War

See on ikka etem kui U2 hilisem album, "Achtung, Baby!", mida kuulasin varem. Siin oskab Bono laulda vähemalt. "Sunday, Bloody Sunday" on täitsa asjalik ning teised lood ei kriibi kõrva ka. Eriti meeldib mulle see "40" harmoonia ja vaib. Selline 3/5.

Album Review 044 War by U2 (1983) Rating 3/5 I’ve never been a fan of U2 and despite War being recognised as one of their best albums, it hasn’t done anything to change my opinion. There are a couple of very good tracks on the album (notably New Year’s Day), but I found that most fell into the area of not great, not awful. Saying that, I listened to this while running on a cold, wet, windy and generally miserable winter afternoon and it suited the conditions perfectly.

Idk where my notes go but u liked this album great for tripping or meditating

årh jeg er ikke begeistret for u2 og ikke for musikken deres. en track in og ejg er svimmel, dette kan ikke være et album man MÅ høre. og tenk er irlandboo. høylytt, ensidig og flatt.

34. fine, should not be on the list imo

Catchy centrist political anthems right here. Bro you’re Irish and imperialists are occupying your country. How are you going to “both sides” this? Boring politics, mostly boring 80’s rock.

Nostalgia for me. Back in the day, as a wee teen I really liked this album, especially 'Drowning Man'. Pity Bono is such a knob. Thought he was a good un back then but sadly, he's shown his true colours over the years. I went off them after 'Auchtung Baby'.

banger omg

I’m not a big U2 fan but I like this album more than I usually like their music???

back to whiny men music again, i guess. why is sunday bloody sunday so popular? usually i can understand why one song has more streams than the rest of the album but not this one Would I listen again: No Deserves to be on this list: No 2.2

Some great songs and some average. 3 feels harsh...4 feels generous. But do I want to listen again? No...

I knew SBS and NYD already, and they seem like the only memorable songs. Bono's wailing can get a little tiresome. Still, 2 great songs.

Nothing really stood out to me, and I prob wouldn’t listen again

Decent! I don’t know that I’d go out of my way to listen to of it but liked it.

Enjoyable

Drowning man New year's day

not my favorite. it was just boring and not my style

The best one from U2 on this list I've heard Will I listen to again: 30%

Very loud.

5/10

Not bad but not the best U2 album. Had more energy than older songs.

Classic

On the evidence of this and the Joshua Tree I really think U2 are a singles band, in the pop tradition. But yeah, second half largely forgettable, but it's also not really my jam so I can't hate them for it. But I do really like Sunday Bloody Sunday, so will give them an extra point for that.

Much better than I ever gave U2 credit for; however, still some clangers/filler tracks alongside some real gems.

i really liked this album, again very new genre to me but at the same time very listenable and beautiful

I really liked it, it reminds me of the type of music my old friend listens to. Very nice album

Sunday Bloody Sunday - 4/5 Seconds - 3.5/5 New Year's Day - 5/5 Like A Song - 5/5 Drowning Man - 4/5 The Refugee - 5/5 Two Hears Beat As One - 5/5 Red Light - 4/5 Surrender - 3.5/5 "40" - 3/5

just the hits for me

The hits are the best songs on this album

Some good songs but others are not as easy on the ears to listen to

Although I can appreciate the concept behind this album, none of the songs really stands out for me. All of them pretty much sound the same and maybe that is what a group is looking for when they produce a concept album, but I thought the album lost out since there was no particular song that stood out.

So earnest! U2 has weirdly been on my mind/algorithm lately, I suppose for "New Year's Day." This album meant a lot to me as a broody teen, but seems a bit much to this broody adult. But I do think they meant every little shriek and pant. I am liking the deep cuts like "Surrender" and "Seconds." I want to work up a bossa nova duet version of "Two Hearts Beat as One."

While I long ago lost interest in their new material, War is one of a handful of early U2 releases I go back to, a reminder of what I liked so much about them in the first place. They were essentially a post-punk band with a global political conscience playing spirited songs that were alternately atmospheric, taut and anthemic and helped define the 80s. Case in point are the immortal “New Year’s Day,” which sounds today like a Cold War anthem, and the fascinating “Red Light,” an abstract mix of dub, soul and trumpet over a marching rhythm. This album isn’t entirely on the same level as that, but it’s filled with urgent passion and interesting sonic textures.

My U2 experience started at Joshua Tree and ended with Lemon so War was almost entirely new to me, what a treat.

I don't understand how U2 can be simultaneously an immensely popular band and also so easy for people to hate on. But this album whips.

Man, I remember when this was their breakthrough record and that looked like it would be their peak. Never thought they'd reach Rolling Stones level of fame, but I also stopped listening to this band after Rattle and Hum. Still, this is probably the record of theirs to hear. Also, "Seconds" always sounded like a Police song to me.

Probably the best U2 album on this list actually. This album sounds much more raw than any of the other U2 albums I've heard, which is probably entirely due to the guitar tone now that I think of it. Bono is also way more energetic. Crazy strong first cd with 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' as opening and then 'New Year's Day' which is probably the best song of the whole album. Second half is weaker with no singular track living up to first half hit ones. 'Two Hearts Beat As One' is pretty good, and After first hear-through I was determined on a 4, mostly due to the 2nd half being a bit disappointing. But skimming through it again I realize it's not as bad as I remember it. It'll have to be a weak 5 for me!

U2 isn’t one of my favourite bands, though I can enjoy them in small doses. This album gets off to a strong start with my favourite U2 track, “Sunday Bloody Sunday”. Those drums really drive the song. Beyond that, “New Year’s Day” is a solid track, but the rest of the album doesn’t do much for me. Overall, it feels a little too radio-friendly and a bit too soft. For me, U2 might be better appreciated as a best-of band rather than through full albums.

Dull, warbling, self serious pap.

