Wow. Wow. Wow. It's been a long time coming, but man, was it worth the wait. This new album is SO amazing and energizing! The more I listen to it all, the more I fall in love with U2 all over again
Personally, I'm excited that they (finally) stepped out of their comfort zone a bit more, with strings and even another vocalist (!!!). I'm one of those oddballs who loves the Pop album, so I like it when they stretch themselves more. Think they need to do more of this in future. Bono's voice is still amaaaaazzzingly great, you'd never know he's 54, his falsetto still KICKS ASS! If those vocal cords could talk...oh wait, they do. ALOT.
Still wrapping my brain around all the lyrics. I love that B is being so introspective and looking back. 20/20 hindsight and all that. I'm just thrilled to have new music that is both lyrical and meaningful and isn't full of contrived, manufactured synth pop bullshit like most of the stuff today. I'm honestly horrified at the CRAP that young people are subjected to that masquerades as 'music.' *shudder* Of course, I'm now looking into stuff by Lykke Li, who I'd never heard of before. But then...that's what U2 does, isn't it? Opens all sorts of new doors to all sorts of new--everything--for fans to discover.
It's also rekindled my love for some of their older stuff, so I've been on quite a heavy U2 streak this week...like meeting up with a great old friend you haven't seen in awhile but you pick up right where you left off like you haven't missed a beat...(for instance, right now, 'Wire' aaaaaah!!!) *explode*
As things go, out of 10, I think this one's a solid 8 at least...if not *edging* up to a 9 (GET IT? LOL).
Could be one of their best ever, IMHO!