Great debate, but there is no clear winner here. Both albums come from different times and places (even though they were, more-or-less back to back). If I had to choose between the two I take ATYCLB. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy Pop, but it's just a bit (I mean a little bit at that) disjointed for me.
When I first heard Pop, back in '97 it sounded like a bunch of B-sides to me. This is mostly due to the fact that it was very experimental and nothing like I had heard (mostly from Bono in the news) it was going to sound like. It wasn't really techno, and it definitely wasn't straight ahead rock, so I was confused. It has grown on me tremendously, but I still think the beautiful songwriting and the "completed" songs on ATYCLB make for a stronger set of songs. I admit it, I like "pop" songs, "ear candy" if you will, and that's what ATYCLB gave me. That said, I am truly more of a fan of hard rock and metal, but I like the sing-along, tap your foot kind of song as well.
Now I'm not saying ATYCLB is that much better than Pop, but it is a better "album", because it's a bit more cohesive than Pop. I wish that Pop had that extra month that Larry has talked about to finish it the way they wanted. Then I think it would've been a very successful as well as special album (meaning I think it is a special album, just not successful).