Reviews (page 10 of 14)
Meh. Favorite tracks are the classics: Still haven’t found what I’m looking for With or without you Wouldn’t listen to again
I fared better with this album than the last U2 one I had to listen to. I still think there shouldn't be this much U2 on this list, though
This was … fine. I still get emotional hearing With or Without You because it reminds me of the brilliant finale of The Americans but otherwise this album was basically just background noise to me.
It’s fine. Nicely crafted if perhaps a little too refined. An inflection point from the raw energy of earlier stuff and the next phase where they disappeared up their own arseholes.
Had some good songs, like "I still haven't found what I'm looking for" or "Red hill mining town" but overall just fine. Felt very similar honestly, couldn't tell when songs would start or end.
Solid hits on this album. I think the rest is fine.
Fantastic production with some iconic songs. However, many of the songs (especially in the latter half of the album) felt more like filler.
Emotion has never been communicated with such grandiose. Bono’s charisma is held up by incredible soundscapes - the band, Eno, and Lanoise deserve high praise. Name a more powerful set of three tracks to start an album, I’ll wait.
I've always been quite neutral to U2, I think they have some genuinely good songs but other songs are either just okay or too preachy for my liking. This album fell more under the former for me, after the first 3 songs (all I did enjoy) it was kind of just alright. Nothing much stood out to me, funny enough they did an anniversary tour for this album some years back. I went because my brother bought tickets but even then I just felt like it was okay.
bullet the blue sky muito muito boa
Mam jakiś problem z tym zespołem. Lubię głos Bono. Lubię też niektóre melodie. Ale całość jest taka radiowa. Osłuchana i oklepana. Nie jestem w stanie z czystym sercem dać tej płycie 6/10. Może właśnie dlatego, że słuchałam singli praktycznie od urodzenia. Mam przesyt tego zespołu.
pra mim, o melhor album do U2
Am I allowed to use the words pompous, bloated and boring about the biggest band in the world (at one time)? TBF, I liked the run from song four to end much better than the first three, monster hits. I’ve just heard them too much. Still, U2’s self-seriousness and studied grandeur in general doesn’t do it for me.
idk always thought these guys were just like really average, Bono's obviously got an amazing voice thought, some parts actually reminded me of the dude from the Blue Nile in some places, just I guess a bit faster and less Scottish. I feel like the instrumentals are quite average, and there's nothing really that boundary-pushing. I feel like the songs seem to all blend into one. There's some kinda interesting guitar tones and stuff, like in exit. I feel like the lyrics are also quite socially conscious, especially for a band of this size, I think Bono was an activist of the time. Just saw that Brian Eno produced this, and I feel like he somewhat becomes an extra band member to whoever he works with, and I think you can totally hear that like in the last song at the start. Favourite songs: with or without you, in god's country, exit, Mothers of the disappeared. Overall around 6/10
later
I spent a lot of time with this album wondering, what am I missing, what isn't doing it for me? This is often ranked amongst the greatest of all time. Am I just not a U2 fan? Is it personal taste? Have I heard some of these songs too many times on the radio? So I listened again and tried to really be objective, and read the Wikipedia page for context and more appreciation of the creative process. Well, I'm still pretty convinced that U2 is up its own ass, and Bono is a wanker. And I think that's where the flaw in the album comes for me-- Bono's voice and singing, which is just so self-aggrandizing and pompous and even annoying in its inflections and breathy lead ins. See for example "Bullet the Blue Sky" which is just cheesy and unlistenable for me. Chill, dude. There is some kind of obsession with being "special" in their celebrity lives and their commendable but performative humanitarian efforts that also leaks into their music. All must be big and profound, yet they want to strip down to musical roots, especially American themes. They talk about limiting themselves to the "primary colors of rock", i.e. a fancy way to say guitar, bass, drums. Yet they want to capture huge lyrical themes and grandiose emotions. So that is where a certain tension and drive manifests in these songs. The rhythm section always moves forward. The Edge's style is at once minimalistic and huge with its screaming arpeggiated delays. Bono's voice often sails over this like a bird over mountains. Overall, the album as a whole is great in terms of songwriting and playing, and I'm better understanding why so many love it. For me, I cannot get past Bono's frequent posturing and over-singing. Remove it, and it's one of the best ever. Wish I could just listen to an instrumental version of it all.
After a bad run, I got a heavyweight album today. I'd listened to this a few times back in the day, though U2 are not really one of my favourites. One of those bands I always thought are better on compilations as even on their most famed album here there's a bit of stodge. Obviously With or Without You and I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For still sound great and Running To Stand Still is a nice song but the album is pretty 'front-loaded' and more it goes on the more his voice seriously grates on me. I know most consider it a classic and it's ok but never reaches that level for me.
U2 has always been very forgettable for me. Not awful. Just not my favorite.
Yep. It’s a U2 album.
this is music that goes straight through you…it’s not horrible but it’s just weird to me that this is such a lauded album when it really doesn’t sound like anything special at all. i actually think i’m predisposed to finding ‘with or without you’ more moving than i ordinarily would because my mom had some U2 CDs that we would listen to in the car when i was a kid. but other than that i can’t say i was particularly touched by any of these songs.
Not as bad as I remembered but still not really for me. The first song and many others sound like the royalty free music you’d hear in a corporate HR training video. “Bullet The Blue Sky” is the only song that really stood out to me and that one I think is really great actually. But the rest just don’t really catch my attention or feel that special even if they’re not bad.
Starts really strong, don't love the back half. 3/5
Definitely a certain vibe
3/5 decent listen
Well, their biggest hits are on there, but the rest of the album is just kind of 'eh'. U2 is decent in what they do, just what they do is not for me.
This is their best and it’s still pretty lame. I just can’t with BONO.
I thought it would be boring, so it is but at least the music doesn’t bother me, and you can delete the rest of them except the first two tracks
I miss my dad
Honestly went into this not expecting much. U2 is fine but later U2 overshadows earlier U2 in terms of public perception but honestly this album was pretty solid. Would listen again!
Sounds old.
