User Score
Generally favorable reviews- based on 293 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 225 out of 293
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Mixed: 38 out of 293
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Negative: 30 out of 293
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Sep 10, 2014This review contains spoilers, click expand to view.
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Sep 10, 2014Simply horrible. I was took by surprise when I saw that their album was a part of my music on my iPhone. I decided to give it a try and I found myself not recognizing U2. It almost seems like they accepted this deal with Apple because they know that the album sucked.
Super Disappointing. -
Sep 10, 2014
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Sep 11, 2014Very much like a mix of good old U2 with a modern approach, This is one of U2's best, I've loved it. Though Song for someone is guilty of being a bland acoustic ballad every other song hits all the right notes and despite the mix up of genres the band never has tonal inconsistencies. Catchy, expertly crafted and better than almost everything on the charts right now, this is a must have.
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Sep 10, 2014An exceptional return to form. While there is a freshness to the tracks that lacked on recent albums, there are characteristic U2 moments throughout. The first truly polished album since Achtung Baby. Thank God they took their time.
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Sep 20, 2014
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Sep 11, 2014
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Sep 11, 2014
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Sep 11, 2014
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Sep 10, 2014This is a wonderful album! I'm surprised by so many negative reviews. People have got used to music with out good melodies or lyrics, and when they actually here music with this, they dont know what to make of it ...
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Sep 10, 2014First off, if you look at the negative user reviews, most are just complaining about how they don't like U2. So this section is skewed. It's a very, very good album.
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Sep 11, 2014
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Sep 11, 2014
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Sep 11, 2014The best U2 album since ACHTUNG BABY in the sense that there is no weak song or filler in this album. Upon first 3 or 4 hearings, the stand-out songs are Every Breaking Wave, Song For Someone, The Troubles, Iris (Hold Me Close), and Raised By Wolves.
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Sep 16, 2014
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Jun 16, 2015Pathetic album by a big band! I really hope U2 try again in the upcoming album.
Even the release strategy was ridiculous. They can sell records, don't need to put it down our throat as they did. -
Sep 10, 2014
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Sep 11, 2014
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Sep 10, 2014this is by far most cohesive and enjoyable record since pop, there are maybe only two songs that are not so great (The Miracle, California) the rest of it is pure delight
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Sep 11, 2014
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Sep 14, 2014This is perhaps U2s most complete album. With not a single bad song. The band sounds fresh and there is truly something personal and genuine about this album. Haters will hate, but the ones that really appreciate U2s music are in for 50 or so fantastic minutes.
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Sep 16, 2014Songs of Innocence is everything a U2 fan could want and more. I'm particularly fond of Iris, simply because on that song I think U2 is burning on all cylinders. The liner notes and words on the Lp really tie it all together. A focused vision by all involved, made this a great U2 concept record . Dare I say, Songs of Innocence ..will be remembered as another Masterpiece.
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Sep 19, 2014
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Sep 13, 2014
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Sep 15, 2014
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Sep 15, 2014
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Sep 21, 2014
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Sep 14, 2014It's no disaster but one for the faithful only. It's very doubtful that Songs of Innocence will win them any new fans, and a few old ones will be disappointed by the lack of ambition and innovation. They'll still be great live, but maybe U2 just don't have it in them anymore to write any great new songs. Oh God.... I just realised. They are turning into the Rolling Stones!
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Oct 3, 2014Entirely forgettable, not a single on it. You will not hear this on the radio. The Stones wrote their last classic tracks 40 years ago; apparently U2 has passed into that phase too.
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Oct 8, 2014
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Sep 10, 2014A breath fresh air, not just the same old U2. I've listened through a few times now and I'm liking it more and more every time. I can't say I love every song equally, but there are definitely some good ones here being added to the U2 song catalog.
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Sep 10, 2014Probably U2's best album since "All That You Can't Leave Behind." Don't listen to the negative reviews. It's just from trolls who simply dislike U2 due to Bono's political convictions & that the fact that they feel threatened by someone who's far more talented & successful than they'll ever be.
