Reviews (page 7 of 14)
First 4 songs I was like “holy shit this is great!” Then it kinda just drifted into the background. Decent songs but not very memorable and sounded like formulaic U2.
First four tracks alone make this a strong 4...but I have this weird mental block when it comes to U2 and just can't get there on a 5 for this album. And let's be honest they must be punished for forcing that one album onto without our consent. 4.25/5
I never have been a huge fan of U2, however I agree that this is one of those albums you must hear before you die. It does include three singles that we heard frequently on radio. Until seeing it online I didn’t know this album’s theme was America, which makes sense now. Should I give in to internet peer pressure and rate it five stars? No, but how about four stars?
The most front-loaded album of all time, but when it hits, it hits hard
Some bangers. Classic, catchy tunes. I like the melodies and husky vocals. Powerful lyrics.
First u2 album that I recognized as the u2 I know
great
Wow. I am not a U2 fan, but this album is all it's cracked up to be. It was so good. The guitar parts are so ethereal and the whole album is produced so well. This was a fantastic listen. The three song opener is perfect. Wow. The end of this album felt weak which is why it misses the mark on a perfect 5, but it was great. Liked Songs: "Where The Streets Have No Name" , "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" , "With Or Without You" , "Bullet The Blue Sky" , "Red Hill Mining Town" , "In God's Country" , "Trip Through Your Wires"
8 de 11 canciones me gustan
4.0
When I was a lot younger this was one of my favourites. Back when U2 were a great rock band, and relevant. Unique sound, talented musicians. Still a couple more good albums in them, but not the biggest rock band in the world yet - no meeting the Pope. I'd still give this a spin today. "It's aaaaaaaaall I can do!" Four jangly stars.
solid tunes, enjoyable, but none of them were that one U2 song where it feels like your traveling hyperspeed through space
Amazing level of talent and creativity. I’m not a huge U2 fan but this a critically acclaimed album for a reason. One star off because it didn’t convince me to listen to more U2.
Not as good as the national park :'(
First three songs are super good. Can't rate it 5 though as much as I like it and have listened to it in the past
I have a feeling I will be returning to this one
okay I was NOT in the mood for U2 when this came up but oh my god. it rips.
Surprisingly enjoyed it
immersive, rock, emotional. I like it
I didn't realize just how many of their hits I knew were on this one album. One Tree Hill might have been the weak point on the album for me. When someone brings up U2, its the songs on this album that I think about first. And then maybe unfortunately I also think about "uno, dos, tres, catorce". Why did you write that Bono. So dumb.
Great album but the first half is much better than the 2nd half.
You either love them, or you hate them. But with 'Joshua Tree', you get them at their best.
Muy bueno
Excellent U2 album!
U2’s other iconic album. Where the streets have no name is a classic, they filmed the music video on top of a building in la and my mom always tells the story of how she tried to ditch school to drive down there with her friends. Kinda lame to have two U2 albums shown so close together but whatever. Love this album but still holding out for a 5.
Solid album, kinda annoying it was another U2 one in the week but oh whale. Pretty great collection of songs, but didnt make me feel anything in particular. 3.8/5 Fav song: With or Without You
This album is so America-coded, I forgot U2 was Irish
Nyaaa
I've never really understood the U2 love by elder Gen X. I think I'm just a few years too young to get it. I've always thought they were just OK. This album is fine. The second half of the album is very filler. The first half though had some really great songs.
La banda alcanzó un nivel difícil de superar hasta por ellos mismos. Religión, política, drogas, amor son los temas que abordan con su particular estilo... El inicio del fin de una era.
...and here's another essential 80's rock album. This album starts out with one of the greatest 3 song runs of any album ever. "Where The Streets Have No Name", "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and "With Or Without You" are all some of U2's biggest singles. I wish these songs were spaced out more because the album definitely loses some momentum after "With Or Without You". Other than this one pacing problem this is still a fantastic album. The rest of the songs can't really compare to those hits but they are still quite good sometimes great. I especially enjoy the last two songs on this album "Exit" and "Mothers Of The Disappeared". At the moment this is my favorite U2 album. Favorite track: Exit
Amazing album
chill vibes
So close to being a perfect 5. So many stunning moments, but it’s just missing something to really push it over the edge, I don’t know what it is. But when I’m listening to those first three songs I’m in heaven. Perfect sad road trip vibes.
First three tracks make this album. Excellent work.
Never really got U2, but I found what I’m looking for. 4.2/5
Modern sound for an 80s album!
Bono is still a douche but that is solid
aaah de edge gitipart okay es isch U2. es isch scho chli epic awesomesauce aber s löst so schön uf. aha gad de nöchst riese hit. havent found what im looking for isch glaub de best U2 song er isch au meega cheesefest aber huuuere geil. hö sind nur hits uf dem album?? U2 het irgendwie abgseh vode edge gitarre nöd meega en stil, es sind afoch songs womer kennt. ah norml danny lanois und brian eno produced. bullet the blue sky goht chlii härter. finds okay. het er gad vier mol gseit its america? de bono cha eim scho uf de sack goh. red hill mining town chli boring. in gods country hani etz au ok gfunde trip through your wires macht etz no spass. rem und so hend nüt erfunde das isch mega alternative rock. AUNO SCHELLECHRANZ one tree hill isch meeeega geil ohmeingott
U2 seem to be a band that polarises people, though personally don’t love them but don’t hate them either, yes they can come over as a bit pretentious with but I like the music up to this album when I listen to it. 4 star - distinct sound, know who it is within a few bars, always enjoy more than think I’m going to, could have been 5 but falls off towards the end.
