All That You Can't Leave Behind

Despite the talents, I just don't like it

Treacly dreck

This album is ok, but is it even in U2’s top 5?

Easily consumable, I think I prefer their earlier stuff though.

Why is this on here, WHY? Bloviated, devoid of charisma, and has absolutely nothing to say.

Very boring. Hard not to compare to Joshua Tree, which was so moving.

Um. At their best U2 was compelling. This is a good album. Not their best but not their worst. U2 should have a couple on the list. But I’m not sure that it’s this one. 2.5

A couple of years ago, doing this, I experienced Achtung Baby and I'm still recovering. The thing is I liked Boy when it came out, it was part of that whole Irish Boomtown Rats/Stiff Little Fingers thing which was fantastic. So what happened? How did they get this level of approbation and adulation? This record, like Achtung, is just so boring, it does not move me in anyway deadbeats. That's the problem, they are really boring. They've got the exact same moves, every record. Did the one with the beanie spend a lot time listening to BB King and have a eureka moment? Could he play Smoke on the Water, cause BB couldn't. Its the musical equivalent of a glass of water.

Crowd pleasing arena rock. It has been said that U2's whole career is a reaction to The Joshua Tree, either rejecting it to try something new or re-embracing the vision. This album is a return to a more classic U2 in the mode of Joshua Tree, purpose-engineered to play in front of 30,000 people a night. The Eno-Lanois production is glossy, spacious and cinematic. I swear that Daniel Lanois never met a digital reverb he didn't immediately slather all over everything in arms reach. The Edge, as usual, is carrying the show, musically. Front loaded like crazy (the first four songs are the four singles), it drags in the back half. But those first four songs are pretty strong -- catchy and memorable -- and there aren't any real stinkers on the record. I don't think I would ever _choose_ to put this album on the turntable, but if someone dropped the needle on side 1, I wouldn't be upset. But I can't forgive a line as hilariously bad as "A mole, digging in a hole, digging up my soul now". Bono's lyrics at their best can project a kind of wide-screen faux-profundity (fauxfundity? profauxndity?), but here they often feel ham-fisted, clumsy and quotidian. We have pulled the curtain back to reveal that the Wizard of Rock really is just a moderately talented chancer with a rhyming dictionary. Good voice, but not a lot to say on this record. It's a very U2-y album but feels a shallow and superficial compared to Joshua Tree or Achtung Baby, which an inevitable side-effect of being designed to play big live. I saw them in Sydney in 2010 (I think, or it might have been the 2006 tour) and they played a bunch of songs from this album, and they did sound great in an arena. But I find it hard to love as an album. I like my rock to be a bit _dangerous_, dare I say it, a bit _edgy_, which 2000-era U2 were not. The ongoing contributions of The Edge ironically do not deliver much edge.

60/100. For me, Beautiful Day is the saving grace here. The rest of the album feels pretty dull and uninspired.

Found this to be very mid

not bad, i like this but i prefer U2 from 80s

Peaceful. A beloved classic. Love U2

Cool, more mellow side of U2.

Starts with a bang but unfortunately goes steadily downhill.

Some great songs. Some great melodies. U2 can write great melodies. But the music is anaemic and lacks feeling, it feels weak and without life. The lyrics can be weak sometimes, too. If a song comes on random l’ll listen to it and enjoy it. But I won’t actively seek out this album to listen to again.

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.

Not their best but still good. Better front half

Gave it a shot, not for me. Just doesn’t do anything for me

Good beat more my thing.

As interesting as Coldplay

I like u2. Earlier stuff better

3.5 Stars. There's definitely better U2 albums.

First 2 songs are really good and I saved them (already knew Beautiful Day because who doesn't). The rest of the album is fine but doesn't move me. 6/10

I don't like U, nothing personal

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

When this album was released didn't like any of the songs that got radio play but I gave the whole thing a listen. Didn't like any of the songs that didn't get radio play.

U2 sucks.

Maybe two songs I enjoyed? Not anywhere close to U2's best work and should be nowhere near this list.

Some U2 is ok but this ain't it chief

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.

I definitely groaned when this was generated for me on a nice calm Sunday morning. Who wants to ruin a nice day off by blasting 'Beautiful Day' and pissing off the dogs and neighbours?! It's a shame it was so horribly overplayed and will forever be associated with the dark days of ITV winning the rights to Match of the Day from the BBC and choosing Bono to replace one of British television's most iconic theme tunes. It's objectively a great tune and opener but that kind of tarnish is hard to shake. The true nadir of All That You Can't Leave Behind then arrives in the form of the truly awful 'Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of'. (And not just for its unforgivably sloppy stranded preposition; just imagine Bono attempting to make a chorus out of 'you've got stuck in a moment, out of which you cannot get'?) Fortunately for U2, and my Sunday morning, things improve vastly from there and I'll be damned if I didn't find myself enjoying a good 80% of this album. I've always appreciated Brian Eno productions and his work helps to elevate the less single-heavy second half of this album with his complex and at times dreamy interpretations of what are otherwise a little unremarkable rockers. I do think overall it feels a bit safe and predictable. 'Elevation', 'Walk On' and 'Kite' are great for what they are, basically cookie-cutter catchy rock songs and I enjoyed the pulsing ambience in the closing run of 'New York' and 'Grace', but after applying the standard U2 tax, this will have to sit as a solid 3 rather than scraping a 4.

Underwhelming Christian rock vibes. Beautiful Day is alright. New York was my favorite track

Vanilla. Sounds like the soundtrack to a depressed dads divorce. Nothing noteworthy here.

Full of radio hits but I don't personally really like U2 or this album.

gute hintergrundmusik

Not bad but nothing stands out really

I’m convinced U2 is a government psy-op. I don’t think anyone ACTUALLY really loves their music. I think it’s generally tolerable, and people pretend to love it because it’s not outright bad and they feel like they’re the weird one if they don’t like it. Bono is an insufferable douche. This album was everywhere when I was in like 5th grade. Was mildly bad then, is mildly bad now.

This is a pretty great album.

What a mess. My distaste for the band was cemented by whatever this was. A horror.

Kept in wanting to give this a three for the catchy songs but the lyrics drove me nuts on how bad they were

U2 does pop. I never liked All That You Can’t Leave Behind when it came out 25 years ago (how quickly time flies), and revisiting it today hasn’t really changed my mind. I get that for many U2 fans, this isn’t their finest hour. It’s a pop record — polished, people-pleasing, and a bit tired, as if the band were running low on fresh ideas. It offers a few catchy tunes but little of the innovation or emotional punch that made The Joshua Tree or Achtung Baby so special. That said, there are still some solid moments here. Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of, Walk On, and Elevation all hold up well. But from track five onwards, the quality really drops off. Overall, it’s a very average album, and I’m honestly baffled that it made this list. Favourite track: Elevation Least favourite track: Beautiful Day – I’ve always hated it. Completely overplayed. Album artwork: A cool band shot — simple but effective.

