Reviews (page 2 of 8)
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.
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
Peak
Pas très stoïque comme titre d'album, Marc Aurèle dirait que rien ne peut ps être laissé derrière... Bon, j'ai vraiment appris à aimer U2 faut croire. Cet album est particulièrement soft listening, mais j'y reviendrai volontier. Les 4 singles dès le début bang bang bang bang!
I honestly loved this album. Aside from Beautiful Day, I didn't know any of this music very well. There are so many great songs on here! The entire first half is particularly good. This album has a positive, uplifting feel that I really appreciate. I love the 2000s feel too. It seems like there are lots of U2 haters out there, but I'm not one of them.
i went ":o" when i saw i got this album bc my dad rly likes u2! he listnd 2 em alot when he was younger, i js recently listnd 2 joshua tree (very good album!!) anyway, i like this album. he has a nice voice n i like the melodies n chords, i rly liked elevation n wild honey! wild honey reminded me abit of the beatles wild honey pie (bc of the name) which i quite enjoy, tho ive seen alotta ppl say they dont like it (wonder y.. jk ik y, its abit odd. i still rly enjoy it tho). good message in peace on earth. its all quite groovy, ive alot of u2s albums on my "should listen 2" list! anyway now im gonna go watch good omens "season" 3. i rmbr seeing THE SPOILER (every) n getting my hopes up... then when i watched s2 e6 when it came out in 2023 i was DEVESTATED. CRUSHED. i cried so hard i got lightheaded. now "season" 3 is finally out 2day, may 13th 2026. i cant believe itll all b over after this... n only in 90mins bc neil fucking gaiman decided 2 b an ass. fuck that guy. im so excited but also nervous as balls :1 hope its good!! im getting off track i js realised, whoops. anyway, gr8 album, i luv it! i js watched s3. o my stars. i cried so hard dude. im not sure how i feel abt the ending honestly. but it was gr8! cant believe its over, the show holds such a special place in my heart😭 all im gonna say is PLZ watch it its actually totally worth it trust me plz
Haters are wrong this is dental office music it’s enjoyable and great from the beginning to end
It occurred to me that this came out shortly before 9/11. I can still remember the sense of hope and optimism that surrounded us. Yes, there were problems but they weren't insurmountable. Beautiful Day hit the zeitgeist perfectly. This is an album for its time. I love it, especially, The Ground Beneath Her Feet which was taken from a Salman Rushdie book of the same name.
9 - EXCELLENT
Worth a relisten with the lyrics. Lots of good songs here. 5 stars.
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It’s classic for that time period
Fantastic album. Memorable songs. Timeless.
I do believe it makes sense to have this album as a "must hear" album, because this one seemingly kicked off the mid-career U2 resurgence. It is also the only album from that era that I can handle listening to, because it is only 25% douchey. The first six songs are among the best string of songs that U2 ever put together, even if I know so many people are tired of hearing the songs. Everyone hates U2 because they have forced their music on us and frankly they are getting by solely on their vibes and "being U2" at this point. I owned this album, the Joshua Tree and their first greatest hits album. I think that's almost all a person would need. We all dislike U2 but this is one of their best albums and I don't believe their songwriting has ever gotten back to the level they did on here. It's a front-loaded album for sure, but this wouldn't be the first front-loaded album on this list.
Sorry haters this album slaps. Although admittedly it does not slap as hard as Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, War, Unforgettable Fire, or perhaps some other U2 albums. That's where being the greatest band in the world comes in. Definitely their last 5-star album, at least for now. Stuck in a Moment is pretty underrated.
This is an album about humanity. There are heights and depths of emotions explored, but the center line is empathy. It is my favorite U2 album but is strangely and scandalously underrated on this site. This album is musically and lyrically excellent with only a minor misstep here and there. If you only know the single Beautiful Day… well, I actually tend to forget that is part of this album. To me it gets stronger and stronger as it goes along. U2 have several members who profess the Christian faith. On this album you feel how Faith, hope, and grace can become companions 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.
U2 have reinvented themselves at key times throughout their career, and this is probably the most personal and introspective pivot for them. It is also one of their only albums that actually gets stronger deep into the album. Even the more popular hits on the first half of the album get better the deeper on the list with Walk On being a great finish. Great album, and one of the signature albums for one of the greatest bands popularized in the 1980s.
5 sterne
Este es el disco que sonaba en la oficina cuando empecé a trabajar ... y se hacía tarde y ya no estaban los jefes. Es un disco de una época en que empezaban fuertes las descargas de mp3 y empezaron a fallar las ventas en CD. Es de los primeros discos que aunque me gusta mucho no me compré. Me guardo «Beautiful Day», «Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of», «Elevation», «Walk On», «In A Little While», «Wild Honey», «Peace On Earth» y «When I Look At The World».
4.5
One of the GOATS
U2 had a fab 80s, a 50/50 90s and this album kicked off a hugely successful 2000s with a no.1 hit single (impressive for 20 years into their career). It should be called ‘Elevation’ rather than from a line in ‘walk on’. This album has aged well.
Aujourd'hui, on s’attaque à un monstre, le genre de groupe qui divise l’humanité en deux catégories : ceux qui lèvent le poing en stade et ceux qui lèvent les yeux au ciel en soirée. On va parler de U2. Pour comprendre l’impact de cet album, il faut faire un petit rewind rapide. Je suis né en 70, j’ai bouffé du post-punk au petit-déjeuner toute mon adolescence. J’ai vu U2 passer du statut de petits jeunes énervés de Dublin à celui de prêtres du rock atmosphérique, puis à celui de mégastars ironiques dans les années 90. Les années 90, d'ailleurs parlons-en. C’était la décennie de l’expérimentation pour la bande à Bono. "Achtung Baby" ? Chef-d’œuvre absolu, rien à dire. "Zooropa" ? Bizarre, fascinant, un trip sous acide en classe éco. Mais "Pop"... Ah, "Pop"... En 1997, je bossais chez mon disquaire indépendant à l’époque. On a vu arriver ce truc avec ses beats technoïdes, son sarcasme forcé et cette tournée pharaonique avec un citron géant. C’était audacieux, certes, mais on sentait que le moteur toussait. Le groupe s’était perdu dans son propre labyrinthe de miroirs, ils voulaient être cool, ils voulaient être dance, ils voulaient être tout sauf U2. Et puis arrive l’an 2000, le fameux bug n’a pas eu lieu, mais le bug U2 a été corrigé. Le mot d'ordre pour "All That You Can't Leave Behind" était simple, presque arrogant de simplicité : "Ré-auditionner pour le poste de meilleur groupe du monde". Rien que ça... Pour ce faire, ils ont rappelé Brian Eno et Daniel Lanois. Et là, U2 a décidé d'arrêter les conneries. Fini l'ironie, fini les déguisements, fini les rythmiques dance mal digérées. Car cet album, c'est le son de quatre mecs dans une pièce qui jouent de leurs instruments. Ça paraît con dit comme ça, mais après la décennie