U2 Experience + Innocence Tour **Discussion Only // No Ticket Sales or Requests**

innuendo141

Red Flag Day is a favourite so far.

Wooderson

Sane people I respect on this thread saying nice things about the album. Well I never.

Tempted to go on the hunt for it... may wait till Fri.

RolandGoose

Wooderson wrote: »

Sane people I respect on this thread saying nice things about the album. Well I never.

Tempted to go on the hunt for it... may wait till Fri.

Was just going to say the same thing!
Jeez its refreshing to have some optimism and proper fan talk about this album instead of the usual tirade of gutter slinging!

I'm going to hold out until Friday to listen, I think downloaded music devalues it to a large degree. I love the feeling of walking into my local CD shop picking up the physical thing and checking out the artwork on the way home. The same goes for setlist watching, It seems a lot of people want to know every song they are going to play before they go see the gig to ensure they are playing the ones they like. why ruin the surprise!

Any who, I've heard the released songs so far and It certainly seems the new album will be very diverse. The Blackout was a nice open with some dark Achtung Baby sounds, I'm sure something every U2 would welcome back into the fold. The chorus however is far too poppy and conventional for me to the point of grating. On the plus side I love The Little Things, You're The Best Thing and whilst Get Out Of Your Own Way is very like an updated Beautiful Day it is still a great song on it's own merits and I'm sure will be great live in an arena! American Soul, the less said the better! Lucifer's Hand's and Volcano are far superior incarnations, as for Glastonbury....I hated it the first time I heard it and still very much do! Disappointed U2 would bother pursuing it for 7 years!

I caved and listened to the Youtube preview clips from Songs Of Experience.
VVV Excited! Roll on Friday!!!

I have the exact same feeling that an earlier poster put up thinking this tour been Experience based will include more POP and Zooropa tunes!
Here's Hoping!!!

weadick

Pity the @u2 forum closed down. I found it to be a great place to discuss stuff like new album releases and most of the time I wouldnt comment, just look at what others had to say. Bit petty from the mods tbh.

Going to do my best now to put off listening to the rest of the album until the physical release.

PTH2009

8/10 very good album

what the set list for the tour will be like is another question

MisterAnarchy

Tomas White Suspect wrote: »

Love Is Bigger Than Anything In It's Way is a tune!

You're The Best Thing About Me is without doubt the most commercial thing on there

Best song on the album for me ,I can see it being the final song of the upcoming tour.

q2xv9rjei4awgb

PTH2009 wrote: »

8/10 very good album

what the set list for the tour will be like is another question

Blackout, Little Things, Get Out Of Your Own Way, Love Is Bigger Than Anything In It's Way and the album opener could very well be a gig opener, in the way People Have The Power was

innuendo141

I wasn't posting at the time, but what were early opinions of SOI prior to/at the time of release?

q2xv9rjei4awgb

innuendo141 wrote: »

I wasn't posting at the time, but what were early opinions of SOI prior to/at the time of release?

Wasn't on here either but, I don't remember many negative reviews in general. Nothing like NLOTH.
Think most of the "negativity" came from the iTunes thing, which I really don't understand.

I'll take free music from anyone

innuendo141

Tomas White Suspect wrote: »

Wasn't on here either but, I don't remember many negative reviews in general. Nothing like NLOTH.
Think most of the "negativity" came from the iTunes thing, which I really don't understand.

I'll take free music from anyone

Well it worked on at least 1 person anyway. Wouldn't have had major interest in U2 before that appeared in my iTunes and I heard Iris for the first time.

JKerova1

Reviews so far seem to be mainly positive with some mixed, although I just read that consequenceofsound have slated it, calling it another dud in their back catelogue. Gonna be hard to try and resist until Friday. One of the record stores near me is having a midnight opening though so might head along to that.

The Nal

Bono's voice sounds superb on the newie. Produced reasonably well, in a conveyor belt generic made for US radio pop music kind of way.

Their "nicest" record. On the 2nd listen now and its really dull. After such a promising opening. Edge is barely on it. Sounds like a Bono solo record. It only goes full Coldplay a couple of times which is good though.

However in shedding Coldplay, they seemed to have moved a couple of notches closer to Maroon 5.

johnpatrick81

:pac: Oh The Nal! You're a sucker for punishment it seems!

The Nal

johnpatrick81 wrote: »

:pac: Oh The Nal! You're a sucker for punishment it seems!

