The Joshua Tree

So, I'm not a big U2 fan, but the first four songs are incredible. Very, very good songs, and I thought I was going to have to revise my opinion of them! We were definitely trending towards a 4-4.5 rating. Then the rest of the album happened.

Look, it's not bad. It's fine. It's whatever. But I remember why I've always thought U2 was a bit meh. I believe this album is considered their magnum opus, and I can see why - if you're into U2. The album is moody, it's very unique for the 80s and doesn't really show its age in an anachronistic way. Exit is another very good song that's on the back half of the album, but songs like running to stand still and One Tree Hill are just kind of bland, overproduced, overwrought Bono pretentiousness. Still, though, four certified bangers plus another quite good song in Exit means that this can't be considered anything other than a quite good album. Honest to god, the last song, Mothers of the Disappeared was *just* good enough to push me over the edge. I'd love to give it a 3.5, but I think this will be the rare half star rating that gets rounded up.

I mean, whether you love U2 or not, no one can deny that it's an all-time classic album.

I had what some might consider to be an unhealthy obsession with U2 in my early teens, so this was a formative album for me and so is hard to judge objectively. I think U2 get a bit more hate than they deserve, particularly from Irish people. The Joshua Tree is undeniably a highpoint in 80s rock, even aside from the 3 major singles. I had forgotten how great some of the deep cuts like 'Running to Stand Still', 'Red Hill Mining Town', and 'One Tree Hill' are. I think the production is very fitting as well, accurately capturing the emptiness of a desert. One of Brian Eno's best for sure.

Anyway enough rambling. It's worth noting that I soon moved on to more "socially acceptable" obsessions with bands like Led Zeppelin, Pearl Jam and Radiohead.

"Sad eyes, crooked crosses / in God's country"

I had a grudge against U2 ever since Apple forced us to download their shittiest album on itunes. I later realized that I really enjoy very specific songs of theirs- "Sunday bloody sunday," and can tolerate U2 songs when they come on in the dentist's office, or get played on the radio (those are the exact people that listen to U2).

The album starts with three of their most commercially-viable songs, and I enjoyed the opening riff of the album quite a bit. T2 - "I still haven't found what I'm looking for" is listenable, if not overplayed. (playlist, i guess) T3- "With or without you" is dad-rock to its core, and the epitome of a radio song, but there exists still good musical ideas at the root of the song. T10- "Exit" has some Joy Division-esque sounds within it, and I enjoyed that aspect of the song.

U2/5

bro is suffering big time i dont know I expected more from the big U2. Guitar sounds are delicious though

I was excited to actually sit down with a full U2 album instead of picking up singles here, there, and on pandora. Unfortunately turns out a full album of U2 just still sounds like U2's hits the whole way through. Which is fine, I like them alright, but was hoping there were hidden gems out there instead of the ones everyone's heard of

Mostly good. I really liked some of these songs, but a few missed the mark for me.

I am not too excited for today's album; I've been known to traditionally not like U2's music. I have never, however, sat down and listened to a full album of theirs either, so we will see how this goes.

Right off the bat, three of their "hits" play back to back: Where the Streets Have No Name, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, and With or Without You. I am familiar with these songs, and don't particularly like any of them. It may be because radio stations have literally played them to death, or it may be the ethereal, slow, elevator music-esque atmosphere that all of their songs have, but I just don't like the music, I don't have a reason why. Also, a minute passes before anything happens in Where the Streets Have No Name for some reason. Bono's try-hard, angst filled vocal delivery is just grating.

Leave it to Bono to not look at the camera for the album cover photo. He probably saw a koala in distress. What a tool. I think my favourite story about Bono is that one time, Shane McGowan (lead singer of the Pogues) was crashing with Bono for a time. Bono's house was quite handy to a busy railroad. Droves of people went by on the train every day to see Shane flapping his cock at them in the window of Bono's home, unbeknownst to Bono. Bono got the blame, and promptly kicked Shane out.

Overall, this is bland Walmart rock. I just don't like U2. I will never listen again if I can help it.

Favorite songs: Bullet the Blue Sky, Trip Through Your Wires (the little bit of energy this album has is during these two songs)

Least favorite songs: the whole beige, bland album.

2/5

Compared to most bands of the 80s, U2 have a much more timeless sound. It comes across both spare and richly detailed, largely centering around the layered textures of The Edge's guitar. A sound which was their own and well ahead of their time. They found the perfect producers in Eno and Lanois who were able to shape these recordings into both atmospheric art rock and stadium filling anthems. Incredible dynamics of sound and emotion.

The first three songs are stadium shakers. Bullet the Blue Sky has Bono get some deep growly color which is cool. Red Hill Mining Town is boring. as is generally the back bit of the album.

A marvel of musical production that perfectly captures the spirit of both the performances and the underlying emotions and spirit of a group. The impact of this album on the band's trajectory, and that of pop music, really can't be overstated.

I'm not really a fan of U2... A lot of this just doesn't do anything for me. I like some of the moodier bits and some of the soundscapes on songs like 'bullet the blue sky', but the rest just doesn't hit for me.

It's a good album. Much better than I expected, and I liked it more than Achtung Baby. But as good as it is, I just don't see putting it on very often.

Every single song was just such a slog. Five minutes of quiet in the beginning, then starts to build up, then either stays built up or goes back to being quiet. Now, I know that sounds like most songs, but there is a specific brand of it with U2 that makes it all just blend together. It's only getting 2 stars because while I didn't completely enjoy it, there's no denying the 1-2-3 punch that is the first few songs. Would of been better as an EP with just those and Bullet the Blue Sky

Brilliant

I wonder if they ever found what they were looking for?

classic meh

I want to punch Bono in his stupid little face

First 3 songs are huge, not a fan of U2 but this is a great album. Can see why it’s on the list, the impact it had on U2 and music at the time.

Finally! I've found a U2 album that doesn't make me want to stab my ears out.

Obra maestra de éxito comercial. Prácticamente todas y cada una de las canciones son de 5 estrellas, desde las más conocidas: Where the streets have no name, I still haven't found what I'm looking for, With or without you hasta Running to stand still, In god's country y One tree hill. Imprescindible de verdad.