I’ve always wanted to listen to a bit more U2, I love a lot of songs from later albums but had never done a discography deep dive. The album started off very strong with Sunday Bloody Sunday, which I’d heard of but never given a listen before. Seconds then brought it down a bit, but I didn’t actively dislike the song. New Year’s Day and Like a Song were highlights for me! Like a song especially brought the vibes back up pacewise. In the second half of the album, Two Hearts beat as one was one I really liked. Surrender and 40 were good closers. Not my favourites off the album, but I can definitely understand why these are here musically! Surrender especially had some great musical moments. I enjoyed the guitar work and drums in this album. I feel there’s U2 songs that are better, but I also understand this is decently early in the discography, and let’s face it, not every song can be Where the Streets have no Name. This was a fun little foray into early U2 and I’m glad I did it! 4/5 ⭐️ Favourites: Sunday Bloody Sunday, New Year’s Day, Like a Song Least favourites: Seconds, Red light 2/1001

A warning shot, a strong effort that’s an announcement to stay tuned for the greater things to come…

Repetative overall, couple of good songs

calkiem spoko

Why am I getting all the U2 albums on this generator right now

A lot of U2's stuf falls flat for ne, but this disc has at least 5 really good songs on it. I think they peaked here.

Ainda bem que o album se chama war porque realmente com a primeira faixa não dava para ter outro nome… Até agora a percussão parece sempre tipo tarola e caixa, estamos num rancho entranho? Adorei o detalhe na seconds em que a letra é fall rise and mas só se percebe direito o “fall” achei bem interessante Acho que não perecebi nada da letra “like a song” Drowning man começa com harmónicos na guitarra amoooo The Refugee fica com o refrão bué chiclete no cérebro Two hearts beat as one - poético Red Light - o solo de guitarra e um trompete a entrar do nadíssima ahahahaha e somehow não ficou estranho Não sei se ouvia este álbum por escolha própria, i mean a vibe é fixolas rock e cenas mas nao sei bem porquê não achei nada demais

War - U2 (1983) Sunday bloody sunday eia bem letra pesada, faz sentido o album chamar se war Ok ainda nem a meio do album tou mas literal, letras do caralho, super importantes, a flr da guerra da irlanda do norte entre 1960 e 1990 (fui procurar ta obviamente nao sabia de nd disto akaka) A capa do album é literal UMA CRIANÇA, E O ALBUM FALA DE GUERRA E AS CRIANÇAS COITADAS METIDAS NA GUERRA O PA 😭 Trompete bem inesperado na red light, gostei No geral o pa, letras do caralho, no entanto a nível musical tp rock ya fixe adoro mas não houve nenhum solinho de guitarra que me conquistasse, nembuma música que me deixasse tp WOWWWWWWW, um 3,5*

Generally not the biggest fan of U2 but this was very good

I’ve struggled with U2 this entire project, but this one just clicked for me, usually the U2 sound is good for about 4-5 songs then just kind drones on and sounds the same for an entire albums worth of content. This one felt unique enough song by song to be enjoyable, enough so to where it makes me ponder about revisiting U2 albums I got incredibly early on in the project.

begendim

really not my forte, maybe I’m still mad about them forcing that album onto my iphone in like 2010

Not my cup of tea

This was a solid album to me. I think I expected worse just based on years of hearing U2 bashing when I was younger. I thought I would dislike this album, but it had great energy. Kind of reminded me of the rock music you would hear in church - kind of larger than life sounded.

Good listen, but not my favourite U2 album on this list.

Starts with a bang the kinda tapers down as it continues

You're old and you have a sore neck simply from turning your head too much the night before. Thankfully this isn't a headbanging album or you'd be done for.

My favorite U2 song is in this album: New Year's Day.

Great album but U2 has never really been my thing. Either way one of the strongest albums.

First 2 songs ok then falls off a cliff

'Sunday, Bloody Sunday' has a really underrated groove. Unsurprisingly, War is a fairly mirthless record, even against the rest of U2's catalogue. The most interesting thing to do when listening to U2 deep cuts is thinking about Clayton and Mullen and the band's structures. It's a bit unfair to accuse a band of having a schtick on their third album but rest assured that you know what you're getting. It says "sardines" on the tin -- it's gonna be fishy. Anyway, U2 are what they are. Grandiose, for better or worse, socially-conscious and sometimes confessional. There are soundscapes, soaring vocals and the background confusion that they think of themselves as punk-influenced. It's effective and not unpleasant; it's probably even important. Between Boy and Rattle and Hum (1980-1988 -- six albums), you could probably cheat and listen to a greatest hits. There are some worthy deep cuts (listening to 'Like A Song...' right now and I hear foreshadowing of some of Alexisonfire's sound) but you'll live without them. The hardest thing about U2 is that they don't deserve either the title of "greatest band in the world" or the backlash hate (which is mostly a reaction to the aforementioned hype). They're good, sometimes great. You should probably listen to War because it doesn't sound like 1983, really, and this crazy project is the only way you'd know that other than having lived it.

Own this on CD and love it, 5 stars

boring songwriting boring playing

Based on the two U2 albums I have had on this list; War and Achtung Baby, I think that U2 is a singles band that make albums. But the singles are really good. So good that this gets a 4 off the strength of Sunday, Bloody Sunday and New Years Day.

Kult

Not too shabby. Generally pleasant to listen to and a few songs that I recognized.

One of these songs at a time is fine but all of them in a row really started to hurt my ears. Not for me.

Never really took the time to listen to any U2 albums even though I’ve always quite liked a few of their bigger hits. So I wasn’t sure what to expect with this album. I certainly wasn’t expecting to find myself enjoying the album as much as I did. I think I found something listenable in every song on the album which is quite rare. This really is a great album. I still think later U2 isn’t great but maybe there’s something more I should start exploring in the early albums after this.

NEWSFLASH….. I like a U2 album.

Well punch me in the face and call me Geoffrey, a U2 album I don’t mostly dislike. Actually the first few songs are pretty good, but it tails off as it goes on. I think that’s partially a victim of generally I just dislike Nobo’s vocal style, and nothing is going to change that. Soz, not soz.

Sunday Bloody Sunday is a generational opener my GOD

haven’t listened fully, but I feel like this is what people think of when you mention classic, 80s rock. honestly so far it’s pretty good, just not legendary

So tired of U2

Early U2 is fun and with a unique sound. Some songs sound of their time while others are timeless.

Had this back in the day when people were persuaded they were good. We’ve since learnt the error of our way

It's okay, but I was getting kind of bored by the end. I'm more of a U2 singles guy.

