The begining of a masterpiece...I can't describe what I'm feeling right now as a u2 fan, I have heard the album about 4 times straight now and it is has now weak songs, there are a couple songs I havent really gotten into, but I can admire them as beautiful and am sure I will get into them. The lyrics, the music, larry's and adam's top notch performance throughout, and to top it off, the Edge dominating on virtually ever song.
Vertigo = excellent first single and great opener for the album. u2 as excited as ever, great guitars by Edge and heavy bassline by Clayton. Hit written all over it. (8.5/10)
Miracle Drug = Basically...perfection in every aspect. Bono's voice and especially, delivery, is absolutely stunning. The guitar work is phenomenal, and the solo by Edge is heartbreaking. Also, Larry shines wink: (10/10)
Sometimes You Can't Make it On Your Own = I think this is one of the most emotional songs u2 have ever recorded...very confessional lyrics. The way they sing "And it's you when I look in the mirror...." gives me the chills, the chorus is incredible and the understated, brilliant guitar work underneath it is perfect. The one slight problem I had is with the bridge ("you're the reason I sing...") because of the vocal delivery, but this is a single. Big time single. (9/10)
Love and Peace or Else = Is this u2? They have never done anything like this, the NIN comparisons are very on point. Simply said...this song fucking rocks! Again, brilliant vocal delivery by Bono ("I pray you depart..."), and supersonic, dark, evil riffs from Edge throughout, there are sounds coming from all over and I'll enjoy discovering all of them in the next few months! (9.5/10)
City of Blinding Lights = Epic...Epic u2. Beautiful bulid-up with the piano and I think Bono owns this track, great lyrics and delivery, addicitve chorus which will be a big hit on the summer's tour. I'm not as excited about this track just because of the live version we've already heard, but it's stunning (9/10)
All Because of You = This song acutally surprised me, despite the earlier leaks. The first 0:30 makes me want to cry its so good, the Edge owns this whole track. The guitar work is out of this world, his solo is one of his best and Bono's yelling to jump it off bounced me off the wall. 60's rock and u2, good combination. The Bridge makes this song. It's like the Who made a cameo on the record. (9.5/10)
A Man and a Woman = Yes, I'll say it....one of my favorite tracks on the album. It is the epitome of SOUL, when I hear Bono deliver lines like "Little sister..." I feel like hes been signed to Motown all these years. It took a couple listens to grow on me, but the chorus and the whole structure is pure beauty. The dominator: Adam Clayton, during the bridge when's it just Bono and him for a moment, let me breath for a second. Ok....(9/10)
Crumbs from Your Table = My biggest surprise of the record, it is brilliant. It has this supersonic feel to it, again...Edge swallows the track and dominates it with his guitar work. Bono's delivery makes this chorus amazing, very catchy..the lyrics are very strong, especially the second verse. Very nice surprise, a lot rawer and harder than I expected. (8.5/10)
One Step Closer = Probably the weakest track on the record, but I love it still. The Lyrics are just genius to me, maybe they could done something more with the chorus, but it has this wierd feeling to it which put it over rivals like "Grace." This is a grower, come talk to me in a week
(7.5/10)
Original of the Species = Paul, George, John, and Ringo...I mean, u2 recorded this brilliant track. If this isn't a single, I will be kind of shocked. It is absolutely addictive and incredible, great piano and guitar work again by Edge, I think its place on the album is perfect. Brilliant, I thought some of Bono's delivery was a little off, but his voice sounded great. (9/10)
Yahweh = This is going to have to be a grower for me. This and OSC are the two tracks that haven't sinked it's hooks into me yet. A great closer though, I will 100% get into this song and love it by the end of the month
(7.5/10)
All the doubts, all the hesitations, four years of rumors and waiting...it has all been worth it! I feel I am critical of the things you love, this is true with me. I'm not a blind u2 follower, I am critical of my favorite band, I have had some problems with some of their recent stuff (HTBA and a few filler tracks of ATYCLB), but this album is a masterpiece in the making.
