Reviews (page 7 of 12)
Entiendo que este álbum da comienzo hacia un giro más comercial en la carrera de U2. Sin embargo considero que no por ello hay que descartar la relevancia de este álbum en la cultura popular. Así bien no considero a nivel personal que este sea el álbum que más me gusta de U2, contiene muchos temas reconocidos y además se puede decir que es una obra cuya composición es acertada en la intención: Ser reconocidos. En ese momento era importante para la banda producir un giro en su carrera, dado que el álbum anterior no había sido tan bien recibido. Eso los llevo, no en ausencia de conflictos internos, a generar este álbum, que tiene vestigios de elementos previos y los por venir. Lo que más sobresale a mi parecer es el trabajo de guitarras de The Edge y la voz de Bono (que en un par de temas utiliza efectos electrónicos que me parecen interesantes y bien aplicados).
I tend to love it when a band reinvents themselves, but this one's never done much for me. I suppose part of the problem is that U2's reinvention involves becoming more danceable, whereas I'm someone who stays firmly planted in her seat. Intellectually, I can recognize that this is just as daring as any of R.E.M.'s wild stylistic shifts in the 90s, but emotionally, I just don't really need it in my life.
c’est sur qu’il y a du joli travail à saluer dans cet album : des compositions quali, des accords de guitare électrique qui marchent bien, de belles ambiances sonores, soutenues par une partition de percus intéressante, et bien sûr un travail vocal très propre qui signe l’esprit du groupe Maintenant c’est pas le genre de rock que j’aime, même si j’ai pu viber par moments genre The Fly, ou Mysterious Ways, mais de manière générale ce truc un peu sensuel / intimiste / drama, à la fois dans la voix et dans les mélodies, me touche pas voire me saoule Marrant car j’ai eu une grosse période U2 quand j’étais en 5e, sur leur album de 2014
Pas mon album préféré d’U2 (qui reste à ce jour The Joshua Tree). Je m’attendais pas à trouver leur son One ici, surtout après les deux premiers morceaux qui font beaucoup plus rock hangar à mon goût—j’accroche à tout sauf au refrain. Ceci dit, à part la mélodie de Mysterious Ways et la composition de So Cruel, un album qui me laisse un peu indifférente, peut-être parce que j’ai été un peu déçue sachant que j’avais déjà surkiffé beaucoup de leurs sons précédents et le projet musical —peut-être plus “rock commercial” aujourd’hui (I still haven’t found what I’m looking for, Where the streets have no name, Bullet the blue sky, pour n’en nommer que quelques uns). Pour cette raison, on est sur un 2,7 arrondi au-dessus.
I really like "the fly." First time listening to this one. I like it more than I expected - I'm not a big U2 person.
There’s One great song on here There are quite a few really good songs as well But there’s some awfully insipid stuff around that
It’s U2. But pretty good U2. I’m sure at the time this came out it was groundbreaking. A fine listen, not off putting, but won’t seek it out.
I had this back in the day, but it really just doesn't engage me now. It's not really bad, but it's about the last U2 album I can take much of.
Think I'm just not the biggest U2 fan for some reason, but still enjoyed the album
First listen
This album was just fine
#125 - Just OK. Not the biggest fan of U2
“One” is a singularly great song. There are other good songs here, but the band is more laid back than usual. Their passion is what sets U2 apart, so this is not their strongest effort. Bono talk/sings through several songs, which is weak. And a few if the sings are not very strong/sappy. Still, it might be worth another listen. For now, it’s a 3.
70
For a long time, I didn't listen to U2, because they suck. And then one day I found myself listening to U2, and they didn't suck. Life is weird.
U2
Clashy, but in an acceptable way.
solid, but some weaker tracks / some of it feels like filler
Strong 3. I want to give it a 4 because I generally just like U2’s sound and style but only the big songs stood out to me. Still though, it was a nice listen and I could def be convinced to give it another go. They’re more of a greatest hits band but I think they’re pretty decent for background tunes as well.
It's U2 with only one of their hits. They're definitely a greatest hits band for me. I get tired of their sound pretty fast.
Solid rock album that has a few gem songs on it. One is great. So cruel got me lyrically. Ultra violet is cool. It is fascinating how you can see so many of their songs being played in a stadium. But that just seems to be their artistic apporach I guess.
achtung is german i think but i forgot what the word means there are some good songs on here about 3 or so
U2 is one of those bands of which I only know the radio hits. I’ve never really been interested in listening further. Perhaps it’s that they’ve had so many radio hits over the years that I didn’t feel the need to delve further into their discography. I’m more inclined to think it’s because I’m a bit indifferent to their sound. The instrumentation is nice and Bono’s voice is decent, but I’ve never connected to the music much. I was curious to listen to this album and see if it reinforced my feelings on U2 or if I would be surprised and become a fan. Unfortunately, I’d have to say it reinforced my feelings. The album is perfectly fine. But that’s about it. There’s some good writing on a few of the tracks, some interesting melodies, and Bono’s voice did win me over at its softer, more tender moments. Overall though, the album got too similar sounding over its course and I don’t like Bono’s voice enough to really want to listen to him for almost an hour. I think U2 is just not my shot of Irish whiskey.
Second U2, another one I know the singles only. Bono is so loud in the mix! I think I was expecting more from the non-singles. Mysterious Ways is great and some others. 3.5 rounded down Heard before? Singles Owned: No: 21/1001, 21/87 (24%) Will I get? No
Not a big fan of U2 but the tunes were OK and the album was good.
I do like Bono and the gang. Musically they are rock enough but some ballads shine as well. I am separating musical Bono from his political/huge ego Bono to give this 3 stars. Listened before? Y Saved to library? Y Favorite track(s): Mysterious Ways. One. ⭐⭐⭐: Liked it! Saved no tracks.
