If you set your expectations realistically then there is no way the new album should disappoint.
I would just suggest not expecting a certain "sound" because most of U2's albums, if not all are quite diverse. So while Bono might be talking about 'loud guitars' and such, you know good and well, there will be 2 ballads, 2 radio friendly mid-tempo radio singles, a couple of rockers and then the strength of the album will come from the other 5 or 6 songs. U2 are good songwriters, but usually great or even good albums are diversified in songwriting, which by it's nature means, some will like some songs more than others. I think Miami was a great song, some people think it's crap, I don't care to much for Stuck, but some people think it's great. But that's what U2 are, a band of different elements and if you expect a little bit of everything, then you shouldn't be disappointed.
The band have proved one thing, if anything, they like every other band in the history of rock and roll, can't please all of their fans, but they have so many fans it's virtually impossible. They thing about U2 is they are consitently great at making records that leave you wondering what the band will do next. And that might be their greatest asset. They don't need to be #1 on the charts to validate their music, but sometimes you'd think the band believes it does. The music buying public is to fickle to gauge your success on what is selling and what is not. Pop was not a failure by any stretch, unless you are consdiering your own expectations. I agree with Griffiths, that album will be looked at in 10 years as U2's most misunderstood album, but very creatively sound and diverse.
The true test will be if the music is worth listening to along side with the rest of their efforts. My guess is that it will be, as long as you don't expect something that will not happen. U2 are going to give us what they want, not what they think we want. That is their formula and I think it's worked ina great fashion. Although there will always be a certain number of fans who are going to want something else.
ATYCLB is not one of my top 5 or 6 U2 albums, but it IS a great album because it affected many people and it obviously touched many people. Just because it didn't affect me the same, doesn't mean you should overlook the obvious. And if the new album "is not that bad", then why would that be surprising? Their worst album (whichever one you consider their worst) is certainly "not that bad" and anything they are doing in this day and age, 25+ years sonce they formed is just adding to their legacy.
U2 are a great band with many great albums, it's just a matter of opinion which ones are great to you and which ones aren't. When in truth, they are all great because they mean different things to different people, and the new album should be no different.
Expect from U2 to be U2. WHich means many things, all of which should be considered when "wanting" the new music to be what YOU want. I want new U2 and I don't expect it to be the greatest album I've ever heard, but I do expect it to contain the things that make the band great to EVERYONE on ths board. And that might include some songs that aren't my favorite, but I'd be willing to bet that my least favorite tracks are someone else's favorite tracks. That's why they are great, because they deliver different songs to different people, and they'v done it over and over and over.
I'm ready for what's next.