War

Master piece!

Not a big fan but some tunes were enjoyable

The edge makes a shrieking burning sound that no other guitarist can replicate. True signature U2 sound on this album. A band that had truly found their sound and match the musical intensity with lyrics that identified with relevant issues of the time.

A nearly perfect rock album for the ages.

Putting aside for a moment the giant blowhard Bono would become, this album is an absolute banger. They were clearly going for arena rock greatness and they succeeded. Powerful lyrics and vocals, face melting instrumentals, 5/5.

Awesome album!

U2's War is a true classic. It catapulted U2 into major stardom. Spawning a series of staples of the Golden Era of MTV, it is also their finest album. At the time, many of these songs were in regular rotation on new wave or new music radio, and commonly heard in clubs, especially the extended mix of Two Hearts Beat as One. Even today, songs such as Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year's Day are regulars on classic rock radio stations, playlists, and anything 80s. That belies the fact that every song on this album is fantastic. Production is near perfect. But more than a hits-filled record, War speaks with the voice of youth in the 80s. It is unabashedly and aggressively political. Unfortunately, so much of the message is still necessary today. War may be one of the best rock albums ever recorded, and certainly one of the best albums of 80s.

It gets a 5 because of how much I expected to hate it. I never thought I’d like a U2 album

This was one of my favorite records in 1983 and it still is. Everything about it sounded new and urgent and it still does. The Edge and Bono‘s guitar/vocals blend was perfect and Mullin’s drums set the scene for each song. A great album start to finish. I will add that Under a Blood Red Sky is great live record.

Awesome album. Probably my favorite U2 album

All time great album.

There are some top tier U2 tracks on this album. There's a rough rawness to it that U2 lost somewhere in the late 80s. I don't really have anything negative to say about the album, I think its a good un. Fave Tracks: Sunday Bloody Sunday, New Years Day, Drowning Man, "40" 4.8/5

I want sure about this one, but it has some great music. I'll listen again to the lyrics. I know they are heavy and wanted to focus on the music first listen

I never used to understand why people were so into U2. Years ago when I used to listen to the radio, their hits played nonstop and I think I assumed their identity was just those songs and I was getting sick of hearing them. Then I listened to War front to back and they rightfully deserve the love they receive. Sure there are a few songs on here that are one of the many hits played on the radio but in the full context of the album and the time it was released it changed my perspective. I suppose you can say that about most albums you’ve only heard the singles off of until you sit down and actively listen.

Perfect album start to finish. The opening of Sunday Bloody Sunday is iconic. New Year's Day is an absolute classic. Every other song is great, including The Refugee, Two Hearts Beat as One, and "40". Easy 5.

I'm surprised by this album. I have never given U2 the time of day. But this one is good.

Ok I guess I like u2 now

This is a great classic album. Still sounds fresh.

Great

This one still pops for me. A different sound from the first two albums, less echo and reverb, stripped down drums, but still distinctive. There are a couple of songs that aren't really memorable, but this is still a 5 all day. A regular listen on any media.

This is on my best albums of all time list. This was made while U2 was pure and idealistic. They were trying to make a difference and weren't blinded by money and fame. They were so good that I was able to forgive that they were a Christian Rock band. When I think of what U2 was, I think of this album.

Great album. Didn't realise some of the songs were U2

Always a great album

if you have not seen this concert at red rocks go hunt it down it was amazing

Por Sunday Bloody Sunday un 5. no conocía más canciones.

One of my favorite U2 albums! I Will Follow is probably my favorite U2 song. Or maybe Sunday Bloody Sunday. Or perhaps, Two Hearts!…It’s hard to choose!

I can't tell you how many times I've listened to this. It was on constant rotation in my Walkman in high school. I forgive their Christian, pre-Good Friday earnestness and still love most of the songs.

Great!

Een intro met snoeiharde drums en vanaf daar zit je meteen geramd. Geef je iets wat je kent automatisch hogere punten? Maar je kunt er niet omheen dat zoiets als dit gewoon muzikaal, creatief, technisch en emotioneel beter in elkaar zit dan 95% van wat er zoal in deze lijst langskomt. Het onstijgt bovendien de periode dat het gemaakt is. Hoe dan ook, de heren van U2 laten weer eens horen wat ze waard zijn. Strak, lyrisch, met dat enigzins ijle geluid dat zo goed past bij schraal winterweer.

So it's 1983. U2 was one of a dozen bands I was interested in at the time. But if you had told me they were the ones who would end up being the biggest band in the world, I wouldn't have believed you. Their talent was fierce and undeniable, but they seemed like they would always be somewhat on the fringe. Contrasted with the brightness and fluff of early 80s music, U2 simply didn't fit. There's an earnestness and straightforwardness to their sound and their lyrics, born out of punk, that's incredibly disarming. This iteration of their sound lacks the ambiguity of post-punk and the frivolity that came with a lot of MTV-friendly music. It's unabashedly political, urgent in its execution, and lyrically powerful, with substance and heart. It's also incredibly catchy and engaging, anthemic even at times. And quite simply, thanks to the power and the fury of Larry Mullen Jr. and The Edge, it also really rocks. People criticize Bono for his earnestness, but this is the heart of what makes U2 continue to be relevant now, the stuff of all great music. It's music that sears itself into your consciousness and retains its fire, even 40 years on. Why make music, if you can't make music with meaning? This is in a lot of ways a transitional album. It retains some of the rawness of Boy and October, but with flashes of creativity that reveal a desire in the band to move into new musical territory. This album was an important one in my house. They made better, more polished and adventurous albums as the years would go on. But War is a brushfire of an album that stands among the band's finest works. I also just have to say, I’m so grateful that I was around to watch U2 grow and develop as a band. You can like them or hate them, but they're undeniably a generational talent that massively influenced the way much of how rock music would sound moving forward. But there’s still no one else out there quite like them. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorites): New Year's Day, 40, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Like a Song..., Drowning Man, Seconds, Surrender, The Refugee, Red Light

clear, impressive, powerful and loud. the early u2, great!

Always

I’ve been U2-adjacent for most of my life, and Sunday Bloody Sunday has been a favourite of mine since Paramore covered them years back. Such a solid record.

Every U2 album is 5 stars.

In one's own experience, this was a matter of right record at the right time in the right economy and glimpses of right music videos. Or right frontman striking right pose/attitude with the right edgy guitar riffs at right state of adolescence. The net effects was several essential songs – you'll know the ones – for the high school sophomore with some sense – dim, yes, but undeniably awakening – of political consciousness and (more to the point) that music could (and probably should) be more than, you know, Van Halen or Led Zeppelin or Jimmy Buffett (which some fellow dudes were getting into). No mistaking or forgetting the power of this band (Edge's edges, Mullen's martial pounding, Bono's high-minded exhortations [later to become way too much so]). "New Year's Day" and "40" remain all-time faves (the latter perhaps the greatest closing track of any record ever), righteous songs of solace in troubled times, while "Two Hearts" shows U2 could elevate in more secular (even danceable) ways. A landmark effort and strong contender for album of the decade and easily one of the best of the century. With them playing Vegas now for a month plus, one wonders just how such earnest and humble beginnings could lead to such excess and cynicism. Still, the music holds up excellently well.