Sunday Bloody Sunday was the obvious high point on this album, but I am not much of a U2 fan and this album was perfectly ok.

fav song: Surrender

The first track is fantastic and the rest I think I’m too naive to understand the underlying political tones behind the music; I just wanna bop my head.

Bloody Sunday and New Year's Day. This album has some of the most famous and classic U2 songs. Very nice.

Overhated until the point of currently being underrated in this age. U2 at their best are seriously good songwriters and impressive instrumentalists. War contains enough to keep you entertained, though it's not quite at the band's peak. Best Tracks: - Two Hearts Beat As One - Sunday Bloody Sunday Worst Tracks: - Drowning Man Rating: 7/10

There are no words to describe how much I detest U2.

Hearing 70s influence and trend setting for 90s

Liked the opening track. The whole album kind of blurred together for me. Wouldn’t listen to again

It was a pretty good album, i like the message behind the songs and the stories told

When I was in college one of the schools e player used this album for their warm up music for our volleyball game. Really messed w me

Couple of good songs, mist were meh.

I've soften my hatred towards U2 at this point in my life. There's a lot of cool sounds here but it just doesn't quench my rock n roll thirst. Its just plain jane 80's nu wave alt. Which this list has way too much.

pretty cool, the first song in the album really stood out to me, though I don't see myself listening to it anytime in the future I still enjoyed it very much

Never loved U2, but this album contains some of their most classic songs. A little something for everyone.

No

day 4 of listening to white dad rock :( eh New Year's Day's build is pretty good I do not like this man's voice like a song has a nice breakdown drowning man sounds like a medieval tavern music the refugee is my favorite kinda over the fade outs red light is so fun, giving Mario cart tho the back half of this album is much better not the kind of music I would listen to

Was dreading a U2 album coming on the list but it wasn't actually that hard of a listen.

Wow, they are so young! I can't believe how many of these songs I know from the radio. I am familiar with U2, but have never jammed them before. They have so many hits from this album! New Year's Day was a great song to jam this close to the New Year. I am only off by two days! The drumming on this album is impressive.

The culmination of U2s trajectory toward anthemic rock, War is the albums where U2's ridiculousness fades into the background, overwhelmed by terrific songwriting, assured performance, and lyrics by Bono that have not yet tipped over into pedantry. They would go on to hit an even higher note with "Achtung Baby", but this is the high point of early U2.

Solid

Surprisingly insipid even at this early stage of their downward spiral. New Year's Day and Sunday Bloody Sunday may both be worthy classics but the versions here are much inferior to the commanding live takes on Under A Blood Red Sky.

Ugghhhhhhh we had U2 the other day. Leave me alone. They still aren't good. 😠

My husband's favorite band, and I think my introduction to U2 when I was in jr high. I remember sitting on the wall near the student store on lunch talking to friends about music and someone mentioned how much they loved U2 but my reggae and ska-loving mind turned it into UB40 and I agreed, then we realized we were talking about two different groups.

Parempi kuin odotin ja U2:n parhaat biisit onkin näköjään tällä levyllä. 3,75/5.

В целом понравился, но ничего выдающегося.

U2 is Irish??? That's information that never got to me? I know it's one of the classic rock bands, but idk this album doesn't really speak to me. (I do like the album cover tho) Will be reading the wiki pages of future albums!! Love learning about them!

This is such a solidly good album. I haven’t listened to the whole thing in a while. It was nice to re-listen and see how well it still stands up so much later.

Eh...next. album plz

“I can’t believe the news today Oh, I can’t close my eyes and make it go away” I firmly believe we are up to the third generation of “Dad Rock” with U2 being part of the second sandwiched by Black Sabbath and Green Day. I had never really understood U2’s apparent huge success as one of the biggest stadium rock bands of the last 40 years. I think this is largely because by the time I was born Bono had planted himself firmly in the realm of pretentiousness and U2 along with him (*that* South Park episode didn’t help either). Within guitar purist circles The Edge had also garnered himself a reputation as a bit of a peddleboard merchant with little technical ability. These things combined meant that I largely steered clear aside from their big radio hits. That said I approached War with an open mind and was pleasantly surprised. The Edge knows he is not a technical player and instead uses his creative range of guitar effects to flesh out the songs and provide some really interesting sounds without ever having to flex any instrumental muscles. I think the lack of any real solos on the album speaks to his awareness of this. Bono’s vocal performance is over the top, emotional, and theatrical but you are left with a firm belief that he means every word he sings. It’s a wonderfully produced 80s rock guitar album but it never quite reaches the heights of the opening “Sunday Bloody Sunday” throughout the subsequent 9 songs. The closer “40” felt like a bit of a damp squib given the crescendo I felt I was heading for and that the album deserved. The highs on here are very high and the lows are still better than good. If nothing else I have left the album with a fuller understanding of why U2 has consistently sold out stadia since their inception and will continue to do so for a good while yet.

This was surprisingly good. I didn't care for U2 most of my life, of course I knew some singles, but they sound young and fresh on this. I liked it.

I had the Joshua Tree just a week or two back and they may be their two most acclaimed albums. Not a huge fan of that, and the same with this. Yes, New Year's Day is a great song and Sunday Bloody Sunday still packs a punch but U2 are still striking me as a band that made great singles and then the rest of the album is boring filler with a whiny voice that really grates.

Me impressionou. U2 é uma daquelas bandas que geral sempre fala mal, uma espécie de dogpile nos caras, e eu particularmente não os conhecia até ouvir esse disco. Ouvi com a mente aberta e acabei gostando bastante até. Disco bom, gostei dos vocais, bem suplicantes e melodramáticos. Às vezes acabam sendo demais, em uma faixa ou outra os berros ficam irritantes. Mas a banda sempre se sustenta através de uma sonoridade e produção bem limpas e agradáveis. O álbum tem uma introdução fantástica com suas três primeiras faixas. Na metade ele dá uma levíssima desandada com algumas canções vagantes, mas nada que retire o seu mérito. 4/5

Not a U2 guy, I can see why people like this though

I understand why people like U2.

Solid album end to end. Back when this was released Iwas much more into the metal scene. I didnt add a copy of this into my collection until years later but remember hearing Sunday Bloody Sunday on MTV, I hit up some friends for a full listen and liked it way back when. This is the first time in many years I have listened to this release from begining to end, and it still holds up. Excellent socially charged groove, good stuff.