précédente, c'était révolutionnaire. Dès les premières secondes de "Beautiful Day", on sait, on sait qu'ils ont réussi. Cette intro, cette montée en puissance, ce refrain qui est calibré pour faire exploser les ondes radio... C'est du U2 pur jus. C'est l'essence même de ce qu'ils savent faire : transformer une émotion intime en hymne universel. La production de Daniel Lanois est, comme toujours, d'une justesse chirurgicale. Il ne lisse pas le son, il lui donne de la texture, du grain, de la profondeur. Il laisse respirer la basse d'Adam Clayton (qui n'a jamais été aussi groovy et solide, soit dit en passant) et permet à Larry Mullen Jr. de taper comme un sourd avec une précision métronomique. Et puis il y a The Edge. Le mec a retrouvé ses pédales de delay et sa capacité à créer des cathédrales sonores avec trois notes. Sur cet album, il ne cherche pas à réinventer la roue, il la fait juste tourner plus vite et mieux. C'est le retour de ce "shimmer", ce scintillement caractéristique qui a fait la gloire de "The Joshua Tree", mais avec la maturité d'hommes qui ont vécu, aimé, et perdu. Parce que oui, c'est un album d'adultes. Bono a tombé le masque de "The Fly" ou de "MacPhisto". Ici, il chante avec ses tripes, sa voix a changé, elle est plus éraillée, plus chaude, plus vulnérable aussi. Prenez "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of", c’est une conversation imaginaire avec son pote Michael Hutchence (d'INXS) après son suicide. C’est gospel, c’est soul, c’est déchirant sans être pathétique, c'est une main tendue qui arrive trop tard. C'est magnifique. On ne peut pas ignorer le contexte de ma vie à ce moment-là. En 2000, je quittais le monde de la radio et du disquaire, une page se tournait, le rock indé devenait autre chose, le post-rock de GYBE prenait de l'ampleur dans mes enceintes, mais j'avais besoin de ce roc, de cette solidité. U2 est arrivé comme un vieux pote qu'on n'a pas vu depuis dix ans, qui a arrêté de faire le mariolle, qui s'assoit au bar, commande une pinte et te dit : "Allez, on reprend les choses sérieusement." Il y a une sincérité désarmante dans "Walk On" (dédié à Aung San Suu Kyi) ou dans "Kite". On sent que le groupe a accepté son statut, ils ne sont plus les jeunes punks de Dublin, ils ne sont plus les mégalos de la tournée "Zoo TV". Ils sont un groupe de rock classique, dans le sens le plus noble du terme. Certains critiques de l'époque, probablement les mêmes qui encensaient des trucs imbuvables juste pour la gloriole, ont trouvé ça trop "facile", trop "safe". Je leur dis merde car faire simple, c'est ce qu'il y a de plus compliqué. Écrire une chanson comme "Elevation", qui est fondamentalement stupide mais qui te donne envie de sauter au plafond, c'est un art. Faire pleurer avec "In a Little While" (que Joey Ramone a écouté sur son lit de mort, bordel, si c'est pas une validation ça !), c'est du talent pur. C'est un album qui respire la résilience. Le titre lui-même, "Tout ce que vous ne pouvez pas laisser derrière vous", c'est une déclaration d'intention. On emporte les bagages, on emporte l'expérience, les cicatrices, les amours passés, et on avance. On ne jette rien, on intègre tout. Alors oui, je mets 5 sur 5. Sans hésiter, sans rougir. Parce que dans une discographie aussi dense, réussir à sortir un classique instantané après 20 ans de carrière, c'est un exploit. Parce que cet album a prouvé que le format "chanson" avait encore de beaux jours devant lui face à la déferlante électronique ou nu-metal de l'époque. C'est un disque "doudou", mais un doudou en kevlar. C'est réconfortant, c'est puissant, c'est produit à la perfection. C’est la preuve que U2, quand ils arrêtent de se regarder le nombril pour regarder l'horizon, restent intouchables. Si vous avez aimé le virage sombre de "Achtung Baby" mais que vous avez décroché quand Bono s'est habillé en mouche géante, cet album est votre maison. Rentrez chez vous, mettez le disque sur la platine, montez le volume. Daniel Lanois a fait le ménage, The Edge a branché l'ampli, et pour une fois, Bono la ferme et chante. Et bordel, que ça fait du bien. Note : 5/5
Positive album from a simpler time
Brilliant
looooooove this one. so many unique songs and breath of fresh air for january 1, 2000
I never heard this album all the way through. Excellent!
This is fun and beautiful.
Cool, more mellow side of U2.
Every song on the front half is an absolute masterclass in stadium-sized rock anthems. The rest of the tracks hold up surprisingly well, a little more reflective but still tight as hell. Spins: 2 Playlist Additions Beautiful Day Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of Elevation Walk On In A Little While
01) Beautiful Day - 10,0 02) Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of - 10,0 03) Elevation - 10,0 04) Walk On - 10,0 05) Kite - 9,0 06) In A Little While - 9,5 07) Wild Honey - 9,0 08) Peace On Earth - 9,0 09) When I Look At The World - 9,0 10) New York - 9,0 11) Grace - 9,0 12) The Ground Beneath Her Feet - 9,5 TOTAL: 9,42 (94/100) Current ranking: 22/694
A stack of great tunes, their best work among their later albums.
Great album - grooves from start to finish!
One of my favorite records of all time and it is not even my top U2 album or (three). Some really lovely songs and the mood it sets is transcending.
Back to back hits!
It’s amazing how many hits are on this album. So many good songs Still listen to this today and always surprised by how good it is
Something about this really works for me. It's a little corny, sure. But I like the instrumentation, sincerity, and song structures.
This felt like the 2nd or 3rd introduction of U2. Sort of a come back. Great album. I love a band that keeps evolving and kicking ass. Total disclosure, they are one of my all time favorite bands. Their catalogue is incredible and this album fits in quite nicely.
Maravilhoso!
I was a huge U2 head in high school. The Unforgettable Fire was my favorite of the early discs. Saw them on the Joshua Tree tour. (Bono had laryngitis, which was a bummer.) Then they got into their Achtung Baby/Zooropa period, which I still enjoyed. Then came Pop -- which I absolutely could *not* get into. The snark, MacPhisto, and "look how over everything we are" just left me cold. So then I'm 30 and they come out with this. A gorgeous return to form. Yeah, Bono's still writing overwrought lyrics, but Edge still makes his guitar ring like bells and the vibe was back...briefly. The stuff that came after wasn't in the same class. This is a turning point album for me -- well-titled. What I had to leave behind was my adolescence. I'd come out of a devastatingly bad relationship, was living a bachelor's life of paying bills and dating, and was starting to realize that I needed to figure some shit out. This was part of that soundtrack, so it holds a special place for me.
Buen sonido, con guitarras definidas al igual que la voz de Bono, solidisimo
Incr
Great album and in my opinion their first into what I'd call the "modern sound" considering their 90s work was alot more experimental in nature. This album was great and though quite front heavy, there are still some solid tracks in "In a Little While", among my personal favorite U2 tracks. 8/10.
Really liked this one. I've finally been coming around to U2 so gonna inflate the score a tad here to make up for some of my previous ratings of theirs Rating: 4.6
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.
Early U2 rocked, and then there's a lot of 90s and 2000s U2 that didn't do it for me. But this album and tour brought them back for me. And I still love it.
actually pretty good
Me ha gustado más de lo que recordaba.
