U2 – Zooropa

How can I tell the difference between an original 1993 pressing and the bootlegs?

From "Boy" up until "Under a Blood Red Sky", U2 were firmly in their transitional period, frequently showing signs of greatness, establishing their signature sound and notching up some rock radio staples whilst ably adjusting to a rapidly widening audience and changing musical and political landscape. If not for a few missteps and slow spots, "The Unforgettable Fire" could have been the moment where it all came together for the Irish quartet. On their fifth studio effort, instead of scaling back on the pursuit of global recognition and humbly accepting their lot as a mid-tier arena rock band, U2 continued in the same assertive, uncompromising vein as "War", albeit with heightened American influences and clearer focus. "The Joshua Tree" became U2's first consistently accomplished record, tempering their customary post-punk rage and sonic bombast with pop songcraft and greater anthemic sweep. After an awkward and largely sterile live/studio blues detour, a considerable recalibration was in order to restore Bono and co's superstardom. Having exhausted the American influence that shaped their recent trio of albums, U2 explored wider cultures for stimulus before settling on Europe, particularly its thriving club scene, to form the basis of their next platter. Arriving several years after their blockbuster, "Achtung Baby" traded in some of Bono and The Edge's tedious post-Joshua stadium posturing for the distancing distortion and brashness of electronic rock, jettisoning politics for self-examination and swapping desperation and heaviness for vibrant, overloaded arrangements replete with thick dance beats. So successful was this freewheeling neo-psychedelic approach that the band naturally and wisely eked it out further, applying the dark and plaintive disposition of "The Joshua Tree" to their fresh swaggering techno framework and stretching the creative fertility of their newfound experimental outlook to its very limits.

Originally intended as an EP, "Zooropa" panned out as a full-length and was all the better for it, giving U2 even greater potential to innovate and flex their artistic muscle. Arguably their most diverse and quirky outing to date, the album nevertheless mined much the same territory as its predecessor, proceeding with forgivably excessive self-indulgence, this time in a less atmospheric, more flagrantly IDM-influenced setting. Indeed, this ambitious, flashy approach results in a rather disted end product, a batch of thematically and musically disparate left-field electronica-inflected moody ballads and yearning groovers that never quite cohere into a uniformly effective whole. For all its lack of focus and balance though, U2's second explorative vehicle contains a wealth of challenging and exhilarating material, namely two incredibly sensual club anthems - "Lemon" and "Numb" - that conjure up some wonderfully evocative images.

RATING: 4.5/5

Official Reissue is coming, 180g, along with Achtung and Best of 80-90’s. Zooropa will have extra 2 track/remixes for the 25 yrs anv. Check out the bands site for further info!

I can´t stand U2 at all, but Zooropa somehow holds a place in my heart. Probably because of the time and circumstanses the album came around to me. Technically speaking, it is quite a diverse album that brings in sublime electronic sounds. I think it also brings forth the whole band both together or as individuals. Larry with some very experimental drum sound. Edge gives the microphone a go on "Numb" Clayton.. well less than the others. It ends on a majestic high note (or dark note if you prefer) with Johnny Cash providing the voice on Wanderer. Overall it´s a very chill listening with tempo on cruising speed on most tracks.
But the album just works. I just like this release and dislike everything else U2 has done the last 20 years, before and after Zooropa.