SOI autopsy - what went wrong?

[mikal]

Oh one more thing. Sleep Like A Baby is so fucking rad. (Both versions)


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[Scorpionac]

I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Sleep Like a Baby Tonight

 

[Scorpionac]

Why can't the argument be more about how happy you were that one day you woke up, heard the rumors that U2 might be at an Apple event and suddenly you were given U2's new album?

I dunno. Maybe I am a fair-weather U2 fan compared to other folks on here, but my U2 fandom came to a head around NLOTH and in the years since, I stopped caring if they ever released another album. Of course I was pleasantly surprised by the unexpected release of SOI, but I immediately found it mediocre, so what's left for me to discuss without raining on the new album parade? Just the controversial release strategy, apparently so controversial it has fueled months of debate between U2 fans. I personally don't have much to say about that anymore, either.

I do agree with you that The Crystal Ballroom is a great track, and regardless of whether or not it was included on the album, I am very pleased I've had the chance to hear it.

 

[MrPryck2U]

Dude. You're not on my list. Give me a reason. The ball is in your court.

Ok, I'll give it a whirl. I'll indulge in a minor tangent off topic.


Here is the difference between a prick and an asshole:

You're at a party. Somehow you've gotten spinach in your teeth. A prick will tell you about the spinach in front of everyone. An asshole will tell everyone except you.

 

[VintagePunk]

Ok, I'll give it a whirl. I'll indulge in a minor tangent off topic.


Here is the difference between a prick and an asshole:

You're at a party. Somehow you've gotten spinach in your teeth. A prick will tell you about the spinach in front of everyone. An asshole will tell everyone except you.

And a decent person would take you aside and tell you without an audience. Your point?

I think I'd rather not associate with a prick or an asshole.

 

[trevgreg]

3) They are still far too worried about being and staying relevant in the Top 40 scene. Incredible they were able to still make noise in that world as recently as HTDAAB, but they are way, waaaaaaaaay past ever being relevant in the Top 40. They should be focused on the music. Unfortunately they quit doing that 15 years ago when ATYCLB was released.

If they wanted to go the 'Top 40' route, they would have collaborated with Nicki Minaj and Timbaland ages ago. There's a bit of a difference between trying to be hip with the teens/20's crowd or trying to get heard by people in general.

 

[MrPryck2U]

And a decent person would take you aside and tell you without an audience. Your point?

I think I'd rather not associate with a prick or an asshole.

Well, you had your shot, V-Punk. You're not on MY list. Enjoy Garrison's "stories".

 

[An Cat Gav]

I wouldn't say that I feel sorry for anyone that doesn't like the album. I mean, everyone has a right to an opinion. With that said, some of the extremes and/or stating your opinions as if they're facts written in stone are getting ridiculous.

It's not a fact that the album is mediocre/bad.

It's also not a fact that the album was a failure.

It's all about perspective. For me personally, SOI is the first album since POP that doesn't have a song that I want to burn, then shit on, maybe pee a little too, and then burn again. That's a big deal to me. I also don't agree that it doesn't have the big songs. Reach Around, EBW, Iris, and The Doubles are songs that will most likely remain in my top U2 song lists.

And again, everyone wants to argue that the band fucked up by not putting Crystal Ballroom on the album. Hey, how about instead of being douchy and crying about it, be happy that we actually got a great B-Side/Bonus Track? I don't see people slamming the band over and over for not putting Love Comes Tumbling on TUF, though I personally think that's a bigger ommission and a better song than The Crystal Ballroom.

Also, another reason why this place is going down the shitter is because you keep overdramatizing the album release method. Why can't the argument be more about how happy you were that one day you woke up, heard the rumors that U2 might be at an Apple event and suddenly you were given U2's new album? But let's instead talk about how it was a failure because a bunch of teenagers tweeted about it between popping their zits because that's what really matters.

The day U2 surprise released their album was one of the coolest days of my U2 fandom and happened at a time where some personal challenges were getting pretty intense, so I'll always have a strong emotional connection to the album.