The Joshua Tree is one of the most front-loaded albums of all time, which both gave it the success it did but also bit it in the arse when U2 stopped being hitmakers. Unlike the Grand Old Duke of York, there was no chance of U2 being neither up nor down. Which is a shame, because the quality floor of this album is really high. There are no songs that I dislike, and some that I love. But what kind of chance do Exit or One Tree Hill have when half your audience has tuned out? This may sound like a weirdly negative review for an album I like, but it's only because it could've been a 5 had it been sequenced differently, and that 'so close and yet so far'-ness bugs me. That, and pretty much everyone has already said everything else that could be said. Tangent: I tend to find that I like Brian Eno contributions to production best when they're numerous and substantial, but also blend into the background. This album fits that criteria. Fave: Running to Stand Still Least Fave: God's Own Country Strong Bad Demerit Count: 1
Not bad at all. Could be a 4
Enjoyed this. Obviously there are a few major hits on here, but the whole album is landing quite nicely.
Song 1:I still haven´t found what i´m looking for Song 2: with or without you
I rate The Street With No Name mabey 3 stars because I didn't really like how they signed for some reason. And for with or without you 4 stars Because the singing went with the music. And for I still Haven't found for what I'm looking for 3.5 stars because the music was good and the singing was but I don't think it was enough.
I like the background music it was giving me reminders of me and my grandpa on a motorcycle.
I enjoyed the songs "Where the streets have no name", "I still haven't found what I'm looking for", and "With or without you" because the instrumentation sounds nice.
I think hell just froze over. For most of my life I have held an irrational hate for U2 and Bono. I’m still unsure whether my Bono hate is misplaced, but today’s listen to The Joshua Tree absolved me of my negative alignment against the band as a whole. Though it’s still cringey to call yourself The Edge. The truth is that The Joshua Tree is a beautifully produced, delicately written album that really works once it clicks. I’ve listened to this in the past, but now I’m doubting whether I actually listened. It’s really solid. 4.3/5
Pretty good. U2 should be remembered for this and not that album they tried to force on everyone through iTunes years ago. But that’s how it goes.
I'm surprised, but I've only heard this album all the way through twice before this listen (one of those times was at Joshua Tree National Park, fittingly). I say that's surprising because my parents (in particular my mom) absolutely adore U2. So I heard a lot of them growing up. So coming in I knew "I Still Haven't Found What I'm looking For" and "With or Without You," pretty much by heart. The rest, I knew less well. I think it's fair to say that they front loaded the hell out of this album. Or maybe they had a concept for it. Put the more echoey stuff on the first side, the more grounded stuff on the second. Hard to say. But I found the first side to be a much better time than the second. You have hit after hit, banger after banger on the first side. Hell, they even put the two aforementioned songs I already knew BACK TO BACK. What are you doing? Don't fire those bullets so quickly. Save those, space them out. But that's just me. As it is, the album is good. There's stuff to like on side two, and I appreciate the more grounded and at times even gritty sound they throw out there. It's a balance, and I think it works well enough for what it is and what they were going for. I just personally wouldn't have done it that way. It is nice to hear a more grounded sound come out of the band. They're so known for their airy and echoey guitar sounds and vocals that soar above it all and give the whole sound a really high-stakes feel. So to hear them produce a gritty bluesy track was awesome and something I want more of. Overall, this gets three and half from me. So I'll round up to four. Benefit of the doubt and all that. Standout Tracks: Where the Streets Have No Name, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, With or Without You, Bullet the Blue Sky, Trip Through Your Wires, One Tree Hill
Not a U2 fan but this is a great pop album
Such an impactful album from the 80’s. My taste in music has changed a lot since then, but this was a fun trip back to my youth.
Geeze, listening to this album is taking me back to seeing them at the Sphere and crying like a baby during With or Without you. Miss you Dad!
My dad’s favorite band, so it’s hard not to have an attachment to them, but some of the singles are worn out for me, plus I think I like their earlier stuff, sorry dad. Still good though
great
Very nice. Would listen again. I particularly like bullet in the blue sky. Very groovy.
A real gem. U2s best album imo. So many strong songs, and even the lowlights on this record are pretty good. I cant give it a 5 though because I feel like this album is a bit front loaded, and the back half is quite a bit weaker. Maybe if the hits were better spread out, this would be a better album experience.
Not quite as good as I remember
A classic. The big songs in this album shake stadiums. However, the second half cannot keep up with the grandiosity of the first half.
Bono, the best to ever do it. The vocals on With Or Without You 🥰🥰🥰💀💀💀 Only gave it 4 stars bc the back half falls off a bit for me
I do like these people. Joshua Tree hipster vibes is so pretentious though, but the music hits me in the right places.
Great album
I’m in the in-between generation of people who love U2 and people who hate U2. I think this is a very good collection of songs. But I’m not going change my life for it. 4/5
The first three tracks are iconic. No matter how you feel about the rest of the album or U2 in general or Bono in particular, those three songs have burrowed their way into our collective subconscious.
Reminds me heavy of The Americans. Martha says "I never appreciated U2 much, but this isn't too bad!". Also, like Tom Delonge wanted to be the next U2 with AvA.
Liked this a lot more than I thought I would! Enjoyed it a lot.
There are two kinds of people. People who are convinced U2 are multi-generational geniuses, and those who see this as a terrific record that shouldn’t be missed behind the hyperbole. But dammit this sounds like U2. It’s almost a caricature it’s so spot on.
Sixteen year old me chalks this up as an easy 5. And upon listening again, 50-year old me is pleased to mostly agree with my younger self. Bono gets on my nerves pretty fast as a person, but I have to think even his harshest critics have to give him credit for a lot here, especially With Or Without You and my favorite track on the album, Bullet The Blue Sky. 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. 4.5⭐️
Classic U2.
