At the other end of the spectrum, the 97 seconds of The Ocean is a misfit of experimentation and oddity that is, again, better left alone. In sections, some of the best moments of the album, the eight minutes of An Cat Dubh just drags on too long for its own good. At times this is certainly a messy and confused offering. Bono's enthusiasm is palpable and the band's potential is obvious, yet they clearly - and without fault - haven't quite fulfilled it on Boy. That is one of the predicaments of reviewing this album: when compared with later U2 this is clearly no Joshua Tree or War, but when taken in context as a début album, it is exemplary. While a solid song with some intricate guitar work and notable band interaction, it would struggle to find a place on any greatest hits album. Like much of the album, this track lacks the cutting edge so unmistakable on much of more recent U2. A track that would easily fit on War or a number of later U2 releases, the rolling beat of Another Time, Another Place shows you why some more cultured music fans are justified when they say “It's all been done before” when they hear the latest Franz Ferdinand. It is very "'80s", the cagey, dance/pop remnants of the hangover from disco raising their ugly heads on A Day Without Me. The boyish charm of the captivating vocal lines and the featured bass line make for one of the album highlights in a track reminiscent of Midnight Oil and even Crowded House (even though this preceded both*).Īt times Boy suffers from its epoch. Having said that, this is a stand-out track in its own right. The emotive and powerful harmonies of Stories For Boys highlight the band's undoubted song-writing capacity, while this track shapes for greater things to come. It is this undeniable potential that is one of the most alluring elements of this album. The exuberance of the band - and Bono in particular - is tangible on this track and Bono's charisma is manifest. Bono's attractive voice is supported by The Edge's remarkable ability to write complementary riffs (as opposed to pilfering the spotlight when unnecessary). At the core of the U2 sound is the “tightness” of the band, showcased skilfully even at such an early stage of their careers. The Edge's beguiling and sharp guitar hooks coalesce expertly with the solid rhythm section provided by Adam and Larry. Not quite an epic Rock ballad - the likes of which were to come thick and fast in the following years - this track shows the potential of these new kids on the 1980 block. It is truly a great opening eight minutes.īy the fourth track, the energetic yet tender Out Of Control let the fans of the day in on a secret: U2 were no one-hit-wonder - they were on to something good. The powerful feeling of Twilight gives the album some real bite and it is one of the most authoritative tracks on the album - most evident in the commanding post-chorus lick. Edge's guitar work is again prominent, a style which would be mimicked by a multitude of guitarists in the ensuing era, with The Living End's Chris Cheney coming to mind. The strong opening is continued through onto the anxious and mysterious Twilight. The result is one of U2's best songs from the '80s and perhaps one of the best début-album openings ever. The enigmatic percussion sounds and the dance-like beat provide the perfect base for Bono's engaging spiel of unwavering devotion, introspection and affirmation. The Edge leaves his mark all over this record and he sets out his stall right from the get go, with his captivating and harmonious blend foremost on the album opener. It is unashamedly the strongest track on the album providing possibly the vocal highlight. The lead single I Will Follow gave the quartet its first taste of mainstream success, with its release preceding the album and charting well in the US. I believe that this is somewhere on that infamous & supercilious Rolling Stone list of the perceived 500 greatest albums of all-time (in fact I believe it is number 417 on that list). Boy is the début album from one of the biggest bands of the last twenty years, the 1980 release from iconic Irish Rock band U2. I don't profess to be a U2 aficionado but I'm reviewing U2 anyway.
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