That's a pretty great post, and I agree with more or less all of it.

You bring up one really good point in particular in that I never see anyone, myself included, going on about how exciting the day of the album release was. I'd been praying for something like that for years. Yeah the method of release has led to a big backlash, but for actual fans it was a seriously great day.

In terms of what's wrong with the album, I honestly don't think that there is much. The only thing I really dislike is the "crazy tonight" guitar part in Song For Someone and i am baffled that Invisible isn't on there, it would have made the album "complete".

Some of the songs are absolutely sublime eg Reach Around and The Troubles, I really love California (even the intro) Cedarwood Road, Iris and Sleep Like A Baby. There isn't a song i hate on the album, which is something I haven't experienced with a U2 album since Pop.

Great effort and I am hoping that they will carry on with this vision of two sibling albums and release SoE in time for the 2nd leg of the tour, if they do that and it's as good or better than SoI then I think U2 will have achieved something truly special at this stage of their career.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

what do you think happened?

They were shooting the video and Apple commercial in mid August, weeks prior to the alleged completion date of early September.

https://m.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=924886587528594&id=657144754302780

If they were shooting a video that means all mixing and mastering for this track was complete.

Could they have been doing all of this without actually having the entire album done? I suppose. It would mean they were booking things prior to finishing the album, a mistake they made on Pop which they said they would absolutely never ever do again, but I suppose anything is possible with this band, especially during this current cycle.

Prior to this video, if we'll remember, the band was pretty much just do-de-doing around the South of France on their normal vacation routines, and the producers of the album were nowhere to be found in France. Danger Mouse was supposedly there for the final recording, and he's rather easy to spot. Could people have just not noticed him? Again, I suppose it's possible.

I think by the time the album was done by the time they went to France. The "we just finished it and here it is, look how spontaneous we are" story is just that. A story.

Besides... we know Terry Lawless was working with them on what would eventually be the acoustic tracks the week before the album was released, which again contradicts the "omg we just finished this thing and here it is" storyline. His Facebook post saying that he was going to work with the band was dated August 23rd. So at least 17 days prior to the Apple release U2 were clearly done and preparing for work on some acoustic bonus tracks.

In all likelihood they completed ALL work on the physical release, picked the artwork and decided on the bonus tracks, a week before the release and just say that that's when they were done with the album... but were actually done with the meat and potatoes way, way earlier.

 

[Galeongirl]

I actually feel sorry for any U2 fan that doesn't like this album, it's far superior to anything they've done since Pop. Especially any fan that liked any of U2's 2000s releases.


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Thanks for your sympathy, I think I'll live.

So should I have expressed my sympathy when NLOTH dropped? Since I was one of the few that actually loved that one and most people disliked it or were indifferent to it? My apologies, I had no idea that was the proper thing to do.
I'm sorry you guys don't like NLOTH. It's far superior to anything they've done since Pop.

I'm basically going to block everyone else, and this forum will consist of you guys. And Mrs. Garrison, because I like his stories. But that's it. So get posting, and keep me entertained.

 

[DaveC]

I think I'd rather not associate with a prick or an asshole.

What the hell are you doing on Interference then??

 

[gvox]

THERE lS NO GUEST LlST, TONlGHT


Sent from my ass crack

 

[DeVaul]

I'm sorry you guys don't like NLOTH. It's far superior to anything they've done since Pop.

Agreed.

 

[U2girl]

The Problem I have with the incredible amount of negativity around here (and that's saying something for this place) is the prevailing sense that this album is completely dead and all hope is lost. I mean, look at the thread title, the album isn't even a year old and we're already conducting an autopsy and trying to assign blame to what killed it.

I'm not saying it's going to become their all-time greatest selling album or suddenly rocket back into the mainstream but come on here, it still has a chance to become something.

Once Bono is up and running (or peddling) and the paternity test on Leo comes back negative what exactly is stopping them from doing another promotion blitz? Is there some sort of official rule that states that if an album does not sell X amount in the first couple of months all is lost? That a single has to have promotion applied at the exact correct amount at the exact prescribed time frame from when it was released to be a success?

