I was introduced to U2 by my little sister, Kim. She gave me my first U2 album as a gift, while I was in college all-consumed by the punk movement going on, and somehow missed the this great rock band. Four lads from Ireland, Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullin Jr., took the world by storm in the 80s, and it was most certainly the time they were creating their best music. In 1983, they recorded and released Under A Blood Red Sky, live concert footage shot at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, just west of Denver. I was instantly a fan of Bono, whose booming throaty vocals were entrancing, and we were born just 10 days apart - we must be soulmates.
U2 was the supergroup of the 80s, for there were few who could even challenge them for the title. They hardly took a mistep during the decade, from the 1980 release of Boy, to the 1988 film Rattle And Hum. It was after that, however, that the band started to slip a bit, at least for me. But in their heyday, they were changing the face of music, and looked pretty smoking hot doing it. They were young, smart and successful, a certain recipe for amazing music.
So, in keeping with the day, we shall start with the video for the song New Year's Day, a true stadium rocker, anthemic in nature, bombastic in style. From opening to close, the driving rhythms will cause any fan of rock to scream, hoping the song never ends.
Next we are looking at Gloria from the album October. This song is part all-out rocker, with a nod to the punk movement with the tempos and the angry nature. Then again, most great rock is angry, isn't it?
Then we have I Will Follow from the album Boy. Here the band plays with the tempos within the song, elongating sections while offering up staccato sections as well.
And, finally, we have Sunday Bloody Sunday from the album War. Now if you want to talk about songs being epic in nature, this one has to be used as a reference. huge and heady, the song speaks of revolution and the rights of the 'regular' people. And The Edge's signature riffs just identify this song in just a matter of the opening bar.
You can buy a digital download of the Red Rocks album on Amazon.com for just $7.92 by clicking here or you can order the DVD for just $16.99 here.
YES! Amazing stuff. Happy New Year, Howard!
ReplyDeleteI own October through Rattle and Hum on vinyl. I found out about U2 shortly after the release of Boy. One of ny all time fave songshas been Seconds for too many years to count.
ReplyDeleteThe fun has been seeing Bono evolve into a voice of activism outside of the A voice of social awareness outside of the band's music.
Like Kailyn I also have on Vinyl, plus two limited edition pictures grace the wall of my house from Boy and War. I am a huge fan of this band. Ironically though...my favourite album of the band is Achtung Baby which is in the 90's. I think that album is the band's most dynamic album ever made - it was fresh and lively.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I have never been a huge U2 fan of their music, but I do like a few songs by them.But when I first came out I used to drink at the Hilton Hotel in Harrisburg before heading to the gays bars. One night while their I met Bono and The Edge. They were in Hershey for a concert. I can't even remember what we talked about now, but my friend Liz who bartended there, later had to tell me who I just talked to. I still had no idea who they were. You know I was only into all the dance music then. Looking back now it was pretty cool and after that, I listened to their music. And they were really cool to talk with, down to earth.
ReplyDeleteBeth, glad you like 'em!
ReplyDeleteKailyn, thanks for stopping by, and I love all they did thru Rattle & Hum. Then they lost me a bit.
SteveA, Can't say I have the same love for Achtung Baby, but that is OK. I'll always have Joshua Tree...
Maddie, For a second I thought you were going to tell me about a secret tryst, and I was gonna be exceedingly jealous. Instead, I'm only kinda jealous. LOL