Joshua Tree
Reviews :
Exclusive Review from CMJ New Music Report.
According to a recent interview, while working on the Artists
United Against Apartheid project, U2's Bono got his first
introduction to blues roots when Little Steven loaned him some
albums. The experience changed him, and the immediate
result was the blistering "Silver And Gold" which
closed the Sun City album. That experience infuses The Joshua
Tree,
U2's fifth and most mature LP, with a seething, exquisitely
controlled energy. Bono's vocals burn, channelling his emotional
excesses into passion rather than exuberance, and the band
matches that performance with an equally precise and powerful
one. The Joshua Tree is beautifully produced by Brian Eno and
Daniel Lanois (again), who, more comfortable here with
the band, seem to deserve much of the credit for the LP's
cohesive sound. Steve Lillywhite returns to mix the LPs first
three tracks, all of which must be airplay choices, including the
luscious single "With Or Without You." But it's the
fourth
track, "Bullet The Blue Sky," which has the greatest
impact. The Edge's guitar stings and Bono's angry growl sings of
South
American terror. Also try "One Tree Hill," "Still
Haven't Found," "God's Country" and the moody,
creative "Exit."
College Media, Inc.
Quick Quotes :
Ranked #3 in Rolling Stone's "100 Best Albums Of The
80s" survey.
Rolling Stone 11/89
Notes :
THE JOSHUA TREE won the 1987 Grammy award for album of the year.
Additional personnel includes: Daniel Lanois (guitar,
keyboards, tambourine, background vocals);
Brian Eno (keyboards, programming, background vocals).
Engineers include: Flood.
Recorded at Windmill Lane Studios, Dublin, Ireland.
After their arresting appearance at Live Aid, U2 album sales
went berserk across the globe, and the world waited
impatiently for their next release. The Joshua Tree arrived, and
fans were not disappointed. There are few weaknesses,
musical or lyrical, in this album. The pure power of the music
and patent honesty of the lyrics steer the band clear of
whimsy and self-indulgence. The anguish and questioning is shot
through with faith as they chant and stomp and batter
their way through instant classics such as 'Still Haven't Found
What I'm Looking For', 'Where The Streets Have No Name'
and 'With Or Without You', leaving the listener bruised but
elated.