Back 1001 Albums Generator
War by U2

War

U2

1983
3.45
Rating
27268
Votes
1
4%
2
12%
3
35%
4
35%
5
15%
Distribution
Genres: Rock Styles: Pop Rock

Reviews (page 9 of 12)

Great singles, good album tracks

Ya se le veía la zanca al pollo. Vivillos desde chiquillos. Rolas que se volvieron emblemáticas de la banda alberga éste disco, como "Sunday Bloody Sunday" y "New Year's Day", pero "40" era una pieza que nunca había escuchado y captó bastante mi atención.

Pretty complex musically and interesting. Surprised how funky it is. Many different influences — vocally and lyrically not as into it, but the music, yea cool

Liked the first few songs.

Solid early U2 but I don't think they had hit their stride yet. "Joshua Tree" and "Achtung Baby" will always be peak U2 to me. I even really enjoyed "Zooropa" which I saw as a brave exploration of where they could push their sound to. "War" is good but not the greatness they would later reach.

Quite melodic in places.

Дивись: я не первый человек на земле, который пришел в мир музыки с уверенностью, что группа U2 - это кринж, не в последнюю очередь из-за инициативы Apple по пропихиванию их последнего(?) альбома в каждый ифон вселенной. И всё же это хороший альбом фо риал. Лучшая песня - New Year's Day.

Most of the songs sounded the same. And I dodn't like the vocals

#91 - Again one where maybe I have the privilege (or curse) of not being tinged by nostalgia. This is very listenable and its own sound but utterly unmemorable for me. Might have been breaking when it came out but if it came out today it would be ignored.

U2 isn't one of my fave bands, but there are a number of songs I really enjoy by them, and they happen to be on this album. Good to listen to front to back.

Really only know the U2 hits. Really liked this one. Red Light stood out, with New Year's Day still probably being my favorite. 3.5/5

An ok album. I guess I’m so used to pitch perfect production.. some off pitch vocals were a bit jarring.

I really love certain U2 tracks. I’ve listened to a few albums and they’re always solid but I think they’re a greatest hits band. I dig their sound and this album was a good listen. Strong 3.5 for me but going with a 3 because there’s not a ton of stand out tracks aside from SBS

I've always avoided U2. Why? I really don't know, they just dont appeal to me at all. One of the reasons for joining this generator for me was to force myself to listen to albums like this that I'd never choose to. It hasn't converted me into a U2 fan, but it's a solid album and I can understand why they became so big. A couple of big hits and few songs that were surprisingly good. 6/10

Much last atmospheric than the last U2 album I had (Joshua Tree), about I enjoyed it to about the same degree. 6/10

yeah me too

Not a huge fan of U2, with the exception of Achtung Baby which is an uncharacteristically fantastic album. On War, "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "New Year's Day" still stand as classic tracks. The rest is never less than listenable but a lot of it is relatively indistinguishable from other, "lesser" bands of the period like Flock of Seagulls, China Crisis, Simple Minds. Not terrible, some great playing, particularly some of Clayton's basslines, but not mind-blowing.

Maybe my 5th or 6th fav album of theirs but still good

Not to interesting and got a bit boring but nothing too bad to hate so probably a 3 star

Solid rock album but nothing that spoke deeply to me.

Soke solid songs, but at the end of the day it was U2.

Made me feel nostalgic! Heard songs I haven't listened to in quite a while. Not the best album, but definitely not the worst.

Decent album with some powerful hits (Sunday Bloody Sunday will always get me going) here and there and some good political commentary, but doesn't really stick the landing.

The drums are on point, sunday is a good song. But I struggle to take serious any guitarist who calls themselves "the edge". Bono's vocals leave a mixed impression, he's really trying but I just don't always like that sound.

The album as a whole is really same-y. There's not much that distinguishes one song from another. Not necessarily a bad thing, as long as the album doesn't go on for a long time, and there's enough difference between songs that they can at least keep you engaged as a listener. I enjoyed the album, but I wasn't completely engaged, partially due to the same-iness of it all. I think this album would also benefit from a re-listen (and honestly, probably multiple). "Sunday Bloody Sunday" is a song that will just pop in my head all the time, though, in a great way. Favorite Song(s): Sunday Bloody Sunday

It's a classic, but is it good? Eh...it was better before U2 jumped the shark.

It’s fine. Highlights are Sunday Bloody Sunday and Drowning Man.

Tea prepared by a new friend. The speaker is kitschy, plastic and already breaking. Dropped during a move, it's a memory that is shared and laughed over. In its spot on the windowsill it sits between two plants. The plants aren't named, but they've named themselves. Nothing deep, nothing consequential. Pleasant, kind, warm. I don't know if I'll remember this afternoon, but I'll carry it with me. Somewhere up there.

U2 was pretty big from their first couple albums. 1983’s album War vaulted them to international stardom, especially the hits Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year’s Day which brought attention to the conflict (civil war) in Northern Ireland between the IRA and Ireland/Britian. The album is edgy, fast paced, and well polished. Three big hits and all others songs OK, it ties together well. I’m sure there were others wars going on as well, but I remember’83 for other reasons… L = (3.0*s) J = (3.3*s)

I have not listened to this album in its entirety (or much pre/post "Joshua Tree") prior and "War" is a good one from U2. Couple known great hits with not really a bad track throughout. Not surprised an 80s Irish band would take a political stance on the situation with the IRA and the "Long War" at the time. There will be more from these guys which belong on the list but I hope it doesn't dip into anything post early 90s. 3.15 for Bono and not Mr. MacPhisto.