Good album
oho u2 der pathos von bono und der sound von the edge, stadionband, ich gebe zu habe ich ganz früher sehr gerne gehört.schlimmer Kitsch Doris lieblingsband;) c
Strong start, weak b side
Frantic beats, soaring arpeggios, and breathy, overwrought vocals. In a word, produced. There are moments where the combination hits. And when it hits, it hits. The problem is how it can hit and miss in the same song (With or Without You). One chorus kills and the next dies. Frustrating. Bullet the Blue Sky is garbage and points towards the nonsense that was Discotheque. They tried to do something cool with Running to Stand Still, but Bono shit the bed. The music makes promises the vocals and lyrics can't deliver on. All that said, I see how some of these songs would be incredible played loud and live. The hits are the hits, and the B sides belong on the B side. No buried treasure here. I'd be disappointed if I bought this album for the radio hits. I think I've always thought of U2 as Bono centric. Now I see that The Edge is the real star of the show.
A couple classics on here but I'm just not much of a U2 guy.
I get why people were obsessed with this band during their reign but it really feels like a specific time and place. Doesn’t particularly hold up well to me.
A worthy contender for the biggest album drop off in music history after the first three songs cuz man it’s ROUGH. The first three songs are just that good, however.
Shocking number of hits. Basically marked the end of U2 listening for me, however. Nothing after this was ever as good as what came before.
Opening three songs are undeniable bangers. Just incredible, I'm wanting it to carry on surprising me, but it doesn't. On those songs, and In God's Country, Bono's voice matches the general feel of the song, on the others it just grates on me. Still those three songs are amazing, the rest I can overlook. Had definitely had enough by the end.
As big as this album was when I was in middle school, I never got into it. Or U2 as a band, really. There are definitely some good songs, but I’m not convinced they’re worth the hype. There isn’t anything particularly bad on here, but I wouldn’t listen to it again. Maybe it deserves a 4/5, but I have trouble going that far because I e always felt U2 is overrated already. But it’s also pretty decent, most likely their best album. Oh, my kingdom for a half-star system! Or ten star. Well, at least it wasn’t forced on people like some other album.
I quite simply do not like U2. There are some songs that I like, note that I said like, but for the most part they do little to nothing for me. The first 3 tracks are the "hits" they are fine songs but I don't like them, I tolerate them only because they are familiar. That being said they are talented. I just don't like it. 3
Never was a big U2 fan.
Another album I found surprisingly disappointing. Certainly has its fair share of highs moments, but I found it pretty "okay" for how much star power it brought U2. Really solid radio hits, but a pretty lackluster total package. Top tracks: With Or Without You, Bullet The Blue Sky, One Tree Hill
This album is fine. Starts off pretty good; kind of mellows out. Still find this band mostly boring.
Semi-enjoyable mum-rock
a solid rock album
If this were a review for the first 4 songs it would have been 5 stars, unfortunately the latter half of the album fell flat for me.
I liked the last song a lot
Gets really nice and funky around min 18 (the song actually starts around min 15 and is good). Before that quite boring. After that okay, but not fun.
Brian Eno & Daniel Lanois's production here is very nice, indeed. And while individual songs here are quite decent, album as a whole kinda drags a bit, pacing-wise.
- with or without you is good - rest is so boring
3/5 started strong with the 1st 3 songs but fizzled out after that.
Pretty easy to listen to, I’d give this a 3.5. I understand why it was as popular as it was, and it’s the kind of music I think would even play better live or at a festival. The only thing I knew about U2 was that confusing Itunes incident, so it was interesting to read about it now in post and see how it went down in history as a major blunder on part of Apple and U2. Also, one tree hill creators inspired by their song?? Crazy.
Joshua Tree is an album that touches on 1987 politics themes almost primarily and the production done on the record is incredibly solid. A very powerful 1-2-3-4 to start the record and give it its iconic status. However I can't really care too much about U2 and would rather care more about how Brian Eno and Daniel Lenois helped make this record really great. The best U2 song is still New Years Day for me, but Bullet the Blue Sky helps solidify a three star ranking because I am biased and will continue my bias. I will give special shoutouts to In God's Country, Trip Through Wires, and Mothers of the Disappeared. Now may I please get some semi-obscure album instead of music I already know about that would be great.
u2 стали открытием благодаря этому списку, понравилась exit. хоть и джошуа три вроде как любится всем больше, мне нравится All That You Can't Leave Behind больше
An energetic album, a pleasant listening Fav song - With Or Without You 3/5
interesant.
Oh la la, le boss final du mid pour bien m'enfoncer dans l'abysse de l'ennui.
Was a big fan when i was a teenager.. not so much anymore. Still a good album
I didn't hate this as much as I remembered back in the day.
I don’t love this album, but I don’t hate it. I’ll admit, it’s probably mostly because the singles are played out and everyone’s parents say this is the greatest thing to happen to music since the Beatles, but it’s ok.
An album of songs I could go the rest of my life never hearing again.
Rating: 6.5/10 The first four songs are amazing, the rest of this is just fine.
Here we are then, the era of U2 where they weren't a total joke. And yet...why are you putting three massive bangers right at the start and then sort of dribbling a load of rubbish out for the remainder of this record? Seriously, if every third song was The Streets Have No Name or With Or Without You, you'd probably forgive all the filler, but my brain totally switched off for about 75% of this album in the end. You're capable of better than this Bono and the other ones.
I like U2's post-punk era a lot more. The first 4 songs here are great tho, very nice ballads. After that it kinda dips in quality. The production is not that punchy and the vocals get weaker.
Grey weather vib3.
À mon sens, pas le meilleur album de U2.
Jam packed with hits on the first half, a lil sleepy on the back half. Where the Streets Have No Name is probably my second favorite U2 song, so the album is somewhat of a letdown after that.
I’ll need to listen more. I enjoyed it but it feels like skinny jeans, silly bandz, and fat shoes
Cumpriu o papel dele na época.
Not a fan of U2…
Some very good songs, some didn't really catch my attention.
This album starts strong with some big, familiar hits, but then fades into a stretch of songs that mostly run together. It’s not a bad album, but I’ve never really been a U2 fan, and this one doesn’t change that.
An insane opening 3 song run. Kinda forgettable otherwise
The instruments are mostly too simple, not very exciting, but overall ok.