I have loved many U2 singles, but this albums is like so many others. A great track or two (Beautiful Day, in this case) and then a lot of filler. So, this album sets the "3-star" standard for me - palatable with a high point or two, but mostly a bill-payer for the band.
Epic
Mega album un super hit. 5
I'd probably rate this objectively as a 4 at best, but it brings a lot of nostalgia and I have strong emotional connections to some of these songs, particularly the opening track
Hmm so I guess I like U2 now! And that's why I love 1001 albums so much! I've tried getting into them before because people said they're similar to Coldplay, but Best of U2 didn't cut it. Achtung Baby came up a couple of months ago on 1001 albums as well, and although I gave it 4 stars it wasn't memorable and I haven't listened to any of the tracks again since. I liked a lot of tracks on ARYCLB, and I can now see why people compare them to Coldplay. Some of the riffs were indeed reminiscent. The bass line in New York particularly stuck out. The Ground Beneath Her Feet might just be my favourite track on the album.
U2 deliver every time. Great album
I didn't leave this behind
A favorite. A large part of my life 2000-2002.
Excellent
This was the first album I really got into U2 on. Seattle, 2000-2001. I had this thing on constantly at the Bauhaus coffee shop. This is U2 at peak preachy, but still catchy.
Very good soft rock,most of the songs were actually bangers I might revisit this album again if I’m in the mood.Bono has a lovely voice even if his lyrics can be pretty heavy handed.
Goated album
Loved it !! 5 stars!
i love U2
это что-то волшебное и неверотяное я переслушал альбом несколько раз, потому что он создает такое волшебство в воздухе, которое невозможно передать, его надо прожить абсолютно обязательная работа к ознакомлению рад, что полноценное знакомство с группой U2 случилось с этого альбома (а ещё он вышел 1 января 2000 года, люди в новое тысячелетие входили...)
Probably my favourite U2 album. Some great tracks.
😍
Awesome. Never ever gets old.
Very nice
A true jewel
Great collection of songs!
Classic
A modern classic. 5*
Un clàssic, molt escoltat en adolencència
wow
Whilst this is a pale comparison to the Joshua Tree it was nevertheless a welcome return to the U2 I knew and liked after the Pop and Actuung Baby shenanigans of the 90’s. Played the album to death when I bought it but says a lot to admit that I haven’t played it in years until today. But I did rediscover one or two forgotten gems away from the well known hits. Grace is a lovely song and New York always grabbed my attention. Often wonder if that was the inspiration of Madonna’s I Love New York on her confessions album. Similar in rhythm and lyrical content. Biggest negative I can say about this album is that ITV used Beautiful Day as the theme to their Saturday night football programme when they nicked Match Of The Day off the BBC. Thankfully an injustice now repaired together with the reinstatement of that familiar and comforting MOTD tune. When I stopped playing this album also marked the time that I went off U2. But today’s listen was a welcome reminder of the wealth of material U2 produced sporadically up to the time this album was released. 4/5 7/7/26
I'd never really given U2 the time of day: I knew they were widely considered great (And this album shows why) but the being forced onto everyone's iPod left such a sour taste in my mouth I never did give them any attention
Judging the album in and of itself rather than the book of work done by U2, I thought the album was good, not fantastic, but a solid piece of work.
Classic album full of classic U2 songs, I remember how popular this album was and kind of like a comeback in ways for U2
I know there's a lot of U2 hate out there (mostly for Bono). But 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 anthem for a short while in the year 2000; you can't pretend it wasn't. If Joshua Tree is their best product, then this album is a stellar return to form after years of weird experimentation. I like it all the way through, honestly. 4⭐️
All That You Can't Leave Behind is an album that was quite a bit better than i was expecting. I only ever knew this album for Beautiful Day and i did think that this was gonna be at a point where U2 has lost their luster but this album turned out to be shockingly really good. Of all the U2 albums i have heard, this one is probably the most melodic of them all, and i really did like this direction. This is another album that is feels very spearheaded by it's singles as those tracks are the most memorable tracks on the album to me. I still think that War is a little better but this one is still a pretty close second when it comes to albums by this band. Best Song: Walk On Worst Song: Peace On Earth Side Note: Last U2 album, meaning: 1. War 2. All That You Can't Leave Behind 3. The Joshua Tree 4. Achtung Baby
nice soft rock. Totally subjective but I never quite liked the frontman's voice, and still I find the music really enjoyable. Honorable menti`on: Wild Honey. monke
Just a whole lot of good songs. Not much else to be said.
I turned my nose up somewhat at U2 when they popped up, they're a group I enjoyed as a kid but lost my passion for. Maybe I've been overly harsh, turning this album over in my mind it's actually solid and one of their best.
A good more recent one
my type shit
Prior to this journey, I wasn't much of an album listener(which is the main reason why I'm doing this journey). However, I still have a sub-category of albums in this generator I call "Nostalgia Fueled", meaning the nostalgia of Hit Songs, OR the entire album itself fuels my rating. I concede to this, because I remember singing some of these songs as a kid with my friends. Aside from the Hit songs, this album slaps as I listened to it on a beautiful day. The only flaw is the second half of the album could have been more satisfying. Favorite Track: "Elevation".
It's now as good as their earlier work, but it still has a few good songs (which appear to be front-loaded).
4/5
A pretty collection of songs, it peaks immediately with "Beautiful Day" and never reaches quite that high again, but it doesn't have to achieve that for the rest of the tracklist to still remain a varied but pleasing experience
Rendu là, j'avais décroché de U2. (Le titre de l'album fait référence à eux-mêmes??)
Toutes les singles pour commencer, c’est bold. Beautiful Day et Walk On sont encore excellents. Elevation et Stuck in a moment ont mal vieillis j’ose dire. Le reste me semble assez quelconque/u2 generique. Bien aimé kite et New York. Mais bin ça n’acotte pas Joshua Tree et Achtung Baby!
U2's big return to form. No lie, Beautiful Day is a good song. Then they had to put their music on everyone's Apple devices and make it impossible to get it off...what a crazy decision by both U2 and Apple. Nothing makes you want to listen to some aging rockers more than a technology company abusing it's power to control your personal devices. Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of is another good one...strong start. Elevation as the third song, a song I have always argued is often the best on more albums than any other track, is good too. That's a strong start. They're losing me with Walk On and Kite a little bit. They're ok, but they should have spaced those first three tracks across the album more evenly. In A Little While is another highlight. These guys just got sideways with everyone by getting high on their own farts I guess. It feels like they have an accessible sound that isn't so watered down that it becomes unrecognizable in the sea of rock music...maybe it didn't evolve enough as time wore on. Maybe time just comes for us all and you might as well do what works for as long as possible and never worry about everyone else's reaction. The guitar in Grace reminds me of The Velvet Underground's Pale Blue Eyes, one of my favorite songs.
I like beautiful day
Compared to many other albums on this list I think this one actually deserves to be here. I doubt there is any person in the world - young or old - who at least once have not heard "Beautiful Day".
