ALBUMS: October (1981); Under a Blood Red Sky (1983)
MVC Ratings: October 4.0/$$$$; Under a Blood Red Sky 4.5/$$$$
I only have these two early U2 albums on vinyl. I have several others on homemade cassette tapes and CDs.
The groundbreaking Irish band was a ubiquitous soundtrack to life in the 1980s and 90s. Bono’s larger than life persona and the Edge’s cutting guitar were and are instantly recognizable. They have sold 150 million records.
But I’m not here to review all of U2 here. The two LPs I have will allow a peek into what some critics and die hard fans say is the the best band of its era.
‘October’ in 1981 is a ‘pre-fame’ record. The band had picked up critical kudos for its first album, ‘Boy.’. And while October one had all the hallmarks of the band, it didn’t exactly skyrocket in sales, partially I think due to some weaker cuts on the album and the fact that people were not accustomed to the sound which was really like no other in the heart of the New Wave synth laden songs. I guess you could say they were like the Clash with more love and a little less anger.
‘Under a Blood Red Sky’ is a live mini album which actually has nearly the length of a regular LP. Recorded at the gorgeous venue Red Rocks in Colorado, it shows U2 becoming U2: anthemic protest songs with a simple but effective musical format of guitar, bass, drums and vocal.
“How long,? How long must we sing this song,” Bono asks in ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday.’
“I Will Follow’ and ‘New Year’s Day’ remain rock classics.
The Edge’s chiming guitar is a perfect fit for Bono’s big vocals as was the name the Edge for the style of guitar he plays. The guitar would shimmer, sting and wail and walk up to the edge of power chord metal but never took the step.