War isn't an album that moves the needle for me. It's an OK U2 entry, but nothing special. Side One is significantly stronger and includes the 2 biggest hits, while Side Two is mostly forgettable. I'm a fan of U2, but there are other albums by them that I would prefer to see on this list over War. Not sure this is one I need to hear before I die, even if it isn't bad, it's just mediocre. 2.50 stars

Good start. Last track good. Middle a bit filler.

Never really been a fan though this is not the worst album.

This is the only era of U2 I can stand. Some of these tunes are very good (e.g. Sunday Bloody Sunday) but I've never been able to take them very serious given how sanctimonious and stupid Bono is.

Decent. Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year's Day stand out.

Started amazing. Then New Years Day. But the rest was pretty bland.

Es hat ein par gute Songs, aber nach einer Weile klingt alles etwas gleich.

Not a big U2 fan but it was a little better than I figured it would be

Energetic with a good start, but becomes predictable and boring. Overall, average. Lyrics - 3 Vocals - 3 Production - 4 Originality - 3 Cohesion - 4 Replay - 3 Emotion / Vibe - 2 Replay Value - 4

First U2 album I tried wasnt it, but this worked well for them. A good first half for the album. For the second half, the songs dont stick out.

Post-punk is like pop rock's younger, slightly less ugly sibling, in my experience. Like, it's sometimes fun, sometimes catchy, and there are some bangers made within the genre (Joy Division), but most of it makes me feel absolutely nothing. War is kinda more of the same. Can't say it's bad, but I'm largely indifferent to the music here. I also don't like the production that much. It sounds clean, sure, but it's so thin and weak.

Not too bad. I like Sunday Bloody Sunday the most. 3.5 stars.

I perhaps haven’t given U2 their fair shot earlier. I prefer this one to The Joshua Tree, and I developed a new appreciation for “The Edge”’s guitar playing and tone. I felt like to rest of the band and producer did a better job at complementing his sound. Favorite Track: Seconds

Also not bad. Not great either, but unsure why U2 gets such a bad rap.

Carried by Bloody Sunday tbh

Sunday Bloody Sunday was the best tune for sure

Sunday bloody Sunday is my favorite u2 song and I could listen to it alone on repeat for awhile. The rest of the album was enjoyable rock and left me with a more favorable opinion of U2 than others albums have.

It was ok, nothing special

Actually good U2 album??? Can’t be

Pretty nice and chill. Would have liked it more as a moody teenager.

I only heard War once when I listened to all of U2's discog with my boyfriend and it was an obvious highlight by the simple fact that it was all the best parts of their early era while also going more "big" like they would later on, it's crazy that only one album later they'd put out The Joshua Tree (to my dismay) but you can see the seeds of what would become that, but all wrapped up in a "post-punkier" packaged, not yet the U2 we know and tolerate today. I think what makes this album stand out from Boy or October is simply that there's more things going on in the music, more instruments, more soaring choruses, more influences from general rock things, more EVERYTHING which makes the album more of an interesting time, I mean you hear something like Sunday Bloody Sunday and it's hard to forget the main riff and the extra instruments they add, or then have something like New Year's Day, a total pop tune with some of the neatest rock riffs. Even other songs like "Like a Song...", "Two Hearts Beat as One", and "Surrender" really do the most of the post-punk sound but poppier and larger in a way I forgot really was as enjoyable as it sounds! The other songs are fine but fine, not as exciting but in this album there's more fun things to get out of it than there are boring or corny ones, which may be some people's hang ups with this (I can tolerate Bono for so long, mind you) but if you like something post-punky that sounds more uplifting and just big, then why not War?

I like this album despite not really having much fondness for U2. The drums and guitar stand out to me in particular. Great bass. Even the vocals are great, if you can get past Bono's self-importance. But the album is mixed well, recorded well, produced well. It is a really good sounding record. One thing I notice is that this was sort of before The Edge (dumbest name ever) really leaned into effects so the guitar parts are still pretty raw and I think that's much better. I don't think this is as good as Joshua Tree, but I do actually like this album. I'm not sure I'd play the whole thing again though so I suppose it loses some points for that. I'm having trouble rating this, it's between 3 and 4 but I don't feel like I can give this one a 4. 3.5/5 but rounding down.

Listened Before? Y U2 was just beginning to develop into the powerhouse that they would become here. While I know a lot of people prefer this early protest music style - I believe their later works to be better in almost every way. Music doesn't always have to want to change the world. Good early one from the boys. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: 40

my first album from irish band U2 was a bit of a let down its not as i expected but this albums pretty forgettable in general except of course for the intro song "Sunday Bloody Sunday" which is probably U2's best song. I like the message her and Bono's singing is nice to listen to 7/10 Favourite: Sunday Bloody Sunday Least Favourite: Surrender

U2 has always been non-appealing to me. Plenty of cool tracks but something doesn't click to me. War defines this quite well, almost perfectly.

Another album I've had in my collection for years. I despise the bands modern output, their devolution has been horrific since the 80's. This one however is still rather good album, I like the soundscapes on it and especially the boxy drum sound. It's not all pure gold, there are some 80's stinkers on the album, but for the most part it's pretty enjoyable.

Helt okej album men gör mig less att detta är det som blir populärt från tiden

6.5/10 My first ever U2 album, and actually a pleasant surprise. I had no idea they had done politically credible post-punk, which this is. The band is tight. Best: New Year’s Day

1.) Surrender 2.) Sunday Bloody Sunday 3.) Seconds Sounds 80s. Liked way more than I thought. Would listen again. Vocals are thin in the right way - doesn’t feel overly produced even while listening to the remaster 2008 version. Guitar and bass go crazy would recommend listening to anyone wanting to learn.

