It's typical of this Forum that one wag responded, "You're not going to change my mind!"
Has it ever occurred to you that no one IS trying to change your mind? It's just a discussion forum. Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion. It's NOT all about a Rat-Race after all!
Anyway, I've posted before on how much I love HTDAAB. My "five-star" U2 albums would be Unforgettable Fire, Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, and HTDAAB. (I might like Rattle & Hum more than Bomb, but some of the live tracks drag it down a bit.)
I dunno, I might be a bit soft on Bomb because of their age when making it. It's unknown to me to hear guys almost in their mid-40s making rock music as essential as in their 20s. But in any case, I am unable to see how a U2-fan could here it as anything less than a good album.
The criticisms of HTDAAB that seem to re-occur on this forum are as follows:
-- 'Vertigo' isn't as good as 'Native Son'
I find this opinion laughable. Nothing against 'Native Son', but 'Vertigo' is infinitely superior musically. The lyrics scan much better too. The chorus is a lot more exciting.
-- In general, the alternate versions are better than the released ones.
This might have been true of Pop to some extent, but I fail to hear ANY improvement in the unreleased Bomb tracks. In fact, without exception, every single one is worse than the album-version, for me. (But I should say I haven't really heard the single-mix of "Original of The Species".) The only one that's remotely close to the quality of the album is "Yahweh", but even it lacks the musical bridge that is the best part of the official track.
-- 'All Because Of You' sucks
As someone said earlier, this track is like a high-powered Gospel tune. I love this song, and I wish they'd write more uptempo rockers like this. To me, this kind of song is like old U2 doing young U2, and it works for me.
-- 'Yahweh' sucks
I understand that 'Yahweh' is different from most U2 songs, so maybe that's why people don't like it. Other than that, I can't figure it out, because I think this is one of the most beautiful things they've ever done. Amazing melody; fantastic vocal.
-- The Production is bad
After I heard ATYCLB, my thought was: "Nice album, but wimpy production." I was hoping the next one would be loud, brash, and in your face. It was, and I LOVE that sound. They are a post-punk band, after all. Again, it makes HTDAAB sound like a more mature version of Boy or October.
-- It doesn't hang together as an album
I've never really understood this kind of criticism. I mean, you could say this about The Beatles' Revolver. Definition of "album" = collection of songs. In any case, there are clear lyrical themes from song-to-song on Bomb, and the general sound of most of the songs is similar, so I don't see how it doesn't hang together as an album.
Did I forget anything? Anyhow, I'm not trying to change anyone's mind.
Oh, and now I'm going to say the unthinkable for this forum . . .
I like HTDAAB more than the new album!
(Now expecting to be banned from the site)