War

Description

Boy is the third studio album by the Irish rock band U2, released on Island Records in February 1983. The album was recorded by Paul Thomas with Kevin Killen at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin, Ireland; from September to November 1982, with Steve Lillywhite producing (the band’s third consecutive record at the same studio and with the same producer).

War was included among the Best Albums of 1983 by CCM Magazine, voted Album of the Year and topping the list featuring eleven albums released from the last quarter of 1982 through the last quarter of 1983. – The critics’ top choice by over 20 points. Why? Quincy Smith-Newcomb said in his May review: “U2 is probably best understood in terms of the post-punk European pub music… From the beginning of «Sunday Bloody Sunday» to the closing refrain of «40», an adaption of Psalm 40:1-3, ‘War’ reflects a pronounced Christian orientation. U2, avoiding the cliches common to contemporary Christian music, speaks clearly about faith in God as it relates to the real issues pressing in on our troubled world.”

“How long, O Lord?” cries the troubled psalmist of Psalm 13. It is a common expression in the individual and national laments of our Psalter, and it now finds new expression on the tongue of Bono Vox of U2. “How long,” his bright tenor wafts over the driving dance rhythms of «Sunday Bloody Sunday». “How long must we sing this song?” It’s revolution, suffering, fear, strife, and pain. It’s ‘War’ (Island 90067-1), the third album from Dublin’s oft-praised four-piece.

U2 addressed the issues of maturation to adulthood in our ethically confused world on ‘Boy‘, then expressed inner existential fears and faith with all the naivete of true romantics on ‘October‘. U2 now turns its musical eye toward the world. ‘War’, while avoiding categorization as a concept album, does express the underlying energy, if not the overt theme, of each of these 10 songs.

U2 is probably best understood in terms of the post-punk European pub music. Comparisons to Talking Heads, Tom Verlaine’s Television, Pretenders, and Clash only point toward U2’s unique and powerful blend of lofty melodies, relentless rhythms, and raw driving guitar sound – rudimentary to all real rock.

From the opening drum beat of «Sunday Bloody Sunday» to the closing refrain of «40», an adaptation of Psalm 40:1-3, ‘War’ reflects a pronounced Christian orientation. U2, avoiding the cliches common to ccm, speaks clearly about faith in God as it relates to the real issues pressing in on our troubled world. «Sunday Bloody Sunday» says it most explicitly. After painting a picture of the struggles and suffering in U2’s homeland, the words come: “The battle just begun. To claim the victory Jesus won.”

«Seconds», an anti-nuclear song full of black humor and satiric wit, warns against the foolishness of our present cold war tactic of nuclear blackmail. «New Year’s Day», the LP’s single and promising video, recognizes the international solidarity movement while painting a metaphor of unity in the church.

«Like a Song», a crux in the message of ‘War’, deals with the issues of apathy, noninvolvement, and the progress from inaction to action. Realizing the need to act from more than guilt and anger, the lyrics cry out, “A new heart is what I need. O God, make it bleed.”

«Surrender» and «Drowning Man» speak to a suffering humanity that cannot find meaning or love in and of themselves, but must seek a more caring reality. «The Refugee» looks at the international phenomenon, casting doubtful eyes on American motives. «Two Hearts Beat As One» and «Red Light» reflect a love that is far beyond our human capacity, giving the impression of God’s unending sacrifice and love.

By facing the hard truth, U2 has started us toward a meaningful goal – peace. Not just political peace, but not just personal satisfaction, either. Rather, the peace, wholeness, and health for the earth that is expressed in the biblical concept of shalom. U2 provides a resolve – with «Surrender» and then with «40» at the end of side two – that points toward a new heart and a change of attitude as a place to begin our struggle for peace.

The boys, now young men, have taken a monumental step forward with this rock ‘n’ roll documentary. Bono’s voice emotes a maturity that is both soothing and unsettling. The Edge’s guitar work is consistently tantalizing, relying more on nuance and tone than flashy pyrotechnics. Adam Clayton on bass and Larry Mullen Jr., whose drums have always been the focal point of U2’s compositions, have moved to a more succinct dance beat, driving the sound even further than they did on ‘October’. The dynamic range and energy of the arrangements, together with Steve Lillywhite’s production, make ‘War’ U2’s strongest work yet.

The boy from the European cover of ‘Boy’ is back on the cover of ‘War’. He’s older. His beguiled innocence has been replaced by an expression of determination and distrust. His lip is bruised. He has seen the broken world as it is, and he is changed. U2 has seen war, and desperately wants peace. [Quincy Smith-Newcomb, CCM, May 1983]

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LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Sunday Bloody Sunday” – 4:38
A2. “Seconds” – 3:24
A3. “New Year’s Day” – 5:38
A4. “Like A Song…” – 4:48
A5. “Drowning Man” – 4:12

Side Two
B1. “The Refugee” – 3:40
B2. “Two Hearts Beat As One” – 5:00
B3. “Red Light” – 4:09
B4. “Surrender” – 6:01
B5. “40” – 2:08

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Island Records. Later re-issued on CD. In July 2008, a remastered edition of the album was released in three different formats: 1.) Standard format: A single CD with re-mastered audio and restored packaging. Includes a 16-page booklet featuring previously unseen photos, full lyrics and new liner notes by Niall Stokes. The 10-tracks match the previous release of the album. 2.) Deluxe format: A standard CD (as above) and a bonus CD. Bonus CD includes b-sides, live tracks and rarities. Also includes a 32-page booklet with previously unseen photos, full lyrics, new liner notes by Niall Stokes, and explanatory notes on the bonus material by the Edge. 3.) Vinyl format: A single album re-mastered version on 180 gram vinyl with restored packaging.