25 years of "War"

One sobering reality about being an '80s fan is the never-ending series of anniversaries and celebrations of work -- movies and music -- that became milestone achievements in popular culture.

This week, it's time to honor U2's "War" album. Recorded in 1982 and released on Feb. 28, 1983, "War" would become the band's first No. 1 album in the U.K. (knocking off Michael Jackson's "Thriller" -- which turned 25 years old earlier last month), spawned four hit singles and reaching platinum status in the U.S. with more than 4-million records sold.

Beyond the economics though, "War" marked a breakthrough for U2. Previously regarded as a band that impressive musical skills but insignificant messages, critics fell over themselves to praise the sudden "arrival" of the politically conscious U2.

"The songs here stand up against anything on the Clash's London Calling in terms of sheer impact," Rolling Stone said in its review. "The fact that U2 can sweep the listener up in the same sort of enthusiastic romanticism that fuels the band's grand gestures is an impressive feat."

War featured "Sunday Bloody Sunday," "New Year's Day," "Surrender" and "40." But is it U2's best album? Wait 'til the blog battle later this week between myself and pop music playboy Sean Daly!

Comments

[Bassnote]

War is a great album, but The Unforgettable Fire was their best. I know that will piss off all the Joshua Tree people out there, but that's because Joshua Tree was the most popular. Music wise, The Unforgettable Fire was much stronger.

[Big Tex]

Best U2 single: Pride (In the Name of Love)

Best U2 album: War

Most overlooked song on War: Two Hearts Beat as One

[David-b]

It's tough to get Brian Johnson's comments about U2 from the ACDC podcast...but getting past that, the Red Rocks video where they start off with "this song is not a rebel song, this song is Sunday Bloody Sunday" is a great video for a great song from a great album.

[Al]

Tex's right on on "Two Hearts"......excellent tune!

[Eric S]

I always thought War was their best album. It is my favorite. It rocked. I wish they would rock again. They just don't anymore.

[Cam]

"...I try to spit it out. I try to explain, the way that I feel, oh yeah. Two Hearts..." One of my all-time favorites. When I got my first REAL sound system I played this song over & over with volume cranked. Sorry nice neighbors! I agree with the Unforgettable Fire fans. It's their best...

[Marissa]

He said WAIT 'til the blog battle later this week. Jeez, guys. Talk about jumping the gun. lol

[Jeff in Cuba]

You're killing me, Spears!

Just when I thought I could put away my painful U2 story...

I can already feel it rising in my throat like yesterday's bad egg salad.

[Music Web Navigator]

All about U2:
http://musicwn.com/browse.php?artist=U2

[Marissa]

Jeff, is there really ever good egg salad?

I dig U2. I can't wait for the battle to be revealed.

[Spears]

I'll admit it -- I'm torn between Unforgettable Fire (my personal fave) and Joshua Tree (which is probably easier to defence). With "War" right up there too.

Suffice to say I won't be fighting Sean over any of those. He's picking yet another album. He's so screwed this time around.

I've already started doing the Safety Dance around the office, knowing victory is surely headed my way. (Though having the lyre-playing dwarfs following me around is freaking out my coworkers.)

[Marissa]

You have 'little people' following you around and Sean has dreamy eyed co-eds in tow ... probably offering to feed him Funyuns.

[jane]

Better the Safety Dance than the Neutron Dance, dude. Little people are totally preferable over the Pointer Sisters.

And my nana used to make great egg salad. But she's the only one I've ever known to master this.

[Marissa]

Jane, I actually love a good egg salad. It is, indeed, an acquired skill. It was cause for great humiliation while in grade school, though. Being from a large family, we had to stretch our food dollar. Hot lunch was unheard of. What's thrifty for a family of 8 kids? Egg salad and bologna. Thermal lunch boxes and ice packs to keep such mayo laden items cool was unheard of. Nightmarish cries of "P.U.! What's that smell? Ewww it's Missy's lunch!" haunt me to this day.

[Al]

Here's a terrible pun (yet true) for Spearsy......

What's the name of Men Without Hats Greatest Hits album?

Greatest HATS!

[Big Tex]

Eric brings up a good point - they don't rock anymore. It begs another question: when did you stop listening to U2? I gave up on them after Rattle and Hum. I bought Achtung, but didn't like it and quickly got rid of it.

Anyone else?

[Marissa]

I actually own "How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb." I had really high hopes that it would be awesome. I haven't listened to it in a long, long time.

It's not awful. "City of Blinding Lights" was probably my fave track from it. Does it come close to Joshua Tree or Unforgettable Fire? Heck no, but it's not the worst, either. IMHO

[John Hays]

Let me guess. Sean picked Achtung Baby.

[Staas]

I would have to say Achtung Baby is still one of my favorites...especially the song "Tryin' to Throw Your Arms Around the World". My favorite line from all of their songs is from that one - "And a woman needs a man
Like a fish needs a bicycle
When you're tryin' to throw your arms around the world".