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Sep 13, 2014
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Sep 13, 2014Better than No Line - but still weak. Eventually, this is Pop v.2.0 and far far from Achtung, Baby or albums from 80s.
Actually, after listening to this album twice - I was unable to find any melody from it in my mind. -
Sep 17, 2014
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Sep 18, 2014Really disappointed by this effort. I was expecting the hard-hitting, darker, post-punk rock and roll that U2 is known for and was met with a syrupy, half-hearted effort. Raised By Wolves had an intriguing title, and could have been a song like Vertigo. Extremely disappointed, I expect more out of Songs Of Experience.
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May 13, 2016One of the decade's best albums! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Sep 16, 2014The trouble with U2 is that they are lionized to such a degree that many critics and fans alike just fail to see that they have been 'treading water' for a very long time now.
If utterly soulless corporate rock is your cup of tea then you are going to love this album, otherwise I suggest you look elsewhere. -
Sep 15, 2014
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Sep 12, 2014If I rate it 5 star, I must be emotionally attached fan of U2 and if I rate it 2 star then I must be like those hypocrite critics(which I am certainly not). How many rock bands we know where lyrical beauty is as glorifying as U2. I simply loved this album.
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Sep 12, 2014
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Sep 12, 2014
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Sep 12, 2014
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Sep 13, 2014
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Sep 13, 2014In my opinion, this is a very very good album! U2 classic, but a fresh sound. I give it 9 points, because the old classic U2 albums is better. U2 forever!
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Sep 15, 2014
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Sep 15, 2014
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Sep 10, 2014As a longtime fan of U2, I was pretty disappointed with Songs of Innocence. I think it lacked the trademark joy, passion and energy in their work. The lyrics are overly depressing, the music is average at best and forgettable at worst. It has its moments, but it doesn't live up to U2's standards.
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Sep 18, 2014The lovable lads from Liverpool: Bono, The Edge, Adam Clay-2000lbs, and Larry Mullen Sr.'s son have done it again! This is good rock n' roll, uh, music.
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Sep 10, 2014
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Sep 11, 2014
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Sep 13, 2014Painfully bland, literally fell asleep before reaching the end.
And yes, I only have it because it was free. U2 have been massively overrated for decades. -
Sep 20, 2014
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Sep 10, 2014Im not a U2 fan, but when they put out an album I will give it a listen. Considering it is a "freebee" it matched my expectations-you get what you pay for. There is nothing on this album I "get." There is not a song i would enjoy listening to again and again. I am glad I didn't pay 1 cent for it.
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Sep 10, 2014I think its appropriate that this album is being given away, because it's utterly worthless. I have never been a fan of U2 or their arena/corporate rock, but this plumbing new depths IMHO.
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Sep 13, 2014
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Oct 10, 2014
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Sep 11, 2014Awesome U2 and awesome Apple!
Love the songs, great album and I got it for free! :D
It's really a good album don't understand why so much hate for it.. -
Sep 12, 2014
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Sep 13, 2014On 1st listen, I wasn't too impressed with it. After listening to it on headphones and in the car, it's won me over. I thought they were through after the awful Ordinary Love. This shows they still have some life left in them.
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Sep 15, 2014
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Sep 16, 2014
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Sep 12, 2014Surprisingly good. It seems that they finally found what they were looking for. Now I understand better what they tried to achieve - without success - with No Line.
This is definetely one of their best, even better and All that you can't leave behind.
Something of U2, but with a better production, with a better sound, more emotional, more variety.
I was far from expecting this! -
Sep 10, 2014The new album is even more melody-challenged than "No Line...". Grating vocals from Bono, a non-existent Edge and Mullen's usual tom-tom thumping in place of driving snare and hi-hat. "Raised By Wolves" has a strong chorus. "This Is Where You Can Reach Me Now" is well-crafted, and "The Troubles" has its moments. That's about it.
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Feb 3, 2018
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Oct 16, 2014
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Sep 11, 2014
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Sep 14, 2014
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May 23, 2015
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Sep 14, 2014Good Album ! U2 still continue like a great band ! The album is very good, sometimes you need to heard, you can see quantities and they are still with great songs This album isn´t is the best album their, but i see U2 came back, and the next album must be still better than this.
