all that you can't leave behind

u2

interscope, 2000

Mood—Dazzlingly calm and poppy.

Sample: "In A Little While"

Thoughts— I mentioned before that U2 is the type of band that can take risks, but that ultimately has to come back to center to appease their fan base. All That You Can't Leave Behind is one of those returns to center.

I didn't really "get into" u2 until later on in their career. I knew their hit singles but didn't own any of their albums until Zooropa, so I don't really qualify as one of those "I want u2 to sound the way I remember" fans. In fact, I'm more of the opposite... I like their weirder stuff the most.

But there's nothing to not like about All That You Can't Leave Behind. It is a well-crafted pop album, with standard style songs written and performed by a band that has been together for a long time. They've grown up, on this one. Just like Sting's Brand New Day this feels like an album for people that have grown up alongside the band. They are more mellow, but still like to consider themselves to be rockers.

It's a pretty laid back album, all things considered. "Beautiful Day" is a great opener, and must have been written specifically for that purpose. Along with "Elevation", though, they're the most excited songs on the disk. Everything else is a bit slower, a lot cooler, and not all that aggressive. That's fine.

My favorite song on the album is, hands down, "New York". It's got good dynamics; the lyrics paint a great picture that anyone who has lived in New York City can relate to. After that, the album closer, "Grace" is a subtle and lovely way to end.

Bono throws global concern into his lyrics every now and then, but most of the songs are about love, or life... the vague stuff of pop. Again, nothing to dislike here... it's a pleasing experience.

Recommended? Good for fans and casual listeners alike!

Link—u2.com

Tracklist
1. Beautiful Day
2. Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of
3. Elevation
4. Walk On
5. Kite
6. In A Little While
7. Wild Honey
8. Peace On Earth
9. When I Look At The World
10. New York
11. Grace