Good for U2
Prefer the older stuff, some decent tracks
A few good songs but not really my type of music
It’s an alright pop rock album. People seem to get upset by U2 but they don’t seem that relevant anymore
Some REALLY great tunes here and overall good album structure, just not as raw and impactful as some earlier stuff from them and a few low points. Solid 3.5
I like this one, feels like a cohesive album where the singles fit into it.
Like many resourceful teens, my friends and I would rent seedy hotel rooms to party in. During one such party I was having a spat with my girlfriend, and couldn’t figure out why she was aloof. My friend Tom began singing She Moves In Mysterious Ways. Record holds up well.
This wasn't bad, which is surprising for me to say when I really don't like U2. I still prefer Johnny Cash's version of One Love
Sorta rock music ur dad plays in the CD rack on the car radio and you mindlessly don’t pay attention to whilst staring out the window to the pretty scenery outside. It’s not actually bad rock but you get the point.
I've never been a big fan of U2; their sound is just too floaty. Bono's voice isn't the greatest thing ever, but it works well for this type of music. The album is kind of meh, but it's music.
Arena rock is a tough sell for me, but this is actually fairly listenable. It gets a little draggy on the back half, but not enough to bring it down a star.
I’m not a U2 fan - Ultraviolet is a bloody cracker tho!
Pretty underwhelming - several of my favourite U2 songs in mysterious ways and real thing but a lot of mediocrity. No where near their height in War
I think u2 actually started very strong I could bop to boy (especially the electric co) any day, this is alright, I just think bono suits post punk more than this??? Idk that’s just it for me I think this era is overrated but U2 as a whole might be overhated, they’re a critical enigma 3/5
I don’t know what U2 was thinking. This album sounds like they threw their guitars into a blender and called it “art.” Sure, a few tracks are catchy, but most of it feels like Bono trying too hard to be deep. I miss when they just rocked instead of experimenting. 3 stars for me, and that’s being generous.
Very forgettable but inoffensive
i always forget U2 are a really good band
For me it's a step down from war and Joshua tree but it's their last strong album.
The epitome of a 3 star. Not great, not bad. Middle of the road pop/rock.
I don’t have any strong feelings about U2. This was decent. I hadn’t heard One in years and remembered it’s a good song. The rest of it was fine. I have nothing else I want to say about U2.
exakt vad jag förväntade mig med u2s rykte, stabil rock, men inget mer :|
Också ett bra album! Hörde lite pre-radiohead liknelser, tycker inte det var lika jämnt hela vägen igenom men definitivt 7/10
I have an affinity for U2, turns out it's mostly for their pre-this album offerings. Couple classic "ballads" on this one, but the upbeat, pre-wacky-electronic stuff is bland. I wonder what the direction of the music was for this. Turns out, fine but not great. I wonder what sort of music The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen could pull off without Bono.
6/10
Not the greatest U2 album. The singles are mid and the rest of the album is not great.
U2 i owe you an apology i was not familiar with your game
Disclaimer con esta me cancelan La música de U2 lamentablemente nunca fue para mi, por más que tengan algunos temas innegablemente buenos y que disfruto escuchar (como One), el resto me terminan resultando bastante corny. La segunda mitad del album se me hizo pesadisima, siendo que varias de las canciones consistían en repetir el titulo 18 veces (zzzz). De todas maneras, las primeras 4 canciones si que las disfrute y no me parece objetivamente un mal album, sino que no es de mi gusto personal.
Se supone que U2 es el pico y lo que más debería escuchar ahora que estoy en mi era de rockeritos tristes irlandeses, sin embargo, nunca me acaban de convencer. Son como la versión comercial de Libertines y algo más rock que el último Fontaines, pero sin el alma de ninguno de esos dos grupos. Mucho rasgar la voz y la guitarra... me temo que son los Imagine Dragons de su género y tiempo. El colega Bonodemetro verdaderamente metió 3 canciones de 5 minutos en las que está diciendo siempre lo mismo sobre la misma base instrumental... Honorable mention a una de las canciones, Until de end of the World, porque la compusieron originalmente para una de mis películas favoritas jeje. Favs: no me acuerdo es demasiado largo, desde luego ninguna de las de 5 minutos. Supongo que One, también le di like a Even Better than The Real Thing pero porque acababa de empezar el album.
Buscando inspiración después de sacar un disco medio flojito, U2 se va a Berlín para componer y grabar nuevo material. Puedo escuchar la influencia de la ciudad en las primeras dos canciones, con un sonido aaaaaalgo parecido a la trilogía de Berlín de David Bowie (producida también por Brian Eno -aunque para Achtung Baby parece que el tío se pasaba una vez al mes o así para revisar cosas y quitar material que se pareciera a material antiguo de U2-). Quitando One y Acrobat, que no me disgustan, me parece que el resto de canciones tiene muchas ideas interesantes, pero a las que para llegar no merece la pena escucharte una canción de 5 minutos que te deja medio sopa. A la playlist (y a considerar porque honestamente no soy muy fan): One, Acrobat
Not a fan of U2
This is a decent album, but definitely not my personal favourite U2 album, nor their most popular. It's got a lot of what makes U2 sound like U2 (specifically later U2), which is great if you're into that and I can't fault them for. I can't decide how I feel about U2 as a whole. At times I love it - I certainly can't deny the musicianship and passion in their music, and they've written some of the greatest songs of all time (including one of my own favourites). At other times U2 can feel a bit flat and boring to me... I'm not exactly sure why that is, but I suspect it's the tone and style. I feel that U2 are at their best when they're being strong and/or expressive (see City of Blinding Lights, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Miracle Drug, Pride and many more). Often I think the rest of their music can feel a bit flat. This album is mostly that - flatness. Not at all unpleasant, and certainly well written... Just missing a certain spark that engages me. That said, there are songs and moments across the album that earn some of that attention back, which is why I'm pushing the rating up to a 3. I'd have no qualms listening to it again, but I'm far more likely to just pick a few songs I liked rather than going start to finish on it.
