I think I'll just be glad with another album. I'm not going to waste my time judging some artist's recent work because it didn't fit my plethora of demands. It's ridiculous. Do you think Bono is going to read your post and say "Ye know, he's got a point about us not being as creative as before, good thing he harped about it. Edge c'mere, you should listen to this guy, he's hit gold." It doesn't matter, nothing will change and another album will come out next year with songs you may or may not like.
I don't understand the hate for their last few albums. It's preposterous to think they don't care and/or that they've taken the easy way out with their songs. They're older, they don't have the same view of the world they did during the Joshua Tree/Achtung Baby days. They're not supposed to be playing and writing songs in the same vein as that era, it wouldn't sound right.
The bottom line is that they're not the same guys they were before. They're grown up, they've seen the world for over 50 years more or less, and personally--I like that that aspect of their timeline. That basically spells out they're better musicians--they've had more time to craft their skills, and hone ideas and most of all---get to really know each other. Bono can't scream like he used to, but he's got heavy artillery with worldliness. Look at all the curve balls and life experiences the band has had to deal with during the 00's (Bono's dad, Edge's daughter, etc)--they turned into some really beautiful material, didn't they? Kite, Original of the Species, SYCMIOYO, etc were great and struck a chord with a lot of people, including myself. The fact that they've traded that "irony/rock n roll" attitude with more of a real persona, is refreshing I think.
Lyrically, I think they're at their best because of said personal experiences. I can't wait for what they have in store for us, and the fact that they're still together, writing anthems that still get the hairs on my arms up, is a good reason alone to trust the U2 boys.