How did I miss U2 at Red Rocks? Oh right, I was 3. This album would be a five even if it had just one song. That’s how Incredible “Sunday Bloody Sunday” is.

Some great tracks on here. U2 before they became all w4nky

Fucking great album. 5 stars alone for Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Years Day alone.

U2 before they sold out to become a stadium band. Some absolute classics on here.

Love the style on here. Very 80's New Wave with a harsher edge. I've only heard the two singles from this album overplayed on the radio before, so it's nice to hear the whole album for the first time.

Eine der ganz großen Bands mit denen ich mich nie ernsthaft befasst habe. Fand aber noch nichts schlecht von dem, was ich gehört habe. Auch dieses Album war gut!

Sehr starker Einstieg, aber Richtung Ende flacht das Album (für mich durchaus überraschend) ziemlich ab. Es rettet sich gerade noch auf schwache 4 Sterne.

Fühlt sich irgendwie falsch an, hier die 5 zu zücken, weil die Platte nach den ersten 4 Ober-Bangern schon etwas abfällt (hilft natürlich auch nicht, dass 2 davon zu den besten Songs aller Zeiten gehören). Aber irgendwie machen auch die anderen Songs viel Spaß und schon damals zeigte sich der Experimentierwille der Band und es ist spannend, die Band in diesem Post-Punk-Setting zu hören, was sie später ja ziemlich abgelegt haben. Sehr gute Platte, schöner Revisit.

Das ist doch einfach ein Album mit Klasse. Abwechslungsreich ohne zu drüber oder zu viel zu wollen. Kurzweilig, aber nicht langweilig. Guten Gewissens 5 Sterne. Letztlich aber doch zu weit von meinem Geschmack weg, sodass ich es wohl nicht mehr allzu häufig hören werde.

Joah ein Klassiker und natürlich gut, aber mein Geschmack ist es nicht, war es auch nie. 3,5 Sterne, in dubio pro reo aufgerundet.

U2 hab ich noch nie richtig verstanden. Klar hier ist mit Sunday Bloody Sunday ein recht guter Song dabei und die haben auch sonst ein paar Hits geschrieben, aber warum diese Band so sehr verehrt wird versteh ich einfach nicht. Das Album langweilt mich sehr schnell, das klingt alles so flach.

There are the obvious standouts (New Year’s Day, Sunday Bloody Sunday) but, like I find with a lot of their albums, it drifts into songs that rely on the U2 sound rather than on the quality of the songs themselves.

I think I prefer this to achtung baby. A bit more raw, less reverb noodling from the Edge, Bono sounding a little more emotional, and the songwriting topics obviously much closer to their hearts. I think the lack of polish to it carries the message better than it might have if this were released in a later phase of their work. Obviously the two singles are a hallmark of it, but also enjoyed both ‘drowning man’ and ‘two hearts beat as one’.

A much better album than I remembered. Very good.o

I’m sure there is something outstanding about this band but I don’t know what! Couple of songs were nice (last tracks). Let’s listen to it again, IDK….

Very easy album to listen too whilst working/gaming. Can imagine it to be nice background music.

Great album. Very different from previous u2 albums. Sunday Bloody Sunday is a real highlight

Great!

Not my cup of tea

U2 was floating around and if I am honest wasn't really my thing until I saw Rattle and Hum at Grossmont Theater. Suddenly Joshua Tree songs that had dominated the radio for months/years took on new meaning and my love grew. This is a solid album. Sunday Bloody Sunday is an incredible opener and "40" a great closer. While solid, I don't often reach for this album - I would happily put it on at any time. 4/5

Pretty good, and I enjoyed this more than I expected. Maybe sounds a bit samey at times. I’m thinking a 3.5, but I’ll round up.

favorite tracks: - new year’s day - like a song… - two hearts beat as one

Apesar de eu não gostar desse estilo, gostei de algumas músicas desses álbuns - além das letras serem muito boas. Melhor Música: Sunday Bloody Sunday Pior Música: 40

Not too bad!

I think U2 is one of the best rock bands of all time. And this is their first "great" album. But it's got more filler than I recall. It's only got two great songs ("Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "New Year's Day"). But I like "Two Hears Beat as One" and "40". I considered just giving this three stars, but there's a couple of things that make me round up to a four. The 80s were a great period for fun pop, but for rock, it was so so. It wouldn't be long before big hair music was a thing (ugh). (At least there was U2, R.E.M., Metallica, and a few others). And two, I like "40" a lot. Some of that is because of the live EP, "Sunday Bloody Sunday", but regardless. Rounding up to 4.

classic angry but not too angry U2!

A slice of potent political post-punk that pointed to the widescreen future of the band and helped cement them in the rock pantheon.

Awesome, full of Clash influences but also looking ahead to their anthemic sound of the future

Love the guitars and drums on this album. A nice reminder of how good early U2 music was. Favorite songs: Two Hearts Beat As One, Drowning Man, New Year's Day

3.25 - some good tracks but quite a few annoying ones too.

I was just thinking it had been a long time since I had U2. And lo and behold! This is my preferred style of U2. The early stuff is primo. The drums are crispy, Edge’s guitar is unreal. Bono still sounds like an insufferable dork but it’s more palatable because he’s young and passionate. Production unrivaled. Love this album.

The singles are by far the strongest tracks on this album. Everything else is just okay if not slightly stale.

Not bad dont really liek u2 but like the more post punk side and the song 40 is awesome

Honestly pretty great, much better than I expected for whatever reason.

I’m not a U2 fan but this is a spectacular album.

3.1 / 5 Well, there's one of a few bands that I don't really enjoy listening to. U2's music has never really been striking me, even though I appreciate their creativity and musicianship, especially The Edge's experimental guitar effects. About 90% of what you hear about this group is Bono as if he's carrying the band alone, even though that's not the case at all. The album itself obv. contains some really good (but overplayed) songs like SBS and New Year's Day, the others aren't as hard-hitting for me. I think it's totally fine as background music, but it's nothing I'd go out of my way for with the intention of listening to it. Reason being is that while some songs are cool and experimental, some others are just basic 80s pop music. One plus though is that U2 carried an actual meaningful political and societarial message about the decade-long conflict between the Republic of Ireland & Northern Ireland (which the stupid bri*ish derogatorily called "the troubles") in many of their songs and actively tried to bring the people together with their music. I respect that and it goes beyond the usual "let's sing about issues but never do anything to solve them"-theme that so many creatives carry. All in all it's solid, can't rate it higher than 3.1/5 due to my harsh tendencies, but I wouldn't rate it lower than yesterday's Tracy Chapman album either.