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Sep 22, 2014Very well produced, but, imo, the music is blank, soulles and has no depth. it reflects the band's choice and heading after the Pop album. i kinda understand because they have to strive in a very competitive industry, but musically speaking can't take that into consideration. So, my rating is this: technical points: 8; artistical points: 2. Final rating: 5.
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Sep 26, 2014
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Oct 6, 2014
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Oct 8, 2014
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Nov 12, 2014U2 have made a comeback with this album. Its lyrics are more personal and actually and bold, it shows off the talent of its instrumentalists, and it strikes that satisfying balance between audacious and reserved. I actually like it. It's no Joshua Tree, but its better than I expected. Favorite track: This Is Where You Can Reach Me Now.
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May 22, 2017
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Dec 15, 2014
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Mar 24, 2015It's a good album once you listen to it a few times and has songs you can sing along to. If only the release of the album was not 'shoved down our throats' and we actually got to come up on this on our own time.
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Jul 27, 2015This is U2's best album, it has lots of great music like: Raised By Wolves, Iris, California, and many others. Bono's voice is freaking awesome and Edge's guitar play is great.
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Dec 20, 2017This review contains spoilers, click expand to view.
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Dec 23, 2014
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Jul 13, 2015.................................................................................................................................................................................................... Mesmo com maravilhas como Every Breaking Wave,California,Song For Someone,Iris e The Troubles......
Songs Of Innocence não deixa de ser um álbum fraco do U2 -
Oct 21, 2015The B-side of album is so Weak. Volcano is a disaster Raised By Wolves have a dull,boring and ugly melody This Is Where You Can Reach Me Now is boring and ugly Sleep Like a Baby Tonight is so-so.
But Every Breaking Wave,California(There Is No End to Love),Song for Someone,Iris (Hold Me Close) and The Troubles are amazing mainly the first three cited. -
Feb 17, 2020
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Dec 30, 2015Really, Really, Really Weak!!!!! doens't seem U2, The best band of rock that they were good melodies,few here have decent melodies,decent lyrics doens't work with bad melodies...
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Jun 13, 2016The first 5 songs of the album are brilliant. Like, wow! Some of their best work in years. Then you get to the next 6...and it all crashes and burns from there. This should have been an EP with only the first 5 songs included.
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Apr 2, 2016No!!!!!!!! This one isn't the best album since Achtung Baby (1991), Is the worst since Zooropa (1993)....
People that don't know what U2 really is, came saying or is a Masterpiece don't SOI Is a weak U2 Album this is the Reality!!!!
6 is the score that this album really deserve and is For a fan since ATYCLB (2000) -
May 11, 2016
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Dec 22, 2016Bono... You Always do an amazing job with the lyrics but since How to Dismantle an atomic bomb (2004), you don't seem don't call much for fine & beautiful melodies to your songs...
Every Breaking wave, California, Song For Someone, Iris, Are the only who have beautiful melodies. And Miracle (of Joey Ramone), The Troubles & Cedarwood Road almost -
Mar 25, 2020
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May 4, 2020One of the Greatest U2's album,that I ever heard. Best songs are Every breaking wave and Song for someone
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Aug 21, 2020Disque parfait dans son genre. Pas une seule fausse note. Encore meilleur plus de six ans après sa sortie. Bravo pour un groupe qui a plus de 40 ans de carrière désormais.
Awards & Rankings
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Classic Rock MagazineDec 17, 2014Songs Of Innocence is stricken with lethargy, with a level of aspiration that extends as far as Coldplay and never explores further. [Nov 2014, p.93]
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UncutNov 11, 2014Things get increasingly glum and disenchanted as the album grinds towards the cop-out of "The Troubles." [Dec 2014, p.81]
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Oct 3, 2014They want to be everything to everyone and, in attempting to do so, they've wound up with a record that appeals to a narrow audience: fellow travelers who either thrill at the spectacle or dig for the subtleties buried underneath the digital din.