Looking back over NLOTH it was interesting to see how my opinions of each song changed from the 1st few listens at release compared to a few months/years later on.
So I'm thinking we can write our initial impressions of each track here, as a reference point to look back on as the songs grow on us over time. It will be interesting to see how things change.
Example format
Song Title:
Initial Thoughts:
Score /10:
Favorite Lyric:
This is a great idea!! I will listen to the album now and get back here but I'm going to be honest if I'm not going to like something I'm going to state it..
Song Title: The miracle of Joey Ramone
Initial Thoughts: Love the music sounds good although the lyrics are not very poetic more of a story i guess which wasnt too much to my liking but i love the chants
Score /10: 8
Favorite Lyric: Yeah I wanted to be the melody
Above the noise, above the hurt
Song Title: Every breaking wave
Initial Thoughts: Sad love cry ballad, i love this song and love Edges part, Bono's voice 10 and the music is nice
Score /10: 10
Favorite Lyric: You know where my heart is
The same place yours has been
Song Title: California
Initial Thoughts: I dont really like the song much(music wise)and the lyrics are nice but all over the place
Score /10: 5
Favorite Lyric: The weight that drags your heart down
Well that's what took me where I need to be
Song Title: Song for someone
Initial Thoughts: Ahh I really love this.Music is grasping/touching. Lyrics are beautiful and Bono's voice 10/10
Score /10: 10
Favorite Lyric: You let me in to a conversation
A conversation only we could make
You break and enter my imagination
Whatever's in there it's yours to take
Song Title: Iris (Hold me close)
Initial Thoughts: Love the intro music is lovely love the changes throughout and the lyrics spiritually powerful, again Bono's voice 10/10
Score /10: 10
Favorite Lyric: Once we are born, we begin to forget
The very reason we came
But you
I'm sure I've met
Long before the night the stars went out
We're meeting up again
Song Title: Volcano
Initial Thoughts: This is drinking music/song. Wild stuff could sing along, party time, sorta seductive, like some wine ?
Score /10: 8
Favorite Lyric: Do you live here or is this a vacation
Song Title: Raised by wolves
Initial Thoughts: Music is different I like parts of the song but still unsure of the key tone in Bono's voice at the begining and throughout the song
Score /10: 7
Favorite Lyric: The worst tings in the world are justified by belief
Song Title: Cedarwood road
Initial Thoughts: Love the music, Bono's voice 10 Lyrics are not baqd at all a thinking song
Score /10: 9
Favorite Lyric: I was running down the road
The fear was all I knew
I was looking for a soul that's real
Then I ran into you
And that cherry blossom tree
Was a gateway to the sun
And friendship once it's won
It's won... it's one
Song Title: Sleep like a baby tonight
Initial Thoughts: It'll go off live (so comforting)I love Bono's voice 10 music 10 Chorus 10 Lyrics 10
Score /10: 10
Favorite Lyric: You're gonna sleep like a baby tonight
In your dreams, everything is alright
Tomorrow dawns like someone else's suicide
You're gonna sleep like a baby tonight
Song Title: This is where you can reach me now
Initial Thoughts: Music is like enchanting but im not overly keen on the lyrics and tones, I guess its a message for someone who can relate like soldiers
Score /10: 6
Favorite Lyric: We signed our lives away
Complete surrender
The only weapon we know
Soldier soldier
We knew the world would never be the same
Soldier this is where you can reach me now
Song Title: The troubles
Initial Thoughts: I love this music 10 Love both voices 10 Its sweet in a weird way. I'd love this live and its hypnotic even though i dont believe in that kinda stuff
Score /10: 10
Favorite Lyric: You think it's easier
To put your finger on the trouble
When the trouble is you
And you think it's easier
To know your own tricks
Well it's the harderst thing you'll ever do
Well thats my full review open for debate and I may change after more listens lol
No Line on the Horizon Part II, just done much better. Volcano and Iris the two weaker songs but overall no duds. Best since album since ATYCLB but no further. Above mid point in their order of greatest albums but it won't get over fourth spot on the list for me, ever. Some songs on here would definitely slot into the quintessential U2 songs and their top 25. SoE will be interesting, I'm hoping they put Soon, Winter, North Star and Mercy on the companion piece. They'd all fit well. 8/10
Song Title: The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)
Initial Thoughts: First I didn't really like it but after a few listens I think it's a great way to start the album though still not the best song in it. Has a catchy chorus and I like the distorted guitar parts. The chants are really powerful not cheesy like in Horizon.