Works great as an album, and not diminished by lack of pop singles like other great U2 songs.

Well structured, not the best U2 album but enjoyed it low 4

So much better than expected. I would say this is their best album. Post punk and experimental backing. Strong 3

Classic era U2. Unrefined, raw, relevant.

This made of a very strange listening experience for me. I went with the unshakable knowledge that I did not like U2. I'd even listened to the holy relic The Joshua Tree and found it to be a pretty mild ride. But then I put War on and it sounds nothing like the other U2 records I've endured. Genre wise its more tailored to me with some post-punk and even some campy bits of new wave - they are great in these temporary modes. Its passionate, focused and nicely detailed. Its energetic without being particularly stadium worthy, suited to more of a medium sized venue. Bono has a really unique voice which is an acquired taste but I love all the elaborate, strange directions it shoots off in on this LP - he is really quite unpredictable.

Nothing wrong with this U2 album and quite a lot of good stuff, I like that is sounds a bit like early Echo and the Bunnymen. Bono is annoying and the lyrics are hit and miss for me but I can’t argue with the majority of the instrumental work. It gets a bit anthemic in parts for me, hinting at their later career and superstardom but this is a good alt rock album with lots of post punk DNA. Solid 3!

Boring

As U2 albums go, this is probably the best that it gets. Unfortunately, that's a low bar for me. Well produced, and sometimes capable of a really nice texture, but that's about the only thing they have going for them to my ear. Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year's Day are standout tracks.

I always thought U2 was boring

this is just a test review!

Pretty solid. Always loved new teas day and Sunday Bloody Sunday. Also love the mix with the staccato guitars and electric violin throughout.

Two bangers, admirable theme

Vintage U2

Das ist mal ein Klassiker

Other than the songs everyone knows had a couple ones that were "new" for me and really clicked nicely in the moment! Bono's vocals had me reaching for the PAUSE button every 2-3 songs, it's a little much if you're not already a huge fan of theirs... but overall worthwhile listen all the way through.

In 1983 I likely burned out my cassette of War. I listened to it all the time and never tired of it, finding new songs to love each play. This was my introduction to the band, and I was hooked from the first notes. It is still my favorite album of theirs, and that's saying quite a bit given the run they went on after this. I was very excited to see this come up today. I knew there'd be a few U2 albums on the list, but I wasn't certain if War would be one of them. What a very pleasant surprise. I wanted to give this a listen with fresh ears, at least as much as is possible with a record I've played hundreds and hundreds of times. I still feel there isn't a bad song on the album, and I still feel that Larry Mullen Jr. is the star of the show, even though everyone gets more than their share of moments. While everyone will talk about Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year's Day (as well they should), songs like Seconds, Like A Song..., Drowning Man, Two Hearts Beat As One, and 40 still blow me away. I will be humming and singing songs from this all of the rest of the day.

𝘞𝘢𝘳 captures U2 at a moment of urgency and conviction. The album replaces the dreamlike sound of their early work with sharp guitars, martial drums and an unmistakable sense of confrontation. Rather than using politics as imagery, the songs express how real-world conflict shapes ordinary lives. 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 directly reflects on the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre in Derry, voicing shock and exhaustion at the cycle of violence rather than taking a side. 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿’𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 looks outward toward Europe, inspired by the Solidarność movement in Poland and the hope that collective resistance could lead to change. What makes the album striking is that the intensity doesn’t come from anger alone, but from a feeling of moral pressure — as if the band had no choice but to turn turmoil into sound. It’s forceful, emotional and focused, while still grounded in melody.

Great first song everything else was just alright. Mostly reminded me of sitting in the backseat as a child while my mom sang along with the songs.

Dogshit

The best U2 has to offer, but still U2

Meh. First U2 album I've listened to in full, safe to say I'm not a fan. 5/10 Favourite track: New Year's Day

Despite the entity that they became, having never heard this before this was a reminder of the band they once were. Not ashamed to say that I really liked it. Has a nice 80’s production and feel to it, and I found it thoroughly enjoyable.

После первого прослушивания подумалось, что вполне стандартный альбом "U2", не противный, но и не выдающийся. После второго зашло лучше. Слушал потихоньку, когда готовил и музыка показалась довольно приятным фоном. 6,5 из 10.

Classic rock band. Had previously only heard their newer stuff but Sunday Bloody Sunday was a pretty familiar tune given how popular it is. I also liked Like a Song

I just absolutely cannot connect with this band. I don't have any explicit reason why. When I was younger they were kind of in there later stages where 'The Edge' was doing infinitely looping tinkle-riffs that would often be used for software conference plenaries or product launches. Steve Jobs forcing everyone to have a copy of 'Songs Of Innocence". I'm not looking for ammunition to be a hater, I'm doing the opposite when I go through this list. I try to listen with ears focused just on what is intrinsically there and none of the other context and I just don't like this. There are times when it almost seems like it's approaching The Cure but in an off-putting way. I've already had to listen to Joshua Tree or some other album on this list. I hope this is the last one for the love of all that is good.

The hits are strong and would be monumental in the early 80s. However there is a stark difference between the well known songs and the rest.

Good songs but not as great as would have liked.

Sometimes you have a long-held opinion about a band but then, after hearing them for the first time in a while, your whole view shifts. Which makes it especially nice when that doesn't happen. God, aren't U2 awful? Overwrought, overproduced, pretentious bollocks.

I like U2 but I'm more of a post Rattle and Hum fan than some of their earlier stuff. Obviously there are a couple of amazing tracks on this album but also a lot of filler "lets-get-the-edge-to-switch-on-all-his-guitar-effects" type tunes. I do hope "Rattle and Hum" and "Achtung Baby" come up as future listens as this pop-style version of U2 is much more listenable. Before they started pushing unwanted music onto peoples phones etc......

