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U2: Zooropa (1993) 
Reviewer: sydburnz | See all reviews by sydburnz
Section: Reviews | Category: Music | Area: Kansas | Topic: Music
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 U2: "Zooropa" (1993)
Bono -- vocals
The Edge -- guitar, synthesizer, piano, effects
Adam Clayton -- bass
Larry Muellen Jr -- drums
Brian Eno -- synth, piano, orchestral arrangements, harmonium, vocals
Flood -- loops
Johnny Cash -- vocals
Amidst U2's over-the-top Zoo TV tour, the band took some time out to record this album. It was first going to be released as an EP, but they had more songs they had written and recorded while on this break from touring. Not many U2 fans or critics really pen this album as their finest work, but I beg to differ. Could it be the crafty dance-pop songs within this album that makes it so enjoyable? Could it be the appearance of a country legend on their final track? Could it be the swirling, atmospheric textures created by Brian Eno and Flood? Who exactly knows. I think it is more of the last question myself. Brian Eno had worked with the Irish lads previously on "The Unforgettable Fire", "The Joshua Tree", and "Achtung Baby". Eno has that element about him to create such artistic and swooping atmospheres within a record. Never before was it so apparent on a U2 album, than this one. This is indeed U2's most ambitious and experimental album to date. It was, of course, recorded during a very ambitious ZooTV tour. It is only proper to release such an ambitious effort that just stretches out U2 in more musically diverse directions.
The opening track of Zooropa is a track of the same name which has a beautiful piano melody interspersed with swooping tape loops and effects. The Edge's echo-laden guitar gracefully slides in after the weird effects from Flood and Eno. Bono's lyrics were never better than on this song. Usually Bono tries to hard to create these rather poetic lyrics, most of the time falling on his face in the process. Again, the swooping textures of this song is the highlight.
"Babyface" is a dance-pop tune with another beautiful melody. Bono's lyrics are rather simple, but they seem to work just right. "Numb" features The Edge on droning vocals. The drum-beat has a hypnotic rhythm you could hear in any discoteque.
"Lemon" features Eno, again, with the atmospheric textures he is so well-known for. Eno has a knack for finding a melody (most of the time hypnotic) and running with it. Eno also makes an appearance singing in the harmonies of Lemon. Bono's voice is as beautiful as usual, and the lyrics are superb.
"Stay (Faraway, So Close)" is an acoustic tune that really doesn't fit on this album. Zooropa is mostly a techno, or some-what ambient album. This song is a ballad that does not feature any weird elements which you can hear on the other tracks. It is a precious jewel within a dance-pop album. Bono's lyrics aren't the best, but the melody makes up for that. "The First Time" also follows in the no-synthesizer mold of "Stay". Another beautifully created pop song with amazing orchestration that accentuates the tune. If it wasn't for these two songs, the album would be drowned out with dance tunes. I enjoy the fact that they created some variety on this album, unlike what you hear on their previous effort Achtung Baby.
The second half of the album continues on with the ambient elements in "Daddy's Going to Pay For Your Crashed Car", "Some Days Are Better Than Others", and "The Wanderer". The only below par track on this album has to be Some Days are Better than Others. Bono's lyrics are very cheesy, and the tune isnt all that appealing. There is a section within the middle that sounds like Eno took the clip exactly from his Another Green World (Sky Saw in particular).
U2 goes back to their rockin' echo-laden guitar sound on "Dirty Day". This has to be one of my favourite tracks from this album, indeed. It starts out rather slow with some hypnotic tape loops and a slow melody sung by Bono. Later on within the track it gets heavier thanks to the riffs created by the Edge. Simply Brilliant.
The album finishes out with a track called "The Wanderer" which showcases the vocals of non-U2 member for the first time. Johnny Cash sings on this pop tune about religion and The Saviour. It is rather strange to finish out an album with a song that is sung by a member outside of the circle. Strange way to end such a strange album. Beautifully crafted album I must say though. It is a shame that Zooropa is so overlooked and underappreciated.
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Visitor Comments about U2: Zooropa (1993)
Posted by garon on 2008-02-10 07:21:41
My Score:
Comment: since youve been gone i can breathe for the first time
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Posted by garon on 2005-05-17 13:17:03
My Score:
Comment: justin i was such a bitch to you. im so sorry.
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Posted by justin barry on 2004-08-02 08:30:35
My Score:
Comment: me & my girlfriend, jennifer love u2.
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Posted by Garon on 2004-08-02 08:24:47
My Score:
Comment: Justin Barry son of celia & eugene barry of the suzuki 4wd club, u2 fan formerly of balgowlah email justin_ac30@hotmail.com go to www.badasschick.com/v01/03/_000439/03 to see what is written about you.
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Posted by dream out loud on 2002-05-05 03:05:51
My Score:
Comment: i agree with pretty much everything this review says. i would also like to add that "Zooropa" is not a pop album. it is not radio-friendly, (apart from stay), it is very experimental and also quite heavy (issue-wise... see dirty day and the first time).
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Posted by on 2002-03-16 15:51:19
My Score:
Comment: I think Auchtang Baby is absolutely brill-I
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Posted by on 2002-03-16 15:51:18
My Score:
Comment: I think Auchtang Baby is absolutely brill-I
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Posted by Pressed_Rat on 2002-02-10 16:03:48
My Score:
Comment:
This album is crap, sorry. I mean, this is a pop album in the purest sense. Eno doesn''t even save the day with this one. The title track is the only song on here I can appreciate. ''Lemon'' is an overrated track. So is ''Numb.''
In my opinion, U2 got shitty with their ''Achtung Baby'' album. They just got way too electronic in a very poppy and commercial way.
I think I''ll just stick with ''War,'' ''The Unforgettable Fire,'' ''The Joshua Tree,'' and ''Rattle and Hum.'' These were U2''s best albums.
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