They just might be the best band in the world

Review Score: (8/10)
By the time this album was released, everyone knew how unpredictable U2 could be. They had already put out a couple of classic albums (Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby), a few experiments (Zooropa and Rattle and Hum), and a genuinely bad album or two (like Pop). What would the new album be?

It's one of the best rock albums ever. It tops The Joshua Tree (just barely) but doesn't quite top Achtung Baby. Lots of bands promise a return to form --- straightforward songs without a lot of songwriting help, studio tricks, or ironic detachment --- and on All That You Can't Leave Behind, the band fulfilled that promise.

The first half is relentlessly perfect. These are the kind of songs that inspire young musicians to form their own bands and take on the world. The second half is a little off-beat. New York has a quiet/loud dynamic, Peace on Earth is a sincere plea for a better world, and Grace closes the album with a gentle but passionate touch. U2 is still one of the best bands of all time. Just when you thought you could count them out, they came back to remind you why you love their music.

More Reviews:

• I'm just trying to find a decent melody
• Mainstream
• as bad as everything they've done recently
• I Know That This Is Not Goodbye
• One Of U2's Best
• great cd
• Some of this you could leave behind
• Boring... and it pains me to say so
• Lack of energy
• Excuses, i Rate this album in a bad mood
• U2 managed to make "The Perfect Album"
• Take this one with you everywhere
• ...And a Few Things You Possibly Could
• Brilliant album
• It was the summer of '74
• GREAT album...not quite 5 stars
• Puzzling. . .
• What was left behind?
• Inspiring veering on cheesy
• A Flawless Album
• Heaven On Earth
• All that you can't leave behind....
• U2, tours, with new album Atomic Bomb
• Return to Form
• Well Worth Your Time And Money
• Music for a New Generation
• You Sure Can Leave It Behind
• Blandness
• yet again, greatness
• Four and 1/2 Stars.
• Brilliant!
• All Things Being Equal, A Great Album
• Still around
• THIS CD ELEVATES ME!
• A truly dissapointing album !
• A Diamond In The Rough..But Not A Classic U2 Album
• Unfortunately one of my least favorite U2 albums
• this cd is awful
• A little less synthesizers
• See anything common with "The Joshua Tree?"
• Pleasant Surprise
• The Old U2 is Back!
• One of the more complete albums ever...
• A Classic
• Timeless Classic
• An uplifter.
• U2 return to there most definable sound
• One of their best
• Is aging well
• Bono , give up the Ciggies
• U2 In true form!
• beautiful lyrics
• U2 Returns To Their Roots
• Sunrise, Sunset
• A Classic, Beautiful Album.
• Where it all began
• Entire CD is good
• This is why albums are made!!! A modern classic!!!
• Let's set the record straight
• Clearly U2's Best Album
• Sequel is coming up anyday now
• Not really all that great
• Leave Some, But Not All, of this Behind
• So much for experimenting eh?
• U2 Just Keeps on Truckin'!
• U2 Soldout!
• They proved themselves
• U2 returns with a soulful look at the world, quality songs
• Less than Beautiful
• Every Day is a Beautiful Day for this Album
• Pedestrian rock
• FINALLY... U2 MAKES A GOOD ALBUM AGAIN!!
• Crowdpleaser
• Don't leave this CD behind
• U2 Show why they're still the best!
• Not the best, but still ultra fine
• Powerful "soul" music!
• Not Trite, And Hardly a "Worst Album"
• I can't leave this one behind
• Awesome
• Might be strong for lesser bands, but among U2's weakest
• U2's rebirth
• U2's Greatest CD!
• U2
• U2 Rules
• BEST CD
• Songs that will not leave your head.....
• Very Consistent
• Finally !
• A Masterpiece
• At their best
• They're back, baby!
• The anthem is back
• A Return to stripped down rock, but...
• Just have to add
• takes a little while, but grows on you
• This CD rules!! rock on (or walk on, haha) U2!!!
• Graceless, except for the end
• Huge dissapointment for a huge U2 fan
• Let's get it together, guys