October

U2

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 15, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1981
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Island
• ASIN: B000001FS1
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (104 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #60,826 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Long a favorite of U2's original core following, October not only avoids the sophomore slump, but adds an edgy, emotional resonance to the buoyant self-confidence they showed on their debut, Boy. Though producer Steve Lillywhite deserves mention for helping effectively frame the material with production that manages to be both stark and atmospherically murky, this is the music where Bono, Edge, and company first show the potential that would make them superstars. Lacking the sometimes ham-fisted polemics that would mar War, The Joshua Tree, and later works, October has an oft-tortured sense of emotional and philosophical ambivalence that only underscores concerns that range from the crypto-spiritualist yearnings of "Gloria" and "Rejoice" to more anxious moments like "I Fall Down," "I Threw a Brick Through a Window," and "Fire." In retrospect, they may have peaked early. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description
RE-MASTERED VERSION (1CD): standard jewel case w/ 24pg. book --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spiritual Work, March 22, 2001

By	Thomas Magnum (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

U2 have always had an undercurrent of spirituality and religiousness running through their music. Growing up in a country that is literally divided by faith, the band members were obviously influenced by religion. October is their most overtly religious album where songs like "Rejoice", "Fire", "I Fall Down" and "Is That All?" find the band searching for answers to higher questions. "Gloria" opens up the album with a punch as the song which starts off with a driving guitar riff before ending up with a hymn-like closing. "Tomorrow" is one of their most Irish sounding songs and the title track is a strong instrumental. "I Threw A Brick Through A Window" and "Stranger In A Strange Land" are more in a political bent. October was only the band's second album and shows a that they could build on the tremendous potential that they showed on their debut release.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars October: Early Springtime in U2's Career, January 21, 2004

By	Aaron Blight (Westminster, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews

The mere fact that you're looking at U2's October is sufficient to conclude that you owe it to yourself to buy this album. Only a bona-fide U2 fan would go looking back to a 1981 album, released prior to the band's trajectory into rock superstardom, and think about buying it.

October is one of those select albums that I've now owned on vinyl, cassette, and now compact disc. This album has been an indispensable part of my music collection for 20 years. On this album, you clearly hear a band full of passion with the nascent ability to create timeless rock anthems. All the underpinnings of the legendary U2 are here, perceptible but unrefined. Through subsequent releases, you can trace the band's growth and evolution into one of the greatest bands in the history of rock music.

Though not as musically accomplished or commercially successful as U2's later albums, October stands independently as a great work. U2's raw energy pervades the album, and when coupled with the band's adroit songwriting, October compares favorably to many of the best rock albums of the last 30 years. There's an obvious post-punk melodic feel to the songs here, elevated by overtly sociopolitical lyrics. I love October's unapologetic religiosity; for me this makes the album infinitely more stirring and meaningful. U2 also experiments with a variety of musical textures, honing in on what is to become the band's enormous signature sound. Truthfully, there isn't a dispensable track on this album; every song contributes uniquely to October's forceful appeal.

And that brings me back to my opening statement. If you've read this much of my review, then there's no doubt you should get yourself a copy of October. You'll be rewarded with not only a collection of great songs but also a better understanding of the estimable foundations of one of the greatest bands in the history of rock music.

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars U2's most spiritual album, March 23, 2000

By	John Downing (Sherman, TX USA) - See all my reviews

Most people when they think of U2 usually don't think of spirituality, but if you've read any of their biographies or really paid attention to their lyrics then you would know different.

Anyway, I've followed U2 since their beginning in 1979, and I must say that I believe in my opinion that this is their best album. For the emotion, because Bono's mother had passed away before its release and for its spirituality because I believe Bono's "walk" was stronger then than it is now, but that is another discussion.

However, October opens with "Gloria" giving thanks to God in latin during its chorus which so many people get confused thinking that Bono is talking to a girl but he's not. "I Threw a Brick Through a Window" is amazing. Bono is talking about being trapped in sin but being able to find forgiveness through his "brother" and through Christ. "Rejoice" is so obvious. "Tomorrow" is probably my favorite in that Bono is crying out to two people: his mother and to Jesus. The rest of the album deals with him dealing with his emotions of his mom passing and incorporating it with the love of his faith. And the music as always is amazing. What else could you expect from U2! (Other albums by U2 that are similar to October in lyrical content would be Unforgettable Fire, War, and The Joshua Tree.)