THE JOSHUA TREE (1987)


I have two words for this album : A CLASSIC.

I don't care what anyone says, The Joshua Tree has to be in EVERYONE's record collection whether they like U2 or not. It deals with everything from their neverending struggle with their faith ('I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For'), love ('With Or Without You'), peace and politics ('Bullet The Blue Sky') and even dark, stark raving madness ('Exit').

The music defines the U2 sound (if you HAVE to call it that). Brilliant.

My Fave Tracks: All

It's definitely a household item, Lyn! Every song rules except Trip Through Your Wires, it sounds cheesy to me. I dont need to write a big long review for this album because if i even start, i'll never stop! Edge rules.

Contributed by: Woodchuck

Every major artist has their one MAJOR album. Michael Jackson had Thriller, Pearl Jam had Ten, The Artist (Formerly Known As) Prince had Purple Rain, and U2 had the Joshua Tree. This was the album that made U2 the biggest band in the world in the latter half of the 80's, and with good cause. U2, with producers Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, continued to re-invent their sound, and change rock music.

WHERE THE STREETS HAVE NO NAME: I defy anyone to NOT get pumped up by the opening of this song. The Edge's masterful guitar echoing effect gets the album off to a great start. ****

I STILL HAVEN'T FOUND WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR: Instantly memorable chorus. Bono's best vocal effort on any track to date. ****

WITH OR WITHOUT YOU: Six words; the greatest make-out song ever written. (I'm assuming make-out, though hyphenated, is still two words.) Adam Clayton's simple but catchy bass line is the glue of the song. ****

BULLET THE BLUE SKY: Very powerful, though a better track live. During live performances, Edge REALLY cuts loose on the guitar solo. ***1/2 (**** live)

RUNNING TO STAND STILL: Again, very good but better live. When they played this during the Rattle and Hum film, I damn near cried. ***1/2 (**** live)

RED HILL MINING TOWN: A good song that for some reason U2 has never performed live. *** ½

IN GOD'S COUNTRY: I've never really been as taken with this one as most U2 fans are. The bass line of this song always gets special mention, but Adam's done many better. ***

TRIP THROUGH YOUR WIRES: I guess this country-tinged song is a preview of Rattle & Hum. ***

ONE TREE HILL: Good song, nothing special. ***

EXIT: WICKED song. I love the way it starts so softly you can barely hear Bono, then just builds into a cacophony of noise. ****

MOTHERS OF THE DISAPPEARED: Good closing track, though not in the same league as "40" or "All I Want Is You". ***

Contributed by: Mark Polishuk

As has been said by the others, this CD is a must for your collection, regardless of your musical taste (because it's just plain brilliant!). While "War" established U2 as a force to be reckoned with, JT blew the competition away.

What draws me so much to U2 is that they constantly change their style, but it is always undeniably U2 - the heart is always there. And that is exactly what this album portrays - a somewhat new look to U2, but the same emotions, the same (unforgettable) fire is behind every song. Bono's lyrics are sensational as always - capturing every emotion, sense, image....true genius. Edge's guitarwork: masterful - from the simple opening echoes of Streets to the chaotic driving force in Exit, he once again proves himself the master of innovative and expressive guitar playing. Adam's bass, though not quite as technically impressive overall as later albums, is perfect for this CD - it doesn't need to be technically impressive. Larry's drumming is much like Adam's playing - maybe not as technically impressive, but just the perfect backdrop for each and every song.

Where The Streets Have No Name: I don't know exactly what it is about this song, but that beginning just does something indescribable to me. Edge's guitar intro is...haunting in a way but exhilirating at the same time - perfect. This song is just unbelievable live...brings the house down (or up - as with the lights) every time. I also noticed that the synths in the beginning sound very much like the synths in MLK, the closing track to UF - an interesting similarity - the ending of one leading into the beginning of another?. My interest in this song has gotten so much higher since Popmart - I can't get enough of it now! 4 out of 4

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For: A great song, again giving light to Bono's struggle to find his place with God and religion (two seperate things). Great rich sound, and the harmony and bass line hints at gospel music (later to be exposed in Rattle and Hum, of course). There's something addictive about the rhythm section in this song... 3.75 out of 4