Appreciate Sunday Bloody Sunday & anti-war themes

It's okay.

alapvetően eddig a U2 is a kellemes csalódások közé tartozik, és ez az album is teljesen hallgatható. az achtung baby viszont SOKKAL jobb volt ennél, azóval hármas lesz csak.

Great stuff here for sure, but U2 isn’t doing it for me. The different things they’re doing to define their sound and make them unique start feeling pretty hallow after a few tunes. Bono wailing, Edge syncopated rhythm, SMASHING the offbeat snare, reverb etc. Looking back at some of the records we’ve had like Joni and Neil, they have a unique sound that feels more authentic.

Bloody Sunday rocks and the rest is just a lot of u2

Don't hate it, don't love it. Alot of pretty good, not great songs, by my taste. Sunday Bloody Sunday and Surrender are the only two that stand out - I'll probably come back to these. Refugee is a really, really tough listen. I guess if I want an edgier (no pun intended) punk-ish sound, I'm not looking to U2 to give that to me. I went back to Joshua Tree again, and stand by my defense of them and that album. It's a little more cookie cutter, but it gives me what I'm looking for from Bono and the boys. I know Achtung Baby is supposed to be one of their fan favorites - looking forward to giving that a try someday.

Takie to dość przeciętne. Bono ma kawał głosu, ale nigdy do końca nie rozumiałam fenomenu U2. Na plus kilka mocniejszych kawałków, które wychodzą poza klasyczny rock, ale całość nie zachwyca. 6/10

Trochę lepsze, niż Joshua Tree dla mnie. Mniej zawodzenia, więcej konkretów i solidnego przekazu. Wciąż U2 to nie jest zespół dla mnie.

A lot of how we experience music is based on things we cant always control, like our stress levels, sleep levels, open-mindedness at the time. Whatever it is for me today, this one is feeling like a chore.

I really only listened to U2 greatest hits, don’t know the albums but this is a strong album, big opener.

Jotenkin iän karttuessa opin enemmän tykkäämään U2:sta. New year’s day on hieno styge. SBS puolstaan vähän menettänyt tehoaan ainakin mun kohdalla 3/5

I’m not opposed to bombast or pomposity. I like a lot of bombastic and pompous things. More than your average person, I expect. But I think that my tolerance for bombast and pomposity ends right before U2 begins.

it's always in one ear and out the other with me and U2. "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "New Year's Day" are fine enough, but nothing else on War comes anywhere close to those two songs in terms of memorability or intrigue. it feels like a heavily sanitized version of post-punk, always hinting at the things which make that style so interesting, but never embracing them. it's far from being as insufferable as a lot of their (even more sanitized) later work is, but there's still nothing for me to write home about. light 5/10.

I wanted to like this more than I did, which is a shame because 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' is such a good song. 3/5

I knew some of these of course. Quite enjoyed the album and listened to it multiple times, but there are better U2 albums.

Fine. Didn’t know much about early U2, and this wasn’t fully expected

Mom's favorite band Sunday bloody sunday certified classic of course

Didn’t think I would like this but I appreciated a lot of the complex, layered instrumentation. I was reminded of The Cure at various points, but with more grit. The lyrics are poignant and many of them still apply today to various conflicts around the world. There’s an interesting mix of punk and new wave influence, and I have some new appreciation for U2, having only really known their pop hits in the 90s and 2000s.

Punk and rock - I like the raw vocals of U2 - Not my favorite album from them

A good but not great album. 3 killer tracks. The rest are meh.... There's better U2 albums

I like this album rather well for offerings by U2, but my favorite still remains Joshua Tree.

It's fine. As rock goes, a bit dull, but listenable. Meh out of 10.

First song, yes! Others, meh.

Has Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year's Day, my two fave U2 songs. I didn't care too much about the rest though. Still solid album!

True maturity as an Irish person is acknowledging that U2 have written some absolute bangers while maintaining that Bono is a bollix.

Like a Song is a great example of what is annoying about 80s U2. It's a decent ish garagey rocker but Bono' super serious 'we mean it, man' caterwauling all over it doesn't add depth to it, it goes too far the other way and detracts. That aspect really took hold on this album and was less evident on their previous two records. Which is a shame because yeah I get the Gang of Four similarities at this time. Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Years Day do manage to rise above this... But only just. They are still great songs however. Red Light is also pretty interesting, and in some ways quite unlike any other U2 song, with the female vocals refrain and the trumpet. 40 is a nice song to finish on. Overall, it's a decent album but definitely not without it's flaws. Boy is a far better exemplar of this early era of U2 and I would have included it over this. Ahahahahah, kudos to the reviewer who invoked Alan Partridge and left it at that.

Pretty good.

Try as I might I just cannot get into U2. For me there are 2 great songs here and the rest are a struggle to get through. I tried. Honestly I did

Very low 3. It’s a kind rating.

The opening to Sunday Bloody Sunday kills. The singles on this album are very potent. This is a really tight, strident sonic package. Drowning Man is not my cup of tea though.

U2 remains U2

Not my favorite U2 album, but some good tracks. Didn't hate it but probably wouldn't listen again outside of the hits.

This was the first album/songs I had heard by U2. I was pleasantly surprised.