I love how they were so indecisive about what they wanted their album cover to be, that they just said "fuck it, let's just use all 16 of our ideas at the same time."
Know this through osmosis. Fav was Love is Blindness.
Esta buenon, no soy gran fan de u2 pero me gusto
5.6/10 pretty solid, just barely finished the album, but really not my style of music. good tho
Decent, some of it very U2. Definitely worth the listen. Gonna give it a “passing” grade. Could be bias since a lot so far haven’t be great. Overall - 3.6/5
can this website stop giving me 90s british rock istg
Can’t overcome my biases. Self indulgent but still some bangers
Why is every song 5 minutes long?
As someone who doesn't really like U2 (to put it nicely), this album caught me by surprise. It was overall solid, and I actually enjoyed most of the songs on it. There were still a few that I didn't like at all, the worst of which being One. The album didn't make me more of a fan of the band, but I guess I have a little more appreciation for them as creators than I did before. While I could see myself coming back to a few of the tracks on here, I don't think I'd listen to it in full again. Not only because of the songs I didn't like, but also because it's long. I can only take so much U2 at a time. Honestly though, take off One and another song or two, and I think I would've liked this quite a bit (somehow, still not sure I believe it). So, I gotta give them credit here for making something pretty decent. Overall: 3/5
Another unremarkable U2 album. This is the third one so far, and I'm yet to hear any discernable difference in sound across them. This one was my 'favourite' of the three, but I'm not sure if I'm just becoming used to hearing U2 so often. Just like the other two: it's okay, it has a couple of recognisable songs, you can sing or bop to one or two of them... But I really struggle to view it as rock music. It's easy listening with a guitarist wasted being in U2 (sure he's not complaining though).
U2's ipod era made me an anti-, but they're actually not that bad!
Despite having one of U2's most famous hits and one of the biggest songs of the 90s in "One", the rest of the album is just kind of bland
Unfortunately fairly mid. This album, amusingly, had the opposite issue of War, wherein it started to pick up more on the back half, but not enough for me to like it much more.
Another solid album from U2, though less expansive than War and more focused on just poppy songwriting.
It was fine but I still don’t get the U2 hype.
I came back to this twice because I genuinely enjoyed some aspects of it a lot, certainly more than I did 'War'. Unfortunately it didn't impact me much, nor do I see myself returning to it enough to warrant a 4 star. We've had worse though! Standouts: Until The End Of The World • Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses • The Fly • Ultra Violet (Light My Way)
Man, I remembered this album as being awesome and equal to The Joshua Tree but I feel a little embarrassed now. On this listen I felt it waw plodding and bloated. There are some amazing songs on here like The Fly and Mysterious Ways, but you could gut half this album and be better off.
Not a great Bono fan….
3.0 - Ok
Instrumentalnie spoko ale za dużo smętnego śpiewania. Poza "One" nic specjalnego
Turns out I'm middle aged now
Was fine. Neutral.
Decent, aber allet da jleiche
Never was a fan, but: After Unforgettable Fire and The Joshua Tree, I didn't particularly like Achtung Baby, with a few exceptions (One, So Cruel, Mysterious Ways). Now, over 30 years later, I think it's a really good album. Well ...
Not bad, but pretty boring. One and Until the End of the World are good songs though.
so okay
I didn't like it too much, but I have to recognize there's some quality work here. They managed to create some nice, catchy alt rock songs, a couple of them would become very well known. Bono's voice is also pretty iconic, although I'm not much of a fan. I don't like his delivery because it feels a bit exaggerated at times, but he definitely gives the songs a distinctive identity. Instrumentally it feels a bit repetitive at times, but there's some nice tunes. The best ones for me here were "Ultra Violet (Light My Way)" and "Mysterious Ways", they're more upbeat and fun tracks. "One" I don't like much. "Love Is Blindness" I disliked, it felt too overly dramatic and honestly boring.
Entertaining, but not one of their best albums.
It’s just that Bono-fide voice. I expected as much, but One and Mysterious Ways were the only things notable from this album.
This is a decent enough U2 album but once again if you don't like their modern easy listening radio friendly approach to music you're not going to like this one any more than the others. In particular, if you don't like "One", you're not going to like half of this album, specifically tracks 3,4,5,6 which might as well be called "One" parts 1-4. It's basically the same song 4 times. "Mysterious Ways" is the obvious best track on here, between Edge finally getting to properly work with some guitar effects and the actually catchy songwriting. Everything after is kind of meh. Don't get the hype really, but it's fine.
U2 is catchy and easy to listen to. I think there is too much representation on this list. I imagine we'll have a few more as we haven't heard Bloody Sunday yet.
I am not a U2 fan and this album did not magically turn me into one. However, this album surprised me with a more enjoyable listening experience than I thought I was gonna have by getting assigned a U2 album on a Friday
If I’m going to listen to U2, this will be the album
I'm not afraid to admit it, I like U2. It might not be 'cool', but they make really good music. I saw them live a couple of years ago, they were so good, they put on one hell of a show. It's a good album.
It’d probably be cooler for me to think that this album sucks, but it just works to well as background music. U2 undeniably knows how to write a catchy tune. I think eventually they will be re-evaluated as not cheesy, or good cheesy at the very least.
2.75
The eternal U2 conundrum: Great album that really reinvented themselves from their 80s sound and having One on it (I'd say my favourite of theirs) BUT.......fuckin Bono's a ballbawg
One é incrível, mas o resto é meio chatinho
I liked it but it kinda got boring at the end and like hard to finish.
Extremely familiar album from when it came out. I cannot deny this is a great album, but I've perhaps heard it too much at this point.
6/10
Often thought over the time i have been listening to music that u2 would be a band i would dislike. I do in the main but this is an album that has weathered extremely well. One is possibly the best song released by u2. Mysterious ways comes across as throwaway but on reflection is a tremendous song. Possibly the last really good album they released but there is a run of 4 or 5 albums almost unmatched outside the beatles
Bit dated but the singles still hit the spot
Consistent album with the standout track 'One'. Will keep in rotation for a bit.