> the Beatles So much hate for such a fun album
Lovely and inoffensive (for me personally). So much hate for such easy listening, god damn. Wild Honey was a fave of mine. Theres little flickers of noise and sound on here that go a long way for me, as im such a detail oriented guy myself. Cool to know Brian Eno had a hand in this, I'd be interested to know where his input and expertise came in, and how it would have sounded differently had he not been around for this album. Honestly more memorable for me than War and Achtung Baby.
7/10: pompous, over-the-top and preachy. Bono is a ridiculous man who fronts a ridiculous band. But my god when they get it right they get it so so right. The highs are 10/10 moments, but the lows are really quite low. A good album, super inconsistent. Best song: Elevation
For the post-pop U2 albums this is one of my favorites. It is pretty solid from top to bottom and went back to some great Edge guitar play.
Decent, not as good as Joshua Tree. Feel like about halfway through most of the songs really drop off, like Bono just ran out of things to sing about. They lack any sort of oomph. The first half is really good though.
U2 getting back to more of what they do well (after the mess of Pop & Zooropa). Love the raw lyrics of Stuck in a Moment. Walk On, In a Little While also excellent tracks. Does drop off a bit toward end of album, but still solid listen. Great variety, strong guitar hooks, and lyrics. 4.5 stars
Last of the great U2 albums. Catchy guitar/bass/drums rock music, this is all we ask of U2. Though they ask more than that from themselves and that's when it goes a little bit off. Which is why songs like Elevation and Walk On are great - they go hard emotionally, it's sincere and the band isn't trying to do something that doesn't fit them. Incredibly entertaining live band and an astonishing lifetime of work with virtually no controversy except people think Bono is cocky, or something. I love U2 and I was glad when they made this as a kind of return to the form that made them so outsanding in the first place.
I’m not a U2 big fan but I really enjoyed this album.
Great record, some hits and a great flow overall. It sounds like a modernized good version of U2, and it achieves everything from beginning to end.
Très bien
not the biggest u2 fan but its good
Not my favorite U2 but I liked it more than War. Great album
It's not very good when you listen to the lyrics but I have a lot of nostalgia with this album as I heard it played a lot in my mid teens as I was just getting into music. I still recall most of the lyrics even though I didn't buy the album but just heard it played by my parents or friends of my parents.
Kann man machen
I like U2, there I said it! This album starts off very strongly but unfortunately it does fade a little in the middle towards the end which is a shame. For me it’s the last strong U2 album, after this it all goes downhill unfortunately. Here’s hoping 2026 will see an uprising!
I had forgotten about this album as it kind of slipped out after Pop. it has some beautiful songs on it that seem to cross the divide between rock n roll U2 and Pop U2. It still stands up for me.
Loved it
Good album! Some moments are really corney, but this I want to listen to again.
yes
Fantastic first three songs, then the rest.
7/10
3.5
3.5
I guess one thing about listening to this album now is all that of the overplayed singles that I was traumatized by for almost a decade or right there at the beginning. Not that they were bad just overplayed to the point of annoyance. That being said the only one that really still kind of resonates me was walk on which was probably the least overplayed of the four. But all and all the first six songs are still great songs to me "I A Little While" being my favorite. The next three songs are my least favorites but ended well with "New York" and "Grace" and quite frankly the UK bonus track "The Ground Beneath Her Feet". Despite the fact I do like this album a good this album a good bit, I've never thought it was essential U2, much less a "must hear before you die" album. To me this was their mia copa to their fans after going off the rails their previous two albums. I'd still rather spin any of their 1980-91 albums. (8.1) ★★★★
It’s a beautiful day for someone whenever this pops up on the 1001 random album generator! A great comeback album for the group and it is one of the best examples of a band continuing to knock out some of their greatest songs even after two decades into their career and clambering right back to the top of their commercial game. Soaring, anthemic and above all beautiful, the first four tracks and Coldplay Parachutes represents the peak of music in the very early 2000s.
This album often strikes me as one made by musicians becoming adults, and leaning into their maturity. I know it's easy to hate on U2, but it's also kind of lame to be so dismissive. There's a certain sound on this album that the band captured only once. There's something about that notion that I find endearing. Lightning in a bottle for a band that's got several of those bottles sitting around.
This started incredibly strong with the first couple songs, dropped off a bit after that, but stayed pretty good all through the album.
Highlights: Beautiful Day, Elevation, Walk On, Kite and When I Look At The World. 4.6
3.5
U2 is the band that every basic kinda rich dad listens but i cant take their musical greatness and expression!
great, low-calorie pop-rock
I love the 'good' songs on this album. I'm quite familiar with it, and the songs I like, I REALLY like. This is 6 of the first 7 songs. Elevation is obnoxious to me. But, Beautiful Day is one of my favorites songs ever. Walk On and Stuck in a Moment are also great songs that I return to occasionally. The other songs are truly painful. Even so 4 stars for the good ones.
Probably the best U2 album in the last 2.5 decades, they’ve mastered the stadium rock sound. The first 4 tracks are certified bangers. U2 is represented by 4 albums on this list and I think it’s a bit too many. But I suppose this would make a suitable 4th album.
Far better than their reputation- made me understand why they have a reputation
A great opening 3 tracks that are legitimately good songs. The middle of the album is a bit slow and samey. For a late career album, this is genuinely enjoyable and showed that they still had creative and relevant music 2 decades after their peak.
Insanitary had to switch off the iPods to better headphones to appreciate the sound. This album is strong mannn. Blow out your car speakers level of strength I’m talking about. It’s not just about enjoying the music, it’s the fact that something about the record is so compelling that it makes you want to enjoy it. You get excited to listen to it and there’s an eagerness to throw it on. Just extremely well packaged. Faves: Beautiful Day, Wild Honey, Elevation, Peace On Earth, Walk On, New York, Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out
favorites: stuck in a moment; elevation; kite
Solid later U2 album.
At first I thought I wouldn’t like it because it just sounded like generic radio pop. Then I liked it, even if it sounded like generic radio pop.
Immediately takes me back to college. Enjoyable nostalgia.
It was an okay album, there were a couple good songs but overall wasn't anything special
Boom
Going into this with low expectations, considering I’ve only heard bad things about U2, especially from my dad, who absolutely hates this band. The album starts off with “Beautiful Day” and I was pleasantly surprised. This song is very nice, almost reminds me of Coldplay a bit. It’s so good. I’m already excited to go back and listen to it again once I’ve finished a full album listen. After the second song, I started thinking I might actually be becoming a fan of U2. Near the end of the album, it gets a little weak and boring (New York and Grace). Songs I would go back to: Beautiful day Stuck in a moment you can't get out of Elevation Walk on Wild Honey 3.5 -> 4
07/02/2026 I can't give it a 3 because it's better than most of the other 3 stars. This scrapes a 4. Spotify listeners: 21.1 million
Whatever haters, I'm here for this pure millennium soft rock. 4/4
Maybe my favorite U2 album.