All of this album's singles are jammed right at the start, giving you the impression that the album is going to be fine. It doesn't sound like the band is trying anything new, sure, but maybe it will still be a pleasant listen. But "uninspired" quickly turns into "bland," which highlights the album's negatives. Like how Bono sounds too earnest and strained on the weirdly soul "In a Little While." Or the clumsy lyrics, from Bono defining grace to rhyming "mole in a hole" (to give one example of a distractingly obvious rhyme among many). By the time we get to "Peace on Earth" things sound like a parody of the band. There are some good melodies here - "Walk On" has my favorite - but as a whole it's painfully one-note.

tough to rate this one. I mean there are a few songs that are objectively iconic in terms of recognizing them, but it's still a U2 album from the tail-end of their career. It's safe, it's shallow, and pretty same-y.

This album is how I imagine AI music sounds, clinically perfect, but lacking any soul and sucked dry from any purpose other than to sell records. Music that's perfect for elevators or when you're on hold to the bank. 1 star.

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.

This was ok. Consistent, but maybe a little too consistent as more variety would've been nice. Having said that, it's not a classic list-worthy album, but it is a solid album. Liked Songs Added: Beautiful Day

i delayed listening to this for 6 weeks and i was right

Did U2 really need 4 albums on this list? I can make arguments for including the other 3, but this one does not need to be here.

this wasn’t bad. tis not amazing, but not awful either. the singles from the album are solid radio-friendly songs, and a few of the others were filler, which is to be expected from many albums, unfortunately.

Just average

Easy to dislike U2 because Bono used to be everywhere, wasnt shy about giving his opinion and no one likes being told they are shit and what to do by someone who is close enough to a billionaire. I also admit to some Bono induced eye rolling. So i try to put this aside and listen just to the music. I liked Joshua Tree. Maybe I’ll like this. Track 1. Isnt this a Coldplay number? Elevation, the Dr Zeuss of U2 songs. I’d call it a better album than every other one between Joshua Tree and this one but the bar isnt high. Tough to het through for me. Meh.

Somehow U2 is cool?

2/5 Beatiful Day is so good but insanely overplayed. I have yet to find another memorable song on this album. I can see the vision and I kinda liked it but I got bored of it. Sorry for the fans.

I hate U2's radio singles with a passion, so I came in expecting to despise this album. I just found it boring. It sounds like a generic pop band from this era, not a stadium selling legacy rock act. Even worse, some of the songs(Peace on Earth, New York) have absolutely terrible lyrics that sound like a 10 year old wrote them.

I’ll tell you what I can leave behind U2 : every single one of your albums. I only uncovered 47 albums out of a 1000. 3 of them are U2 albums. I feel cursed, like somebody hates me and wants me to quit this project. I apologize to the music gods, stop waterboarding with the blandest tap water in the world. Listening to this record in particular, feels like waiting in line. It is only kinda bearable in the beginning, mostly dull and the payoff is never worth it. I would rather do anything else than wait in line ever again.

I love U2. I love them in rock mode, and I appreciate them in cheesy pop mode, like they are here. In 2014, I felt like I was the only person who thought, "Oh, cool. The new U2 album is automatically on my iTunes." U2 is earnest and big-hearted. They want to make you feel something. Even on their more forgettable songs (this album has plenty), that guitar tone is gorgeous and moving. The emotions are pure, and the production is immaculate. U2 also has enough hits to fill two greatest hits albums. This album opens with three of them. These are huge songs that took over the world when they came out. I still enjoy humming along to them in a department store, even if they're not my favorites.

A typical solid U2 album in their modern stadium rock era. "Beautiful Day" is a really nice track, and one that I annoyingly will sing to my wife when we're having a bad day to make her giggle. "Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of" is also good, and I might actually consider "Elevation" to be my favorite on the record. Unfortunately with those three tracks being the first ones on the album, everything after feels a bit fleeting and not exactly packed with memorable hooks or big pop rock moments. If this song had maybe two more tracks that were on the same level of the first ones, I think I would raise the rating on this one but I feel pretty comfortable giving it a 3/5.

I've liked maybe 3 U2 songs ever. This album does not further their cause. Poor

I hate this album but I'm giving it a two as it is extremely motivating (as an unsuccessful musician) this was to make music that is not so emotionally flaccid, trite and over-produced. I DO like Beautiful Day but I was also raised in a cult where genuine culture and self expression was frowned upon- so I can't tell if this is a stockholm syndrome response.

What a load of rubbish!

The front half was packed full of songs I hear in pubs and restaurants and public places all the time. There’s no denying the widespread appeal of the singles from this album, but the back half didn’t grab me and I think in retrospect, these songs ushered in an era of soulless rock pop that tarnishes this album for me. It’s good not great

3.5

I’m not surprised at all that the first four tracks (“Beautiful Day”, “Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of”, “Elevation”, & “Walk On”) were singles… the rest of the album is, unfortunately, pretty bad. Like, notably bad. It’s true that I don’t like Bono, but let’s remember that I was able to look past that to rate The Joshua Tree highly. I’m telling you that, personal opinions about Bono aside, I also don’t like this album for completely separate and equally valid reasons. From “Kite” onward, I kept hoping they were just in a bad streak and we’d get another secret banger but it never happened. Almost every album needs a little filler, right? This one shoulda been a EP. One of the most disappointing songs was “Peace On Earth” because you can’t name a song that and not go all-in to make it an anthem, right? You probably need a big choir for backing vocals, some orchestral embellishments, a big producer to be brutally honest with you about the song, and really throw everything you have at it, right? The vocal performance is trying to be that song, but they didn’t do any of the other work to get it there. It probably does well in an amphitheater full of U2 nerds, but it’s not going to bring the world together. Overall this is a disappointment. 13years after The Joshua Tree, the singles prove that they still have it, but the other songs suggest that there are two strikeouts for every homerun.

A solid 3. Almost a 4. It’s a good listenable album but doesn’t do anything new. Not a landmark U2 record.

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 💭

I wasn't excited for this. U2 is like that older uncle that isn't a bad guy and talking to him for a few minutes is fine but an actual conversation makes you realize that you made a grave grave mistake. There were a few surprises here but meh. 4/10

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.

A 3+. Had not heard the album (but heard a few songs). Would not put it in same category as early U2 but better than expected. Somewhat surprised it made the list.

It's U2, which means some solid pop rock hits and then a bunch of crooning. Too much jerking off about new york. prob wouldn't listen to this entire album again, but def added some singles to my favorites.