Score : 7/10
Favorite Lyric: 'Chasing down a dream before it disappeared'
Song Title: Every Breaking Wave
Initial Thoughts: Was excited to hear this bit at last and I was hugely surprised. This song had a great journey since they said that it will be the first single of Songs of Ascent, a "smoothing ballad". First I thought it's a huge drop-back compared to the tour version but at the song the chorus kinda catched me and it's great that they kept all the lyrics. At this time I realised how good shape Bono's voice is.
Score: 8/10
Favorite Lyric: 'We know that we fear to win
And so we end before we begin'
Song Title: California (There's No End To Love)
Initial Thoughts: Didn't really got me, it has some nice moments but overall it's on the same level as Crazy Tonight.
Score: 4/10
Favorite Lyric: -
Song Title: Song For Someone
Initial Thoughts: Nice melody but the title and the lyrics are too unimaginative and has too many cliches.
Score: 6/10
Favorite Lyric: 'You break and enter my imagination
Whatever's in there it's yours to take'
Song Title: Iris (Hold Me Close)
Initial Thoughts: My favourite on the album. A beautiful song with exceptional sounding.
Score: 10/10
Favorite Lyric: 'Once we are born, we begin to forget'
Lyric that made me shiver: 'Iris says that I will be the death of her
It was not me...'
Song Title: Volcano
Initial Thoughts: A typical short U2 rock song about nothing like Boots or Vertigo. It's much better than Boots but I still don't know if it can rival with Vertigo or Elevation. Still, it's very catchy and great idea to not build the song around Edge's guitar but Adam's bass. Getting a few seconds of Glastonbury was also a huge and welcomed surprise.
Score: 7/10
Favorite Lyric: -
Song Title: Raised By Wolves
Initial Thoughts: This song is rough. And coarse. I don't think I would listen to it much because of the lyrics and the things that come in my mind while it's playing. Bono's voice is unexpectedly awesome. The strongest work on the album.
Score: 9/10
Favorite Lyric: 'I don't believe anymore'
Song Title: Cedarwood Road
Initial Thoughts: Another song that didn't get me and I don't think it will.
Score: 5/10
Favorite Lyric: -
Song Title: Sleep Like A Baby Tonight
Initial Thoughts: Instant win with this Zooropa sounding. Really abstract.
Score: 9/10
Favorite Lyric: 'It's a dirty business, dreaming'
Song Title: This Is Where You Can Reach Me Now
Initial Thoughts: Third song which I don't really enthuse (which is great compared to Horizon where I always skip more than half of the album).
Score: 4/10
Favorite Lyric: -
Song Title: The Troubles
Initial Thoughts: A very nice way to finish an album. It was a huge shock for me. Love the music, the melody, the chorus, Lykke Li's voice fitting perfectly. Almost as depressing as Love Is Blindness. This song didn't leave any black holes in me after I finished listening to the album like Cedars.
Score: 10/10
Favorite Lyric: 'Somebody stepped inside your soul
Somebody stepped inside your soul
Little by little they robbed and stole
Till someone else was in control'
Overall this album gave me everything I was hoping for before No Line On The Horizon and this new sounding is amazing. I wouldn't say this album is innovative but it's definitely not conservative.
After about five full listens through, and many listens to individual tracks:
Song Title: The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)
Initial Thoughts: Thought it was a solid single at first. On about the third listen, something clicked, and it's been inside my head for two days. Bright, pounding, and direct. Hopeful tour opener.
Score : 8/10
Favorite Lyric: "I was young / Not dumb / Just wishing to be blinded / By you / Brand new"
Song Title: Every Breaking Wave
Initial Thoughts: If we hadn't heard the original version, I'd like this more. I know I'm in the minority, but I still love that original version, and I wish its chorus had found its way onto this version. A nice tune, but better lyrics than music.
