Obviously this isn't literally a prototype of Joshua Tree but at times it feels like it in a good way. I don't think it is as great as Joshua Tree but it is definitely a great album in their catalog. The Eno production is great as always and I feel like even though War is a great album and I like it a little more, their sound really started to develop much more
I always liked this album and I always thought it was underrated. Relistening to it was a pleasure, I love the production of Brian Eno and I can see his influence, and l love the more "ambient" sound U2 have in this album. The first four tracks are the best tracks in this album, all bangers, from the opener "A Sort Of Homecoming", to the huge hit "Pride (In The Name Of Love) to, personally, the best tracks in the album and the song that gives the name to this album ... read more
Less 'classic material' here than on 'The Joshua Tree' it could be argued, but overall I prefer it a shade.
Eno's influence is more perceivable through the production (parts of 'Indian Summer Sky' and particularly 'Wire' remind me of his Talking Heads sound) and whereas sometimes the lesser tracks on 'Joshua' just sounded like filler for the sake of filler, here the 'also-rans' still serve the album and feel like they're adding to the 'bigger picture'.
Sure, for some the album will end on a ... read more
Some of these songs feel like unfinished sketches, sure, but that adds to the charm and feeling of the album. The Brian Eno-core is there, and that makes emotional moments like Bad hit hard.
A much more atmospheric album than War. Unfortunately the band focuses more on creating a dreamy sound than writing memorable songs. There were some standouts and I do love the vibe but overall the tracks were a bit too same-y for me. Not entirely my thing.
1 | A Sort of Homecoming 5:28 | 86 |
2 | Pride (In the Name of Love) 3:50 | 91 |
3 | Wire 4:19 | 87 |
4 | The Unforgettable Fire 4:55 | 92 |
5 | Promenade 2:35 | 76 |
6 | 4th of July 2:16 | 70 |
7 | Bad 6:08 | 90 |
8 | Indian Summer Sky 4:19 | 80 |
9 | Elvis Presley and America 6:23 | 65 |
10 | MLK 2:33 | 72 |