Anthems of the Fighting Irish

Boy (1980)
This erratic record's punkish attack and universal themes — as on the head-over-heels ''I Will Follow,'' about longing for a mother — made it heady listening in the postpunk years. B

October(1981)
An ambitious, even more erratic follow-up highlighted by the emergence of the Edge's echoing, driving guitar style. B

War (1983)
With moving and unrelenting songs like ''Sunday Bloody Sunday'' and ''Seconds,'' the band demonstrates that it can play hard rock with the best. B+

Under a Blood Red Sky (1983)
Gritty, live EP. The band was still struggling for radio acceptance, but concerts spread the word: U2's albums were going platinum with little airplay. A-

The Unforgettable Fire (1984)
The collaboration with production and electronics wizard Brian Eno (known for his work with Talking Heads) and his protege, Daniel Lanois, began here. The pair do their best to craft U2's sometimes overblown ideas. B+

Wide Awake in America (1985)
Another EP, this time with outtakes and live versions of songs from The Unforgettable Fire. Check out the soulful live ''Bad.'' B

The Joshua Tree (1987)
This album, patently the band's best, combines easy-to-grasp themes — alienation and an outsider's ambivalent view of America — with an extremely focused musical attack. MVPs: the rhythm section of Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. A

Rattle and Hum (1988)
An ambitious pastiche of influences: B.B. King, Billie Holiday, Dylan, Lennon, and Hendrix. But what seemed muddled and difficult three years ago has now become almost likable. B

You Might Also Like

• Music Review Under a Blood Red Sky (Deluxe Edition) | Wook Kim
• All About All That You Can't Leave Behind
• Music News This week on the music beat | Dan Snierson
• Music News The Deep Dive: Live Nation | Kate Ward