The Joshua Tree

I needed exactly this album today. I mean, this is one of those all-time-great albums anyway but there's nothing like listening to the perfect album for a particular time. This morning, this is the album I needed and I'm not even a U2 fan. But these tracks are undeniable monsters.

Seventeen year old me chalks this up as an easy 5. And upon listening again, 51-year old me is pleased to agree with my younger self. Bono can get on my nerves pretty fast, but I have to think even his harshest critics have to give him props for a lot here, especially With Or Without You and my favorite track on the album, Running To Stand Still. This was the moment for U2 when everything fell together, and they finally reached an audience who somehow missed their landmark performance at Live Aid two years earlier. The three hit songs from this album are arguably the three most popular of the band's career. It's almost the definition of a quintessential album. It's worth listening to the 30th anniversary edition, as not only is the entire original album remastered, but you get a great concert from this album's tour in 1987. For anyone tired of "With Or Without You", go watch how it was used in the final episode of The Americans. It'll make you appreciate the song all over again. As much as I cherish The Joshua Tree, it's my third favorite U2 album. Quick research tells me the other two will be coming up on this list.....

I think this is the worst thing I've listened to yet. I tried. Honest. It was really a struggle to power through this. Every song was exactly the same. At its best, I found some of these songs to be somewhere between "Gen X Easy Listening" and "Songs to hear when you're in the dental chair". If you found a Gen Z kid who had never heard U2 and then played this album for them while saying "These guys sell out stadiums", they straight up wouldn't believe you

I still haven't found what I'm looking for, but I know it's definitely not U2.

When I grabbed The Joshua Tree on cassette when dropped my senior year of high school, it was exactly what I needed and solidified that U2 was my favorite band. There was no album I knew better that year. Its symbolic and poetic lyrics are rich with very human truths and contradictions, as well as spiritual longings. I could write on and on about how each song has influenced my own writing, spirituality, and outlook on life, and how the musicianship from Bono, Edge, Adam and Larry in this piece of art framed a sound that I gravitated towards back in '87 as well as inspired my search for more of the same moving into college and beyond. There isn't 1 of the 11 songs that I don't love and that doesn't spark contemplation and joy in me. I know each one personally and have meditated on each with endless hours and emotional intention. Initially One Tree Hill was not a popular song, but it made it onto several mix tapes that Scott and I made. One of my Top 10 albums of all time, The Joshua Tree is one of my favorite representations of why an album is greater than the sum of its parts, even though each individual song is so powerful!

I'm not a fan of U2, and this is a great representation of their sound.

My first 5* new discovery (although hardly a hidden gem) and of all the artists for it to be... not a weak song in sight though and there's just a weird kind of atmosphere throughout which I can't pinpoint but I'm all in for. Best track: I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

I've written and deleted the word "bloviated" at least five times. Thing is, despite each song being a short walk up a small hill stretched out to feel like an ironman challenge courtesy of those neverending synth lines, marching drums, and Bono's mouthful of cotton wool, these songs move at some kind of clip. Right, they spend longer in each section of the song than most artists would, but within their clearly defined aesthetic, they don't spend longer than they should. So I'm happy to call it a formal achievment, even if I found virtually nothing that made me want to come back.

Beautiful album. The opening three songs are probably the best album opener of all time. The rest of the album is filled with mysterious atmospheric songs about American desert, which are not standout hits, however give a great vibe.

As someone who grew up surrounded by desert but didn't appreciate the landscape until I grew up and moved away, I connect with U2's desire to build an album around their desert inspiration. The album builds up and opens with so much excitement and energy. That energy builds and is held throughout the entire album. This album marries unique rock instrumentation with Bono's soaring, ethereal voice to make every track something interesting, unique, and a little bit mysterious. Everything about Bono's voice seems deliberate; you can feel the emotion behind the way he sings, artistic and full of emotion, but in full command of his vocals. Bono's lyrics, inspired by political and world events, are also deliberate and done incredibly artfully, as if writing a poem. This album caught my attention and didn't let go until it was finished. Every song was strongly written, sung, and performed. This has definitely inspired me to dig further into U2's discography.

