U2

All That You Can't Leave Behind

A Classic, Beautiful Album.

Review Score:

(10/10)
U2's "All That You Can't Leave Behind" is a return to the essence of the band, to the elements and moods that have made them classic and timeless. The 90's was a time of great experimentation, feauturing the band trying out techno rhythms and shades of dance music. After the good, but weak "Pop," fans and the rock world at large were beginning to worry as to what road U2 was planning to embark on. But with "All That You Can't Leave Behind" the band returns to the simple idea of crafting great songs. "Beautiful Day" opens the album with a vibrant, soaring feel in The Edge's wonderful guitar melodies, Bono's voice flights and the entire classic feel of the song's production. "Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of" is both inspirational and good ear-candy with Brian Eno's synths. One of the qualities that makes the album sound so good is that Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, the producers behind "The Joshua Tree" and "Achtung Baby," along with Steve Lillywhite mixing a few tracks are back after taking a break during "Pop." The return to the mold signals the return of the band to good old rock n' roll. "Walk On" shows U2 at their best, it is a song laced with wonderful melodies and moving lyrics. It joins the ranks of previous U2 love songs like "With Or Without You" which are real love songs, not just simple puppy chowder. And yet the band can still jam, "Elevation" is straight-ahead rock n' roll with an intoxicating hook, catchy beat and a vibrant, fun sense of exhilaration. "New York" also has a more harder edge the band was lacking in "Pop." "Kite" is a dreamy little number with The Edge doing some memorable slide guitar. "All That You Can't Leave Behind" is a great achievement for U2 because it manages to show the band almost like a symphony. It lets every good thing about this group shine, every song has individual parts that stand out. Bono's talent and range as a singer are no longer over-powered or over-shaded with synth beats and The Edge, one of the great creative guitarists in rock, here sounds more liberated from the constraints of electronica. "All That You Can't Leave Behind" isn't just good rock, it's good music, a wonderous journey for the ears and heart. A classic album that will endure.

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