I'm honestly confused here, are they completely out of time to promote this album and try to salvage at least some sort of goodwill? Is there some sort of expiry date on this that I am unaware of?

Well...Bono isn't up and running until May when the tour starts. In this day and age of the attention span of hyperactive hamster society, SOI will be ancient history by then. At this point their best bet is leaving it all up to EBW, and try to put work into SOE and slowly weave it into the setlist.

 

[elevated_u2_fan]

I still feel that's a strange way to look at it. If everyone has forgotten it by then, what is the harm in introducing them to it again?

 

[david]

The album is a couple weeks from being half a year old. So weird.

 

[Reggie Thee Dog]

...just read through the last 3 pages...

SOI...best U2 album since NLOTH...there I said it...

 

[david]

Best album since Spider Man.

 

[Hewson]

I still feel that's a strange way to look at it. If everyone has forgotten it by then, what is the harm in introducing them to it again?

They could drop it into people's iphones.

 

[zoopop]

The album is a couple weeks from being half a year old. So weird.

Holy crap! That is crazy.


Listening to SOI after a month a break and :

Sleep Like a Baby Tonight
This Is Where You Can Reach Me

are classic U2. One nod to the 90's and one nod to early 80's.

 

[Mrs. Garrison]

i wish they would have nodded to 'Boy falls from the Sky' as being a song for this album instead of spiderman.

 

[CosmoKramer]

try to put work into SOE and slowly weave it into the setlist.

Isn't that such an exciting prospect? We could potentially be on these boards one night and someone just returning from a show might post that they heard this "new" song and it sounded like...

I guess I'm in a "honeymoon" phase with U2 at the moment but I see the potential for a lot of cool things in 2015!


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[CosmoKramer]

Holy crap! That is crazy.


Listening to SOI after a month a break and :

Sleep Like a Baby Tonight
This Is Where You Can Reach Me

are classic U2. One nod to the 90's and one nod to early 80's.

I hear that too...SLABT reminds me of Velvet dress on steroids and Reach Me Know makes me think of a War era song(even Boy).


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[BVS]

Thanks for your sympathy, I think I'll live.



So should I have expressed my sympathy when NLOTH dropped? Since I was one of the few that actually loved that one and most people disliked it or were indifferent to it? My apologies, I had no idea that was the proper thing to do.

I'm sorry you guys don't like NLOTH. It's far superior to anything they've done since Pop.

I think at the time NLOTH was pretty well liked at the time it dropped.

SOI doesn't have the inconsistencies or the clunkers that NLOTH has.


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[digitize]

I'm sorry you guys don't like NLOTH. It's far superior to anything they've done since Pop.

Strongly agreed.

NLOTH was well-liked when it was released and then became less well-liked. How quickly the transition happened, I honestly can't remember. If I had to guess, I'd say that SOI and NLOTH will follow similar trajectories on Interference. But we'll see.


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[Nick66]

I think at the time NLOTH was pretty well liked at the time it dropped.

SOI doesn't have the inconsistencies or the clunkers that NLOTH has.

True...SOI lacks NLOTH's lows, but it also lacks NLOTH's highs. There's no MOS on SOI, and while consistent, there are few moments where anything in SOI soars. It's for this reason that NLOTH, and the fact that it actually takes a few chances, is ultimately superior to SOI.

I feel sorry for anyone who can't see that.

 

[mikal]

True...SOI lacks NLOTH's lows, but it also lacks NLOTH's highs. There's no MOS on SOI, and while consistent, there are few moments where anything in SOI soars. It's for this reason that NLOTH, and the fact that it actually takes a few chances, is ultimately superior to SOI.

I feel sorry for anyone who can't see that.

