By David Seaman | Echo
U2 fans eagerly awaited the group's first new album in five years, originally thought to be released in 2015. But no one expected to have it dropped this September. As part of an Apple event. For free.
On Tuesday, as Apple unveiled the iPhone 6 and brand-new iWatch, the biggest band in the world made a surprise appearance at the end of the two-hour conference. These lords of rock and roll presented a gift to their subjects: the release of a new album on iTunes for free. Within minutes, all iTunes Store customers could download the band's 13th studio album.
"Remember us? Pleased to announce myself, Edge, Adam (Clayton) and Larry (Mullen) have finally given birth to our new baby . . . Songs of Innocence," Bono, the band's lead singer, wrote in a letter posted to U2.com. "It's been a while. We wanted to get it right for you/us. We just finished it last week and thanks to Apple and iTunes, it's with you today." 500 million customers in 119 countries have access to the album.
The new album will be free on iTunes until Oct. 13. That's when the physical album will be released, so a listener won't be hearing these songs on the radio anytime soon. Until then, only iTunes listeners can enjoy the 11 new tracks Bono and his bandmates have carefully constructed. Their methods for releasing are controversial-some call it an Apple sellout and others are annoyed by the album's appearance in their iTunes library. But the album is substantive enough in its lyrics and tone to more than makes up for its marketing.
"Songs of Innocence" is arguably U2's most personal album since 2000's "All That You Can't Leave Behind," and possibly even more so. While it has a few forgettable tunes, it takes the band back to their glorious 1980s roots. Lacking the epic feel of their last album "No Line on the Horizon," "Songs" is more stripped down and personal, with many songs reflecting Bono's years growing up in Ireland. Bono rails about a car-bombing in Dublin in "Raised By Wolves", and the fantastic "Cedarwood Road" has the singer lamenting about his old home street. "Sometimes fear is the only place we call home," he sings over a killer riff by guitarist Edge.
Beyond Irish life, Bono reflects on his personal influences and struggles. "I was young/Not dumb" Bono wails in the rocking opener "The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)," which unabashedly praises the Ramones singer who influenced his music. But it's humility, not confidence, that drives this album. He's raw in talking about his deceased mother in "Iris (Hold Me Close)." The singer pleads "And there is a light/don't let it go out" in "Song for Someone," a standout.
A haunting Beach Boys melody propels "California (There Is No End To Love)." (Parentheses seem to be an extra theme of the album). "The Troubles" may not be as momentous or gut-punching an album closer as "Moment of Surrender" (one of my personal favorites), but the song is more relatable. "Somebody stepped inside your soul/Little by little they robbed and stole/Till someone else was in control," sings guest singer Lykke Li, and like U2's best songs the lyrics have double meanings. Is this about Bono's personal life, or the well-known Troubles of Northern Ireland? It's up to the listener to decide.
The album's not perfect. "Volcano" has an erupting beat but little else. "Sleep Like a Baby Tonight," U2's ode to classic rock band The Clash, is pretty vanilla. But it's the return to the sound that made U2 who they were, fully letting go of the '90s bombast and laying bare emotions not heard since 1987's "The Joshua Tree," that makes this album work. There's less grandeur and more honesty. U2 knows its status as rock band kings of the world, and this time they decided to bring their music down to the level of their court.
Bono also mentioned that the follow-up album "Songs of Experience" is nearly finished. Hopefully U2 fans will have time to prepare themselves.
Song highlights:
"The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)"
"Song for Someone"
"Iris (Hold Me Close)"
"Raised by Wolves"
"Cedarwood Road"
"The Troubles"
