U2
Zooropa

THE REVIEW

It's 1992, and U2 were crisscrossing America and Europe with their gigantic (and successful) ZOOTV Tour. We're in the era of Bono as The Fly or Mephisto, giant screens, and Trabants hanging above the stage. In the gaps between legs of the tour, U2 recorded a brand new album.
The CD was called ZOOROPA and was released worldwide on June 5, 1993. Zooropa marks yet another transformation in U2's sound. Here, there's a big emphasis on electronics and the production by Brian Eno. It's a controversial album that split the fans of the four Irishmen into two camps.

The album begins with the majestic intro of the title track, where electronic voices (What Do You Want?) blend with simple piano notes. The arrival of Edge marks the true beginning of the song, which unfolds in a slow and evocative rhythm, with a good performance by Bono. Midway through the song, the rhythm changes completely, driven by a very powerful beat from drummer Larry Mullen Jr. And here, Bono delivers a great vocal performance, accompanied by excellent bass work. The lyrics reflect the album's content and U2's new worldview; a world dominated by advertising and electronics. The second track is BABYFACE, an electronic ballad based on a very syncopated rhythm, with Bono being very sensual and in shape. However, the song doesn't leave much of an impression on the listener. BABYFACE is followed by NUMB, the song promoted by the band as the album's lead single. The choice, judged in hindsight, proved to be spot-on. NUMB is indeed the sonic manifesto of the band's new direction. Developed on a very hypnotic rhythm, the song revolves around Edge's totally expressionless singing (Numb). In the background, there's a good falsetto performance by Bono (who only joins in the chorus) and the confused sounds from Eno. Right after, we find LEMON, a track that surprised many with its electronic and almost dance rhythm. Here, Bono's great vocal performance stands out, his falsetto drives and characterizes the whole song. The song even surprised the band members themselves, as Edge said:"It always made me laugh to know there was a song like that on one of our albums." The track flows with all its liveliness and lightheartedness, with a spine-tingling change. Larry's drums introduce the album's masterpiece, STAY (FARAWAY, SO CLOSE!). Written by U2 for German director W. Wenders, "Stay" is the song where electronics take a back seat for once, in favor of a superb performance by the entire band. The track will go directly into the band's classics alongside songs like ONE, BAD, WITH OR WITHOUT YOU. Certainly, the most successful episode of the album.
The second part of the album opens with the intro of DADDY'S GONNA PAY FOR YOUR CRASHED CAR, an electronic blues that initially shocked many longtime fans. However, the track is very enjoyable, supported by the usual excellent bass work. The same can be said of SOME DAYS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS, a fully electronic song, very relaxed and fun. The only downside is the superimposition of a synthesizer sound over Edge's solo, a choice that leaves many bewildered. THE FIRST TIME is a classic U2 ballad, led by Eno's piano. Bono is outstanding here, truly in great shape. At number nine, we find DIRTY DAY, pure negative energy unfolding in a very complex drum rhythm, followed by good bass work. The lyrics, co-written by Bono and The Edge, are very deep and, in the final part, even cite C. Bukowski (Days Run Away Like Horses Over The Hills). The concluding track is THE WANDERER sung by J. Cash. The lyrics are very evocative (many post-atomic images), masterfully interpreted by Cash's deep voice, accompanied by an electronic sound background.

A sound of an alarm definitively closes the album. If there were a technological and computerized nation like Zooropa, this sound would be its National Anthem.