All That You Can't Leave Behind

The soulless corpse of a once-great band, forced to dance for our money in a sad attempt at entertainment. Listening to this record while the sun rose felt like a disservice to dawn itself.

This ain't it. Outside of U2's singles, I don't think I like them very much. This album is as exciting as a communion wafer.

Tired. Flaccid. A ghost of their former selves. Imagine combining “Joshua Tree” and “Achtung Baby” and watering down the product.

U2 continues their trend of writing great music to listen to at the dentist office while getting your teeth drilled. As inoffensive as it is pretentious! As annoying as it is forgettable!

An album I could've happily died before listening to.

Lanois and Eno are favs of mine but they're totally wasted on this feeble effort from U2. This album reeks of a tired old band simply phoning it in to fulfill their contract obligations to the record company. Its funny how this band really brings out the hate in people.

U2 does U2 things

First two songs are bangers. Rest is wank

I know there's a lot of U2 hate out there in the world, but I don't hate these guys. They've made some killer songs that I've loved listening to in my life. This album was massive. Those first four songs are all great. Beautiful Day was the moment for a short while in the year 2000, you can't pretend it wasn't. And today was a day that I actually really needed to hear Stuck In A Moment. Didn't realize until it started in how much I missed that song and how helpful it is. If Joshua Tree is the high watermark of their career, then this album is a stellar second coming. I like it all the way through, honestly.

Front loaded with solid hits, but pretty weak otherwise, particularly in the middle section.

That sweet, sweet voice. Those beautiful looping foot pedals. The sunglasses, the hat, the edge. What's not to completely loathe? A fucking disgusting waste of time and money. A horrorshow, a prison cell, a bargain bin of aborted babies.

I liked the first song and after that one I felt like Bryan Adams was in the building

Good album. I guess it hasn't been cool to like U2 for a long time now, but I've never been cool so....

I have mixed feelings of All That You Can't Leave Behind as a U2 fan. On one hand, it's a great album with fantastic singles and some pleasant album cuts, plus a more crystal quality production than say Zooropa or Pop. On the other though, it ends in a snoozefest (New York and Grace) and the album's colossal success led the way to U2 playing it safe with their future output which would become increasingly mediocre and dull. Beautiful Day and Elevation are some of U2's best ever songs, Stuck In A Moment and Walk On are decent but powerfully uplifting when depressed, and the rest are mainly pleasent. It could've been improved with the bonus track The Ground Beneath Her Feet replacing Grace. These mixed feeling have made me considered if this album truly deserves a place in this list. It is the worst of the other 3 U2 albums on this list and not including it could've made room for another act that's strangely absent (Chuck Berry, Robert Johnson, any classical composer, even another album nor from the UK or USA would be fantastic). Though if reflecting on importance, this was incredibly popular around 2000 and had a impact on many in a post-9/11 world. To put it short, it's a great but frustrating album.

The songs weren't necessarily bad but the whole album is so aggressively uninspiring.

Just a bit dull. Even the ones I remembered, I remembered why I didn't like them at the time. Hopefully will never listen to this album again.

A frankly silly production team. Sometimes Eno, Lillywhite and Lanois are on the same damn song. Does it add much? A few instrumental curios to the quiter ones, like the backwards strings on Kite or the underwater guitar on Grace, maybe. But I'm not sure U2 needed anything adding. Perhaps all the hot shot producers did was tell them to strip back, go simple, go pop. Not what you'd expect from "we're gonna need a bigger stadium" show-offs, but it worked. When Bono sings like an asshole (which isn't actually that often) you get the feeling it's because he cares about the material rather than the ticket sales. The best songs are still the anthems, the best anthem is still Elevation, and the best line on Elevation is still: "A mole, digging in a hole / Digging up my soul, now / Going down, excavation". Utter gibberish.

Beautiful Day is among my favorite U2 songs. I’d completely forgotten about Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of until I heard it again - a welcome reunion. I love that song too. But the other singles - Elevation and Walk On - don’t ring any bells. Surprising because they are terrific songs as well! This is a very positive-feeling, uplifting U2 album that I almost missed entirely. Glad it is here!

I really struggled to get into this. It felt very safe and samey. Some of the worst and most generic lyrics I've ever heard too. Grace It's the name for a girl It's also a thought that Changed the world

If, as JG said, Joshua Tree marked the beginning of the end, this must be the end of end.

I'd rather stay imprisoned in SHACK'S bedroom than go out into a world where this exists.

Just fuck off. Nauseating. Worse than Benjamin Mendy.

I was crying. It was so bittersweet. I remembered how much I listened to this album back when it came out.