Some good singles off the album, some of the other songs were more fillers

Never attached listened to U2 properly just had a lot of questionable feelings about anyone who would call themselves “the edge” but this was a pleasant surprise. Nice post punk twang mixed with more contemporary stadium rock vocals. Favourite track: New Years Day

First half was very good, then The Refugee ruined the vibe. By the time of last two songs the vibe was restored, I liked it again. Would be 3.5 I guess

Initially it was way better than it ended

There were some hits, but the overall is just more U2

Some legendary tracks on this and the rest aren’t bad either.

It’s okay. Pretty good songwriting. I can see how the songs are charismatic. But I wasn’t really intrigued musically or by the production. I like Sunday Bloody Sunday, and the last track was kind of cool. Everything in the middle blended.

Anthemic but not particularly catchy tunes in my opinion. The guitar drives the tracks on alongside some militaryesque drumming. Vocals are great of course but not really my cup of tea. I feel this album is lacking in really great moments. Most tracks are quite similar. Thematically interesting. Favourite track - Sunday Bloody Sunday. 7/10

Not half bad. Overall decent, but not particularly compelling.

Listened to before, lots of times.

Belter of an album trails off in the second half but with better production could've been a classic

U2 is my favorite bank. I love Sunday Bloody Sunday. This album is just not great IMO other than that one song. This is not in my top 5 favorite U2 albums

Sunday bloody Sunday is decent. Overall a little boring and all the songs sound the same to me.

sits somewhere in the valley between "bland and inoffensive pop rock" and "exceptionally listenable". the thematic throughline of "war is bad 😔✌️"--from a time when that was cutting edge protest music--feels like like it would age and come off cringey but it's just so earnest and i think a little charming? even outside the hits the album does seem inspired, at least in the pretty strong first half. i adored Sunday Bloody Sunday in high school, and i still dig it, but at this point i think my favorites are Drowning Man, maybe New Year's Day. all in all like a solid 3.50001

Rating: 7/10 A good attempt from the band still in its post-punk flavor, I usually like the sound with more edge to it. I enjoyed it but would have to go back to War to delve more into the lyrics here, and I probably should because it’s cool to have Irish music about politics and history. In the 6 7 range

Just very fine. New Year's Day fuckin bumps but overall its pretty lax and inoffensive and easy 6.1/10

I know and dislike too many of these songs. 1 u2 out of nothing

Prob the coolest U2 album to me

Some good songs but honestly besides the messaging kind of a generic rock album

Intrigued to listen to this one as I'm not a fan of U2, but always kind of liked Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Years Day for at least having a bit of a raw edge to them (pun unintended). Unfortunately, they're very much the standout tracks here on a album that mines the same seam with diminishing returns. I'd still rather listen to it than their later output, though...

Gear: Penon FAN 3s Artwork: 😠🧒🔲 Production (2008 Remaster): 🧼📻👍 Music: 💣📉💥 Rating: 🪖🪖/5

So great, Sunday Bloody Sunday kicks it off perfectly and I love the guitar instrumentation

One of the best ever

A couple songs on here I totally love, namely Sunday Bloody Sunday. A lot of the tracks I skipped through though.

I'm probably being unfair because I only listened all the way through once but I didn't really hear anything other than the singles that I cared about. Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year's Day are great, almost enough for me to kick this to a 4 on their own, but I don't think I can justify more than a 3 for the whole album considering the rest kinda just washed past me without making much impact.

I feel like I owe U2 an apology but I refuse to allow Bono in the room while I deliver it already in collection (but had not listened past the singles)

Great album and includes a few of their best songs. It's thematically important and makes it for a great listen. I will keep it in rotation

Maybe if Bono didn't sound like he sounds...

The essential stadium rock, energetic and the quality of the sound is very good.

a classic

Please, no more U2

I'm not actually a huge U2 fan, and had been expecting to give it a low-ish score. But I do think the album is very listenable and don't just want to fall prey to the "U2 are bad actually" mindvirus.

Not that interesting

anthemic urgent

Almost strange to hear this knowing about their stadium future. Reminds you that the early stuff could be filed along your postpunk and goth stuff. Clearly Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year's Day are the standouts - some tracks are a bit filler-y, but the guitar textures are always interesting and there's a dubby feel in places. Bono is earnest, but you can see how he held a crowd. A high 3 - needed a couple more good tracks to go higher, but an interesting sign of where they would go to.

1 great song rest are very below average

Sunday Bloody Sunday als Hit, New Years Day noch gut, sonst plätschert das Album etwas

Started out hot but faded quickly, was a nice change of pace from the last few weeks of albums

Sunday, New Year's Day, and Two Hearts are all time hits, but the rest of the album is just kinda ok. I didn't hate anything but didn't find anything new either. 2.5 rounded up because bc 3 singles on a 42 minute album is impressive.

Great album from before they disappeared up their own ass…I think “New Year’s Day” is my favorite U2 song but “Sunday, Bloody Sunday” and “Two Hearts Beat as One” are great songs as well. This is the only one of their albums I’m really familiar with, but I think it’s a classic…I really like Bono’s voice and some of the tunes but was never inspired to get deep into them.

so good

I'm kind of ambivalent on U2 (and Bono) overall, although they are one of the very, very few big-name acts that I've seen live (it might *only* be them and KISS - neither of those would've been my first choice). War (the album) is alright - I'm rating it four stars but its grip on the fourth one is a little loose. Highlight is "New Year's Day."

Bell’album, non è joshua tree ma comunque bello

Great Album - some new tracks for me I was pleasantly surprised by.

Still not a fan of U2. They’re just ok

Pompous and dull as ditchwater

No dobra, to jest tak, że po latach zacząłem doceniać. Sekcja robi tu wspaniałe rzeczy

Loved this when it came out. It’s held up fairly well.

Good album but it was overplayed back in the eighties

Solid album. I started listening to these guys from Boy, and I like their earliest stuff the best. My guess is most people like their later work, but I began to lose interest as they became more mainstream, which started with this album. A worthy addition to this list… I Wouldn’t kick it out of bed, but not my favorite.

