War is a VERY impressive album and it showed the world U2's political side as well as their desire for peace.

I like the fact that the album begins with a question ("How long must we sing this song?" in 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' - a reference to Bloody Sunday in 1972 where 13 civilians were killed by British soldiers in a civil rights demonstration), asked with such angst and frustration and then it ends with the same question ("How long, to sing this song?" in '40'), asked in a calmer, more serene manner.

Larry's drumming is outstanding, Adam gave us a great bass line in 'New Year's Day', Edge's riffs sealed his place as a legendary guitarist and Bono's voice and lyrics hit the mark he intended to.

Do yourself a favour and get this album.

My Fave Tracks: Sunday Bloody Sunday, Seconds (sung gorgeously by The Edge), New Years Day and 40.

War is definitely an incredible album, with some of Bono's best lyrics and definitely Larry's best drumming. Edge has great guitar work on Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year's Day but i wasn't impressed with the rest of it, he did much better on Boy and October.

This isn't really a guitar album, they actually try and let everyone in the band get equal credit, which is why i dont like it as much because Edge is the only important part of the band! Just kidding!
Surrender and Red Light bore me to death, they're just time fillers to me. Like A Song is INCREDIBLE, one of my all time favorite u2 songs! I love it, especially the drums and the rebellious sound to it. I love it when Bono really uses power and anger to get his point across! Like A Song is comparable to the Rattle and Hum live version of SBS where bono gives that little speech and says "F*** THE REVOLUTION!"

Two Hearts Beat as One is pretty cool but it seems to lack something, although i don't know what. 40 is a great closing song and an incredible way to end a concert! Seconds is Edge's introduction to lead vocals and he sounds just as good as Bono! Overall a great album but it's awesome when they release Unforgettable Fire next and get the guitar back to where it should be!

Contributed by: Woodchuck

WAR was undoubtedly U2's seminal album. This was the record that established them in North America and also really in Europe. At the same time, WAR was the also the record that established many of the cliches about U2; the political songs, the white-flag waving, photos of the band frowning in the snow, etc.

SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY: The song that became the anthem for the Irish civil war. A poignant song, but really much better live. ***1/2 (****live)

SECONDS: The solo singing debut of the Edge. He sounds exactly like Bono, but an octave lower. A good, solid track that probably suffers a bit from following the emotional barrage of SBS. ***

NEW YEAR'S DAY: One of the few early U2 songs that involve keyboards, with that simple but memorable piano part. Credit to Adam Clayton for a wicked bass line. One of the classics. ****

LIKE A SONG...: The best example of U2's early style; punk with a conscience. One of Larry's best drumming efforts, but Bono's melody is really ragged. ***

DROWNING MAN: U2's first ballad, and not a bad one at that. Oddly enough, this song has never been played live. ***

THE REFUGEE: No matter how many times I hear this song, it reminds me of West Side Story. Another good job on the drums from Larry Mullen. **1/2

TWO HEARTS (BEAT AS ONE): One of the U2 songs that sounds really "eighties". Not really dated, but with the same style of early 80's rock. Still a terrific song. ***1/2

RED LIGHT: Now, THIS one sounds dated. Still an okay song, which is a tribute to U2. Songs written 15 years ago still sound good, if old-fashioned. ***

SURRENDER: A poor song. Goes on way too long at six minutes and doesn't have a memorable or catchy chorus. ** 40: Sunday Bloody Sunday's calmer sister. The perfect way to end a concert or album. ****

Contributed by: Mark Polishuk

War is the one that helped `em really take off. This one is percieved as a "political" album,and it does have some political underlines to it,but to quote Bono :"It`s a real celebration of life" and it is really...It`s a passionate record,an emotional one.One the most powerful emotions is love,the other is anger.So that`s why these two emotions are so prominent in the songs. This is really a classic! a must have defintely

Contributed by: BonoMars

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