Who knew in 1980 that punk kids U2 would take the musical world by storm just seven years later? Based on the quality and intensity of the band’s debut, one could hope such a feat could be accomplished, but many bands never get over the sophomore slump (which U2 was not immune to on October).
Formed in Dublin, Ireland in 1976 after drummer Larry Mullen posted a notice on a high school bulletin board looking to form a band. Those who answered were to become his cohorts in one of the most successful musical franchises in the last two decades. From the beginning, U2 consisted of uniquely talented vocalist Bono (Paul Hewson), the Edge (David Evans) on guitar and Adam Clayton on bass. Early on, Dick Evans was also a member but departed long before the band’s 1980 debut.
After a few lucky strikes, U2 was signed with Island Records and released their debut titled Boy. Produced by long-time U2 collaborator Steve Lillywhite (has since worked on the vast majority of the band’s LPs), the album instantaneously gained a following as a result of their almost-punk edge yet rich and round musical style. Their following early on wasn’t huge, but as an opener for Talking heads the band was able to turn more than a few heads. Their big break really didn’t happen until 1983 with the release of War.
Post-War, U2’s career was set in stone. Since then, they’ve released six rather well received albums of new material (some people chastised them for their experimentation with electronica on Zooropa and Pop) and three of live, covers, and rarities. My favorite of all time will continue to be 1988’s Rattle and Hum. But none of this success would have been possible had U2 never recorded 1980’s Boy.
Not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, Boy is the product of four young and fairly talented boys. Their youthful optimism and untarnished drive helped U2 to be more than a post-punk outfit. The Edge, with his aptitude for the guitar and Bono’s distinctively unrefined vocals helped to make the eleven songs on this album exciting and invigorating, something almost entirely original. Yet somehow, U2 felt comfortable to rock fans and new wave fans alike. Even if it wasn’t totally obviously those twenty-two years ago that the band would one day be famous worldwide, the four were musically passionate and emotionally grounded—two characteristics necessary for any young band to initially succeed.
A few songs from this album are classic U2. A few seem dated, but still shine of the greatness that was to come. Yet others are above average tracks from this young band of talents. At eleven songs long and just over forty minutes in length, the album is somewhat short…but since it was originally released on vinyl that’s no shocker.
Anyway, the most fascinating track is probably I Will Follow. As the first track from Boy, it is an amazing offering. Bono’s vocals are classic…he sounds little different than today. Still with an air of confidence regardless of the fact that he’s by no means a great vocalist. This song proves just how far drive, charisma and energy can get a band and singer. The Edge’s guitars are typically wonderful. Thick and winding, he was able to seamlessly weave the instrument between Clayton’s bass guitar and Mullen’s drums and even the occasional clichéd synthesizers. It’s a great song whether you heard it twenty years ago or today for the first time. As a sidenote, this song’s apparent topic caused U2 to be labeled a Christian rock band. That was never the case, but it’s easy to see why they were thought of in that way because of lyrics like these:
I was on the outside when you said
You needed me
I was looking at myself
I was blind, I could not see.
Also gorgeous is The Ocean, a song that is as unfortunately short as it is brilliant. With a melancholic melody and saddened vocals, the track could have been expanded but as it stands it’s a pleasure to listen to. It’s also difficult to deny the unwavering appeal of An Cat Dubh. Darker and more intense than the majority of the tracks here, it’s an epic track. U2 sounds amazingly perfect…a great accomplishment for such a young band. Bono sings with angry, refreshing enthusiasm.
Other songs that are decent enough include Into The Heart and Shadows and Tall Trees. The former is a lovingly assembled track a shimmering triangle curiously placed next to The Edge’s electric guitar and Mullen’s incessant drums. Shadows and Tall Trees is a bluesy almost-acoustic track. The lyrics are evocative and intelligent. It’s a wonderful way in which to end any album, but a brilliant way to end a debut.
As I mentioned, not everything on Boy is perfect. Twilight bothers me as a result of a painfully repetitive guitar. I enjoy the elements of song that build upon one another, but it takes too long to reach any conclusion. It pales in comparison, especially when sandwiched between I Will Follow and An Cat Dubh. Also troublesome is Stories for Boys. Sounding like a prototypical new wave track, it does little to distinguish U2 from the herd of early 1980’s sound alike bands. Even Bono yelps with uncharacteristic vigor. It’s not by far the best song here.
After the release of Boy it should have come as no shock that they would eventually become famous. Even today, the band continues to tour successfully and has recently picked up a ton more Grammy Awards for their album All That You Can’t Leave Behind. It’s not too soon to say that U2 is the Rolling Stones of the 1980’s. They’ll continue to make good (if not great) music for decades to come.
Boy should be in any fan of U2’s collection. It shows the band’s starting point and the fact that the four were ready to conquer the musical word from the very start. The album highlights some of their early weaknesses…a tendency to not be themselves the most obvious. But songs like I Will Follow, An Cat Dubh, Into the Heart and a few others set the stage for success.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. I Will Follow
02. Twilight
03. An Cat Dubh
04. Into the Heart
05. Out of Control
06. Stories for Boys
07. The Ocean
08. A Day Without Me
09. Another Time, Another Place
10. The Electric Co.
11. Shadows and Tall Trees
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