SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 55 Min.
Released in 1991, this twelve-track album consists of:
- Zoo Station 4:36
- Even Better Than the Real Thing 3:41
- One 4:36
- Until the End of the World 4:39
- Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses 5:16
- So Cruel 5:49
- The Fly 4:29
- Mysterious Ways 4:04
- Tryin’ to Throw Your Arms Around the World 3:53
- Ultra Violet (Light My Way) 5:31
- Acrobat 4:30
- Love is Blindness 4:23
REVIEW:
In a drought, after 1987’s Joshua Tree album, U2 revamped their original sound to adapt to the approaching 90’s. For better or worse, Achtung Baby smashes it out of the proverbial park. Songs, like “One” and “Mysterious Ways,” pave the way for U2’s new era, with an upbeat and more meaningful feel for the band and listeners alike.
In terms of a complete album, Achtung Baby, along with a few others from the 1980’s, tends to be looked upon as U2’s best material amongst fans. “One” would actually top The Rolling Stone’s list of ‘Best U2 Songs,’ while “Mysterious Ways,” “Ultra Violet,” and “Better Than the Real Thing,” unsurprisingly, remain on the band’s touring playlist nearly thirty years after release. Each song is imbued with a distinct sound and stands alone as an artistic success in its own right – even if not all of them were chart-topping hits. Case in point: “Cruel,” despite not being played on tours, was re-recorded by Bono years later and is probably this album’s gem floating under the radar. As is, Achtung Baby presents U2 in their prime and makes a definitive statement adding to their rock-and-roll legacy.
PACKAGING:
For the album’s standard edition, there’s an extensive booklet with credits, song lyrics, and rare photos of the band. A mix of color and black-and-white photos convey a sense that the band was making a transition, and this presentation works.
ROSCOE’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars
