Reviews (page 6 of 8)
Oh, please. These are supposed to be 1,001 albums I need to hear before I die. What is this shit?
Ok
A thorough yawn. U2 is so successful and they are so against my musical taste that I'm almost mad about it, haha. But mostly confused. This band does not offer anything for me. Beautiful day is a good hit, +1 star.
I think its ait, but I didnt listen to the entire thing, because my Spotify fucked up
The first few tracks are really amazing but I was less impressed with the rest of the album, even calling myself a U2 fan. I'm at a 3 I think.
Beautiful Day and Stuck In a Moment are fantastic. The rest of the album doesn't come close to those two. Average album at best. 2.5 stars.
Relaxing Sound - great
It's official, Bono has lost all ability to write good lyrics
I think it’s these types of albums that u2 critics point to when they say they’re bland and kinda cringe. Beautiful day is good but even that is pretty boiler plate sounding and the whole thing makes the band feel stuck in the early 90s at the turn of the century. Some good moments near the end but nothing I’ll remember.
Tycker inte U2 på senare år är särskilt bra.
Heartwarming. U2 invent AI-generated music 20 years before it became a thing. Psychopath music.
U2 kom a ovart
Ok but by then they were a shadow of their heyday
Now, one can take the viewpoint that U2 offer nothing exciting/new to the world in musicianship. That therefore leaves you only with the lyrical stylings of Nobo on which to judge their performances. On that, one may also take the viewpoint that his inevitable long screaming parts either sound like a man struggling with a difficult poo, or who has just caught their left nad on the bicycle crossbar when getting on too quickly and carelessly. Or you may have other viewpoints. On this album, I certainly can and strongly wish to leave it behind.
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.
It starts great and just goes downhill for the rest. It is good chill music, but it doesn't feel revolutionary or anything that would stick out in my head.
With the benefit of hindsight, All That… was not a return to form, but rather a speed bump in U2’s precipitate descent into bombast. Case for the prosecution: 1. Walk On. Whilst a delightful song, it has aged pretty badly. I won’t be so unfair as to say that U2 had run out of icons to eulogise by then. More to the point, Aung San Sui Kyi is not a baddie in the Cartesian sense. But this was U2’s uncritical (albeit heartfelt) mode of engagement by this time; as far as the dynamic of polarisation is concerned, they chose wrong. (2) New York. As TY said in another song from that period, the glorious Music to Fly By, ‘Sept 11: all of a sudden, we’re talking about a problem that didn’t start on the tenth.’ Even at this point,New York was more in line with the dystopia of The Pogues, as far as fairytales are concerned…. (3) They left The Ground Beneath Her Feet off the original pressings. (tbf, this may have been a songwriter credit issue. But hey, I’m prosecuting a subjective argument here.) For the defence (1) Beautiful Day. Still Euphoria incarnate (insomuch as songs do not incarnate. But you know what I mean) (2) Elevation. It’s an ok album, and I suspect we got excited about it because it was head and shoulders above Pop. But it isn’t the great album it is touted as being; I don’t think it deserves to be in the glorious shade cast by Achtung Baby/Zooropa.
This was pretty good. Mostly mellow but not as strange as their output recently before this.
the only good part in Walk on is when they stole "here comes your man" from the pixies Why does my dad like this band ? Maybe you get U2 the moment you become a father
Album 511 of 1001 U2 - All That You Can't Leave Behind Rating : 4 / 5 I kind of prefer this over some of the earlier U2 albums, though that doesn't seem to be the popular opinion (after reading reviews). They get back to their more traditional sound and they do it well. I guess I'll do the "uncool" thing and say I like this album a lot.
I like U2 but this was pretty bland all things considered. It would be better if they just played Beautiful Day 12 times. Stand-out: Beautiful Day Stand-out for "Hypocrisy is the Greatest Luxury": Music and Politics
I used to think I really liked U2, but I’m starting to think it’s more that I just liked the documentary “It Might Get Loud”. These days, I find U2 pretty boring. I’ll still give this album a 3 because I didn’t actively dislike it, but it was kinda lame and definitely cheesy at times. A couple good tracks, though. 3/5 Highlights: Beautiful Day Elevation
decent imo but songs sound repetitive 3/5
Ariana, what are you doing here?! While I’m glad Eno is still making music for airports, All That You Can’t Leave Behind is inoffensive yet unnecessary. I think I’m too old to hate U2; not that I foresee myself going out of my way to defend them, especially on this record, but nothing here actually pisses me off. In fact, the fact that these songs are well-produced, well-written, and all appeal to a big tent is exactly why I almost kinda like it. Like, there’s nothing I *adore*, and that’s the real issue, but there’s also nothing I loathe. It’s a clean, serviceable album that shouldn’t encourage you to change the dial, and I personally never feel the desire to change the dial while listening to it. At the very least, it’s a huge step up from their more “experimental” albums from the early ‘90s, for sure. That said, mere existence and appeal so broad that preemies and Hospice care patients alike can hear it and say, “This is fine,” doesn’t merit praise. I wish I felt *some* critical spark while listening to this, but none of these songs do enough to move the dial. I don’t hate any song, although tracks like “Beautiful Day” or “Peace on Earth” do feel very pandering in a way that almost elicits hatred, though it’s again saved by its tightness and cleanliness. But I don’t love anything, either, even the more uptempo and rock-driven tracks like “Elevation,” “When I Look At The World,” and especially “New York,” which all don’t go far enough. Ironically, though, I think I could preserve my critique and flip the songs I’m talking about, and the statement would still ring true. U2 is like air, and All That You Can’t Leave Behind is an oxygen tank. In a list of 1001 albums, it almost feels like the control in the dataset – this meaningless, empty record that isn’t good in any standout way, but also isn’t shitty in any particular way, either. The only reason to hate this is because it inspires so much apathy in the listener that it feels like it’s mocking said listener’s intellect. I don’t hate this that much. This album is there, in the ether, sure, but it shouldn’t be here, on this list. I’ll never think about it again.
Tedious
Peak 90s mom music (think Delilah) to others reminiscent more of the Stones sound. Maybe trip hop and punk vibes in others at times. Something I couldn’t quite place that felt very early 2000s that those bands may have picked up here. 3.5 Beautiful Day Stuck in a moment (you’ve got to get yourself together) In a little while
Like a 90‘s rom com: creepily cheesy but popular.
Fantastic U2 album!
I didn’t want to like this as much as I did. But it’s pretty good
I figured we’d be getting the last hidden albums we were missing in this list but it’s starting to look like we are getting the last albums of the same bands we keep hearing. Is this our third U2? Who knows or cares. They have a unique sound that is squarely stuck in the 00’s (yes even their older stuff). Beautiful Day is a classic and all the others are upbeat in their own way but I’m good on U2 just the same as I’m good with all the other groups that this list feels need this much exposure.
Another U2 album is fine by me. It's got "Beautiful Day," one of their biggest and best hits. Beyond that, nothing I recognized, but a few deep cut tracks that I did enjoy. Listening to "New York," for some reason I thought of Radiohead; not really that it sounded like Radiohead, but that I don't think U2 and Radiohead are all that different. Just a couple of UK rock bands doing their thing, obviously U2 is more anthemic and bigger than Radiohead for it, but some of the softer cuts on here aren't a far cry from what Radiohead is doing. Favorite tracks: Beautiful Day, When I Look at the World, New York, In a Little While. Album art: Four guys standing in an airport or something? I've seen this one plenty, it's not that great but it's recognizable at this point. Tim Heidecker's got that joke about U2 standing for "untalented 2" just because we don't know anyone aside from Bono and Edge. I really don't though, these other two guys could be related to me for all I know. 3.5/5
The front of this album is stronger than the back but overall this was OK.
Morning album with 2.5 great songs
I don't personally think that this is one of their better albums. I lean more toward the earlier, more raw music. This one just feels a bit too safe and poppy.
I like U2 the band but strongly prefer the earlier output. The later material just becomes more grandiose, more melodic, and more boring. Kind of the definition of arena rock, almost as silly as a band like Coldplay. It's hard to give this anything less than three stars because the instrumentation and production is so seamless and carefully done, but overall, it's pretty boring. I guess I'm giving it two stars largely out of disappointment. They are capable of so much better!
3 for the album when it was released but 4 for what the songs became over time.
It's so earnest I can still taste it 20+ years later
This was the start of a pretty solid three album run, after a period of lackluster albums after Joshua Tree. Album starts out super strong and fades a bit at the end. But still solid.
Not their best album, but still good
Previously rated: War (4/5) ************************* By 2000, U2 was a pretty generic sounding rock band with generic pretentious uplifting sounding songs - the kind you'd hear during church worship services. That's what it always reminds me of. It's well done generic music though, so 3/5. Favorite track: Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of
Pretty okay
u2 I hate to love you.... throwback to being very young when mum and dad still played their CDs... 4.5/5
6/10
Maybe it’s Bono. Maybe it’s me. Probably both. But U2 just doesn’t land for me, and this album didn’t change that. I went in hoping for at least one song to stand out, but nope—nothing stuck. It’s not even offensively bad, just painfully bland. The whole thing felt like background music for a car commercial. I get that people love them, but I must be missing that gene.
Not a big fan of this new millennium U2, not the worst, singles were decent, album overall kinda boring
Hard to be objective here, all the nostalgia feels.
i’m gonna be so real u2 lemme down here. it’s gotta be a 2. still love u2, just think nothing is going on here really, sorry u2
This powered Vh1 for at least 5 years. Felt like I got up every morning in high school and this album was playing. Itunes and the early 2000s. Can't deny it tho. Like all U2 work I don't really connect with it... but I can't deny that it works.
Safe, sad, soulless. Not interesting enough to be on this list, or any list, unless it is a list of albums that aren't interesting enough to be on lists
Bland album, just a couple of iconic singles and there's that.
Not sure I've ever heard the album before, but I know the "hits". This album seemed like a pretty big deal when it came out, U2 returning to form with some big hits. But listening to it now, the hits don't seem that great and the rest of the album is really bad. The quality of their songwriting on this album is really low compared to their early years. And so many cringey lyrics. "Grace, it's a name for a girl It's also a thought that changed the world"
Enjoyable. A nice U2 album - an evolution. This one I am going to listen to again. It's a pity it's not Friday's album cause then it's queued up and ready for the weekend.
I've listened to this album many, many times. In fact, no kidding, I was listening to "In a Little While" on a randomized Spotify playlist when this album came up on the album a day rotation. Despite being a lifelong U2 fan, this album is a mixed bag. It has some very good songs like Beautiful Day, Elevation, In a little While, Wild Honey, but some sleepy duds too. Band loyalty rating knocking this to a 4.
Not their best stuff.
Hadn't listened to this in quite a while. Solid album...started strong and was thinking 4, but the second half isn't as strong so can only give it a 3.
I wish I could leave bloody U2 behind.
2.5
Not as bad as I had anticipated, I was in the right mood for the first couple of songs and then had to do a bit of skipping here and there.. but otherwise ok
Some very nice enjoyable tracks, but the album itself wasn't strong enough to make it into my favorites of the tour
Bit bland, not really my cup of tea. Ps The Edge is bald, pass it on
Edited down I.e. minus a few tracks this would be better
This CD starts with a tremendous bang, the first four songs are amazing. But it progressively loses steam over time. The middle is weaker than the beginning (but still fine), and the ending (starting from "Peace on Earth", the first real dud) is downright weak. Those last four songs are a good chunk of the album, they're longer songs, so that's nearly 1/2 the runtime. If they had just cut everything after "Wild Honey" this might be a 5/5 (albeit short) album. I haven't really listened to any U2 cover-to-cover before, and was quite impressed overall. Bono doesn't have the world's most amazing voice, but he just GOES for it, which damn near makes up for his shortcomings. And they just have a really solid, balanced sound.