Glorious

Young and raw! Brought back college days.

Fantastic album, high point of early U2

Bono marry me pls

I love utah

I love this album! The music is arranged so well, and I just love the U2 sound. Almost no notes.

The cover adds at least half a star

- Was under the assumption that U2 was a lame band but this kinda bangs - Insane guitar work - Has an 80s sound but with some great creative edge - Honestly my favorite album we've gotten in a while

It’s been a long time. I forgot how good they used to be. This album holds up. This is why the band got famous in the first place. This deserves a comeback. It’s easily the best thing they ever did. 10/10 bangers front to back. Every song was regularly played on the radio in NYC back in the day.

One of my favorite from U2

First of all, wow! I didn’t know this album was around since ‘83! This rock sound was 20 years ahead of time! Great listening, sounds modern, even today! Solid 5

First time hearing this. Absolutely incredible. Honestly this could've come out any decade afterwards and still sound amazing and fresh.

I’m just in a good fucking mood this morning. And listening to this vehemently anti-war album on the day the news broke that the biggest fucking war criminal on the planet finally kicked it is very cathartic. I’ve also maybe had a bit too much coffee. FUCK YEAH! Rest In Piss Kissinger

Album 237 of 1001 US - War Rating : 5 / 5 (Rounded Up) Favorite Tracks: Sunday Bloody Sunday / New Year's Day Great album. Not sure it is their best. I feel it is about a 4.5 on my scale but will round up. Is a fine listen, all the way through.

The best early album. They all shine

Classic

This album deserves 5 stars for Sunday bloody Sunday alone!

U2 at their best before selling out

J'adore u2 vraiment super créatif Un genre en soi 5

A lot of people bitch about U2 and rag on them, but I am not one of those people. I grew up listening to their music, and I unabashedly like them. Their songs slap. The music is beautiful, the lyrics give you something deeper, something more profound than the average "oh baby I love you" crap a lot of other artists churn out, and they have a higher sense of self-awareness and purpose than other acts do. This album is a cornerstone of their persona as a band and it showcases the way they use music to bring attention to important socio-political issues. I like these lads, and this is one of the most important albums in their discography. It’s also the crucial creative juncture before they reached critical mass and became too formulaic. It's a good listen, I like it a lot and I recommend people take off their shitty "it's so cool to bash on U2" blinders so they can give this album an earnest listen.

Classic

I love this album so much I have it on vinyl. God Sunday Bloody Sunday, New Years Day, Two hearts beat as one, Surrender… so many amazing and important songs, songs of my late teen years. I forever thank my ex for amplifying my love for U2.

Have always loved this one

We have to stop war fr

When I was a young man and first heard "War" I didn't know what I was listening to and even being educated by but I knew I loved it. As an older man, I still find meaning in these songs that are delivered with such devotion and emotion. Every song feels like a live version. It's just a damn great album.

Really good listen, old U2

Jeg er ked af at annoncere at den rocks 🤷 lyder pisse godt

I’m 13 again, the year this album came out. Hiding from my chaotic home life at a friend’s house, listening to this album on repeat.

meg kell hallgatnom mégegyszer nem tudom miért nem hallgattam eddig U2-t

My discovery of how much I enjoy U2 is one of the more unexpected byproducts of this exercise so far. This is, once again, a complete album with great songs, songwriting, arrangements, etc. Hats off to them for exceeding expectations again. Favorite track: Like a Song...

It's always nice to revisit an album i listened to so much when i was younger. I think that with age i have come to experience music differently, nonetheless i still enjoy this album very much. Bono's voice will always be iconic to me.

I LOVED IT, bloody sunday and two hearts bleed as one

This album is from 1983, yet it still feels contextually appropriate.

Forgot how powerful this album is. Nothing else sounded quite like it when it came out. What they did after sounds tame by comparison.

I didn’t know I was a U2 fan, but this album changed my mind!

excellent, better than I remember it being!

I have never taking the time to listen to U2 and I am so sorry I haven’t. favorite listen so far.

Great album!!!

This one has been the most my style so far. I love the vocals, and the guitar, the whole vibe is great. I've listened to it at least 3-4 times

So many gems! Easy 5 from me.

I love U2’s early stuff. Their debut is a desert island record for me. Great songs on this one. Some that I had been tired of due to severe overplay on MS radio but nice to listen to the whole thing with a fresh ear

Top

For a period U2 were sensational. They showed promise on their first two albums, with tracks like I Will Follow, Electric Co., Gloria. On War the quality was at another level, there isn’t a poor song to be found. I remember hearing New Years Day for the first time, it floored me and I became a massive fan. This was rock music, but it was different, yes it had some clear influences but the sound was so fresh, urgent and passionate and their star was on the rise.

Die jaren 80 U2 sound is echt zo te gek! Toen ze nog echt passie in hun muziek gooide en Bono er nog niet als Clown Bassie uitzag. Geweldig album!

Despite featuring Bono, it is still very good. I didn't want to like it, but couldn't help myself.

I listened to a lot of U2's singles as a teenager and into my twenties, but the only album of there's that I've listened to in its entirety before today was Achtung Baby, which I love. My favorite U2 songs have always been from The Unforgettable Fire through the previously mentioned Achtung Baby, but I'll also admit that I think that "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me" is a banger. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this album, since the singles off this album aren't the U2 songs that I typically gravitate towards. However, getting to listen to this album at a deeper level really made me discover a new appreciation for some of U2's songs that I wasn't the biggest fan of in the past. I never realized that "Sunday, Bloody Sunday" had such a militaristic sound to it; the time signature, drums, and guitars give it a feel like a battle hymn. Ironically though, the lyrics are not militaristic, and instead issue a plea to ordinary people to take a stand in their communities and demand an end to sectarian violence. Also, I'd never really given much thought to the lyric "when fact is fiction and TV reality," but it's almost a nice bit of foreshadowing for the criticisms against media that U2 would use as a theme for their Zoo TV tour in the 90's. The thing that's really stuck with me the most after listening to this album, is the piano and guitar on "New Year's Day." The piano melody is so haunting, and it really evokes a feeling of a gray morning on January 1, when the air is cold, wet, and filled with the lingering stench and smoke of fireworks. The scratching, distorted guitar manages to heighten the beauty of the piano's melody, but also further deepen the sense of unease. Lyrically, I think this song points out that even though New Year's Day is a day that's supposed to symbolize rebirth and hope, it can actually be kind of crummy, as it means the end of the holiday season, and a return to life's regular routines. On a grander scale, even though the calendar starts anew, the same wars still wage, and multiple injustices inflict suffering on countless people. SInce I spent so much time writing about those two songs, I'll briefly mention a couple of other songs that I really liked: I loved the bass line on "Seconds," and the message about how quickly and on a grand scale that life can be snuffed out in our modern world. "Two Hearts Beat As One" was fantastic as well, with it's powerful chorus and great guitar playing. Overall, this was a fantastic album, and it gave me a new appreciation for this era of U2's music, which before now was not really my taste. I loved the political and social messages in the lyrics, and the instrumentation is great, as U2 starts to shift away from their earlier post-punk sound, and more towards their very own unique brand of "pop arena rock" that they've built a solid career on.