Hard to think of an album with a stronger opening three songs. This album turned U2 into global superstars and rightly so. It’s not just the anthemic Where the Streets have no name, Still haven’t found what I’m looking for or With or without you that make this such a good album, it is consistently excellent all the way through. Blues and Country influences add light and shade throughout as U2 tap into their American influences and the result is a near flawless record with some epic track that have more than stood the test of time.

Perhapss the most important Irish rock album of all time and certainly the album that turned U2 into the biggest band in the world. It is both a political and religious album and makes no apology for it; ground well covered by U2 prior to Joshua Tree. On this record however there is a power and conviction in the songs as well as a confidence in the presentation and imagery of Americana, despite most of the songs not being directly about America. ‘WTSHNN’, inspired by Belfast, is as good an opener as you’ll hear on any album whilst the soaring ‘Red Hill Mining Town’ is about the UK miners strike of 1984. Although the second half of the album cannot match its powerful opening run of anthems The Joshua Tree is a triumph.

Classic! Everyone needs to hear these songs

Greatest three-song stretch opener of all time. These songs are loud and orchestral, carrying New Wave into a more alt rock direction in the late 80s. This is an album hard for me to describe why it deserves all 5 stars, but it's intelligent and hardly possesses any negative characteristics. Between the lyrics and choice of instruments like the harmonica, the songs reflect strongly of American folk culture, speaking of the vast open space and American ideals. The gospel-like orchestral sound puts you in that environment, feeling insignificant yet open to opportunities. Did I mention Eno helped produce this piece? Explains a lot considering he invented the ambient genre. There is hope and optimism in these songs (also religiously influenced). This is U2's most impressive record yet and got me into plenty of their singles.

Hard to think of an album with a stronger opening three songs. This album turned U2 into global superstars and rightly so. It’s not just the anthemic Where the Streets have no name, Still haven’t found what I’m looking for or With or without you that make this such a good album, it is consistently excellent all the way through. Blues and Country influences add light and shade throughout as U2 tap into their American influences and the result is a near flawless record with some epic track that have more than stood the test of time.

It’s been said that Elvis died musically when he reported for duty after receiving his draft notice. U2 died musically with Joshua Tree. The rating is not based on the music which is better than my rating. It’s a 1 because it marked the death of an excellent band’s music and how big of a letdown that was. Their first album Boy came when exciting music was staring to make its way to Sudbury. I expect MG procured Boy since I recall having it on cassette. I stayed a U2 fan for their first three albums picking up what I could on cassette. I saw WAR on release in the local record store, bought it on the spot and it was my favourite album. I was a big U2 fan. They were getting better known and their music kept getting better. They had a hard driving original sound, were exploring new areas, playing w passion and had an original and provocative sound. WAR was better than prior albums and they were on an insanely good trajectory. I could only dream about what might come next. Spoiler Alert Then came Joshua Tree. They simply followed what worked on WAR. They died musically. I think they realized this and tried to get back on the trajectory but never did. The ship had sailed. Of course the record buying public rewarded them which didn’t help. Its hard not to think of Joshua Tree when I hear the song American Pie.

U2 fucking sucks

U2 seem to be the band everyone loves to hate, mainly due to Bono. I never really felt that is particularly fair but I've never really previously found a good reason to ignore this viewpoint either. A further listen today hasn't changed this. I tried to be open minded and enjoy it, but I just cringed. Bono over-sings every line like a 3 years old who hasn't got his or her own way. Some people are just born to be really annoying and you can't quite pinpoint exactly why. With regret Bono, that's you.

Classic U2 album. Probably their best with some of their most well-known and best loved songs. Probably a band at their peak on this.

Love

I struggle to think of a better opening three tracks of any other album - it’s quite something and nearly 35 years later the 3 tracks remain as iconic as ever. The rest of the album can’t cope to keep up but still holds some of U2’s best work by a distance. I debated a four but felt I would be doing this album a disservice so I listened again - it’s gets the five it deserves

The best album opening ever and one of the best albums ever made; should be played through high-quality speakers for maximum effect...