Going into this, I thought it was one of those albums that is just non-stop hits. There ARE a lot of hits on this album. But holy cow, side two of this becomes forgettable very quickly. The hits were huge, but I don't think this even compares to some of their earlier stuff. It's fine, but I won't be coming back to it.

I remember the "return to form" hype around this album after U2's increasingly annoying dalliances with electronic music in the '90s. And it did feel like the band getting back to what they do best...at first. It's a steep descent after "Beautiful Day," and the back half couldn't be less memorable. By the end, I was actively annoyed by its blandness.

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

Its U2 Its never bad.

Goes down about as well as a tall glass of room temperature water on a cloudy day. U2 take no risks, and settle into a comfortable pattern of stagnation and ‘no.1 hit’ chasing. An average 2.5 for a once important band. ⭐️⭐️

A good sof Rock album, nothing to add 3/5

Just can’t finish

I have a positive Pavlovian response to “Beautiful Day” because they play it at Target Field when the Twins win. (So it’s been awhile since I’ve heard it. Har har.) The rest of it is alright to pretty good. It’s the sound you think of when you think U2, for better or for worse. A lot of space and big melodies and subtle guitar adornments. It's also a little bloated.

Was ok, i like You've Got To Get yourself Together and the first one reminds me of football on a sunday

A nice album with great production. Easy listening. I can see why it's so popular. However, U2 is not really my cup of tea

Didn't need to listen to this. Not gonna change my mind on U2 after I already didn't like The Joshua Tree. The singles were actually not bad, but the rest of the album was bad.

U2 has got to be one of the most overrated bands of all time. This album is like every other U2 album, 1 (sometimes they have 2) decent song, and the rest are complete crap where Bono mumbles through something he tries to make sound lofty. U2 is at it’s best when they play at their talent level (which I fairly low) and plays simple repetitive cords, and they limit Bono to simple repetitive lyrics and keep him from trying to play God. U2’s “great songs” are truly that, but 90% are trash.

Front loaded with some decent songs, absolute crap by the end

Starts off ok, then just dips and boring. Again, I don't hate it, just good background music and inoffensive.

Rose-tinted glasses perhaps but the opening few tracks are great. Then there is a bit of cliff edge.

Ah this is where U2 went back to their 80s sound after the 90s experiment. Sadly does not reach the heights I think Achtung Baby and Joshua Tree did. This seems more formulaic, and doesn't really grip me as much as the other 2 had. There are still some great songs on here though, like "Elevation". But listening to this just made me wish this generator would give me Joshua Tree already

91/1001 :: U2 - All That You Can’t Leave Behind Heard before? ❌ Would I revisit? ❌ Rating: 5 Listen before you die: No I like U2 quite a bit and I’m not sure how many U2 albums are on this list but I’m sure this one needs to be. U2s albums have always had commercial appeal but these songs feel very glossy. Beautiful Day feels like it was written for a bad car commercial. The whole first half of the album feels like this. I love New York and generally songs about it but I don’t know if there’s a more generic love letter to NYC than the song “New York” here. One bright spot here is the song Wild Honey which sounds like the U2 I love. Kite also pretty good but overall I’d rather just listen to The Joshua Tree.

So so ploddy. The singles are alright even if they do sound like a a Travis/Robbie Williams collaboration at times but elevation is the only sign of life. After the singles it just dies. This is clearly a stadium rock band looking for a couple more easy singalongs to add to the canon for gigs. I'm sure beautiful day, walk on, and stuck in a moment work great live but it doesn't inspire me on record

U2’s return-to-form effort trades the irony and experimentation of the ’90s for a sleek, radio-polished sound that channels their ’80s grandeur into a new millennium package, resulting in an album that was everywhere upon release—sometimes to the point of fatigue. The hooks are undeniable and the production pristine, but the raw emotion and adventurous spark that once made U2 essential often feel smoothed over, leaving the record more comfortable than urgent. Still, moments like the gospel-tinged lift of “Stuck in a Moment…,” the soulful ease of “In a Little While,” and the urban sprawl of “New York” remind you why Bono and company remain masters of arena-sized uplift.

okay, but not more 😅 do know one song at least… isn‘t my music & even thing on some songs the lead singer sings bad af 🙊

This album is actually good. Just not impressive enough to make me say it's something to highlight. The songs are good. What really doesn't work is the overall result. It feels repetitive at some point and becomes more boring than anything else, even if the songs aren't bad. It's just too much. This album being shorter or more inspired would have helped to make me like it more.

Quite average, apart from beautiful day, nothing really stands out.

Never liked U2.

The singles being everywhere at the time doesn't mean they were good.

U2 seems to trigger many people these days, but this album is a sonic and creative triumph.

When a band becomes a product.

I have to admit, I enjoyed this album more than I expected. I remember it being heavily promoted when it came out, but after the mess they made in the ’90s, I had no interest in hearing it. Even in the mid-2000s, the songs I heard from them were just as bad, if not worse, than their ’90s output. But since this was my daily album from the 1001 album generator, and I’ve committed to listening to every album from start to finish, this one took me by surprise. I wouldn’t say it was super impressive, but it’s a well-balanced album where U2 seemed genuinely focused on making a solid rock record without trying to be something they’re not.

Great album.

A stack of great tunes, their best work among their later albums.

I don't see all of the hate. My first listen and they are alright. Am I missing some context here?

Hate U2

I actually hate Bono's voice. Perhaps it was better when he was younger?

Great start but tails off

I hadn't listened to any U2 other than the singles from the radio, television, and what have you. Going to be the only time I listen to it by choice. This adult rock shit just ain't for me. Woof

Solid album I new more songs than I expected, lived up to the namesake abit in the light side for me over all good.

U2's last good album. First half is absolutely perfect. Then, it gives into sugary sweetness and cringe lyrics that show why Bono is mocked the way he is. Still, a very solid album that reminds us why U2 was one of the most powerful bands on the planet for a long time.

It’s fine. U2 still hasn’t recovered from auto-adding that one album to all of our iTunes libraries. The hate is mostly hyperbolic and melodramatic. They’re still a great band, but the reality is that their best creative period was several decades ago. Which is fine. If you like U2, you’ll enjoy this album well enough. Should this particular album be on this list? I can think of a half-dozen better U2 albums.

Corny and undeniably bad, but I have a soft spot for it. Beautiful Day is the most well-known hit on here and isn't up to par with U2's best songs but is still a good pop song. Elevation is a guilty pleasure for me and I like it, cheesy as it is. When I Look At The World and New York are decent too. But yes I remember this bland ass album and it's definitely a good example of divorced dad/department store music from the 2000s but no one needs to hear this before they die. I'm a bit soft for it because of the nostalgia but if I wasn't, it'd likely be a 1.

Bono should have been left behind.

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.