I have a mixed relationship with U2 , loved this album and Boy and enjoy the early stuff more , however seen then twice first in 1981 (Sheffield) Lyceum ) but went to see the support band ( comsat angels ) but didn’t play , saw again at Glastonbury and wanted to dislike but they were amazing . Great album , that works and is great post punk rock

U2 are overrated

Bono is fine. The Edge is fine. The drummer is fine. 2/5.

While this isn’t their first album or their most popular it does very like the first time we’re seeing the band that will become a global phenomenon.

Boring

Still strong. The scratchy guitar, the yelpy and stretched (if sometimes histrionic) vocals, and wow, the drums. Some very good songs, and only a few that can be skipped. They were really coming into their own with this one. I can see why earnest melodramatic me really liked U2

Some greatness here, of course, but I was surprised by the blah quality of several of the lesser known songs.

average

Pretty good, but it's no Joshua Tree. So I guess I still haven't found what I'm looking for.

I don’t love it, a bit boring. The first tracks were nice, towards the end it started to lose me.

A bit dramatic. Hard to finish each song.

I just feel nothing about U2. I guess this was pretty good? Didn’t listen to the lyrics too much. Lightest of 4s.

A big commercial breakthrough album for U2. It has several outstanding songs -- Sunday Bloody Sunday, New Year's Day, Two Hearts Beat as One. The music had not yet become too bombastic. Really good record.

Very appropriate album title for Election Day. I’ve only heard a few of these songs before and enjoyed this. Bono’s voice does get tiring for me sometimes but the band sounds great and I have to imagine that it wowed people at the time of its release. Not my personal favorite band but I have to respect this for its execution and go 5.

I complained in my review of Achtung Baby that U2 were missing a certain spark... The music was generally a bit flat, and I much prefer when they're giving it everything. War is that. This album goes hard and really doesn't let up. The Edge is kind of at his best here (and in some ways his least "edgy"), Larry Mullen Jr. Kills it throughout the album, Adam Clayton holds everything together and Bono is the most passionate and intense he has ever been. This is the sound that U2 is best as - 80s U2. This and Joshua Tree are classic albums for a reason, and whilst I have a personal soft spot for How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, I think objectively speaking this is a better album.

What I like about this is how raw and unpolished it is. Has a post-punk vibe going on with the scratchy guitar playing. The second half of the album kinda falls flat but there's enough good will built up at the beginning that it's fine. Bono has a lot of charisma on this album, was kinda shocked at that. 3/5 stars

Every song sounds the same.

founational

I'll always have a soft spot for Joshua Tree because it's the first album that I listened to on repeat over and over and over on my little yellow Sony boombox, but I'm pretty sure this is U2's best album. The raw energy that comes through in this record is so palpable. Bono is so intense and the band sounds so much more mature and purposeful than they do in their first couple of recordings. This is the sound of a band that has something important to say and is still hungry for an audience. Listening to it after all these years is still fun. There might be a weak track or two, but I don't see the point of naming them. This album is solid, SBS is an epic opener and 40 is an epic closer. If I could choose to be one of these dudes for one week in the 80s, it would definitely be Adam.

For part of my freshman and sophomore year of high school, I rode to school with a guy who was a year older. This was one of a handful of albums he played on repeat (at ear-splitting volume). It speaks to the quality of the songs that I still like them. Obviously "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "New Year's Day" are classics, but I'd forgotten how great "Like a Song..." is. There's a lot to like on this, and I'll take it over anything they've released since, oh, 1991.

a few good ones

3.9 The first U2 album I think I've enjoyed. Feels like pretentious, less stadium poppy than their later outings. Still a bit on the poppy side, and not sure I could ever love it, but appreciate it for what it is.

I've heard this many times. I like the idea of U2 and this album, but have a hard time connecting fully into it. It just doesn't have the dark, bass heavy sound I love of other post-punk bands of the era. I do like the punchy snare sound across the record, and will get the openings to both Sunday Bloody Sunday and Refugee stuck in my head.

Standard bearer.

Sunday bloody sunday and new years day are my favourite U2 songs. It’s just frustrating that it’s so front-loaded, as the last few songs on the album are either terrible or forgettable.

2 connues Bien

Listening to War felt like finding a missing piece of the puzzle to the U2 mythos. I understand the bad rep Bono et al get for throwing soft punches from Achtung Baby on. I also get that people generally disliked the band’s preachy showmanship and ill conceived marketing gimmicks. But I never really understood why U2 caught so much flack for this where other outfits had trod the same ground to far less critical disdain. However, having listened to War it all makes sense. U2 used to be electric. Bono once sang with inscrutable conviction. Sunday Bloody Sunday is preachy; but it’s also sung with such intensity and desperation that you’re compelled to follow its singer through the journey this album takes its listeners on. What followed a very strong statement about the pointlessness and hopelessness of War was a more watered down version of that message until Bono and the boys started hawking iPods to songs about the perils of modernism. U2 are a good band, with a lot of good songs, but many will rightly mourn the band that War set them up to become. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Não vou ouvir u2

Really good

just so bleak.

I thought the hits on this album were decent (Sunday, New Year's), but the rest were forgettable to downright bad. I must say, The Refugee was impressively bad, the worst song I've heard in a while. I busted out laughing when Bono starting doing his "Uh, HUAHs". I actually relistened to this song after I finished the album to see if it was as bad as my initial impression, and it was even more hilariously awful the second time. 1.5/5.

This is another one I looked forward to getting. I haven't listened to a lot of U2 outside of the biggest hits. This is early U2, and I can hear a lot of the foundations of their later work. Sunday Bloody Sunday - 10/10. Iconic drum fill to start it off, young Bono has a great voice. I am familiar with the "Bloody Sunday" protests, one of the reasons why my generation can't solve the Irish Troubles. The cry for peace and understanding is deep in my heart. Seconds - 8/10. Early U2 has a very unique, simple sound (not a bad thing). Another song calling for understanding and peace, in this case against Nuclear War. New Year's Day - 10/10. Such an incredible opening. This song never gets old. The keyboard work is phenomenal, the vocals are haunting, and the guitar is iconic. Like A Song - 8/10. The opening drums sound like someone pounding on a door, which fits well with the theme of the album. Young Bono still crying out for peace. "Angry words won't stop a fight." So very true. Drowning Man - 8/10. Very much a change in feel from the first part of the album. The repetition in the lyrics makes sense thematically here. The Refugee - 7/10. Not the sound I'm used to from U2. Good but not as good as the rest of the album. Thematically it fits, though. Two Hearts Beat As One - 7/10. I like the introduction. Good melody, not as thematic with the rest of the album. Red Light - 8/10. I can hear some of the foundations of later U2 in this song. Surrender - 7/10. Great guitar tone, good vocals, solid song. 40 - 9/10. This would be a 7, but in the context of closing this particular album with a song this peaceful, it is elevated. Overall Rating - 4/5.