You can tell that U2 knew what album they wanted to make, and they succeeded on all fronts. All the singles are frontloaded but you never want to stop listening because every track could’ve been a single. Another example of albums as art.

Amazing, not listened to this in a very long time. Forgot how brilliant U2 are, when they are just being brilliant. I was back in the car with my Dad listening to this on cassette during the drive to school.

I was going into this expecting to have a 5, I think I set myself up for disappointment. This is an amazing album, the first half being my favorites. After the half way point, however, I became less interested and impressed. A bit too similar in the later half. Standouts: Where The Streets Have No Name, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, With Or Without You, Bullet The Blue Sky, and Red Hill Mining Town.

Some of the tracks on the second half of this album are a bit boring/naff but the first 4-5 really make up for it. Bullet the Blue Sky is slammin'

Awful, like Phil Collins all the songs have completely rounded edges, anything interesting is sanitised for mass appeal. Anything that seems like it might be worth listening to is repeated for ages until you forget how it could have been interested in the first place. With or without you is the best track and it's terrible.

There is literally nothing I can say about this album that has not been said by thousands of other Irish. It's a national heritage at this stage. It should be on a podium in Dublin Airport, and it probably is. Bono is still a gobshite though.

A perfect classic.

Incredible. Epic. Interesting. Lyrically diverse. An all time classic.

Un classique. Le debut est incroya le 5*

Gran disco, la verdad. Quizá hoy en día, U2 ha perdido vigencia, pero sin duda, tuvieron lo suyo. No sé bien cómo explicarlo, pero creo que es un álbum grandilocuente: en su conjunto, las melodías con las letras, la voz de Bono, tranquila en ocasiones, en otras, más bien hasta desgarradora. Creo que todas las canciones me gustan, la triada del principio está muy bien, pero quizá mi fav esta vez sea "Mothers of the Disappeared". Un cierre genial. Finalmente, un pensamiento random: ¿le debe mucho Muse —con sus atributos y carencias— a U2? 9.5/10.

a classic

don't LOVE U2 but this album is pretty damn good

Not much to say, really.

Great album

One of the great albums of all time!

This one is easy, all time favourite of mine, there is only one song I usually skip, if I am in the mood, everything else is basically perfect.

Classic. Nostalgic.

Nice music. Not a song on the album that I didn't like the sound of. Easy listening. Pretty hard to believe that some songs on the albums have so much more plays than the others. There's a lot of people who are probably missing out on some good songs because they all just listen to that one track.

Great album, great band. This album touches all genres, rock, gospel, etc. Fantastic album. Alway a pleasure to listen to.

This still stands up after all these years.

where the streets have no name is an incredible way to start the album and really leans into that moody 80s post punk which is a genre i really love. I still haven't found what ive been looking for and with or without you continued the trend of awesome fucking songs. the rest of the album couldnt really compare to the first three tracks but honestly thats fine: it was all enjoyable

I do not love U2 and would go so far to say that they get a big eye roll from me, but I like the more muted rock from this album compared to their hits from the aughts.

Never been a huge U2 fan. Not bad, but pretty generic and samey sounding.

listened before, makes me think of mom (surprise surprise), love that bono is a man with Feeling (tm)

This list has made me re examine a few huge rock albums which I have always written off as trite and I now love. This was not the case here. They have taken all the elemnts of post punk and ambient pioneers and just made it all so incredibly boring. Even the involvment of the great Brian Eno couldn't save them from devolving on every song into the same pseudo ambient shimmering guitar and Bono droning in exactly the same tone on every track. Fair enough they have fit on a formula and it works but wheres the variety? Apparntly their previous album was much more experimental. I'll check that one out instead.

Gone back for a listen … No surprises, nothing intriguing hiding inside, never really a fan Just leaves me a bit cold to be honest …

Tried to get through it a couple of times, it just doesn't work for me. The calculating earnestness of their influences and output is very disingenuous, always has been. They're copyists rather than innovators - music for people without ambition or imagination. Some of their music is magical, but even that is lost in the face of the zealotry of their believers. The Manchester United of music

I knew one or two of these songs already. This album was not bad by any means, but I didn’t find it particularly interesting. It’s not something I would choose to listen to again.

