The Unforgettable Fire
by U2

This album confuses me. Sometimes I feel like it is pretty good, but not quite great. Other times I feel like it is my favorite album of all time. Tracks 1-7 are some of my favorite U2 songs except for the instrumental 4th of July. After that there isn't too much going on. I like this album more than War, but it falls a little flat compared to Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby. Overall this album is pretty great, except for when it's not.

From Davy 07/07/2016 12:45 | #170769 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Great one, the most atmospheric of all U2-albums. Legend has it, that the band showed "New Gold Dream" by Simple Minds to Brian Eno for creating this record. Tracks like A Sort of Homecoming, Pride and the titletrack speak for themselves. Also, Bad is one of my favorite tunes of all time.

The unforgettable fire, was the follow up to, war, and was even more successful than it's predecessor. I personally find this album is one of the most uneven U2 albums, it features some great stuff, a sort of homecoming, is one of the great opening songs on any U2 record, pride, off course is a classic, and, bad, is one of the band's greatest moments. Wire, is also a good cut. The title track is fine, albeit a bit forgetful, but the rest is just filler to me. U2 go for a huge sound, but some tracks like, promenade, Indian summer sky, and, Elvis Presley and America, are just ok at best. Still, half of the album is excellent, the rest though is a little unfocused.

Good U2 album, There was a definite change in atmosphere and approach to the music on this album compared to War. Mostly due to Brian Eno & Daniel Lanois being the producers instead of Steve Lillywhite (who did U2's first three albums). The songs are much more atmospheric with songs like Bad, Unforgettable Fire, Pride, Wire, and Indian Summer Sky providing the evidence. Everyone one does their parts well, I really like Edge's use of delay on a number of tracks which provided a template for the tracks in The Joshua Tree. Larry and Adam's rhythm section is very tight and drives many tracks. And Bono of course giving his all on his vocals which provides a very solid sound who sound even better live.

From craola 08/20/2019 22:47 | #241474 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

the ethereal nature of this record is incredible, and while the joshua tree is similar in some regards, this is the album that really resonates with me. the atmospheres the edge creates on guitar take you into deserts and canyons. atmospheres so encapsulating they nearly drown out bono at times, who takes on a more impressionistic approach with this record. all that etherealism aligned with adam's slap bass, which also takes center stage at times, and larry's groovy drumming make for a unique take on post-punk that is truly inspiring, and overall, my favorite effort from this band.