U2: 30 Years of War
"I can't believe the news today. I can't close my eyes and make it go away. How long, how long must we sing this song?" - Bono
Led by a militaristic drum line, a violin like the voice of a survivor discovering a loved one shot down in the streets and counterpointed by plaintive, chiming guitar arpeggios, those words herald the start of U2's album War, released 30 years ago today.
U2's third album came out during one of the biggest years in popular music, against such legendary albums as Michael Jackson's Thriller, The Police's Synchronicity and Def Leppard's Pyromania. It was a markedly different sound for U2; harsher than its spiritually themed predecessor October and more mature in an "angry young man" sense than the band's debut album, Boy. It was a clarion call which would rally a new group of listeners for U2.
The band was still an album or so away from breaking through to mainstream radio audiences in the US, but in 1983 it was equally if not more important to grab the eyes of music fans as well as their ears. The music video as an art form had evolved from simple lip-synced performance clips into short films, complete with implied plots and themes. U2 was no stranger to produced music videos, but it was a live performance video of the opening track from War which, via heavy rotation on MTV Music Television months after the album's release, would grab the hearts and minds of its existing, and more importantly, new fans.
Larry Mullen, Jr.'s marshaling drums, which are more "of the people" than purely militaristic in nature, sets the tone for the album which wears it's central theme on it's black and white record sleeve. "Sunday Bloody Sunday" all at once brought more attention to the band and to the Troubles of Northern Ireland. It is among the quintessential protest songs and remains to this day one of the indispensable songs of U2's live canon. The electric violin playing off of The Edge's angrier guitar tones was performed by Steve Wickham, who would later join The Waterboys. While it was the album opener, it wasn't the first single.
Released as a single on January 1st, 1983, "New Year's Day" is among the finest examples of the production wizardry of Steve Lillywhite, who manages to balance the haunting beauty of not only The Edge's guitar, but his piano playing, which chimes in an eerily similar harmonic way. Listen to the transitions between the two instruments between the three and four minute marks into the song for the best example of this.
The third song to become a radio staple from from War was its second single, "Two Hearts Beat as One", which is arguably among bassist Adam Clayton's finest recorded moments and a rare instance where a bass player truly gets to live out front and center in the mix of a pop song.
This trio of songs represents the best known songs from the album to the casual listener, but War also contains some deep cuts which are equally great and important listens.
Side One's "Like a Song..." harkens back ever so slightly to the raw energy of the band's debut album, yet does so with the maturity and experience gained from years of touring and practicing their song craft. Bono's passionate vocal delivery is in full effect on this full tilt rocker which contains searing guitar lines from The Edge.
From Side Two, the track "Surrender" both extends what has come previously and a gives a preview of what U2 would craft on their subsequent album, The Unforgettable Fire. This track would not sound out of place on that album either. Lillywhite opens up the channel a bit more on this track, giving great discretion between the instruments.
War closes on the song "40", which would become the regular closer for U2 concerts throughout the 1980's, leaving the audience singing the retooled biblical passages-turned-lyrics long after the band had left the stage. Stick with this performance until the three minute mark and tell me if you don't get the same chills which the band must feel each time they left the stage to that feeling of love coming from the audience.
U2 would of course go on to release albums which would ultimately become even more popular in subsequent years, but the importance of War as both an album and a part of U2's discography is undeniable. Sure you've heard the three hits countless times, but if you've never sat down and let the album wash over you, or even heard it in its entirety at all, take 42 minutes today and listen to it, start to finish. You will be glad you did.
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