Against all better judgement I loved this

Are the first few seconds of "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "New Year's Day" iconic or what? Although I never owned this album, it is the one that introduced me to U2 and the one that I probably think of as THE iconic U2 album, even more so than Joshua Tree. Listening to it today was brilliant, and I think I appreciate it more now than I did then.

Excellent! The last track transported me to the Joshua Tree concert. The connection to an arena full of strangers was profound.

Watching this band leave the stage one-by-one as a crowd of 20,000 continues to sing, "How long to sing this song," is the most religious experience I've ever had. So many layers on this record, musically and lyrically, and from guys in their early, early twenties. Babies. I love it.

Pretty great! I liked almost every song to my Spotify playlist. “Red Light” is a cool song! The instrumentation and composition of just about every song is very deliberate and interesting (particularly the guitar riffs). I will definitely re-listen sometime! Also the album cover is very striking and memorable.

Loved it then. Love it now

Ooooooh. 2 U2 albums in 4 days. Am (a little) too young to have been into "early" U2 - am very much the Achtung Baby / Zooropa era, but all the signs are there. Easy to say in hindsight, but this was clearly a band hitting their groove with the key elements falling into place - Larry's heavy beat, Edge jangling away........ top notch album, and they were only getting better from here.

Por Sunday Bloody Sunday un 5. no conocía más canciones.

A great album, one of U2's best. For me the stand-out tracks are "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "New Year's Day", but I also like "Drowning Man" and "40".

meh. way too underrated.

This is quintessential alternative. Bono's energy and passion raise many of these from songs into anthems. When Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year's Day were first introduced, it was impossible to not be captivated. Beyond those two, the album is still filled with nearly all engaging tracks, ballads ("40"), more ethereal ("Drowning Man") and driving ("Like a Song", "Two Hearts"). Very enjoyable.

One of the greatest albums ever!!

U2 was my favorite band for many years, and this era is just spectacular. They were one of the best post punk bands, and it's because of them I learned a bit about Irish religion & politics. Sharp songs & lyrics. Excellent. I hope we get to hear Boy & October since they feel like part of an early U2 trifecta. 5 stars.

Ok I already thought this was my favorite U2 album but it's even better than I thought. Bass + drums are the MVP here, esp the drums. Gorramn.

Such a great album - my favourite U2 album by far. Sunday Bloody Sunday makes me want to run through a wall. Adam and The Edge sound sp amazing on this disc. Can’t give it anything but the full appreciation.

I usually saw that Joshua Tree and Achtung are 1 & 2 when it comes to U2, but War is probably as good as at least Achtung. The obvious three; Sunday Bloody Sunday, New Years Day & Two Hearts are obviously brilliant but Surrender is a really low key underrated u2 hem. Seconds is excellent and 40 is a great tune too. This has to be a Low/Mid 5. It's outstanding

Fantastic

I've listened to this album many, many times. There was a period when I would have put U2 in my top 5 favorite bands. For me personally, this album and "The Joshua Tree" are the best of their albums and when I feel that they were at their best. In my opinion, this album is just one rung below "The Joshua Tree", as I think there are a couple of "misses" on this album, where "The Joshua Tree" has no misses. But I love this version of U2. Songs with a message. The Edge's guitar. Interesting drums from Larry Mullen, Jr. Bono's vocals at their best. "New Year's Day" is probably one of my favorite U2 songs.

Cool cover. Nice bright sound.

On their 3rd album. WAR, U2 provides a protest album that focuses on humanity instead of taking a political side. It weaves human tragedy, solidarity, and anxiety with militaristic rhythms that proves gritty, politically charged post-punk can compete with mainstream pop.

Classic

I like you too! I mean,I like you two! I mean, I like U2! Spelling matters.

Myślałem, że będzie mocno średnie, a naprawdę fajne. Przekonuję się. 4/5

Another classic. Their sound in their subsequent album, The Joshua Tree, is more 'signature U2' to me than what's heard here. War is wider reaching, and has tracks which are much less enjoyable than others. Julia has War on vinyl, bought from a schoolmate who had decided she didn't want to keep it.

Now THIS is the U2 I loved and wish everyone knew. Classic album. Great lyrical content. Well done! (Bono, I’m from the future. Two things. Sometimes learn to not be so preachy. And most importantly…stay off of everyone’s iPods.)

is some good u2 💥sunday bloody sunday 💥seconds 💥new years day 💥like a song 💥refugee 💥two hearts beat as one

shit rips RIP the irish people

Music which was unavoidable when growing up. The soundtrack of the early years of going out. So a trip to memory lane. As band I lost interest in U2 after the Joshua Tree, but the albums before that are still albums I listen to occasionally with a lot of pleasure, so 4/5.

The only award U2 deserve these days is for the world’s cringiest band (who can forget Nancy Pelosi condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with a poem from her ‘good friend Bono’). But here we get evidence that they did once have something about them. The strength of this album is in the first half, with opener Sunday, Bloody Sunday a powerful way to start (really encapsulates the frustration of a Sunday), and New Year’s Day is also a strong track alongside. In all, we get a good rock sound paired with politics remarkably more than vapid liberal symbolism. However, it does tail off in a more placid second half. Enough to hang on for 4 though.

I liked this more than expected, given my general impression of U2 as purveyors of middle-of-the-road rock. In their earlier days, though, they did produce some great post-punk/new wave tracks, as demonstrated here.

Didn't take notes during the listen, not my usual cup of tea and was more or less what I imagined, was very fond of the guitar and bass, wasn't a huge fan of the vocalist, quite enjoyable in a chill context but definitely not my first pick.

Good

Thought it was the boy album for a sec

For the longest time I never really gave U2 a chance. Maybe it was their more modern stuff, but I really enjoyed this. 4/5

Back when U2 were good

Super catchy and a little wild

I’ve always fucked with U2 but I’ve never listened to this entire album. Sunday Bloody Sunday is one of my favorite songs to blast in the car it always goes so hard. Red Light was my favorite unfamiliar song for sure. 4.5/5 ⭐️

Always hear people shitting on U2 but I actually quite like their music. Refugees is the one song on this album that my dad played the most, and thus is my favorite of the pack.