I am not too excited for today's album; I've been known to traditionally not like U2's music. I have never, however, sat down and listened to a full album of theirs either, so we will see how this goes. Right off the bat, three of their "hits" play back to back: Where the Streets Have No Name, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, and With or Without You. I am familiar with these songs, and don't particularly like any of them. It may be because radio stations have literally played them to death, or it may be the ethereal, slow, elevator music-esque atmosphere that all of their songs have, but I just don't like the music, I don't have a reason why. Also, a minute passes before anything happens in Where the Streets Have No Name for some reason. Bono's try-hard, angst filled vocal delivery is just grating. Leave it to Bono to not look at the camera for the album cover photo. He probably saw a koala in distress. What a tool. I think my favourite story about Bono is that one time, Shane McGowan (lead singer of the Pogues) was crashing with Bono for a time. Bono's house was quite handy to a busy railroad. Droves of people went by on the train every day to see Shane flapping his cock at them in the window of Bono's home, unbeknownst to Bono. Bono got the blame, and promptly kicked Shane out. Overall, this is bland Walmart rock. I just don't like U2. I will never listen again if I can help it. Favorite songs: Bullet the Blue Sky, Trip Through Your Wires (the little bit of energy this album has is during these two songs) Least favorite songs: the whole beige, bland album. 2/5

It’s wild to me that the wiki page said this was a push for a harder hitting sound. As someone who hasn’t heard a U2 album before this, I can only imagine their previous albums were marketed as sleep aids. Everything is so soft and rounded off like the album was childproofed. Truly one of the albums of all time.

Kinda begrudgingly didn't mind this. Much better than achtung baby that we've had previously, but mostly because I knew the hits on this album. Still not a u2 fan and I don't think I ever will be, but didn't dislike it like I thought I would. It's still all just so safe and dull though. Nothing remotely exciting here either With or without you is probably the best track, although not sure I would be bothered if I never heard it again.... They also look like knobs on the album cover 2.5, I enjoyed Alanis more so this is getting 2

More confused than ever at how popular U2 are, especially this record. It’s not terrible. They arent terrible. But it isnt great either. Hated the first 3 songs - each one sounded tiresome and strained. Like theyd found a catchy hook and wanted to drag it out over and over and over. But then Bullet the Blue Sky came on which has a totally different sound. Almost Nick Cave at times in terms of the vocals. I’d go as far as saying the non-singles are what saves this album. Enjoyed Bullet the Blue Sky, In Gods Country, One Tree Hill, and Exit. None are amazing, but decent enough. Seems to me that when they arent striving to write a stadium rock song they aren’t too shabby. Either way, I wont be returning to this. It’s ok. Nout special. Dont get the hype. 2.5

U2 sucks. Which is probably just how Gen Xers feel about sixties and seventies rock. We all want to burn down what came before. Can’t understand how this is a totemic album if the eighties. Because the rest is so much worse? The hits are good but repetitive. I probably would have loved it if I were born in 1970 and 17 when this came out. Alas, I wasn’t, and I don’t. Bono’s carefully triangulated liberal Irish Catholicism - I wanna drink with my lefty friends but not offend the pope or Reagan, challenge them, convict their hearts for Jesus! but not offend - is exhausting. As is his keening wail. As is his self indulgence. And that thumping rhythm that a hundred bands drove to death - looking at you, Coldplay. Like all these albums, maybe great for someone sometime. Now a period piece curiosity at best. I’ve found what I’m looking for, elsewhere.

I try to ignore my previous feelings about bands and artists and this was particularly hard for me. I hated U2 cos my elder sister and her chums loved them, as an angry adolescent I wanted to find my own thing and so shut them out. a crazy attitude as my sister is an awesome person with great taste in music, but that's hormones for you. still relistening with an open mind I find it's pretty shit. over produced, concieted annoying metaphors and just really dull. I tried to like those first three songs so universally played and enjoyed but they left me cold. it just total arse.