Basic 2010's rock, 20 years before
Unlike the other two U2 albums I’ve gotten already, there were actually a couple of songs I liked on this one! The first half of the album was, for the most part, pretty decent, but fell off and became the kind of boring and flat U2 that I’m used to in the second half. Higher rating because it isn’t as corny, bland, and unoriginal as Achtung Baby and all that you can’t leave behind, but it’s still pretty overrated.
I’ve been coming back around on U2 a little. There’s some songs on here I’d be fine to never hear again, but the influence is undeniable, for better or worse.
I could live without you... Seriously though, some classic tracks on here. I'm just not a "U2 guy". (3.5)
(3) i love U2 hahaahahaa i’m so funny
I mean, what's your fancy here?You two had a couple of great records earlier in their career.When they were a new wave proto punk band this has becomes just a little bit too croony, and embarrassing.I mean, yeah, side one has great songs and actually the best is the one that wasn't played on the radio, something about bullets or whatever.But yeah, the rest of the album is just terrible
ehhhhhhhh
This is getting a U3 not a U2 as planned. Some good songs but still not really for me
3 stars for the strongest album opening run I can think of
I don't know many albums that start off with a three song run that features some of the band's biggest hits like this one. However the rest of the album after that is just ok and doesn't do much to change my opinion about U2 any more than their last one did.
This was another one where bc I knew the hits it came off as boring
It's iconic but I much prefer the sound of their first 3 albums. I'm just not a big fan of the atmospheric rock they get into. Still there are a few songs on here I feel like everyone I've known has heard before and that's quite the feat. Rating: 3.2
The best U2 record. I still am not a huge fan. But, this is easily the most powerful Record these guys ever did.
A great record
I think this album is overrated. They sound too polished and edgeless (pun intended). The first 3 songs, the big hitters all merge together a bit for me. Then I think the album actually gets more interesting, but overall it kinda just flows over me. I can’t help but hear the premonitions of the b(l)and U2 would become. Washed out airy nothingness. I mean it’s not that bad, but I’m kinda disappointed. 3.4/5
Opening 3 tracks are great but after that album loses all interest and starts to become a bit cringe with the croaky vocals
I wish Bono wasn’t so insufferably smug because I’d be able to enjoy this more. This is an objectively great album and Side 1 alone is enough to put this record in the highest tier of all-time rock & roll recordings. It hurts me to say that, but it’s true.
Cada música pinga de devoção. Consegue um balanço assustador entre um hino épico e algo mais etéreo. Quase como se esse triunfo que o eu lírico busca se desvanecesse e ascendesse ao Céu. U2 tocaria o culto mais divertido da história. 7.0/10.0
Not too shabby
Some classic big hit pop singles. And some less classic filler
It is okay, but I really struggle with the singers accentuation Could be a nice album for a road trip
Not a fan of Bonos voice. He tries too hard and ends up sounding like hes straining for a poo. That aside The Edge makes up for it with a fairly unique guitar sound. Drummer Larry Mullen Jnr is ok. Catchy singalong tunes but thats probably because they milked the album for singles.
I can't think of a band I am more impartial to. I have a vivid memory of hearing U2 in Kwik Save as a child, and I've really sort of only associated them with no frills shopping and walking through plastic flaps ever since. They are okay. Their music is okay. War (my first album on this) was okay. This was okay.
Excellent start but drops off quite quickly after track 4
U2 can absolutely write a ballad, but Joshua Tree suffers from too much of a good thing. The toothless, heart-on-sleeve, songwriting here doesn't impress for long, and all of these songs sound pretty similar. That said, it's less the album is bad, and more that I just don't jive with U2's radio-friendly post-punk as much as some of their contemporaries.
Not bad but not good! Good tracks in my opinion: where the streets have no name, with or without you!
I think U2 is cringe and avoided their music. The hate may have stemmed from that album being forced on everyone’s iPhone/ipod. It may have stemmed from Bono being wildly obnoxious. Who knows. Anyways, I committed to Listening to this album, and I must say…it’s very good. Not as good as many album lists have them ranked. But good nonetheless.
Discussions of U2 typically range from considering them an overhated group that is actually excellent to being an overhyped band with nothing worthwhile to say. Personally I think they're boring, and whils this album is perfectly listenable to, I struggle to envision coming away from it feeling a great deal of impact.
I can see why this album is so loved, but U2 ain't really my type of rock.
Save en grosse Ihfluss gha, aber scho kennt und nid so mega min vibe gsi.
This was all the same U2 formula, it works fine but it's quite predictable
не отличаю песни ю2 кроме ранее знакомых, так что в среднем тоскливо + прекрасный уиз ор уизаут ю)
good 7/10
Rock. Good songs that make you think of your ex as you go through the different stages of loss while walking on the highway.
Never heard mothers of the disappeared before. Pretty good otherwise everything is known 3.4
Prima album voor achtergrond. Niet helemaal mijn ding. 3/5
So strong out of the gate and then nice enough but a little flat after that
Lovely production and some decent tunes but still a bit annoying - low to solid 3
Lots of reviews didnt like this album, I wonder why, maybe im missing some context about this band. But personally i liked it, it was good, maybe the songs blurred between each other too much, but i liked what i heard
A great album by a mediocre band.
It’s difficult to listen to this without thinking about what first class tw*t Bongo is, but there are some decent pop songs on here. Bullet in a Bluesky is probably the best.
Seriously it’s just noise. It’s not ‘groundbreaking’.
U2 gets a bad rap (mostly Bono) but this album was actually good. Some of their big hits, and a lot of emotional balads. It was a little one note, but I think the band sounded good and the songs were enjoyable.
Sounds modern
Just a bit boring really
u2 is the epitome of average.
as im listening to it i feel this isn’t for me. not too big on it the opener was great but everything following so far doesn’t really move me much it’s just eh. just heard with or without you and man this one is great too beautiful sounds. love the singing on it and the drawn out vocals. running to stand still is another highlight wow the build to this is nice. wasn’t a fan of the end of the album over all it was decent but don’t see myself revisiting it much. yeah not to big on this not too big on U2
A few good songs and the rest didn't do much.
