The Joshua Tree
Label: Island Records / UMG
Release Date: March 9th 1987 (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Where the Streets Have No Name
- I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
- With or Without You
- Bullet the Blue Sky
- Running to Stand Still
- Red Hill Mining Town
- In God’s Country
- Trip Through Your Wires
- One Tree Hill
- Exit
- Mothers of the Disappeared
Initial thoughts: U2 is one of Ireland’s most respected rock bands, period. And these first three songs on one of the most influential rock albums ever, is proof enough of the band’s longevity. “Where the streets Have No Name”, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”, and “With Or Without You”, are legendary and synonymous with Irish culture, and with generally rock music culture at large- and you’d be hard pressed to find a ‘more perfect’ first three songs of any album. Bono’s passion and enthusiasm is second to none, and the fact that this timeless album is actually recorded in the 80’s, almost 40 years ago, just continues to blow my mind!
Reason to listen: The first three tracks, and later on- “One Tree Hill”. Need I say any more?
Reason to buy: You’re joking, right? You’re going to buy it anyway, am I right? See the ‘reason to listen’!
Reason to skip: Why would you sleep on U2? Even if you’re not a current fan, please still listen, as you’ll become a fan through listening to this impactful and timeless musical experience, I guarantee it!
No. of iconic singles and timeless classics: 4 (“Where the streets Have No Name”, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”, “With Or Without You”, “One Tree Hill”, but really, the whole album is pure rock perfection from top to bottom.
Is the album relevant and relatable now? Why/why not?: Yes, incredibly relevant. When I listen to a rock/alternative album, The Joshua Tree is the yardstick, and so should it be. I’d imagine it’s the yardstick for many other listeners when listening to their own rock albums that they enjoy. U2 is still highly respected, and will forever be; and until the end of time, The Joshua Tree will be etched into folklore and immortality, such is the searing impact Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr have had over the decades!
No of guest artists: None, but do they need them?
Does it have heart?: Is the sky blue? The passion, emotion and enthusiasm are all dripping in spades, and you can really tell these guys have put their heart and soul into this project.
Does it have replay value: Put it this way, I’ll never tire from listening to this career-defining album. if you’re a fan of music, you shouldn’t tire either.
Uniqueness?: compared to other rock albums from possible Aerosmith, Queen, The Rolling Stones, KISS, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Foo Fighter, The Killers and others; U2 may not be the most glamourous nor polished. Nor might they be super unique when compared to their contemporaries- at least musically. But they are real and unashamedly so. They speak from the heart, and for such as time as this, they are unique when probably compared to the artists of today, especially in terms of poetic lyricism.
Timeless message for today? A message for the time of release?: Yes to both accounts. Spirituality and religion and other motifs are permeated all throughout this album, and we all need messages of substance and of the eternal, am I right?
Closing thoughts: Songs like “Where The Streets Have No Name”, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”, “40”, “Sunday Bloody Sunday”, “One”, “One Tree Hill”, “Window In The Skies”, “Beautiful Day”, “Magnificent”, “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own”, “Vertigo”, “City Of Blinding Lights”, Pride (In The Name Of Love)”, “With Or Without You”, “All I Want Is You”, “Stuck In A Moment That You Can’t Get Out Of”, “When Love Comes To Town”, “Mysterious Ways” and “Bad” (to name a few), have all blessed the ears of many who listen, as the group attempt to tackle the big questions, of the meaning of life, death, God, love, relationships, friendships, sex, the great beyond, the cosmos, the concept of suffering and evil, and everything else in between. What’s next for Bono, The Edge, Adam, and Larry… is anyone’s guess. Will we see a new studio album, or perhaps a full-length Christmas project? Are these guys finished like some fans are thinking? Or are they just taking a longer than usual break before the presumed and rumoured releases of Songs Of Ascent and Songs For Fighting? Whatever the case, we have witnessed the greatness of these four men and seen the wonders of the many artistic and creative melodies they’ve unveiled over the years. If this is truly the end (aside from the group quietly releasing B-side EP’s this year!), then there’s no better album to revisit and listen to right now, than The Joshua Tree!
3 songs to listen to: Where the Streets Have No Name, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, With Or Without You
Overall rating: 5/5
Yes/no; why/why not?: A resounding Yes! Pick up The Super Deluxe Version of the Joshua Tree if you can as well!
RIYL: Coldplay, Creed, The Police, Bruce Springsteen, Train, Goo Goo Dolls