Review: Songs of Innocence

Songs of Innocence

'Songs of Innocence' is the new album from the legendary Irish rock band who need no introduction U2.

Let's face it, everybody who hasn't been living under a rock has heard of U2. Especially more so after the controversial method of marketing this particular album. By putting it straight on people's itunes accounts, one of the biggest bands in the world set off a nightmare of criticism from celebrities and anybody who had a twitter account. The only real saving grace for them was if the album they had given to anybody was actually any good...

Then the song marketed with the album "The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)" comes on and you're calmly reminded of the grounded rock music that U2 have earned a massive reputation from. Despite the fact that this song is typically the kind of music they normally make, U2 have somehow managed to make the track current and popular to people. Despite the safe nature of the opening track, 'Songs of Innocence' is an album that's anything but safe as it tackles a large variety of musical styles. This is particularly highlighted on 'Sleep Like a Baby Tonight' which wanders through three discernable genres in 5 minutes.

The album is called 'Songs of Innocence' but it should really be called 'Songs of Hope'. If the lyrics in every song hold one central theme, it's to keep on believing under all circumstances. In a sense, U2 may have promoted the album in the way they did because they wanted people to hear the messages behind these songs. There has been massive lyrical development from 'No Line on the Horizon' where none of the lyrics on the album made any sense. These are songs that the band really want be to hear properlly and this reviewer is certainly happy to oblige to that

So to recap... massive band, massive promotional mistake or was it? I am certainly ready to forgive the band for their bizarre giving away of the album in order to focus on the music. 'Songs of Innocence' is a well made, stellar piece of work from a band with a lot of experience. As a reviewer however, I missed the extraordinary factor from a band who should be experienced enough and have enough of a repertoire of amazing music (not to mention the 6 year wait) to make an album that's better than this. Nonetheless, it's good to finally hear music from these guys again.

8.5/10



Click here to watch the video for lead single "The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)"