U2 remain the biggest band in the world. No small feat for a young group of lad from Ireland who broke wide in the 1980s. Quick name another band from the 1980s that has remained as important and prolific as U2 while maintaining a huge fanbase. You can't. They are international superstars on par with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. And while millions of fans await their latest CD I prefer the early years before "Joshua Tree" turned them from college rock stars who had an alternative following into the world's favorite band. Let's look back and appreciate their early work.
I discovered U2 the way many from my generation did--on MTV. What you say, "MTV that plays "The Real Teen Mom Is Pregnant & 16 On The Jersey Shore Cat Fishing?" " That MTV? Yes and no. See MTV which stands for Music Television used to play music. And nothing but music. That is where I saw U2's "Gloria" video for the first time. Just 4 awkward looking Irish guys rocking their asses off. The group of Bono Vox, Dave "The Edge" Evans, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr looked like I wanted to look. Clumsy cool. Young and angry. Okay, I didn't want to look like Adam--He had a weird afro. But the other guys looked cool.
I rushed to the record store only to find that "October" the band's second LP , which features "Gloria" was not out yet. But the guy at The Music Box in Newport, R.I. told em I could buy their first CD "Boy" which had been out for just under a year. I bought it without a second thought. Later at home as the record (yes vinyl) spun and the urgency blasted from my cheap 1970s Emerson Stereo I was blown away. First there was "I Will Follow" a call to arms I had heard a local cover band do (and thought it was an original.) Then "Out Of Control" and "Stories For Boys" both of which I related to. The second to the last track "The Electric Co" was my favorite with it's staccato guitar and pulsing bass. With all respect to The Clash who had broken up, this was my new favorite band.
I rushed to the record store only to find that "October" the band's second LP , which features "Gloria" was not out yet. But the guy at The Music Box in Newport, R.I. told em I could buy their first CD "Boy" which had been out for just under a year. I bought it without a second thought. Later at home as the record (yes vinyl) spun and the urgency blasted from my cheap 1970s Emerson Stereo I was blown away. First there was "I Will Follow" a call to arms I had heard a local cover band do (and thought it was an original.) Then "Out Of Control" and "Stories For Boys" both of which I related to. The second to the last track "The Electric Co" was my favorite with it's staccato guitar and pulsing bass. With all respect to The Clash who had broken up, this was my new favorite band.
When "October" finally came out I was instantly pleased. Not only did it feature "Gloria", the song that initially introduced me to U2, but it also unleashed the power of politicailly based rebellion in song on the powerful tracks "I Fall Down","I Threw A Brick" and "With A Shout." These songs screamed to be heard. They demanded your attention and commanded you to sing along. Bono and Edge became one named wonders as their talents fully grew.
Vocally Bono went from boy to man with Edge perfected his signature guitar tone. Although "October"failed to produce any hits (that would some soon enough) it would be a defining moment for the band both preventing the dreaded Sophomore Slump and prepping an ever growing fan base for the global domination that was waiting right around the corner with the band's next release--"War."
Vocally Bono went from boy to man with Edge perfected his signature guitar tone. Although "October"failed to produce any hits (that would some soon enough) it would be a defining moment for the band both preventing the dreaded Sophomore Slump and prepping an ever growing fan base for the global domination that was waiting right around the corner with the band's next release--"War."
"War" is the most aptly named album. It is a call to arms. Everything about the band's third release says "We're here to Fight!" Look at the cover alone. That once lost looking lad from the "Boy" album cover went from looking passive to angry as hell. The fire in his eyes. The split lip. The songs were anthems. "Sunday Bloody Sunday," "New Year's Day" and "Two Hearts Beat As One" were designed to be song by arenas full of adoring fans. Soon they would be as U2 grew from our favorite college rock secret to an FM radio staple.
My two favorite tracks on the disc remain "Seconds" with Larry Mullen jr's machine gun fire drumming driving the band to the brink and the instant sing along classic "40." For years that followed that song would be U2's live show ender, sung by thousands of fans and we marched into the street. After one show in Boston I remember groups of fans singing it all the way out of the venue, into the street, into the subway and off into the night. "War" was thinking mans rock. If you need a refresher in why you love the band "War" is an amazing starting point.
My two favorite tracks on the disc remain "Seconds" with Larry Mullen jr's machine gun fire drumming driving the band to the brink and the instant sing along classic "40." For years that followed that song would be U2's live show ender, sung by thousands of fans and we marched into the street. After one show in Boston I remember groups of fans singing it all the way out of the venue, into the street, into the subway and off into the night. "War" was thinking mans rock. If you need a refresher in why you love the band "War" is an amazing starting point.
For those of us who had yet to see the band live in concert (in person) this EP (Extra Play for all you kids) and the accompanying VHS "Live At Red Rocks" was electrifying. It drove my lust for a live U2 show through the ceiling. Not only did this release feature skilled takes on some of their most sonic sounding early songs, it also unleashed live versions of odd non LP tracks like "Trash, Trampoline & The Party Girl." a b-side from "October."
