Review of War by U2

Just about a week ago, Irish group U2 released their new album No Line on the Horizon. The album marks number 12 for the group, and also about the 30^th anniversary of the group's existence. Anytime a group releases a new work, it seems to be the natural tendency of the public and the critics to take a retrospective look at the group's discography; this evolution of style is one of the most fascinating components of analyzing music in my opinion. And so, in artistic revival found on No Line on the Horizon, I see this as a very appropriate time to look back to the group's roots. It really is quite fascinating how much the group's sound has changed over the years, all the places and soundscapes they have explored. But to me the biggest change occurred in the mid 1980s, when they made the bold move from post punk to more spiritual territory. However the focus of this review is on the album that came right before that change: War.

The album was the group's third, released in 1983, and featured not so much a change in style, but a new light shined on that style... or should I say a new darkness. Post punk and attitude were nothing new to the group, and serious subject matter had made its recognizable mark on their sophomore album October. But this is the album where frustration changed to anger, confidence turned to conviction, and marching turned to stomping. War possesses the undeniable energy of youth in each of its impassioned tunes, yet the music itself sounds experienced and so well thought out. Perhaps this is what prevents War from sounding like just another trite political album. The album actually possesses depth, burning in anthems like "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "Like a Song...," then swelling like the ocean itself in "Drowning Man." This is one of the pinnacle albums of political rock.

Opening with a military-like stomp, "Sunday Bloody Sunday," sums up the album's mood and message in one singular burst of arpeggios, political outcries, and the pain of injustice. It is here that Bono really started his vocal legacy, putting passion into every word on the album. The Edge's syncopated guitar riffs tie in with Clayton's short bursts of bass to create a very march-like atmosphere. "Seconds" opens with a slow build up of acoustic guitar into a bass line that pushes the song along on its almost tribal path. The song demonstrates post-punk conventions of minimalism to great effect; the sparse instruments each are given their spot of importance in establishing the song's playful yet inherently menacing tone. It's the lyrical sister of "Sunday Bloody Sunday," but also the musical contrast. This alteration of style helps to give the album variety while still maintaining a consistent, wintery dark tone. Too often thematic albums like this suffer from sounding too gimmicky or repetitive; War, however, stands on its own very well.

The instrumental part of "New Year's Day" has always been enough to give me chills, and the Edge's guitar solo demonstrates his amazing sense of style and minimalism. His double duty on piano also adds a crucial aspect to the song's beautiful soundscape. "Like a Song...," reigns as one of the greatest revolutionary anthems, surging with passion each and every moment. Its dynamics thrive on a pounding drum part, brutally laid out as a platform for the raw guitars and Bono's passionate voice to stand upon and preach their message. The first half of the album closes with "Drowning Man," one of the most beautiful songs U2 has ever written. Everything has an atmospheric purpose, blending the post-punk conventions of this album with future atmospheric works. The bass and acoustic guitar play with emotion, spiraling in and out of each other with confidence and dynamics; all the while the vocals are absolutely stunning and complete the atmosphere. It is a chilling tale of love, contrasting with the album's title; but in many ways the album connects the two themes of love and war, and their cold effects on the human heart and society as a whole. Perhaps this is where the genuine power of the album lies: it takes such grand issues and puts them on an easily yet painfully perceived level of personal understanding.

"The Refugee" takes the tribal mood of "Seconds" to an entirely new level; the first time I heard the track I could see images in my head of a group of revolutionaries in a jungle, fists in the air. It is a "fun" track if that word can really be used. And with songs such as "The Refugee" and "Two Hearts Beat as One," one can see quite clearly that the group did not sacrifice musical drive for subject consistency. Each song has its own signature groove, with the latter signaling a taste of some work that would come on The Unforgettable Fire. Each song on the album possesses its own personality and distinction, while still being part of an entirely singular purpose. "40" ties everything together, and is a beautifully calming ending to the album. "I will sing, sing a new song" Bono declares in this spiritual tune, bringing a sort of epic close to this era of the group, and beginning a whole new era of glory for the group. War is an absolutely essential U2 album, a rare example of a solid political album, perhaps the most solid of its kind yet. It is the greatest of their early period material, and a wonderful fusion of the group's two contrasting sides.

Below are five online links to places where the album can be purchased in various forms. Enjoy:

http://www.amazon.com/War-u2/dp/B0013LPS8E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1236971248&sr=8-1

http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?sku=602517646476

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8758524&st=u2&lp=13&type=product&cp=1&id=1828642

http://www.fye.com/War-Front-Page_stcVVproductId223005VVcatId455366VVviewprod.htm

http://music.barnesandnoble.com/War/U2/e/602517646476/?itm=19