Review of U2's 'Boy'

U2's debut effort Boy (1980) was a very well-received album. Many music critics, and not even the cleverer ones, predicted that these four Irish lads would go on to much bigger and better things. They were certainly proved correct because today U2 are certainly one of the biggest and most respected rock groups in the world.

The most amazing aspect of Boy is that even at the start of their career U2 had a formulated sound. Anyone who has listened to a U2 album over the years...well that's pretty much how they sounded way back at the beginning. The only really noticeable difference is that Bono sounds so much younger when he sings, especially when compared to Pop (1997), their parody album. Other than that, though, the distinctive driving guitar and sense of urgency characteristic of many of the band's songs is there.

That idea of youth is the theme of the album and is reflected in the title. When the band made Boy- and incidentally they all had writing contributions - they were about 20 years old and very conscious that their lives were taking a new direction. A line from "I Will Follow," one of the best songs on the album, captures this spirit. "A boy tries hard to be a man," Bono simply sings. The good thing about the constant theme that runs through the album is that it becomes an album, not merely a collection of songs. From start to end it tells a story and this serves to give the music greater feeling and meaning.

In relation to their ten other albums, Boy is probably at or near the bottom of the pile. This should not be seen as a slight on their debut, but rather as a reflection of the improvement process that the band has undergone in the years since. This is a very solid beginning that stands out both for its maturity and its immediately enjoyable songs.

RATING: 7/10

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