Theres nothing entirely massive about it, it sounds nice but nothing compelling or relistenable
I enjoyed the first 3 songs. The rest was kinda boring
big 3
Started so strong, ended middling....
2.7 Stars Bland. Soft Rock. Pop/Rock with the worst parts of each. Downhill from track 1. I don't get the hype. Best: Where The Streets Have No Name
++: Bullet the Blue Sky, Running to Stand Still, Trip Through Your Wires, One Tree Hill, Exit +: Where the Streets Have No Name, Red Hill Mining Town, In God's Country, Mothers of the Disappeared +-: I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, With or Without You 5,8/10
Jeg føler mig primet til ikke at kunne lide den her plade, men man kan altså ikke slippe udenom at der er nogen KÆMPE bangers her
Was so so strong when it came out, but as it has aged, I still have not found what I am looking for in it.
Felt like a battle between quality celtic rock and self-indulgent wankery. Hit and miss
Not so bad but it hasn’t caused a super impression on me, I’d rate it 6.85/10 The music is good but just that, I feel like it tries to make something to reach a concept but doesn't fully execute it
U2 from the early ’80s was absolutely incredible and groundbreaking. But this era? It’s where things started to go downhill, and fast. Honestly, this period was full of middle of the road, run of the mill songs that barely left an impression. Fast forward to 2004, and somehow, with three decades of experience as professional musicians, they managed to produce one of the most annoying, cringeworthy songs in human history. The one where Bono repeatedly belts out “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” over and over again. It’s a crime against music, and possibly the worst thing ever inflicted upon humanity by a band. Just when I thought they couldn’t sink any lower, they managed to set the bar even lower, hitting rock bottom, and surpass even my worst expectations. So, when I look back at this album now, I actually feel a sense of relief and newfound appreciation, knowing just how much worse it can get.
Borde kanske gilla detta ännu mer men det är nåt jag stör mig lite på
U talking U2 2 me?? 3 stars for the first 3 songs, the rest is meh to me. Enjoyed Red Hill Mining Town which I don’t think I’d heard.
Great and beautiful woman
Well-produced, but nothing particularly exciting
prve tri pjesme na albumu s razlogom hitovi ostalo sve bez veze nemrem slusat bonu lik samo zavija da su sve pjesme instrumentali bilo bi puno bolje
Done
This was bad. It was so boring and after the first 3 tracks, it sounded like 1 big song The only thing saving this from a 2 star rating is the fact they have 3 big songs on this. Them I enjoyed. The rest of this album I did not Rounded up to 3 ⭐️
some classic songs but a lot of filler, I still prefer Simple Minds ;-)
Three unforgettable songs on this album !
Some great singles
Well made album. It is classic at this point, but feels very forgettable to me.
This feels like Chase bank at a pride parade. I like the attempt at a message but trying to convey an anti-capitalist message with squeaky clean layered vocals and guitars feels like you’re just here to sell. They write bangers but don’t connect with me emotionally.
I think this album had a solid start with some of U2's best songs, but the latter half wasn't as interesting for me. Also I can't listen to U2 seriously because Bono is apparently like super weird/horny at their concerts. LOL
3/5
It was fine.
It’s a nice album but it never really did much for me
Never been a big U2 guy. Album's alright, the hits are pretty good.
I don’t dislike the music of U2 as much as you’d think. This kind of sound & the singles from this are very familiar to me. I’d prefer them much more if Bono was a different person. But there’s some enjoyable stuff here. With Or Without You was the first song I learnt on the bass guitar (it’s really easy. 4 notes repeated in the same order!) The Joshua Tree is the ‘Friends’ of albums. There’s a thousand better albums, it’s dated a bit but it’s strangely familiar and comforting at the same time.
drei plus
U2 might be the most overrated band of all time. This album is certainly their best but.. i stuggle to put my prejudices aside
Oh no. I was in high school when this came out and it was everywhere, but I really don’t care for Bono’s voice and U2 in general. I’m giving it 3⭐️ for the sheer number of massive hits. PS I did buy the album WAR in grade 7 because I liked the song New Year’s Day (still do).
Not really much to say about this one. It has decent variety, which is uncharacteristic for a pop rock album. There are a couple of great songs, but some of the other are meh. Other than that, good album, but nothing impressive. 7/10
Another aggressively "fine" album from U2. They seem to be one of those bands people hate because other people hate.
POSITIVES: The first three songs are all-time classics. Really amazing songs. The production is truly incredible. If the album was rated only by how it was sounding, I would say it's one of the best albums of all time. However... NEGATIVES: The rest of the album is almost completely a rehash of the forst for songs, but worse. It's very boring and I couldn't wait for it to end. All in all, it was a very mediocre experience. The album started great and then it went down-hill into indifference for me. I truly believe that U2 is one of the most overrated bands and this album (considered by most to be their best) has, unfortunately, not changed that. 3/5 (more of a 2.5) only because of the first three songs that kick ass.
Definitely the best so far. Really good flow to this one and all songs were good. A few you might need to listen to again to get used to. Solid.
#601. This is U2's best album by a very wide margin and it's still just mid on a good day. 3/5: average
Surprisingly i dug it
me ha recordado mucho a mi infancia es como un álbum motivador no se como explicarlo. esperanzador. me gusta mucho u2 7/10
I like bits and pieces of U2. I think can say the same for this album, the hits are good but I didn’t care much for the rest of it.
6/10
another mid to boring album from u2
3 bangers off the bat then fades
I quite like the first three tracks - the rest is middling to below middling
Liked it but worth a revisit
Where the Streets Have No Name and With or Without you are two of my favorite favorite songs but I could not bring myself to care about the rest of this album
Probably the best that U2 has to offer but I find them annoying
Not as bad as I expected. Interesting to see the ambient/ stadium rock influence on future artists and sounds. Coldplay, Radiohead, Muse, Killers, Kings of Leon, Taylor Swift (All Too Well, Long Live)
05.24.2024 3.5☆/5
The album opens with bangers, it’s an amazing start. 3 huge hits, love the way it goes. The rest of the album is still solid, I’d put it in for background music, but it’s not 100% for me. 3 stars on a personal level, but I could see where true fans would love it more
U2 is U2
Some enjoyable songs but I find the singing style a little grating at times. Liked the harmonica, and the atmosphere but found it struggled to hold my attention. Fav song: I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For - a classic (so is With or Without You but I’ve heard covers of it that I prefer to the original) also liked Bullet the Blue Sky Least fav: One Tree Hill - maybe? Idk I didn’t dislike any of the songs just a lot of them blurred together for me.