Ha. Ill always give them a listen. Thats as fair and a non trolling a review as I can give.

A run of the mill pop album that Ill never listen to again.

q2xv9rjei4awgb

The Nal wrote: »

Ha. Ill always give them a listen. Thats as fair and a non trolling a review as I can give.

A run of the mill pop album that Ill never listen to again.

Maroon 5 though?!

None of it sounds like Maroon 5 to me and I listen to them
Don't get how you can call some of the lyrics "run of the mill" either

The Nal

Tomas White Suspect wrote: »

Don't get how you can call some of the lyrics "run of the mill" either

"I have everything but I feel like nothing at all"

"Baby it's a Red Flag Day
Baby let's get in the water
Taken out by a wave
Where we've never been before"

"The door is open to go through
If I could I would come too
But the path is made by you
As you're walking start singing and stop talking"


The last one sounds like something off Bosco.

Parts of the album are ok-ish though.

q2xv9rjei4awgb

The Nal wrote: »

"I have everything but I feel like nothing at all"

"Baby it's a Red Flag Day
Baby let's get in the water
Taken out by a wave
Where we've never been before"

"The door is open to go through
If I could I would come too
But the path is made by you
As you're walking start singing and stop talking"


The last one sounds like something off Bosco.

Parts of the album are ok-ish though.

"I have everything but I feel like nothing at all" is quite profound I think.

Speaking as someone who went through a degree of depression and had issues of that degree, you can have everything you need/want and yet, feel like the worst thing in the world.

So while it might appear somewhat simple, it can have a relatable quality to many

johnpatrick81

The Nal wrote: »

"I have everything but I feel like nothing at all"

"Baby it's a Red Flag Day
Baby let's get in the water
Taken out by a wave
Where we've never been before"

"The door is open to go through
If I could I would come too
But the path is made by you
As you're walking start singing and stop talking"


The last one sounds like something off Bosco.

Parts of the album are ok-ish though.

U2 have wrote cheesy lines like above since day one! It's nothing new with them.

JKerova1

Tomas White Suspect wrote: »

"I have everything but I feel like nothing at all" is quite profound I think.

Speaking as someone who went through a degree of depression and had issues of that degree, you can have everything you need/want and yet, feel like the worst thing in the world.

So while it might appear somewhat simple, it can have a relatable quality to many

He's great at writing lyrics like that. 'The more you know the less you believe - the more you have the more it takes today'.

Initially I think they intended this to be quite an experimental album, but it sounds like they have reverted to type and made another really conventional record? Starting to wish I didn't read the reviews now!

MisterAnarchy

JKerova1 wrote: »

Initially I think they intended this to be quite an experimental album, but it sounds like they have reverted to type and made another really conventional record? Starting to wish I didn't read the reviews now!

Its similar to ATYCLB in style ,its very mainstream and poppish .
Its certainly not dark like Achtung Baby or Zooropa .
There are some good tunes on it ,a few duds too,American Soul is the worst song by a mile.

secondrowgal

Folks, where are you listening to these tracks?

q2xv9rjei4awgb

MisterAnarchy wrote: »

Its similar to ATYCLB in style ,its very mainstream and poppish .
Its certainly not dark like Achtung Baby or Zooropa .
There are some good tunes on it ,a few duds too,American Soul is the worst song by a mile.

Dunno about mainstream per say. I don't think it's commercial like ATYCLB and I think You're The Best Thing is as commercial or mainstream as it gets on there.

Poppish it is though and it's certainly not as dark as Zooropa or Achtung Baby although, I think those two are the most serious/darkest albums they've ever done

MisterAnarchy

JKerova1 wrote: »

Reviews so far seem to be mainly positive with some mixed, although I just read that consequenceofsound have slated it, calling it another dud in their back catelogue. Gonna be hard to try and resist until Friday. One of the record stores near me is having a midnight opening though so might head along to that.

Consequenceofsound seem to be anti U2

One of the more provocative anecdotes from Joe Hagan’s new biography about Rolling Stone is the revelation that founder Jann Wenner personally dictated U2’s Songs of Innocence to be the magazine’s No. 1 album in 2014. Wenner allegedly prioritized his friendship with U2’s Bono over the quality of the album, telling an editor, “My dictate. By fiat, buddy. That’s that.”