Not the first, or the last, band to opt to make easily digestible music to get played on the radio instead of making interesting music to listen to. An entirely unoriginal & dull listening experience.

It all sounds like an advert for boner pills. For a guy who calls himself "The Edge"? Just sayin'.

I am fascinated by the hatred people have for U2. Does it all stem from them forcing their album onto Iphones? They just are not interesting enough for me to understand the hate they get. This album does feel like a major fluke for this list though. At least the other U2 albums had some level of influence on the future of music. This album doesn't even seem that interesting in the history of the band, let alone to the music scene as a whole. Which isn't to say I dislike it. Again, it is too uninteresting for me to even dislike it. It was fine. I enjoyed some moments. But there is nothing that I will remember.

2.5

Beautiful Day is a decent song, but the rest is a boring slog. Don't really have anything else to say.

Why in the hell is this on this list? If I died right after hearing this I’d be a pissed off dead guy. I take back what I said about them not being cheesy in my Achtung Baby review. This version of U2 sucks. This album is instantly forgettable.

Ok listen.

I lost interest in U2 when they progressed from scrappy indie band to arena rock megastars in the mid-‘80s. To be fair, I haven’t listened to their catalogue - other than the singles of course - post-“Unforgettable Fire.” This album does little to change my opinion. “Beautiful Day” is a great song. I also quite like “New York,” in the way I like all paeans to my birthplace and favorite city, but it’s not in the top 10 NYC songs ever written. Otherwise, it’s more of the U2 I expect - proficient, big sound anthems that lack an urgency or reason for being for me. Ultimately, it’s bland.

Found the lyrics to be extremely on the nose and cloying. Too cynical to truly appreciate — I am glad they are delusionally happy though.

U2 showing their full range, from the beautiful to the deadly boring!

Dogshit

A solid pop/rock album with some good singles but didn’t leave a lasting impact

Great first four tracks and then………. Just a bit meh?

I liked this - although the songs all merged into one by the end.

Bad even by U2 standards.

I could leave a little more than half behind.

turned out that I could leave all of this album behind

𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘊𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 aims for timeless stadium rock but ends up sounding like a generic early-2000s record. The production is polished to a fault, the songs feel formulaic, and while there are flashes of the band’s anthemic power, the overall effect is safe and uninspired.

This album is really good. I have only really heard beautiful day prior to listening to this but I liked this one a lot.

This is why everyone in my generation is like, "U2 sucks." and honestly? I'm right there with them. This is I guess could be argued as their last "good" album but it's just so blase.

5/10 I like U2, but this was uniquely uninspired. Highlight: Beautiful Day

Growing up, this album on CD was a mainstay in my family's mini van. It was basically the soundtrack to summer road trips, hockey practice or trips to the ski hill after school. I think it might actually be a better pop album than a rock album but there is something undeniably catchy to these songs. I'm sure nostalgia plays a bit factor in this one for me but it's kind of like rewatching a movie you saw 20 times as a kid , there is a certain dopamine hit you get and for me this album delivered.

This and the Joshua Tree are the two U2 albums that I remember listening to growing up. Listening to All That You Can't Leave Behind now, there are definitely some pretty solid tracks like Beautiful Day, Elevation, Walk On, and New York, but I really don't remember the rest of the album; it’s kind of just forgettable. It's not bad, just nothing really stands out to me. Honestly, I think U2 are just a solid greatest hits band for me. Great singles, but forgettable albums; just give me an album of the singles.

Some good singles but I'm.just not the biggest U2 fan

Much better then I thought it would be. I don't like the whining quality of the vocals.

being a u2 apologist is so difficult. trying to defend their post-2000 output is even more difficult. all that you can’t leave behind’s singles are pretty strong, it’s a shame that most of the album’s deeper cuts can’t hold them up.

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 hits are fine, everything else is very boring. I remember when my dad bought this album because he was U2 fan, but I don't remember ever hearing him listen to it. I can understand why now.

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

O álbum tem bons momentos. Algumas faixas que se tornaram clássicas. Truthear Zero:Red.

Powiem to: dla mnie U2 jest kiczowate. Już pomijam pseudointelektualnego Bono, ale te wyniosłe, optymistyczne teksty do mnie nie trafiają. Ich wczesne płyty były okej, ale ta? To już ten moment, kiedy zaczęli się odklejać. Dla mnie ulubionym utworem Bono na zawsze zostanie jego solo w Do they know it’s Christmastime at aaaaallll. 6.5/10

Mixed bag. Some songs on here are good, others I found quite tedious. Of the ones I didn't know, I liked Walk on best. I think this is another 3/3.5.

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.

Not my cup of tea, but few songs ended in my playlist. Many songs could be good for road trips.

Definitely listenable pop, but I don't get moved by it--are they too comfortable or am I just too familiar? Songs like It's A Beautiful Day are delightful, though others leave me sleeping. Arena pop has its pluses and minuses.

The Importance of Being Earnest!

I've been all over the map with this band, but I suppose the reality is I like certain albums and songs to a point, and the remainder is just something of a miss with me. So it is with this album. The opener is solid, and while not my favorite U2 song ever, it's a good start. The rest of the album is a bit too metronomic moody refrigerator magnet poetry, accented by Bono's increasingly annoying need to add a falsetto hoot to sections of music that would be better without. Perhaps it has gotten oddly personal, but I'm not really into what these guys are doing on this record.

Unremarkable and undeserving of a spot on this list.

I enjoyed this so much. Felt a similar excitement as I did during those Joshua Tree days.

Never gave much time for U2, they always seemed a bit pretentious to me. Listening to this, it was fine; very inoffensive, easy listening that can appeal to anyone but didn’t seem to take much risk to me. 3.25/5 kinda bland

With much regret, one of the first albums I could not wait to be over. Instrumentally forgettable, did not find the lyricism of the songs to be much to write home about either. It's a me problem, but I absolutely did not enjoy this listen through. Maybe some other time

I really don’t want to listen to this. The first few tracks had me thinking I was wrong about U2. But by the end, and rhyming trilogy at the beginning of Grace I realised that I wasn’t.

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

Noh lapsuudessa tätä tuli kuunneltuu niin biisit muistaa mutta eipä tää suurta taidetta oo. 2/5

Aggressiivisen tylsistyttävää musiikkia. 1/5

I wish Bono were a better singer. The first two tracks I love from sear familiarity, and the rest have some nice sentiments. My dad used to say that U2 only knows three chords and doesn't feel obligated to use them in every song, and I definitely understand why now.

