I'm still intrigued by the fact that so many are inclined to relegate POP to the mediocrity basket. I won't suggest that it's akin to Achtung Baby, but I will admit that I find it's co-existant symbolism and cynicism absolutely brilliant, even if - as often regarded - unfinished. Even the album cover, along with the cover for the single "Please", are rich with thoughtful insinuations about the real, fundamental features of pop culture. Any prior exposure to the "art" work of consumate capitalist, Andy Warhol breathes life into POP before you even open the wrapping. Andy Warhol's 'Che Guevara', Monroe prints, and numerous other works that are untechnically (but literally) nothing more than factory reproductions, depict various famous personnages, revealing the artist's personal aspiration for fame. Ultimately, he achieves it by virtue of tremendous marketing and being one of the first to distinguish between traditional and pop culture. Warhol realized that all the new digital age culture really wanted was more and more of the same. With this and sometimes an Andy Warhol signiature, images reproduced many times over sold for tens of thousands of dollars, defying market scarcity laws. All of a sudden, to be fashionable and "in", was to own more of the same and more of the same as everybody else.
If the cover of pop, in the context of U2 and in comparison to the music, doesn't attempt to forward the same cynical perspective regarding pop-music, politics and mass-consumer culture in general, I don't know what does. Quite frankly - and sadly -, I find much of qualitative criticism levied at POP to be regurgitated and dogmatic. That being said, to each their own. Maybe you prefer the raw intensity characteristic of the band up until Achtung Baby. But I find that POP was magnificent continuation. If God Will Send His Angels, Last night on Earth, Please, Gone etc all have many of U2's trademark elements, including ambiguous qualities like ambitious music and lyrical depth. I love it. Anyway, apologies for the rant.
As for HTDAAB, I'm not 100% sure what to think of it yet. It's too early to compare for me. Personal highlights (apologies if this is the same as anybody else)...Vertigo...a great rock and roll tune. City of Blinding Lights is definitely one of my favourites. Miracle Drug and Sometimes take me to that same thoughtful place as "walk on". ABOY has that Even Better than the Real Thing going, which I love. I don't want to be too quick to judge the rest, in case I change my mind (I always do!!), but thus far, Original of Species isn't my favourite and neither is One Step Closer. Hope you guys are enjoying this like I am. Not all songs are going to be Streets.