fire album, lots of great songs i enjoyed a lot of them, beautiful day is an amazing track and opener
Fuck you, 1001 Albums book. And fuck you too, U2. :) At least the one playing on this record. There are probably *2,000* albums more worthy of your attention out there. Oh, and by the way, a big "fuck you" to Rolling Stone magazine as well! Their own expectations and tastes for the reception of this record were so predictable that they're actually far more worthy of contempt than U2 themselves. At least, the Irish band were 'doing their job' right on a competency and professional level. Which is not the case for Rolling Stone as serious music critics. I'm not the one easily going for expletives on this app... But c'mon, praising this late-career attempt to become relevant again from the admittedly iconic Irish rock band is just plain ridiculous. Especially when you consider the obvious artistic flaws in the album, and this even in the context of a band that couldn't possibly top their past successful LPs (both artistically and commercially speaking). Case in point: "Elevation", which painstakingly tries to catch that *Achtung Baby* magic spark, alas to very mixed results. The issue here, as in the rest of this record, first stems from Bono's lackluster vocal performance--with his trademark mannerisms often worsened by some stifled or raspy inflexions at odds with the epic ambitions displayed throughout the proceedings. Add all those goddamn *generic*, middle-of-the-road compositions plaguing 90% of the tracklist, along with the eyerolls-inducing lyrics about "peace on earth", "redemption-through-love", and bla-bla-bla and so on--filled with so many hackneyed clichés that those lines of predictable words become sickening at best--and what you ultimately get is a borefest only aging critics and fans out of touch with the youth of the time could appreciate. Once upon a time, U2 could wear their hearts on their sleeves and yet still manage to elicit genuine emotions (the classic string of eighties albums, plus some other later songs at the start of the nineties). Or conversely, they could go through more abrasive and off-kilter territories, with a more cynical outlook, and thus offer a somewhat challenging version of what postmodern pop music could offer to the masses (through other songs mostly found in *Achtung Baby* and *Zooropa*). But here, you have none of those two extremities on a musical standpoint. You just have a bland middle-ground that's so calculated and calibrated that the whole thing quickly becomes sterile in your ears. Everyone is on full 'automatic mode' in this album: Bono and his sense of self-importance which prevents him from perceiving how ridiculous he is, Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois at the production helm, and even The Edge's guitar playing--the man does nothing grating for sure, and yet there's nothing to really get excited about in his own performance. Well, apart from a couple of moments here and there, like that interesting experimental solo at the end of "When I Look At The World"... Alas, those moments are too few. And they can't mitigate that overall impression that this record is ultimately pointless. I mean, how downright *boring* that second side is. And how awkward and self-conscious the first side feels like anyway... To put it in a nutshell, many talents are here gathered to record music cruelly lacking in stakes and even genuine "life" at times. Heck, even Coldplay's most middle-of-the-road tunes sound livelier than any of this (to use a reference point that's also related to Brian Eno's production chops). "Walk On" is a decent ballad, I guess. But let's face it: in albums *War*, *The Joshua Tree* or *Achtung Baby", that song would be a deep cut, and not the standout track. If only for this, there's no way I can give more than a 1/5 grade to this album. In truth, it's probably closer to a 2. But for once, I'm going to *lower* my grade to protest about how misguided that selection is. 1/5 for the purposes of this list gathering "essential albums" to listen to. 6/10 grade for more general purposes (5 for musical competency +1 for the actual artistry). Number of albums left to review: 129 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 377 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 223 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 282 (including this one)
Late-stage U2: more commercial, stadium-filling stuff. Not as edgy or captivating as earlier works. However, Beautiful Day will be forever linked to ITV's ill-fated early evening 'The Premiership' highlights programme featuring Dishy Des and Andy Townsend's Tactics Truck for me, and this slice of 00s nostalgia makes me look more favourably on the whole album.
I used to be a huge fan, from their debut to Joshua tree, all bought on vinyl on day of release. They then started to bore me an Bono become insufferable. I never bought or hardly listened to any of their releases. I hoped I may have missed something but listening to this dull flaccid awful album shows I had good judgement. A travesty to be on the top 1000, this is becoming a theme.
Decent album.
As someone who enjoyed the 90s dancey stuff, this return to rock was not appreciated and even though the first few songs start out strong, this is a rough listen.
Meh
Not bad, but the kind of album you don't need to pause when you leave the room for a moment.
This is the era of U2 that I grew up with, and never really liked. I’ve since become a fan of their older stuff, so I was able to go into this one a little less pessimistic. Still not really a fan of this era but “Elevation” is great.
There are definitely some stand outs here, and honestly this album is consistently good. However I think this album is a little to tied to the trends of the early 2000s compared to their other works. I always enjoy Bono's' singing, even if his writing can be a little (or a lot) self righteous. As a final note, Beautiful Day is a great song. I have only ever heard it in stadiums and on the radio in the background. I was surprised at how good it was when I listened to it on decent pair of headphones at home.
Liked this, maybe more than Joshua Tree? I thought the back half really stood out and was more textured than the U2 I’m familiar with.
A good but not great U2 album. Very strong opener, probably the best song on the record, but a bit uneven after that. Would like to give 3.5.
Starts off really strong but gets pretty boring as it continues. I wanted to give it a 4 but this will get a high 3 instead. Beautiful Day is excellent though.
Good songs.
U2 has gotta be one of the most overrated bands of all time
Beautiful Day Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of Elevation
Oma suosikki levyltä Stuck in a moment you cant get out of. Muuten ihan tasalaatuista rallattelua.
Erittäin laadukas, taattua UuKagosta
Oh man. Like, come on.
I'll go and say it, this could be a great U2 album.
Excellent, great sound. Would say 4.5
I can’t say I like U2 but I have to admit that they can write some good songs so I’m going 3*
It started OK (Beautiful Day has been used in enough football montages that I quite enjoyed it) but by the time we were on to New York and Grace I was unable to continue listening...
It’s unexplainable U2 to release this album on January 1, 2000, and have the opener be “Beautiful Day.” I fear that the times are beginning to catch up to U2 on this album. They stuck to their guns, which are running out of ammo. This sound was so clean and cutting-edge on something like Joshua Tree in the late 80’s. But the Radioheads of the world have since taken the blueprint that U2 laid and expanded upon/experimented with it. So is this album bad? No. Is it unique, worth being your first U2 album listen, or a stand-out in the field of its early 2000’s contemporaries? Nope. One more unrelated note, today is July 3rd, and I know this list has kicked out holiday themed albums in the past. I’m calling a Born In The USA pull for tomorrow.
The first four tracks are all great. Everything else is average to forgettable with the notable exception of In A Little While, quite possibly U2’s most underrated song. Joey Ramone was reportedly listening to this song when he died at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in April 2001. People like to shit on U2 and call their music soulless corporate rock, but if that anecdote and that song don’t move you in some small way, you probably either don’t truly care about rock music or don’t have a soul yourself.
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.
Shut up man. God I really think Vertigo might be the most irritating sound on the planet. What happened to them? Early U2, while still quite annoying, at least knew their way around a banger or three, but this is just pap from start to finish.
trash
Nije meni ovaj album loš koliko mi je gibonni
Not my favorite U2 album, but still good.
