U2

Pop

Techno? No. U2? Yes.

Review Score:

(10/10)
Bono and U2 now refer to Pop as the album they never finished. After heading a massive two year tour and putting out Zooropa (while on tour) U2 disappeared to think it all up again and the rumors flew around that they were making a 'techno' record. The album appeared right around the time 'electronica' (a nice, press-friendly, meaningless term) was supposed to be the 'next big thing'. U2 'experimented'.

Nonsense. Zooropa is way more techno and experimental than Pop, which no one said at the time. Pop didn't do the same business Achtung Baby did, the shows didn't sell like Zoo TV, and so now U2 regards this album as the one they rushed. It's likely they'll drop this album from their upcoming tour playlists.

Don't listen to them. The album is excellent. Forget the hype, it's been a while now. There is no techno here, save for some squelching guitars, and a couple of electronic beats, or electronic-enhanced drumming from Larry. Sure, Bono's voice is distorted some more (thankfully, they would stop this with the next album) and the cover art and disc look like 'techno'. The album starts off hot with Discotheque, then keeps going with Do You Feel Loved and Mofo (the most techno-sounding thing here, but nothing outrageous) before settling down and getting heavier. Thankfully, Miami and Playboy Mansion lighten the mood up and make perfect chill out tracks. The ballads are serviceable, though they won't be replacing One. The closer becomes a tiny bit embarassing, as Bono speaks to Jesus, but hey, we can let it slide.

Highly recommended, like all U2 albums. U2 didn't blow the world up with this album like they did Achtung Baby and then All That You Can't Leave Behind years later, but they created another solid record. They just felt like walking out of a giant, spinning Lemon on tour every night at that stage in their careers.

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