Hard to say, but I think it comes down to 2 - Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby. How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb is a close 3rd. JT is a sentimental favorite and when the band first exploded onto the scene. That said, I think Achtung Baby has a lot more range from a rock n' roll standpoint. There are some amazing, new sounds on Achtung that just make you want to break glass and trash the room while listening to it!! Can anyone relate??
I think the test for a great song is one that can be played on an acoustic guitar and still hold up as a great song. Joshua Tree is full of songs that pass this test and therefore I think that is the best album.
All That You Can't Leave Behind is my second favorite.
I love Unforgettable Fire. I think it is vastly underrated with great songs like Pride, Bad and Wire. However - it does have a couple of clunkers like Elvis Presly and America. Overall - I would have to say Joshua Tree goes down as their best album across the board both int erms of material and quality of each song.
I agree that Achtung Baby definitely has the best range and how can you question it with the fact that it contains one of THE greatest rock songs ever written on it. That being said I think that POP is actually my favorite album, at least for now, part of the reason is the song Please. That is one of my favorite songs, and talk about an album being underrated, the band themselves underrate this album.
I love this forum. Its great to hear from other fans!
I find that U2 fans are somewhat divided when it comes to citing a "best" album, most will say "The Joshua Tree", which clearly is a complete and self-contained sonic adventure, while others cite "Zooropa", when the band discovered the aesthetics of techno, however "The Joshua Tree" is conceptually tighter. The acoustic guitar test is an interesting way of approaching "The Joshua Tree", to which I would add thematic harmony, I wish the whole album were just one track, because it is one complete story, lyrically and musically.
Definately Actung Baby, although JT and HTDAAB are close and they are all good. Nothing beats them live, and their tour after Things You... was much better than the Zoo tour. I constantly watch the Boston concert. It is amazing.
Uh, I don't know any hard-core U2 fans who would cite Zooropa as one of their best albums. Glad to see others agree on Achtung Baby.....one of the most under-rated albums ever.
In my humble opinion... 1)"The Unforgettable Fire" ("A Sort Of Homecoming") 2)"Achtung Baby" ("Until The End Of The World") 3)"War" ("Surrender") 4)"Boy" ("Stories For Boys") 5)"The Joshua Tree" ("In God's Country")
I would defintely say that Joshua Tree was there best ever, however Unforgettable Fire is a close second and I loved Rattle and Hum. Any album after the 1990's was definitely different than their earlier stuff, but was still awesome. I have loved U2 since I was 12 and always will. Glad there is a U2 neighborhood.
Like so many questions pertaining to the arts, the beauty is definitely in the eye (ear) of the beholder. That being said, I often tell people how much I love Achtung Baby by stating that if I could only pick one album to keep me company for the rest of my life, it would be AB. Yeah, I know that's a HORRIFIC situation that leaves out a lot of good music from U2 and many other artists, but if I force myself to answer the question, it's gotta be Achtung.
I always enjoy reading everyone's comments about which U2 album is the best of all-time - whatever their choice may be. Of course, I get even more excited when a sophisticated U2 fan writes about how ACHTUNG BABY is their favorite album of all-time! While I have a lot of family and friends that are all big U2 fans, I was the only one who was vocalizing Achtung Baby was their best work and my favorite album...this was a very lonely feeling! Thank you for adding to this discussion - everyone's point of view is important, meaningful and enjoyable to read!
Truthfully , I don't have an answer for that one . I could find reasons for ALL of them ... even the ones less popular with "fans" . To me, it's kind of like asking " which child do you love the most ? " , lol ;o) . Their music has always had such a special place in my heart over the years that I refuse to pick a "best of all time" . That may be more of an emotional answer than what this discussion is about , but I can't think of them or their music in any other way :o)
Hello Hello Kelpete! That's a clue to my favorite album HTDAB, at least for this week anyway! I can't really choose the best U2 album, depending on my mood, it changes regularly. If I was stranded and only had 1 album to play over and over again it would be Rattle and Hum....lots of good memories go along with that album.... Peace, U2laguna
That is a very tuff choice. I have favorite songs from every album and listening to U2 for 25 years each album is special to me in different ways. If I was stranded on an Island and could only choose one album however, It would be a toss up between Achtung Baby and The Unforgetable Fire. Or, I guess just take one of the Best of albums and have a little mix of everything. U2 is the best band in the world, and will always be my favorite!!!
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