The only thing I know about U2 is how they hijacked all of our iphones one day with their album

In 2025 this album was a bit of a disappointment. As a kid I felt like U2 was the most popular band in the world, all the way up through the early 00s culminating with me finally go to see them on the Elevation tour. That was really cool a great show. Now I'm not sure what changed but I can't imagine why they got to be almost universally liked--or I at least had that opinion. Nothing else but maybe Coldplay or Taylor Swift have reached what I feel was such mainstream popularity. This album had the 3 main radio songs, but the rest kind of suck for someone hearing them for the first time in 25. It is what it is I suppose. I think some of it is the conflicting ideology in Sunday Bloody Sunday and some of the others. It takes away from the authenticity IMO, as of activism is only a day job. I'm guessing other U2 albums will be here, and I think I'll like them a bit better. Favorite track "Two hearts beat as one" 3/5

Meio inconstante, se tirar os hits

Interesting that this album knocked Michael Jackson from the top of the chart in the UK -- it was a dose of angst and realism to contrast his pop and polish. This reminds me of the grunge movement about a decade later, where Nirvana/etc were there to contrast Mariah Carey, Paula Abdul, C+C Music Factory, etc. I love the two popular songs from the album: Sunday Bloody Sunday, New Year's Day. The rest is OK.

One is always a highlight for this album but the rest is average.

Again??? This album is better than the one yesterday but still boring..

This is better than I expected. I didn't like Joshua Tree and I'm usually underwhelmed by U2, but this is a well-produced album with a tight sound. "Seconds" made a lovely bridge between "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "New Year's Day".

Sunday Bloody Sunday. What a great song. It really encapsulates the frustration of a Sunday, doesn't it? You wake up in the morning, you've got to read all the Sunday papers, the kids are running round, you've got to mow the lawn, wash the car, and you think "Sunday, bloody Sunday!" A massacre? I'm not playing that again. Anyway, this wasn't too bad really. It isn't quite peak banger era U2, but nor is it peak stab-yourself-repeatedly-in-the-ear era U2.

Decent for a U2 album.

New Years Day and Sunday Bloody Sunday are great. The rest is unremarkable.

Wish I could do a 2 ½. It was good not great.

I liked it more than I thought I would, but I wouldn't relisten.

It's okay :)

Feels like a nice blend of 80s pop and rock. I understand it’s mass appeal. Maybe it’s the production style (because I have this problem with a lot of 80s music — particularly the British stuff), but I find Bono’s voice grating.

sunday bloody sunday baut uuuuhuere uuf. kenni halt aber dass rhythm section soo tight isch hani nüm gwüsst. ok de song isch z lang. fühlt sich ah wie 7 minute. seconds noniiie ghört. new years day kenni glaub, hit? da isch afoch rock. ussert dass the edgelord nonig delay parts spielt isch s instrumental nöd mega U2 findi. es lauft gad alles uf es herts 2 use. find nüt genial. the refugee isch etz chli spezieller. cooli trömmeli. 40 schöön. schööne bass.

sunday bloody sunday kenni zumindest vom name? ahh jaa glaub scho? iwie gfalltmer d drum bass nöd? ja finds recht langwilig bis jz okee cools solo bi new year's day! ja das wär sicher es album zum uf de text lose. bin aber echt z fest uf de schnurre. drowning man het chli öppis cinematischs gha jo vlt isch das au pech aber han jz d lyrics woni bis jz gseh han nüt crazy gfunde, aber vlt isch das für die damalig ziit speziell gsi? jo kei ahnig alles isch mega fest ok gsi, vlt wärs bimene 2. mal lose besser?

Pretty decent 3/5

Boring but not bad. All U2 albums following this one are bad, though.

good, punkier and less delay/echo heavy than i would normally associate with U2. certain moments like in the refugee elevate the whole thing and make it much better than just an 80s rock album im not sure what it is about U2 that prevents me loving them like I can an REM or Smiths from the same period. but hey, maybe liking is enough

I understand the importance of the political (anti political?) tone for this album. The songs relating to the state of Europe and the world are important. Unfortunately the music just doesn't vibe with me. 80s pop/rock just isn't my dig. Solid concept

Good album, not my typical music style tho. Enjoyed particularly New Year's Day, Two hearts beat as one, and Refugee. Liked the trumpet moment in Red Light too. At about 4:20 of surrender it sounds like they're saying I'll sigma sigma song. 3.7/5

Pretty classic album. But it weighs heavily on Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year's Day. The rest of the album was a bit meh.

A U2 album I didn’t know existed. Admittedly I haven’t listened to a lot of U2. Surprised how much I enjoyed this. My knowledge of u2 is more focused around “beautiful day” and preloaded albums on Apple devices, so this was a lot more interesting than that. Some of it almost sounded like the cure which I didn’t expect.

A couple of the songs were very good, the rest just ok.

This was good but not what I would play on my own

U2 is not my favorite, but I do appreciate how others may really like this album.

U2 isn't as bad as people who hate on them like to say. And they aren't as good as people who love them believe. This album is good, and they picked the singles well.

Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year’s Day are great, haven’t listened them in a long time. The rest of the album is alright, but man was I bored in the second half.

How come they were able to create two such amazing songs as Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year’s Day and then for the rest of the album give us such forgettable songs? Surrender and 40 are the best of the rest

Not for me, but understand why its on the list

Not bad. Interesting lack of The Edge’s stereotypical wankery, at its best when the Celtic influence comes forward and Bono channels some Cranberry. Drowning Man good, otherwise quite normal 80’s rock

Positivt överraskad, bra album

Sunday Bloody Sunday //

On the short list of bands with consistently great and innovative guitar riffs (These guys, Muse, the Stones, Hendrix (of course)…other thoughts?). The Edge earns his name and, I think, totally floats this band and makes them something more than the other(wise) straight-ahead rock bands of the last 40 years. Put me in as a middling member of the U2 movement.

U2 is a huge gap in my musical knowledge. I know the hits because they were everywhere but I’m. It sure if I’ve ever heard an entire U2 album before listening to this one. Two of my favourite U2 songs are on this- Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year’s Day. The rest of the album was solid and I can totally appreciate them as a band- some of their anthemic songs are so good. Was great to hear a younger version of the band on this. Good album.