This is rock music for people who don't want to rock, written almost amateurishly by people who apparently also don't want to rock anymore. Mostly, it's pap. Auditory loft insulation. However, the insulatingly trite "Peace on Earth" and the soporific 'Grace' are so dismal as to move this from a 2-star, not great but tolerable to a 1. I could easily do without this in my life.
I know what I would leave behind
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
Insipid, uninspired, radio-friendly drivel. Giving this a '2' because the production is good; the music is trash.
Ok for what it is. Bono is a little too earnest for my taste.
Totalmente innecesario en esta lista, pero recuerdo haberlo escuchado mucho ese año
Never been much of a fan.
Wasn’t awful, but I was counting the seconds until it was over
Beautiful Day is obviously an absolute nostalgic banger for any fan of 01/04 premier league football. Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of is also half decent. Not a lot going on otherwise. Simpsons: Yes
Boring but not terrible. Beautiful Day is a top tier tune, had that on every CD mix I made back in the day. Nothing else to give this album a higher rating though.
Enjoyed the first two songs. The rest was inoffensive and dull which is the worst thing and album can be for me. Beautiful Day saved this from a 1.
Like 8 legendary tracks and 4 legit stinkers. Incredible album with a weird dropoff in quality in the middle but still a regular listen, at least on half of it
2-3 good songs, but it's a dull album. Not a fan of U2. I don't think I'm their audience. Sounds more pop than Rock to me. For the couple of songs, I can give it a 2, but that's already too high for my taste.
Ehhh not my cup of tea.
bland and not musically interesting but Beautiful Day went double platinum on my iPod touch when i was 13.
Помню, что я считала ю ту каким то аццкимсорвиголовароком, но через год-два..мнение поменялось. Конечно, данный альб не заменит войнушку 83, но вроде и покатит.
Not horrible, just very lame. You really don’t have to listen to this before you die!
För att vara easy listening var det här en riktig utmaning! Jag lämnar det med glädje bakom mig :)
This album is like bad Coldplay. It's like hearing that ending, feel-good song on an album that no one likes twelve times in a row. It's like tuning into the Christian rock station, and getting what you deserve for thinking that was a good idea. It's awful. Bono was already slowly becoming the dullest vocalist to hit the big time, but luckily this album also lacks any interesting instrumentation, quality hooks or choruses for that matter, and really just reeks of "let's do what everyone else is doing!" Throw in some terrible lyrics that really don't even try, the entirety of Grace can show that off, and I think you have yourself the perfect mix of horrible, early 2000s schlock that only aims to be just inoffensive enough so that your grandma can finally become a fan of U2. Maybe that's why they've made permeant residence in Las Vegas for the time-being? So that your great aunts and uncles can catch them while they're on their biannual trip to the casinos to "make it big"? How did Eno get to be this dull; boredom? Was Talking Heads too much of a party, and he had to cool down with Jesus and the disciples for a few decades? Just rubbish, makes me more mad just thinking about it, don't put yourself through this, all is revealed in that "baby's first pop rock" of a hit single, so get your rocks off there, if you really need that U2 kick and War, Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, literally any other album, or going outside doesn't satisfy that craving.
Bono can make every song memorable.
Criminally boring. I gave the last three U2 albums the benefit of the doubt, but now I am forced to put my foot down: I hate U2. I think U2 sucks. This album encapsulates all of my feelings regarding U2. While their more critically acclaimed albums had some merit that allowed me to give it leeway, All That You Can't Leave Behind is absent of any redeeming qualities. I think U2 should not exist in the 21st century in any meaningful capacity because, and I write this with complete sincerity, they are taking up space and resources. Every song on this album is devoid of an interesting moment, idea, or sound. This is an album that inherently justifies every weird and off-putting album on this list. At least Einstürzende Neubauten and Throbbing Gristle had the balls to make albums that would scare people; U2 just made a bland, flavorless album for the enjoyment of no one in particular. Music for pitiful, unassuming souls.
The 2001 return to form U2. After focusing on Pop in Europe, the band does the Beautiful Day album.
Não é um dos melhores do u2
Although many of the U2 hallmarks are in evidence there are few that standout. A pretty good album overall but not going to displace their early work.
I really liked this album at the time and got quite into U2 off the back of it. Listening again 24 years on it comes across as extremely competent pop rock music which is VERY safe. Beautiful Day is an extremely commercial lead single (and a bit of a banger) and the rest of the first half of the album is of a similar vein. The second half is a bit weirder, but also not as good. Following 'Zooropa' and 'Pop', this is probably the record that U2 had to make to save their career as a stadium band. However, it is sad that to do that they had to move from their most experimental to their most unintersting. Like millions of others, it worked on me at the time, but doesn't hold up so well in retrospect. Rating: 3/5 Playlist track: Beautiful Day Date listened: 01/06/24
I hate this
Find U2 a bit boring. Quite happy to be going back to forgetting they exist.
Meh
Couple of good songs couple of really teeth grindingly meh ones. It's U2
U2 is just so.... bland. Like Dollar Store soft rock. I have an irrational hatred of that band, and I don't really know why. I just never liked them. Maybe it's because the radio constantly played their music and it just got washed out to me, maybe it's because Bono is an insufferable douche canoe, who knows... This album had a really strong start as far as U2 goes. 5 of their hits in a row. Favourite songs: Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of, Elevation, Walk On, Wild Honey, Beautiful Day Least favourite songs: Peace on Earth, Grace 3/5
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.
Another cop out safe album. 2 hits and the rest instantly forgetable.....like the fire.
the full u2 albums i've heard were part of their earlier material, so i was excited to hear their more recent sound, even if it's nearly twenty-five years old at this point. i heard a more mature sound as they welcomed a modern rock soundscape. though i enjoyed this album, the singles are the strongest, and the non-single songs fade into the background too well.
While I don't hate this album as much as others do, I can agree that it is a really tame, watered down version of U2. I think the album starts off very strong with "Beautiful Day" and "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of". From there, things seem to fade into a generic territory a little bit more, more so than I would expect from U2. There is a bit of an ambient quality to this album, which made a lot more sense when I noticed that it was produced by Brian Eno. It's not an unpleasant album, but it also doesn't stand out or come across as trailblazing as their earlier stuff. And yet, I would say this album still succeeded in cementing U2 as a top rock act in the new millennium after having faded a bit into the background as the 90s progressed. An okay effort, but ultimately U2's other albums on this project are stronger representations of both their band and the project overall.