A solid dad rock album. Like sinking tins on a summer day, entertaining and (musically) unchallenging. Not one for the history books IMO, but after a bit of background reading I can appreciate the politics that informed the album.

Before U2/Bono got all pretentious. Solid rock ‘n roll album.

U2 have been around so long I forget sometimes that they are an "80s band", but you hear that influence all over this record; moments where they sound like a New Wave band, where they sound like The Clash! Great band work on this record: driving drums, compelling guitar lines, and Bono's voice is top-notch as always

Trying to be objective and not let my opinion of Bono Influence my opinion of this album. We listened to early U2 a lot in the 80s and it has good nostalgic memories which you cannot look past. Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Years Day are both fantastic songs. There a number of decent tracks throughout. Surrender is probably the standout track. I would actually listen to this again. 4 stars

Bono and company had a lot to say on their third release; their first overtly political album. It would be their final outing with Lillywhite at the boards. From the opening snare and toms to the final choral refrain, U2 brings an energy and sincerity, that they don’t quite ever reach again. Don’t snooze on this masterpiece.

ehhh just very mediocre

I don't know why I expected to dislike this - I was wrong! Give me that politics!

Honestly, just not for me. Pretty boring, nothing particularly inspiring about it.

I hate U2

i love U2 but this album starts very strong and then slowly fades and impresses less on side two. Four stars

I’ve never sat down and listened to U2 and I’m not entirely sure why because that was excellent

Favorite Track: Sunday Bloody Sunday

I’m pretty familiar with U2 but despite that this is my first time listening to a full album. I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would.

Very good. I know people think that U2’s earliest albums were their best, but I don’t think this is as good, varied, or nuanced as The Joshua Tree. It’s a bit too much of one sound and approach. Very good, but not great. A 4.

Yeah it’s good ig

Better than I imagined, definitely better than their later stuff

New Year's Day

This album got me to not absolutely hate U2. Which has been a prejudice I have held strongly since they forced themselves on my Apple Music feed as a kid. but this album is soooooo much better than achtung baby, which is such a tragedy to say... because though im not a music aficionado, I know one thing. I hate U2. but this album is slowly converting me. and I don't like that. solid 4.

U2 goes pretty hard. I disregard the iTunes fiasco hate. This one has a few bangers and excellent drums. 4* Highlights: Sunday Bloody Sunday (what an album opener), New Year’s Day (that hook!)

can't really get into to it, but it feels disingenuous to rate it worse than a 3 when there's some real hits and generally good tunes throughout. Don't really like U2, though.

Dece, Boy is their best imo. Sunday a fun song

🗯 Glory be these days of U2, before Bono thought he was Jesus Christ and their unforgivable crimes of sound and tech became unforgivable. I used to like U2. Now I can barely stand the thought of them, let alone own up to liking then, So when this came up, I cringed — and then immediately remembered why their early days were undeniable. War is raw, righteous, and rattles in all the right places with purpose. It kicks off with Sunday Bloody Sunday, one of the greatest openers in rock — that militaristic snare, that rallying cry, that sheer conviction. New Year’s Day still sounds dangerous, The Edge’s guitar shimmering like cold light over the battlefield. Seconds and The Refugee are killer too — urgent, propulsive, the sound of a band with something to prove. There’s even a trumpet cameo on Red Light that hints at the experimentation to come. The drums throughout? Gloriously untreated and real — a reminder that before the gloss, before the sunglasses and self-parody, U2 were a post-punk band with grit in their teeth and fire in their bellies. They mattered. It’s just a bit sad to think an album like War exists in the same discography as Songs of Innocence and the other crap. Verdict: Essential (preaching with passion, not pretension) For fans of: Echo & The Bunnymen, The Clash, early Simple Minds, drums that actually sound like drums

Some decent songs Can see why they're massive

Surprised by how new wave-y the earlier discography of U2 seems to be. You can hear Adam Clayton's chuggy bass lines and compressed, treble-y bass tone taking a lot of inspiration from Peter Hook of Joy Division, for example. I prefer U2's later stuff (Joshua Tree is an all-timer) but it's a shame U2 seems to have fallen from stardom as far as they have. The album's a bit hit and miss with its tracks, but otherwise a great listen. fav tracks: Sunday Bloody Sunday, New Year's Day, Two Hearts Beat As One

Standouts Sunday Bloody Sunday New Year's Day Like a Song

3.5

Stunning!

Clear why they're famous. It's hard to ignore Bono's behavior in later years, but these were the golden days of U2.

A nice album, U2 good

Antes que se puedan, tenían su brillo y valor, luego...la pudricion

Classic!!!

Listened to it twice, expecting it to go up from a 4 to a 5. Instead it nearly went down to a 3. Felt like it drifted a bit. A low 4.

It was a lot less U2 than the other U2 album we had, and that's obviously a good thing.

Was decent enough but I don’t think anything particularly special

The world's biggest crap

Probably a 3.5 but these plucky underdogs need all the help they can get

Records

I'm not a huge U2 fan but this was some decent easy listening.

musically it's slightly more engaging than U2's other albums but that's precious little consolation for putting up with Bono's caterwauling. still, i crown thee best U2 album (which is a bit like being the most complex and challenging dish on a cracker barrel menu)

Another U2? It’s okay

nice

Never been a fan of U2. There is something about their music that leaves me cold, i'm not sure if it's Bono's vocals or the production, but it also seems sparse and empty to me. Bono is always echoey and that rarely works for me. Overall this album is passable musically, perhaps the lyrics carry more weight than I realise, don't know, don't realy care. If it isn't interesting musically then the lyrics pass me by. Top Track = Like a Song..

Mid at best