What an album.
While it’s impossible to define the success of a band like U2 by just one album, there’s no denying that their seminal 1987 record, The Joshua Tree, marked a massive turning point in U2’s career, both in terms of their sound and fame.
Rolling Stone perfectly described the record by stating that it elevated Paul, Larry, Adam and Dave “from heroes to superstars”, but aside from The Joshua Tree’s enormous commercial success (it has sold more than 25 million copies sold worldwide), the album marked a departure for the band in terms of their playing style.
The album, produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, saw U2 incorporate far more American and Irish roots music into their repertoire, but it’s also clear that they were beginning to be influenced by the blues, folk and gospel music.
Just look at the tracks on it. It will always be a stellar record.
With songs like With or Without You, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, and Where the Streets Have No Name, it’s no surprise to see that The Joshua Tree won the Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, and fans of that iconic record will be delighted with U2’s Christmas message.
Bono and the boys will be on tour next year in support of a new album, Songs of Experience, but that’s not all that they’ll be playing to the live crowd.
Given that the band played four dates in the 3Arena, Dublin in support of their last album, Songs of Innocence, we would be amazed to see Dublin left off an upcoming U2 tour.
We can’t wait.
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