The first three tracks can easily be the most overplayed first three songs on a album of all time. Horrendous stuff. I almost turned this record off. Why did bullet in the sky get no play? Wow the rest of the album is really bad. If the next few out of these 1001 also bomb I probably won't continue to weed through this mediocrity. 1 outta 5 mics

i genuinely do not understand the hype behind U2. how they have managed to cling onto relevancy is beyond me. album comes across as whiny and drab. entirely doleful. genuinely a hard 45 mins to sit through.

U2 gran clásico!

Obra maestra de éxito comercial. Prácticamente todas y cada una de las canciones son de 5 estrellas, desde las más conocidas: Where the streets have no name, I still haven't found what I'm looking for, With or without you hasta Running to stand still, In god's country y One tree hill. Imprescindible de verdad.

Perro discazo 9/10

Good Classic

Está fuera de lugar oiga

very good album, all songs were amazing but not all like each other, creating a very nice listen. very good vocals and very nice accompaniment

Can still always listen to it, even though it's become pretty basic.

I love when they stack the hits up front. Even better, this really is a strong & varied album throughout, hard & soft. Vocals & lyrics are great.

Que recuerdos.....

Epic Es bleibt genau meine Mischung aus Folk, Rock, Hymne, Druck, Pathos, Einfachheit und einem Schuss Selbstgerechtigkeit. Klappt bei keinem anderen U2 albbb I’llm in der Form

love this album!

4 1/2

Absolute class

One of the best ever!

Loved it

Fantastic album front to back

Capolavoro

The greatest rock album of all time.

In contrast to the ambient experimentation of their 1984 release, The Unforgettable Fire, the band aimed for a harder-hitting sound within the limitation of conventional song structures on The Joshua Tree. The album is influenced by American and Irish roots music, and through sociopolitically conscious lyrics embellished with spiritual imagery, it contrasts the group's antipathy for the "real America" with their fascination with the "mythical America". Throughout the sessions, U2 sought a "cinematic" quality for the record, one that would evoke a sense of location, in particular, the open spaces of the United States. They represented this in the sleeve photography depicting them in American desert landscapes.

Amazing

Get some stick but this is actually an unbelievable album!

5/5 One of the best albums of all time.

The Joshua Tree by U2 (1987) The American spy plane with the designation “U-2” is an instrument of war designed to peer surreptitiously (from 70,000 feet) into things the enemy doesn’t want you to see. As the name of an Irish rock band, U2 is potently and multi-valently symbolic of what they’re trying to do. From the high altitude of their aesthetic perception, they endeavor to make these things seen by ‘you too’. And boy, do they succeed. When I first listened to this album at the time of its 1987 release, I concluded immediately that it was one of the greatest recordings I had ever heard. My judgment hasn’t changed in 34 years. Lead singer/lyricist Bono’s words stand as poetry on their own. Technical innovation by guitarist The Edge more than compensates for any deficiency in virtuosity. Adam Clayton on bass and Larry Mullen, Jr. on drums/percussion together provide a rhythm section that goes far beyond foundation, making compositional contributions that round out the near-symphonic sound. And Bono’s vocal delivery is infused with passion, sincerity, dynamism, and color. When one focuses all this Irish talent toward a not-so-surreptitious gaze at “God’s Country” (that would be the USA), guided by producer Brian Eno, the result is high art. What makes the sound so great on this record is the subtle use of silence. It creates distance, scope, and room for the reverberations and echoes. The Edge finds a way to make a guitar sound like chimes, church-bells, and pipe organ, all of which require sonic space. And Eno gives us plenty of it. Longing for a transcendence that leaves linguistic tags behind, the first-person opening track (“Where the Streets Have No Name”) summons the listener to join in an adventure of seeing—together. “When I go there I go there with you .” It’s part of what makes us human. But we’ve not yet seen clearly (“I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”), even if we’ve gazed intently into the Paschal Mystery. There are lots of angels and demons on this trip, helping us to see what some say ain’t even there. Plenty of metaphysical strife. And we’re caught right up in it. The beginning of the bridge at (1:47) on “With Or Without You” produces a shiver, as even the first-time listener knows what’s coming. And the gradual buildup in the dirge for a junkie “Running to Stand Still” (2:14 to 3:04) resolving in the hushed climax is powerfully poignant. Bono’s wailing lead vocal on the chorus of “Red Hill Mining Town” leaves one cold. And the screaming lament over Chilean singer/songwriter Victor Jara (at 4:09 on “One Tree Hill”) fires our passions. Jara was one of the “poets [who] speak their heart then bleed for it” (actually the bleeding wasn’t the worst part—he was tortured before being shot). These are musical moments of naked drama. And there are so many more on this record. How many tears ya got? In terms of socio-political outlook, this album gives unreconstructed Reaganites something to think about whenever America considers the use of lethal force to confront undoubted evils in places like Nicaragua and El Salvador (“Bullet the Blue Sky”, “Mothers of the Disappeared”). While such force may have produced measurable gains for good in Berlin, Moscow, Warsaw, and Prague, what would be the effect in Kosovo, Baghdad, and Kabul? And what lessons can be applied today in response to injustices in Xingjian and Addis Ababa? Do we “stoop so low” in order to “reach so high”? One should always listen to this record immediately after reading George W. Bush’s Second Inaugural Address. Because of The Joshua Tree, this U2 will persistently be there to help us see the innocent human element and “hear their heartbeat” (in “Mothers of the Disappeared”), even if the enemy prefers we look (and listen) elsewhere. This not just great music. It is has a cultural, political, and spiritual potency that gives voice to the world-soul. 5/5