Not a fan of U2, don’t understand how this is on the list? Nothing special

Definitely middle-of-the-road, but I guess where I split with this album’s detractors is that I think there are worse things you can be than boring. There are good songs and good moments on this album, even if its mild sound foretold U2 becoming one of the most irrelevant bands ever. Best song: Beautiful Day

It was a beautiful day before I turned this dogshit on. Easily the blandest, most inane drivel I’ve ever had the displeasure of listening to. Some of the most shallow, unoriginal lyrics to receive this much acclaim. I think the worst part is some songs have the potential to actually be good, like Elevation, if it wasn’t for Bono wailing like a cat in heat intermittently throughout the song. I seriously do not get the hype.

just not my cuppa. Wet Radio 1 "rock".

What is this doing in the list? By this point it was clear U2 had lost their unique voice and this is bog standard fayer.

Can't get much softer "soft rock" than this. As inoffensive as listening to a small cup of yogurt. 2/5

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”

Enjoyed

Not too bad. Worth an extended listen.

Professional. Warmly produced. Reminds me of REM's Reveal. Slightly past their best but still capable of making cosy albums.

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.

U2 peaked a long time before this was released and this is the sound of a band who know it and are trying to repackage past glories with a knowing smile and a safety net. This album feels like the musical equivalent of middle-aged men dusting off old trophies and hoping no one notices the cracks. and Brian Eno can fuck off, his stink is depressingly all over too many albums on this list.

Bono lyder godt på den her og der er nogle solide singler i starten, men den er meget monoton og samtlige sange er et fuldt minut længere end de behøver være

De spiller jo helt fint, men det er sgu lidt kedeligt hva.

Banger parade in the beginning, and the rest is boring in comparison...

"Beautiful Day" is still catchy, but I can't say I enjoyed much else on this album. I like some of their hits, but otherwise U2 just doesn't do it for me. 2.4

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.

stuck in a moment was good, rest was meh

i'll admit to liking U2 ok but not this album i did not really enjoy this listen

Great album - grooves from start to finish!

BRO WAS NOBODY GONNA TELL ME U2 IS BANGER AFTER BANGER?? I thought they were on some backstreet boys/one direction shiz but no

Ok, but not their best work 2/5

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.

I hate this band

Mole Hole. Soul. What in the nursery rhyme, infant lullaby bullshit were those lyrics?! Is Bono the World's Oldest Toddler? Worst album. I no longer fear the next Coldplay cut.

Anything after War sucks.

They tried too hard to make a record that nobody could possibly hate and that's why everybody hates it. Nothing really bad about it, beside the fact that it sounds insincere. Favorite song: beautiful day.

3 - decent, a little too weenie hut juniors at points

Back to back hits!

This is just so bland and boring and overproduced.

Starts strong with the 4 best songs and then thrifts, rest of the album is ok, a little forgettable, far from their best work.

Maybe the most inoffensive band of all time, which makes their assault on our iTunes libraries all the more confusing

I've never been keen on U2. That's not so say I particularly dislike them, more that I don't care for their brand of stadium rock. In fact the only U2 album I have is the one that Apple dumped in my account. I played this album twice and remained unconvinced by its merits. The album seemed a bit average to me.

typical solid U2 - first Time in its entirety - pretty good

Another boring and forgettable U2 album. 1.5/5.0: Bad

somehow this album manages to be worse that achtung baby. at least that one had some interesting musical ideas even if they didnt really develop. they played this incredibly safe and the album suffers for it.

Clearly, not as good as classic U2, but the singles are really good. It’s like five star singles surrounded by fluff.

Pretty decent. High 3/5

Some good jams

Yawn boring I’m tired of these guys

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

It's fair to say that I am not a fan and being objective, I can appreciate the message of each track but the delivery just sounds painfully forced. I struggle to finish U2 albums.

A mole Digging in a hole That It shat in.

I never listened to this before (apart from 'Beautiful Day' which was on every radio playlist), being under the impression that apart from a few interesting early albums U2 had turned into a terrible clichéd parody of themselves. With my admittedly skewed starting point I am pleased to confirm that Bonio and the boys haven't failed to deliver. Truly terrible.

Generic music, well played. I can imagine this must've been thrilling in a stadium full of fans, but it is quite vapid, too.

I was working at Blockbuster Video when this album came out, the promo was on a constant loop. There's only so much of Beautiful Day a soul can take! 1.5

I couldn't listen more than 3 songs, never clicked to me.

5/10 So incredibly "Meh". The songs have so little soul. What band sounds like when they know how to play and write, but have zero spark.

Wild Honey is amazing. Ez 3.5

Something about this really works for me. It's a little corny, sure. But I like the instrumentation, sincerity, and song structures.

I'm in the "I can't stand U2" camp and it was a real grind to listen to this. I can't listen to Bono, The Edge creates such boring, repetitive riffs usually drowned in delay and/or some other effects that are uninteresting or appropriate for what they're playing and even Larry's drum patterns are child's play. Not a song worthy of listening to on this album, and no, I didn't listen to it all.

2.5 - Meh

Beautiful day, eine gute Band vielleicht etwas unter dem Höhepunkt ihrer Kreativität, trotzdem gut.

boring af

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

meh

Starts well with a couple of songs I like, but the album failed to hold my attention, even on a relisten. I wouldn't object to any of the songs if they were playing somewhere, but I feel no desire to listen to the album again. Just felt quite bland. Fav song: Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of Least fav: Grace

Decent but not amazing. Started off strong with beautiful day then kind of tapered off. Specific rating - 3.4 Fav song- beautiful day Least fav- new york

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.

2.0 I mean the songs and production on their own are pretty good. But this album as a whole, is softer than baby shit.

Classic U2-sound. I like it.

No thanks

im going into this album trying to listen past the grudge i still hold against itunes randomly adding u2 onto all of our libraries. people gloat on them so much, you'd think they'd actually make music worthy of gloating but i think people just like to lie.

I gotta hand it to them, I don’t like this at all

Haven't listened to U2 wholly since they released that album across all iPhones, aside from the rogue well-known tracks. This was good! Not the best, but in no way bad.

Rating (1-5): ✩✩ Higlighted songs:

Boring and utterly uninspired.

Beautiful Day was so ubiquitous on radio, tv, ads, public space when this came out I almost have a nostalgic fondness for it just from sheer pavlovian force of repetition. The rest of doesn't benefit from this. Lots of great guitar sounds, but they're all wasted on an album composed almost entirely of insipid therapy platitudes, self help affirmations and car commercial anthems. The formula of minor chord -> major chord plus lots of delay and a big sound is the cheap spirituality of megachurch worship music, creating an ultimately empty sense of oneness and catharsis. In the 80s U2 used to be able to pull this off, bits it's so hollow here. It's so blandly uplifting it's not just grating, but insulting - it's music to cheer up people who are so simple they can actually be cheered up by saying, 'hey cheer up mate'. Oh ok!

I find Bono an annoying twat. That being said Beautiful Day is a great song, rest of the album is pretty meh though.

