The new, ultra-commercial U2

Review Score: (6/10)
U2's career seems to have followed 3 distinct paths

1. 1980's - establishing their trademark sound, excellent albums and worthwhile collaborations with B.B King, Dylan among others.

2. 1990's - pushing the boundaries of rock and roll, and totally reinventing their sound. Their best period in my opinion, some of the work on Achtung Baby, Zooropa, and Pop is nothing short of spectacular. Artistic integrity, not record sales.

3. 2000's - making the same album as the previous one, and playing it completely safe. Making radio-friendly songs in order to sell as many records as possible.

Dont get me wrong, HTDAAB isnt a bad album at all, indeed its far better consistency-wise than 2000's All That You Can't Leave Behind. Its just that i never thought U2 would go down this road, of middle-aged mediocrity. Songs like City Of Blinding Lights, and Yahweh, however, just dont live up to previous work at all. U2 was once known for never making the same album twice, and constantly trying to push the boundaries of their sound. Those days it seems, though, are over. Time to call it a day guys.

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