Leuk album, maar niet speciaal genoeg voor deze lijst
I want to like U2's albums, because of the involvement of Eno in a lot of them. But this is a fairly mediocre collection of songs that have a few interesting production gimmicks added in places, but other than that fails to grab the attention. Having not heard the opening track since ITV's Premier League coverage, I was surprised how mechanical and flat this sounded. The rest of the album seemingly took its cue from there. And how did they manage to write such a dull song about New York?
If the album ended after track 4, it would be an amazing album. Unfortunately it doesn't. I'll always love you, U2, but I'll never listen to this again.
I was ready to trash this as a terrible end of career mistake when U2 had run out of songs but it starts out with three great singles and it is fairly consistent on songs. It's nowhere near the heights of their career, but most bands would be pretty happy to have put this out. I'm not saying it's great, it's just not a turkey.
The definition of bland, u2 by the numbers.
What a great bunch of opening songs and then limps to the finish.
I put this one off for two months. Probably could have used at least another two.
I first started liking U2 around this album, lots of songs I enjoy in this one. The sound solidly brings me to the early 2000s. Some goofy lyrics but very catchy songs. The back half may not slap as hard but is still enjoyable. 4*. Highlights: beautiful day, walk on, stuck in a moment, elevation
Contains possibly the worst song ever written about New York, among other myriad offences against music.
Jag håller inte riktigt med de som hatar på U2, de finns värre band/artister här i världen. De har många riktigt bra låtar som har stannat med mig genom åren ända sen jag började lyssna mycket på musik. Men detta var första gången jag lyssnade på ett av deras album rakt igenom och jag kan inte säga att jag är positivt överraskad. Väldigt basic, mer pop än rock eller någon annan genre för den delen. Det var ungefär lite mindre än vad jag hade förväntat mig. Visst gick det att lyssna på och det var några låtar som jag gillade ganska mycket, men hela plattan var ingen höjdare i sin helhet. Jag är inte jätte besviken. Dock så hoppas jag att nästa U2-album jag lyssnar på i framtiden är lite bättre.
Beautiful day is a classic, but unfortunately not enjoyable enough to pull the rating away from 1/5
Pretty darned good U2 album.
U2... gross
The messages of the songs are good, but I am just not a fan of U2.
I’m not a big u2 guy. The hits off this are alright, just not really my thing
If you really like slower alt rock, yeah this will scratch that itch.
On the album's Wikipedia page, it says that this album is meant to be a return of sorts to their earlier sound, after all the dance and alternative they tried out for the entire 90's. So, as part of my listening today I also took in their album WAR, and... Man, I'unno. Even without having WAR in mind, this album just sounds kind of... Dull to my ears? Sure, it's not without its moments—"Elevate" is one of them—but on the whole it kind sounds like the stereotypical image people have of U2. Kind of a bummer to hear given how much I like THE JOSHUA TREE and enjoyed WAR, but eh. At least I've got those albums to go back to if I want the band's early sound.
Kinda feels like standard U2, but that ain't a bad thing in the slightest.
It’s a very front-loaded 3.5 that I just don’t think I can bump up to a 4. The first 5 tracks here really clicked well for me, but of the back 7, I really think only 3 of them caught my ear in a really meaningful way. I might be a little tired, but I do think a number of songs in the back half just blend together in terms of messaging, lyrics, overall vocals, and instrumentation that doesn’t really hit the same heights as the first 5. Ultimately, I do think it’s a good album, and it’s worth a listen – I’m sure someone will connect more deeply to the back half than I did. I just don’t think the album as a whole is good enough to go to a 4, so I’ll feel a little disappointed with a 3. It’s like a 7/10 album, though.
So I didn't think I liked U2, at least now I know I don't like U2
A welcome return from one of the best bands out there. Kicked off a great run of albums after this and the tours to support them. Have a great trip…U2
Solid album. I didn’t realize I would know so many of these songs
I like U2 but this is boring
The three killer singles that kick off the album compare favourably with anything in their discography, I reckon, but it kinda feels like they phoned it in a bit after that. There are lots of gentle, lightly textured tunes that did start to grow on me after a while, but they’re undeniably vanilla.
Never been a big U2 fan. Seen them live and all that stuff, never clicked for me. I can jam to their stuff, but will rarely if ever put it on by my own volition. Not sure why exactly. Maybe a bit too dramatically bleeding heart? Great writing, lyrics, instrumentation, vocals, arrangement, and production. At a little less than an hour, you’ve got a healthy amount of tracks here without too much filler. Not much not to like. 4/5
5/2/24. Not the biggest U2 guy, but this was a good listen. Definitely memorable songs I've heard over the years (Beautiful Day, Elevation), but the rest of the songs are written with passion and The Edge's guitar work is masterful.
This album clearly inspired Coldplay to make similar bland music, and Chris Martin to be as irritating as Bono.
Me ha gustado más de lo que recordaba.
npc music if ive ever head it
1° Álbum Rock
Bored me to tears. It all sounds the same. I thought I was going to be pleasantly surprised during the first song, but no. I had to skip the second or third song too.
I think if it wasn't for nostalgia then I'd think 'Beautiful Day' was just bland radio slop too. Giving it a 1 because this album is the antithesis of everything I think rock music should be. It's bland, uninteresting, unexciting, has no passion, and nothing to say. Get it out of here.
Good vibes
The first 2 songs were really really good, the rest not as much, but overall still quite enjoyed it
Couldn't bring myself to listen, I don't like 'em .. and reading reviews, I didn't miss anything.
Such a bunch of dreary shit.
Starts alright, then descends into bland, lazy shite.. Basically a good summary of their career
Starts off strong, fades quickly.
Strong opening with 'Beatiful Day' which is definitely one of the best U2 songs, followed by 'Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of'. I think in general the first half of the album packed a bit more punch than the latter half. Despite this I must say I am a bit disappointed. I have always considered U2 a very good band, and especially listened to them very much when I was younger. I guess I always knew they were a bit on the cheesy side, but it wasn't until I started listening to this list that I realized how much. Their good songs are very good, but their bad songs are really quite boring. It was the same with 'Joshua Tree' which I expected to be one of the easiest 5 star albums, but turned out not to be. Just like that album, this is dragged down by bad the songs between the good ones. 'Grace', for example, felt so extremely pretentious and boring. Bono sure sings good, but it can just become too much cheese, like in this example. Was contemplating putting 3 stars on this, but I think a weak 4 is more appropriate considering what albums I have given 3s before.