Makes me proud to be a Dub! ‘A Beautiful Day’ reminds me of the spring, summer and autumn months during the Celtic Tiger era and my childhood. This song was played incessantly on 98FM during drives around the City or on trips to Wicklow and Cork. All in all it’s a great tune. ‘Elevation’ is good stadium rock with an electronic tinge and great guitar riffs by The Edge and Bono’s vocals are great here. WALK ON!!! ‘Wild Honey’ is an absurdist track, the opening like where Bono describes his escapades with his lover, all while framing it as being a monkey or the precursor to modern man is insane on the first listen. I did enjoy the track in full. Very easy 4/5-GEMV (30.01.2026)
Très bon album pour traverser les moments difficiles!
B+
Good album but not their best
richtig gut, hab von U2 sonst nur 'with or without you' und 'i still haven't found what i'm looking for' gehört, 2000 ogs glaube ich
A banger. 4 stars
I remember when this album came out and it was U2 getting back to their roots after Zooropa and Pop which were much more experimental, weren’t as successful as they hoped (even if the tour itself was great). Ultimately, with hindsight, this is U2 playing it safe with stadium rock. No risks, some great tracks, particularly in the first half of the album. The last 4 star U2 album.
It may not be their best album but it’s also not that bad. I enjoyed it a lot.
Perhaps it's because my expectations were low, but that wasn't quite as mediocre as I'd imagined.
Day 148 I’d never actually heard this album before, looking at U2s discography, I’d owned everything before this album and nothing from this album on. It’s not the best U2 alb but plenty to enjoy on here 7/10 Highlights Walk on Kite The ground beneath her feet
κομματάρες
So close to five stars but I left one behind.
People really hate U2, I guess. I really don’t get the hate. They don’t sound stale or too old or whatever here, as most of the reviews claim. Is this album ‘safe’ and commercial? Perhaps. But the first two tracks are stone cold classics. They’re essentials in the U2 pantheon. The rest of the album may not be as good, but it’s never bad, per se. I always enjoy putting this album on. It makes me feel immediately 25 years younger.
A great album
Perfectly fine. Some memorable hits, but I'm never going to reach for this album to listen to the whole thing ("War" is the only U2 album that holds that distinction)
Good craic
This was one of my favorite albums as a kid. The hits still live up to my memories, but the rest of the album is pretty meh.
Recuerdo con gusto este disco de U2. Diría que es el último buen disco que pudieron componer. Es un buen disco, seguramente un buen disco de transición si lo hubieran continuado con otros discos mejores. Desgraciadamente creo que fue el último inspirado. No es perfecto, pero es realmente bueno.
Apparently it's popular to hate U2, but I can't. There's something so entertaining about their music in every album. I know they aren't particularly masterful, but their sound is so iconic and the lyrics so heartfelt that I can't hate them. This is not my favorite U2 album, but it has a couple of really solid songs. Beautiful Day got me through some shit. Stuck In A Moment That You Can't Get Out, Walk On, In A Little While, and Grace are such gentle, hopeful songs. Definite and easy 4 stars
Going in, I thought this might be a 5. Nothing beats Beautiful Day blasting at the start line of a running race and I’ve loved Stuck in a Moment forever. But the rest of the album was just meh, so it gets a 4.
This was quite good, beyond the first two tracks that were hits and a couple of others I kinda recognized. This makes me want to listen to more of their stuff I’m not as familiar with. This is the lowest rated among the four U2 albums we’re going to listen to. I gave Joshua Tree a 5. Both that and this album were co-produced by Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois. A solid 4.
Annoyingly good band of you like soft rock. They are annoying people but very good at what they do.
I'm in two minds about this album. From one perspective, it contains what I believe are U2's strongest pieces, Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of and Walk On. The first 4 tracks are solid, but then it dials right back down to mediocrity. It wasn't until the 11th song, Grace, that I found my next sense of "Oh, that had something kinda special". I'm going to be generous here and give it a 4, but it's a low 4, and it's being held up by Stuck In A Moment which I *really* think is a fantastic song.
The first half is amazingly catchy and soulful. But the second half kind of overstays its welcome. The 2000s era of U2 is odd to go from the Achtung Baby and Pop to this album, but it does feel in sync in ways with the time of clean pop.
Surprisingly good. I didn't expect to find so many good songs in the same album. Even the ones I didn't know before were really good. Just a couple of more boring ones.
I don't think it touches their best stuff, and why on earth they chose once again to put all the strongest tracks at the start (I enjoyed New York) I have no idea. I doubt they'll ever learn their lesson though, as this was another huge success. It is a solid album, I really like Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of, I'm giving it a 4.
Crazy that they dropped this on the first day of the new century. ‘Beautiful Day’ hit different knowing that. ‘Grace’ was a beautiful closer.
Solid stuff.
Good songs well recorded and produced, quite a pop sounding album
I think what a lot of 1-star reviewers are missing is context. This was 1 of 3 albums released just weeks following the fall of the Twin Towers on 9/11 that brought peace and healing to a nation that was left truly stunned and grieving what happened to them (Ryan Adams "Gold" and Bruce Springsteen's "The Rising" are the other two). Listen, all in all this isn't the best of U2 by any means, but this album pushes out a great run of 6 solid and highly catchy tracks, and rounds the other 5 out with the most pat and boring pieces of music this band has ever done. Regardless, this album is a memory marker for an important piece of American history and for that, I'm rating it higher than it probably deserves.
Peaceful. A beloved classic. Love U2
Everything after Joshua Tree is hit or miss. This has some good songs but isn't their best
May not be the cool band to listen to. But no doubt these fellas brought a pretty fine album here.
Good beat more my thing.
When this was released i was working in a record shop and we used to listen to all new releases including this album,so i kinda remember each song very well,but i'll have it a go again as i first listened to it when i was 19 and now i'm 46.I remember this was produced by Eno and Lanois again and that the band was kinda experimenting with dance and alternative rock. Beautiful Day is a powerful opening track that always makes me feel good,of course one of the singles back then with high rotation,i mean this had been playing everywhere, Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of It was an another single which i think was nothing special about it, Elevation on the other hand reminded me of the Pop album,great song with high energy, Walk On was also a single and a favourite of mine,reminded me a bit of Natalie Imbruglia's Torn song, Kite was a song that i didn't even remember,quite melodic but again nothing special here except maybe the reversed melody, In A Little While was maybe the most popish of all,but once more quite predictable as most songs, Wild Honey has an almost country/folk rock feel,probably my least favourite, Peace On Earth fades in beautifully but it's boring as hell,kudos for the Peace message though, When I Look At The World was quite interesting as it progresses especially the vibrato synth sounds underneath, New York has an interesting synth/bass/beat intro with intimate storytelling vocals,guitars detune and the song finally bursts with energy,again swifts into calmness,builds and outbreaks again,i liked this one a lot,i wish there were more of these in the album, Grace starts with bluesy guitar and electronica vibes,great synth carpet that comes and goes,but despite all that there's no surprises here,again,quite flat song, The Ground Beneath Her Feet,the closing song has electronica vibes which i love and the guitars are out of this world,the vocals are amazing here too especially towards the end,maybe my top favourite that i'm actually listening again as we speak.I also wish it was a bit longer. Overall is actually a 3.5/5 but i'll give it a 4/5 just for the last song alone.
This is a pretty great album.
