DrTeeth
Rock n' Roll Doggie Band-aid
October's my favourite U2 record, so this one's easy 
October versus 2000's era U2
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I prefer both ATYCLB and especially HTDAAB to October, but, having said that, I can see why some fans like October more than the new stuff. It is easier to like a band's younger stuff because, whomever the band is, it tends to be (a) more raw (less produced), (b) more risky (less calculated), and (c) more passionate (less viagra needed by the band). Those all apply, more or less, to this comparison, so I can understand people's love for October , and in certain moods it can really hit the spot.
But more objectively speaking, I think it's too adolescent and more inconsistent than the better U2 albums.
I will say, however, that over the years Boy has weakened in my estimation and October has gotten stronger. So, at this point, I'd say those two are equal.
(It's probably easier to compare those two than to do the comparison of this thread... It's a bit like trying to compare With The Beatles to a 90s Paul McCartney album... Okay, maybe that wasn't the best analogy in favor of the newer albums.)
But more objectively speaking, I think it's too adolescent and more inconsistent than the better U2 albums.
I will say, however, that over the years Boy has weakened in my estimation and October has gotten stronger. So, at this point, I'd say those two are equal.
(It's probably easier to compare those two than to do the comparison of this thread... It's a bit like trying to compare With The Beatles to a 90s Paul McCartney album... Okay, maybe that wasn't the best analogy in favor of the newer albums.)
Harley.GirlU2
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^^
Well, I don't know, my problem is with October. Not the others CD's. Like, I love Boy, I like War (...) but... October, I really can't stand this...
Well, I don't know, my problem is with October. Not the others CD's. Like, I love Boy, I like War (...) but... October, I really can't stand this...
OrARoundabout
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^October has some great tracks! But I always thought of that album as a bit of a "rough draft"
October is a masterpiece. Up there with the four or five best U2 albums of all-time, for me. So, October, easily. In terms of quality, it shares only one thing in common with HTDAAB... both have hideous LP covers (though Bomb is far worse... what were they thinking?).
"Kite" and "City of Blinding Lights" are incredible songs, and some other cuts from All You Can't and Bomb are good too, but there is just so much goodness on October. It's really a matter of getting into the aesthetic of early U2... "11 O'Clock Tick-Tock," "Out of Control," "Fire," etc. Once that sets in, October is top-dog.
"Kite" and "City of Blinding Lights" are incredible songs, and some other cuts from All You Can't and Bomb are good too, but there is just so much goodness on October. It's really a matter of getting into the aesthetic of early U2... "11 O'Clock Tick-Tock," "Out of Control," "Fire," etc. Once that sets in, October is top-dog.
kingofsorrow
Refugee
Gloria is probably u2's best love song and they've written some good one's. So honest, raw and from somewhere deeper than the heart.
ultraviolet7
War Child
In fact October, ATYCLB and HTDAAB are at the bottom of my list, but I'll give to October that it was the second album for a band of twenty year olds who barely knew how to play their instruments and that it was honest, straightforward and unpretentious. In that context it was a good album with some good songs. Later they made better albums with better songs, so that's why it's low on my list. And I think it's a logical reason.
Conversely ATYCLB and HTDAAB were albums by an accomplished band with 20+ years experience, the title of #1 band in the world, years to make an album at the studios they wanted with any producer they wanted, a record of having made inspiring, exciting and groundbreaking music for many years. And what do we get? What in my opinion are a pair of over-hyped, calculated, pretentious albums - what digitize above very appropriately put as "bombastic bullshit" - in particular HTDAAB, a mess of an album made up by a disconnected collection of songs which range from an apparent tribute to diverse bands/styles to an over the top self referring pastiche. While ATYCLB was more coherent, I can't recall another U2 album with so many fillers and such unexciting singles as this one.
While a few songs on these albums may be individually better rounded off than the October stuff, the band's attempt at trying to recreate the "rawness of their beginnings" or simply go back to the basics, trademark sound, classic U2 blah, blah, was in my opinion completely off the mark. Like a caricature of themselves. To have some of the newer albums at the bottom of my list is not a logical reason but rather an alarming one. Fortunately NLOTH has reversed this tendency, in fact, while not considering it in AB's league, I like the album quite a lot.
Conversely ATYCLB and HTDAAB were albums by an accomplished band with 20+ years experience, the title of #1 band in the world, years to make an album at the studios they wanted with any producer they wanted, a record of having made inspiring, exciting and groundbreaking music for many years. And what do we get? What in my opinion are a pair of over-hyped, calculated, pretentious albums - what digitize above very appropriately put as "bombastic bullshit" - in particular HTDAAB, a mess of an album made up by a disconnected collection of songs which range from an apparent tribute to diverse bands/styles to an over the top self referring pastiche. While ATYCLB was more coherent, I can't recall another U2 album with so many fillers and such unexciting singles as this one.
While a few songs on these albums may be individually better rounded off than the October stuff, the band's attempt at trying to recreate the "rawness of their beginnings" or simply go back to the basics, trademark sound, classic U2 blah, blah, was in my opinion completely off the mark. Like a caricature of themselves. To have some of the newer albums at the bottom of my list is not a logical reason but rather an alarming one. Fortunately NLOTH has reversed this tendency, in fact, while not considering it in AB's league, I like the album quite a lot.
kingofsorrow
Refugee
very well put ultaviolet7.great post.