A bit repetitive but pretty decent overall

Koselig musikk, men fester seg ikke for min del. Favoritt: sunday blood sunday

Classic.

A mish mash of an album that doesn't quite pull together. Two crackin' singles though.

I blame these guys for Coldplay…. But seriously, with every U2 album I’ve ever listened to, there’s always too much filler and not enough killer. ‘War’ is no different. Everyone knows the hits off this album. The rest of it…it’s fine, good even, but forgettable in comparison to the big songs. They’re an awesome singles band U2, and a great stadium act, but their albums as a whole are just generally not that satisfying.

“New Year’s Day” is awesome and the rest is underwhelming.

Sunday bloody sunday ziemlich cool. Ansonsten solide.

Schwer zu bewerten. War ganz okay, bin aber kein großer Fan von U2. Sunday, Bloody Sunday ist ein Klassiker und auch generell eins der bekanntesten und wichtigsten Anti-Kriegs-Alben. Aber für meinen Geschmack 3 Sterne. Songs der Playlist hinzugefügt: Keine

Wow, this is for sure the most I’ve liked U2. I always found Bono rather annoying and was pushed over the edge when they forced their way onto my iPhone in 2013. But this has some cool elements. I respect the political themes and am shocked to hear them sounding vaguely new wave. Not bad at all.

Tonal dissonance given the subject matter but some good songs. Back when U2 made decent stuff. Dark and heavy but also easy to listen to

few good moments but the back-end of the album really lost my attention

I have a soft spot for Sunday Bloody Sunday because my brother showed me how to play the riff and it was the first time I realised you could arpeggiate chords to make a riff. I also like New Year's Day for its obvious Bunnymen influence. But overall it's all a bit earnest and simplistic.

Maybe I was in a weird mood or something but I found myself enjoying this more than I’ve enjoyed U2 in the last. Don’t know if I enjoyed it to a 3 Star level, but I know I gave the Joshua Tree a 2. So I’ll bump this, as a document of The Day I Enjoyed U2.

Solid U2, lots of fire in the belly. Not huge by any means.

Not U2s best album but still has some good hits

alveg fínt en ég efast um að ég nenni að hlusta á þetta aftur.

I was excited for this but it's quite plodding. More foot tap than stirring. SBS and NYD save it

6.5/10 With two exceptions the songs aren't quite there yet. Highlights: Sunday Bloody Sunday New Year's Day

ничего не впечатлило

My least favorite album in the Boy-October-War triptych isn't necessarily due to the songs themselves, but rather because of the shrill and dry production by Steve Lillywhite. And I really don't think there's enough talk about the horrible production on this album. Especially the sound of the drums sounds completely crap. I can still hardly play this album all the way through without getting a slight headache. I played this album again and what is striking - and I noticed this about other Lillywhite productions from the same period - is that the sound has a rather narrow image, flattened, tinny and shows little to no dynamics. It seems that the up-tempo songs (singles) were meant to be able to sound loud on a transistor radio on the beach of Farawayistan - a trick that DJs do use when their system is capped (due to noise pollution): turn up the highs a lot. Some decent songs on here though, with Surrender as highlight

It's never going to be my cup of tea, and sometimes it's hard to look past the outsize personality of their front man - but they evidently had something cooking here.

очень крикливо и не запомнилось :(

Decent U2 album, not the era of U2 that I am a fan of, some songs lack melody in my opinion

Not my favourite U2. Not awful. Just not my favourite.

Eh, I like Sunday Bloody Sunday but the rest is a bit meh

I just don't really get it. It's alright but nothing special. I've tried U2 many times and they just do not click with me. 😕

Another album I have in my collection, I think I got it around the same time as Johsua Tree was released and ended up liking it more. Then came Rattle 'n Hum and Achtung Baby and I couldn't be bothered anymore. This album has the good goth-ish post-punk whiney pop sound that I like, they didn't like what was going on and said so in an annoyed manner. Funny and naive, but also pretty and kind of interesting music. New Year's Day is the best U2 song.

I get excited for Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year’s Day and not much else.

Wow I actually enjoyed a U2 album 3.5

My best friend at York (Old York) introduced me to this. Indelible memories. The pre-hat Edge, the pre-arena anthemic Bono, the driving rhythm, the pure energy was captivating, post-punk flexing its skinny little arms and staring down any attempt to marginalize it.

I'm still not a fan of U2 but War is probably better than most of what we've had from them. Looking back at my review history I gave the other three entries 2/5 and offered some abuse of Bono in 2 of 3 reviews, I'm quite proud of that tbf, but maybe this one scrapes a 3 because it's a little more original and interesting. New Year's Day is really good, I like Two Hearts Beat As One, nothing annoyed me or turned me off as being really bad, so that's the best they can do as far as I'm concerned.

Definitely an improvement on the other U2 albums we've had, particularly the more recent one. It's less generic pop rock and has a bit more depth to it. Sunday Bloody Sunday (aside from encapsulating the frustration of a Sunday  ) is a strong opener, the rest is good but not quite as memorable as that. I think it's a comfortable 3, one that I will come back to, but not quite a 4.

favourite song - two hearts beat as one favourite lyric - hold on, and hold on tightly / hold on and don't let go of my love / the storms will pass, it won't be long now / this love will last, this love will last forever cover - 10/10 album overall - 3/5

First listen. Ok.

Bono more like BoYES Bono is so wise

Classic U2 album from their earlier years filled with ani war messages throughout. All the songs have good lyrics but some are catchier than others. Not an album I will listen through again but some of the song are and will stay on playlists for the foreseeable future.