Well, he’s done it again in 2017. Today, Rolling Stone released its list of the year’s 50 best albums, and U2’s Songs of Experience has claimed the No. 3 spot. The album isn’t officially out until Friday, so most people haven’t heard it yet. We have, though, and can tell you it’s nowhere close to being a top 3 album of 2017. In fact, the early consensus on the Consequence of Sound Slack channel is that Songs of Experience is one of the year’s worst releases, another dud in U2’s once flawless discography.

Everyone knows that Rolling Stone give good reviews to big artists in return for exclusive interviews etc .
Consequences Top 50 album list of the year is laughable though.

The Nal

secondrowgal wrote: »

Folks, where are you listening to these tracks?

Here

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bSGGLVc5nNhG94KToN972jcz69rVdLxI

MisterAnarchy wrote: »

Consequenceofsound seem to be anti U2

Sure they are. The failing Consequenceofsound, fake news etc.

#sad

q2xv9rjei4awgb

The Nal wrote: »

Here

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bSGGLVc5nNhG94KToN972jcz69rVdLxI




Sure they are. The failing Consequenceofsound, fake news etc.

#sad

Don't worry, we hold your opinion higher than our own and their's. We look up to you. We yearn for your soapbox

We may even join you on The Journal some day. It's the dream

johnpatrick81

Day 4000 of The Nal being subjected to U2 music he doesn't like. Update. He still doesn't like U2 Post POP.

q2xv9rjei4awgb

No offence pal but, I absolutely hate music snobbery. It's not just U2.

You don't need to ridicule people because they like a piece of music you don't or think you're above something. Lyrics you scoff at, might have a personal meaning to someone else. Or a piece of music might put someone in a headspace or moment in time that you'll never understand.
Or, some might just want to rock the **** out and headbang around the place, playing air guitar. It doesn't mean there is a lack of class, meaning, soul or intelligence in the music

You like something, happy days. If you don't, oh well. Same for everyone. Not everything is for everyone. It's not oxygen

MisterAnarchy

Sure they are. The failing Consequenceofsound, fake news etc.

#sad

They said that the U2 album was one of the worst albums of the year and yet their so called Top 50 album list of the year contains some absolute garbage .
Almost as hyperbolic as something The Nal would say.

Hey Nal Get Out of Your Own Way ...

q2xv9rjei4awgb

MisterAnarchy wrote: »

They said that the U2 album was one of the worst albums of the year and yet their so called Top 50 album list of the year contains some absolute garbage .
Almost as hyperbolic as something The Nal would say.

Hey Nal Get Out of Your Own Way ...

Blackout, it's clear, The Nal will appear

johnpatrick81

I like that they sampled the Sunday Game theme tune in The Showman :pac:

PropJoe10

Not sure what anyone is expecting from this band anymore. People are always looking for the next Joshua Tree or Achtung Baby but thats never going to happen. They're all nearing 60 now, and I dont remember the likes of the Stones writing too many decent coherent albums at that age. On the first listen of this album and it's pretty damn solid so far.

tritriagain

Listened to 3 times now. Favourites so far are lights of home, little things and love is bigger. Also don't get the hate for American soul, I really like it.

The Nal

"U2’s fourteenth album won’t mysteriously appear on your iPhone, which is probably for the best".

Ouch.

http://www.nme.com/reviews/album/u2-songs-experience-album-review

q2xv9rjei4awgb

The Nal wrote: »

"U2’s fourteenth album won’t mysteriously appear on your iPhone, which is probably for the best".

Ouch.

http://www.nme.com/reviews/album/u2-songs-experience-album-review

And I can link a ton of reviews that say it's good, what's your point? Or, you just trolling like you are in the McGregor thread?

Personally, I haven't listened to reviews since I was a teenager. Make my own mind up on what music I like. If I listened to reviews, I'd never have gotten into music and would never be a musician
Remember, reviews blasted TJT, Achtung Baby, What's The Story Morning Glory and The Stone Roses debut album to name a few.

Plus, the NME have never given U2 a good review...Ever!

johnpatrick81

Yeah give it up the Nal, seriously! NME.....christ.....next you'll be quoting pitchfork....

Wooderson

He's laughing at you sods FFS.

Anyway. I cracked and listened to it. Fail to see the hype if I'm honest.

thegreengoblin

PropJoe10 wrote: »

Not sure what anyone is expecting from this band anymore. People are always looking for the next Joshua Tree or Achtung Baby but thats never going to happen. They're all nearing 60 now, and I dont remember the likes of the Stones writing too many decent coherent albums at that age. On the first listen of this album and it's pretty damn solid so far.

