My freshman year in college, U2 released Pop, their 9th studio album and #12 on this less than scientific countdown of their best records. When this very un-pop album came out, I could not wait to pick it up as it had been nearly four years since their last output. In the early 1990s, U2 had begun to experiment with electronic synthesizers and dance beats. With the Pop record, they had taken this experimentation to a new level, although in hindsight, it was a much more rocking record than it initially was given credit for. In fact, compared to what is considered alternative rock in 2025, Pop was not only ahead of its time, it could have just as easily been given the name "Rock" instead of "Pop".
Although the record has sold over 5 million copies in its 28 years of existence, it was not well received critically after its release. Yet, if one goes back and gives it a listen today, one is reminded that U2 has always been a step or two ahead of the pack. I would venture to say that if Pop would have been released between 2010-2020 it would have gone down as a classic. It was just a little too ahead of its time, at the time.
U2, Pop - Released, March 3, 1997
Album Charts - #1, Irish. #1, UK. #1, US.
Worldwide Sales to Date - 5 Million
Singles - Discotheque #1, Ireland. #1, UK. #10, US. Staring at the Sun #4, Ireland. #3, UK. #26, US. Last Night on Earth #11, Ireland. #10, UK. #57, US. Please #6, Ireland. #7, UK. If God Will Send His Angels #11, Ireland. Mofo (did not chart).
Stand Out Songs - Discotheque, If God Will Send His Angels, Staring at the Sun, The Playboy Mansion, Wake Up Dead Man.
Weakest Track - Last Night on Earth
Hidden Gem - The Playboy Mansion
As good as these U2 albums are, they will only get better! - Shay
No comments:
Post a Comment