I can't tell you how many times I sang the chorus to that song out loud at the at the top of my lungs. Of course years later, I must admit, I had no idea why the boy was called Trampoline and as far as "Party Girl" goes? I still have no idea what she wants. This Cd remains a testament to what a live album should be.
I can't tell you how many times I sang the chorus to that song out loud at the at the top of my lungs. Of course years later, I must admit, I had no idea why the boy was called Trampoline and as far as "Party Girl" goes? I still have no idea what she wants. This Cd remains a testament to what a live album should be.
This CD is the moment, for me that U2 hit the height of their powers and became the biggest band in the world. An unstoppable rock and roll force of importance and quality. I know their next CD "The Joshua Tree" is thought of as their magnum opus but for me "The Unforgettable Fire" is their greatest album and shinning hour. Every track is a revelation in sound.
From the epic wail of "Pride (In The Name Of Love)" to the Hypnotic "Bad" and the driving confusion of "Wire" each song is a new level of pain and joy. The sound is big arena rock with a whole lot of flag waving.
My favorite U2 song of all time--"A Sort Of Homecoming" opens the album. Setting the pace for the most well thought out U2 release. There isn't a bad track here. Bono preaches without sounding preachy. Something he has long since forgotten how to do. These songs make you feel as if music can change the world. They inspired me to learn about Martin Luther King. To care about the work of Amnesty International. To look at the world outside of my neighborhood and wonder how I could help right the wrongs and make things better. Can music change the world? Now that I'm older and more cynical I would say probably not. But "The Unforgettable Fire" made me feel like it could. And for me it was the last U2 album that was really mine. After mega success can knocking with "Joshua Tree" it seemed every knucklehead was a fan. Of course many of those thought that CD was their debut.
This album was the first time I also got to see U2 live in concert. Everything about that show was mystical and a memorable. From waiting in line overnight, sleeping outside the Swansea Mall in the snow to buy tickets (there was a time before the internet) to a camera magically falling on us from the higher levels as we sat in out 12th row floor seats. I would see the band a dozen plus times after this tour (including the Rose Bowl gig) but none of them could compare to my first time on "The Unforgettable Fire" tour.
From the epic wail of "Pride (In The Name Of Love)" to the Hypnotic "Bad" and the driving confusion of "Wire" each song is a new level of pain and joy. The sound is big arena rock with a whole lot of flag waving.
My favorite U2 song of all time--"A Sort Of Homecoming" opens the album. Setting the pace for the most well thought out U2 release. There isn't a bad track here. Bono preaches without sounding preachy. Something he has long since forgotten how to do. These songs make you feel as if music can change the world. They inspired me to learn about Martin Luther King. To care about the work of Amnesty International. To look at the world outside of my neighborhood and wonder how I could help right the wrongs and make things better. Can music change the world? Now that I'm older and more cynical I would say probably not. But "The Unforgettable Fire" made me feel like it could. And for me it was the last U2 album that was really mine. After mega success can knocking with "Joshua Tree" it seemed every knucklehead was a fan. Of course many of those thought that CD was their debut.
This album was the first time I also got to see U2 live in concert. Everything about that show was mystical and a memorable. From waiting in line overnight, sleeping outside the Swansea Mall in the snow to buy tickets (there was a time before the internet) to a camera magically falling on us from the higher levels as we sat in out 12th row floor seats. I would see the band a dozen plus times after this tour (including the Rose Bowl gig) but none of them could compare to my first time on "The Unforgettable Fire" tour.
"Wide Awake In America" was a nice little hold over release until U2's studio CD "Joshua Tree" came along. I only features 4 tracks: "Bad"(Live,) "A Sort Of Homecoming" (Live) and the new studio cuts "Three Sunrises" and "Love Comes Tumbling." Having live versions of those two "Unforgettable Fire" tracks after having seen them live was a nice gift. And "Three Sunrises" is one of those songs that would have been at home on either "Fire" of "Joshua Tree."
In recent years Universal Music has done a brilliant job reissuing all of these albums (Except "Wide Awake") as deluxe 2 disc editions including tons of bonus material. All of which are readily available in stores and online
As U2 prepares to unleash their latest album (said to be produced by Danger Mouse) on the waiting world it's nice to take a look back at the roots of how the band became the biggest musical act in the world. Go back to re-listen to "War," "Boy" and "The Unforgettable Fire" again and you will appreciate U2 all over again.
In recent years Universal Music has done a brilliant job reissuing all of these albums (Except "Wide Awake") as deluxe 2 disc editions including tons of bonus material. All of which are readily available in stores and online
As U2 prepares to unleash their latest album (said to be produced by Danger Mouse) on the waiting world it's nice to take a look back at the roots of how the band became the biggest musical act in the world. Go back to re-listen to "War," "Boy" and "The Unforgettable Fire" again and you will appreciate U2 all over again.
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