"With Or Without You" é atemporal e me transporta para os dias em que eu era pequeno.
svaka pjesma slična, traje duže nego što bi trebala i previše zavijanja, prenemaganja, klišejizirano, radiofrendli itd, al je okej u stvari, nezz
Hits
Sounds like coldplay
19/05/2025 Don't understand the U2 hype.
I didn’t dislike this as much as I thought I might, but I don’t imagine I’ll ever listen to it again.
I don’t know how to rate an album like this. Do I own it or want to own it or think I would play it if I owned it? No to all three. Do I think the four massive hits that the album starts with are good songs? I have no idea. Probably. Do I ever want to listen to this again? Not really. Do I get why people really like this album? Sure, I guess. I don’t know man. I don’t know how you rate The Joshua Tree anymore than I know how to rate Thriller. I think this album was too massive a cultural juggernaut to try to have an opinion on.
The first half it's musically incredible. The second half less so, and starts to get bogged down with starryeyed inflections of the blues, equally mythologized and washed-out. How about a little harmonica here, Eno? But the music is still good. I just cannot stand Bono though. His singing is so overblown and contrived, like a high school musical tryhard. There's a little rawness on Streets, but overall his voice just -sounds- sanctimonious. And the lyrics... Ooooff. Real teenager journaling shit. Bullet the Blue Sky is hilarious. One hundred! Two hundred! Too funny.
Enjoyed this more than I'd like to admit. 3 stars.
not bad, the first songs are better than the rest
If they had stopped at this album, or even the next one. I would rated it higher, Unfortunately, mentioning U2 now, feels like mentioning the McDonals of music, music for the masses, easy to sing along, easy to buy and consume. The message got diluted in the flood of opinions about everyting, interviews, albums, songs, and presence everywhere It has gotten so flooded with them that even their good material is tainted.
Only heard U2's singles before, and never thought much of them. This album was front loaded with 3 of their biggest singles, and all the rest was totally unfamiliar. Turns out that's the more interesting stuff! Not terribly interesting, but a solid 3/5
76% Best: Where The Streets Have No Name; I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For; With Or Without You Must-Hear? Not quite
Every time With Or Without You comes up on a pub quiz I start by shouting out 'Where The Streets Have No Name'! Then I go with 'actually no, it's I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For'! And then someone else calmly says 'it's With Or Without You'. And they think I was joking but I wasn't. You have to feel for Bono. He makes all this daft, pretentious pseudo-political music where he overeggs every syllable and makes out like he's far more important than he really is. And yet all anyone seems to be able to say about it is 'ah Bono, what a twat'. Credit where it's due, this is some of the most daft, pretentious pseudo-political music that U2 made in their whole career (so far) and it deserves to be recognised as such, regardless of whether Bono is a twat or not. And the silly thing is, there are artists on this list who have beaten up their wives and girlfriends, abused children, been openly and outwardly racist, there are nazi sympathisers and even at least one convicted murderer. And yet we universally rally around 'Bono is a twat' mostly because he's a bit annoying and try-hard. After the first three songs, The Joshua tree drops off and becomes pretty average ambienty-inspired rock music and nothing really rises above the rest. I quite like what Eno did to their sound but they don't really lean into it, they feel the need to stadium rock over the top of it and it lacks any genuine subtlety. It's good, but it's nowhere near 'great'.
Bono is a dweeb so it's hard to be too complimentary of it, but it's a good album. crispy clean digital delay toan
Where The Streets Have No Name: Great opener! What I’m Looking For: Classic. With or Without You: Another Classic. Bullet The Blue Sky: Nice, heavy change of pace from the first 3 tracks. Running To Stand Still: Softer even than the first few tracks. Red Hill Mining Town: Kind of boring. In God’s Country: Good driving guitar riff. Trip Through Your Wires: In 6/8, but otherwise a little bland. Harmonica solo is neat. One Tree Hill: Repetitive, similar to previous tracks. Why is Bono moaning at the end? Exit: Love how it starts soft and crescendos up to the climax. Mothers Of The Disappeared: Cool rhythms at the beginning.
It's not me, it's you too. I get that it's an iconic album, and I understand the attraction....but it is just too showy for my liking. Bono and the guys clearly want to be teh centres of attention, and produce flashy, shouty.over-dramatic albums. Reminds me of Glam Rock in it's heyday. I know I'm in the minority here, but The Joshua Tree just isn't that good.
Original and relaxing album, but I wouldn't necessarily listen to it.
Прослушал, фоном употреблять можно, просто это не моя музыка.
Eh it was fine.
I've always kinda liked U2's sound but after the 3 hits up top it gets kinda samey. I did like the song "Exit" though
Classic U2. Good, but nothing special here. If you heard one U2 you’ve heard them all.
3 is a stretch. U2 is overhyped.
I get that this album is held up in high esteem by many. And the first four tracks are good. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For is good and With Or Without You is a particularly good track. After that great start the album loses me a bit though and I get bored.
Okay, U2, take your three stars and leave me alone.
Second U2 album in a week, and definitely the lesser or the two. As with most U2 albums it's seriously front loaded. The first 3-4 songs are among the best made by late 80s rock bands - in particular, I think Bullet The Blue Sky is hugely underrated. But compared to their 90s work, it lacks the huge production and variety of tones, and the quality of songs drops of significantly after the first few. You can see why the singles made it huge, but in retrospect it feels like an intermediary stage between earnest post-punkers and the global stadium rock band they became. High 3 low 4.
Very filling guitar sounds and im really liking the juxtaposition of the harder bass tone to Bonos soft voice. Overall though, I don't think its anything mind blowing. I enjoyed it, will probably put it on again in the future. But nothing about this screams "must listen". Pleasant and Digestible, but lacking in significant power.
