Shuttlecock!

[mikal]

The strength of this album is in the 2nd half.


Sent from my iPhone using U2 Interference

 

[gump]

So how much do you reckon Apple paid for this thing?

Eleventy million dollars through the Apple Wallet system.

 

[LemonMelon]

I was pretty meh on the first four tracks, but Iris and Volcano are

 

[lazarus]

"To celebrate the ten year anniversary of our iPod commercial, they bought it as a gift to give to all their music customers."


I stand corrected on that one.

But that means, like the Jay-Z/Samsung deal, it's not going to count for Billboard. Clearly they were after something different than a #1 album this time around.

I know there are people who like the "side 2" of some U2 albums more than the first half, but it's usually a close call for me. This time, it's not even close. Like, 6-10 just destroy what comes before.

Volcano is so much fun, I really didn't expect them to revisit the 80s in this fashion. Same with Sleep...

 

[iron yuppie]

Volcano

Adam bringing the thunder!

Spoiler

 

[lazarus]

I'm liking Sleep Like A Baby Tonight's moseying vibe, especially the bit near the end where it winds down and the band goes off for a bit

I love that lullaby-style xylophone/chimes sound or whatever they got going on there.

 

[martha]

Be ready for me to ask how to get this when I get home tonight, which may be late. Be nice to me.

 

[lazarus]

Also, Bono mentioning a follow-up album in an interview is one thing. He's putting this on the official site, and as pointed out above, mentioned his previous false promise.

Maybe this drops right before the tour starts?

Doin' it Justin Timberlake style.

 

[LemonMelon]

RAlIIISED BYYYYY WOOOOLLLVESSS

STRONGER THAN FEAAAARRR

 

[BoMac]

Eleventy million dollars through the Apple Wallet system.

Heh. As a public company they'll have to disclose it, so we'll find out eventually.

 

[iron yuppie]

Larry's pretty spry on this album for someone who presumably can't sit at a drum kit anymore.

 

[mobvok]

I've got the back half looping around and what's cool is that they've neatly avoided many of the tropes/ pitfalls that worried me about the tour songs and Invisible.

 

[LemonMelon]

Fuck, U2 remembered how to write a good rocker. Being on the same album as GOYB and Stand Up Comedy, I thought NLOTH and Breathe were total flukes. But literally every song I've enjoyed has been a rocker. And I really enjoy them.

Meanwhile, the ballads/pop tracks early on are pretty bad.

 

[lazarus]

Gotta say it again. Really don't like how The Doubles fades out in like 2 seconds. If you're going to fade out the end of the album, give it some fucking space.


Anyone want to make a Pitchfork prediction? I can't tell if they're going to get skewered for the Tedder/Epworth thing, or praised for the fun throwback vibe.

Gonne be brave and go with 7.1, which would slightly tip their 6.9 Atomic Serve review.

 

[djerdap]

Did anybody mention the main Glastonbury riff making a cameo in Volcano? I actually laughed out loud when it came up out of the blue. Thank goodness they realised it was such a shitty riff to revolve an entire song around it.

 

[bono_212]

I'd be shocked if they gave it above a 6.

 

[bono_212]

Did anybody mention the main Glastonbury riff making a cameo in Volcano? I actually laughed out loud when it came up out of the blue. Thank goodness they realised it was such a shitty riff to revolve an entire song around it.

I thought I saw somebody mention that Stingray popped up in that song. Maybe they were mixed up.

 

[mikal]

Did anybody mention the main Glastonbury riff making a cameo in Volcano? I actually laughed out loud when it came up out of the blue. Thank goodness they realised it was such a shitty riff to revolve an entire song around it.

And a hint of Thank You in Sleep Like a Baby


Sent from my iPhone using U2 Interference

 

[lazarus]

Also, for the title track I say we wither go full-juvenile with "Schlongs Of Incest", or pay tribute to our M.I.A. brother Lance with "Sons Of Incest".

 

[iron yuppie]

How are you all feeling about Raised by Wolves?

 

[LemonMelon]

How are you all feeling about Raised by Wolves?

I'm feeling good about it. Chorus kicks ass.

 

[djerdap]

How are you all feeling about Raised by Wolves?

It's corny (like most of the album), but that piano gives me October vibes, which can never be a bad thing.

 

[lazarus]

Invisicock fits with the theme, so it's mystifying it's not on here. Unless they're saving it for the second album. Seems crazy to not even include it among the b-sides that come with the special edition on the physical release.

Any suggestions for where it would fit on a custom Incest playlist? I actually think it's a better opener than The Whorical (Blow Me, Go Home).

 

[iron yuppie]

It's corny

Yeah I was laughing during most of it - I'm not sure whether from goofiness or embarrassment.

 

[lazarus]

Raised is in my top 3, definitely.

Right now I'm thinking:

This Is How You Can Reach Around
Raised By Whores
Volleycano

 

[the tourist]

This album already feels like a grower. I've listened 3 times now. Gonna listen again after I get back from my break here at work.

 

[djerdap]

I thought I saw somebody mention that Stingray popped up in that song. Maybe they were mixed up.

Nah, it's Glastonbury. It even has the "You. Are!" bit. Such a relief there was no "pocket full of sunshine!" though.

 

[iron yuppie]

Knee-jerk reaction:

Highlight: Sleep Like a Baby Tonight (Danger Mouse really earning his money on this one)
Lowlight: California
Most Fun: Volcano
Best Band Member Performance: Adam (DM seems to have lit a fire under him)

Really love Lykke on the closer as well. She was a perfect choice there, and the exposure I hope will be great for her.

 

[bono_212]

I just read Bono's little essay in the linear notes...thought it was really good.

 

[djerdap]

Danger Mouse songs are the best ones. Tracks 3-5 are basically the equivalent of Horizon's middle three. They stuck a Mercy-like new chorus to Every Breaking Wave as well. The WOAH WOOOAAAH OOOH porn is still there. The schizophrenic production, with hints of a more mature and concise record that was scrapped is also there. Basically, it's good old midlife-crisis U2 as expected.

I just read Bono's little essay in the linear notes...thought it was really good.

I was surprised to read that the guy who inspired Bad survived, when all UF Tour performances are introduced with Bono saying the heroin addict who was the inspiration for Bad died of an overdose.