Does the album meet or exceed your expectations?

[God Part III]

It not only exceeds my expectations, but blows them out of the water. All I wanted was something a bit better than the last two albums. This slays them. I truly didn't think U2 still had this in them - or more to the point, I didn't think they had the mindset to find this in themselves.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[boosterjuice]

In general, it exceeded my expectations.
I didn't expect Magnificent to make me cry. I've heard the song 22 times now, it's still incredibly good, and probably top five U2 material. I didn't expect that. I didn't think U2 could make music on the level of Achtung Baby anymore.
I also thought that there had to be at least one song I didn't like on there. There isn't. Stand Up Comedy feels slightly forced, but each time the Bono sings "Come on ye people" I forget about that. This is the first album since Achtung Baby to not have a boring song on it. Big props.
No Line on the Horizon (the song itself) is also totally incredible.
"Time is irrelevant, it's not linear - then she put her tongue in my ear" - that lyric still gets me every time: It's the sort of spine-chilling joyous melancholy that only U2 can make me feel. I love it.
I still feel I like it more than Joshua Tree. Yes, I was blown away, actually. I can't believe that this is the same U2 that made Window in the Skies 2 years ago. I actually thought it was going downhill. But nooooo. This is why U2 is greatest band in the world. I don't care about personal taste: No band have challenged themselves like U2 have, whilst still maintain such a high quality. Joshua Tree is 22 years ago, and still, STILL, they're making timeless classics. No Line On The Horizon is a fucking miracle.
To summarize: It exceeded my expectations.

Great summary. My thoughts exactly.

 

[vaz02]

Bomb was an album of singles. Horizon is an album of classics.

 

[digitize]

Right now, it's about exactly where I thought it to be, which is... God only knows what. I can't really judge it yet.

 

[kiwilad]

Bomb was an album of singles. Horizon is an album of classics.

And is that what you expected? Or is it's 'classic' feel taken you by surprise.

It has me

 

[digitize]

It not only exceeds my expectations, but blows them out of the water. All I wanted was something a bit better than the last two albums. This slays them. I truly didn't think U2 still had this in them - or more to the point, I didn't think they had the mindset to find this in themselves.

Yeah, no matter what, I know for a fact that this pwns over attyclub and the bomb by miles and miles.

 

[shart1780]

Exceeds. I intentionally stayed as pessimistic as possible (to the annoyance of many board users) so I wouldn't be disappointed. I am very happy with it so far, although I think it a little front loaded.

 

[last unicorn]

It was not at all what I expected it to be. It's much better.

 

[darijo]

This is much much better than I've expected! Only 3 albums I can listen from the beginning till the end without skipping some songs. JT was the first one; AB second, and this is the third. Absolutely fabolous. I wasn't impressed with GOYB, but this is fantastic! 3rd masterpiece, definitely:

1. Achtung Baby
2. The Joshua Tree
3. NLOTH

 

[T_Mack]

At this point it exceeded them. But this is my first album release as a hardcore fan so I think I may caught in the hype a bit. Time will tell I guess.

 

[rantor49]

92% seem to really like it. Not bad at all.

 

[dan_smee]

I expected greatness. I think HTDAAB is great. I expected a more challenging Bomb.

WOW, I was so far short of the mark its not funny!

 

[deltau922]

My expectations weren't too great after hearing the clips and then getting the other mix of No Line, but man this is some pretty beautiful stuff. The harmonizing is awesome. And I love me some Stand-up Comedy.