Mammas favvo! Har på cd också. Bra!
I like most of it.
I can see why they had Bono cover I Am The Walrus in Across the Universe If someone put this on in the car I wouldn't mind it playing ambiently in the background, I can see the vision but I'm probably directing my eyes elsewhere first
Alright, but straightforward
MYSTERIOUS WAYS is an illustration of U2 . Ability to write super catchy rock classics but then juxtaposed with songs that bore me profusely. Post 90's music gets bland for me. I will give credit where it is due, because they have written some fantastic music etched in their catalog.
Happy I listened to it. Most tracks were enjoyable enough, but I don’t foresee myself throwing anything on beyond Mysterious Ways and One
Esta bien, pero se me hizo un poco pesado
Never been a big U2 fan but “one” carries the album.
U. Decent
Guitar work from The Edge is pretty good. In 1991, I could understand this being learning on the line of alternative & different, It doesn't hold up for me and has aged out.
det är med stor sorg som jag måste meddela att jag tycker det här är helt okej. the edge:s töntiga jävla mössa till trots
One is beautiful song. Only liked the singles though.
There was a moment here where I felt like finding the person from the "Not my proudest 5" review so we could give each other a hug - "same, bro or sis, same" - but then "So cruel" came on, then many of the subsequent songs and "Mysterious Ways" and nah. Props to U2, this is in parts a surprisingly well-made entrance of their music into the 90s, better than I expected or remembered, but it's a reinvention - or a new dress - that I didn't care for then and I don't now. It's the last U2 album in here, I'll end this amicably.
better then i thought 3.5/5
The singles are fine but overall this album just didn’t do it for me. Found it overall pretty boring. Best track: “Even Better Than The Real Thing”
U2 fortfarande Inte Min Grej™ men den här var mycket mindre irriterande att lyssna på! Mysterious Ways är ostig men sätter sig på hjärnan.
Alltså jag tycker tyvärr inte dom hittar riktigt hem här förutom på ett par låtar. Känner inte att hela bandet är riktigt DÄR.
There is a period in the 90s where I think U2 become a bit guff - this album is the start of that process. “One” is a beautiful song (even if I do prefer the later version with Mary J. Blige), but I’ve never really got the rest of the tracks - even the other singles. It just wasn’t for me, but was still inoffensive (or as inoffensive as I can find Bono) enough not to hate.
U2 are the absolute definition of "meh" to me - I'm not going to rush to press skip if the appear on shuffle, but I'm also never going to choose to listen to them. The first play through of this I was really distracted with work, so I had a second go in the evening so it got a fair shot. Yeah, it's just not really for me. I like Mysterious Ways and One but pretty much everything else passed me by. None of the album tracks seemed any more enjoyable to me than the singles I already knew. This is really a 2.5 for me, but I'm going to say it scrapes: 3/5
Better than I thought but don’t know if I need to listen last the singles.
Boring.
I quite enjoyed Zoo Station, Even Better Than The Real Thing, and Mysterious Ways. I can't stand One. The rest of the album didn't do much for me, but didn't actively bother me. 3 stars.
Probably some of my favourite U2 songs on here but as usual plenty of filler. I'd give it 3.5/5 if I could.
Just some normal rock stuff, definitely a lot of bangers here though like Mysterious Ways
This album is like the first half of your birthday party when it’s mainly family members there. You’re having fun, but you’re keeping it in 3rd gear because your grandparents have come to celebrate and they are dressed impeccably. Not wanting to tarnish your name in front of your uncle or cousins, you only have three or four well-paced beers. You’re still keeping a good amount of energy, but you are also keeping a degree of decorum before your friends show up later and you really let loose.
Despite owning several U2 albums, I hadn’t ventured past the band’s earlier material—“The Fly” didn’t exactly win me over. So I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed Achtung Baby. Where “The Fly” once felt alienating, the full album reveals a more complex and compelling landscape. Songs like “One” and “Mysterious Ways” showcase U2’s ability to evolve without losing their soul. It’s raw, stylish, and unexpectedly resonant—a reminder that sometimes the albums we overlook end up surprising us.
Very meh compared to some of the truly innovative albums I’ve heard here, had a few songs I like, but nothing that really sticks with you.
I'm like 3 years too young to have really gotten into U2. I've never quite figured out the appeal that my older sibling found in them. I've had Gen X'ers telling me for years that I'm uncivilized or have no taste if I don't like U2, and I take a lot of umbrage with those statements. I mean I like a couple of their songs, but it doesn't really speak to me. Plus, Bono has a Jesus complex that is really off putting. All that said, I understand that they've been influential on alternative rock and a lot of people in their late 40's and early 50's (as of this review; 2025) think U2 is the coolest band since sliced white bread. They can have it (and Coldplay while we're at it). It will keep them occupied while those of us with way better taste enjoy better music unmolested.
Another U2 album it's quite a step down from War. This albums pretty creative in its production which makes sense since Brian Eno was producing some of these tracks. But generally not that memorable I haven't gone back to it a lot. 6/10 Favourite: Zoo Station Least Favourite: Love Is Blindness
aggressively, painfully, relentlessly mediocre.
Surprisingly mid
Solid
Can't get past Bono's bombast.
A couple of great singles. It’s hard to actually hear it as an album but that may be an accident of which U2 records I paid attention to back then.
I still class myself as a U2 fan, but I think they lost their way after "The Joshua Tree", and while this album isn't as bad as "Rattle and Hum" and marks a return to their roots, it's not their best work.
Better than I expected!
Good album, I prefer the more organic U2 to their '90s sound though. The hits from this record are huge but I feel like the quality dips a bit with the deep cuts.
U2 is a special kind of one hit wonder, all songs are good, but all songs sound the same
I'm not a huge U2 fan, but do own all their CD's. This is not one of my favorites by them but it certainly isn't the worst.