Stands the test of time, unlike most of the U2 albums before or after this. Exemplary A side. Tails off badly towards the end.
Listened to this in the car on a long journey last week! Always loved the first 3/4s but feel it badly trails off at the end. A classic if its era.
First 3 songs are fantastic! And then it falls to the rest of the songs to try and match the "greatness(?)" of these and frankly the rest of the songs are not even close to being as good. I didn't hate the rest of the songs, but I think to better format this album, they should be scattered throughout and have the good songs in between. It would result in a better paced album. These other songs have their moments and have a likeable quality to them. I think I'd come back to this album, there wasn't really anything I hated about it. I could listen to it front-to-back again 4/5
it's a classic for a reason
Shocked that I really like the back half of this album more than the first three songs that are all really famous singles
The Joshua Tree!!!! Here we go!!!! 🚨Core memory alert🚨: This album was my exclusive soundtrack for playing Neopets on weekend mornings as a 12yo. 20 years ago, music videos were available on Yahoo Music (anyone else?) and I remember thinking Bono was quite sultry in I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. So much eye contact! This album kicks off with three intensely longing and, yes, completely generic love songs—perfect for tweens with no real-world relationship experience coming off complete Disney saturation. Special mention for Red Hill Mining Town, too. Scratches the same itch as All The Young Dudes and Salisbury Hill (which is more a specifically high school era itch, to be continued...) Sentimental? Yes. Basic. Yes! But sometimes music needs to meet you where you are.
Yes, they became insufferable after this, but it was a big deal at the time. And there’s really lovely production work here. Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois really worked a bit of magic to give U2 their big sweeping sound. Not my favorite of U2 album, but it is tough to hate on. The Edge is at his best here.
Knew more songs from them then I thought
Superb album for its time and really holds up.
An obvious classic but one where there is a noticeable drop off between the singles and the album tracks.
Can’t believe how many bangers were on this. Love the edge.
I suspect the haters will be out for this but I need to defend the lads. Where The Streets Have No Name goes on the list of great openers (how many venues use this to start games/documentaries). The first 3 songs are bangers and sound HUGE... U2's bass/drum section is always quite simple but in the pocket and I love them for that. This album is Bono and The Edge at the peak of their powers. Yes, Bono is indulgent and talks about God too much...docking him one star.
It’s a great album held back from being a perfect album by the second side being a big downgrade from the first side. But it is a must-listen (#49).
Quality songs with deep lyrics
We're two-for-two now on albums I have on vinyl. This one is pretty much chockablock with big tunes. I was under the impression that The Joshua Tree was front-loaded with hits and then trailed off pretty quickly into Lanois-style atmospherics, but it doesn't start to waft away until the middle of side 2. Even then... I remember this being the talk of campus when it was scheduled to come out my freshman year. I also recall listening to the cassette on repeat (auto-reverse) in my girlfriend's dorm room. Perhaps as a result, I have a hard time being objective about this one.
There's an expansiveness, maturity, and confidence to this album that really makes it work well. I like this one much better than the previous U2 album we had.
Ok
You know, I’ve been looking at the “controversial artists” portion on my summary and thought what band would probably even go in there. What type of band would even fit that category where I would like and hate albums from the same band? Today, I found out that U2 might fit that bill. I don’t care for U2. Anytime a radio station play a song from them, I change it. It’s mostly because of Bono’s borderline whiny voice. But, I don’t completely despise U2. That leads to this predicament; I didn’t hate this. I feel that this might be the band’s best material. Now that’s not going to say a lot. Bono is still a whiny twat on this album and this album fizzled a bit as it reached the end. But this is as tolerable as U2 can get for me. Honestly, the three opening tracks alone seal the deal and make up for the inferior second half. I don’t know when I’ll get another U2 album. I know there will be another, hopefully at least 300 or more albums from now. But I’ll pretty sure this is the peak for U2 for me. If not, I think I have a problem. Favorite track: With or Without You Other hits: I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Where the Streets Have No Name, Running to Stand Still, Red Mill Mining Town, One Tree Hill
Très bon avec des classiques
83/100
Perhaps U2's best album, even if a bit uneven. It has a special place in my heart. 8/10
Excellent
Very Berry Good :D - "With Or Without You," "Where The Streets Have No Name," "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," "Running To Stand Still," "Trip Through Your Wires," "Mothers Of The Disappeared" Pretty Alright :) - Everything Else Yucky :P - None
Some of the classics by U2. Love the overall rock sound.
Len called me one day in a right panic. He said some Irish lads have started calling themselves Houmous & Chutney! I said no chance. No one would be stupid enough to try to steal the name of such an iconic band. We bumped into Bono when they were supporting Bananarama. He looked nervous and shouted ‘Houmous & Chutney?’ We shouted back ‘You Too?’…..he looked startled then said ‘Yeah, that’s us!’……Next thing you know, he’s got The Edge, Adam Clayton and the other one in a huddle. Suddenly U2 are announced on stage. We couldn’t believe it! 3.5
Opens with some classics and is a pretty solid album all the way through. Something about it just doesn’t make it hit that next level for me though.