Valió la pena cada minuto del album, lo volvería a escuchar

a transformative album of my youth. Here they perfected their style of embedding these rushing emotional and uplifting moments of passion in their songs, including on "New Years Day" (at "say it's true, it's true"). The trumpet on Red Light always catches me off guard in a good way. beautiful coda at the end with "40". U2 at its best, but not at its most popular.

A really good album. Four stars!

U2 takes a lot of shit from haters. I get it. Bono can be a bit annoying. But up through 'The Joshua Tree' they were excellent. War put them on the map. I'm close to giving it a 5, but it falls just a bit short of that as the second half has a couple forgettable tracks. I don't know if it makes the 1001 list, but 'The Joshua Tree' probably would get a 5 from me.

Yes Bono is a pompous ass but U2 had a moment in the early 80s.

At least 40 years, that's how long. (I don't actually hate this album. It sounded pretty good back then and it holds up)

This band has become risible in its later life. But man do I love their early stuff. You can really hear a critical group on the come up here. Such a good album, revealing excellent things to come. Always loved this album. Always will.

"Sunday Bloody Sunday" is such a catchy song barely remember anything else, but know they were all good.

C’est de la bonne musique, mais trop oubliable à mon goût, les deux titres phares font le taff mais j’ai reçu un peu d’ennui à part ça

Despite all the detractors, I like U2. This was a good opportunity for me to listen to one of their albums that I am less familiar with. Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year's Day are two songs I already know and rate highly, the rest of the album was, I think, new to me. I liked it overall. A bit rougher, a bit punkier than their later albums (I know their work from 1987's Joshua Tree onward much better). I would listen to this again.

The first half of this album is absolute post-punk perfection. The raw, driving energy and military-style drums create exactly the kind of dark, aggressive atmosphere I love. I honestly thought I was listening to a 5/5 masterpiece because the A-side is incredibly strong, especially 'New Year's Day'. But the B-side completely lost me. It dropped that intense energy entirely and felt like a huge drop-off. Still, the first five tracks are legendary and went straight into my playlist. A solid 4/5

New Year's Day, Sunday Bloody Sunday,Two Hearts and a load of filler. But no. Not a load of filler. Actually pretty darn good. Which is sad because U2 is a band I really want to despise. I must learn to separate the product from the personnel. Dammit

A solid set, their most cohesive lp up to this point. Still a great listen.

A very solid album and my favorite from U2. Post-punk before they became pop and I appreciate it more than their later music which evolved to adult alternative and abandoned their punk beginnings.

I forgot U2 is actually a really great band. This is a very good album.

Perfect album. "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "New Year's Day" are the masterpieces.

was always under the impression U2 weren't for me. i actually really liked this, really good opening couple of tracks and i'm thankful to have been proven wrong about them...

didn't really excite nor captivate me, but it's alright, a somewhat enjoyable experience

I'll give this an extra star for mom but eh U2 is not my jam. I do love Sunday Bloody Sunday but it blended together a bit for me

This is U2's debut, right? No? It's their third? Hmm, who knew? I knew the two big songs going in and loved them, and I'll probably add another couple to the playlist. The rest of the album is fine. I'd have probably liked it more if I'd grown up with the band properly, and I may like it more with a few more listens. But on first listen it's a three stars. I'm happy to raise to a 4 thanks to its cultural significance.

I think I had unfair opinions on U2 because of their meme-y early 00s stuff that I was more familiar with, but you know what this album was pretty good and I enjoyed it. It was the right amount of sincere anti-war and anti-violence stuff that really worked, and honestly sounded better than the stuff I'm used to of them. Fair play!

U2 are one of those bands where it's a shame they turned so naff because this is actually really good. if it was by a band under a different name I reckon more cool kids would be quite into it the same way they are with other 80s post punk. that's my hot take!

I'm a sucker for catchy guitar riffs. It's a good protest album It feels both modern and retro I enjoyed listening to this.

Smooth music, fun jams!

I always enjoy listening to the earlier U2 albums. This one still hits with its messaging and great tracks in a more stripped down sound.

Never really a big U2 fan, but hard to argue that they make good music even if not quite your thing

Æ huske ikke om det her e et av albuman til U2 det e lov å like, æ tror det (og æ bryr mæ jo lite om ka som e lov og ikke), og æ kan skjønne koffor. Det e lettlytta, sjøl om æ tror materien hadde fortjent en dypere innsats. Det hete tross alt War.

I think the perception of U2 depends entirely on what age were you when you paid attention to their music and what stage of their careers was the band at that time. In my case it was between the Batman Forever song and the Sweetest Thing era. At that point I swam into their earlier discography and quickly became a big fan of theirs enjoying their straighforward and borderline simple instrumentation creating songs that can only becontained in stadiums with great social lyrics being well versed on the injustices of the world. There was always something new to learn on each of their albums. War was the album I listened to the most easily, as much as Joshua Tree. The singles were inescapable, Seconds, Two Hearts and 40 were great discoveries, the whole album experience was very rewarding from start to finish. I never considered this a concept album, but it very well could be seen this way. I'll rate this objectively regardless of their future as a band (and rich tax avoiding human beings).

Classic album that maybe doesn't have as many hits as subsequent U2 albums but also doesn't feel like it is delivering on a promise. Just feels like a band making a good album. If I'd never heard of U2 as an almost cultural phenomenon I think I might even be more charitable to this venture. I've always kind of resented their twee "we care a lot" corporate nonsense. I'm sure they genuinely do as people but they are a commodity form of caring. This album was prior to all of that postulated "radicalism" that wasn't ever radical. It's just a pretty solid 4 for me.

Did every teen in the 90s go through a U2 phase? I definitely did. U2 is probably my favorite road trip band. There were a few skip songs for me on this album though, so that drops the score down one star for me.

This was fine. It has Sunday Bloody Sunday on it, so thats a great song, so are many of the others. For a minute I wasnt sure if I was listening to that greatest hits of 80s album.

It's a classic, but I think mostly because it has a few spectacularly good songs. The rest are uneven, although certainly there's nothing bad here. Some of the songs just don't feel finished. I was struck by a few things on this listen: - Larry's drumming is really good, and drives the album just as much as the vocals and guitar - Edge's background vocals are (always) underrated, and there's a call-and-response arrangement for him and Bono on the majority of the songs. - This still sounds like a post-punk album more than the Lanois/Eno-produced atmospheric albums to come, but you can absolutely here Edge developing the guitar sounds that would dominate Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby.

