I have more appreciation for ATYCLB now than I originally did. When I first listened to it, apart from the obvious standout tracks, it just seemed very MOR for a U2 album to me. I still think that, but I've a little more appreciation for some of the tracks than I first did.
HTDAAB was different though. As soon as I heard it, second time through, I played it non stop. It had a lot more of that 'Edge' guitar sound to it that I've loved since I was a kid. I can still listen to the album, but these days I will skip one or two tracks, which I didn't do when it first came out.
If I was asked to choose between ATYCLB and HTDAAB to sit through all the way through, non stop, I would choose HTDAAB without doubt. You could probably make one killer album out of tracks from both albums.
It will be interesting to see what U2 comes up with next. In regards to musical style, there was not a great deal of progression from ATYCLB to HTDAAB, and going on WITS, I'd probably say we won't see a complete re-invention this time around either. We could be waiting a while because if U2 were planning to record the new album with Rick Rubin, he's booked to start recording with Metallica on their new album in the new year.