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THE REVIEW
The 1980s close for U2 with the not-so-successful touring project "Rattle And Hum," so much so that Bono Vox, the leader of the Dublin band, states at a concert held in their homeland, "We won't see each other for a while, we need to go and dream it all up again."
On November 18, 1991, "Achtung Baby" is released: the album is recorded in their homeland in Dublin at Dog Town, STS, and Windmill Lane Studios, as well as at Hansa Studios in Berlin (where David Bowie previously recorded the "Low," "Heroes," and "Lodger" trilogy); it featured collaborations with legendary music producers such as Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, in addition to Flood as sound engineer and Steve Lillywhite mixing.
The fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of the great USSR and its consequent division into small autonomous nations, the end of the Cold War, and the Middle Eastern threat to the USA profoundly influenced the work of the four Dubliners to the point that Bono creates an alter-ego, "Mr. The Fly," present in many videos of the singles extracted from the album, and who would be the main protagonist of the tour following, the "Zoo TV Tour," trying not only to draw inspiration from the global change that is occurring but often ironically commenting on how the power of mass media influences the lives of individuals.
In “Achtung Baby,” there is above all a renewal of sound: new melodies are experimented with, merging the rock that made them one of the most important bands in history with electronic rhythms, characterized by synthesizers and sound and vocal distortions; fans, music critics, and the press were bewildered by this change of direction, to the extent that the album requires several listens before it is fully assimilated and subsequently declared as an absolute masterpiece.
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Summary by Bot
Achtung Baby marked a pivotal change for U2 as they moved away from their 80s rock sound to embrace electronic music and complex themes influenced by world events. Recorded in Dublin and Berlin with top producers, the album initially confused fans but ultimately became a celebrated masterpiece. Bono’s creation of the alter-ego 'Mr. The Fly' embodied the band’s ironic take on media and culture, showcased further in their Zoo TV Tour.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band formed in Dublin in 1976 by Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. Rising from post‑punk roots to global fame, they fused atmospheric guitar textures with anthemic songwriting and ambitious tours such as Zoo TV and U2 360°.129 Reviews
Other reviews
By giov
Perhaps it remains the last U2 album to have a soul: not too caught up in market rules, the grandeur of tours, and the lack of ideas that is noticeable lately in some of their latest works.
Recorded between Berlin and Dublin, precisely to capture the emotions that a people were experiencing after the fall of a cursed wall.
By pinkoSpallino
A much more important album, with electronic sounds that join the classic rock sounds in songs like 'Mysterious Ways'.
U2 remains the most important rock band in the world, and they prove it in 'One', the most beautiful ballad of all time.
By Alevox
Like an electric shock. The U2 of "The Joshua Tree" are abruptly awakened by the infernal sound of a fly in the head.
U2 change their skin. They shake off the heavy role of rock prophets to project themselves into a colder and more disillusioned dimension.
By iuppiter2
Like a powerful wave, maturity overwhelms the Dublin band, creating an incredible work with an impeccable sequence of twelve tracks.
The twelve tracks are images, meanings, twelve stars all shining with their own light.
By vicio
Achtung Baby is understood as a crucial milestone in U2’s career.
After Achtung Baby, U2 have never been the same.