Enjoyed this one a lot!! Reading that it was their most political record was also exceptionally interesting. I really enjoyed the stripped back guitars here-- not a lot of reverb or other messing around, just solid guitar solid drums. The pointed political nature of the lyrics was also a really nice change of pace. I figure not a lot of their other records sound this way and I really like it! Highlights: Sunday Bloody Sunday, New Year's Day, The Refugee, Two Hearts Beat As One

No sé quien me había hecho creer que U2 era malo cuando claramente es algo que me gustaría. Se me pasó super rápido

I cannot possibly be objective with the first CD that i ever bought. and, honestly, who gives af about objectivity here? it's not my favorite u2 album, but it's still a great one

so wild to kick things off with sunday bloody sunday and still have the rest of the album be this good

By the mid 80s, U2 were treading an interesting line with War between post-punk rock, new wave and pop. New Year's Day, with a bass line inspired by Visage's Fade To Grey, became their biggest hit so far, creeping into the UK top ten, and they were becoming everyone's favourite up-and-coming band. It was nice to look back on this as I listened to this album for the first time in 30 or so years. It's amazing consistently strong album, with high points being the aforementioned New Year's Day and Two Hearts Beat As One. Like A Song and Surrender are strong album tracks and I also have a soft spot for Drowning Man. Sunday Bloody Sunday starts well but meanders around too much in the middle of the song and 40 is an odd choice for a closing track. Lyrically, the band don't pin their colours to any particular mast too securely - people lose in war, no matter whose side they're on. They've pretty much followed this manta throughout, supporting the morally right ideal and speaking out against idiots. A fine example of some of their earlier work. 4 stars.

Rating:★★★★ Classic Album. So many great songs that I find myself coming back to, so once I saw this album pop up, I knew I was in for a treat.

awesome one. I've slept on this hard. Mix for some U2 stuff drives me crazy sometimes though, I just want it to sound clear!!! And I'm not even an audiophile at all

Never would I have thought that I would rate a bloody u2 album 4/5. This list reveals parts of yourself that you may not be ready for.

i see why they put it oln every pihone

Esa batería militar, seca y al frente de Larry Mullen Jr., combinada con los riffs afilados y espaciales de The Edge, son exactamente el sello de ese sonido "espeso", crudo y urgente de los tempranos 80.

Une ouverture puissante portée par des classiques incontournables. Un enchaînement très solide et cohérent, sans aucun vrai faux pas. Un très bon album, efficace du début à la fin.

It's nice to return to a time when U2 didn't have all the complicated sociocultural baggage associated with them, and just admire this excellent early album. The earnestness feels sincere and anthemic and not too pompous. About half the album is just terrific, and the other half isn't any worse than most other 1983 post-punk stuff (we forgive the horn squalls on Red Light). Not quite up to The Unforgettable Fire level, but it's getting there.

There’s a reason 'War' was the record that dethroned Michael Jackson's Thriller from the charts and introduced U2 to the global stage. Few artists have managed to make music this overtly political while still retaining such a broad, anthemic accessibility. From the opening march of “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” the album’s percussion carries a militaristic tension, echoing the constant threat of violence and unrest hanging over Ireland. Meanwhile, Bono sings less like a conventional frontman and more like a prophet witnessing the apocalypse unfold in real time. His lyrics are filled with moral panic and spiritual anguish. Stylistically, this is still very much a post-punk record. U2 hadn’t fully evolved into the rock, but the transition is already visible. This was the last moment where U2 felt primarily tethered to Ireland: its violence, its faith, its political wounds. By the end of the decade, the band’s gaze would shift outward toward a new philosophical obsession: United States. Albums like The Joshua Tree would trade local conflict for the contradictions and spiritual promises of mythic Americana with the same fervor 'War' once reserved for Ireland.

This is just a reminder that U2 was once a pretty good band that wrote good songs before they were trying to “save rock and roll” or whatever.

solid i liked it

1 - Sunday Bloody Sunday (the driving beat captures your attention immediately. Now at this time Bono was still relatively shy and trying to find his voice, as demonstrated on the 2 albums before this. The huge refrain of "tonight" and the chorus itself demonstrate the Bono we know (and...have opinions about) has well and truly arrived. An incredibly atmospheric opener that shows a young band at the peak of their powers to that point; everything is in the right place here) 5/5 2 - Seconds (a solid followup to that colossus of an opener. I quite like the contrast between the low-key verses and the serene springtime wind of a chorus. This one really feels like it was captured at a real protest with how simplistic the structure is, as well as the crowd noise sampled here and there) 4.5/5 3 - New Year's Day (40+ years later, this song's message rings true; nothing has fundamentally changed since this song was new, and despite vows to make the difficult choices and changes, nothing ever changes come New Year's Day. The addition of a piano is a nice, subtle touch, and Bono's performance on this song is among the best of his career. Edge gets a bonus for giving us a blazing solo, something that became incredibly rare once U2 became superstars. Another titan of a song in their catalogue and probably the high point of the album) 5/5 4 - Like a Song... (now this one sounds more like something from its era, where the previous 3 all have a more or less timeless quality to them. Maybe it's the loudness of the drums on this one that expose how dry and sort of barebones the production truly is on this album (probably to enhance the DIY punk feeling of the songwriting.) The breakdowns with nothing but the pounding toms and snare to accompany Bono on the post-chorus is shockingly intense for U2's standards; this truly was a righteous, furious band desperately making their presence known) 4/5 5 - Drowning Man (accompanied by only a plaintive sliding string instrument and Edge's acoustic backing. Bono emotes all over the place and it becomes a little overbearing in places. I suppose this is a good "intermission" type of song, and Bono does show some of the best dynamics of his early career. Maybe one of the only songs they didn't knock out of the park on this album...) 3.5/5 6 - The Refugee (the shout-along intro hides the very pretty ambient chorus; honestly, the boneheaded verse kind of detracts from that part of the song, though I understand what they were going for. It at least softens up towards the end; this was probably envisioned as an arena chant-along) 3.5/5 7 - Two Hearts Beat As One (the best bassline on this album for how mobile it is and how it lets the lead take a step back. Bono gives another all-timer of a performance though the lyrics aren't quite up to par with their delivery. The "beat on black" interjection is hilariously dated to my ears but it's so brief it doesn't take much away from the song) 4/5 8 - Red Light (Bono's performance on this one is a lot more colourful than the rest of the otherwise very serious monochrome his voice has given for the rest of the album. This one almost predicts 90s Bono with how much character Bono shows. However, the artificial sounding horn on this one detracts from it ,and the song itself just goes in circles for most of its runtime; this one is fine I guess) 3.5/5 9 - Surrender (among the more ambitious songs here, this one probably does the most things right. It's calmer and more measured than the ardent protest songs of the first half, but I feel the controlled fire makes it just as effective of a statement as any other political screed. This song does something interesting where the verses are louder than the chorus. Some more instrumental breaks and a chant-along section round this late-game highlight out. A perfect addition to the album that doesn't feel like its runtime at all) 4.5/5 10 - "40" (Edge and Clayton swap instruments for this kind of new-agey outro track. It's based on the 40th Psalm and its hook actually works wonders as a surprise earworm - no shock that they would use it to transition and introduce songs in live settings. It's brooding and gives the impression of staring off at the sea at sunset and brings the album to a fitting conclusion; nothing changes unless something changes, we just don't know when this song will end and a new one will begin) 4/5 OVERALL - 8.3/10

Really good, I guess they were in the right when protesting against Sellafield but I promise their practices are better now!