U3 in this case
There are two songs that are popular in this album, but the rest are just a bit meh, although they are alright as a background listen. I think that this kind of music was cool back then whenever you were on drugs or just wanted to lay down and chill, OR maybe just having it playing in food places or whatever. Nowadays, they are not THAT great, although Apple was really pushing them with special editions iPods and giving away their latest album for free to everyone. I would say that this album was pretty meh overall, with a couple of good songs, and it surely doesn't hit the same as it may have back in the day.
Crecí escuchando bastante a U2 creo pq a mí padre le gusta mucho, y la vdd es q me gustó mucho todo el album en general, sobre todo mysterious ways, pero ninguna canción me destacó demasiado. Me gusta mucho como suena el instrumental tb. Nos en general me parece buen álbum, pero no creo q se merezca 4 estrellas, aunq no lo escuché con demasiada atención.
Favorites: One, The Fly, Mysterious Ways I've never really been big on U2, so checking out their big pop sellout album didn't really give me much to latch onto. It's fine, but not something I want to revisit again.
Ei oikein sytyttänyt, kappaleet jotenkin tosi mauttomia ja hajuttomia. Lisäksi kaikki kappaleet tosi samanlaisia. One oli yks U2 isoimpia hittejä, sekin vaan ok. Koko levy ok. Parhaat: Ultra Violet (Light My Way), Acrobat, One
Heard some songs before. Was ok
Ok
U 2 silly
Highlights "One" und "The Fly". Sonst ein typisches U"-Album. 3/5
Better than I expected but it's only thanks to a couple of standouts that it's not two stars
Probably U2's most creative record (that I've heard so far at least). I tend to associate U2 with more anthemic-sounding rock music. Here, They went a bit more introspective and personal, with some creative guitar playing from the Edge, as well as noticeable influences of industrial/electronic music. This isn't displayed in quite every track, however, which I guess is my only issue here. A bit inconsistent I guess.
classic you too
It's alright, but pretty bland. Mysterious Ways is catchy, but mostly because it's popular. The song itself is a little overproduced. I think the song I liked the most was Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, but it was still very tame.
I’m still on the fence about u2. They were everywhere when I was growing up and when they’re on, I enjoy them but I always have an aversion to putting them on. The activation energy is too great or something. This is a solid album but there’s something too slick about them although admittedly there are some excellent songs on here.
One and Mysterious Ways are my top takes from this album. Other than that, nothing really special
It's ok, not great but not bad.
I’m torn here. I like it. But there is also some garbage on here. I like U2, But I also think they are lame as hell. I liked a lot of it, but it also gave bono the idea to wear the glasses and be the fly, and the zoo tv stuff high is dumb. Mysterious ways is a killer song though.
Timeless. I can't hear if this is late 80s or early 00s. Very typically U2, and easy to listen to.
Much heavier (read better) than I expected from this reverb laden band and their stuffy nosed singer.
Ich war damals nur halb bereit, diesen Modernisierungsschritt mitzugehen, aber gute Singles und vor allem die schönen ruhigen Songs (one, tryin' to through your arms...) ergeben unterm Strich ein ordentlich Album. Im Sound bleibt's etwas bemüht und stellenweise anstrengend.
Decent.
It’s fine, mysterious ways is a good enough for a 3 star
I mean its U2. Sounded like I thought it would.
This one was pretty generic. Nothing particularly special about it. It wasn't really anything special to begin with about U2, but at least the first records were more interesting. From this album on, they became uninspired.
Some songs blurred together and felt dull. The standouts for me are Love is Blindness, Ultra Violet, One, and Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses.
This was an enjoyable listen but too long
Quite generic U2 album. One nice song and the rest okay. 3/5
Makes for okay background music, but it isn't all that interesting a listen.
So I'm sure I listened to this entire album before, but probably thirty years ago. Anyway, I was surprised at how.... ambient it was. Not sure if ambient is the word, maybe atmostpheric? I mean, a lot of this is textures and vibing. Kinda reminds me of Madchester, which honestly shouldn't be a surprise. Not my favorite thing in the world, but honestly fresh and interesting and not that bad. So yeah, we have bono and co bathing in sea of delayed guitars, feedback and rolling drums. Pretty cool, strong singles. Call it three stars.
3/5 Too same-ey and mellow for my taste. Some good songs, bur ultimately not too big a fan of the sound to like a full album of it.
Boring with somewhat interesting moments sometimes
Boring and cheesy, reminds me of Muse, but worse. Not quite bad enough to be a two star though, it might just not be my style.
My dad had a couple U2 CDs that we listened to growing up and I liked them enough, but not enough to listen to on my own. The fact that this is "their most transformative album" makes me curious about how different their earlier works were. It's not that its bad, it's just not very exciting.
Meh
Pretty basic run of the mill U2 music here Best Song: One Rating: 5.5/10 Stars: 3/5
Maybe not really my cup of tea, but there were some good tracks on this album.
Hard to truly love, given Bono's later antics. One is still pretty dope, and the whole album is daringly unique and energetic.
Of all the U2, not my favorite. Lots of hits but just too uninspired for my taste. Trying to be rock stars that they thought they were but out of their sweet spot.
Ok 3.5
Ok. So each time I listen to a U2 album I dislike them a little less. I used to *hate* U2, but now it's more of a '...eh'. Are they growing on me or am I just becoming less opinionated in my old age...eh. Still don't get why people like them though.
