Not that it matters but I don't think you're a troll.
Your reaction to this album was the same(better actually) than the first U2 album I bought...Zooropa. No hooks, no songs that I wanted to blast at full volume. I still think it is their second worst album but some songs have grown on me over the years (Stay is a gem!).
With SOI, I refuse to rate it yet or say where it ranks because I might still be high on the "New Album" drug. I find my instincts are usually close to my final feelings, even though I say I love the new U2 about all their new albums.
POP-didn't care for it...told people it was good and I tried to convince myself it was but it's not(my opinion)
ATYCLB- liked it and still like it a lot. Although the first time I heard Beautiful Day I thought it was crap now it is one of my favorites
Bomb-really liked it and still do.
NLOTH-Didn't really like it, told people it was good and I think I tried believe what I would say (I wrote a post here that it was Better than Bomb...it's not). In the end, my gut was right and I don't care for it that much.
SOI...I liked it initially. The songs don't have the smash you over the head U2 sound but I find that I like them...almost all of them and that has never happened (Achtung is like that to me). Time will tell if that feeling holds. At the moment(I'm still high on the drug though) I am really....really liking this album.
I appreciate your honesty....even though you do come off as "I told you so" sometimes....lot of the time...
Sent from my iPhone using U2 Interference