I've never been super familiar with U2 outside of their really big radio hits. "Bloody Sunday" was not actually one I am super familiar with even though I know that's one of their bigger ones too. Overall a lot of it was hit and miss with me, but not an extreme reaction in either direction. Honestly the most interesting part of the listen to me was realizing how much inspiration they drew from The Cure. I had no idea, and wasn't really able to pick up on that from the songs I was already familiar with. Though I am now curious to relisten to them with that in mind. "War" certainly wore that inspiration on it's sleeve in my opinion. Overall though I was kinda lukewarm on this album. Not a bad listen though.

Don't care for U2 and didn't like it on the first go. Listened to it twice more and found myself tapping along to a few of them. I'll be more open to U2 in the future now

Some classic tracks

“War! What is good for? Background noise while working.” - Edwin Starr

‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’, what a great song. Really encapsulates the frustration of a Sunday - you wake up in the morning, you’ve got to read all the Sunday papers, the kids are running around, you’ve got to mow the lawn, wash the car, and you think “Sunday, bloody Sunday!” Not as good as Joshua Tree for me. But compared to a lot of other U2, not half bad. Simpsons: Yes

Really liked the first song, rest of the album was fine background music whilst cooking.

People like U2 and that’s absolutely fine. I just don’t really care for them and I hope that’s fine too. Some nice enough songs but it just didn’t grab me. Honestly, if I’m going to listen to Bono I’ll stick on I’ve Got You Babe.

I've never been a huge fan of U2. Their music was ubiquitous for years, and it all blended together as part of the general background noise of my youth. Their distinctive sound makes all their songs sound very similar. I like Bono impassioned caterwauling; it's fun to sing along with.

Favorite songs: Sunday Bloody Sunday, Two Hearts Beat as One, The Refugee Vocals and drums on opening track are a great hook. But feel like there's a slump of same-y songs until the Refugee

Before they ate their own tail, they had something to say. (And even when they became 'Rock Stars' they were saying something I suppose). Couple of great tracks here, and some potential/filler. A heap of songs that probs don't get dusted off on stage very often that are still ok. Three bloody stars

as a non-u2 enjoyer, i think this is their best work. it’s conceptual and sunday bloody sunday will always be their best song. I still don’t think it’s revolutionary and i think there are a lot of other albums that make similar commentary that i would listen to before this one. 1.) sunday bloody sunday 2.) “40” 3.) red light

Other than the singles, not much here really stood out.

It’s ok. Never really been a huge fan of U2, just a band that continues on that we have to listen to.

I like u2 and haven’t listened to this full album before

Good album. Great lyrics

This was an ok album, but I find it hard to get over an unreasonbly-founded dislike of bono

Good album, brought on the nostalgia

Nah. Nothing special

Okay, not as horrible as I thought it would be. A couple of songs I already knew and liked

Very admirable in the heart of the ‘80s to write songs that are actually about something. Some fall a little flat, others never quite get going, but on the whole, an enjoyable piece of work.

Never really got why U2 were super popular tbh they're just mid

I've never listened to a full U2 album so I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was very good! The singles are great of course, but the rest of the album has an urgency to it that I didn't expect from them. It's almost hard to believe that U2 was an important band for a time, really working at The Edge™ of music.

3 stars. Don't hate it don't love it.

Hadn't heard the songs on this album besides the hits before this listen through. I was hoping I'd like more of the other songs but they were just okay.

Tosi kädenlämpönen perus rokkilevy. Ei mitää haukuttavaa mut ei hirveesti kehuttavaakaan, en itseasiassa ees huomannu et tää levy loppu ja jotkut muut biisit alko ennenku vasta pitkällä. Voisin kuunnella uudestaan mut voisin olla kuuntelemattakin.

Sunday Bloody Sunday is an intense way to open an album, reminds me of Bombtrack to open Rage Against the Machine's debut album. 20th Century U2 > 21st Century U2. New Year's Day is maybe my least favorite U2 hit, it sounds very much of it's time though, the music could be a Cure song and Bono's vocals are at their most annoying on it. A lot of really intense drumming on this album. It's supposed to feel like war drums or the cacophony of war I suppose. I don't know about this album. This album sounds like a band that heard the Clash and decided they had to do a Clash album in their own way and it is not entirely successful. You can hear how this band became The Joshua Tree U2 and the biggest band in the world. At the same time, you can hear them trying to incorporate what was going on musically at the time this album was made. After Sunday Bloody Sunday, Two Hearts Beat As One is the best track. Some late punk, some Wave, some ska, it's all from the early 80s and it's all here.

Good fun. classic U2. A few iconic songs

Sunday Bloody Sunday and NY Day are probably my fav 2 U2 songs. There are a couple other solid tunes on here as well - But a couple duds as well.

This is fine with a few hits. Like a Song was a new one for me I enjoyed. Is it because of the protest rock that U2 perhaps garnered more popular acclaim than the music maybe deserved?

Good to dive back in to this after so many years. Sounds a bit dated and immature and definitely like more experimental U2 better than this. Some hits and misses.

This is probably the best U2 album I've heard. I even enjoyed one song! Personal enjoyment: 3/5 Relevance to this list: 3/5

Knew a few songs here. Some of the rest are decent, some not

Yeah, I love New Year's Day and Sunday of course. The other songs haven't grown on me yet.

Was okay but not in the mood

1st Track Impression: Based on the art, and the tone of the first song, this album is going to focus on the cruelties/injustices of war and it's impact on civilians. Opening song is decent, but feels like it lacks teeth if that makes sense. Too smooth and easy listening for the difficult subject it's trying to approach. Though I suppose that makes it more likely to reach more people. Listening Summary: Smooth rock and roll. Feels pretty preachy at times if you're listening to the lyrics which isn't terribly surprising. But overall easy listening. Notable Tracks: New Year's Day, Sunday Bloody Sunday, The Refugee 3/5

Good not great, didn't realize I would recognize so many.