Almost offensively bland. Never been much of a U2 fan, but they used to be more interesting. This was just an overly safe album. 2/5 Won’t listen again

dnf this album just sounds so annoying idk why

I'm from the generation that came up on War and Joshua Tree, so this album feels poppy and vapid compared to the emotion and storytelling of those earlier albums. It has some quality instrumentals and production, in my opinion let down a bit by the songwriting in places. It was funny to see U2 live recently and marvel at how many people were waiting for the tracks from this album versus Achtung Baby, Joshua Tree, War, Unforgettable Fire, which to me are all far superior.

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

The beginning of U2’s steep and fast decline into an embarrassing inferno. The first four songs are solid, but then we take a sharp turn into adult contemporary slop territory that reminds you just how big of a tool Bono is.

meh

2.75

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.

Uninspiring. Average. Was this the album forced on millions of people?

Ok. Too long, but good singles.

Beautiful day is a good song, if overplayed. I still wouldn't put it on a playlist. The Edge is the redeeming factor here, even stinkers like New York have some really cool guitar bits.

3.5

Sometimes it's hard to know whether you don't like something or just heard it too many times when it was new. Having been granted about 20 years of reprieve from having to listen to this, I can say that it's not terrible and I simply got tired of hearing it everywhere all day every day. It's innovative and retrospective at the same time, by a band that had been together for almost 25 years at this point.

Some really good tunes on this album.

I like U2 - I own a couple of their albums, I've seen them live and enjoyed it - and I think Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of is one of their best songs. And yet, I'm surprised this is on the list. It was definitely a return to form after Pop, but it's not doing anything that Joshua Tree or Achtung Baby didn't do first.

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

Ihan pätevä levy. B-puoli turhan hidas, ei pysy mielenkiinto. Muutenkin kyllä jää suurimmaksi osaksi taustamusiikiksi, ei nappaa sillä tavalla mukaansa. On varmaan liian siisti. Vahva kaksi koska en palaa vaikken inhoa.

Levyn leimallisin piirre on sen rytmittömyys. Perkussiivisuus on korvattu massalla, joka syö tahdin ja poljennon sisuksiinsa. Toisaalta levyllä on kuunneltavia biisejä, joista parhaat esiintyvät sen keskivaiheilla (In A Little While, Wild Honey - ehkä?). Dynamiikalla ja akustisen kitaran puraisulla voi olla asian kanssa jotain tekemistä. Lopuksi minun on mainittava sanoituksista. Eräässä biisissä lauletaan: "Grace It's the name for a girl It's also a thought that Changed the world" Ihan. Oikeasti. 2,5

Pop-rock genérico de los 2000. Composiciones agradables de melodías pegadizas y una producción muy buena, como era de esperar, pero, en general, es un álbum poco inspirado y cero innovador. Entiendo que se incluya a U2 en esta lista por ser uno de los grupos de rock más populares de todos los tiempos. Pero este álbum es una vuelta a sus sonidos originales que no aporta nada nuevo. Sobre todo la segunda mitad es especialmente mediocre. Me dicen que es de Coldplay y me lo creo. Solo que la voz de Bono me agrada aún menos. Quizá tendría que haber vivido en algún punto de la anglosfera durante los años inmediatamente posteriores al 11-S para comprender la relevancia de este álbum dentro de su zeitgeist. Pero, al no ser el caso, le tengo que dar mala nota.

Maravilhoso!

Soms heb je albums die in een eigen tijdsgewricht leven, en soms heb je albums die echt exact in het juiste jaar zijn uitgekomen. Dit is er één van de laatste categorie. Naarmate de plaat vorderde zag ik steeds meer in hoe deze vorm van melancholische poprock - wat we terugzien in buitenlandse acts als Snow Patrol en Coldplay, maar ook in binnenlandse acts als Di-rect - zo typisch deze eeuw is. Dit kan wel eens de plaat zijn die die stijl het meest heeft gestuurd. Maar ook bij vlagen dacht ik aan britpop; dit is misschien wel de meest britpopperige plaat van een Ierse band. Los van de tijd die ik heb gestoken in het oriënteren, waar dit album op het genrespectrum lag, heb ik ook wel proberen te luisteren naar de individuele nummers. Songs als 'Beautiful Day', 'Walk On' en 'Stuck In A Moment' kende ik natuurlijk wel, en ik begrijp de pull-factor. U2 heeft wel een gave voor het uitbrengen van muziek wat exact in de mal van de populaire radiostations gegoten kan worden, en dan niet één song, maar eigenlijk elke song op het album. Op zich best respect, maar als je oplette met welke bands ik dit album net allemaal vergeleek, dan weet je ook dat ik zelf nauwelijks genoten heb. Het ging me makkelijker af dan gedacht voor een zwangere-vrouwen U2 plaat, maar toen 'Peace On Earth' kwam waren ze me kwijt. Waarom moet Bono altijd met zo'n tenenkrommende, clichématige anti-war song komen, en dan ook nog denken dat hij er de wereld een mooiere plek meemaakt? Ik heb liever ergens een extra burgeroorlog, ver van m'n bed, dan dat ik deze song elke dag zou moeten aanhoren. 5,5/10 Highlights: Beautiful Day

Ook al zet ik nooit U2 op en luister ik liever naar hun platen uit de jaren 80, komt hier toch best voor popcultuur samen. Eén van de grootste hits van het decennium, Beautiful Day, daar kan je niet omheen. Geproduceerd door Brian Eno. Komt er dan ooit iets slechts uit? Albumcover met een foto van Anton Corbijn. En dan een plaat met songs die gemaakt zijn voor grote stadionconcerten. Oke prima U2. Mooi de band weer uit het slob getrokken met dit album. Complimenten. Maar van mij maak je geen fan. En kom op: Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of. Wat een cringe-track... 6,5/10 - 3 sterren, dan ben ik coulant. Highlights Beautiful Day Walk On

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?