Awesome

This is my favorite album of all time with my favorite song of all time, "Where The Streets Have No Name." It's excellent in every way and all songs, save for Exit and Mothers of the Disappeared" are absolutely excellent. Incredible start to the album and the middle through the near-end parts are massively underrated compared to the rest of U2's catalog. 10/10.

In just one word: Beautiful

Stunning album. First three songs set the mood perfectly. Love the soft/ poetic like acoustics and lyrics. I'd say this album, U2 found their sound. Despite their 1984 album, with their single "Sunday Bloody Sunday", all eleven tracks are monsters! Although they're a rock band, their music is light. You're able to appreciate it more, since the instrumentals arn't dominating your attention. Defiently reccomend. Total stand out is "The Streets Have No Name" excellent opening. Although "Bullet The Blue Sky" gets an honourable mention, as I haven't heard it before and my god it's brilliant!

A must

This is a forever album. I was 10 when this album came out... Still a great listen, 35 years later. I'm surprised tracks like Exit and Bullet the Blue Sky don't get more love.

I was already mad crazy on U2 when this album debuted and it's one of the few musical moments for me where I have a sharp, distinct memory of counting down and listening when my local station broadcast With or Without You for the first time. The album is truly All Killer No Filler, and probably my vote for Brian Eno's peak production effort. It's hard for me to separate this album from all the personal moments it had for me at the right time of my life. But listening fresh years later, it's only gotten more monumental .

1. Fixed drum fill 2. Ambient sound 3. Periodic guitar riff 4. Single lead voice 5. No instrument follows lead. 6. Great lyrics 7. Occasional chois by single person. 8. Pannned guitars

Loved this when it first came out and it’s still an impressive piece of work

I listened to The Joshua Tree a lot when I was in high school. Everyone seems to agree the first three tracks are all monster hits. I also really like Bullet the Blue Sky and Running to Stand Still. It's just a great fucking album.

Great album. Seems ahead of its time. Classic U2 stadium sound.

112. The Joshua Tree - U2 11 tracks. Running to Stand Still was played at my mate Tommy's funeral.... The album has always been important to me & it's a hugely emotional listen for loads of different reasons. I'm enormously biased though. 5/5