Better than expected since I can't stand u2. Bonos voice sounds so whiney on certain points, but overall decent
My first real memory of U2 is when I had an iPod and Apple automatically downloaded their album to everyone's device. I remember it being a marketing nightmare and I quickly deleted it from my iPod when I found it taking up memory. When I started listening to this album, I was curious if I'd ever heard a U2 song and if I'd be able to recognize it. This album was shocking in just how much I recognized it, demonstrating how universal these songs were to my parent's generation. Will I ever pick up this album again? Probably not, however it was a listening experience that made me realize why this band was ever relevant in the first place. The atmospheric instrumentals were fun to parse out, and the entire album is incredibly well produced. The song writing is dated but is still complex: the details of the two America's they experience could be something I'd pick through after multiple listens. I find Bono's voice boring as hell but that's a testament to just how many times I've heard him sing.
This felt very front loaded, first 4 tracks were great and then 5-11 was boring. Overall equalled out to an OK album. 6/10
Previously rated: War (4/5) All That You Can't Leave Behind (3/5) Achtung Baby (3/5) **************************************** Frontloaded with the hits, and they were big ones. The rest is forgettable and generic. I think I've had enough from them, but I'm pretty sure more is coming.
Surprisingly enjoyable.
5/10 Second U2 album, liked the first more than expected but this left me cold. Later in the career as they are pivoting into stadium friendly rock, and they have lost the edge. Good songs are there, but after a super strong opening it sags badly. Best: Mothers of the Disappeared
Did not really have that much of an impression on me
Pretty alright
At least this is a decent.album and not as boring as their other ones. Probably due to Brian Eno's production. That man's a genius.
3/11, 27%
Why do people hate this? Or, why do people love this? It's absolutely fine.
It’s not terrible but I can’t bear to listen to it
Pretty chill
umm okay i didn’t know u2 sang some of these bangers!!
Rough start to this list since I generally don't like U2. I thought the album started strong, but overall it was just ok. 3.5 Stars.
норм
It was alright. Not an album Im excited to listen too again but U2 does make great driving late at night music.
3.75
A real crazy drop in quality after track three, but those first few tracks are all-timers. That reverb-y guitar tone reminds me a lot of corporate HR videos lol
i just really don't get the hype for U2 at all, i think there are way too many band that have the same tones, lyrics, music etc that don't get the same type of love U2 gets
Beginning of the album is great, the rest is meh.
Not my favorite, but can see how it's on top lists.
- entspannt, relativ catchy Kram dabei. With Or Without You ist einfach ein Ohrwurm, kann man nicht leugnen (vielleicht auch etwas guilty pleasure alles)
I liked With or Without You but the rest of the album just ok. Stuff that's radio friendly but doesn't really hit. I get it, they're a huge band and lots of people love them but I just can't get into the music.
I didn't hate this as much as I wanted to. The front half of this is the "Greatest Hits" album minus Sunday Bloody Sunday. Maybe revolutionary at the time?
Gets off to a strong start with 3 big tunes back to back but runs out of steam a bit towards the end- could do with a bit more variety.
Solo por el último tema le pongo 3 estrellas. Después el resto fué lindo hasta ahí. Algunas texturas flasheras pero ningún tema para poner en listas. Nota: 2.9
Inoffensive, technically sound, pop rock.
Actually genuinely a really strong start to an album. After that I checked a few times that I was listening to the right thing. A friend of a friend had I still haven’t found what I’m looking for as the first dance for their wedding because it was the couples song, which is one of the worst picks I can think of.
chill album with some bangers on there but i am legally not allowed to give this above a 3 because my dad has secret one-sided beef with bono
This was nice, I can kind of picture Joshua Tree I suppose. Interesting
Prob the best U2 album. Some classics on there.
U2 was huge in the 80s and 90s but I was never that into them. This album epitomizes them for me. The first 3 songs were singles and were everywhere when the album came out. Listening to the start of the album I was thinking 5 stars. But the rest of the album is just ok.
hmm maybe U2 is good
All of their songs sound the same but it’s still pretty okay
Drummer can’t drum the bass player can’t play the guitar player has one riff. The singer is this utter buffoon. But this album had it’s moments
I cant enjoy U2, for whatever reason their music sounds like they should've been a Christian rock group. I can recognize why they are considered great, but it doesnt do much for me. I'll give them this, a lot of their music is pretty timeless, I thought "I Still Havent Found What I'm Looking For" was an early 2000's release all this time. They have staying power for a reason, and a guitarist named The Edge. I cant say its bad but I definitely didnt find it good.
It feels odd to have enjoyed a U2 album as much as I enjoyed this one. From the handful I’ve heard this was handily the best. The songwriting and performances on this one are very good, the production and mixing is pretty stellar and really adds a veneer of quality and care to the record. Somehow Bono doesn’t come off as super annoying across the album. That being said the album is incredibly frontloaded with the first half of the album containing pretty much all the best songs, it loses its momentum a bit towards the end and would really benefit from cutting down the track listing as there are a couple of songs that are middling. It is just a collection of fun stadium rock anthems that are great for singing along to but that’s fine by me. Overall the album is surprisingly enjoyable , 3.5/5
I like U2’s early music well enough but Bono’s voice wears on me. Not sure why. The big hits are my favorites on this one. Tracks 1-4 are the hits. I also like track 6. The rest, I cannot recall now and I just listened to the album 30 minutes ago. That sums up my feelings on U2. Like most people, I like the big hits, that’s why they are hits. The rest are forgettable and that’s why they are not hits. They don’t have that X factor that makes them stand out. Sadly I would say that also sums up all their releases over the past 20-25 years. Even forcing an album on everyone via iTunes didn’t make those songs resonate with anyone. They are known more for humanitarian affairs now than their music.
3.5 good calm album to listen to when relaxing
U2 is a lot like Coldplay for me in terms of how I feel about them (vaguely annoyed, bored, well at least they're familiar). There are certainly a lot of hits on here. Highlights: 'Where the Streets Have No Name' (only because one of my favorite songs is "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" and therefore I also like the Pet Shop Boys' 'Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can't Take My Eyes Off You)'), 'Running to Stand Still'
Starts off strong but is a bit underwhelming after the first 3/4 songs, maybe that's just because I already know them, but feel like the album as a whole was a bit of a let down after I saw the first couple tracks.