With or Without You: This song is amazing. Pure genius. And one of Bono's finest vocal performances, if not the finest. The lyrics here are absolutely incredible...instantly identifiable and deeply emotional. I know there are two main "camps" to the interpretation of this song (God v. unrequited love), and I usually favor the unrequited love side (but that's just for personal reasons *s*). Everything comes together perfectly in this song, from the simple bass line everything comes in at the perfect time and place, coming to an amazing climax with the beautiful but painful cries of Bono. I think something more needs to be made of Edge's harmonizations....his voice adds sooooo much to this song. The amazing thing is the more I listen, the more I love this song...(and I've listened quite a few times!). A very big 4 out of 4

Bullet the Blue Sky: This is a truly revolutionary song. Nothing - absolutely nothing around sounded like this when JT came out. Edge is absolutely brilliant on guitar. The soundscapes he can create with a guitar are seemingly limitless - and that solo...have to take a breather after that! Larry's drumming, again, while not too technically impressive, still gives me that driving adrenaline rush, very innovative. And once again, our man Bono delivers an incredible performance. A powerhouse of a live piece, in my opinion significantly better than the studio version - that unstoppable energy becomes almost addictive. 3.75 out of 4 (4 live)

Running to Stand Still: I really like this song. One of the more sparse instrumentations, but just beautiful. I think more needs to be said about Bono's melodies. They really cover a lot of ground...but seem to be as natural as plain speech, this song being no exception. Another fine vocal performance by Bono...this one seems much more like Bono's own song than a U2 song....seems much more like Edge, Adam, and Larry are accompanying Bono's personal thoughts here. 4 out of 4

Red Hill Mining Town: Starting to get into the more blues and country influenced songs now. I didn't like this song initially, but it grew on me - I think the lyrics are largely responsible for that ("And we stoop so low, to reach so high.....we wait all day for night to come..."). The best part of the song has to be around 4:00 (Love, slowly stripped away...) Bono's voice hear just does something to me...I have to sing with him there ;). 3.5 out of 4

In God's Country: I love the sound of this song. The mix of acoustic and Edge's guitar sound very good together. Good, addictive bass line by Adam. I don't really like the ending of this song...it just seems to cut off when there could have been much more. 3.5 out of 4

Trip Through Your Wires: This is my least favorite track. It sounds like U2 is trying too hard for the blues/country sound. The lyrics are very good, but something is lacking in this song. The rhythm section seems almost like it's just plodding along. Still, I don't mind listening to it, but if there is going to be a skipped track when I play JT. this is most likely going to be it. 3 out of 4

One Tree Hill: Another great intro into a great lyrical song. Great sound texture here. Maybe a bit too repetitive, but a very good song. The song just builds to the end very naturally. A great tribute song, with sorrow but ultimately hope. 3.5 out of 4

Exit: This song took some getting used to for me. I didn't care for it that much initially, but I really love this piece now! A very angry song, great for your "pissed at the world" moments ;). Very ephereal sound in the beginning, with Adam's bass line fading in out of nothing and Edge's guitar softly and eerily wailing almost in the background. Amazing lyrics, as usual. Bono's voice is absolutely perfect for this song. So emotional...and the frenzy of Edge's guitar mixed with Adam's and Larry's rhythm section. The way these 4 guys work off each other is amazing, they seem to feed off one another's energy, all mixing together to form a totally united sound...it never sounds like Adam is fighting for the sound here, or Edge is trying to take over here....it all comes out as a unified sense of anger....oops, I'm rambling again....:) 4 out of 4

Mothers of the Disappeared: U2 has a knack for finding the perfect closing track. This song is so richly textured...love to sit with the headphones on and just listen to all the different things going on. But in the end, it is a wonderful piece of music, and a beautiful tribute to those who lost their children to violence. Bono's voice is achingly beautiful in this piece. Again, a perfect end to a masterful album. 4 out of 4

Contributed by: Adam Bukowinski

If you would like to contribute your opinion on this album, you can do so by e-mailing me. Please write in the subject box "The Joshua Tree". Thanks!

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