Meh
i listened to All That You Can't Leave Behind on my own before this (though i haven't rated it here). i did not like it very much. i'm hoping this one will be better Zoo Station - 3/5 Even Better Than The Real Thing - 4/5 One - 4/5 Until The End Of The World - 4/5 Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses - 3/5 So Cruel - 2/5 The Fly - 4/5 Mysterious Ways - 4/5 Tryin' To Throw Your Arms Around The World - 3/5 Ultra Violet (Light My Way) - 3/5 Acrobat - 4/5 Love Is Blindness - 2/5 Average score - 3.3/5 (rounding down) is this the best thing i've ever heard? no. did this make me a U2 fan? also no. is this was waaaay better than All That You Can't Leave Behind? absolutely. most of the tracks were "okay" to me, albeit kinda repetative and uninspiring Standouts: Even Better Than The Real Thing, The Fly, Acrobat, Mysterious Ways (the only song i remember ever hearing on the radio) Duds: So Cruel, Love Is Blindness still holding out hope that i come across an album of theirs i like better. we'll see
To quote this very album, “It’s alright, it’s alright, it’s alllllright”.
Jeg er sådan set ikke en u2 hater. Den her var ok! Man kan godt høre hvilken lyd de går efter, men den er ikke udført så godt som den kunne
Solid stadion rock album.. Still not really that fond of his way of singing.
Big montage in early 2000s television music here. 5/10
These guys are my exact contemporaries... Bono is a year older than me... you would think that i would relate to their music more... but, in fact, i LOVED their first three records... "Boy", "October" and "War" were great albums... they had an energy that was undeniable... i saw them live at a point where they were not yet ready to do stadiums... and they were great live... Bono hoisting a bloody white flag and all that... since those first three records, i don't have much use for any of this group's music... it's not bad... it's just not great... i would NOT put any of those records on this list... this record is a bit of a comeback effort... with some Beatle-esque tunes, but not great in my book... "Even Better Than the Real Thing" is strong... but derivative... "One" was a hit... i never liked it... lol... most people would think it's an anthemic standard... not me... lol... "The Fly" was an immediate "turn the channel" when it came on MTV... anyway... is it a good album? yes. is it one you must hear before you die... no. Three stars... for some decent radio hits...
Decent U2, mysterious ways a banger. They always do sincerity best, but this is a nice experiment.
There are a couple of great, now classic songs on here. But the reality is, U2’s best days came before this album and Bono is simply insufferable
I remember when this came out and it was such a big thing because they had changed their sound. And I loved this at the time. But somehow it has not aged well. I think the production has a lot to do with it. There is something lacklustre about the whole thing. A disappointing revisit
Decent, but nothing that really stood out to me except for One. Though I'm missing the vocals of Mary J. Blige.
Still don't like Bono's voice but the sound on this one is good. Instruments sound lusher and get placed center-stage more often than on War. The phaser on the guitar in mysterious ways is instantly recognizable.
okayyyy - the ONE song is soo much better with mary j blige tho
Som en mobbad David Bowie
Interesting to hear this one in context with the hits I know.
Alright
Reinvention of an iconic and controversial band doesn’t mean they got any better. In fact they got worse on this album.
Initial reaction was “ugh” because I never need to hear One or Mysterious Ways again. But the deeper cuts hold up (and honestly I didn’t remember the latter 1/4 of the album at all.)
Safe music, too cheesy, too sweet, melodramatic
3.5/5
Nice songs. Very danceyq
One is great. I don't love the other hits. I was surprised by Acrobat. I liked that one.
The hits don't do anything for me, but I dig the later more moody tracks like Ultraviolet and Acrobat. Wild Horses is ok. Have a good one! Don't let the bastards grind you down! U2!
Decent
One or two familiar and fun songs, but the rest felt like it blended together
This was probably revolutionary at the time but it didn't do enough for me now. My favorite by a long was was Mysterious Ways
I was bored throughout. Not the album for me. A song finally came on that had me jamming and I realized it was one of their later songs and just started playing after the album had finished.
A little slow, but I dig it.
A few great track, but mostly just good. Overhyped band and album. 3.5 stars
Pretty good. A little boring but some incredible sonfs
Every song is a bit too long I fear. I just don’t jive with a 5 minute song unless you’ve got an incredible hook or riff that I just can’t get enough of. I can get enough of it here.
U2 has an impressive discography - so many hits! This album solidifies their position in mainstream, very popular (like selling out arena) rock, and I don't see how that moves the needle. Sure, there are catchy songs, but also kind of commercial and mediocre.
This was fine. Several songs on this have been covered by artists I like and those covers are all good. The vocal styling here is not my favorite. And in general this is a little too mild. But it’s hard for me to understand the deep dislike so many people seem to have for U2
Was this album offensive in any way? No. But that doesn't mean it's anything better than pretty generic 90s rock.
I enjoyed this album. I wonder a lot if they've been memeified in the UK just due to how playable their songs are; however, nothing stuck out to me especially in comparison to their other work.
3.75
Not very good. Wanted to give it a 2 but it's not even bad enough. Just bland. Radiohead a few years later took everything good about U2 and just used that to create a muuch better sound. I think they're waay overrated.
Ugh, U2. Can I give it 2.5 stars? "One" is the standout, and "The Acrobat" is decent, but this is such Gen X eye roll rock. The lyrics are generic and elementary, and Bono is always reaching for the rafters. There's a reason they're who they are, but nobody ever went broke underestimating the public's taste.
Listens: 1 Stand out tracks: Love is Blindness, Mysterious Way Besides their iPod collaboration, a super cut of George W Bush "singing" Sunday Bloody Sunday and South Park making fun of Bono, I honestly forgot U2 existed. The album is cromulent. It isn't offensive. It's not mind-blowingly good. It's boring and normal rock music. Unlike the description of the album, I'm not hearing any of the genre qualities being described: industrial, electronic dance. Alternative, sure, I guess. A few of the songs are catchy.
Eh, I'm not a huge U2 fan, but I didn't mind it as much as a lot of you guys did apparently.
3.5/5
Fine, but I'm not into u2
despite being a fan of people involved with this album (Brian Eno, Flood), i find most of U2’s music to be supremely uninteresting. and i’ve just grown tired of Bono’s voice.
A couple timeless songs. But the rest is U2. Mill toast backing while Bono does his thing.
Meh, it was fine, it's U2 what do you expect?