Nothing special, just consistently good radio music

not good enough to drown out the chatter of life around me

Maybe 5th best u2

There’s a couple angles I can take on this one: • What’s the album where you stop being a fan? • What does a band do when its creative phase is ended because of reasons unrelated to the music? • Or: how does an older band keep the momentum going by selectively cribbing from their earlier sounds? I was a holdout for U2 well after Zooropa, which seems to be the agreed upon end date for their relevance as a forward-thinking artistic unit (that still created stadium-ready rock). Passengers, while more of a grab bag of Eno and Edge, still had some sublime, exciting moments. As such, I was actually looking forward to POP and took seriously the whole Discotheque and PopMART rollout. But, it really was a failure and not one I’ve enjoyed going back to, try as I do every few years hoping something in that middle section of slogs finally hits. If there’s anything ironic or even fun about All That, it’s that they turned back to Eno and instead of asking him to make them sound less like themselves, instead did the opposite. All across the album there are signature Edge sounds from across the 1980s run, very conventional song structures and progressions from late 1990s alt rock/pop radio, deliberate calling card echos of the golden era. If Achtung Baby was the sound of 4 men cutting down the Joshua Tree, this is them time-traveling to before the Berlin Wall fell. There are still hints of the 1990s flirtations with dance production - even punching in LMJ’s snare tone from Zooropa for Elevation - but gone are the electronic trappings and tone pieces of 93-97. Bono the singer is in exceptional form vocally throughout and the entire record is something of showcase for his range and performances. Bono the lyricist, meanwhile, returns to full messiah mode, the irony and long dark nights of the soul replaced by aphorisms. Which, whatever, spreading the gospel via more relatable, generic language is perhaps the most honest part of All That, with the rest an assembly of cynical calculation by the rock bloc (and Edge, at least according to the making-of histories). There’s worthwhile material here and in the intervening years, the attempt at a classic song (In a Little While) fits that billing. There are tracks that might’ve fit on Zooropa or enhanced POP, such as the moody back half 1-2 of When I Look at the World and New York. Alas, the bulk of the record wants to remind the world that U2 is back, accessible, sounding like their old selves. No high concepts here aside from His lord and saviour (Jesus or Bono?). Aside from a mostly failed attempt at regaining their artistic footing in 2009, this would be the template for U2 in the 21st century, no longer the band charting the sounds of the future, but instead looking to the past.

beautiful day- 4 stuck in a moment you cant get out of- 4 elevation- 3 walk on- 4 kite- 2 in a little while- 4 wild honey- 4 peace on earth- 4 when I look at the world- 2 or 3 new york- 3 grace- 3 do people actually like u2. do they go "oh i wanna listen to some music, im in the mood for u2" I'm not trying to be mean, I genuinely wonder what people see in them. or hear in them ig

yeah I reaaally don’t give a shit about U2 I guess they make good music but they're really not my thing - 6/10

I am a fan of U2's albums up until this. This is what is sounds like when you strip out any creativity to appeal to the masses. Just a bland mess. Could not finish.

Not big on U2, first listen, not so bad!

I loved reviewing War and The Joshua Tree, but I've always had a bit of negative opinion of U2's music post Achtung Baby. However, "Beautiful Day" has grown on me quite a bit over the last several years. I think I've always avoided this album because I just don't like a lot of pop rock from this era. Now that I have a bit more U2 listening expertise under my belt, maybe I'll wind up loving this! Welp, my bias for post-Achtung Baby U2 music lives to see another day. Everything That You Can't Leave Behind felt really bland and uninspired when it came to the lyrics and songwriting, and while the sound was fine, there wasn’t really anything new or novel about U2’s first album of the new millennium. Honestly, if you could send ChatGPT back to the year 2000 and make a new U2 album, this would probably be the result. Nearly everything about it is predictable, and Bono’s leaning into religious themes on this album feels like he’s giving himself a pass for not including much social critique into this album. I did enjoy a few songs on this album though. “Beautiful Day” is a blast, and feels like U2’s biggest effort on this album to do anything substantial. The drums and bass have a great pulse, and the bright and shimmering guitar is beautiful and fun. The sound of "Stuck in a Moment" was pretty good too. The vocals on the chorus have a rhythm to them that I really like, and I loved the synthesizers at the end. “Walk On” has a nice message of support for democracy and Aung San Suu Kyi, but it’s also pretty easy to stand up for someone whose false imprisonment is so blatant. There might have been some good songs later on in the album, but if there were, I didn’t notice them, because I became pretty disengaged with this after “Walk On.” I’m just glad this didn’t wind up being my final U2 album to review, and that I still have Achtung Baby left to go.

Apart from the opener, which deploys the transcendent obviousness of their pomp mode, this is a collage of U2-sounds, moods and moments, but without the punching tunes or the excitement, the songs crest before climax: this is a tired record. The rhyming couplets are boringly stupid rather than provocatively dumb. “Grace” is nicely soporific, I concede.

This was a "one and done" listen when it came out; in retrospect they do seem to have remembered some of their songwriting ability, deliberately cast aside for the (correctly) reviled "Pop" (sorry, Howard!). Unfortunately they forgot it again about halfway through this album (the last few songs sound very phoned-in, don't they?) and have not recovered in the last twenty years (right? That iPod ad was the last tune I remember). Collapsed under their own weight, sadly.

Liked it more than I was expecting to. Had some nice quiet moments.

The first few songs of the album were strong and good but it falls off a steep cliff after that and by the time you get to the Christmas song (Peace on earth) it’s just trying too hard.

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.

Sorry folks, I don’t hate it. I always had a soft spot for Beautiful Day. This starts off with some bangers and then falls off a cliff. The Ground Beneath Her Feet is a strong finish though. Somehow, with all the illustrious producers involved, the production choices do this on favours.

You know what? I mean this sincerely, I really face this album a chance. I ruined my algorithm to give this album a shot at not being horrible preachy bullshit. Sadly it wasn’t meant to be. It’s kinda frustrating too that I agree with bono politically on almost everything but his music is so god awful that it actually ruins the points or arguments he’s trying to make. I tried several times to finish the album, I did eventually, but it took several tries before I could actually stomach this garbage. Honestly giving out one stars is incredibly rare for me. If I can find even ONE redeemable aspect of the album or if I can see real talent and creativity being displayed, I’ll give the album a 2. Which I think clearly shows that I didn’t like the album but it has redeemable qualities or it could be just a situation of this isn’t for me but I could see what others like. I don’t feel that way about this album, in fact the only time I’ve felt so confident in giving out a flat out one star is when I heard Bruce Springsteen’s The rising. Which says a lot about how bad this album is because that album was completely irredeemable and this album is somehow worse in every conceivable way. This is probably one of the ONLY albums I’ll say this about, JUST SKIP THIS ONE AND GIVE IT A ONE STAR. It literally doesn’t deserve your time or attention.

Veldig A4 2000’s pop-rock. Men det er vel fordi U2 i stor grad formet og inspirerte den.

this was draggin towards the end... (2.0/5.0)

Pale imitation of a once great band. Boring. 1/5

Middle of the road album by a once-great band..

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.

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

I never understood the appeal of U2 and this record did not help convince me. Even when a song starts to sound like it could be good, Bono comes on and ruins it. The dude sounds like shit. Best songs on it were just ok. Beautiful Day, Wild Honey, When I Look at the World and The Ground Beneath her Feet are the best moments but none of them are particularly great. Not a terrible listen though and I might favorite one or two of them to come back to.

Very much generic drug store music, some good singles but so overplayed and nothing with any teeth, production is very dull.

I just really hate U2.