Onpas siitä aikaa kun olen tämän kuunnellut. Ilmeiset hitit ei enää jaksa purasta mutta esim, Bullet the blue sky nappas otteen. Maailmaasyleilevyys ei ehkä oo tällä hetkellä niin pop mutta onhan levy hyvä. 4/5
I think what makes this U2’s biggest record is balance. Not leaning too far in one direction, staying true north in search of something unfindable. They locate awe and violence in that search. From a songwriting perspective this is a phenomenal album, a look into America as a myth and as a crushing reality. Bono’s lyrics seek to square the expansive divide between the dream that America represents and the miserable amount of blood spilled to justify it. It’s intellectual but at the same time arena ready and universally captivating. Musically is where things lose some of their sheen for me. For the time, I can hear the immense influence a record like this has on rock music but the aforementioned balance that aids the songwriting seems to hinder the musical freedom. They all sound like songs trying to break out of an unbreakable box. Interminably attached to a soupy formula that at times piques the interest between Bono’s ghastly wails and the ferocity of the instrumentation but for the most part of the record the atmospheric density takes center stage which in some cases hinders the effectiveness of the songwriting and rawness the band desperately wants to present. Fantastic record, but sounds a whole lot like U2 :)
i dont want to like it but its good
Good stuff
Album made U2 superstars. The first 3 hits are awesome, the rest is very good pop rock, but not really bangers.
7/10
Ahhh, the memories
The best songs on this album for me are "Within Without You", "Bullet The Blue Sky", and "Exit". "Where The Streets Have No Name", and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" are also nice. The rest was so-so for me. I feel like this is a 3.5 for me, but 4 feels a little too high. All the same since I gave War a 3 and I do like this more, I suppose 4 will have to do.
I still haven't found what I'm looking for saved my life
Starts out with great promise. The Anger and longing feel personal yet also political and the songs are infused with momentum. Then it starts to meander and drift. Feeling preachy and overly careful. I saw them in this tour and I really never listened to a whole album by th after this. The concert was a mess and I longed for for the U2 that was raw and full of power.
Never actually sat down and listened to this album, though I was familiar with the hits. The hits are unreal, but Bono’s ramblings elsewhere aren’t as enjoyable and drag it down a bit.
A timeless classic that blends anthemic rock with introspective lyrics. The album's iconic tracks like "With or Without You" and "Where the Streets Have No Name" showcase the band's ability to craft powerful melodies and emotionally resonant messages. While some may find the album's grandiosity excessive, its impact on popular music is undeniable, making it a must-listen for any rock fan.
Very spiritual, the edge is truly singular.
As annoying as Bono can be, U2, particularly during the 80’s and 90’s, were a pretty important and influential band. This is considered by most to be their best work, but I have always struggled with this album. There are a few bangers on it but I feel there is also a lot of filler. With or without you is an awesome track and may actually be my favourite u2 song. I’m giving it 3.5 stars (rounding up to 4) three of these stars are for the track ‘with or without you’
I know U2 catches a lot of stereotypes and flak, but this record is really good. Such a pleasant and inspiring vibe on each song and the album flows together very well. Bono is one-of-a-kind with his voice and lyrics and the band comes together to make it sound so complete. I really enjoyed this one and I'm starting to understand why U2 has such a following.
Excellent album that I own and have heard many times. I was at just the right age when it came out and it was a regular in my lineup. It was very popular and has a ton of great songs. Even the less mainstream songs are great, in my opinion.
The frontiest of front-loads. Starts in euphoria then falls off like a mf. Still remarkably solid for all that.
Sort of struggling with rating this one. The singles are so good, but the rest is a little bland in all honesty. I generally like U2, and I know I’ve listened to this album before, but I remember liking this more when I listened to it previously. I enjoyed it, but I wanted to enjoy it more. Waffling between a 3 and 4 here, but ultimately I’m going to round up.
After hearing the rest of U2’s discography from the podcast “U Talkin’ U2 2 Me?”, I already knew this was my favorite of their albums. It’s always nice to revisit though. As much of a bad rap the band gets, they truly had some of the catchiest, most beautiful melodic rock of the 80s and 90s. Notable Tracks: - Where The Streets Have No Name - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - probably my favorite U2 song - With Or Without You - In God's Country 8/10
U Talking U2 2 Me?
Didn’t even have to listen to this one to say that it’s seminal in my understanding of music and the feeling that it brings. It was sort of my “British Invasion”. Not a big fan anymore either, but this album stands shoulders above most from any era.
This album still sounds beautiful. Not a huge U2 fan but can appreciate this for sure. I’m a fan of Daniel Lanois and you can’t underestimate his contribution to this sound. This album is the sound of a band hitting their peak.
A few bangers, rest is decent 3.8
Over produced and musically it is kind of boring. But I still sing along to over half the album.
I liked the early U@. Strong opening 4 tracks, but faded after that.
As popular and sell outs as they became, I never really hated the material U2 put out. I mainly like their earlier 80's output but almost anything they've done is fine by me. This one starts off with 3 of their biggest hits and then runs through a bunch of great deep cuts. Bullet the Blue Sky and Red Hill Mining Town were my favorites this listen. Not a big fan of the last track though, doesn't add anything and the album was already hard enough to cram onto 1 LP.
Solid album. Definitely a consistent sound throughout. Appreciated The Edge's innovation this time around
Just thinking of how much of a cocky, wannabe know it all, punchable face, fake rock idol dickhead Bono is, I want to give this a zero star. However, I can’t deny this album based on the fact that it produced 4 decent songs and they are listed one after another on the album. It doesn’t get better after those songs. I really shouldn’t say this is a rock album because it’s too “soft” in my opinion but it’s almost peak U2 and you can’t deny the power they once had over the music world. I think if you appreciate other music and just aren’t into hip hop or death metal, you will like this album. Choice cut: With or Without You
First 3 songs are great, rest of the album is solid but not as strong
Our favorite camping site. Solid album.
Quite good enjoyed this well produced album
bis auf die zwei "Überhits" ganz ok
Solid. U2 is not my favorite
I mean, it starts with U2's best song ever (where the strees hafve no name) and follows it up with several other hits. My only complaint is that after WtSHNN, nothign else on the album cmes close to being as good, so it does feel like a big bang and a slow dizzle. but still worth listening, to.