Yeah decent this, particularly enjoyed New Year’s Day

This is the perfect example of why people often do not like U2. In my opinion, this is their most overrated album opening and closing songs are brilliant, and the rescue is enjoyable and listenable and forgettable.

Meh, this is definitely U2

After listening to the absolute slog that was The Joshua Tree, I was dreading listening to this album. I was pleasantly surprised at the deeper than skin lyrics and interesting musical motifs. Way to go, U2! You cleared the bar that was on the ground.

I remember watching Bono perform sunday bloody sunday live when I was around 13/14 and being so deeply moved by the performance and the power of music I thought it was one of the best things I've ever seen. Something about his huge presence and anger just really moved me. I still like the song - even though I'm not that convinced by the production which now sounds a bit clunky to me (might be my own speakers. I think New Years Day is even better at capturing that same energy that I was enthralled by at 14. Unfortunately the rest of the album didn't really work for me. Even the songs I like somewhat drag and Bono becomes a bit annoying to listen to. 3/3.5.

Hard to listen to this objectively as I grew up listening to it. I think the hits are amazing, it sounds like classic U2, but isn't the album I'd share with people.

Liked more than I thought I would, given it's U2. Sunday Bloody Sunday continues to be a great song.

En enjoyable if formulaic listen. I have warmer memories of U2 than I otherwise would have, because a friend of mine would listen to this album repeatedly while we were on vacation one year.

Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year’s Day are the standouts. The rest of the album veers into generic 80s New Wave. This is a band in search of a sound.

I like U2, but this album is thin. The three singles are great, but to me, the rest is filler. Liked Songs Added: - Sunday Bloody Sunday - New Year's Day - Two Hearts Beat As One

Just starting to round into form...but not quite there yet.

I own this album. Haven't listened to this in a while but it's just about as I remember. The hits still resonate, the rest of the album is good but not great. "40" is sneaky good, and I'm tempted to give it 4 stars, but only going to make it a strong 3.

Solid album with a few great tracks.

And so we're told this is the golden age/And gold is the reason for the wars we wage. Stuff like this is why people still like U2

"U2 é muito ruim, não comprem o CD do U2" Ronald Rios

Very average, I do not understand how someone can wake up and go "I NEED to listen to War by U2" like the drums and bass were boring and Edge the tone snob was trying his best to make his guitar not sound like a guitar. Completely neutral album not good or bad just exists.

Overall well put together album, drummer needs to chill with the 16th notes tho. Not really my thing, mostly rock radio shit I’ve heard non stop on the drive to and from school as a kid. Maybe if I was Irish I would give more of a shit but they all seem British in my eyes so who cares

I can only take so much of U2. A few decent songs but then I want to turn them off.

pre-eno album but you kinda hear how he would perfectly compliment their style when they connect to make their masterpieces... u2 is good (sometimes)

If I had to pick a U2 album to listen to the this one isn't the worst, but I still don't like them very much. I generally just find them a bit boring a lot of the time Standouts Sunday Bloody Sunday 3/5

Super super solid. I don't know how many songs I would come back to but this is a 7/10 for sure.

U2 is good. I haven't followed them closely enough to distinguish between the albums in their catalog, but I like them. They get a little "whiny" after a while, but 42 minutes is an acceptable amount of U2.

Interesting to hear their clear 80s influence here. At times I felt like I was listening to The Police or The Cure or something. In one song (The Refugee) I was even reminded of Kate Bush, and I imagined that they could have hung out and talked about concept albums and character pieces. A deeper sound than I expected, and quite a fun listen overall.

I like Joshua Tree more, but it's probably U2's second best album.

Not a fan but I did enjoy a few of the tracks.

This is some solid stuff. Good before the band became a parody of themselves.

Sunday is a great song and important piece of history. Otherwise I'm sorry to say they're horribly overrated.

I like how uncomercial this album is. Oh how they changed.

Profound. May never listen to it agaon but sunday bloody sunday is incredible. They are hiding nothing that shit is raw

Appropriately, the imagery for War looks straight out of Lord of the Flies. The music is no less savage on the first half of the album. "Broken bottles under children's feet" sings a young Bono in "Sunday Bloody Sunday," who effortlessly resonates at any pitch he is singing. The drumming is militant and steady, and could easily have been programmed instead. I hate to keep comparing things to various incarnations of The Cure, but I can hear similar sparse ringing guitar tones over steady beats in "New Year's Day" as I hear in early 80's Cure ("10:15 Saturday Night" or "A Forest"), while Bono's higher register evokes Ian Astbury of The Cult. "Like a Song . . ." recalls Duran Duran, "Drowning Man" smacks a bit of The Church, and "The Refugee" has elements of Talking Heads, but while one can hear similarities and influences in caught snippets here and there, U2 combine these elements into a whole that is their own. Surprisingly, the second half the album feels a lot more friendly and poppy compared to the political statement of the first half. I previously knew the two big hits on this album, but I didn’t find any new gems here.

Back half a little weak. But i fuck with U2.

Surprisingly ok for U2

Favorite track: New Year's Day

I always think of U2 as an 80’s Coldplay, both annoying as fuck, but both had good early albums, this being one of them.

I don't like U2's music much. They are undoubtedly talented and have great hits, my favourite is probably Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For. I find I lose interest in their slow, repetitive form with crooning vocals. I've never understood how they got so hugely popular but I'm glad their music brings joy to many. U2 is defined for me by that time they assumed every single person with an iPhone wanted U2's new album pushed to their phone. Incredibly out of touch. Talk about loving the smell of your own farts hahahaha

Solid, in the time I think it would have been on repeat. Hard to see artists like this through the time/place when revisiting so long after.