Again, U2 isn't really my cup of tea and I thought the beginning with the hits really cemented that opinion. The tail-end of the album surprised me somewhat and I enjoyed it more. "In a little While" felt like a motown track and was probably my favourite track of the album. The ending song "The ground Beneath Her Feet" was also decent.
I strongly dislike U2.
I was ready to give thus a lambasting but its ok. I guess it tries to go back to a classic era in some ways. Not a patch on Joshua or Achtung but decent.
Anthems of early 2000….appreciated Kite and Wild Honey this listen….
DNF after wild honey. sorry dad, i hate your stupid band. U2 and Coldplay, two of the most irritating acts to ever come out of the british isles (not that every all male british group isn’t irritating). this 90’s/aughts middle aged white guy alt rock is just so bad. bands that just Sound Like The Bush Administration.
The website threw us this album right after giving us the Joshua tree yesterday, which made the decline even more obvious. I’m not gonna be arsed to listen to you if you’re not even arsed yourself, Bonehead.
the Taylor swift of rock, except Taylor swift is good at what she does.
Severe drop-off after 3 songs.
U2 was one of my friends' favorite bands to listen to, so I admit I got a bit tired of them playing in his car all the time. But they are really good.
can't think of a worse mega-successful band. musical styrofoam packing peanuts, absymally bad lyrics, somebody should remove Bono's vocal chords, may god have mercy on their souls
Pop-rock de U2. Demasiadas canciones lentas, para mi gusto. Un megahit. Un 4.
Me ha gustado más de lo que recordaba.
Though a fan of War, Boy, October and Unforgettable Fire, my interest in the music of U2 waned. This album is a good example. Each song is quality, and overall bland to my taste. I'll listen to it again, but I'm not in a rush to do so.
Beautiful day is a banger, the rest is meh
Can't even pinpoint why this feels so hollow.
U2 sucks!
# Playlist track - Elevation # Notes - Album starts pretty OK. The first 3 tracks were huge back then, but didn't age too well. Still cool, as long as it's in homeophatic dosage. +3 stars - The chorus for "Beautiful Day" has some oomph to it, but its just way overplayed. Not their fault, tho. - "Stuck in a moment You Can't Get Out Of" suffers from an ever worse case. It's not even the whole chorus, it's just the first phrase. Just OK track, bad vocals, spectacular 1-liner. - "Elevation" still sounds cool. Corny cool. But cool. Bono is there to avoid it being great. - From there on it's just downhill. It's kind of amazing, really. One after the other, each subsequent track is worse. -2 stars. - A horrible album with a passable opening act.
abiz zu schnulzig für meinen geschmack
Gentle rock, quintessential U2
4.6/5 Best Track: Beautiful Day
meh
It's very U2. If that's your thing, you'll love it. if it's not your thing, you won't. I cannot for the life of me figure out why this band was so goddamned big. There are some decent songs on here, like Beautiful Day, but none of them are iconic enough to warrant the amount of adoration U2 always gets. I understand that Joshua Tree was a classic, but this album is like a decade or more later. Lots of bands have one awesome album and then a bunch of mediocre albums, why is U2 idolized? Anyway, it's fine. 2.5 stars if I could.
While the first 4 songs are seared into my brain, I just can't move past how played out and generic they sound at this point.
Somewhat disappointing album overall. Some great songs, while others feel like they were mailed in. Not great U2.
I like U2 but nothin past Rattle an hum
It was fine. I wouldn't include it
It was good, I enjoyed it a lot. Very U2.
catchy. -1 star on principle.
Ngl, definitely some songs I like here. Also a lot of meh and blah ones. Typical U2 album really, solid 2.5.
The songs I like, I like a lot.
Unfortunately I can easily leave U2 behind.
Dit is zo'n ontzettend poprock album, ik vind Elevation heel grappig, want het begint als een echt rock nummer, maar dan herrinneren ze zich denk ik weer dat ze dat niet zijn en dan gaat het allemaal weer een stuk trager. Ik was geen fan van U2, ik ben geen fan van U2 en ik word geen fan van U2. The Joshua Tree en dit is voor mij allebei hetzelfde: meh. FAVO: Beautiful day, Stuck in a moment you can't get out of
Not my favorite
Some people just won't quit. And then after changing pop music with e.g. Zooropa, War, Achtung Baby make albums with the song Peace On Earth on it that makes you want to go to War with U2 itself. And make Beautiful Day, nothing wrong with the song, only they made 10 better similar songs before, which is (am I the only one) a ripp off of Aha's Sun Always Shines On TV. Earlier U2 albums in the list I gave 4 or 5 stars, this is a bloody disgrace for mankind.
An altogether disappointing effort from a band that can, and has, done much better. The mix is all over the place, Bono's vocals are barely in tune and his lyrics are almost adolescent.
Ok I actually loved this
Starts well but then fades away…
U2 dialing up the cheese on this one.
My favorite U2 album
Listened 3/16/24. I was surprised by this one. I stopped listening to U2 back during the mid 1990s. This was not what I was expecting. I may need to give the newer stuff (ie after 1995ish) another chance.
Ugh. No.
Boring and cringe. Quimby wannabe lol. Fuck U2. I’ll never forgive them for that iTunes debacle. Coldplay is better.
OK, but a lot of generic U2 songs really
Some really big hits, which is not my fav U2 songs. I really wanted to like this album, but it’s pretty forgettable. There are parts that are great though. Most of the lyrics sounds like a stream of consciousness and I’m not here for it. Last song is ok
BD & Stuck in a moment are good. The rest disappointed me and signaled the end of me liking U2’s albums from there on out.
Nothing spectacular here, not bad.
It’s okay, but a bit lame and uninspired
I’m not the U2 hater that many seem to be. A couple of the songs on this album are quite formative for me as they mark the time I left high school for university. Though released pre 9/11 they would become mega hits post 9/11. So there’s a lot of history here. However, after revisiting this with the exception of the first two songs (which I still say are good) this becomes a bit of a slog to get through. 2/5
A trio of above average singles from an time great rock band save this album.
U2 is a weeeee bit overrated. This album wasn't bad, just boring. I thought I was going to like it a lot more than I did so it's a bit of a disappointment. 3/5
I'm still mad about waking up to find these assholes' album automatically downloaded into my iTunes. You can tell that these guys are from the era where people thought that music really could change the world. I would imagine this played better at the time, but this is the cynicism fueled 20s baby! Nowadays these guys just sound like preachy assholes. Did I mention that I think Bono is an asshole? I think he's an asshole. The music itself is fine. I think it rests on the laurels of its message, but its definitely aged out of its strengths.
