Passengers is an album I still have mixed feelings about. When I started my U2 mega-fandom c2001, it wasn't on my radar right away; didn't know it existed. After I realized the 90s material was far-and-away my favorite and subsequently finding out about Passengers, I had to have a copy. My dad drove me out to a Barnes & Noble to get the only CD copy I could find in-stock somewhat locally (in the days before online ordering was commonplace). I had heard Miss Sarajevo at that point and loved it, but listening to the whole of the album, I think I went in with too many Zooropa-level expectations and came out feeling like "Oh, I get it. Eno worked with the band so much in the background that he said 'My turn, guys' and the other four are just passengers on a largely Eno project." I guess I still have a little of that feeling; though I know U2 were more involved than that.
I wanted it to bridge the gap between Zooropa and POP, but really it is the gap. It's largely a deviation from either of those albums and since it's not labeled a U2 album, I know that was the intent of it. For some reason, that didn't sink in with my teenage brain back then. So, it's been a grower. I still find much of it very "random"; which makes sense given its experimental nature. It's funny because I like most of it now, but I still can't get myself to think of it as some great album; more of an interesting, yet sometimes challenging listen.
Highlights: Slug, YBR, AFN, Beach, Miss Sarajevo, Corpse, Plot 180, OMW, TFLGN (though I wish it had more substance)
Take or leave: ADKOB (though it's growing on me because it feels like the start of a three-track sequence), Ito Okashi, TFTS
Low point: Elvis Ate America - I just can't figure out what mood you'd have to be in to think of this as a banger, nor what audience this is supposed to cater to. I'm not a big Elvis fan, but I feel like even if I was, I'd still be scratching my head like WTF. It feels like the self-indulgent Bono moment and sticks out like a sore thumb.
