* luminous 4.2 *

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	boy october 1980	this is one of the greatest debut albums of all time! although their sound had been heard before by many other bands, they didn't just sing angst-filled three minute songs! what they lacked in experience they made up for in energy and charisma, as seen in their live performances of the day. stand outs: an cat dubh/into the heart, out of control, a day without me.
	october october 1981	this is one of their most under-rated albums. the lyrics lacked the cohesiveness like boy, since many of the lyrics were made up on the spot. however, this album is more optimistic and explores the band's christian beliefs. stand outs: i threw a brick through a window, fire, tomorrow.
	war march 1983	this yet another album that gets a lot of undeserved flak. many call this album shrill or irritating, but i think it's the band stretching their musical legs a little. here, the band start to become more aware of the outside world, with their talk of politics. stand outs: seconds, new year's day, surrender.
	under a blood red sky october 1983	this is just a live album. however, if you look at the liner notes, most of these songs weren't even recorded at red rocks! however, in the video, it's the red rocks concert. listen to both and compare the songs. this also features bono at his most outrageous: waving flags and climbing amps. stand outs: 11 o'clock tick tock, i will follow, 40.
	the unforgettable fire october 1984	this is U2 at their arguably most experimental. it was a shocking departure from anything U2 had done before. it's an amazing piece of work. stand outs: the unforgettable fire, promenade, elvis presley and america.
	wide awake in america july 1985	this is so not live! a sort of homecoming is from a soundcheck in england, and bad is from a concert in england! the other two songs are not live at all, but b-sides from the unforgettable fire. still a great album.
	the joshua tree march 1987	this is one of U2's most well-known albums. it thrust them into mainstream, especially in america. it was also the first compact disc to go platinum and gave U2 their first two #1 singles. stand outs: running to stand still, exit, mothers of the disappeared.
	rattle and hum november 1988	this is a combination live album and studio album. it features about half of each, and all these songs can also be seen in the movie, including some live songs that didn't make it to the album. it makes for a rather uncohesive album. stand outs: desire, heartland, all i want is you.
	achtung baby november 1991	this is the best U2 album ever! after U2 got flak for overexposure, they went away for almost two years to record this album. this is quite possibly the biggest departure of U2's sound ever, when comparing it to the joshua tree and/or rattle and hum. stand outs: zoo station, even better than the real thing, love is blindness.
	zooropa july 1993	this was recorded during the zoo tv tour. this is one of two of U2's most under-rated albums (october being the other). it's really a continuation of the sounds of achtung baby. still some great tracks, though. stand outs: zooropa, lemon, the first time.
	passengers: original soundtracks 1 december 1995	this isn't even a U2 album! it's U2 with brian eno. this is also larry's least favourite U2 production. it's called a soundtrack album, even though most of the "movies" these songs are taken from don't exist. this is U2's most experimental album to date, and a lot of people's least favourite. stand outs: slug, your blue room, always forever now.
	pop march 1997	this marked a slight change in U2's sound. pop was supposed to be a rock album (in the vein of hmtmkmkm, perhaps?) but instead we got this. it's an outstanding piece of work, but very techno. many critics labelled this album a flop even though it's one of their top-selling albums. stand outs: discotheque, last night on earth, please.
	best of 1980-1990 november 1998	their only greatest hits album to date. however, a 1990-2000 is in the works! there's basically nothing new to hear here, except for the remake of "the sweetest thing," formerly a b-side from the joshua tree era. stand outs: new year's day, the unforgettable fire, all i want is you.
	best of 1980-1990 b-sides november 1998	this is a collection of many of their b-sides released in the 80's. it's a must-have for U2 fans who don't own any singles or b-side bootlegs. stand outs: love comes tumbling, bass trap, luminous times (hold on to love).
	all that you can't leave behind october 2000	this album is one of the three greatests, according to many fans and critics. however, i'm not a fan of it. i think the album is just too poppy, and at times even gospel. stand outs: beautiful day, stuck in a moment you can't get out of, elevation.