The fact that this album came up a few days ago and I saved it for my next bout of insomnia... yeah, that about sums it up. Dull but occasionally useful. 🥱
The biggest depiction of America from an Irish band. Very much a front-loaded album, with three of the group's biggest hits all in a row to start things off. I hate to say that an album of this stature kinda tails off from there, but it does a little bit. When every song tries to be a ballad, it almost loses its magic the further you get. I get most of the lyrical content is politically and socially charged, plus some personal emotion in the lyrics from Bono. I guess this one didn't affect me as much as say, the American desert affected the band whilst creating this album. Killer production, though.
I’m embarrassed to admit that until listening to this, I didn’t realize “With or Without You” was by U2.
liked songs: I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, With Or Without You, I like the first few songs on the album, but it gets kind of samey after that point. There's a little more variety with the last two tracks, but they don't really do much. 2.5
the problem with U@ is all their songs sound the same. guitar is monotonous, vocals are whiney. Not terrible, but not very good either.
The songs everyone has heard are pretty solid, even if U2's sound is a little over the top for me. The rest were just ok.
De a ratos estuvo bueno, like por lo ochentero. Había algunos temas que parecían hitazos, pero otros demasiado gomas para este mundo. De todas formas pensé que iba a ser peor porque Bono es un meme, pero estuvo bien.
The first three songs are top-tier, but the rest of the album doesn't come close to those.
3.5
Three great songs at the beginning and it just goes down from there.
Nice
U2 does nothing for me. That said, this had some of the better songs
Not a big fan of U2. An OK album for me.
Разношерстный альбом, с одной стороны интересный, так как не знаешь, чего ожидать от следующей композиции, с другой стороны сложно рассмотреть общую картину и концепцию. Почти каждая песня длится примерно 4 минуты и иногда устаешь от монотонности. Инструментал разнообразный и вокал звучит интересно. Места похоже на кантри
nice music to cook to
Very chill album also realise that “i still havent found what im looking for” in sing 2 is from this album i liked a few songs hut overall its fine its a 6-7/10
I only like with or without you. Everything else is kinda boring and tacky.
Where the Streets Have No Names 3.7 I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For 3.6 With or Without You 3.8 Bullet the Blue Sky 4 Running to Stand Still 3 Red Hill Mining Town 3.8 In God's Country 3.2 Trip Through Your Wires 3.4 One Tree Hill 3.3 Exit 3.3 Mothers of the Disappeared 2.8 Score: 3.445454545
okay very enjoyable to listen to while working, good energy. 3/5
Strong album. A number of hits and even the deep cuts are enjoyable.
I'm not a big fan of U2, but there are some high points here. I lost interest in them after this album because many songs here were massively overplayed. I saw U2 in the early 80s at a 5000-seat venue and I have to admit it was one of the best shows I ever attended. Then they were filling stadiums and I had no desire to see them again because a stadium show will never be able to top what they did that night in 1983. This album has some great songs, "Bullet the Blue Sky", "Where the Streets Have No Name", "Red Hill Mining Town", and "One Tree Hill". Also, there are some songs I never really want to hear again having been overplayed so many times. "With or Without You" and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For". The rest is fluff. 3 stars.
Arrancamos otra semana de febrero con éste clásico de U2, banda que debo decir nunca me sentí tan atraído de escuchar a consciencia, por lo que sólo ubico éste disco por un conocimiento general de su obra y por alguno que otro de sus singles. El disco arranca arriba y luego se mantiene, con canciones tranquilas. Destaco "Bullet the blue sky", "Red hill mining town". Siempre destacable la manera de tocar de The Edge . Hasta mañana
For most of the running time, I enjoyed the guitars and soaring vocals, but the themes and overall vibe are a rather kitschy in 2025.
Eh. Did nothing for me
The production is superv. Really the only reason I kept coming back to this album
3 stars for 3 decent songs. Rest are kind of duds
***An ok album
If you have to listen to U2 this is the album. The first half of the album makes me forget ai don't really like U2 the second half reminds me. I do appreciate the actual music the Edge is an innovative guitarist. I am personally not a huge fan of Bono's voice.
⭐⭐⭐ 6/10 It's perplexing how songs which are almost 40 years old are still so recognizeable to the part that you can just sing along with it. Apart from the first 3 songs I didn't know this album. It's alright, but does get boring, 3 stars because of the hits.
Hoorde veel van dit vaan bij mijn stiefpa en op de radio dus was geweldig om het weer te horen
Soft rock, not too bad, actually quite nice to listen to when chilling. Decent album tbh.
Erinnerung an Gymizeit. Tschernobyl ist "überlebt", die Ira wütet, ebenso der Bürgerkrieg in Sri Lanka. In Jugoslawien ist die Stimmung aufgeheizt. Gorbi und schleichender Verfall der UdSSR. Hungerskatastrophe in Afrika.Bullet the blue sky ist schon sehr cool, aber das Album plätschert vor sich hin.
coole ahfang!! ahh okee ja es isch sehr schöni und verträumt bis jz, richtig sanft wenn sich das 50 min so durrezieht binimer chli unsicher wie fest mier das gfallt havent found findi aber seeehr schön, da passts iwie, dass es doch recht repititiv isch? bim "and I wiiiiiiill..." erinnerets mich ah "and she wiiiiiill be loved" vo maroon 5 hahahahaha s gitmer scho es bizli werbemusig-vibes leider ohh er chan doch na singe!! ahh brian emo!! also gad als "hard-hitting sound" würdis nöd bezeichne aber ich bewege mich daa auchli ufeme andere spektrum hahaha ok verstahn was sie meined mitem "open space sound" puu running to stand still hani easy langwilig gfunde ui ja red hill mining town het easy ahgfange und isch immer schlimmer worde JA TOLL JZ CHUNNT NA SCHNURREGIIGE trip through your wires isch extreem scheisse ja de rest het für mich vor sich her plätscheret + en closer wo ich chegge aber jz nöd vill in mier usglöst het die erste 2, 3 lieder hani herzig gfunde aber für mich ischs recht schnell zu seicht worde ich schwanke zwüscheme 2 und 3, sorry luca hahaha
What can I say. It's U2. I guess this album influenced a lot of bands because I hear many similar things that I've heard from other bands. Never payed attention to this album before. It's actually Ok. I'd play it again. Not the kind of music I like but this is fine.
