I was born in September '86.
As a youngster the only three songs that mattered to me were Streets, WOWY & ISHFWILF, in that order.
Then came Bad.
Then came Achtung. And the Fly..
All the years from birth to the release of HMTMKMKM were just a blur of U2, musically. Even aged 8 all I cared abouyt was U2. I would watch Zoo Sydney, UABRS the Achtung vid etc... continuously. I was SO excited about HMTMKMKM because it seemed like forever since Zooropa came out(a year was a long time for a 7 year old).
Then came Oasis, my first non U2 interest, followed by Blur.
Then came Discotheque and Pop. I hated both, and went off U2.
Beautiful Day came and went and I thought 'U2 is back' but still only took a passing, but keen interest in the band. They were still my favourite of all time but I was discovering too much new music, I was at an age where I could really explore.
Then came September 2004. For some reason (it wasn't Vertigo) I just got hooked on the band. Found Interference. Went back into all the old stuff.
Rediscovered the Joshua Tree.
Rediscovered Achtung.
Discovered Boy-UF
AND THEN.
Appreciated POP.
JT isn't so much a life changing album as the boys are just a life changing band. Definately the soundtrack to my life thus far. And I can only hope for many, MANY years into the future.