U2 Album: “Boy”

For those familiar with U2 only as the larger-than-life superstars responsible for socially conscious anthems such as "Where the Streets Have No Name," "One," and "Beautiful Day," their debut album Boy should surprise. It's their most rocking album (their latest, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, is really pretty timid), their most apolitical, and their most energetic. The young U2's energy, enthusiasm, and ear for a good song more than make up for any lack of musical refinement (The Edge in particular seems to be having a whole lot of fun on the guitar, while never getting too technical). This is their best album of the `80's (along with 1983's War, but that's another review), besting even The Joshua Tree in terms of strength and consistency.

Boy's most recognizable song, "I Will Follow," begins the album. If there were one song to define U2's energy and optimism at this point in their careers, this is it. "Twilight" includes one of The Edge's best guitar solos ever; it's so simple yet so evocative of the pensive mood of the song. "An Cat Dubh" is the album's high point. It's a very dark song, with a fantastic instrumental finale (that also serves as the beginning of "Into the Heart"). Adam Clayton's bass and Larry Mullen Jr's percussion really shine here.

Other highlights include "Stories for Boys" and "Out of Control" (U2's first single), two great hard rockers. "The Electric Co." is a great jam piece, and "The Ocean" provides a nice, calm change of pace.

What might be the most valuable thing about Boy is it's picture of U2 as a very young band, free of any spotlight, making energetic, earnest music. This is essential for any rock music collection.

I feel truly sad for the pathetic souls I see in some of these reviews who think U2's career started with Achtung Baby or ZooTV or the other crap they fell into in the 90s. I'm even still amazed that anyone can take the alarmingly self-indulgent Joshua Tree album seriously, especially if they've seen any of the videos or the movie - you know, the one where they try to portray themselves as some sort of scruffy, homeless version of the Beatles. IMO, the band fell off the face of the planet after The Unforgettable Fire. OK, maybe that's a bit harsh. Everyone has to move on and change, and anything by U2 is still better music than the other mainstream sludge that has come out in the last 20 years. However, it is the bands first three albums - BOY, OCTOBER, and WAR - that represent the real U2 to me. Each one is a masterpiece of the era, and unmatched by anything the band has done since. It's hard to believe that the same band is responsible for "Lemon"... ugh.

From 1980 to 1985, U2 had a huge influence on me, both personally and as a musician, through these three albums. I you were around in those years, you might remember how important this band was, and how powerful this music was. I saw them from the 5th row of the Tower Theater in Philly on the Unforgettable Fire tour in the mid-80s, and even though I've been to a lot of concerts over the years, this is the only one that I can truly say was close to a religious experience.

BOY, their first release, was a precursor of the more mature albums to come over the next couple of years, but it is a powerful work in its own right. They were young at the time, and there is a definitely naivety to some of the songs here, but it works because while it has that unbounded teenage energy, joy, and angst that we all had at that age, it is blended with a depth that comes from growing up in a rough situation. If you aren't old enough to remember it back then, you can't truly understand how revolutionary this sound was, how completely new and original the Edge's guitar playing was. This album has influenced the sound of bands everywhere for decades. BOY pretty much changed everything.

As far as the REMASTER goes, they actually did a pretty good job. I had the original vinyl and still have the original CD version, and I can tell you that the original studio recording quality of this album was pretty bad and inconsistent, even by the standards of the time. Lots of sibilance, uneven mixing, and primitive digital effects. The remastered CD is a definite improvement in sound quality, but it is still limited by the quality of the original recording. So, it pretty much sounds like the original, but with a bit less distortion and a bit more dynamic range. The mix is the same, and thank God they didn't try to "fix" anything up with a lot of artificial-sounding digital editing. It is mastered at a louder volume level, like most current CDs, but not to the ridiculous levels that most others are. The Edge supervised the remaster, which probably helped, but don't expect miracles. If you have the original CD and a decent stereo, I definitely think it's worth upgrading to the remaster, but it's not hugely different. The music here speaks for itself, though, no matter which version you have.

In 1980 a little know group by the name U2 released an album that 20+ years later still remains one of their best and perhaps one of the best debut albums by any band.

U2 is best known for their meaningful music and lyrics which really thrust them into the spotlight with War and as reached an Apex that has yet to decline with The Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, and All That You Can't Leave Behind. Yet, it is hard to say that they were any less of masters at their art when one listens to Boy. Boy merely shows the group at a young age singing for their beliefs and feelings as they always have and continue to do. It shows strong conviction and their youth.

