I agree with you and Headache about how EBW and California stick out.
EBW in particular, I remember feeling out of place in an album about innocence - lyrically it feels like an 'experience' sequel to Song for Someone.
I think the band just saw EBW as a strong tune, and one of the most likely to do well commercially, and given SoI was the 'comeback' after NLOTH, they put it in just to strengthen the album.
Shame they didn't release the album version of the song.
Whenever they go back on tour, it'd be a welcome change to hear the full band version (and save Bono's voice)
Sent from my iPhone using U2 Interference