I really like SOE, but it definitely hasn't stuck with me the same way that SOI has. Raised By Wolves, The Troubles, EBW, the glorious Sleep Like A Baby, Reach, hell even Volcano are all songs that feel right with their age and position. Miracle would make a fine album cut, but shouldn't have been the lead single.
SOE... I get the construct. Bono writing "letters" to his wife, son, daughter, maybe themselves... So there is a narrative quality that you sort of have to understand to appreciate most of the songs. Obviously Love is All, Lights of Home, Little Things, 13, Love is Bigger (that's a lot of love, sigh) Landlady, Red Flag Day all fit into that box. and are strong songs.
I like Best Thing, I think it's a well done pop song. And Summer of Love (oy more love) but not exactly sure it follows the narrative. Get Out would have been better without the political stuff shoved in, but is just a boring song.
This is where SOE falters. There are songs on it that just don't fit like American Soul and The Blackout. I like the latter, but just is miles off from the vibe of the rest of the album. It feels shoehorned in. The Showman I just downright don't like. SOE could have, and IMO should have been a more meditative album from start to finish.
U2's best albums have always had an "atmosphere." Not referring to atmospheric, but a feeling that permeates through the entire album. UF, AB, Zooropa, JT, War, etc... Somewhat with POP. SOI gets really close as well.
They run into trouble when they have these songs that just veer off. Obviously this is most apparent with No Line. A tremendous album that was just wrecked by three songs. And the funny thing is, lots of U2 albums have 3 or 4 bad songs. But it doesn't take down the whole album if those weak songs still feel like they fit into the albums atmosphere.
Then they also run into trouble when they release lead singles that don't represent the album. POP, SOE, somewhat SOI, and obviously No Line.
