A Growing Experience

This was the only U2 album I DIDN'T like the very first time I heard it (that is until ATYCLB)....after repeated listening this has become a personal favorite (the same can NOT be said for ATYCLB)

The first side is flawless and the looser second half, beginning with the breathtaking "Tomorrow" casts a spell over time.....

"Rejoice" is still one of my all time favorite songs from U2...and "October", though MUCH too short a song, is up there as well.

If you love War and/or Boy you WILL love this one too...it just might take a little more time.

AMAZING!!!! THIS MITE BE MY FAVORITE U2 ALBUM

wow!!! i cant belive how much i love this album, its depressing, and beautiful all at the same time. the piano is used in ways unlike any other u2 album, its so haunting. every track is awesome, such classics such as....ah screw it, no need to name tracks, there all awesome. this sounds like nothing else u2 have ever done, and i find this to be better than its follow up(and hit album) war. for some reason, this is u2s least known album, i have no clue why, its pretty much there best in my book, and should have ben there brake thru. everyone should get this, its an amazing beautiful masterpiece in every way!!!

Passion straight from the heart . . .

The rock meter on U2's 2nd album gets cranked quite a bit past the level on their debut album BOY (which, don't get me wrong, I also love). BOY's title is appropriate because it reflects the band's fresh innocence at the time and celebration of youth (also, it does in fact rock). But on OCTOBER, the band is more raw, focused and intense. At the same time, there's lots of sonic experimentation, particularly on "Gloria" and "Fire." "Rejoice" and "With a Shout" are the most intense tracks. "October" is a beautiful and spare piano ballad. "Tomorrow" is also beautiful but quite epic. "Scarlet" is just magical. My favorite track would have to be "Stranger in a Strange Land" which is alternately dreamy and rockin'. "I Threw a Brick Through a Window" is way up there too. While I love every song, "Is That All" is probably the weakest but it does rock out and it does hint at better things to come (with their next album WAR).



The band sounds fantastic, especially Larry's drumming - he's just all over his kit, probably moreso than any other U2 album. Bono's voice here is still in its prime and sounds incredible. I think a lot of care went into this album. U2 aren't exactly virtuosos, but OCTOBER has a certain sophistication and represents a big step forward in their progress to my mind.



If you happen to have caught Blender magazine's lame overview of U2's discography which gave this album only 2 stars, please ignore it. Annoyingly, most of their comments had nothing to do with the actual music. Much has been made of the fact that Bono lost his lyric book right before recording began (incredibly, it was recently returned to him after being M.I.A. for for close to 25 years!). I actually think this caused Bono to reach deep inside himself and pull out something real and true from his heart. Much of his lyrics that did end up on OCTOBER are very spiritual. While I no longer share his faith, I still admire his spiritual passion and the way he expresses it.



I still listen to OCTOBER today 20 years after first hearing it. It's well worth your while to get it if you haven't already.