SICK album I'll give it 4 starts
Great light rock album, fun riffs and good mix of songs
Very good
Very very good
My take: the only 3 good U2 songs are on this album. Obviously I'm not a U2 fan. The rest of the album didn't stir me. I think I'd like their music more if they weren't so wildly successful, as I often like ambient or progressive rock similar to U2's style. But the fact that Bono heads this band and they have a proclivity towards pretentiousness is a huge turn off for me. I think this says more about me than about the band.
8.5/10, klasika, velmi konsistentní zvuk mezi skladbami (+ i -), delay city, legendární začátek, slabší druhá půlka.
(FIRST TIME LISTEN) where the streets have no name - 4/5 i still haven’t found what i’m looking for - 4/5 with or without you - 4.5/5 bullet the blue sky - 4.5/5 running to stand still - 4/5 red hill mining town - 5/5 in gods country - 4/5 trip through your wires - 4/5 one tree hill - 4/5 exit - 4.5/5 mothers of the disappeared - 4/5 overall rating: 4.5/5. omg i was not expecting to like a u2 record as much as i did !! this was so good and made me want to listen to more u2 tbh
I wish I remembered how I felt when I heard these songs for the first time. Crazy.
This album is pretty perfect. AFter seeing the eno documentary i have a newfound appreciation for it. The edge is the weapon man all of his guitar playing rules and he does all the harmonies
WHERE THE STREETS HAVE NO NAAAAAME
Great album. Includes mega hits I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For and With Or Without You. Engaging use of stereo in the mix. Has a few really boring songs that could have been left out like for example the two last ones.
This is an album with such a good start and ends with a whimper
at the time, I didn't like this album but I know it was the commercial success it attained. years later i came to appreciate the album as a whole.
I like U2.
It starts so strong, but fades off. No wonder I never listened that much to the second side of the album...
So torn. Want to give this a 4.5. I mean it is magnificent and gets my hairs standing on end at times but there is something stopping me from giving this a 5. Slight pomposity, slightly dated? Idk
First three here are absolutely superb, the rest let it down a bit. The Simpsons: Yes
Strong first three. The rest weren't too bad. Surprised I enjoyed this album.
4.1 1x catchup 10/11
So U2. Very cool.
Even the Wikipedia article on this record is so pretentious. I’ll give it a good rating though because With or Without You is a banger.
Solid album. Unfortunately the band (well, at least Bono) has become a bit much over the years, but I still appreciate this earlier music.
I don’t love U2 but this is a very good album.
first three tracks truly incredible run
Good album
Classic
bonded a little more with side b this time, first few songs still absolutely the strongest of the bunch.
I was over exposed to this album when it came out. I was't looking forward to hearing it again. However, after over 25 years, this album is great. Eno and Lanois did a great production job. The songs are all either good or excellent.
Good vibe for walking to work on a sunny morning slightly hungover Fave tracks: Where the Streets have no name I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For Exit - unexpectedly rips A bit front-loaded
Pretty good
Well, it's my first album on this(nearly) three year journey, and this was a phenomenal way to begin this journey. This album makes me emotional, and the feeling it gives me is surreal. This is classic U2, and it also features one of my Favorite songs of all time("I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"). While it could have had a bit more variety, I thoroughly enjoyed the album. Favorite song on the album: "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"(Side One; Track Two).
Tough to beat the 1-2-3 punch off the top.
Can see why U2 were a juggernaut in the 90s. What an opening 3 track run
I didn’t care for the album at first, but after a friend urged me to listen again it grew on me. Not the hugest U2 fan, but this album and Rattle and Hum had some gems.
Classic
Sweeping stadium hits that made U2 U2. I've never really focused on the Edge's guitar playing before. It's deep, full of texture and interesting. They were firing on all cylinders here and Bono wasn't quite nauseatingly self-righteous yet...
En vrai c’est sympa hein il y a des bon titre
First three tracks are absolute classics, the rest is pretty meh
theyve got some pretty good bangers in there! u2 is like radiohead for people who watch a lot of hallmark movies.
Quite fun
Side A is undeniably a stone cold classic.
This is the closest I will get to liking a U2 album. Bono is still an ass and The Edge's guitar riffs still suck, though. Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5
Maybe this caught me on a good day. Beautiful production. Great music. 8/10 I still think bono is a wanker
Classic
Some great classic tracks
that opening trio of streets -> looking for -> w or without you is unreal. such a great opening. honestly u2 get some slack but this is solid great rock music. sure it's not unimaginable genius but it is so universally appealing
Surprisingly easy listening and very rounded album. Forgot how good U2 are.
Great album with Standouts in Where The Streets Have No Name, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, and Red Hill Mining Town.
The first 3 songs of this album might be the best 3 song stretch of U2's discography, which is impressive considering how many albums they have. Those 3 songs alone help take this album up a notch. The problem is the rest of the album is fairly forgettable. You could replace the last 8 songs with any random combo of U2 songs and the album would probably be very similar. Overall this album is good and probably U2 at their best, even if I had issues with parts of it
Mye rått 😎 kult trommespill på flere låter 😄 Fet avslutning, og mye kult i tillegg til bra og ikonisk vokal 😄
I liked this one a lot! first track was my favorite.
The iconic U2 sound
Pretty solid. Last track broke me. 4/5
The first 3 tracks are really iconic, and the rest of the album was solid. It held up a fun vibe throughout and I was particularly impressed by the closing tracks.
