BOY

By U2
Released 

REVIEW

From the outset, U2 went for the big message -- every song on their debut album Boy sounds huge, with oceans of processed guitars cascading around Bono's impassioned wail. It was an inspired combination of large, stadium-rock beats and post-punk textures. Without the Edge's echoed, ringing guitar, U2 would have sounded like a traditional hard rock band, since the rhythm section and Bono treat each song as an anthem. Of course, that's the charm of Boy: all of its emotions are on the surface, delivered with optimistic, youthful self-belief, yet the unusual, distinctive guitar textures give it an unexpected tension that makes it an exhilarating debut. The songs may occasionally show some weakness -- the driving "I Will Follow," the dark "An Cat Dubh," and the shimmering "The Ocean" stand out among the sonic textures -- yet the band's musical and lyrical vision keep Boy compelling until the finish. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

 

TRACKS

1 I Will Follow Clayton/Bono/Mullen 3:36
2 Twilight Clayton/Bono/Mullen 4:22
3 Cat Dubh Clayton/Bono/Mullen 6:21
4 Into the Heart Clayton/Bono/Mullen 1:53
5 Out of Control U Two 4:13
6 Stories for Boys U Two 3:02
7 Ocean Clayton/Bono/Mullen 1:34
8 Day Without Me Clayton/Bono/Mullen 3:14
9 Another Time, Another Place Clayton/Bono/Mullen 4:34
10 Electric Co. Clayton/Bono/Mullen 4:48
11 Shadows and Tall Trees Clayton/Bono/Mullen 4:36

PERFORMERS

Bass Adam Clayton
Drums Larry Mullen, Jr.
Guitar Bono
The Edge
Guitar (Bass) Adam Clayton
Harmonica Bono
Keyboards The Edge
Vocals Bono
The Edge