Even when not at their best, their talent shines through. Lyrics come across pretty cheesy sometimes
Late-in-the-day U2 doesn’t get a lot of respect, but there are so many standouts here: “Beautiful Day,” “Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of,” “Walk On,” “New York,” and “Elevation.” IMHO, “Stuck in a Moment” is one of the band’s *all-time* best songs.
I think if you changed the name of the band, and put the album in a blank brown paper sleeve you would review it fairly, just a 💭
Kind of hard to believe this album is 25 years old. A bunch of jams on here - I remember my ex making me go to so many of these shows....oof.
U2 seems to trigger many people these days, but this album is a sonic and creative triumph.
I know this review is going to be EXTREMELY unpopular, but I like this album 🙈 I owned it and I listened to it countless times. In my defense I was probably 18 or 19 when this came out and I was still pretty heavy into my teenage U2 phase 😁 Listening to it later, I can understand a bit why the ratings are lower for people. It’s definitely not at the same level as some of their other stuff and at times is a little corny. But…and my apologies for playing the nostalgia card, this album was ubiquitous around 9/11. Especially when their single “Walk On” came out. I’m soooo sentimental, and I’d never be able to separate my feelings for this album from the actual quality of its content. I don’t care. I’m going to give it a 4, because although it’s a bit hokey, especially by today’s standards, I have strong memories of listening to this album in my bedroom and feeling all my teenage girl feelings about what was going on in the country and the world. This album was very encouraging to me. I really like the songs “Walk On”, “Peace on Earth”, and “Kite.” Kite has more of their classic sound to it in my opinion. Good song.
I liked this - although the songs all merged into one by the end.
This album is really good. I have only really heard beautiful day prior to listening to this but I liked this one a lot.
I love me some U2! This was a solid album. Not my favorite but a solid rock album with some banger tracks like ‘Beautiful Day’ and ‘Elevation.’ The album kind of lost steam for me in the back half but the first half of the album is strong. I would definitely listen to this album again in the future!
The singles from this absolute are peak pre-9/11 music. Favorite tracks: Beautiful Day, Elevate, Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of
This album was generational... it holds up for those of us who lived through it and although I wish U2 would have delved more into the Zooropa / Pop path, I do admire the gestalt feeling they captured at the beginning of this new century.
I enjoyed this so much. Felt a similar excitement as I did during those Joshua Tree days.
Why is this album 4 1/2 hours long? I don't really want to like U2 but this is a great album with a lot of very listenable songs. Slightly surreal that the last time I heard it playing in full, the public 9/11 funeral procession was on the TV
Moments of brilliance and moments that should not have found their way to this vinyl. Uneven in the extreme—but some songs are now “new classics”
Not too bad. Worth an extended listen.
Lovely album. The first side, although full of big classic hits, doesn't flow well and it sounds like a compilation. The second side fixed that and has some beautiful, bittersweet, and complex tracks.
Great record - was surprised to see negative reactions given that it does sound genuinely quite fresh (especially for a band almost 25 years in) and is consistently good throughout. Undoubtedly pop music (some songs wouldn't be out of place on a Dido record) but since when was that a problem? Missing a really standout track but overall very solid.
Coming off of a couple of albums that were sort of electronic/dance, All That You Can’t Leave Behind was a return to the pop/rock style that had put U2 on the map two decades earlier. “Beautiful Day”, “Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of It”, “Elevation” and “Walk On” were pretty big hits.
Solid. was a great concert as well.
BRO WAS NOBODY GONNA TELL ME U2 IS BANGER AFTER BANGER?? I thought they were on some backstreet boys/one direction shiz but no
typical solid U2 - first Time in its entirety - pretty good
Some good jams
Beautiful day, eine gute Band vielleicht etwas unter dem Höhepunkt ihrer Kreativität, trotzdem gut.
Sunny day on the train plus some U2 equals incredible vibrations. I wasn’t expecting to like this album since the only thing I know about U2 is that forced themselves onto my iPhone way back when. But if they put this album on there I wouldn’t have been mad
I love this album, and hearing it takes me right back to sophmore year of college. I love it. The album is perfect, but after starting so strong, the middle does sag a lot for too long to give it a perfect 5 stars. The quiet ending matches the energy of the beginning, and I love it.
Classic U2-sound. I like it.
i tbh have very little knowledge of U2, either their specific music or even the broad strokes of their career evolution, and "critical comeback after presumably weirder albums" only does so much to fill me in lol. rly the most normal music of all time, esp considering that i wasnt even alive for most of U2's commercial dominance but the lexicon of Default Sound in the base background hum of pop culture , from other rock bands to car commercials, has been greatly contributed to by the band. hard to love, but not something im inclined to dismiss either,,,their formula was often copied because it is Easy To Copy, but also because it Works...the echoy dramatic sound giving an impression of richness and complexity while actually being paired with extremely simple and easily digestible raw musical information, and the emotive quality works at all levels of buy-in from full body sobbing to harmless background noise. prob not my fave band in the world, nor even my fave rock band to achieve their kind of populist power in relatively recent times (im a coldplay warrior), but despite all my attraction to eccentricity there sometimes is just smth pleasing about art that Makes Sense on some deep level
Some really good tunes on this album.
The first half of this album absolutely slaps. But really takes a nosedive in the second half. 3.5 rounded up cause I do like U2
This is a real vibe if you are in the mood for it. It works for a rainy day
It was a good album. It sold well. It had one big hit single. There are a lot better U2 albums. Why include this one?
Liked it more than I was expecting to. Had some nice quiet moments.
Hating on U2 is lame. Y'all dislike this album because it's cool to dislike this band. Tight playing, earnestness, soaring lyrics and themes. This is a fantastic album. And, dare I say it, to this is way better than Joshua Tree.
Veldig A4 2000’s pop-rock. Men det er vel fordi U2 i stor grad formet og inspirerte den.
Приятное фоновое звучание, мелодичное, саундтрек к жизни, поставить пластинку и наслаждаться днем. Не думала, что рок звучит так. Без надрыва, но при этом со смыслом и глубиной.
3,9/5
Its fine
I get it. Bono is pretentious, and has been since at least U2 dropped their Post-Punk sound for arena-friendly rock. But (and this is only based on my personal feelings) I like to think that he and the band have been humbled since their iTunes debacle and their fall to legacy act, no longer cutting edge status. All of this to say that I enjoy U2, and I do it unapologetically. I would say that this album is the last truly great album the band put out. And coming 20 years after their start that is no small feat. Unlike other albums this one doesn't chase trends, or make trends. What it does is sound like U2 doing U2. You've got arena friendly rock, you've got emotional pop, and everything else they do well. This is one of my favorite albums of theirs and every time I listen to it I find it highly enjoyable.
my 100th rated album!! i actually enjoy this! i’ve needed a few listens. “Elevation” is a certified banger. “Stuck in a moment”, “Walk on” and “Kite” has some incredibly beautiful lyrics that’s important and meaningful. The bridge in “Walk on” is just amazing and gives me goosebumps 😭 “When I look at the world”, enjoyed it a lot. i love the way bono’s voice almost cracks in the chorus. “The ground beneath her feet” had a cool sound but in headphones it’s panning quite a bit which makes my head feel eurgh, which is a shame. there’s a few songs i don’t quite enjoy but the pros of the album as a whole weigh up enough for me to rate this a 4.
