Listening to The Joshua Tree in it's entirety, I think there is more to why this was the album that really made U2 huge. It is not just because it has three of their biggest hits. It's because from start to finish it's a great album that really shows a band with a vision and will to change the world, and they did, and continue to do so to this day.
If you're completely new to U2, then this album is a good place to start as I think it's one of their best. I almost wish this was the album (or perhaps War or Boy) that I had first discovered U2 with because songs like “Bullet the Blue Sky”, “Exit” and “Red Hill Mining Town” paint a slightly different picture than the “Best Of” collections. You can also start at the beginning with Boy, which is also quite good, but I'd recommend staying away from the compilation sets with this band especially as they really seem to be a bad representation in my mind.
If you're already a U2 fan, then I'd find it hard to believe you don't know of this album and if by some strange twist of fate you don't, you call yourself a fan? Better get listening.
Article comments
1 - jerry
Great article! Nice breakdown of the whole album. I have seen them once and its still one my best concerts ever. Every time I hear "Where The Streets Have No Name" its like you a starting a new journey each time.
2 - Allegra
Thank you so much for writing this wonderful article. Most people these days are writing about how they hate U2 and Bono when they don't have a clue what they're talking about or they're just jealous. Not only does The Joshua Tree stands on it's own, the songs do as well, espeically live. Hearing those songs live at a U2 show totally takes it to a new level, and one cannot understand the power of them unless they are there in person. I have been a fan of U2 since the mid 80's, but I didn't become a huge fan until I saw them live for the very first time during the Elevation tour in November of 2001. I've heard Streets for years and years, and I've always have loved The Joshua Tree album, but after hearing those songs live, my eyes well up everytime I hear it. Why now and not back when I first heard the song in the 80's? It's not just Streets, it's all of U2's songs. Everytime I hear any U2 song randomly played on the radio now, I start getting choked up. U2 has a special power, but I think in order to get the whole package, you need to see them in person as well.
3 - JC Mosquito
Yeah, everyone luvs J Tree. I was more moved by their previous album, War. I like some of their newer stuff too. J Tree and Unforgettable Fire both seem so overproduced after the first three albums stripped down rock and roll to their essentials.
I think the previous comment aboout how you have to hear these songs live is probably accurate - the arrangements would have to have to be at a minimum for a four piece band to pull them off without backing musicians.
4 - CYNTHIA
Nice review of a fantastic album. "Streets" is my favorite song also - in person, at a stadium of thousands of people, it's like soaring on wings. I always think Bono is spot on when he says their music is "ecstatic" music, that they want to achieve "liftoff." I have always felt that "Streets" is the definitive of ecstatic and liftoff, IMHO. ESPECIALLY live. There is nothing like it. They are the best band in the world - ever.