Reviews here seem to be a binary choice: sycophantic love or vitriolic hate. Full disclosure I'm an ardent fan, and find the dynamic remarkable with both sides of the argument equally annoying. Oh but the album? I can’t be objective, and it was released when I was at the impressionable age of 15, so it was voluntarily played to death. That said, the songs endure for me, and Exit is still the underrated rager on this, but it’s not their best nor my favorite.
Very good. Not a huge U2 fan, but it’s hard to go lower than this.
2024-05-27...
Very good
Right out the gate, the first three songs. Bam. Classic.
Own this. It is actually a pretty decent album. Unfortunately the problem with U2 is that due to the extend they have and continue to be over-hyped it is very dificult to seperate the music from all the BS surrounding U2. Trying to ignore the BS as much as possible this is a pretty good album, not a masterpiece but OK.
Amazing album, the first half is absolutely flawless.
One of the best Side 1 Track 1s of all time.
Strong open but then just kinda goes downhill after the first few tracks
Weird this was being posted on Reddit yesterday and now it's my AotD.
I can't always listen to U2's dark and melancholy attitude. Today I went back to listening to different albums and tracks. Lemon, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Sweetest Thing or The Wanderer with the incomparable Jonny Cash.
Wasn’t really expecting to like this, not a huge u2 fan, but the first 3-4 songs are certified bangers. Kinda fell off for me after that but considering the rest of the stuff on the list I think this gets a 4
This was fantastic, almost no skips, great melodies.
The first half are all bangers, classic U2 stuff. They really know how to play simple but effective stadium rock. Everyone gives each other space. By the second half I sick of Bono’s voice though.
Radio has ruined this one a bit because I have heard these tracks thousands of times but the less known tracks were worth it and overall it is a great album
Pretty solid. Not sure I’d listen to again
One of my favorites
7.5/10
It's hard to listen to this album and not think back to when it was released. I was 20 years old and the record was absolutely huge when this came out. U2 was inescapable. I saw them on this tour and they played two nights at the Oakland Coliseum. That place probably hold 70,000 people. Half these songs are burned into my head thanks to much MTV and radio airplay. It's hard to listen to this album objectively. It's...U2. It's just understood, but listen to it I have. It's pretty good.
It’s a Classic
I've always loved this album because of what I was doing in my life at the time that it came out and I saw them perform this album twice the year it was released. But it's always felt like sleepy Rock and roll to me and it's hard to not cross classify it as a folk rock album and I don't know if that was their intention to be so softly defined like that or not. Easy 4 Star album though.
Ok, I know that Bono is a pompous arse and that the band have turned avoiding tax into an art form, not to mention that I had an ex that played this all the time, but the opening to this album still makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. I suspect that is mainly due to the production work of Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois who conjure huge soundscapes evoking a mythic America. The wiki is a fun read especially Eno threatening to burn the master tapes!
This is arguably hell of a record. Whatever U2 became, they were able, in the '80s, to release albums that were commercial success with really interesting music, ambiant sounds, a bit of experimentation, far from the easy and obvious stadium pop-rock other produced at the same time. After a few seconds I was already far, far away, taken back to old memories with this unforgettable riff. The album is a bit too long though and the second part of the album has less obvious hits than the first part.
The first few songs on the album are doing a lot of heavy lifting for these 4 stars but I also liked “trip through your wires” and the last couple of tracks.
Best U2 album
e super su al kunem se da im je svaka pjesma ista
I know this is a classic but it’s not a 5 for me. The first three tracks are fantastic but the rest sound too similar and not as good. It’s still a great listen. I feel like U2 and Coldplay are the same vibe. High 4.
A great album. I like Achtung Baby better than this but this is still good. The first 3 songs were amazing. A bit of a drop off after that.
This was a great album, always love listening to U2 Top tracks: Where The Streets Have No Name, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, With Or Without You, Bullet The Blue Sky
I went in biased not really liking U2, but this album wasn't bad.
Easy to see why this album is considered a classic. Starts out with 3 huge songs though it fades a bit on the second half. Largely compelling material in an album with no real weak spots.
A classic. Cinematic. Just never really got into U2 tho
Really good!
Here's to Mr. Joshua and his marvelous tree! We hardly knew you! This record feels as if someone told Bono and company to go create a hit machine. But halfway through production, the machine ran into a few bugs and couldn't quite finish delivering, but that bug was just due to over exhaustion of the machine pumping out four ultra supersonic mega hits. What was I saying? Yeah, Joshua Tree. Good album. I don't need to tell you that. I WILL say give the back half another listen if you, like me, are more inclined to migrate toward the mega hits. The closer on this record is fantastic.
Great
I've listened to so much U2 and supporting media and I think this is the most they're ever going to get from me. Don't dislike. Appreciate. Just very rarely reach for.
Classique
Not bad
Great Jams
Definitely how legendary this album is. Will defintiely listen to the whole thing. This album just has so many good songs. Pretty much the first half of the album is a classic.
Apologies for fussing in 2014, their shit slaps
Every time a child in Africa dies, Bono claps his hands
Idk if I will ever listen to this again but idk I like it mby I'm in good mood, I'll give a 4, shits not bad, like all the songs are enjoyable
Low 4. Some great songs
Probably not their most important album, but one of the most well-known.
I wore this album out back in the day. Haven’t listened to it in 20+ years. It’s great.
Beautiful vocals, shimmery guitars. Very nice!
I cannot count the number of times I listened to this on my walkman, full blast, in the middle of the night. Pretty sure it was a bootleg cassette, too. Bullet the Blue Sky, Running to Stand Still, In God’s Country, all still solid. The hits were hits for a reason, even if they were played to death. Anyone my age will struggle not to sing along. It’s reflexive. Yes, they became insufferable after this, but it was a big deal at the time. And there’s really lovely production work here. Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois really worked a bit of magic to give U2 their big sweeping sound. Not my favorite of U2 album, but it is tough to hate on. The Edge is at his best here.