If you're measuring quality with your criteria, then it's hard to argue the point. The problem with your "analysis" is that not everyone measures albums the same way. Personally, I liked a lot of NLOTH, still do. 5 years ago I was parading around this place talking about how brilliant Fez - Being Porn was, but at the same time, I was furious that the band actually delayed the album to "finish" SUC, which is arguably the worst song in U2's catalog.

SOI represents all I've wanted since Pop, which is a strong album front to back.

Also, I'd argue that Iris is as great of a high as MOS, and Reach Around is as good of a song that they've released since the 90's.

So yeah, it's all down to opinions. Not analysis, not mathematical equations. Opinions.

 

[zoopop]

If you're measuring quality with your criteria, then it's hard to argue the point. The problem with your "analysis" is that not everyone measures albums the same way. Personally, I liked a lot of NLOTH, still do. 5 years ago I was parading around this place talking about how brilliant Fez - Being Porn was, but at the same time, I was furious that the band actually delayed the album to "finish" SUC, which is arguably the worst song in U2's catalog.

SOI represents all I've wanted since Pop, which is a strong album front to back.

Also, I'd argue that Iris is as great of a high as MOS, and Reach Around is as good of a song that they've released since the 90's.

So yeah, it's all down to opinions. Not analysis, not mathematical equations. Opinions.

That is what I like about SOI. I can put it on and just let it play. In fact SOI is one of their best sequenced albums. Not hearing EBW after Miracle or Volcano after Iris wouldn't sound right.

There are high moments. EBW following Miracle (Just brings backs memories of classic U2), Iris, & most of all......Larry drumming. His drumming on Bomb and NLOTH is pretty sad.

For most of these songs we need to hear them live. There gonna really shine like songs from Pop & ATYCLB. As much hate ATYCLB has the songs shined live. And the band enjoys playing them. Even Bomb sounded great live. Any good U2 songs always sounds better live.

For me the NLOTH songs never took off live. And again, most U2 songs sound better live but MOS, Magnificent, NLOTH, & Unkown Caller didn't make the cut. I think Boots did but its a clunky song. Hell, U2 didn't even attempt most the songs live.

I can't wait to hear Iris, Raised By Wolves, Reach Me, & the rest live.

 

[mikal]

That is what I like about SOI. I can put it on and just let it play. In fact SOI is one of their best sequenced albums. Not hearing EBW after Miracle or Volcano after Iris wouldn't sound right.

There are high moments. EBW following Miracle (Just brings backs memories of classic U2), Iris, & most of all......Larry drumming. His drumming on Bomb and NLOTH is pretty sad.

For most of these songs we need to hear them live. There gonna really shine like songs from Pop & ATYCLB. As much hate ATYCLB has the songs shined live. And the band enjoys playing them. Even Bomb sounded great live. Any good U2 songs always sounds better live.

For me the NLOTH songs never took off live. And again, most U2 songs sound better live but MOS, Magnificent, NLOTH, & Unkown Caller didn't make the cut. I think Boots did but its a clunky song. Hell, U2 didn't even attempt most the songs live.

I can't wait to hear Iris, Raised By Wolves, Reach Me, & the rest live.

Agreed with all of your points.

Really great point on how the NLOTH songs sounded live, and I think that's where I started to sour on the album a little bit after a much more favorable initial reaction (although I never liked SUC or Crazy Tonight). The songs just didn't take off live. Probably the best live song was Crazy Tonight, which is a horrible song and the band had to make it sound more like one of their 90's tracks to even consider presenting it to a larger audience. Fez - Being Porn, my favorite song on the album, wasn't even played once.

That's where ATYCLB got a bit of a pass for me, even though I only like about half the album. I felt like each song took off a bit further live.

With SOI, it's too early to tell, but so far I like what I've heard from Volcano live, and acoustic EBW is fantastic as well.

 

[zoopop]

Yeah, Crazy Tonight was the only highlight. I still think U2 could have had more eye candy for the new songs (lights, screen, etc). The Pop songs benefited from Popmart stage but those songs really sound great live.

NLOTH songs being dropped and opening with an older song (EBTTRT, which was awesome) puts what the band thought of those songs in perspective.