The U2 Theory

Here's everything you always wanted to know about U2's role in my life. It's funny, because in many ways, I have felt like they have always been there. It's hard to remember a time without them. Sure we've had our ups and downs (ie, Lemon), but time moves on.

In 1987 as a camper at the Pocono Mountain Bible Conference, my counselor, Jeff Vroman, played the album "The Joshua Tree" repeatedly. He loved it and even commented, "I don't think I'll ever stop listening to this album." I would love to know if he kept that pledge. After camp was over, before I even returned home, I asked my mother to stop at the mall so I could look for that album. When I found it, I bought it and I haven't stopped listening to it.

Several years later, I ordered "Rattle & Hum" from BMG's tape club. That same year, I was watching MTV and they played the live video for "Sunday Bloody Sunday" from the album, "Live Under a Blood Red Sky." As soon as I found that tape, I bought it. Then I made the mistake of lending it to a guy at camp during a winter retreat. Thankfully, he remembered to give it back to me the following Summer.

The next year, while at a different mall, I found "Boy" on cassette so I bought it. It wasn't what I expected and I never really listened to it much, but I'm still glad it's part of my collection, even though I bought it out of sequence.

In 9th grade, I wanted to be one of the first kids with a CD player, so my Dad bought me one for Christmas. In anticipation of that gift, I joined Columbia House and ordered every U2 album that I didn't already own on CD. I timed it so the CD's would arrive right at Christmastime and I would have something to be able to play on my new CD player.

The following year, U2 released "Auchtung Baby." At first, I was very hesitant to buy it because I was afraid that they had completely abandoned their earlier sound (along with what I believed was their philosophy as a band). Finally, I broke down and bought the CD. I loved it then and love it now, especially song 10, "Ultraviolet."

Then came the dark years. The mid-1990's were a strange time in my relationship with U2. I do not own any of their albums from this period and doubt that I ever will. I couldn't justify buying them just to complete a collection, when I knew I'd never listen to them. I started to feel like they were cousins that I was a little embarrassed to admit that I was related to. Odd images of U2 flood my mind when I recall that period. I can see The Edge having his face smushed in the video for "Numb." I can remember Bono belting out the title track to a lame Batman movie. I can picture the whole band walking toward the video camera dressed like the Village People. "Stop this!" I begged them. And....... they heard.

I knew something was happening when I first saw the cover for "All That You Can't Leave Behind." It was simple and understated. Just a black & white picture of the band. Very reminiscent of their chosen color scheme during the Joshua Tree period. Something said to me, "You need to buy this CD." Without having heard any of their new songs, I took the chance and welcomed U2 back to the family of my current music rotation. I made the right decision. What an excellent album.

Just this week, I purchased U2's new album from amazon.com. I think I knew what I was getting into before I bought it, but I took a chance on "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb." All in all, it is a fine album, but so far it doesn't strike me as something that I'll be listening to 20 years from now. I need to give it more time though before I form my definitive option. So far, it sounds like a collection of the B-Sides from "All That You Can't Leave Behind." Or maybe the leftovers that didn't quite make the cut for that album.

In a nutshell, if you're new to U2, here's all you need to know. They have created 3 masterpieces that you should own: (The Joshua Tree, Auchtung Baby and All That You Can't Leave Behind). A smattering of good songs can be found on their other albums, but those 3 albums are the "essential U2."