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U2
Under A Blood Red Sky
Release Date: 1983 |
Tracklist
Review Summary: The worlds biggest live band: live. Generally, live albums are attempting any of the following three; to showcase alternative arrangements of existing songs, to prove the capability of the band in a live environment, or to try and bottling the essence of the live show – of ‘being there’. U2’s ‘Under A Blood Red Sky’ attempts all of these, and what’s more, it succeeds… but not simply by fulfilling the criteria. Oh no. U2 being U2, who have the biggest live act on the planet (no contest) and one that is among some of the best, are a completely different beast on stage than in the studio. What this album does, then, is capture the beast, and it’s something to behold. To continue this questionable metaphor some more, we don’t just observe it from behind bars, but rather we’re invited into it’s cage – ‘Under A Blood Red Sky’ is as close as you’re going to get to a U2 concert without actually being present, and that’s going by more than just the tracklisting.
How so? Well, they aren’t just putting a live spin on the jaded, familiar favourites. Playing them live is more akin to giving them a rebirth than a light makeover; every radio-worn number takes on a whole new meaning and significane; striking ones at that. This can be put down to the maintenance of a personal relationship with the audience and the individual, even in the vastness of a stadium. Often it’s Bono’s showmanship rubbing off, as it does in ‘Gloria’, which transforms into a bombastic singalong as he declares the chorus like a fervent preacher at his pulpit, and it leads the charge of thundering bass and guitars that are as vast and epic as the arenas in which they are played. We have, ladies and gentlemen, arrived at the biggest show on the planet in full swing. How can you not get swept along?
Better known tracks consistently live up to, and often surpass, their originals. ‘I Will Follow’ has the chimes subtracted, but a bassline so deep you could drown in it is it’s replacement, and the number is all the better for it, and ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’, while not being the bitterly impassioned live rant that is showcased later on ‘Rattle and Hum’, is ever the gritty warcry, and performed impeccably. An anthem made for the mob is truly brought to life on the stage. More obscure tracks are also brought into their own on the stage – the little known ‘Party Girl’ is an unexpected but charmingly fun and catchy romp, and chanting along with the crowd is an inviting prospect. It certainly proves that U2 aren’t a one trick pony, and that Bono’s ability to captivate and enthrall an audience is extended beyond the beaten track of standard U2 anthems.
As excellent as these numbers are, there is one that stand heads and shoulders above them all, and that is ‘The Electric Co.’. Utterly relentless instrumentation from the word go, phenomenal technical performance in a live show… it’s all here. Oh, and the solo – that is, most of the latter half of the track – is the aural equivalent of shredding all the way to Valhalla and back, before a frantic and delicious bass lick launches us back into the chorus. Not content having wowed us already, we are rebounded back into Edge’s soaring, hugely distorted chords, with complementary thunking bassline. Not only is it a demonstration of instrumentational mastery outside of the safety of the recording studio, but of the wider band’s (not just Bono, who takes the backseat for once) capability of simultaneously blowing the minds of a football stadium full of people.
The genius of ‘Under A Blood Red Sky’ is that it packages everything that makes the live shows so special – how U2’s material is born for the stage, and the utterly flawless technical execution of it – and packages it in such a way that it’s as if the listener is transported into the concert itself. This isn’t just the music; it’s the best live act to have ever existed, and you’ve been invited to the front of the crowd.
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Album Rating: 5.0
U2's best stuff imo. if you aren't sure about them, or are at least a fan of their older material,
this is completely essential.
also, the bass on here is seriously incredible incredible.
(probably mistakes and shiz for now cos I haven't looked over it much, will tidy it up later)
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Nice review. A few things to fix here and there, like you said, but nothing major. I would suggest that instead of using "and" as a conjunction so often, end your sentences and start new ones. I wouldn't call them run-ons, but the abundance of continuations makes for a bit less comfortable read. Also, spell check on a few words.
I'm still kind of new here myself, so there are much more adept writers around that can give you more/better advice - I just wanted to help a bit, basically because I have a soft spot for this album, so I feel akin to any fan of this recording. U2 was my first "favorite band" growing up. "THIS IS NOT A REBEL SONG." Keep at it.
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Good review, but the very thought of U2 sickens me. I'll pass.
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Grrr. I hate U2 bashers.
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I often see people label bands as the 'best live band in the world'. There seems to be a lot of the best live bands in the world.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
thanks very much Frank, had another read through and think I found most of the mistakes, if you see anything else let me know 8D
I was careful not to call them the 'best' live band in the world, more biggest, so I can remain ambigious zomg.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
When this album came out, U2 was not yet quite the biggest live band in the world. They were up-and-comers. It wasn't until Live Aid in '85 that they really became recognized as the biggest (This is not a correction, just a comment). All the haters can keep hating, but really, U2 is the biggest band since The Rolling Stones and when it's said and done, they will be on par with said act, with only The Beatles left to look up to.
Yes, their last three albums were boring and uninventive, and since the late '90s it has become in fashion with hipsters to hate on these guys, but they are legendary and will be remembered as such. In 10-15 years, bashing Radiohead will probably be en vogue as well.
| | | Album Rating: 5.0
review didn't even mention "40" I just noticed; if a concert ends with a crows made up mostly of Germans (I think) chanting an English psalm even though the music has stopped and the band, if they've not walked off, are looking on from the stage in wonder... you've got a pretty special live band, methinks.
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