Classic. A window into late 80's music. 80% of the tracks are great songs!
The album is front loaded with classics, but worth sticking around till the end.
I didn't realize so many of U2's heaters were from the same album. Highlights: Where The Streets Have No Name, With Or Without You, Bullet The Blue Sky, Running To Stand Still, One Tree Hill, Exit
The first 3 songs absolutely carry the rest of the album, would've even been a 5 star album had they kept that tempo, but unfortunately the album falls off.
old U2 is pretty cool
Favorite Tracks: With Or Without You I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For Where The Streets Have No Name
The big problem with this album is it kicks off with the single greatest track in the entire U2 back catalogue and steadily goes down hill from there. It’s still a cracking album and although the second half pales next to the first half it’s a very worthy entry to the 1001
How good can an opening of an album be.
I'm not the biggest U2 fan but I respect their politics and innovation.
I knew so many of the songs already without realising!
Face it, this is the album that propelled U2 from good not quite great to megastar status. Side one is chock full of big ringing anthems, their big swings connecting now rather than just missing like on past albums. Side two is a much quieter affair; at times sounds like they were trying to make a Stones album circa 1969. In summary, although I’ll take “Achtung Baby” over this one any day of the week, this album started them on the road to becoming the huge band they are now, and as such, must be given its due.
Just banger after banger. Then some unfortunate harmonica. Then more bangers. Overall quite good.
Where The Streets Have No Name I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For With Or Without You In God's Country Trip Through Your Wires
Continuing my 1001 albums project after a LONG hiatus. I had only heard the first three tracks before today, but I've always loved those three, especially the opener 'Where The Streets Have No Name'. I was thoroughly impressed by the rest of the album. A very cool style of rock, and magnificent vocals. Really, that voice is killer!
bit whiny ngl can defo see where inhaler gets their inspo from i liked it !
I still havent found a way to remove U2 from my iphone. This is a solid LP, lots of great tracks.
Great album. Could have used an upbeat song or two
Good one
Hate that I really like U2, not sure why I don't want to like U2 but still. Fuck em.
That's nice!
Some of U2’s best work is on this album but it peters out at near the end. Close to a 5 but rounded down.
Well, I guess I still like classic era U2. The usual tracks that have been overplayed to death are still pretty great even if I never need to hear them ever again. But once you get past the usual radio stalwarts, you have some really great songs. "Running to a Standstill" in particular feels like a song that might need to go on my best of list. Same for "Red Hill Mining Town." I even caught myself humming along to "Trip Through Your Wire." This is a solid 4 star that might actually be a 5. Damnit, I thought I was too good for this band.
Lot of U2 classics on this one
Contains 3 out of the 5 U2 songs I know! I do love Bono’s songwriting. Just very epic sounding and just super solid tunes.
Decent
Okay album. Not a U2 fan, but Bullet the Blue Sky is a banger.
Haunting and beautiful. Makes me feel nostalgic for a time I never knew.
Starts off strong with three big hits off the bat. Will be interesting to hear the rest. Solid so far. "In God's Country" caught my attention. Like "One Tree Hill" as well.
Another group I heard of and knew 2 of the songs. Since I watched One Tree Hill, I had to read about the song. It was very interesting, especially since I was in Auckland NZ pre tree cut down but did not know about the tree there!
a fabulous album. brings me back to high school
Grand album
Sounds like a soundtrack from every dramatic tv show for teenagers I ever liked. Nostalgic!
This has 3 really huge radio hits, which have kind of been played to death and in small part ruined. The rest of the record is pretty forgettable to my ears. With that said this one still makes it to a 4 for me - the 3 radio hits off the top are truly stellar and any band would be thankful to have three songs that great in their entire career.
7/10
First 3 songs are pretty timeless. The rest blurs.
Great album - I was not aware about other very interesting songs besides the well known (and not my favorite song) „With or without you“. Songs like „Bullet the blue sky“ are much more what I like. So, 4 stars for the album!
The Joshua Tree Nation Monument has inspired so much great music, I love getting my Zen on there. Some real bangers, blew my mind at the time but sounds a bit dated now. 4/5
Unfortunately the album has aged. Not as good as I remembered
I now understand why the first three and only the first three were radio singles. Amazing five star ep that grew into a four star album
Evergreen
the first 4 songs are incredible. cosplaying as americans. love it. gets a bit wishy washy as it goes along though.
Good album from my younger days. I liked U2 before they became too big.
A lyrical album, but one of the best to lean into lyric rock I’ve heard and they define the genre to some extent with a few of their records. Definitely a nice album
Klassiker von U2 mit Welthits. Am Ende aber doch oft gleich.
Was familiar with a few songs on the album before; all have that familiar-to-me U2 sound to them.
I know their legacy didn't hold up... but those opening pads with the delay, man this is iconic. First 3 tracks are amazing. Bullet the Blue Sky has a groove to is... like the driving bass. Running to Stand Still is also pretty cool. ... Gets a little slow from there. But then pleasantly surprised by Exit! And Mothers of the Disappeared has a nice atmosphere as well. Still, a 4/5 all around. Great album.
Chill gammel rock 4.5 U2 er oppi der
Can’t deny these guys write good stuff. This is the second album from my adolescents that I have to eat crow on. It’s a good album with good song no matter how much I wanted to kick against it because everyone in my high school loved this band. 4/5
I know the first three songs by heart. The others aren't familiar, but not bad to listen to. For all it's from the eighties, it feels more like the nineties in style, which is not a complaint so much an observation.
