a bit for me before the last two songs lift it again. I'm hoping the rest of it kicks in for me over the weekend.

Is there a chance that they will play anywhere else besides Croke Park a la Springsteen? I've seen them in Croker a few times now and its never been brilliant.

It's funny though how some of their songs you never really notice suddenly become epic when they play them live. Kite would be a good example of this.