Good but not for me
Not nearly as bad as people say… some solid singles and the deep cuts aren’t too bad either
Stuck in a Moment is s perfect song.
Album starts off with a banger but gets worse the longer it goes on. It's U2. Meh. 5/10 (2.5/5)
Ehh, I guess it's pretty good and nice to know U2 were going back to their roots. But still after the first 3 tracks the rest of the album just kind of fades into the background. Fave: Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of
Eh, the first three tracks would make a pretty strong EP but then it keeps going and going. Not horrible, but not outstanding, either. It seems to be the most listened to of their albums on last.fm, which is a bit puzzling! Fave track - "Elevation", for sure!
Top loaded album... All the good stuff up front and can skip the latter half. Stuck in a Moment best song 5 stars Elevation is more annoying than I remembered. New York is a god awful 0 stars 2.5 round up to 3
I came into this thinking U2 might be the most overrated band in history, and I’ve found nothing to change my mind with this album.
A fun album with songs that remind me of my childhood
3/5
Lovely to listen
Never been a fan of U2, but this was tolerable.
Apart from the one catchy tune, it's a rather unimaginative album.
The album that has our courageous anthemic heroes rest on their laurels and realize that they couldn't afford to leave behind the money train. Rinse/Repeat becomes all they couldn't leave behind and there's no sign of that changing since.
Rock, 2000, -> 3
Dad’s a big U2 fan, so I wanted to like this one. But it’s just so mediocre. Especially the latter half. 6.5/10 Top 3: 1. Walk On 2. Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of 3. Beautiful Day
Beautiful Day is an awesome song, the second is good too. After that the album gets super bland. New York woke me up from my nap. All that energy spent on a hollow soulless price of crap. This is not an album with listening to.
I admire this album from a production stand point more than anything. I think I liked maybe 3 songs off of it. Not really a U2 guy
it’s okay, a couple songs I really like but otherwise all a bit of similar sound that I get bored with
Blandy McBland
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.
Full disclosure, I am not a fan of U2. I think they are overrated. This is not a very good album. 2.5
Started off strong but didn't enjoy the back half as much
Just pure pop magic!
Not sure why this album is so hated by so many, must be the repercussions of them putting that one album on everything but honestly this was a really solid album. Quite a few bangers and the rest of the album are able to carry through the same energy. Its a solid listen.
Incredibly boring, everything sounded the same
Great
Could never get past the guitar style to listen to this band. His signature play-style is what I imagine repetitive water drop torture to the brain would be like. They are actually only one of three artists I permanently blocked from all my streaming services. Disappointing to see this album generated this morning.
Oli hyvä +3/5
Its aggressively 90s despite being released in 2000. There's a bit more nostalgia here than the other U2 albums we've had but I think that's as complimentary as I can be. Like the rest of the U2 discography, it's aggressively bland. Songs like beautiful day and elevation might could be okay but the distortion is turned all the way down and everything is compressed. Dont like Bonos singing, the woohoos in elevation manage to make it sound worse. It's a right dud, do not recommend.
The first 3 tracks are fine. More than tolerable, but short of enjoyable. The rest is not fine.
I enjoyed the first three tracks but everything after was awful. Highlights: Beautiful Day Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of Elevation
My expectations were low, but Christ this was bad. Feel like they jumped the shark and it's just generic music for the masses. Absolutely zero nuance at all. Just pump out any old shite, and they know people will buy it. Lyrically it's so basic at times too. Elevation in particular. Hole, mole, soul.... sky, fly, high. My 4 year old rhymes like this. Actually laughed out loud during wild honey at the lyrics Sorry Bono, 1
Écouté hier. Je ne me souviens pas d'un seul morceau le lendemain...
Don’t like U2 at all so won’t rate highly. Sorry.
More like U3
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.
Great album. The first 3 tracks were all big hits. Will definitely listen to again.
How about no
Удивительно, но мне второй раз подряд нравится U2
Samey-samey and utterly forgettable.
It's pretty good. Elevation is my favorite track. I was not expecting much because I much prefer earlier U2 (Achtung Baby and Joshua Tree), but it's better than I expected.
When I opened this up on the morning I was very disappointed. U2 used to be great but became pretentiously irrelevant and annoying. Then I listened to it and I was less disappointed. This must have been their last somewhat decent album. That said, I’m not at all sure that I Must Have Heard This Before I Died.
I was planning on writing something that references the past creativity of this band, the struggle that continuing that creativity can sometimes be ..... and how this album is a perfect illustration of that dynamic. Wait, I guess I just did. Anyway, this album? So disappointing. 1.5 but I'll give out 2 because their responsible for so much great stuff that it's hard to fault them for coming up short .......
This album is a late classic in U2 repertoire. If Unforgettable Fire made this list it will get a five star from me.
Okay to listen to, for the familiarity of a few of the songs. Although the album seems a bit more dated than something like "War", which I enjoyed a lot more. 2.5/5
Do not like U2, could not finish.
this shit was so bad, it was almost funny, but then i would check to see how much more of it i had to go, and it was many more songs, and it was not funny at all. truthfully terrible. i have listened to beautiful day many times and had no idea the rest of the record was so bad. i was listening and in denial like how are they this famous? how did they become one of the biggest rock bands in the world? brian eno let this happen? what was wrong with their fans? i truly never feel like this, like a piece of music is actually hard to listen to or actively terrible. im shocked at myself. bono is so annoying. his lyrics are so lame. cant believe people hate on coldplay when this is the most inflated, vapid arena rock ive ever heard in my life
Weird format to have the three singles at the very front of the album. Back half of the albums seems like a throw away.
I probably could go long on this album, but I'll try to keep it brief It's hard to divorce this album, which came out in the fall of 2000, from the events a year later that radically recontexturalized it. I think, in the public consciousness, this album is a response to 9/11 – after all, who can forget Bono revealing his American flag jacket lining during the Super Bowl Halftime in 2002? - when the album was actually subject to the most improbable series of events a new piece of culture has probably ever endured. Listening to it now, maybe 15-20 years from the last time I last heard it, and in the same age bracket Bono and the Edge (late 30s) were in when they made it, what I hear is a secular gospel album, and a pretty damn good one. There are meditations on the losses of parents, friends, and relationships. There are songs of great gratitude for both natural born and chosen homes and families. There's hope and despair in equal measure. There's an earnestness and poptimsim that the cynical young man can write off that the thirtysomething can't deny is where U2 is, and always has been, at their best. That's especially evident in the first half of the album, which lines up four mammoth singles in a row, but it's also true on what should have been the album closer, "New York" (the less said about "Grace", the better). Is it all a little schmaltzy? Yes, undeniably. But when the songs are so expertly crafted to hit the pleasure centers of one's brain, who cares?