I’m still never forgiving these guys for forcefully downloading their shitty album to my phone in 2014 All jokes aside definitely better than I thought it would be, Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Years Day are pretty good songs. Pretty interesting to look at this one from a historical perspective with the Troubles going on at the time. Musically everything’s well executed; the Edge’s guitar style is pretty unique and yet just fits seamlessly into all these songs. I know a ton of bands took influence from their sound so pretty cool to see where it all started I really don’t have a whole lot of qualms with this one, but other than the two headliners I don’t think a whole lot captivated me. I think Bono’s voice is solid but it definitely does start to wear on you close to the end I have a couple of problems with Bono but I do think the messages in this one are pretty well intentioned. Haven’t really listened to U2 a whole lot thanks to the aforementioned 2014 incident, but I wouldn’t be opposed to getting more U2 albums

The only thing I can say about this album is that it sounds good. There are moments where the album gets boring, but overall it sounds good and has the excitement which is pretty much all I need in an album.

This is a pretty solid album, I've never really considered myself a U2 fam, but the number of songs I've added to my Playlist is slowly rising thanks to this list. Mid 4.

I like post punk U2 before they went full on bombastic. This album is full of bangers. For some reason the violin in Sunday Bloody Sunday is especially pleasing, I wonder if he really did approach Bono at a bus stop. I had this on a cassette someone made for me with Boy on the other side. Fun times

The starting point for U2 as a tier 1 band for me (the end being Zooropa). From the jump it pulls you in, with Sunday Bloody Sunday's iconic drum and guitar intro. It maintains the early 80s post punk roots for the most part, with monster hooks interspersed throughout. Some filler preventing it from being a 5 star album, but still great.

7/10… irish rock / new wave / *1983

i love u2

This is a very good album, i listen very little the U2, but there's a lot of variety on it. Also the first take on listen is a easy one, but probably isn't enough to get bored and it's not seems from 1983 at all.

Blend of 80s and what I hear as 90s style. The mixing feels raw and I really like the sound. A few standout songs, and overall good listen

I'm kind of shocked? This was so much better than what I imagined and for some reason not the sound I would have expected from U2. Almost sounds like something I'd expect from The Cure.

Very 80s. Starts off strong, couple of great songs on here, but gets a little boring as it goes on...

Pleasantly surprised. I dont know why, this album sounds like U2. Maybe I like U2 more than I thought?

The first of many of their great albums

I’ve Never listened to this U2 album, and have good songs that I will add to my playlist

Sunday Bloody Sunday is such a banger. The rest of the album is go but forgettable

Damn. Loved this actually. Sorry U2 I was not familiar with your game.

Thumbs up

Really fucking good rock album and was pleasantly surprised because the last U2 album I got was shite. Sunday Bloody Sunday was my fav song and first listen of the album. New Year's Day and Like A Song... were my other highlights

You know what, I like that one

Hearing the name U2 makes me cringe at this point but 40+ years ago? This album is consistent as hell and the hits are hits for a reason. Awesome bass. Sunday Bloody Sunday is the best track but the album doesn't lose much steam afterwards.

Didn't mind this. I liked it.

Based on only knowing a couple of songs off the album (the iconic Sunday Bloody Sunday & New Years Day), I thought this may well be a 5 star contender. Whilst there are a couple other songs where Larry Mullen Jr hits the skins *hard* that go close to capturing the anger and angst of the above classics, there are also a few tracks towards the end of the album which have a whiff of "high quality filler not killer" about them

Some really good songs on this joint

I’ve already admitted to being a U2 apologist. This album I’m not so familiar with, besides Sunday Bloody Sunday, New Years Day and 40. The rest of the album, whilst not up to the lofty standards of those three, seems to be perfectly enjoyable. Will probably listen again to cement my thoughts

Au top !

Eghh

Lot of iconic songs on this one

I love this album but it’s not one I have sat down and listened to start to finish as much as most of their later catalogue. It feels at once so raw and yet already such an accomplished album. Clearly a progression in songcraft from boy yet it remains the album before a real breakthrough. You can hear all the elements of their trademark sound (well pre 90s version anyway) but they are as yet not fully polished and refined. The singles, as overplayed as they are on commercial radio, still have new elements to reveal. I love Larry’s urgent march and edge’s opening riff to open to Sunday Bloody Sunday and the keys and interplay with backing vocals on New Year’s Day. But I also find album track such as Seconds and Two Hearts Beat as One command a listen. The winding ambience of surrender would have fit nicely in their next album, an Unforgettable Fire. 40’s lush melody with the backing ‘ahhhhhhhh’ form a perfect finish.

A solid 80s rock album, no doubt. The drums are a delight, mixing the typical 80s sound with complex rythms, shining through the mix. New Year's Day has to be the standout track from this album, it is truly amazing. The guitar work on this album is excellent. The guitar tone itself is amazing, the stereo effects and its changing role from being very prominent and very reserved, as well as other effects are great, too!

Favorite track(s): Sunday Bloody Sunday, New Year's Day, Drowning Man, Two Hearts Beat as One, Surrender

Nice

Low 4. I enjoy their punk sensibilities more than their ballad/arena track sensibilities

8/10

I hate to admit it, but this album was actually pretty good.

Really fun listen! Smooth and pleasant.

7.5/10

I might not have loved the album itself, but I loved a lot about it. U2 is a band I've overlooked forever, but this generator will change that. Really the only thing that takes away from this album is that it can get a little boring and repetitive. I want to come back to this album and other albums by U2 after listening. Pretty good.

One of a kind. Great band and Great Work

Out of the gate with some bangers. Tails off a bit towards the end.

Интересно, но не запало

U2 was always a bit of a joke to me since I only knew them by their 90’s songs and stadium tours. It is interesting to go back to when they were still a bit raw.

Solid

3.5-4 for me, but going for 4 cuz they’re my momma’s favorite band so U2 was sort of the soundtrack of my childhood. Very nostalgic. Sunday Bloody Sunday is an awesome song.

This was one of the first albums that hit when I was in early teenage years, so it was an important album for me and my friends. Haven’t listened to the whole album in many years. It is quality in my opinion. Actually heard it differently now that I’m old.

Apparently I may have listened to like one U2 song ever? I thought I had heard "Sunday Bloody Sunday" but I may have only heard covers. Solid rock album. I like the things they do with drums/guitars at parts.