Heard it before. I think I need to preface it by saying that I don't like U2 except for a couple of songs. The most popular songs from this album, With Or Without You especially, are aaaawfuuul. On the other hand Bullet The Blue Sky is a MASSIVE banger. I don't think I will ever become a fan of U2 but at the same time I don't hate the album? It's hard to articulate my feelings. 3/5
i’m familiar with this album, i think i may have listened to it before. i think my mom likes this band. it’s enjoyable, but i think i’m just not really into moody and atmospheric music right now.
The first three tracks are great. After that it just descends into monotony. The Edge's delay-based guitar grooves, straight ahead drum and bass, and Bono's ridiculous crooning, over and over. Meh.
First three songs are great. Haven’t heard much of the rest before now. Red Hill Mining Town is decent. Overall, I retain my original feeling of U2. I really like some of their songs, but not a band I would spend time getting to know the entire catalogue.
No thanks. Groovy bass lines and maybe a banger or two.
1/27/25. Another album by U2 I haven't listened to yet, but my opinion on the band is changing for the better after visiting their older records. The Edge's guitar playing is very underrated, and the band is great at creating these unique sonic landscapes.
more u2, oh boy. once again, this album is pretty much a textbook definition of how u2 normally sounds nowadays, with delayed arpeggiated guitars, dry warbling vocals and whatnot. it's one of their best, even with their usual pretentious rock music that the average person or group tends to get obsessed with. i don't know, i want to like this album fully but it has a sound i can't stand. this is a rock album your boss would like.
This album is the music equivalent of 'Seinfeld is Unfunny', especially if you grew up in an Evangelical church like I did. Chiming echoed guitars, heartfelt belting, atmospheric synth pads, surprisingly militaristic drum beats, "steady" (a.k.a. boring) basslines playing a lot of root notes. So far, so Hillsong. HM Magazine ranked it as the #1 Christian Rock album. However, it's hard to ignore the punch of the first side. Starting out with some of the most enduring hits of modern rock radio before being punched in the face by Bullet the Blue Sky and comforted by Running to Stand Still. Side two by comparison is a big old ball of nothing. I can't imagine my Grandad with his life down the pits resonating with Red Hill Mining Town, and the following songs just feel half-hearted by comparison. For a band at the time defined by their sincerity and passion, that is a death sentence. If you want a better version of U2, listen to the albums either side of this one. If you want a better version of Christian U2, listen to King of Fools by Delirious?
Best Song: Where The Streets Have No Name. The driving rhythm really sets this track apart from the others. Unique amongst the other tracks, it actually feels fun. Worst Song: Running To Stand Still. Blandly weepy. Overall: I think what I find most annoying about U2 is how emotionally over-wrought everything is. Every song feels like it comes with Bono peeking at you out of the corner of his eye to check if you're having adequate emotional reaction. Coupled with how BIG every song is, the end result feels inauthentic. Music for crying in a stadium.
Automatic star deduction for that shit they pulled forcing their album into my iTunes in the early 2000s. Couple redeeming songs but otherwise, it's U2.
I like this album because I feel like the majority of the songs have a positive beat, which puts me in a happy mood. I also enjoy the sound of the singer's voice.
I think this album is alright because I like the beginning part of all of them, before the lyrics. The background music doesn't really go with the voice of the person singing+I dont like the way they sing with the beat. The music kinda sounds the same for each song but it still isn't bad.
I don't like the first song because it is too emotional . I like the second song because I like the beat
2 the intro took forever and I just don't like the lyrics the second one 3 cause shorter intro. 2 I like the different instruments but it's depressing
the beat was cool and funky to me but i couldnt really understand what he was saying but i liked the beat and they kinda sounded the same
Pretty inoffensive rock and roll. Really strong opening with the first 3 songs, and I also enjoyed how Exit and Mother's close out the album, but everything in the middle kinda blended together in my brain and is alright all around.
Rough start since I generally don’t like U2. -Vibin’ with Where the Streets Have No Name -I already knew and liked I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For and With or Without You -Losing me with Bullet the Blue Sky -Bringing me back with Running to Stand Still -Not feeling Red Hill Mining Town through Mothers of the disappeared Strong start to the album, but overall just ok. —> 3.5 stars
I’m not a big U2 fan, but you can’t deny the mastery of an album with 4 songs that have been on regular radio rotation since the album’s release. Bullet the Blue Sky, probably the least popular of those four, is probably my favorite. There’s probably a bit of bias there because it hasn’t been overplayed quite as much as the other 3 of those 4 songs. The ones I didn’t know didn’t seem to have much to them. So 4 great songs and the rest, but I doubt I ever feel the need to listen again.
Starts with timeless U2 bangers and then goes into some alright but ultimately forgettable rock, lots of reflection feels (makes sense on an album called Joshua tree). Got a bit bored halfway through. Exit peaked me back briefly. Might just not have been in the mood
-this is apparently one of their most beloved albums. it’s pretty good but didn’t blow me away too much? something about it seemed too inoffensive, even compared to War, an album which I did really like -was sort of hard for me to hear any of Eno’s direction here too -still had some really amazing songs though. Bullet The Blue Sky is fucking awesome -Favorites are Bullet The Blue Sky and Trip Through Your Wires
pretty good. I haven't listened to this since I was a kid, and I think I was holding a little too much U2 resentment since they put an album on my iPod touch without my consent, burrowing their way into my shuffle. That album wasn't great. This one is solid.
In a word: inoffensive. I can sense how impactful the sounds on this album are because of how familiar the drenched guitar tones are. Kind of ironic that the guitarist who calls himself the Edge has made some of the most corporate sounding tones imaginable. It seems to have influenced the creators of uplifting stock music, and I am not a CEO, so I don’t love the association. I know this is not U2’s fault, strictly speaking. Ultimately don’t hate the album, but I can’t really see myself spinning it much. It is fine.