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  1. Had a rerun of this album, as it has been a long time since I played this record in full. Also, I do not listen that much to I+E Bootlegs at this moment.

    Some thoughts:

    - It's a pretty strong album when played in full and in sequence
    - Only one major flaw: the production. It sounds too polished and therefore, a bit flat sometimes.
    - The tracks that they played live, sound better live (except for California maybe). Good examples at this: Raised by Wolves, Iris
    - Its a pity this album does not contain a crowd pleasure, a major anthem like Streets, or more recently, COBL, because then this album would be held in much higher regard.
    - I don't really know which place this record takes for me in the U2 catalogue, but I guess it's below JT and the 90s albums but at par with HTDAAB/ATYCLB/NLOTH
    - Favourites: EBW, California, Iris, SLABT, Troubles
  2. I love it and have played it a few times over the last few weeks, think SOE will be a nice companion and can't wait to play them back to back
  4. For s band so late in their career, this album is very strong. Plus it produced one of my favorite tours from them and 2 awesome b sides.
  5. Originally posted by dieder:Had a rerun of this album, as it has been a long time since I played this record in full. Also, I do not listen that much to I+E Bootlegs at this moment.

    Some thoughts:

    - It's a pretty strong album when played in full and in sequence
    - Only one major flaw: the production. It sounds too polished and therefore, a bit flat sometimes.
    - The tracks that they played live, sound better live (except for California maybe). Good examples at this: Raised by Wolves, Iris
    - Its a pity this album does not contain a crowd pleasure, a major anthem like Streets, or more recently, COBL, because then this album would be held in much higher regard.
    - I don't really know which place this record takes for me in the U2 catalogue, but I guess it's below JT and the 90s albums but at par with HTDAAB/ATYCLB/NLOTH
    - Favourites: EBW, California, Iris, SLABT, Troubles
    I prefer a different order (opening with Reach > Volcano > Wolves > Cedarwood, and closing with Troubles > SLABT).

    At this point, focusing on U2 overproducing an album is like focusing on Bono's long speeches... we know they'll be there, no matter if we like them or not, so I'll try to ignore it.

    Wolves was a monster live, from the 6 o'clock news to Confort me. Stunning. The highlight of the show.

    It'd be held in much higher regard if it hasn't been for how much focus was on the release method and then (and partly because of that), the lack of proper singles.

    For me it's below TUF, AB, TJT, on par with Zoo, Boy and War. Top half of their catalogue
  6. I would only say it's not on par with War, Zooropa, and Boy because it doesn't have a big single on it. Those three albums have at least two, even three single-worthy songs.

    Crystal Ballroom might've been a single had it been on the album.
  7. Originally posted by RattleandHum1988:I would only say it's not on par with War, Zooropa, and Boy because it doesn't have a big single on it. Those three albums have at least two, even three single-worthy songs.

    Crystal Ballroom might've been a single had it been on the album.
    IMHO there's a lot of hindsight (and POV) in there...

    You said that SOI "didn't have a big single", but then you compare it with albums which had "2 or 3 single-worthy" songs.
    That's not the same requirement. Having a big single is not the same that having 2 or 3 worthy songs.

    Like I said, SOI release method affected its "success", or at least the way we could measure it. And we could reopen an endless debate about their ability to decide which songs should be released as singles and which shouldn't.

    Which brings me to, I'm convinced that SOI did have 2 or 3 (or even more) single-worthy songs in there, they just were ignored either by the u2invadedmyprivacy media, or -typical-by the band itself.

    People won't have it in that high regard, but IMHO the album quality is on par with the top half of their catalogue.
  8. Originally posted by Bloodraven:[..]
    IMHO there's a lot of hindsight (and POV) in there...

    You said that SOI "didn't have a big single", but then you compare it with albums which had "2 or 3 single-worthy" songs.
    That's not the same requirement. Having a big single is not the same that having 2 or 3 worthy songs.

    Like I said, SOI release method affected its "success", or at least the way we could measure it. And we could reopen an endless debate about their ability to decide which songs should be released as singles and which shouldn't.

    Which brings me to, I'm convinced that SOI did have 2 or 3 (or even more) single-worthy songs in there, they just were ignored either by the u2invadedmyprivacy media, or -typical-by the band itself.

    People won't have it in that high regard, but IMHO the album quality is on par with the top half of their catalogue.
    I agree. I really think Every Breaking Wave should have been a huge mega hit.

    I think you are right regarding singles being ignored and I wonder would hints have been different if Bono had not been injured. They were supposed to do a week on Jimmy Fallon remember?

    I think it's time for me to re-rank my album favorited and decide where SOI belongs.
  10. I think picking two ballads on the album to be singles was sort of a lame idea. California, Cedarwood and Iris definitely could've and should've been considered for singles, but even then, are they as good as songs like Vertigo, Beautiful Day, etc.?

    I don't mean as good as in the quality of the music, I mean in terms of getting radio play, being earworms, etc. Not sure.
  11. I think California would have been perfect for radio
  12. A summer pop songs with no hurting lyrics.
    Yes.a hit.