Out of all of the reissue craziness that seems to be happening lately, this record is one I have opted for. To me, this is U2’s finest record. This is where the infant, idealistic U2 intersects with the mega-rockstar, pop-monster, version of themselves. They achieve this interesting tension musically, as well as with their identity. Even the more ambling tracks, like “Promenade” and “4th of July,” have a majestic beauty to them. Contrast this to tracks like “Wire” - a song just as energized as anything else in the band’s catalog. This is in edition to the hits that appear on the record - “Pride (In the Name of Love)” and “Bad.” A fine record, indeed… and one that will be filling up my speakers for some time going forward.

(I should add that the band is not creating anything near this good these days… perhaps they should sit down with record for a bit, as well.)