My take on a few things!
Evolution 4: Classic Songwriting and Long Album Titles
All That You Can't Leave Behind
How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
???? (New Album in 4 Years)
-> I think this stage is a mix between 80's and 90's U2 sound. Vertigo has the energey and 'guitary' nature of Boy etc., but the effects on the guitar and they rhythm section sounds 90s to me. Adam's bassline especially is VERY 90s U2 i think.
All because of you has enegry of early records but Edge's Lead guitar is very AB, Even better than the real thing!
Crumbs sounds like walk on/electrical storm mixed with joshua tree.
Miracle drug sound like Beautiful Day mixed with Joshua tree.
Thats why they sound familiar but fresh, they aren't really new sounds (except A man and a Women, & Love and Peace, these are cool little experiments!) They are mixes of familiar sounds to creat a new sound.
It's like:
Country + R&B = rock and roll.
80's U2 + 90's U2(ATYCLB 1999) = HTDAAB
->Very new, yet familiar sound. And some experiments to boot! L&P and AMAAW are really cool new sounds and standout tracks on the album.
I guess thats why i find the new album as a semi-new sound, while others may be only hear 1/2 the story! Others being critics who say U2 is back in the 80's, i think the albu sounds more 90s actually apart from COBL, Yahweh, & SYCMIOYO, whcich are also amazing songs.
Next experiment? More of a tribal drums and raw guitar sound with a bit of spanish experimentation ala AMAAW???
Crap that was long, sorry!!! lol