I have to admit, I’ve never really listened to the album. I absolutely adored War and was all over The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby (and to some degree Pop), but The Unforgettable Fire passed me by. It’s one of my wife’s favorite U2 albums. I’m revisiting now on the back of this review and really enjoying what I’m hearing. I miss the U2 of that era for sure.
There must be some U2 energy in the air. I am working on a piece right now about a song from the album War (won’t spoil the reveal) and a couple of other music writers have written about the band recently. I really appreciate your deep dive into the Unforgettable Fire. It has actually lit a fire under me to finish the piece I’m working on. So thanks for that!
Great Glimpse. I've always been a pre-Joshua Tree U2 fan, largely because with the previous albums they were 'my' (and a friend's) band that no one else liked until ... well, they became ubiquitous. There are certainly some great tracks on Tree and beyond, but I never felt the music the way I had before. Love Fire because of the Eno/Lanois collaboration, too - especially as it's their first time with the band. The potential was everywhere - and peaked with 'Bad', I'd say. One of the best tracks.
what you say about being a fan of U2 through the unforgettable fire is part of what I talk about in my piece. I definitely go into how they had been “my” band until the Joshua Tree and then became everyone’s band.
I think that was the first time that had really happened. It was certainly the first time I was in a small group who had its particular sound that no one - especially the cool girls - liked. Which made it even cooler, of course.
Great review as always 😊 I’ll be interested to get your take on some U2 content that’s brewing for the fall.
Thank you. I’ll be interested to read your take on U2 Matt.
We hope so. It's been a long time
I have to admit, I’ve never really listened to the album. I absolutely adored War and was all over The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby (and to some degree Pop), but The Unforgettable Fire passed me by. It’s one of my wife’s favorite U2 albums. I’m revisiting now on the back of this review and really enjoying what I’m hearing. I miss the U2 of that era for sure.
There must be some U2 energy in the air. I am working on a piece right now about a song from the album War (won’t spoil the reveal) and a couple of other music writers have written about the band recently. I really appreciate your deep dive into the Unforgettable Fire. It has actually lit a fire under me to finish the piece I’m working on. So thanks for that!
I’m looking forward to reading your piece Steve.
Great Glimpse. I've always been a pre-Joshua Tree U2 fan, largely because with the previous albums they were 'my' (and a friend's) band that no one else liked until ... well, they became ubiquitous. There are certainly some great tracks on Tree and beyond, but I never felt the music the way I had before. Love Fire because of the Eno/Lanois collaboration, too - especially as it's their first time with the band. The potential was everywhere - and peaked with 'Bad', I'd say. One of the best tracks.
what you say about being a fan of U2 through the unforgettable fire is part of what I talk about in my piece. I definitely go into how they had been “my” band until the Joshua Tree and then became everyone’s band.
I think that was the first time that had really happened. It was certainly the first time I was in a small group who had its particular sound that no one - especially the cool girls - liked. Which made it even cooler, of course.
When I hear A Sort Of Homecoming, I'm always transported back to the 16-year-old me who purchased the album for £5 in 1986. It never fails.
Consequently, this album is very special to me, even with its flaws.
And Wire is an underrated classic.