## In-Depth Review of U2's *All That You Can't Leave Behind* *All That You Can't Leave Behind*, U2’s tenth studio album, marked a pivotal moment in the band’s career. Released in October 2000, it signaled both a return to their roots and a reimagining of their sound after the experimental 1990s. This review will dissect the album’s lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, weighing its strengths and weaknesses with precision. --- ## Lyrics **Emotional Depth and Universality** The lyrics on *All That You Can't Leave Behind* are deeply personal yet universally resonant. Bono’s writing, shaped by events such as his father’s terminal illness and the imprisonment of Burmese activist Aung San Suu Kyi, explores themes of loss, perseverance, and hope[2]. Songs like “Kite” meditate on letting go, while “Walk On” channels resilience in the face of adversity-a message that took on new significance for listeners after 9/11, even though the album predates the event[1]. **Simplicity and Clarity** Unlike the irony-laden, fragmented narratives of *Zooropa* or *Pop*, the lyrics here are direct and heartfelt. Tracks such as “Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of” and “Grace” are notable for their straightforwardness, eschewing cryptic allusions for clarity and emotional punch[3][4]. Bono’s voice, while less flamboyant than in earlier years, carries a new urgency and tenderness, especially in songs addressing mortality and redemption[4]. **Critiques of Lyrical Approach** Some critics argue that this lyrical simplicity borders on the generic, with certain tracks lacking the poetic ambition of U2’s best work. The album’s streamlined nature, while accessible, can feel “a teensy bit dull” to those seeking the complexity of earlier albums[3]. --- ## Music **Return to Melodic Rock** Musically, the album is a deliberate retreat from the electronic and dance influences of the 1990s. Instead, it embraces the melodic, guitar-driven sound that defined U2’s 1980s output, but with the wisdom of experience[3][4]. The Edge’s guitar work is more restrained and textural, providing subtle color rather than dominating the mix[4]. This approach is evident in “Beautiful Day,” where soaring melodies and anthemic choruses are paired with understated guitar lines. **Variety and Cohesion** The album’s strength lies in its variety within a cohesive framework. “Elevation” employs fuzzy electronics, “Wild Honey” offers acoustic warmth, and “In a Little While” dips into soulful grooves[6]. The sequencing ensures that no single song overshadows the others, maintaining an “aesthetic whole” that feels organic and unforced[6]. **Critiques of Musical Choices** Some listeners find the album’s musical choices too safe, arguing that the band’s retreat from experimentation leads to moments of predictability. While the melodies are strong, the arrangements occasionally lack the adventurousness that made *Achtung Baby* and *Zooropa* so compelling[3][5]. --- ## Production **Masterful Restraint** Produced by Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, with additional mixing by Steve Lillywhite, the album’s production is marked by its subtlety and polish[3][4]. The focus is on clarity and space, allowing each instrument and vocal to breathe. Eno and Lanois convinced the band to develop songs organically in the studio, resulting in performances that feel spontaneous yet refined[2]. **Balancing Modern and Classic Elements** The production balances modern touches-occasional electronic flourishes, atmospheric synths-with classic rock instrumentation. This synthesis is particularly effective in tracks like “New York,” where urban chaos is evoked through layered textures without overwhelming the song’s core[6]. **Potential Drawbacks** For some, the production’s smoothness can verge on blandness. The self-effacing approach, while avoiding excess, sometimes strips the music of the raw energy present in earlier U2 records[3][5]. --- ## Themes **Human Experience and Spirituality** The central theme is the journey of the human spirit-coping with loss, seeking love, and finding meaning in adversity[1][2]. The “heart in a suitcase” motif represents the emotional baggage we carry and the quest for wholeness. Songs like “Walk On” and “Grace” are suffused with spiritual undertones, reflecting both personal faith and universal longing[1][4]. **Transition and Renewal** The album chronicles a transition from youthful idealism to mature reflection. It’s about letting go of the past while cherishing what truly matters-a narrative that resonated strongly with fans entering a new millennium[2][6]. **Societal and Political Undercurrents** While less overtly political than some earlier U2 albums, there are nods to global issues, such as the tribute to Aung San Suu Kyi in “Walk On.” The focus, however, remains on the personal as a gateway to the universal[2]. --- ## Influence **Critical and Commercial Impact** *All That You Can't Leave Behind* was a massive success, topping charts in 32 countries and selling over 12 million copies[2]. It won seven Grammys, including Record of the Year for two consecutive years-a unique achievement[2]. Critics generally praised its return to form, with *Rolling Stone* calling it U2’s “third masterpiece”[3][4]. **Shaping 21st Century Rock** The album’s blend of classic rock values with modern production influenced a wave of post-millennial bands seeking to balance authenticity with accessibility. Its anthemic, emotionally direct style became a template for mainstream rock in the 2000s. **Enduring Legacy** Songs like “Beautiful Day” and “Walk On” have become staples of U2’s live shows and are regarded as modern classics. The album’s message of hope and perseverance continues to resonate, especially in times of crisis[1][2]. --- ## Pros and Cons | Pros | Cons | |---------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Strong, cohesive songwriting with universal themes | Some tracks are lyrically and musically generic | | Emotional, accessible lyrics rooted in personal and global events | Production can feel overly polished or safe | | Masterful, restrained production by Eno and Lanois | Lack of experimentation compared to previous U2 albums | | Seamless blend of modern and classic rock elements | Album’s latter third is weaker, with some filler material | | Commercial and critical triumph; enduring influence | Some fans and critics find the album too middle-of-the-road or lacking in urgency | | Standout tracks (“Beautiful Day,” “Walk On,” “Stuck in a Moment”) | Bono’s vocal range shows signs of strain on certain tracks | --- ## Conclusion *All That You Can't Leave Behind* stands as a testament to U2’s ability to reinvent themselves while honoring their legacy. The album’s focus on melody, emotional honesty, and spiritual searching resulted in a collection that is both timeless and timely. While it may lack the risk-taking edge of the band’s most innovative work, its strengths-cohesion, craftsmanship, and heart-make it a landmark release in U2’s discography and a defining rock album of its era.
Dear 1 Star Voters. Seriously? I mean I can see that maybe you like this album less then others. But "mUh jOsHua tReE iS beTTur! 1 stAR" lol get a grip. Theres a hook from a german rapper that describes that perfectly: They've changed. Who allowed that? It was MY band, that ruined my day.
The album starts off with a great one-two-three punch: "Beautiful Day," "Stuck In A Moment," "Elevation," which are all pretty well-known of later U2 hits. I used to like "Elevation" more, but the "hoo"s got a little annoying, along with the overemphasis of EL-E-VA-TION. Other songs did get a little repetitive, like "Peace On Earth," but I really liked the counter melody in "The Ground Beneath Her Feet". I though that that waas really effective. All in all, a pretty good mature U2 album (although I was never a fan of just the older stuff, it IS what most people know...) Top tracks: "Beautiful Day," "Stuck In A Moment," "Ground Beneath Her Feet"
When my best friend and I were little we used to run around outside and sing U2 in the sunshine. She passed a few years ago and U2 brings me back in a good way♡
I saved to my playlist
It’s not a perfect album by any sense. Side one is fantastic. Side two drags a little. However, it is a Very Good album by a Great band.