Score: 6/10
Favorite Lyric: All of it except the chorus
Song Title: California (There's No End To Love)
Initial Thoughts: A nice homage to the Beach Boys. Great to drive with, should be great live. Love that Edge piano all the way through, and love that beginning.
Score: 7/10
Favorite Lyric: -
Song Title: Song For Someone
Initial Thoughts: Weakest on the album for me. A nice song, but nothing stands out…yet.
Score: 5/10
Favorite Lyric: -
Song Title: Iris (Hold Me Close)
Initial Thoughts: Torn on this one. Adore the beginning - the echoes of "Tomorrow" are there, and then Edge is right there underneath, supporting Bono's baritone (lower and more solid than anything so far on the album). Then the chorus lifts up, and it suddenly seems like a different song. I get that it's supposed to be bittersweet, but something doesn't quite click here yet for me.
Score: 6/10
Favorite Lyric: "Iris says I will be the death of her / It was not me" (Wow.)
Song Title: Volcano
Initial Thoughts: Fun, solid filler. A grown-up "Out of Control." Should be great live, hopefully close in the setlist to some Boy songs. Glad the Glasto riff found a proper home.
Score: 7/10
Favorite Lyric: "Been out in the wild / Been out in the night / Been out of your mind"
Song Title: Raised By Wolves
Initial Thoughts: Start of the second half - and the best - of the album. Absolute best track on the album for me. Fresh and interesting. I thought it might be a good pairing to Sunday Bloody Sunday, but after several listens, I don't think it sounds like a good pairing with any U2 song - it's new and fascinating, something unique. Should be another live stomper.
Score: 10/10
Favorite Lyric: "I don't believe anymore" (The first time I listened to it and heard Bono sing those words with the power they have was the point when I really sat up and started listening more closely. To hear those direct lines from him, in any context, will make me sit up and listen, or stand up and shout along with him.)
Song Title: Cedarwood Road
Initial Thoughts: You think it's going to be a snoozer, and then Edge and that riff…and then the song just jumps up and bites you in the ass. Great, solid track, and the most U2-ish on the album. Every band member is present, and I hear echoes of their entire career in here - if this album had a statement to make, this song is it. I don't think it's the best, but I think it's what SOI is all about.
Score: 9/10
Favorite Lyric: A lot, but what stands out is the coda - "And a heart that is broken / Is a heart that is open." The lyrics themselves, the way they're tucked at the end of the song, and the way that Bono sings them is, for me, the core, heart, and soul of this album.
Song Title: Sleep Like A Baby Tonight
Initial Thoughts: Hot. Interesting. Surprising. Fresh. Haunting. At home on Achtung, Zooropa, or Pop. Kept me guessing throughout, when Edge gives those hard riffs all throughout the song, and then that ending…wow.
Score: 9/10
Favorite Lyric: "Where the church is where the war is"
Song Title: This Is Where You Can Reach Me Now
Initial Thoughts: I thought this was going to be another snoozer or filler - then it kicks in. The most interesting track on the album. A fun, fancy homage to the Clash. I love its placement on the album - it keeps the impending ending strong.
Score: 9/10
Favorite Lyric: "Old man says that we never listen / We shout about what we don't know / We're taking the path of most resistance / The only way for us to go"
Song Title: The Troubles
Initial Thoughts: Gorgeous, haunting, and stunning. Echoes of "Drowning Man" throughout, and then that Edge guitar at the end…wish that went on forever.
Score: 9/10
Favorite Lyric: "I'm naked and I'm not afraid / My body's sacred and I'm not ashamed." Another very direct and effective image from Bono, all over the place here.
Overall (after five full listens): 8/10
Second half of the album is strongest. Hopefully Danger Mouse had a hand in Songs of Experience as well.
Best:
Raised By Wolves
Excellent:
This is Where You Can Reach Me Now
Cedarwood Road
The Miracle
Sleep Like a Baby Tonight
The Troubles
Good:
California
Volcano
Needs some time to grow on me:
Iris
Every Breaking Wave
Song for Someone