Это надо переслушать в более сконцентрированной состоянии, а не пока я егэшку решаю

Good irish album with some classics on it. However I am not the biggest fan of u2

Discazo! Me encanta U2.

typical classic rock that released before i was born

I didn’t think I liked u2. I kept trying to listen to Joshua tree and never could get into it, but this caught my attention immediately. Really really good. The first half is better than the second (to me) but great all the way through

esse daqui é anos luz melhor que o anterior que eu tinha pegado (joshua tree). muito mais o estilo de música que gosto, com uma pegada mais política. muuuito mais interessante.

It’s 80s U2 So i think it’s some good stuff Not the very best

4 for New Year’s Day and memories of when Bloody Sunday meant something other than what Bono could make money out of. Judging the album on then rather what they became.

My favorite U2 album by far, the one that helps me closest understand why they used to get lumped in with the punk rock scene. Sunday Bloody Sunday is probably my favorite song from them, the rest of the album doesn't quite reach the same height but its not disappointing by any means.

solid album. u2 gets a bad wrap for some reason (bono), but they have classics for a reason.

8/10

U2 really became something with War. It's where they went from a post-punk band to a huge, politically charged rock group. Forget the moody stuff from before, this album feels like a major movement, ditching the edgy stuff for epic anthems. The beginning with "Sunday Bloody Sunday", "Seconds", and "New Year's Day" is insane. Larry Mullen Jr.'s drums and The Edge's guitar make it so powerful and raw. They had this youthful energy that even they couldn't recreate later on. Things get a bit weaker after those famous songs. "40" is cool, but some other tracks don't quite hit the mark. Bono's vocals are passionate, which can be amazing or a bit much. Overall, a super energetic turning point that showed U2 was ready to take on the world, even if it was a little rough around the edges.

8/10

I will shit on Modern U2 for as many hours as the day is long, but I'll readily admit that I cannot do the same for the band in their heyday. This is a solid rock album through and through. Mullen's driving drum grooves hit just right, and no matter how many times I hear the driving piano/guitar riffs on "New Year's Day" it always hits me just right.

Good. Drowning man favourite. Some others good. A couple weaker

I liked “Like a song..”

Enjoyed more than I thought I would, especially the non-singles

Me gustó. Es un álbum que explora varios matices del rock y no se hace monótono.

J’ai kiffé

This was aggressive, tight and solid. The beat and the lyrics almost press you into action.

Perfect rainy day commute album

its another u2 album! i have the same firm broad positive feelings i have ab those! there are a few things of particular interest...the main one being that this is the earliest album of theirs ive yet heard, and it actually is a little revelatory to hear their eventual era-defining features as, initially, some quirks on a template of post-punk. considering u2 as a whole, even in the arena years, as essentially descended from post-punk makes their whole songwriting thing make a lot of sense in a way im not sure i quite put together before..the emphasis on Sound and Space! they sound a bit closer to potential influences at this stage too...the police in particular, who had only Just bowed out of making music. bonos got a little sting in him, and the edge's watercolor textural focus is more than a little andy summers. idk if this is my Fave u2 album,,,,my heart may ultimately with the lusher approach even if this is a bit more lively. but generally ive found all the ones ive heard to be very close together in my feelings on them, so if its not my fave its not crazy far behind from whatever is

not the U2 I would reach for but a great throwback

There's something about the contrast of the urgent sounding instruments and yearning vocals. This is a solid album with New Year's Day as a standout.

Not to start a fight but I don’t love as much as I remembered

Really like opening track (Sunday Bloody Sunday) Appreciate the lyricism on this album Redlight: The trumpet(?) is fab Standout tracks: Sunday Bloody Sunday, Like a Song, The Refugee, Red Light. I appreciate an album that is interesting to listen to over boring background music

I like the concept of the album Don't really feel anything though Second half definitely felt stronger

Hay algo

Great album. I liked it a lot. I wasn't super familiar with U2 before listening to (all I knew about them was that they were Irish and made everyone download their Songs of Innocence Album in 2014), but this album made me appreciate them a lot more. I loved the political nature of the album and it had a good sound.

War captures U2 at a pivotal moment, when the band’s urgency and political voice were starting to translate into bigger, more confident songwriting. The record has several standout tracks that remain defining moments in the band’s catalog. “Sunday Bloody Sunday” opens the album with a martial snare pattern and a sense of urgency that still feels powerful decades later, while “New Year’s Day” pairs a memorable bass line with The Edge’s shimmering guitar textures. Throughout the album, the band’s core sound is already clearly in place: The Edge’s delay-driven guitar creates atmosphere without excess, the rhythm section keeps everything tightly anchored, and Bono delivers vocals that balance intensity with conviction. At the same time, War doesn’t quite sustain the level of impact found in U2’s later classics. While the high points are excellent, some stretches feel less distinctive, and the album lacks the dynamic sweep and sonic variety that would define records like The Joshua Tree or Achtung Baby. Still, War remains an important step in U2’s evolution and a record with several enduring songs. Not their strongest album, but one that clearly shows the band on the verge of something bigger.

'I can't believe the news today.' - The situation is the same now, 05.03.2026. Have not heard it for long years but it still works.

Yeah, this is pretty good - and contains a couple of absolute bangers in Sunday Bloody Sunday, and New Year's Day. Some good stuff in between - very raw, but very good. Nice and tight length for an album, too.

Sunday Bloody Sunday - 5/5 Seconds - 4/5 New Year's Day - 5/5 Like a Song… - 4/5 Drowning Man - 3.5/5 The Refugree - 3.5/5 Two Hearts Beat as One - 4/5 Red Light - 3.5/5 Surrender - 3.5/5 "40" - 3/5 Probably due to overexposure from my parents I thought of U2 as a kind of "eh" band that was maybe a tad bit overrated. I had no idea that they were actually a bit punk-ish with this album, which I guess is a given related to the subject matter. I guess I had written them off but this was actually a relatively solid album that was a bit more front-heavy than I would have liked. Overall: 4/5 Favorites: Sunday Bloody Sunday, New Year's Eve, Like a Song...

Great album overall. There are a couple forgettable songs here, but the “highs” are so high that it more than makes up for those.

Leave it to U2 to front load an album. Great production, unique style, a few amazing classic songs, and a lot of filler. New Year's Day and Sunday Bloody Sunday alone make it worth a good rating. Faves: Sunday Bloody Sunday, New Year's Day, The Refugee

Awesome album and excellent display of Bono’s emotion, even if some of the songs come off a bit flat due to how they were mixed/produced.

It is an epic album without a doubt. Bono's soaring vocals. The Edge's brilliance with atmospheric guitar effects. The conviction of their beliefs and the felt sense of conflict, aggression, and resistance. It's a statement album, and a loud and clear statement it is. It might be said that U2 didn't truly "arrive" until The Joshua Tree, but this was the cannonade announcing their intention to take on the world.

incredible!! really like u2. the instrumentals are powerful and the political themes are impactful and still continue to ring true today.