Solid big radio friendly rock album. Some killer tunes on here. Beautiful Day was everywhere but Stuck In A Moment and In A Little While are lovely. Sure Bono can be intolerable at times but don't let it spoil the fun
for the second time U2 give me a very good album that ultimately fails to break into my personal top tier. I must commend the band for putting out great material 20 years into their career even if it isn't something I particularly love.
Very good
I know the consensus and I do not care. I enjoy All That You Can't Leave Behind, and although the latter half of the record is weaker than the first, there are still some great pop rock songs on here.
Why do people seem to dislike this so much? It’s a U2 album produced by Lanois and Eno opening with a strong set of singles. A daring move, as the closing half is not as great as the first - but then again … It doesn’t contain EVERY single from the album in continuation, so how could it be?
Soft pop rock, I've always heard how huge U2 were and I didn't really get it before. I actually liked this album quite a bit, but I still don't see how this band ever took the world by storm. But they remind me a lot of what Coldplay and Imagine Dragons would become, which to me is the epitome of bland pop rock. I really did like the riff in In a Little While, and there is a pretty poignant cynacism in Peace on Earth I enjoyed. Not as bland as I expected.
É interessante ver as músicas que não são hits. Algumas muito boas, que não dá pra entender porque não fizeram sucesso, outras são dispensáveis.
Not as good as their more adventurous stuff, but has some great songs
First four tunes are outstanding all timers, the rest of the album is slid too. Just not totally up to the lofty standards set by their other work.
Good
I was considering giving it a 5, but New York was just a bit too cheesy. P.S. Why so much hatred for Bono and the boys?
I rate beautiful day a 4 star because it has a nice beat and the energy I out the roof. I rate elevation a 4 star because it has a nice beat and the energy I out the roof. I rate new york a 4 star because it has a nice beat and the energy I out the roof.
I think this album is pretty good because I like the voice of the singer. I think the lyrics are kinda cool. I like the background music. I would reccomnend this album.
I like this album because I like how the voice sounds and how upbeat the music is. I would recommend this to someone else because I feel like someone else would really like it. I give it 4 stars out of five.
Not a huge U2 fan but thought there were a lot of good songs- particularly early going.
Has some really great songs, and seems to be the last relistenable U2 album
Really good.
A fine album! Not my favorite from these lads, but wouldn’t kick it out of bed.
Like this a lot more than I thought I would
Very decent, I can hear how this inspired Coldplay 4/5
The first half of this album is a 5/5 for “raising kids” music. My mom loves U2, and I heard every track on here so many times growing up. The sappy lyrics, the spacey wailing vocals, the instrumentation, all as familiar and to me as the color of my bedroom or my childhood dog. I’m almost now my mom’s age when she first had kids, and this is hitting in a way I can’t say I expected. Stepping back from sentiment , the second half kind of dawdles
Weirdly good but still kind of corporate sounding. I forgive them though
It’s U2! This isn’t one I remember growing up with, but tbh my parents may have missed it since I was screaming and crying 24/7 when this came out. I know beautiful day, but nothing else from it really stands out to me. U2 is always a good listen though
At first listen I felt like this was a pretty mediocre album by a pretty great band. But after several listens it really started to grow on me. The poetry is a complex mix of melancholy and hope, both deeply personal (Stuck in a Moment, Kite, Walk On) and about the world we live in (Beautiful Day, When I Look at the World, New York). Peace on Earth is an interesting song because it feels BOTH very personal but also connected to the greater tragedy and heartbreak of the world. Throughout the album is The Edge's great guitar playing and I like how he crafts the sound of the guitars to fit the moods of the songs. It's kind of subtle and I like that this album works like that. It's the kind of album I can keep coming back to and the songs reveal new things. Wild Honey is another favorite. And Elevation rocks!
I wouldn’t say this is a masterpiece but it’s fun to listen to and I felt like I was in a 2000 movie montage.
Idc this is a good album 🤷
Classic U2. A good listen.
1st song better than rest (or more memorable??)
Perhaps I am rating this too high because I had such low expectations, but I found the songs to be mostly enjoyable, without any lemons.
Fine
I wanted to dislike this because of Bono, but Kite is beautiful.
Pretty good album. First time I listened to the whole thing.
Day361 - i was surprised how many of these songs i knew. i like u2 but not necessarily one of my favorites but this is a solid album
Actually pretty flame, short and sweet
Elderly everything here is worry of topping the charts. And the songs, while not quite as U2 branded as on past albums, are catchy as hell, even if they miss the mark on lyrical content sometimes. Looking at you Peace on Earth.
Though lauded as a “return to form” and harbinger of U2's 2000s resurgence, ATYCLB marks my favorite band’s retreat from risk-taking and the definitive end of their most innovative era.
U2 is so not cool, but I can’t really hate this. It’s a beautiful daaaay
A bit too poppy, but I have to admit I quite enjoy U2
Pretty classic U2, well-produced, I enjoyed this. Stuck in a Moment is a banger. 4
Welcome when it came out, one was skeptical but was quickly convinced that U2 was worthwhile/cool again after crappy/dancy/clubby previous few albums. Remaster seems to have dialed up the studio trickery and synthiness more than one would idealy like. This is the sound of a band navigating through its middle ages and adjusting more effectively to shifts in musical style. It also shows them being maybe a bit too concerned (even slightly desperate) to remain relevance. And there are hints of the bombast that has become the band's (mainly Bono's) major characteristic in the years since. But, to be clear, this is a collection of mostly first-rate songs – "Beautiful Day" is a great opener and "Elevation" a quality banger, while "Kite" and "Walk On" and "Grace" more than adequately hold up the quieter/more serious and contemplative side of things. The overall effect is largely what U2's best records do best – inspire, comfort and reckon. Though they've added far too much dreck to their catalog, that this is their 4th or 5th best record (behind Boy, War, UF, JT – not necessarily in that order) speaks to the sustained quality output.
I’m still not sick of the big 4 singles from this record, and in fact, the first 7 songs are pretty fantastic in my book. It unfortunately loses a bit of steam after that, though none of it is bad. Rounding up for the website, but could be a true 4 one day. 3.5/5
Amazingly strong opening run of four songs — some of my favorite ever. Unfortunately the back half gets embarrassingly bad (“New York” “Grace). I have to give it 4 stars on the strength of the openers, but it is not an album I will revisit in full.
A U2 classic. Lots of great songs. I think this was a high for U2's career.
Fav: Walk On Least Fav: In A Little While I actually like Brian Eno’s production on this album quite a lot
This is a lovely album. I had never listened to it, though I recognized about half of the songs from radio play. I have a feeling I will come back to this one. It isn’t as anthemic as some of their others, and isn’t overly-ambitious. I mean all that as a compliment. This is a U2 album with heart in it, which is when they are at their best.
I enjoyed this album. As I understand it, they and their sound got a little discombobulated during the ’90s, with real questions about whether they could still make real music or if they’d become the butt of their own jokes. Good recovery.
Quality album, one of U2s best.
Far from my favorite U2 album but still pretty good.