I must admit that my first reaction to Pop was that I did not really like it. Sure I had heard 'Discotheque' and it grew on me and i absolutely loved it. But somehow I guess i was expecting something else (I don't know what exactly) and what I heard did not sound like what I wanted to hear.

After pushing it aside for awhile and ignoring thoughts that maybe U2 has lost it, I gave this album another go and slowly it began dawning on me what an equally strong u2 album it was.

Music-wise it's got all the stuff. Lyric-wise, I think Bono has gone deeper and become really, really personal. I mean obvious tracks like 'Mofo' ("Mother am I still your child?" and "Looking for the father of my two little girls") show us that Bono is still confused about who he is and what he's doing. He still doesn't think he was cut out to be a rock star and he really questions his right for being one ("take these hands they're good for nothing, you know these hands have never worked a day").

Bono is still questioning God and religion (I reckon he always will) but with gorgeous tracks like 'If God Will Send His Angels' (my current obsession) and 'Wake Up Dead Man', I can't wait for what more he has to say.

Verdict: this album was worth it.

My Fave Tracks: Discotheque, Mofo, If God Will Send His Angels, Staring At The Sun, Last Night On Earth, Gone, The Playboy Mansion, Wake Up Dead Man.

This one might as well be called "Bono looks for his soul, with background music by U2", because as he gets older, he realizes that he has been running from himself. Well he caught up with himself. But he still doesn`t have all the answers. He questions God (IGWSHA), he comments on pop-culture (The Playboy Mansion), and as usual, love.

Musically, it's out there all right. It's got that techno element in there. Bono called Techno "The word du jour" and I agree. It's too trendy. But they are still U2, and if you listen to Pop enough, you realize some of the songs would have fit on albums like The Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby and Unforgettable Fire. Take away the tour,the hype and the bad reviews, and you have a great album, as we`ve come to expect from U2.

Contributed by: Bonomars

*POP* is an excellent U2 creation. It is a melting pot of musical influences that was born out of "rebellion" against parents' music. POP is very similar to The Joshua Tree. Both albums deal very much about relationships with one another and especially with God. Yet, I believe POP is much more political than the cactus album.

Songs like "If God Will Send His Angels"--talk about the situation in Northern Ireland. "It's been a while since we (Irish) saw that Child (Jesus) hangin' round this neigborhood (N.Ireland). POP also delivers the heavy IRA or UVF references in "PLEASE"--"You never knew how low you (IRA) stoop to make that call (Bomb warning). Your HOLY War (IRA vs.UVF), your Northern Star (N.Ireland), your (IRA hero Michael Collins) sermon on the Mount from the boot of your car". POP also addresses the Bosnia situation in "Staring at the Sun"--"military still in town (Serbians), armoured plated suits and ties (U.N.), you're (homeless Bosnian refugees) not the only ONE staring at the sun."

POP is not at all about Pop music as people know it. Again, it is a disguise or a cover-up that U2 always does with the album titles. You have to listen and absorb the music much as the "White Album" does... It's not always about the sound of Edge's guitar or the way Larry's hair looks. It's about the music - music - and message behind it!!! There's always something in U2's albums - Cos they're already "Gone" and not comin' down!!!

Favorite tracks - the songs that should have made it like "Super City Mania" "Sparky's Left the Planet" and "Down all the Days."

Contirbuted by: Al Alcala

What we have here is, as Bono originally planned to call the album, POP: For Men. This is no child's album; there's no happy-go-lucky bubblegum pop here. POP is a mean album, folks, make no bones about it. There is a lot of disgust, very little comfort, and even less hope. Looks like Bono has "climbed the highest mountain" and found nothing. A bleak, if honest look at life; and who could expect anything less from U2?

POP may seem like a marketing ploy, but that's the point. It's a cheeky poke at kitsch, camp, and well, pop. But under all the self-depreciating humor and image-shattering, a beast called Bono is roaring. And how he roars! From the wonderfully campy love-riddle, "Discotheque" and the sexy, cunning "Do You Feel Loved", you may think that Bono plans to croon his way through the album. That's when "MOFO" hits you--sonically and emotionally U2's most powerful song to date, it's a song about the deepest of self-doubt. Then it's on to wondering "If God Will Send His Angels", will we be alright. Well, we might be if the Edge continues to create new genres of music (he has categorized this song as a country-hymn).

"Staring at the Sun" is classic U2 anthem rock--familiar and enjoyable. That's as close to the "old" U2 as you're going to get in terms of sound though. As for their direction/orientation--under all the beeps, clatters, and synths, U2 is still what Bono calls "a bleeding hearts club". Ironically (how shocking!), even though U2 has taken elements of the ever-cold world of electronica to feshen their sound, the message is still deeply emotional and oft-times very painful. "Last Night On Earth" rips with white rock.

Contributed by: AMISH1380@aol.com

In my opinion, this is one of the best albums U2 has put out. This gets much more playing time than any albums pre-JT (including JT, actually) with me. And I think in terms of ease of listening, this is even better than AB, which can be too dark for some moods. U2 nails the issue when they say that rock and roll is getting used to itself and knows what it is. With that in mind, U2 turns rock on it's head....invigorating it with fresh new sounds, intriguing musical ideas and once again, simply amazing lyrics. I can think of no other band that can so successfully adapt their style - changing it in some places, adding ideas from other genres, but still keeping that unmistakeable skeleton (if you will) that makes U2 what they are. Like Bono said, their music is still painfully earnest, they've just learned to disguise it a little better. And along with Popmart, U2 prove that they still have their sense of humor. Edge once again finds new sounds for the guitar, and with the help of kits and loops, Adam and Larry's rhythm section give a great performance. And Bono's voice, well...amazing as always ;).