I'll tell you what I'm expecting and what I always expect from U2. A record that tells us they're pushing themselves beyond their limits, a record that tells the listener U2 are not happy playing it safe. Why would anyone want another Joshua Tree or Achtung Baby? What's the point in being artistically redundant like that?

With a few notable exceptions on ATYCLB and NLOTH (plus Electrical Storm, which is an amazing song) they've been playing it safe since Pop. And based on the very average songs that have been released so far (although I do really like The Little Things anytime I've heard it live), I don't have high hopes for this one. I'd be more than happy to be proved wrong though.

As for their age, why should that come into it? You've picked probably the worst example in the Stones by the way. They became a business, a band only too willing to trade off past glories. Are you saying U2 shouldn't be making too many decent, coherent albums at this age? Countless artists have made great music that stirred the emotions in their twilight years. I wish U2 were still capable of that but I don't think they are.

q2xv9rjei4awgb

thegreengoblin wrote: »

I'll tell you what I'm expecting and what I always expect from U2. A record that tells us they're pushing themselves beyond their limits, a record that tells the listener U2 are not happy playing it safe. Why would anyone want another Joshua Tree or Achtung Baby? What's the point in being artistically redundant like that?

With a few notable exceptions on ATYCLB and NLOTH (plus Electrical Storm, which is an amazing song) they've been playing it safe since Pop. And based on the very average songs that have been released so far (although I do really like The Little Things anytime I've heard it live), I don't have high hopes for this one. I'd be more than happy to be proved wrong though.

As for their age, why should that come into it? You've picked probably the worst example in the Stones by the way. They became a business, a band only too willing to trade off past glories. Are you saying U2 shouldn't be making too many decent, coherent albums at this age? Countless artists have made great music that stirred the emotions in their twilight years. I wish U2 were still capable of that but I don't think they are.

The Little Things stirs the emotions in me. I say they are capable tbh.
At the end of the day, it comes down to the individual listener. I think they are anyways for what it's worth. If they twist my emotions, I'm happy out.

Not really sure either about "beyond the limit." How do you mean? I mean, if you enjoy it, that's all the matters isn't it? I don't listen to Johnny B.Goode and think Chuck played it safe only putting in three chords.

If that's your thing, cool. That's your taste at the end of the day. I've no right to say otherwise. Great thing about music

q2xv9rjei4awgb

Wooderson wrote: »

He's laughing at you sods FFS.

Anyway. I cracked and listened to it. Fail to see the hype if I'm honest.

Hype?

I just like the songs is all. Don't know about anyone else

Wooderson

Tomas White Suspect wrote: »

Hype?

I just like the songs is all. Don't know about anyone else

Yeh, spose. Read a few places stuff like “best album of theirs in years”. It’s not better than Innocence.

q2xv9rjei4awgb

Wooderson wrote: »

Yeh, spose. Read a few places stuff like “best album of theirs in years”. It’s not better than Innocence.

I think Innocence is cruelly underrated tbh.

What I really like about this album is, it's showing off the rhythm section, Adam in particular.

I think Blackout, Red Flag Day, Get Out Of Your Own Way, Love Is Bigger Than Anything In It's Way and The Little Things Will Be will be good tunes live

thegreengoblin

Tomas White Suspect wrote: »

The Little Things stirs the emotions in me. I say they are capable tbh.
At the end of the day, it comes down to the individual listener. I think they are anyways for what it's worth. If they twist my emotions, I'm happy out.

Not really sure either about "beyond the limit." How do you mean? I mean, if you enjoy it, that's all the matters isn't it? I don't listen to Johnny B.Goode and think Chuck played it safe only putting in three chords.

If that's your thing, cool. That's your taste at the end of the day. I've no right to say otherwise. Great thing about music

Absolutely, you're 100 per cent correct there. That's the bottom line and good luck to those who enjoy it. That's the great thing about music.

My take on it is that I just think they're capable of so much better but are content to put this bog-standard stuff out in some weird attempt to stay in sync with 'current trends' whatever they may be. It's not them, it's not the way they used to approach making records.

q2xv9rjei4awgb

thegreengoblin wrote: »

Absolutely, you're 100 per cent correct there. That's the bottom line and good luck to those who enjoy it. That's the great thing about music.

