Songs of Innocence - Album Discussion

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U2girl said:
Upon first and only listening until the CD comes along. I don't see the hype . Not sure it's better than the 00's albums just because it might be thematically stronger.

It's a bizzare mix of two halves. The opening 4 songs trying (desperately, even for U2's standards) to be accessible and then it goes dark starting with Iris. Magic is ok opener (Invisible should have gotten the job though) and California is the first peak of the album, that's how pop is done right and done good, unlike EBW and Song for Someone, good verses ruined by terribly forced choruses. The stretch from Iris to Cedarwood Road is one of their best ever. But then it sinks, most of all with utterly forgettable Sleep like a baby tonight (worst song of the album) and snooze inducing final two songs. They need more Edge and hopefully they will really go all out with DM on Songs of Experience.

If ATYCLB was a strong first half that sizzled this is a very strong middle section (Iris-C.Road) tanked by one of their worst final three songs and so-so opening (two good and two bad songs in the first four like Bomb).

Highlights : Iris, California and Volcano
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Honestly couldn't disagree more, last three songs (+Iris) are the best on the album.

Opinions, ho! Must be a good sign.
 
RoKKeR said:
Honestly couldn't disagree more, last three songs (+Iris) are the best on the album.

Opinions, ho! Must be a good sign.
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I think this is what makes this album so unique and great. I don't think I have ever seen this much varied opinion on favorite and least favorite songs.

I think the Sleep and Troubles are my two favorites on the album, and I don't like that my least favorite TIWYCRM is stuck in between them. LOL
 
womanfish said:
I am very much looking forward to Songs of Experience. Because if it turns even darker, grittier and with even more sadness, I am ALL IN. That's what I've been dying for from this band for 15 years. I'm through with the Love, Peace, save the world BS. LOL. :wink:
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Well, experience is more about acceptance than anything else.
 
I like the album, would of liked Stingray Guitar on there as 1st song, I rarely listen to U2's Studio albums anyway, Instead I perfer live Bootlegs.

U2 are a live band; Can't wait to hear the new stuff live...

My favs are Iris, California, Raised by Wolfs, The Troubles, Reach me now. Other songs are really growing.

I do also respect the personal structure of the album, It does tell a story. :applaud:
 
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So I just loaded up the album on my Xbox One, which is what my nice gaming/media headphones are paired to to listen to the album.

WOAHHHHHHH

I am always blown away by how much better music sounds with a good pair of headphones on. Miracle is thumping right now, production is ace.

Mmm, this is gonna be a good 45 minutes.
 
'Invisible' can function as it's own thing. It could potentially be a track, but with the flow that the album has it just seems like it would be out of place. I dunno, I think the album does just fine with what it's got...
 
though i don't necessarily think they are the "best" songs on the album, the songs that i'm finding most intriguing are Cedarwood Road and Raised By Wolves.

these feel like new territory for the band, lyrically and musically, and i like how much space there is in them for Bono to really storytell. in that way, they almost remind me of Bullet, especially RBW. i love how in the live versions of BTBS, especially during PopMart, Bono seemed to take on a character and move about the stage as if he were almost in a one-man show, casting a spell and creating a space and drawing the audience in to where he's at. these songs seem to do much the same. they also have a jittery ferocity and a tenseness that i haven't noticed on a U2 album before. it happens live, but not on record.

so that's what's sparking my imagination right now.

also, Iris does much the same, but has a totally different feel.
 
flybabe said:
'Invisible' can function as it's own thing. It could potentially be a track, but with the flow that the album has it just seems like it would be out of place. I dunno, I think the album does just fine with what it's got...
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:up:
 
The new album sure is sparking wide interest in U2 on iTunes

U2_zps61c893dc.png
 
Just listened through the whole record on proper headphones & wow, it's almost like hearing for it for the first time again. There's so much detail & the dynamics of the band are wonderful.

I also realised that there is absolutely nothing I'd change about SOI. I can't even remember the last time I felt that way about a U2 album apart from Achtung Baby.

They have genuinely gone & created something special here.
 
Aleh_Hewson said:
Are they going to be quiet until the physical release? Something's not quite right ... I think they may have other surprises to us...
Sent from my iPhone using U2 Interference
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Cautious optimism here...I got burned during the February/Invisible fiasco...I really thought they'd drop a 'surprise' album then...that said "Songs of Experience" is hopefully more 'done' than we all know...:yes:

There is always The Crystal Ballroom and Lucifer's Hands to get excited for...and an article I read (Billboard?) stated there might be even more 'extra' (the B-side is dead) songs for 'certain' retailers...:hmm:
 
jimmmm said:
On the whole I like the new album, but I just can't stop playing The Troubles over & over, simply stunning song. If it was the only great tune on the album it would have been worth the wait alone!
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That's what I thought at first, too. But I've since discovered a few others. Namely Wave and Iris. The weaker songs are really filling in for me. Cedarwood Road, California....this is a really good album.
 
RoKKeR said:
So I just loaded up the album on my Xbox One, which is what my nice gaming/media headphones are paired to to listen to the album.

WOAHHHHHHH

I am always blown away by how much better music sounds with a good pair of headphones on. Miracle is thumping right now, production is ace.

Mmm, this is gonna be a good 45 minutes.
Click to expand...

High RoKKeR, I'm puntervold on GAF :wave:
 
Reggie Thee Dog said:
Cautious optimism here...I got burned during the February/Invisible fiasco...I really thought they'd drop a 'surprise' album then...that said "Songs of Experience" is hopefully more 'done' than we all know...:yes:

There is always The Crystal Ballroom and Lucifer's Hands to get excited for...and an article I read (Billboard?) stated there might be even more 'extra' (the B-side is dead) songs for 'certain' retailers...:hmm:
Click to expand...

Considering the fact that Bono admitted they had 'multiple' albums written during those years off, it shouldn't be a surprise that they would have a lot of material recorded by now. The only question is what they would want to use, how to refine it for the album, and maybe 'finishing' any ideas they've had since then.

As for the alternate tracks, it's looking like they might have three other tracks aside from the two new ones and alternate mixes, so I'm guessing those are the 'acoustic' tracks that were mentioned elsewhere. Either way, plenty of new listening material for next month, that's for sure!
 
And there is us thinking they had writers block :)

Sent from my SM-T210 using U2 Interference mobile app
 
Nick66 said:
Innocence, Experience and Ascent.

Ah, that would be so beautiful. We can only hope.
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Beautiful indeed. If they do go down that route, I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't do any touring until 2016.

But as always, I'll believe it when I see it. We waited so long for SoI.
 
Moser said:
Errrrrr.....I'lll believe it when I see it. I've heard this double album talk before.
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I think we need to distinguish between a "double" album, or simultaneously released multiple albums (ala GNR Use Your Illusions), vs. releasing several records over a 12-18 month period. If they indeed have a lot of material recorded, there's no reason to believe it won't see the light of day. Although I'd imagine it might not be ready to be released this moment, I'm sure Edge would want to spend more time with it. And while three records sounds like a stretch I do believe Bono (gasp) when he spoke of Songs of Experience. I think it's happening...this isn't like SOA when he was speaking off the cuff. Though Fanning sounds like he's mostly speculating with regards to a third record, but who knows.

And, as I've said before, I don't believe for a second Apple paid 100mil for one record. The next one likely won't be free, but that doesn't mean Apple won't be heavily involved in releasing it. I have a feeling this deal involves multiple records, the tour, apps, and who knows what else. We may have more U2 if for no other reason then that's part of the deal with Apple.

Of course, there's always the possibility that they could drop SOE next month with the physical release. Now that would be something.
 
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