The more prog tracks where percussion and guitar lead are solid, prefer less bono/ballads though
U2 just isn't a spectacular band, and when I hear them come on it's usually met with a feeling of "Ugh, not these guys." Not a terrible album, I just find those guys to be overrated.
Completely uninteresting. Two and one half stars
U2 is terrible most of the time, but "One" is a banger.
I've never really been a fan of U2. Still, this album is pretty good.
Not the best of U2. Only one single (Mysterious Ways). Somewhat experimental, good wall-of-sound effect, but not interesting.
I appreciate u2 changing up so much form the Joshua tree , I liked the atmosphere and a lot of differ parts here with edge and bono It does drag a bit both in album length and song … it’s a solid 3 for me
Least wanky u2. Perfectly fine music on the whole.
Pleasant to listen to. Didn't really like The Fly, but I did dig most of the other songs. Would put on again to listen to while I work. "A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle."
Decent album, some bangers but others feel a bit underwhelming.
-I’m never going to be a giant U2 fan tbh but this was good, I def preferred it over The Joshua Tree although I think War is my favorite -the Eno production felt very subtle here tbh… -Mysterious Ways is a nostalgia trip for me. my mom loved this song and would always play it. I didn’t even know it was by them. nice -Favorites are Even Better Than The Real Thing and Mysterious Ways
It's aight but U2 in general is just mediocre to me.
U2 is just too much for me. Album too long, songs too long, too over the top bombastic. I like a song at first, but then it goes too long. I like an album for the first few songs, and then it's 55 minutes of the same.
The hits are undeniable but Bono is insufferable. The Edge is the beating heart of this band.
I hate U2
This album is quite well-produced, has some solid melodies, and deserves some credit for being a successful shift in sound for the band. That said, I don’t think this holds up super well. It’s often a little too slick and professional, and overall just kind of lacking in passion. Best song: One
It's okay and pretty at times, at times it sounds like Bowie ripoff, but it also feels soulless. But it's not too bad.
"One" always hits hard. Brilliant song! Some bright moments throughout the rest of the album too.
mid
Pre-listening thoughts: every U2 fan I’ve ever met was bald so what does that really say about this band Post/during listening thoughts: I don’t actually have any meaningful opinions on this music but I have to say a few things about this band. 1. I must have been in a fantastic mood when I got All That You Can’t Leave Behind bc this sounds like someone made Christian rock (source: I’m an ex pastors daughter) and then their label told them they couldn’t say the word “God” so they just replaced it with “You” or “She” or something. It’s the most like inoffensive, safe genre of rock I’ve ever heard. 2. Who the fuck told Bono and The Edge that those were cool names. Like were they all sitting in a circle coming up with rockstar names and Bono goes “I’ll be Bono cause it means good voice” and everyone just had to sit there and pretend like that was true??? And the other chode says “I think I’m gonna be… The Edge” and then rips the craziest smirk like the Dreamworks face. And everyone was like “oh sick dude” and lied to his face? The Edge of WHAT???? Maybe he needs some better friends Oh no just looked up why he’s really called The Edge and it’s cause his head is so pointy??!!???? This is insane and way worse than my conceited headcanon for him. 😭😭😭😭 3. They peaked with Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark. 5/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no Fav tracks: Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, Mysterious Ways Least fav tracks: n/a
Sigh, more U2.
Awesome thanks
It's just endless U2 isn't it? Life? Seriously, this is the most unremarkable of the U2 albums I've had so far. Not horrible like the one with Vertigo on (I'm not dignifying it by scrolling up to see the title) and not the 80s iteration that is at least a bit singalong. There are a few songs on here that you actually notice, which is something at least, but their popularity remains bewildering to me.
The sort of the washed-out, soft, melodramatic '90s arena rock I'd expect from a band like U2. I think the degree to which I enjoy an album like this comes down to just how many songs I'm able to enjoy, which in the case of this album, isn't as much as, say, 'The Joshua Tree'. It is, again, very dramatic (which works wonders on a song like 'So Cruel', a genuinely great track) and honestly much darker than I was expecting, which was cool. Some tracks, like the closer 'Love is Blindness' and the incredible precursor 'Acrobat' border an almost goth-rock sound with haunting guitar tones looming in their respective backdrops. 'The Fly' also goes in this direction, though it doesn't sound half as haunting as those other two tracks. I think this one song aged particularly poorly, with one of the worst falsetto choruses here. I also really love the subtle build on the huge hit off this album, 'One', a genuinely gorgeous progression with one of the more winner choruses on here. So there were some decent songs here, but as a whole album, I don't see myself revisiting this one too often.
Alright Dad rock
When looking at the track list for this album, this was probably the U2 that I had the least knowledge of when compared other U2 albums on this project. The only song I knew going into this album was "Mysterious Ways", a favorite U2 song of mine, so I went into this very intrigued. That said, this album didn't energize me quite like some of the others on this project, and certainly not as much as "The Joshua Tree", which still stands as the most astonishing U2 discovery for me, personally. While I did find this album to be good, it never felt quite like it "took off" for me.
They are really good and I appreciate all of their good deeds. Just not sure I see the hype about the music
Never been a fan. They've got some really great songs but the style is really hit and miss with me.
Just not sure about this one. Never been a huge U2 fan but a few of their songs are ok. I’m aware this album was quite a big deal at the time so was intrigued how it would pan out alongside the big singles that I knew. As much as I hate to admit it I think I quite like the industrial sound on this album. Not saying I love it (and there were a number of songs I would skip on a repeat listen) but musically it’s certainly more listenable than I was expecting.
There are so many recognisable songs on here, so clearly a lot of people bought this album, but despite their attempts to sound alternative they clearly weren’t and never have been. I like some of the tracks but some are very weak - acrobatic was awful. Top track: The Fly
Not bad, an interesting album. Seems to have a lot of big hits on it. The Fly was cool as were a few other songs. A fine album just not overly for me I think. 2.5/5 stars.