My take on it is that I just think they're capable of so much better but are content to put this bog-standard stuff out in some weird attempt to stay in sync with 'current trends' whatever they may be. It's not them, it's not the way they used to approach making records.

Maybe I'm coming from a different train of thought but, I don't think you could aim that at quite a few songs off the last record. Sleep Like A Baby Tonight is one in particular I'm thinking of

veganrun

When will the European tour be announced?

johnpatrick81

veganrun wrote: »

When will the European tour be announced?

I’d guess early January!

MisterAnarchy

veganrun wrote: »

When will the European tour be announced?

Not until the new year I'd say,probably end of January.
They really should be playing Europe first instead of the US.
We only got 12 gigs in Europe last year as opposed to ~30 in the states and they only finished in the US in Oct.
Would have made more sense to play Europe next Summer ,then go to the States then down to Australia.

And the good news lads is that Ticketmaster are planning to bring their Verified Fan horse****e to the UK and Ireland.
U2 better not be the guinea pigs here ,its been an absolute disaster in the US.:mad:

http://www.theticketingbusiness.com/2017/09/08/ticketmaster-bring-verified-fan-uk/

lee_baby_simms

thegreengoblin wrote: »

I just think they're capable of so much better but are content to put this bog-standard stuff out in some weird attempt to stay in sync with 'current trends' whatever they may be.

But they've always been like that. They've always hijacked current trends to some degree in an attempt to stay fresh. With Pop they went into dance music, zooropa - experimental electronic, Joshua tree - Americana roots...theres always been an insecurity within U2 where they feel the need to dress up their music in whatever the fashionable clothes of the day are.

It isn't necessarily a bad thing but I think this often leads them to an identity crisis hence the constant shuffling of an endless list of producers.

The Nal

More reviews in. At best average all round. At best, embarrassing.

"That doesn't mean Songs of Experience is a terrible or even a bad record. It just isn't very memorable."

"The album is also a return to the standard commercial market"

"Edge rocks out and the band bangs away at familiar themes with the ham-handed chorus"

"It just would be more effective if we didn’t have the sense that we’re experienced it all before."

"U2 gives too many fúcks on the insufferable Songs Of Experience"

https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/music-reviews/2017/1128/923514-review-u2-songs-of-experience/

https://www.avclub.com/u2-gives-too-many-****s-on-the-insufferable-songs-of-ex-1820789568

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/u2-songs-of-experience-review/

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/29/arts/music/u2-songs-of-experience-review.html

http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/music/u2-songs-of-experience-review-tour-philadelphia-20171129.html

johnpatrick81

q2xv9rjei4awgb

The Nal wrote: »

More reviews in. At best average all round. At best, embarrassing.

"That doesn't mean Songs of Experience is a terrible or even a bad record. It just isn't very memorable."

"The album is also a return to the standard commercial market"

"Edge rocks out and the band bangs away at familiar themes with the ham-handed chorus"

"It just would be more effective if we didn’t have the sense that we’re experienced it all before."

"U2 gives too many fúcks on the insufferable Songs Of Experience"

https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/music-reviews/2017/1128/923514-review-u2-songs-of-experience/

https://www.avclub.com/u2-gives-too-many-****s-on-the-insufferable-songs-of-ex-1820789568

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/u2-songs-of-experience-review/

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/29/arts/music/u2-songs-of-experience-review.html

http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/music/u2-songs-of-experience-review-tour-philadelphia-20171129.html

"The result is the best U2 album since “All That You Can’t Leave Behind.”

"U2 remain defiantly unbowed, as determined as ever to make mass market music that really matters."

"U2 at their most mature and assured, playing songs of passion and purpose"

"But even after this return to form, the band will remain as polarising as the polarised world they’re singing about"

"Songs Of Experience will likely go down as a late-career classic" - Q magazine

"U2's strongest album this century" MOJO Magazine

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/u2s-songs-experience-full-desperation-meaty-hooks-equal-measure/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/review-u2s-songs-of-experience-is-a-thrilling-listen/2017/11/28/935aa60e-d459-11e7-9ad9-ca0619edfa05_story.html?utm_term=.2f1295bdeb3d

https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/music-reviews/2017/1128/923514-review-u2-songs-of-experience/

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/29/arts/music/u2-songs-of-experience-review.html

Carry on...