Where do I even start? Or end? The band and album that changed everything. From hearing 'With Or Without You' in the car on the drive back from school, seeing them on Whistle Test the week the album came out playing 'Exit' and 'In God's Country', buying the 12 inches for the extra tracks, my first concert at Cardiff Arms, buying the program full of Anton Corbijn photos which really kicked off my interest in photography. All of it. Seeing them in pre-COVID play the album in full, going with low expectations and being completely blown away at how stunning it was. However annoying Bono might have become, however patchy the band might have been over the last 20+ years, this album is still pretty perfect. It not be quite as beautiful sounding as 'The Unforgettable Fire' (being more of a Lanois album than an Eno album) but it's the band at the peak of their powers. There's so much on here that still floors me for a band in their mid-twenties on their fifth album. Bono's voice when it was still beautiful, before age, drink and smoking wrecked it. the minute and three quarters at the start before you hear a voice. 'Bullet The Blue Sky', still probably their best song even if there's plenty of live versions on YouTube that surpass the album version. The B-side of non-singles that are better than the singles - 'Red Hill Mining Town', 'In God's Country' (I think it might have been a US single), 'Exit', 'One Tree Hill'. An album that always makes me wants U2 to rediscover themselves and realise they can make an album like this if they choose to. The band is still pretty good, Bono needs to pull his finger out and remember how he used to write lyrics.

U2's finest moment. One of the great rock records.

L'èpica en la seva expressió més colpidora. Grandiositat, estat de plenitud d'uns músics consumits per la musa. Una producció increïble per uns temes que han marcat més d'una década. La primera cara, per emmarcar con una de les millors de la història del rock, està ja tant assumida que es fa difícil valorar com es mereix. Ens queda la segona per anar-la redescobrint i saborejant amb els anys

Banger. Their best album- 5 of the first 6 songs are fire and the closers have grown on me too.

What an album. It’s pretty flawless in every way, and an easy 5. I was 16 when this album came out. Joshua Tree felt timeless then and still does, so many years later. It was U2’s fourth album, but really different than anything else they had put out at that point. It was a continuation of the band’s relationship with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois that began with The Unforgettable Fire, but in a far more mature and carefully crafted work, their most perfectly realized album. Joshua Tree marks a turning point for U2, after which they were simply the most important band in the world. No one makes albums like this anymore. From that first slowly unfolding open in “Where the Streets Have No Name,” you know you’re in for something special, something monumental. It really does have a cinematic quality to it. This is mature, thoughtful music, beautifully written and expertly played. In 1987 it stood out starkly in a landscape full of spandex and hair, of glossy, gimmicky songs. It was also their most focused work to date as a band. Bono’s ode to/critique of “America” is palpable here, but not at all overwrought. I often think of this U2’s Springsteen album, which I mean as a giant compliment to both of them. The earthiness of these songs, the warm and resonant arrangements, the full throated expressions of emotion, the sense of spiritual longing, the images of a promised land out of reach… it all comes from the same musical place. Lyrically, Bono has matured tremendously on these songs. The lyrics reflect the band’s lived experiences at that time, like the death of band roadie and friend Greg Carroll (One Tree Hill) and Bono’s growing interest of global social and political issues (“Bullet the Blue Sky" and "Mothers of the Disappeared"). U2 was always an openly political band, but these songs just feel much more personal, more passionate, more spiritual. Still, he’s also able to address his own demons, with the stunningly lovely, slow burning “With You or With or Without You,” which pulls away from the political to look inward and face his own frustrations and anguish. The emotion feels real because it is real, simply put. Bono’s delivery of course is captivating. He sings with an urgency and an earnestness that I think a lot of people don't understand, but he makes you feel these songs in your bones. As for the Edge, I mean, come on. Here is one of the greatest guitarists of his generation, making some of his best music ever. There is a texture and a resonance to the Edge's playing that no one really can touch. I mean, he's painting with sound here, showcasing that signature chiming style through an adept use of studio effects. Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. are also in top form, one of the tightest rhythm sections in rock. Clayton and Mullen’s ability to intuit just the right amount of intensity to serve each particular song is an underappreciated talent and really the backbone of the band’s entire sound. Individually these songs are all exceptional. Taken together, they’re nothing short of a masterpiece. Fave Songs (All songs, in order from most to least favorite): Where the Streets Have No Name, With or Without You, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, In God's Country, Red Hill Mining Town, Bullet the Blue Sky, Mothers of the Disappeared, Exit, Running to Stand Still, One Tree Hill, Trip Through Your Wires

Killer intros, great textures.

These songs eahm saved my life. Eahm.