SweetP

I thought it was a Kings of Leon album. That's how horrible I thought it was. Middle-of-the-road-rock.

It's a total leftovers album - they'll probably release a "real" album soon.

In the meantime, the memorable U2 of Pop, Achtung Baby, Unforgettable Fire is dead.

Mr. Salty

You're so kewl.

Daytripper

What's up with the snarky response?

cdollaz

You lead off with Pop when listing memorable U2 and you lose me.

slop101

Yeah, Pop sucked. What I've heard from this new one, while not great, is vastly superior to Pop.

Daytripper

OK, just listened to the album again with headphones. Sorry, not a fan. In fact, I think it's probably their worst album to date. I'll give it another go in a day or two, but I don't think my opinion will change. I'm going to go put on "Boy" and "War".

Chrisedge

Gone through it about 5-6 times already. The change in producers helped give them something different than the last few. Dangermouse certainly had a lot to do with it.

I will wait before I gush.

Dan

I've never been a major fan of U2, so my opinion clearly doesn't matter in the slightest. I LIKE them, but I'm not a "fan" fan. After listening once, there may have been a couple good tracks I guess, but nothing that really stood out for me. Most of it was kind of... bad. Anyway, I'll probably give it a second run at work. Either way, the price was right.

Artman

Still has that glossy, overproduced sound... the songs are decent, just wish they had a more raw, rough edge to it. Maybe the acoustic versions will be better...

Matt925

According to the new york times apple paid the band and label an unspecified blanket royalty fee, and committed to a marketing campaign worth up to $100 million dollars.

Daytripper

I still don't think this is their new studio album. But extras from their recent studio work. Hence, the free release. Where was that new song that they performed on Jimmy Fallon? Which is why I don't think this is the real new album.

cungar

Seriously? Invisible was cut from the album.

Supermallet

This is essentially true of every U2 release after Zooropa. All That You Can't Leave Behind was an improvement over Pop, but still wasn't up to their classic standards, and everything since then has just been a steady downward spiral into total irrelevancy.

Daytripper

Is this supposed to be common knowledge or something? While I'm not a die hard U2 fan, I do consider myself a fan. Mainly their early work. But I do read many music magazines and didn't hear anything about any tracks being cut from the new album.

Chrisedge

Invisible was never confirmed for the album anyways. Same with Ordinary Love.

Chrisedge

What is interesting, is his comments about Bob Dylan and Brian Wilson. If you listen to my recordings of 11/19/2001 when they played Los Angeles, and during Out Of Control, he comments on both of those things.

Daytripper

Well, that was a big mistake. IMO.

story

Zooropa was the U2 record I listened to when I was 14 so of course it's still one of my favorites even if there are better ones. I don't use iTunes so I'll have to wait on the new one until October.

Supermallet

There was a time when artists released tons of songs only as singles or b-sides. Now, you cut out two songs that have already been released and are widely available, and people call bullshit.

Setzer

I've listened to the album 3 times now and each time gets better and better. There isn't a song on this one that I don't like....and I couldn't say that about their last 3 releases.

atlantamoi

One listen in and Pop is better than this. Much better. I got half way through this new album and was so bummed. I don't know why I keep listening to U2 post-2000 and think I'm going to be happy. Sure, each album has a few gems. The 2nd half of Innocence finally goes off in interesting directions and may ultimately keep me coming back, but there are some incredibly uncreative songs here. I like U2 for pushing things. They just don't care about that anymore and that's fine. There are tons of new bands making better music.

Setzer

And I thought Pop was one of their worst albums ever....

To each their own I suppose. For me, this is their best album since All That You Can't Leave Behind.

hdnmickey

I really like this new album. One of their better releases. But then I've always found something I like on each of their albums.

And like the others, I'm bummed they left off the singles. Should have at least included them in the "deluxe" release.

EddieMoney

Yeah, I really like this release. Solid front to back.

Chrisedge

I am not really a lyrics guy, but this is Bono's best lyrics in a while. (which isn't saying much, "Top of a babies head" anyone?)

I think the comment by atlantamoi is a little off regarding pushing themselves. If anything the last two, weren't a push and I think they understood that, and by going with Dangermouse, and Paul Epworth (among others) it got them out of their comfort zone and they did something different. Most know, that I am a unapologetic fan, so I know it's meaningless, but I think it's one of their better efforts of late.