Discotheque: A very addictive beat to this one. I love all the layers of sound here, another great song to sit back and listen to with the headphones on....just enjoying all the variety of sounds and textures. Edge is smoking on guitar here....although I personally prefer the smooth guitar/echo sound right before and during the bridge ("but you take what you can get...."). A very good melding of several different sounds. It loses a little when played live, though. 3.75 out of 4

Do You Feel Loved?: The Edge's guitar harmonics at the beginning are very, very cool. Another great beat to this song. I think this is definitely one of the songs Bono was referring to when he called Pop a man's album. The opening verse seems to be a comment on Bono's position...never really having worked....maybe he even felt a little too grounded doing in the same thing for so long. Again, very interesting layers here....and Bono gives a very good vocal performance. The rhythm section is awesome in this one....great drumming from Larry. 3.75 out of 4

Mofo: Amazing song. Starts out with a very aggresive beat and never lets up except when Bono calls out to his mother in the middle. Awesome drums in this piece.....love the stereo effects. Edge's guitar is like a totally different instrument in this piece. Bono delivers one of the best performances on the album....so emotional, and a deeply personal song to him. Incredible lyrics - religion, loss, finding an identity...this song deals with it all. "Mother, you left and made me someone, now I'm still a child, but no one tells me no" - that's some deep stuff ;)! I think for some this may have been more like an assault on the ears (and maybe it's meant to be), but this is, at it's heart, a classic U2 song. Big 4 out of 4

If God Will Send His Angels: Beautiful song. For those U2 fans who were getting frightened after hearing 3 techno-influenced songs in a row, this must've been a comfort. Love Edge's guitar intro. Great social commentary here from Bono...religion and God used to be a personal thing...now it seems like Jesus is a marketable item, available (from a choice few) for the right price. Religion is losing out to the material world, leaving no place but the low streets, alleys, and doorways for God to stay. Great sound to this song overall, very smooth and clean. 3.75 out of 4

Staring at the Sun: U2 goes Oasis...but with better lyrics ;). Great song, and Edge finally lets Bono use a guitar again. Much more classic and recognizeable sound this time. Edge still finds a way to make the guitar sound fresh, though. Again, great lyrics "...those that can't do, often have to preach to the ones...." A great live song, especially the acoustic version with edge's harmonies. 3.75 out of 4 (4 live)

Last Night on Earth: Very, very good song. Great bass line and drumming from Adam and Larry. Wonderful lyrics again, great performance from Bono again. Love the bridge with the falsetto voice going against the "slipping away" lines. I don't know what it is, but this song just hits the spot for me. 4 out of 4

Gone: Another very, very good song. Even better than the previous track. Edge's guitar sounds incredible on this track....very much the space-age sound he was looking for. And they put piano in there too... :). Adam and Larry sound great on this one (but they sound great on every one, come to think of it). Absolutely brilliant lyrics, delivered perfectly by Bono. Sounds like a little self-analysis too ("You wanted to get somewhere so badly, you had to lose yourself along the way, you change your name, well that's ok it's necessary...."). I love the sound of this song, it totally envelopes you...One of my favorites. big 4 out of 4

Miami: This is one of those pieces that took a while to grow on me. After the Popmart version, I was hooked! Awesome rhythm section from Adam and Larry...intricate beat patterns, very interesting interaction between bass and drums. And this song really does paint a picture of Miami...gives a good idea of it. Best part has to be the lead up and following lines after "some places are like your auntie, but there's no place like Miami!!...". Very addictive beat, awesome song live! 3.75 out of 4 (4 live)

The Playboy Mansion: Ok, there had to be at least one song that I would skip over...and this is it. Although there are some days when I listen to this alot, I generally give it less playing time than the rest. Great social commentary from Bono...a lot more obvious than in the other songs. Very interesting guitar sound for Edge - I don't know exactly how to categorize it, but it has that easy, almost swing like lilt to it. Even though I don't listen to this as much as the others, it's still a good song. 3.5 out of 4

If You Wear That Velvet Dress: I really like this song. This is a song in it's own style, much like Miami and Playboy Mansion. Adam has a gorgeous bass line here. This sounds like it could be a very good lounge bar song...in a small nightclub or the like. Very interesting solo from Edge. This is a much darker song than most of the others on this album, but very interesting. Very nice sound to it, clear, rich....and Bono's voice is again very good (and sexy, yes, I'll admit again...). 4 out of 4

Please: Sunday Bloody Sunday II. Amazing, amazing song. This song is phenomenal when played live. The best Pop song in the Popmart concert, maybe even the best performance in the concert, period. I think Adam and Larry are at their best here. It may not be the most intricate work, but it is absolutely perfect for this song - they sound like one unit. Edge's guitar work is amazing too....but ultimately it's Bono's performance that makes this song so powerful. Especially the single version. The lyrics are incredibly powerful, and Bono's high voice just pleads for peace....I'd have to say this is one of the best songs U2 has ever written. The Popheart version of this is amazing....so emotional, especially Bono's cries with Edge's fluid guitarwork as it segues into Where the Streets Have No Name. HUGE 4 out of 4

Wake Up, Dead Man: And yet again ;), U2 finds the perfect closing track, or closing prayer, in this case. Another powerful song. Bono says the f-word... I think that word actually adds a lot to this track. It immediately sets the tone and earnesty as Bono questions Jesus and God in general. From what I've heard, this song got it's roots during the AB sessions, and it doesn't surprise me - it could have fit in very well with Love is Blindness. This ties in a little with IGWSHA, trying to call Jesus personally and see if he is still there through all the material goods, neon lights, and trends. Excellent message and social commentary, again. 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 "Pop". Thanks!