Remove "One" and "Even better than the real thing" this starts to become a fairly weak album. I never noticed how overwrought U2's lyrics were until hearing this. Just about 3*
favorite track: Tryin to throw your arms around the world. Overall score: 5.5/10
need to relisten, but overall i liked it
I've always been under the impression that U2 has a free great songs but only one good album. Achtung Baby didn't lessen that opinion, but it was definitely more enjoyable than I thought. U2 is just very digestible pop rock. This album had a few good tunes (I especially like "Mysterious Ways"), but beyond a few tracks it's mostly generic. The thing is, I found myself digging what I was hearing. So, I'm inclined to score it higher but I think it's moreso that I didn't dislike it as much as I thought I would. Ultimately I'm settling on a solid mid 3 for this one.
no thoughts, head empty
This album feels very bland and generic. It's middle of the road, low average
3/5
Strong 3, but even though there are a lot of hits, the rest is so-so
***An ok album
3.5. Some good songs here.
I could Ctrl-H my review for The Joshua Tree album!
Man Bono is the biggest piece of shit in the universe, just ask Randy Marsh. Musically, this isn’t bad, but it does portend U2 moving into the dad rock genre.
Was a bit boring, can't remember any of the songs on it besides One cuz my dad spams it. Guitar playing was amazing which has earned an extra star.
Not bad. Weren't really any major stand out songs for me but I kinda liked the vibe throughout. You can hear the Madchester influence in songs like Mysterious Ways which sound like they could have been produced by Factory Records. 3/5
Pretty good U2 album here, good variety of sounds.
Enjoyed it but can’t say any songs stood out in particular
Wonderful production unnecessary reduction U2 gets a bad rep I don't think they're crap
Not my favorite U2 album, but not bad. Mysterious Ways of course being the smash hit it is, Love is Blindness was a nice goodbye to the album.
Nice, smooth, unchallenging, lyrics abound with cliches. Not my cup of tea, but it's popular music that fills stadia worldwide.
A pleasant surprise!
I’m just not a U2 fan. But I can appreciate some of the eongs
While I am not a U2 guy, I was expecting more from this album. Besides One and Mysterious Ways, which were songs I already knew, the album didn't do much for me.
Didn't know any of the songs besides Mysterious Ways. No complaints, but not much enjoyment either.
This was an album from when U2 was transitioning from the great indie Dublin club rock band into a mega-stadium pop band. At the time, this is when I lost interest in them, they just weren't as cool and indie as my teen self demanded. Listening afresh to the album, it's a solid 3. Some truly wonderful songs, like Mysterious Ways, then some horrible dogs like Tryin' To Throw Your Arms Around The World. Their Wild Horses cover I find completely meh. Stadium pop-rock, absolutely. But decent in many parts.
I had preconceived notions about U2, but I tried to give it a fair listen. It was a decent album- the hits were good but also somw songs that felt more like filler. This is definitely a more airy, soft-rocky album than a lot of other U2 songs I know. Overall- probably somewhere in the 2.5-3 star range
Solid album, U2 isn't really my jam tbh. I enjoyed listening but wouldn't go out of my way to again. 3.5 stars
I think it's really cute that they were originally struggling with this album and not sure if they were going to break up but then they started working together on 'One' and stayed together :)
Yeah just not my thing but it was fine
U2 is so weird, somehow they just keep making you think that they're just midiocore...it's strange because they're actually enjoyable. GREAT POP SONGS I suppose. I like this album but I won't say it's worth listening over and over again. A 3/5 exactly.
Not that bad, but why depart from what you are good at? And to many tracks are sooooo overproduced you can't be sure there is anything listenable under all the mush.
There was a time long ago when I held U2 extremely high. I think back then I had only really listened to their hit songs, which admittedly there are quite a handful. But the songs between those can really be bland and forgettable. One' is a stellar song, and 'She Moves In Mysterious Ways' is decent, but the rest is not much to count home. And this is not a unique issue with this album, it was the same when I went through the Joshua Tree album. There were more hits songs there, so the album was overall better, but non-hits were quite forgettable. Weak 3.
Not a particularly fan of U2. Tried listening to it multiple times but frequently lost interest. Quite a few songs feel like the sound Coldplay would have later on. While Coldplay has some teen nostalgia for me, U2 does not. “Mysterious ways” and “One” stand out as the most interesting tracks but I also enjoyed the wall of sound tracks like “Ultra Violet”. Mid 3.
Plenty of the album feels anodyne at best, and soulless at worst, due to The Emperors New Clothes of the Edge's droning guitar sound and Bono's breathily sanctimonious vocals. On the flip side, and it is quite a flip side - there aren't any bad songs here, aside from 'Tryin' to Throw Your Arms' which is appallingly lacklustre and throwaway album fodder. Basically there's some cracking songs but often the production is devoid of life. And the album is too long. It could do with shaving a fair bit off (like your Mum's bush). On account of 'One' and 'Mysterious Ways' alone, it rates high three.
It’s fine.
The good songs were so good! But the bad songs were pretty bad…
I just don't like U2
There is video proof of a 3 year old me singing Mysterious Ways, so I guess I have a connection to some of this album!
2 U2 albums in a week is too much. I liked the first one better
A couple of really good songs. But the rest is just so annoying.
EVERYTIME I CLAP MY HANDS A CHILD DIES IN AFRICA 👏👏👏👏 WELL STOP FUCKING DOING IT!!! I went into this with an open optimistic mindset, cos War sorta surprised me and I enjoyed it. This however, was sorta just a drag the whole way. But some of it sounded like Sims 3 music
Their last album that doesn't suck
A few good songs but as an album it was a bit meh for me.
3.5 stars. Not a big U2 fan. Mysterious ways is a good song though
Something about the 90s U2 albums just aren't my favorite, not sure if it is too poppy or what. But overall this album was pretty good, had a few of the hits. Never heard Love is Blindness at the end I really liked that song. Hoping for some 80's U2 to come up at some point. That is more my style