Not listening

Bono est un peu devenu une caricature de lui-même ; en même temps, il n'a plus rien à prouver et je respecte ça. Leur rock de cette époque me semble un peu paresseux, par contre.

this is probably the holy grail for a big fan of radio pop. thank god I'm not the target demographic. the songs are all pleasant but they also all sound the same so yk

Proof that going back is rare, if ever, a good thing. U2 tries to recapture the glory days of Joshua Tree and end up with an overproduced mess.

0 stars. utterly worthless. we can leave this behind

Fuck you. NO. Let’s get this over with. The worst band in the entire world can only be saved by what I’m learning is the first bloody song. The only reason I can tolerate that song is that sweet HHH recovery video package from 2000. Look what I willingly put myself through? I really am history’s strongest soldier. Onward to battle. Beautiful Day - If I didn’t have images of huge Madison Square Garden crowd reactions dancing in my head, I’d be on the verge of calling hotlines of various purposes. I wouldn’t even stop at the suicide hotline. I’d hit up movie phone, homework hotline, a few adult party lines. Basically whoever will listen to me tell them U2 has no business having a released record, let alone the career they’ve had. Long live pro wrestling, and may the decades erase Bono and the Edge from our collective consciousness. Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of - Oh I know the feeling. This is Radiohead performing “Waiting on the world to Change.” You haven’t found a song you can sing yet there Boner. This is truly awful. Elevation - The brand new Mazda Miata has YOU in mind. And when YOU’RE in mind, you’re in control. Drive a Mazda Miata. Drive YOU. Or maybe this is an ad for elusive elevator manufacturers, Otis. I see that name on every elevator. You’ll never see an Otis ad. Complete ballers. EL EL BEAN. Oh my god. The Christianity break at the 2 minute mark. This is just such a radio bait stinker. Devoid of meaning. Walk On - Don’t whisper to me. I am sprawled on the floor, typing through spasms and convulsions. Alive in name only. Saliva foaming mixing with the blood exiting every orifice on my body. Ruination of music. I didn’t know it was dead until I heard this song. Kite - More like shite. Full disclosure, it took a few weeks in the writers room, but after some great collaboration we got there before I even heard the first note of this song. Now that I have heard the first note, I have to say; I liked the first note. Little did I know, that was the last meal prior to a botched execution. They didn’t use enough of the lethal injection formula. Permanently screaming, drawn and quartered over the infinity of the afterlife. Not fully in any dimension. In a Little While - I said “Are You Kidding Me?” Out loud. This isn’t a bit. I’ve said this too often and it’s lost all meaning. If you are reading this, I implore you to heed these words. I mean it this time. This is without a doubt, the worst song I have ever heard. Will I regret those words? I’m on “the edge” of my seat. Wild Honey - “I was a Muhhuhhnkey.” Viagra Boys do the evolutionary lyrical themes. They’re fun. They make good music. There’s a sense of humour. This is a gross comparison of a woman (?) to the honey you ate when you were a monkey? WHAT? Peace on Earth - You know what would give me peace? The dissolution of U2. Whoa! Bono is sick of bad stuff happening? What a swell guy. Sick of the Pain. Amen sister. Wait I thought you grew up as a monkey and you swung from the trees eating wild honey. This song has a suspicious proximity to 9/11. I think it caused it. Somebody call Michael Moore. When I Look at the World - Let’s get this deeply nuanced perspective from terrible millionaire musician who has never been told no. Go ahead. Tell me about the world. New York - My favourite lyrical topic. This city man. It’s lonely. It’s tough. But it draws me like a moth to a flame. My heart beats in conjunction with the G Train. Please don’t tell people I’m from Boise, Idaho. I will literally kill myself. I need to pay 4500 dollars a month and walk through human shit. That is my price to pay for a personality. Your humble narrator Grace - Very easily could’ve wrote Grave. And I did. One of the rare typos that I actually catch. I believe I subconsciously want myself to fail. Anyway. Water is wet, hippos are rotund and this song is awful. Life goes on. I am a progressive guy. I really do abhor violence on a large scale and I think macho tough guy posturing is pathetic. I do also believe with all of my heart, that “Bono” (Paul Hewson) and his definitely bald friend “The Edge” (David Evans) needed to be hit. With a fist or perhaps a palm. There is just too much ill-gotten confidence between them. It is for this confidence that the world has paid ultimate price in a hellish positive feedback loop. Whether through auto loading your shitty album to peoples phones or just having the balls to continue to release music that sounds like this. Why is it that I struggle to maintain eye contact at a social gathering, but these talentless blobs have the gall to have released anything, let alone their extensive catalogue of half-imitation waterlogged pop rock? I struggle to find words outside of the realm of hatred and malice. Once more I find myself carving a swath through the fetid jungle that is the musical output of U2. This stretch of the wilderness was particularly troublesome. I believe I may have come down with something. 0 HIGHLIGHTS: Uncle o’ Grimacey remains the king of Ireland.

I wanted to give this a one, because I don’t like it. But I’m a sucker for a well constructed song. They have that on tap. 2 stars. This album was quite big at the time 😝

If I was more mature then I would be able to separate my feelings about a band/artist from the actual quality of an album. But I'm not, and Bono has always come across as a self promoting dickhead. Consequently I've never really given U2 time of day..But this album is not at all bad. Bono is still a nob though.

-my patience for U2 is honestly wearing a bit thin and this is probably the least enjoyable entry on this list so far… idk it just sounds. a bit bland and corny. faaaar from the worst music in the world, and i can understand the appeal. just not really for me -this record does have a few highlights tho… Elevation is a bop. never anything too horrendous -Favorites are Beautiful Day and Elevation

nooooo

Buen sonido, con guitarras definidas al igual que la voz de Bono, solidisimo

Incr

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.

Meh. It's pop rock. It really can't be that good. It's good pop rock, but that's like saying something is good fast food. There's only so good something destined for mediocrity can be. The highest praise I can give it, is that there's nothing bad about the album. It's great bland music. Favorite Song(s): Beautiful Day, Grace

Starts strong but soon runs out of steam.

im leaving this behind

I have never engaged with U2 and am dipping in mid-discography with no context. I have to ask: why do U2 sound like Take That on this album? This is quintessential 90s cheesy boy band fare. Easy listening. Adult contemporary. Whatever euphemism you want to use. Stuck in a Moment is especially toe clenching… At odds with the reputation they’re supposed to have - no? The more palletable moments veer into “cool” era Robbie Williams, but without the hit power. Bono emphatically singing the chorus lyrics “a mole, digging in a hole, digging on my soul now, going down, excavation, ionide in the sky, you make me feel like I could fly so high, elevation.” Had me with my jaw so wide you could see through to my stomach.

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.

I feel like U2 has something to say early on, but this late stage stuff sounds like they're just still making rock n roll noses cause they're used to it.