I haven't posted on this site in years. some of you may remember me. First of all, some background…
U2 had been my favorite band for 15 years (I was 14). I got into them when ATYCLB came out and quickly became a little too obsessed. Within a year I had memorized every song they'd released up to that point (including one offs and b-sides). My fandom remained strong through HTDAAB, even though I considered it one of their weakest albums. My faith in the band was wavering and I didn't expect much from NLOTH, but, to my surprise, the album far exceeded my expectations. When I was able to see the band live for the first time in Seattle for the 360 tour I was again completely blown away. It was one of the best nights of my life.
In the years after that I still enjoyed U2 a lot, but I got into other bands more. It wasn't that I liked U2 less, I just filled my listening time with a lot of newer (and lesser known) music, favorites including Vampire Weekend, Sigur Ros, Nick Cave, Andrew Bird and others. I also saw all of these bands live (and was blown away).
After a few years of waiting for Songs of Ascent to show up I kind of got the impression that U2 was fizzling out and that they were out of ideas. When I heard they brought Danger Mouse on board some faith was restored (he's amazing). Once that excitement died down I forgot about U2 until I saw an album review on pitchfork one day. Obviously my first instinct was "HOLY CRAP I NEED TO LISTEN TO THIS ASAP". So I downloaded the album, put it on my iPod, called my mom up and told her we are gonna go have dinner and listen to the new U2 album (we have a tradition of sitting in the car and listening to new U2 while eating a cheeseburger).
After the first song we said to each other "eh… that wasn't very good. maybe the next one will be better". well, it was better, but not much. We just sat there the whole time trying to find good things to say about the songs, but we couldn't. You're already probably thinking "but they're great!!". Well… I disagree. Nothing on this entire album has any kind of punch or impact on me. There are a few bright spots like parts of Volcano and Sleep Like a Baby, but overall the entire sound of this album just seems flat, overly glossy, sterile and completely lacking in balls. The lyrics are, in my opinion, horrible. I mean really, just listen to Miracle. I've had complaints about Bono's lyrics in the past but this is just cringeworthy. I'm not saying I hate the album. I do like a few songs (EBW, California, Volcano, Sleep Like a Baby, Troubles, Reach Me Now), but I don't love any. This, to me, is U2's "safest" album. You may think I need my ears checked because I'll admit it is somewhat of a departure in sound production-wise from their past albums, but in the most sterile, mainstream way. The production here reminds me of the stuff I hear hours every day at my work. The boring pop production of top 40 music. Even the rock songs don't sound like rock songs. They sound like a sterile hybrid of rock, pop, electronic and a hint of dubstep. Not that there's anything wrong with that formula, if done right (U2 have done rock/electronic right many times), but this just sounds like the flavor of the time to me. Nothing that excites me sonically. There's no kick to it. Play any of these songs then put on Magnificent or NLOTH and you'll hear what I mean. Everything here leans more toward a shiny, glossy sound that leaves me bored. Completely over produced. I've tried listening to this album dozens of times, trying to "get" it, but I just can't. I just always want to turn something else that actually engages me on. The only use I have for these songs is scattered throughout a U2 playlist where they sound more like interesting little distractions.
I'm really surprised this album is getting such positive reviews here. I guess I'm the odd man out. I am thankful they dropped this album out of the blue, though, because if I had time to hype myself up for it I would have been much more let down, as opposed to now, just feeling completely apathetic to U2 at the moment. Here's hoping Songs of Experience redeems my faith in the band, although I don't have much hope at the moment, nor do I find myself caring that much.