Had to stop and actually LISTEN to the first three. I wonder if they knew the powerhouses that they had at hand. Had forgotten BTBS was track 4. I feel deceived. The snare part is definitely turned down when the band comes in. What a great album.
Riktig banger! Som är lätt att lyssna rakt igenom. Otroligt stark start som får en att lätt lyssna vidare.
The first three songs are classics, but I'm finding myself enjoying the other songs I haven't heard more (i.e. Bullet the Blue Sky and Trip Through Your Wires). I honestly have more respect for U2 now than I did before. I feel like their "hits" are all pretty one note, but some of the smaller songs show what kind of range and talent they really have. I get more now why dads and my highschool English teacher are so enthralled with U2.
Un albúm exquisito, con canciones para el recuerdo
sehr schönes Album
TOP
Records d'infantesa
lots of bangers, but filler too
Good stuff right here. Throw it back <3
So, I'm not a big U2 fan, but the first four songs are incredible. Very, very good songs, and I thought I was going to have to revise my opinion of them! We were definitely trending towards a 4-4.5 rating. Then the rest of the album happened. Look, it's not bad. It's fine. It's whatever. But I remember why I've always thought U2 was a bit meh. I believe this album is considered their magnum opus, and I can see why - if you're into U2. The album is moody, it's very unique for the 80s and doesn't really show its age in an anachronistic way. Exit is another very good song that's on the back half of the album, but songs like running to stand still and One Tree Hill are just kind of bland, overproduced, overwrought Bono pretentiousness. Still, though, four certified bangers plus another quite good song in Exit means that this can't be considered anything other than a quite good album. Honest to god, the last song, Mothers of the Disappeared was *just* good enough to push me over the edge. I'd love to give it a 3.5, but I think this will be the rare half star rating that gets rounded up. I mean, whether you love U2 or not, no one can deny that it's an all-time classic album.
I don’t know wat to say about U2 - they were never my thing but I have to say this album war very good I don’t think there is anyone on this planet who does not know the first three songs of this album
Liked the guitar tone and love with or without you, sprinkled with other good tracks as well
So close to perfect.
U2 gran álbum 🤩
We all hate U2, I know. It’s the easy band to hate, but I had never actually listened to this full album before. Starts with the “hits” that we all know, but then the fourth track hits and it’s like a totally different band!! I had to double check my app didn’t skip to a different album! No wonder this album is so acclaimed-it’s great! Listen again: yes Purchase for my collection: yes Favourite Song: Bullet the Blue Sky
The first 4 songs definitely carry it, it all kinda felt the same but not really in a bad way. But those first 4 tracks are very solid.
Excellent songwriting from U2, I can see why many people see this as their best.
Summary: Far too many I-IV chord progressions for my comfort. That being said, Bono's voice is stunning, and works for every occasion (in this case, all 11 occasions). Guitars and synths are used tastefully throughout, and the overall sound is full and satisfying. 4/5. Where The Streets Have No Name: An 80s counterpart to Fleetwood Mac's "Second Hand News". Energetic rhythm section backing a soulful, heartfelt lyric about finding your place in the world. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For: Again, just a brilliant atmosphere. The chorus is a little generic, but still powerful and (probably) crowd-energising. Harmonically, not interesting – essentially one chord with heavy textures trying to convince you otherwise. With Or Without You: The singing on this is pretty darn great (although it's easier to pull that off when the melody doesn't deviate much. Hang on, the melody's getting higher. A five-minute emotional arc? ... Yep. Whoa. This song is an anthem if I've ever heard one. Some good guitarwork in here too. Bullet The Blue Sky: Groovy. Two chords, but the almost angsty vocal coupled with a slow, druggy metal instrumental makes up for it. Atmospheric. I think I'm starting to see the band's main strength. Running To Stand Still: A little nondescript until halfway through, with the repeating "Ah la la la de day" lines and the following "Hoooooo!"s and verses. Lyrically: Man, this Bono guy didn't have good relationships [with drugs], did he? Red Hill Mining Town: Okay, the number of I-IV-I-IV-... chord progressions in this album is kind of crazy. Fortunately, I was saved (partially) a few seconds after typing that sentence. A slow, powerful mourning sesh about a worker's strike. Kind of generic-sounding, but Bono's vocal once again saves it. In God's Country: A different chord progression. Huh, actually, this one's the same. No wonder some people (especially "background-listeners") complain about all the songs on this album sounding the same. Fast-paced and possibly more intense than it needed to be. Trip Through Your Wires: Harmonica! I-VII-IV-I is a slight change, but nothing crazy. The vocal harmonies and rhythmic choice of 6/8 time really sell this one for me. One Tree Hill: The gold standard. Every song on the album (after the phenomenal opening trio) is trying to be like this one. The first track where I noticed how much I liked the drums. Simple-but-not-too-simple, effective, repetitive, great. "Run like a river/To the sea..." Bono's going all in on the chorus, and the backing vocals agree. As long as you're okay with the second consecutive VII-IV-I song in a row, this song is probably your jam. Interesting change in atmosphere in the final 30 seconds, almost like a departing prayer. Exit: Kind of an homage to punk, or a tongue-and-cheek reply to the post-punk that was popular around the same time. Also clearly inspired by blues, what with the "caveman bassline" and heavily dorian-mode melody. Fun contrast between the "moody" and "rahhh!" sections. I'm pretty sure the entire song is one chord. Tasteful use of synths - not too overbearing. Mothers Of The Disappeared: Pretty. A good choice to end the album; it wouldn't have worked anywhere else. The fadeout is a little rough.
Taking about starting out with some bangers, the first three songs on this album are iconic. I’m not the biggest U2 fan but you must give due.
Classic. Lots of quality songs, good flow from song to song, good production.