7. U2 - War 1983
Against a backdrop of unrest and warfare, U2 reacted with their third album, which was much more direct and harsher, both lyrically and musically, than their first two outings, 'Boy' and 'October'. It proved to be a pivotal decision in the band's development and legacy. In an interview with NME, Bono said at the time, shortly after recording the album - "War seemed to be the motif for 1982," adding that "Everywhere you looked, from the Falklands to the Middle East and South Africa, there was war. By calling the album
War we're giving people a slap in the face and at the same time getting away from the cosy image a lot of people have of U2." Guitarist, The Edge added - "It's a heavy title. It's blunt. It's not something that's safe, so it could backfire. It's the sort of subject matter that people can really take a dislike to. But we wanted to take a more dangerous course, fly a bit closer to the wind, so I think the title is appropriate." Opening song "Sunday Bloody Sunday" (written about the ubiquitous trouble in Northern Ireland) is all staccato drums (reminiscent of machine gun fire) and call and response vocals that still is very affecting and acts as a very sobering few moments in their live set, where it remains an ever present. Other highlights include the sublime 'New Years Day', with
that keyboard riff and the choppy love song, 'Two Hearts Beat as One'.
'War' captures the band at the pinnacle of their Post-Punk phase and the album's fourth track 'Like A Song...', addresses those that criticized the band for not being "Punk" enough and, in turn, missing the point of what Punk Rock was originally meant to be all about. Bono felt those that the song was aimed at were more about what the movement had been dressed up as, rather than what its true intent and freedom was. Very clever indeed. Not a flawless album, (that would come in the shape of the following years, 'The Unforgettable Fire') but a fantastic third album nonetheless.