U2 gets a lot of deserved shit for their high-profile misses, but I'm kind of done apologizing for loving them. This album is a banger and it's like their third or fourth best one. Best track: Beautiful Day

More than anything else, with this album, so deep into their careers, Bono definitively proves that he defeated Sting as the preeminent single-name white Celtic rock singer to emerge from the punk's wake. The first two tunes are impossible not to crank up on your car radio and sing-along to at the top of your lungs. Unfortunately by about the 4th or 5th tune, this album starts sounding like a parody of U2. I have no idea why this record is on this list. I like U2 best when they're singing about Catholic shit I don't understand. War, definitely. Boy, Under a Blood Red Sky, Unforgettable Fire, sure. Maybe even Joshua Tree if you're of the persuasion. After that it's hard to argue they were anything more than an inconsistent singles band. Side note. It's interesting to me how many of the lyrics of their songs are second person scolding. I wonder who Bono thinks he's singing to?

On second thought, it’s ok if you leave this one behind.

I really want to like it, but... it's bland. Like it's missing something, the spice, the flavour. It's not entirely awful, it's just as simple as a children's storybook. There's nothing surprising or exciting about it. Don't get me wrong, music doesn't have to be complicated and complex to be good. It can be simple yet enjoyable. This one just isn't. The experience was very tiring because every song provides the same emotional level, so I found it hard to actually get into that music. If I came across this music anywhere I'd just skip it, it's not interesting at all. No wonder that album was forgotten a long time ago. I love rock (not even sure if I can call this album "rock" at this point) it was just exhausting to get through. I've been counting every minute I have left til the end, bored and wanting to turn off the music. Facourite track (the least bad): "The Ground Beneath Her Feet", least favourite: the rest

This album is a masterpiece! All tracks are perfect. Beautiful Day is a masterpiece! The same for Elevation, Walk On and for many others.

Beautiful Day is one of my favorite songs and the perfect track to start an album and a day with! This is really front-loaded with the four best songs in my opinion, but the rest is pretty damn good too. The more times I listened, the more songs I loved. It's interesting to see how songwriting evolves as artists age and gain new and different perspectives on life. U2 is just an outstanding band who showed how powerful they still were 20 years after their first album. Can't believe this is now 25 years old!

Truly one of my favorite U2 albums; it is hard to believe it is 25 years old. A departure from their 80's progressive rock band sounds, this has elevated synth, layered melodies, and catchy groove on every track.

Maybe this is a really incredible album... or maybe I'm just blinded by nostalgia. I love U2. Favourite Track: Wild Honey

Sorry, but I have a soft spot for U2.

Drops off in the second half, but still some good tracks there. And the first half of the album is about as good as can be. Nostalgia bomb.

This album actually helped me realize how good of a band U2 is. I think I’ve just been pushing them aside, because they’ve never been my favourite, but this album really showed me how good their music is. Everything sounded amazing together and it genuinely left me wanting more.

A welcome return from one of the best bands out there. Kicked off a great run of albums after this and the tours to support them. Have a great trip…U2

So much hate. Yeah, he's a wanker, but he's avoided sex and drugs while continuing to play rock and roll. This was a good album with a great mix of past and present.

Difficult to rate the entire album since it was a bit inconsistent for me. Some of my favorite U2 songs are on this one ("Walk On," "Beautiful Day") but then there are moments when Bono goes into his sad mode like "Peace on Earth," which just didn't hit right for me.

I already know two U2 albums (and possibly 3?) are going to get 5's from this reviewer. And I already know this is not one of them. Impossibly overrated. But there's still plenty of good (if not great) moments here. It's just not one of my go-to albums, not from U2. But those are to come...

the irish bruce springsteen

There are definitely some stand outs here, and honestly this album is consistently good. However I think this album is a little to tied to the trends of the early 2000s compared to their other works. I always enjoy Bono's' singing, even if his writing can be a little (or a lot) self righteous. As a final note, Beautiful Day is a great song. I have only ever heard it in stadiums and on the radio in the background. I was surprised at how good it was when I listened to it on decent pair of headphones at home.

Lyrics aren't great, but the song writing is bloody good! A lot of good tracks even though there are a few that are very cringy listens

Not sure I've ever heard the album before, but I know the "hits". This album seemed like a pretty big deal when it came out, U2 returning to form with some big hits. But listening to it now, the hits don't seem that great and the rest of the album is really bad. The quality of their songwriting on this album is really low compared to their early years. And so many cringey lyrics. "Grace, it's a name for a girl It's also a thought that changed the world"

I'll be honest, I've possessed a deep-seated hatred for U2 since 2014. I hold the band personally responsible for their Songs of Innocence album being force downloaded onto my iPod Touch. Imagine my young horror as shuffle brings up 'The Troubles' after listening to 'Timber' by Pitbull feat. Kesha. Jarring to say the least. I go to remove the album, as surely this must just be a mistake, right? WRONG. The album is unremovable. I spend the day dodging generic U2 song after generic U2 song in my attempts to listen to my own swill until I can access a computer to hide the album from my device. Truly a nightmare tale. Were we reviewing the Songs of Innocence album? No. Have I reviewed the All That You Can't Leave Behind album? No, not really. Am I still giving this a one star simply because it is U2. Yes. Yes I am.

U2 is a disgrace to Ireland and Bono should be barred from the country forever

Actually hate this album with a passion. Rattle & Hum was the last great U2 album. The end.

I can certainly leave this musty sack of moldy, wrinkly potatoes behind. 🥔

I just don’t like U2.

Pourquoi nous infliger ça

Chiant

I can't stand Bono as a singer or as a person. I also don't care for U2's overall sound. I still recognize a couple of their other albums' musicianship, but this one isn't anything special.

This band sucks, I think everyone knows that. But, I can forgive and understand earlier U2 works being on this list. They were massive and I understand why people like those earlier records. However, this album is complete and utter trash. I think that's true objectively. I seriously cannot fathom what would posses anyone to rate this album highly and include it on this list. Just laughably bad and an indictment against the integrity of this list.

There are so many reasons I SHOULD like this album 1) they are Irish 2) there’s a song about New York 3) my dad listens to this album all the time THE LYRICS AND MELODY ARE SO BAD. It feels like the whole band wrote songs and then he just made some shit up to go on top of it. This is a no for me.

A couple of slammin’ good songs, but the production quality is kinda “muddled” and the album itself feels like simply a collection of songs. Normally that’s no deal-breaker but the other songs on the album outside the singles are terribly mid, and knowing what U2 is capable of makes this normally 3-star album plummet to a 1-star. It won a bunch of awards though, so U2 kept the sound for other albums like “How to Dismantle an Atom Bomb” and (everyone’s iTunes favourite!) “Songs of Innocence”. Shame on you (2), U2, the potential was squandered.

Meh.

If I had a nickel for everytime Brian Eno produced an album loosely based around airports, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but its weird that it happened twice. This album sucks btw.

No way I’m listing to this rubbish!

Did I listen to U2 much before embarking on this project? Do I enjoy certain of their output disproportionately? Did I have to listen to this one? Would I have better things to say if the musical variety was ever more than tepid? All questions which can be succinctly answered after glances at ratings and reviews of a few albums. Even in remaster, the absolute low points of the arrangements stick out. Take the big-V Bono Voice (insufficient to carry compositions with these lyrics, believe you me), add dated synthetic instruments, and finally cap the tune with some real music. Undermines any positivity I felt toward the band, and carries on like a piece of forgettable Christmas pop. Thanks to the timing, that is how I shall treat it.

This sucks

This starts with Beautiful Day and then proceeds to be one of the most boring albums ever made.

I tried

Beautiful day - big single , suitably atmospheric👍 Stuck in a moment you can't get out of- sounds like beautiful by James blunt in the chorus. Don't think it’s quite upbeat enough for the message Elevation- this is whatever, very dad music Walk on - very similar themes to previous songs Kite- this is sweet but safe👍 In a little while- Nonce song with wolf howls for some reason Wild Honey to Grace- All pretty generic and some terrible songs in this run. New York has a really jarring guitar riff that comes in sometimes that feels very uninspired The ground beneath her feet- Wait, the lyrics are by Salman Rushdie?! This was the first U2 album I’ve listened to.. hopefully its not representative of their whole oeuvre 1/5

OOoHooo... I haaate u ooohOooo 2..Oooohoooo

No. No.

I love 80s and 90s U2 but by 2000 i'd moved on as they became a pre-Coldplay pop anthem band. The best slickest production doesn't hide the mediocrity. Sorry chaps.

There was a time when U2 were pretty good. This wasn’t one of those time

Yikes. I've always been a bit too judgmental of U2, and was pleasantly surprised when I took the time to dig into their earlier work last year. So my expectations were relatively high when going into this Beautiful Day is a great opener, if a bit cheesy, but it went downhill from there. The three-track run of Kite / In a Little While / Wild Honey were all almost unlistenable - Bono's voice was genuinely dreadful! This is my first did not finish of this project

God this reminded me of Bono walking the streets of Dublin at Christmas singing carols. What a bad nonce. One thing I’d happily leave behind would be u2. Bono and the edge? I mean c’mon just fuck right off.

how many kids that Bono has nonced do you reckon the pope has made disappear? he's a fucking whopper of a nonce.

i can leave this album fs

Sticky songs, just a purely commercial album. It´s shallowness is abundant.

Not sure how this album made the list? Totally dull and boring and the douche bag singing is a prick.

SHIT

Nothing here for me. Dull soft rock. Think their early stuff might be better for me but remains to be seen/heard Edit: dnf, it almost depressed me with how boring I found it

This album is trash

I loathe U2, but I'll give this a try. For a little bit, at least.