Really Bad covers
By what standard is the cover to HTDAAB "hideous"? I say thee nay. These are "hideous":
This is a frickin' masterpiece by comparison (although I think the 'Vertigo' single cover was much better...)
The really crappy cover of the Bomb period was:
That reminds me of Michael Jackson at the Brit awards...
By what standard is the cover to HTDAAB "hideous"? I say thee nay. These are "hideous":
This is a frickin' masterpiece by comparison (although I think the 'Vertigo' single cover was much better...)
The really crappy cover of the Bomb period was:
That reminds me of Michael Jackson at the Brit awards...
vaz02
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
October is dire imo.
Bono's shades
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
One person's "crisper, cleaner" sound is another person's "over-sanitized and boring" sound.
SYCMIOYO is touching and heartfelt, but it still doesn't come anywhere near the raw emotion of Tomorrow. And Beautiful Day simply can't touch the overwhelming energy and euphoria of Gloria.
I'm not saying October is perfect - it certainly has a few clunkers. But the high points are amazing.
allbecauseofu2
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u know, war could also be called bombastic . those songs don;t necessary flow together. war has the trio of SBS/NYD/40, and it is better then HTDDAB alone.. but after that, red light, and refugee don;t fit that much better then the songs on HTDDAB. war is considered a masterpiece, but its got a couple clunkers. now, october. i like it. don;t love it. they were too young to stop the sophomore slump. was not as good as boy. and listen to the common ground version of tomorrow. light years better. And if thats were u2 has been getting this redo old songs ideas from, with pop and now apparently the first three albums, i could at least see why they would think that way. i don;t want them to 1)delete the old albums or 2) waste time on this instead of new album. but i can at least see the inspiration. that new version was better then the original by far . that improvement shows you all you need to know about October. god, that could be a great live track. if they got a 5th person to play a irish instrument thats featured on thier.
Larry's drumming and Bono's howling make October something totally militant and righteous, like the Clash albums, but with more spiritual longing. "Tomorrow," "October" and "Scarlet" are the reprieve from the fight, and as such, they are perfect in their original format and context.
Niceman
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
I consider ATYCLB U2's worst record.
October is second worst. (Which isn't to say that I don't like it! LOL!)
HTDAAB, I actually rate fairly highly....
October is second worst. (Which isn't to say that I don't like it! LOL!)
HTDAAB, I actually rate fairly highly....
CTU2fan
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The degree of phail in this thread is truly astounding. The mere consideration of HTDAAB being better than October is just preposterous...and then the common throwaway line "well it (October) is better than R&H" just puts it over the top. I mean honestly, who does that? 
But seriously, HTDAAB? At least ATYCLB has BD, Walk On, and Kite to redeem it...Bomb is a bunch of really awkward lyrics; even the admittedly catchy hook of Vertigo can't save that album from mediocrity. No emotion whatsoever, formulaic pop (and I actually rather like Bomb). OOTS is the only song with any depth. Now take October...Tomorrow destroys any and all songs on Bomb, throw in Gloria, Rejoice, and Brick and ATYCLB falls well short.
I think a fairer comparison is October vs. Boy. Boy, to me, is a bit more consistently good, but the "highs" of October surpass those of Boy. Boy gets more love around here, but I'd choose October (probably in large part because I've never loved I Will Follow).
But seriously, HTDAAB? At least ATYCLB has BD, Walk On, and Kite to redeem it...Bomb is a bunch of really awkward lyrics; even the admittedly catchy hook of Vertigo can't save that album from mediocrity. No emotion whatsoever, formulaic pop (and I actually rather like Bomb). OOTS is the only song with any depth. Now take October...Tomorrow destroys any and all songs on Bomb, throw in Gloria, Rejoice, and Brick and ATYCLB falls well short.
I think a fairer comparison is October vs. Boy. Boy, to me, is a bit more consistently good, but the "highs" of October surpass those of Boy. Boy gets more love around here, but I'd choose October (probably in large part because I've never loved I Will Follow).
The degree of phail in this thread is truly astounding. The mere consideration of HTDAAB being better than October is just preposterous...and then the common throwaway line "well it (October) is better than R&H" just puts it over the top. I mean honestly, who does that?
But seriously, HTDAAB? At least ATYCLB has BD, Walk On, and Kite to redeem it...Bomb is a bunch of really awkward lyrics; even the admittedly catchy hook of Vertigo can't save that album from mediocrity. No emotion whatsoever, formulaic pop (and I actually rather like Bomb). OOTS is the only song with any depth. Now take October...Tomorrow destroys any and all songs on Bomb, throw in Gloria, Rejoice, and Brick and ATYCLB falls well short.
I think a fairer comparison is October vs. Boy. Boy, to me, is a bit more consistently good, but the "highs" of October surpass those of Boy. Boy gets more love around here, but I'd choose October (probably in large part because I've never loved I Will Follow).
I agree with almost everything you said. For me, only "Kite" and "City of Blinding Lights" hold up from those two albums, because you can tell he really meant it. The rest almost feels like posturing. During the 2000s, I rarely hear Bono's high-tenor rasp reach the sincere heights of, say, "One." Whereas, October, it drips of sincerity, and paved the way for the "U2 Sound" on War. Perhaps War was the one where it all made sense to an international audience... the stock U2 package that delivered on the promise. But October feels like the least pretentious album in their catalog.
purpleoscar
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
Lucky me I like all their albums. 
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