The superhits are there, but U2's best years are still ahead of them. If I'm rating their first three albums, I prefer the debut.

Considering my bad experience with "The Joshua Tree", I was walking into this album with pretty low expectation. But surprisingly, I didn't actually hate this!

Song 2 and it’s already getting me more than I thought U2 would. I like it!

Recognized a few songs l, saved a couple. Good album

I loved this album when I was young. I loved the sound they created in the early years. I don't know where these guys went to. The U2 of now are a way different band.

Political and social awareness album done very well. Gets the point across with challenging lyrics and great music to back it up. Reminds me a lot of Green Day!

It was good. I dont remember most of the songs the next day but I enjoyed it while I listened.

Raw and tortured but a couple of epic songs and unmistakable U2.

love it, discaso

Obviously there are two big hits on this record so it has that going for it. Outside of those heaters are some very solid tracks. Jangly guitar held together by a reliable rhythm section. (I'm convinced that The Edge doesn't really write anything but instead just strums whatever chords or plucks any notes that come to him as the song moves along).

i am on record as being pro the first 3 U2 records, but i can’t remember the last time i listened to War. it’s still good! there aren’t a ton of deep cuts; this record was mercilessly mined for singles, and you know most of the bangers from rock radio. Adam and Larry are low key killing on these songs though! happy to have been prompted to revisit this one. top track: 40

Early mtv inundated us with U2. The singles still hold up and overall a solid album. Not quite post punk, not really new wave, not college rock. 3.5⭐️

Lowkey urgent.

Early U2 are my favorite version of the band.

Classic

Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year’s Day are both just astoundingly good songs. Very sharp performances from the whole band. The rest of the album is also strong. It deserves all the praise it gets. Only knocking a star because some songs are just not as memorable as the two I mentioned.

kurwa chłopaki ~ tylko nie rock dobra I'm 2 songs in and I fuck with that. Best record so far. Easily vibeble. It feels familiar yet i don't know most of the songs – maybe heard the somewhere... it's u2. well written, music wise really good 4 out of 5 i will listen to it again for sure dobra zajebisty jest ten album 4.5 of 5

- 0 nummers toegevoegd aan MMMM - 1 nummer al toegevoegd aan MMMM

This is the U2 I like

Great stuff

Probably my favorite U2 album so far. Angry U2 is better U2.

You can make fun of these guys, mostly for their fashion, but they used to make some pretty dang good music!

A very good, but not perfect, album. In a world where U2 followed this thread they could have done great things; instead, their God complex kicked in and they were reduced to producing drivel (with an occasional bright spot) catered to hollow masses.

I don’t care much for U2 but maybe I’m wrong. I love the Joshua Tree and I love this album too. Drowning man is such a fucking ripper. The opener is the most played song I think on this album, but New Years Day and surrender are also amazing. Great lyrics. Great guitar, great drums, great bass.

80s U2 is good U2. Great album with urgency and catchy songs, also great drums.

People like to sh*t on U2 and Bono, but they've had a couple of solid albums, and this is one of them. If the second half lived up to the first, it could've been one of the best albums of that era. 4 stars

Wait... so U2 used to be GOOD?

This feels so raw and hard hitting

Starts too strong for it's own good. Fav tracks: Sunday Bloody Sunday. RYM: N Saved a song: Y

Loses a bit of heat in the back half of the album, but still very good

Last decent U2 album till the 2000s

Heyyy that's pretty cool. Obviously i've heard of u2 but never took the time to actually listen to any of their music and well i don't regret taking the time

Solid album from U2, which was a staple in my house growing up. Therefore, nostalgia may have created a bit of a bias, but I loved it!

Being born in the 90s, this is much better than the U2 music released during my youth.

initial thoughts: war/boy/october were all "bootleg cassette on a walkman" favorites of mine, and the pre-Josua Tree stuff (when they sold out, man!) is still my favorite U2 era by a wide margin. still remember that video for NYD where they're all jamming out in the snow lol, iconic stuff. this was always a top-heavy album for me, but i'm guessing the straightforward arrangements and production mean it ages pretty well. Solid 4 stars. after relisten: really didn't hold up as well as I'd expected. no issues with feeling dated or anything, the songs just didn't hit the same. (notable exception: 40) not sure if its because I'm now listening to bono through a post-superstardom filter instead of front man for a new wave band, or something else. still great stuff, but lower tier of 4 stars.

I always liked old U2. They lost me around the Achtung Baby era and beyond. But this record was probably their sweet spot for me (along with Joshua Tree). I don’t think it’s necessarily some heartbreaking work of staggering genius or anything, but it’s solid and enjoyable. Plus, “Like a Song” is probably my favorite track of theirs. There are a few spots on this record that drag a bit for me. If you could combine the highlights of War, Joshua Tree, and Unforgettable Fire, you'd have a perfect U2 record. 8.0/10

Fantastic bangers.

Surprised me tbh 6/10. This album actually released on my birthday, 28th February.

I was actually biased towards U2, assuming that their music is overall boring, but I did enjoy the album! Can't say that it was a very big surprise, U2 reputation speaks for itself, it's just that now I do understand the hype. The instrumental is both standard rock-sound set but with a pleasant addition in form of various audio samples on top of it, which creates a special atmosphere where needed. My highlights are: "Love is a song...", "The Refugee", "Red Light", all added to my playlist instantly. All in all, a nice experience, I believe that my love for The Police (especially early records) and Duran Duran plays it's part in my perception, however in some parts it still is too calm and kinda repetitive for my taste.

Enjoyable, Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year's Day are incredibly memorable. Back half of the album gets repetitive (lyrically and tonally) but Drowning Man and "40" broke a bit of the monotony. Still creative and worth commending.

Iconic U2 before they become generic.

Liked this when can out, like it now. 4 Star

Liked it a lot!

Eindelijk een goeie plaat in de lijst! Voor mij niet het beste U2-album (voor mijn TUF en TJT). Maar wat een energie zat er toch in de oude U2. Toen ze nog niet teveel in zichzelf geloofden :-). Prijsnummers, behalve de hits: Seconds, Like a Song en Surrender. En 40, maar dan op Blood Red Sky

This is U2 at their prime. Singing songs that mean something. Undeniably great guitar from Edge and Bono at his best

Álbum clássico da banda. Boas músicas. Celest Phoenixcall.

tipico u2, varias son famosas, se deja escuchar bien, 3 o 4 de 5

Iconic songs that i think where nice. Hard album to rate in my opinion. Think its a weak 4 but better than a strong 3. Wasnt sure what to think of u2 due to the amount of stories i heard of them but this album is nice. Wouldnt be mad if someone played this during a carride