Album Review: U2 - Songs of Innocence

U2's new album, 'Songs of Innocence', notoriously to much excitement and controversy was released via iTunes for free to 500 million iTunes users, with many of those users having the album automatically downloaded onto their library. Some people couldn't think of a better PR stunt, whereas others were furious that a band they hated was suddenly in their iTunes library. Where most of the anger was probably over exaggerated, it really put U2 into the headlines and made me decide to download the album and give it a listen.

The album starts of with a classic U2 sound on opener, The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone), but infused the Edge's gritty guitar stabs and Bono's soaring vocals, it's an Ok start, but I wasn't taken off my feet. However, as the album progressed there were definitely some sounds of U2 that I had not heard before. The cited influences of the Clash and Ramones, were definitely heard in the guitar work, and the lyrics in some songs show and inwardly looking U2 on their earlier years and formation. Tracks such as Song for Someone and California (There Is No End To Love) were classic U2 ballads, very standard tunes, which an element of cheesiness, but enjoyable enough.

I felt as listening through the album that the first half was typical U2, not much I hadn't heard before, and nothing that stood out. This changed however when the album reached the sixth track on the album Volcano, which was a real rocker, which great guitar work in which put some life into the album, this was followed by another stand out track, Raised by Wolves, and shortly after an experimental track, Sleep Like a Baby Tonight, which features pulsating synths, tapping drums, and an reverberating falsetto. It was perhaps the best moment of the album, and the track that changed my opinion on the album. After the track fades out the funky eerie tune This is Where You Can Reach Me Now, another great track, which resonates which Muse's Panic Station. The Troubles ends the album, in true style and a fantastic bass-line, accompanied with a guest vocal from Lykke Li, which was a wonderful surprise and brings a fresh quality to the track and beautiful strings.

After listening through the album the resounding thought I had was that the second half of the album was far more enjoyable, and the music was a great step forward for U2, however the first half I found a little tired and wasn't my personal thing. Yet, it is a fantastic piece, and considering I am not at all a U2 fan, I really enjoyed the album as a whole.

Best Track: Sleep Like a Baby Tonight
Overall Rating: 4/10