I fucking hate U2 😂😂😂. Not sure why, bonno seems a prick and its also not my type of music. This is the first time I've properly given the music the time of day and i was hoping that it'd help me understand why people like them, but it is actually just shite. Maybe a 2 at very best, but prob a 1.

U2 sucks.

Nope

Love this album, very close to my heart.

Summer vibes need a Green Day

Solid album. U2 have always made quality albums and this one is no different. Stuck in a Moment is a highlight for me.

Could not Stream it.

Not their best album but a well balanced album you can listen to from start to finish. A rare feat in albums made in the 2000’s.

Do you want to listen to some music that has a lot of piano? Well in Beautiful day you can! I rate this song a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. I highly recommend this song. Do you want to listen to some music that has a lot of guitar? Well in elevation you can! I rate this song ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. I highly recommend this song. Do you want to listen to some music that has A lot of guitar? Well in New York you can! I rate this song a ⭐⭐⭐⭐. I recommend this song.

Beautiful Day is the big single from this album and it overshadows the rest. So much so that the album seems lesser for it, but there are some great tunes here. U2 playing older U2 style with the wisdom and knowledge accumulated from 20+ years of musicianship. Often overlooked and underrated.

Cuddling time

Except the weaker ones "Peace On Earth" and "Grace" I like every song on this album. And of course there are the hits "Beautiful Day", "Stuck In A Moment..." and "Elevation". Not as iconic like "The Joshua Tree" or "Achtung Baby" but a really nice and homogenic album. Weak ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. 4,5

I forgot just how great this album is. I own it but haven’t listened to it forever. It is goof from minute one to the finish. Makes me want to see them in concert. I’m looking forward to going back and listening to some of their old stuff. This is such a great album though.

u2 I hate to love you.... throwback to being very young when mum and dad still played their CDs... 4.5/5

Hard to be objective here, all the nostalgia feels.

U2 have several members who profess the Christian faith. On this album you see how Faith, uncertainty, and companionship are intertwined in a weary world. The highlight for me lyrically and emotionally is Peace on Earth, a lament that is resolved by Grace, the final track. This album is musically and lyrically excellent with only a minor misstep here and there. If you only know the single Besutiful Day… well, I tend to forget that is part of this album.

THIS IS A TOUGH ONE. Thinking about this album while not listening to it, there is no way its a 5, but then when you stick it on... i dunno... seems pretty 5 to me. I think i have to break it down in my mind first. Beautiful Day is majestic, outstanding, wonderful, its over played, but c'mon its amazing. Stuck in a Moment is my favourite u2 song and one of my favourite songs of all time. Love it, love the choir, LOVE the bridge at the end, i love it, just absolutely adore it/ Elevation is funny, i don't know if it's great or bad, but its fun, funny, a good laugh, tomb raider, Ericsson t10 Walk On is one of my favourite u2 songs, i love it, the outro is one of my favourite things in music history, i adore it Kite is ok, its fine, not one of my favourites, decent chorus, good In A Little While - LOVE this one, incredible. wonderful, beautiful Wild Honey - Decent Peace on Earth - like this one, bit cringy but good When I Look at The World - Decent enough New York - decent Grace - Fine The Ground Beneath Her Feet - amazing, incredible, this one really snuck up on me, and the one I have listened to most today. I dont particularly remember it before today another than the funny keyboard, but its amazing LOVE IT so if an album has 12 songs and 6 are incredible, and rest are ranging somewhere around good, i'd say its a success, and for me the songs i like, i LOOOOVE, then it has to go 5, i will say, the second half isn't as good, its a little like Californacation in that way

Started out strong with some absolute classics like Beautiful Day. Ended up just a bit weak towards the end, but there is enough quality on this one to overcome that.

Me ha gustado más de lo que recordaba.

Anthems of early 2000….appreciated Kite and Wild Honey this listen….

Me ha gustado más de lo que recordaba.

4.6/5 Best Track: Beautiful Day

Ok I actually loved this

Lovely to listen

This was supposedly U2's return to form after their Zooropa and Pop eras. For the most part, I think they succeeded. This fits right in with a lot of the rock music of its time, and never feels like a forced attempt for industry veterans to be hip and current. The record feels fresh, even. It sometimes falls a little too far into the 'soft, inoffensive pop rock' scale, but the songs are still legitimately good and complement the bigger hits well. And yes, most of what comes after Elevation is cheesy, but whatever - I can handle a little cheese. In a Little While and Kite are very pretty listens, while the rest of the songs have their own moments too. Y'all can hate on U2 all you want, but this is a great record. Dare I say that I like it even better than The Joshua Tree? Besides the songs mentioned above, standouts here are Walk On, The Ground Beneath Her Feet, and my personal favorite U2 song, Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of.