Couple of bangers but overall not the best

***An ok album

Definitely not excited about this one. Okay, it's honestly not as bad as I was expecting it to be (the usual U2 experience). All of the songs have an aggression to them that I'm kind of loving.

Thought I might be able to get into it with Sunday Bloody Sunday being a track I knew and enjoyed. Going through the album didn't inspire me, though this was way better than their more modern output.

was going to make a silly review but this one just didn't strike me much. "40" is a great song though!

Greit nok

Is it post-punk? New Wave? Pop Rock? There are moments that remind me of the Cure and Robert Smith, but more optimistic about love and sad about war, instead of just sad. The drummer really likes his hi hat. The bassist holds a fine rhythm. The Edge does his Edge thing, but a little less Edgy and a little more edgy. It all actually works well together and is a college sound than I expected. I’ve mostly known U2 to being annoying (really Bono) and kinda lame/cringy, but this is pretty good and has a general sound more in line with what I’d listen to. It’s better than I expected but nothing groundbreaking to me - there are no soaring highs here. As with many albums, some good songs, some ok, some meh.

3 stars

These damn headphones make everything sound great, so I can't tell if it was really as good as it sounded, and it sounded really good. The drums and bass are very solid. Edge is doing some cool stuff too. Sounds later than '83. Better than I expected. 3.8

Couple of cracking songs

I know the singles of U2 but only a cursory knowledge of their LPs (I'm sure this won't be their only appearance on the list). While the singles do stand out on War, there are a lot of good moments further down the tracklist, not least "40" which I thought was just the change of pace that was needed. I enjoyed the album overall but it's not one I'm too disappointed not to own.

U2 has always been a greatest hits band more than an album band but the first three tracks alone each get a star.

Is this album timeless, or do I just listen to 80s radio so that is my reference point? Still good.

I mean it’s alright, idk U2 has always been a weird band for me with some stuff I really enjoy and other albums I can’t stand. Overall this one’s listenable

Война плохо Обзор проспонсирован Израилем 7/10

I enjoy old school raw U2, but in small doses. That’s probably true about U2 in general, although in general I prefer their late 80’s / early 90’s sound to the early sound. Standouts on this album for me are New Years Day and 40.

I guess it’s a “you had to be there” sound, because I didn’t get the hype when U2 was forced onto everyone’s iPod’s and I still don’t now. Enjoyable? Eh Would I listen again? Not likely

Last U2?

Back when Bono wasn’t smug. I miss those times.

It's got some good songs, but there are a few snoozers.

its decent but dont quite get how they are so big

Bano is a terd. 5/10

The hits New Year's Resolution and Sunday, Bloody Sunday are really great. Some other tracks appealed to me, like Like A Song... and The Refugee. Others like Drowning Man is just random wailing. It hasn't won me over to listen to more of U2, but I get why they won such popularity after the release of this album.

It's something I can listen to, but not something I'd pick out of a line up to listen to.

I think that U2 is a good band and they've got some good songs but for whatever reason this band never really clicked with me. I can't give this album anything less than a 3 but my enjoyment level doesn't warrant a 4. It's an OK album but I wouldn't seek it out again.

Po pire classic again

Some good, some meh. 3/5

It’s okay

Not the biggest U2 fan but there’s some classics on here. And it sounds so very 80s in fun ways.

Couldn't find any version that wasn't horribly remastered.

Best U2 album I’ve listened. Still 3 stars.

I liked a lot of this. 7 out of 10 for me.

3/5. Bloody Sunday absolute banger

Oh ffs..... Not another U2 album. Just the name of the album is pretentious. I just know Bono will be an insufferable cock tractor on this one. I just hate U2 and I don't know why. The music is... Fine.... They're just such douche canoes. Favourite songs: New Year's Day, Sunday Bloody Sunday, The Refugee, Red Light, Surrender Least favourite songs: Drowning Man 3/5

song reco: sunday bloody sunday ⭐⭐⭐ my uncle would love this album. i'm sure he'll definitely play this on full blast.

Opening track is an all timer but was kinda let down by the rest. Rating: 3.1

Great songs and other terrible ones.

Standard U2. Couple of great singles lifting up a lot on averageness

Back when U2 were a band. Typical 3 hit album

Melody are fine but I don't really like the vocals

Bono is the worst. Thus album has some pretty good songs on it though.

I don't particularly like U2 but this is one of their better showings.

Would I listen to it again: no Do I like it: it's ok

Ok - 80's rock. A classic - good and historic, but played out for me.

Early U2 is great but feel like it’s singles and filler, the album cuts are kind of boring. Also, The Edge ripped off Andy Gill from Gang of Four in a spectacular way.

Maybe it is just a lack of familiarity with these songs, but I just didn't care about it much. It may be that U2's "sound" was consistent enough to make this album feel like a copycat of their earlier work, and the way they evolved their sound by this point was to make it more generic. Perhaps this album will grow on me in the future, but for now it sits on the better side of OK. Favorite track: probably "Surrender."

Enjoyed overall

3 - This album does not have the sound that I picture when I think of U2, but that's kind of a plus. I always liked Sunday Bloody Sunday more than any other U2 song I've heard, so I suspected this album would be different. Nothing is as good as that song, but it's alright. Probably gonna end up being my favourite album of theirs.

sunday bloody sunday good rest mid

If the U2 was a road, like e.g the M1 is a road, then this would be the middle lane. Do you know what I mean?