Classic Album Discussion #6: U2 - Achtung Baby

[KevShmev]

Being that the 20th anniversary edition of this classic was recently released, I thought it fitting that it be included in this classic album series I am doing here.  I know some will argue that The Joshua Tree is more of a classic, but I'd say Achtung Baby is just as much of a classic, and I think many would agree.  Besides, some bands have more than one classic album.

Really, Achtung Baby is a classic by any measure.  You had the biggest band in the world at the time releasing an album that was not only a complete departure for them at the time, but had to compete with the grunge movement that had just exploded on the scene, as well as uber popular hard rock/metal bands Guns N' Roses and Metallica, yet it still managed to be a monster of an album that spawned six singles (five of which were big hits), and the majority of the album is still played by the band nowadays.  When I see them this past July, the first five songs of the show were all from this album, including my personal favorite, Until the End of the World.

Getting back to the departure it was, the world was shocked when The Fly was released as the first single, and the dancy Mysterious Ways as the second single was even more of a shock.  Here was the biggest ROCK band in the world releasing an album with songs that managed to rock, but also make you tap your foot and want to get up and dance.  When you think about the turn from rock to electronica/dance that multiple bands have done since, including Radiohead, it was U2 that set the bar by doing what they did. 

From a personal standpoint, if I had to do a U2 top 25 songs list (and it would be different from the top 50 list I did like two years ago, as my opinions of many songs have changed a lot since), six or seven songs from this record would be in the top 25, and I am someone who likes every U2 album and era (although 1987-1991 was obviously their peak era).

This is a magnificent, 5-star record that is deserving of any and all praise it gets.

[Pols Voice]

This album has three awesome songs: The Fly, Mysterious Ways, and One. Some of the other tracks don't do anything for me, but maybe I should give it another listen.

[pogoowner]

Really cool album, and quite possibly my favorite of theirs (it's a close call, though, either way).

[Fluffy Lothario]

This would be neck in neck with War for my favourite U2 album, with Joshua Tree in behind those.

This album's refreshingly different than the albums that came before it, as good as those were; it's probably their most consistently good album; and the stretch of songs in the middle of the album, from Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses to Trying to Throw Your Arms Around the World, is probably the best they ever managed. The only one that really offers it any competition is the first half of The Joshua Tree.

[lonestar]

Good album, though I put it behind War and Joshua Tree.  Gave it 4 stars.

[Cyclopssss]

One of my alltime favorite albums. The diversity is deep.

[King Postwhore]

A sonic masterpiece.  Creat hooks and melodies all over this album.

[jingle.boy]

Was never a big fan of this one.  Has a couple of good tracks, but as a whole, I wasn't a big fan of the direction they went.  Then again, I was never a HUGE U2 fan to begin with.

huh, just noticed it was released on my own 20th birthday.

[YtseBitsySpider]

....has not aged well for me.

[Kotowboy]

This album has three awesome songs: The Fly, Mysterious Ways, and One. Some of the other tracks don't do anything for me, but maybe I should give it another listen.

And Ultravioiet ! 

[KevShmev]

This album has three awesome songs: The Fly, Mysterious Ways, and One. Some of the other tracks don't do anything for me, but maybe I should give it another listen.

And Ultravioiet ! 

Damn right.  Until the End of the World and Ultraviolet (Light My Way) are both undoubtedly top 5 U2 songs in my book (along with All I Want Is You, Bad and probably Where the Streets Have No Name). 

[wolfandwolfandwolf]

I'm going for a huge bump on this one, but I really freaking love this record.  It is a masterpiece, and in my opinion, probably the best and most complete effort from U2.

[KevShmev]

Agreed.  This album is simply perfect.

[Unlegit]

5 stars. It's my second favorite U2 album.

[Zydar]

Only The Joshua Tree tops this for me.

[Kotowboy]

How does everyone feel about " All That You Can't Leave Behind " ?

I thought it was brilliant after " Pop " and I still really love it despite the sterile production.

"...Atomic Bomb " had much nicer production but less great songs.

The last three albums have all had the one dull number like Grace or One Step Closer or White As Snow.