Waller Reviews: Written by UnhitchedWildhorsey for U2 Graffiti Wall: Favorite Songs: 'Sunday Bloody Sunday', 'New Years Day', 'Drowning Man', 'Surrender', '40'
"The Activist's Album"
The title of this album along with the striking cover photo; pretty much conveys the meaning or theme of this collection of songs...War. But, it isn't just what we initially think of as a bloody conflict between countries. It isn't all tanks, and bombs and guns. U2 is speaking of all kinds of wars; and there are many. There are indeed the first to mind wars between countries ( New Years Day), but there are also broader worldwide wars of threats and acts of terror (Seconds, Sunday Bloody Sunday ). There are wars against our personal freedoms, and liberties (Like A Song, The Refugee ), drug/addiction wars ( Drowning Man, Surrender,) wars of exploitation (The Refugee, Red Light, Surrender ), and religious wars (Sunday Bloody Sunday ). Finally, there is a promise of reconciliation, love and hope in the midst of these conflicts ( Drowning Man, Two Hearts Beat As One, 40 ).
All the wars spoken of are here in U2's album 'War'. The conflicts are exhibited in lyric and music with earnest and exuberant fervor. They come marching at you with such force and conviction that it is impossible to not ready yourself. That is sort of how I feel when I put on War. It isn't a casual listen. This is the U2 CD you put on when you feel fired up, or need to get fired up. It is loud, bold and forceful. It is the activist's cry. It says "Do Something!" and that is what it does for me and many U2 fans. whether it has inspired you to march for a cause, Donate money or time to a cause, write a letter for a cause...or simply pray for a cause; the point is it inspires. War is so honest and wrought with feeling that it is anything but phony. Bono and U2 and their passions are for real here. They are living and feeling in the moment here. These issues and struggles matter to them, and it all comes through clearly in their microphones and instruments.
U2's War is waged with earnest intelligent skill mixed with young courageous risks. In my opinion with this album...U2 were victorious at cementing their future iconic status.
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