I Will Follow perhaps sets the theme best. It is the story of a boy forced to grow up due to the passing of his mother. The album continues of the theme of growing up and does it well from Twilight (another great song) and A Day Without Me. My favorite song on this album besides I Will FOllow is An Cat Dubh and Into the Heart which might as well be one song. This song is a reflection of young love.

I think perhaps the most interesting aspect of this album is that when looked at over the span of their career, it is seen that the quality of the music and lyrics has not changed only the maturity. Boy is definitely a must have for any U2 fan and even for non U2 fans who like the U2 of old. I feel it is their best album from their early years including War which is great, but I just feel this is more solid effort though in reality it is hard to say which is better.

So I would say this album is best for people who like War or even only know the famous songs of those early U2 years. It is also best for people who appreciate the evolution of U2 and the fact that U2 now sounds so different yet so similar to that debut album.

I have been a long time listener of U2. They were the first band I got into really seriously when I was a teenager. Hopefully, because of this, I can help you decide whether or not to purchase Boy.

Most musicians and bands start off with an album of songs which either are relatively bad or very hit and miss. U2's first album Boy, while not their best, is extremely solid for a debut. If U2 had never released another album, this would still be worth owning.

That being said, I'll get my criticism over with right off the bat: this album as a whole can be tough to warm up to. Each song hits you with a really cool guitar riff, and some of the songs are just completely phenomenal. However, other songs can seem to drag on if you're not patient with the music. When I was young, I would often skip parts because I was thirsting to hear the next exciting guitar part and chorus. You could say that the pacing is a bit off sometimes. While this may sound like a harsh criticism, it's the ONLY big criticism I have.

Conceptually, this album is very good. From what I make of it, it's basically about growing up. Hence the title! The lyrics, while not mind-blowing, are very well done. They're vague enough so that almost anyone who listens can associate their own growing-up experiences with what's being said. Bono's delivery is excellent, leaving you with certain powerful lines echoing in your head.

Now, I am sure there are a few people out there who will never warm up to this album as a whole work. If you like anything else by U2, though, you ought to at least love "I Will Follow", "Out of Control and "A Day Without Me". I promise that if you like other U2 albums, you'll at least find a few real good songs here. That's the most sinister thing about U2: No matter what people think about each album as a whole, there's never an album without at least a few really really great songs that make the album worth getting. For my part, I also think that "Shadows and Tall Trees" could have been a hit single under the right circumstances.

Basically, if you own some U2 and like what you have, you won't go wrong with Boy. If you're a newcomer to U2, you'll probably still like the album if you're a fan of guitar rock. It's from 1980, it's U2's first album and it's still good regardless of U2's stardom.

going through every song on this album:

I will follow- Great song and most famous. It was on their Best of the 80s. probably not the best though. 4 stars

Twilight- Really really cool song. Of Course edges guitar is amazingly clever. 4 stars

An Cat Dubh- This one just might be the BEST on the album! Listen to it above and you can just find out for yourself because i cant really describe it in words. 5 stars

Into the heart- Beautiful. Even though I usually get bored during songs when no one sings for half the song, for some reason i always get mesmorized into Edges Guitar and never skip it! 4 stars

Out of Control- Great song! I got into this phase where this was the only song i would listen to! Really fun and up beat! 4 1/2 stars

Stories for Boys- I looove this song! In concert Bono adds a fragment of it to the end of Vertigo! its very cool and Bonos voice is so flawless

The Ocean- This is a good song but because this album is filled with so many good songs i usually skip this when it comes on. 3 1/2 stars

A day without me- This is DEFINITELlY my personal favorite! I never get tired of it! The best part of the song it probably just the starting: Im starting a landslide in my Ego! It just pulls me right in! 5 stars

Another time, Another Place- I love the lyrics in this song! They are so deep for a 20 year old! Of course here is another GREAT song! 4 stars

The Electric Co.- AWESOME SONG! This also might be a favorite! Its so great definitely one of U2s all time greatest! 5 stars!

Shadows and Tall Trees- Ok I changed my mind THIS IS MY FAVORITE SONG! This is haunting and beautiful. His voice just grabs you! 5 stars definitely!

Ok so i have now reviewed the whole cd. This is a five star album definitely in my opinion! See for yourself!