sabretooth47
The Fly
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2009
- Messages
- 33
How come everyone seems so down on it?
It's got some rough edges around it, sure, but overall the album is a hidden gem.
There really isn’t a song there that’s not worth listening to, IMO.
It’s a fantastic insight into the transition of the band as they worked to find themselves. Boy received a better reception than they may have imagined, but they knew that pumping out the same record the second time out could be detrimental. They tried something new and it wasn’t perfect, but it was the right direction.
Each of the tracks on October are worth listening to. Glimpses of what would later become a staple of the War album are apparent with the haunting sounds of Fire, Tomorrow, and the title track. The ability for the band to adapt and create a full encompassing mood and sound was peaking through. They technical side of the album isn’t recognized well enough. I find myself getting lost in the many of the songs because of the aura they create. Rejoice, October, and Scarlet are perfect examples of this. I adore the times I can spend an evening on my back porch to listen to these tunes and enjoy life.
Bono’s lyrical abilities are much more apparent here than on Boy. Most of U2’s catalog has the band in either a confident, fun, or anger filled mood. October is unique as Bono expresses his internal fears and sorrow. Look at I Fall Down and Stranger. Those tracks feel…well…human. It’s Bono with his walls down. We really don’t see that again until One Tree Hill and Kite.
In fact, Stranger in a Strange Land seems to sum up the entire album. The members of U2 had always wanted to be big, but they didn’t know what to do with it once they got there.
The album does not get the credit and accolades it deserves. It was ahead of it’s time, especially for such a young band. Nor does it feel dated (well, as long as you ignore the cover art
). It’s surprising to me that folks seem to steer away from a very well done collection of work.
...I can't change the world...but I can change the world in me...
It's got some rough edges around it, sure, but overall the album is a hidden gem.
There really isn’t a song there that’s not worth listening to, IMO.
It’s a fantastic insight into the transition of the band as they worked to find themselves. Boy received a better reception than they may have imagined, but they knew that pumping out the same record the second time out could be detrimental. They tried something new and it wasn’t perfect, but it was the right direction.
Each of the tracks on October are worth listening to. Glimpses of what would later become a staple of the War album are apparent with the haunting sounds of Fire, Tomorrow, and the title track. The ability for the band to adapt and create a full encompassing mood and sound was peaking through. They technical side of the album isn’t recognized well enough. I find myself getting lost in the many of the songs because of the aura they create. Rejoice, October, and Scarlet are perfect examples of this. I adore the times I can spend an evening on my back porch to listen to these tunes and enjoy life.
Bono’s lyrical abilities are much more apparent here than on Boy. Most of U2’s catalog has the band in either a confident, fun, or anger filled mood. October is unique as Bono expresses his internal fears and sorrow. Look at I Fall Down and Stranger. Those tracks feel…well…human. It’s Bono with his walls down. We really don’t see that again until One Tree Hill and Kite.
In fact, Stranger in a Strange Land seems to sum up the entire album. The members of U2 had always wanted to be big, but they didn’t know what to do with it once they got there.
The album does not get the credit and accolades it deserves. It was ahead of it’s time, especially for such a young band. Nor does it feel dated (well, as long as you ignore the cover art
). It’s surprising to me that folks seem to steer away from a very well done collection of work....I can't change the world...but I can change the world in me...
.