I don't want to try and bell curve all these albums. These are all classic albums, so hypothetically most of these should get really high ratings. On the other hand...growing up is realizing how much "Elevation" and "Move On" suck. And how little this is an album you have to hear before you die.
Lots of nostalgia for this one, but it's really buoyed by the singles. Bono's lyrics can be a bit trite and heavy handed at times, but the album is a cohesive collection of songs, bereft of most of their experimentation of their 90's albums without totally smearing their signature sonic pallete.
U get 2 stars
i'm going to kill myself
I was fully prepared to slap a 3 on this and move on with my life. But then I listened to it from beginning to end. It's like watching the Louvre burn down before your eyes, but the audio equivalent. The lead single was so overplayed it's not even a song any more. Then you get stuck in a song and you can't get out of it. By the time Elevation comes along you want to dig a hole in your soul like a mole. Oh the nonsensical rhymes! The song Grace made me cringe out of my skin. I can't even remember why and there is no way I'm going back there to remember. I will leave any situation where this album plays.
Skipping the ones I know, I'm half a song in and already transported to the moment, you know, on a long, boring drive, when you've only had commercial radio to keep you company and you eventually choose silence? Yeah, that. Why... would I need to listen to this before I die? Is there a secret message? Do I need to play it backwards? "Muh dna Elttar retfa deppots evah dluohs ew"?
Anything after Zooropa doesn't do it for me. I had a thought while listening to it. I mean the lyrics. The word salad lyrics almost sound like they were written by ChatGPT. Does anyone here these words and think, oh man, that's deep?
My girlfriend was 26 when she bought her first new car. It was a big deal and she was so happy when she drove the teal, manual transmissioned Honda Civic off the lot. It had a 6-disc CD changer that she paid extra for and this album was the only thing that played in it. After a bit of this, and figuring out that she had no intention of changing the music, I decided that I'd drive from now on. I felt like this album, was drivel, poppy bubblegum once removed from college or "adult contemporary' music. And I had no intention of being an adult. Here I am. Here WE are, 25 years later that car long gone, a mortgage, two kids, soccer, therapy, sciatica and everything that goes along with middle age... Here we are, and I'd give most anything to sit in that little civic and listen to this CD again just for an hour.
There are 88 albums that have been removed from the list? The website I use lists 77 - it may be out of date. But of those 77, 73 are from the 21st century. But U2’s “All That You Can’t Leave Behind” isn’t one of them. It should be. “All That You Can’t Leave Behind” brought a career resurgence for U2. It was a turn away from a more experimental sound and style that they explored in the 90s, but it was an overcorrection. “Beautiful Day” deserved all the acclaim and spins it got as an ideal pop-rock track. But in hindsight, the song has been run into the ground. I’d be happy to never hear it again. It is followed by “Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of,” which further loses my attention. The “woo’s” that begin “Elevation” are the best part of the album, but the song doesn’t live up to those heights. On the other hand, “Walk On” may actually be the single from the album that holds up best. While those singles may have been overplayed and overhyped, there are some other, more interesting tracks on the album. “Kite” isn’t too bad, and “In a Little While” has a restrained, sparse, and clean guitar that is a refreshing shift for U2. The hits might be overplayed, but they are attention-grabbers. “Wild Honey” and “Peace on Earth” are not. The back half of the album is pretty forgettable. At the time “All That You Can’t Leave Behind” came out, when people thought of U2, the image that came to mind was “The Fly” version of Bono with the ridiculous glasses. This album and tour effectively transformed U2, and made everyone forget their previous wanderings.It solidified them as a long-lasting, incredibly successful arena rock band. I don’t really like the album, and think it pales in comparison to their early work, but I’m almost convincing myself of its value on the list?
An uninspiring collection of drab. Even Beautifully Day, which I remembered fondly, was a vast disappointment. The opening line of the chorus, iconic as it be, is the only part I will remember fondly now. The biggest problem are Bono’s vocals. They are bad. He doesn’t really sing so much as he talks in a singingish manner. I’d have to go back to the earlier albums to be sure, but I think he had a good voice in the 80s. By the late 90s, as evidenced with this album, he didn’t have it anymore. I’m sure someone else has written this, but I most certainly can leave this album behind.
I don't consider this a very strong album, and wouldn't even include it in U2s top albums.
This is unbelievably bland. Listening to this was like having teeth pulled.
actually pretty good
Interesting choice of a U2 album - I would have rather expected The Joshua Tree or The Unforgettable Fire as an album to hear before I die. New York is good, though.
Nice
brian ends production is amazing but bono is just annoying in this era
total wank fest
There are some songs on here that are enjoyable a bit but I can’t do U2. Will round up though…..
i don’t even need to listen to this whole record again to know it’s a 3
Enjoyable album. Sounds very similar to older U2
Me ha gustado más de lo que recordaba.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYEP9sjX-tk Compre o CD do U2, mas não ou ouça
better than I thought
Not a fan, but it's okay to listen sometimes when you have that mood.
I thought this album was pretentious when it came out and it still is.
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.
Favourite track - Walk on
Favourite tracks: walk on; elevation; beautiful day; stuck in a moment you can't get out of; in a little while
Its not bad. Second U2 album I have got and it seems they start out strong then just drag on to the finish.
Fantastic first half of the album, drops off near the end.
Too much nostalgia!! When you start an album w Its A Beautiful Day, extra point. Lots of good memories and sad ones too w this song/album. I don’t know if I can rate albums based purely on music. My feelings, body, soul, memories make a lot of the ratings! Hope that’s ok.
Not a huge U2 listener but this album isn't their best stuff!
I love old U2. This has some good songs but all ended up being overplayed and overproduced. Don’t @ me, just my thoughts. 2.5
I am a U2 fan and I believe there are 4 or 5 really good, and some great, U2 albums. This is not one of them. Outside of a couple classics (Elevation, In a Little While) this album kind of bores me - much like most stuff they released after 2000.