U2 — All That You Can't Leave Behind cover

U2

Item: All That You Can't Leave Behind
Author: Josh Hurst

All That You Can't Leave Behind

(2000)

Reviewed by Josh Hurst

Discogs Apple Music TIDAL Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music

Label Interscope RecordsThe Rebel Base2001

alternative rock pop rock post-punk rock

Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen, and Adam Clayton, collectively known as U2, are true survivors. After almost a quarter century of being in the self-proclaimed greatest rock band in the world and numerous best-selling albums and tours, not to mention Grammy Awards, some listeners may wonder why they haven't given up yet. It looks like it would be a good time for U2 to retire, right?

Wrong. They've been raising the standards for rock albums and inspiring critics, fans, and fellow musicians alike for over twenty years now, and U2 is showing no signs of slowing down, because All That You Can't Leave Behind is not only one of the best albums of their career, but also one of the greatest albums of all time, in this reviewer's opinion.

Before we dive into the songs, let's first break down some common misconceptions about All That You Can't Leave Behind:

Myth #1: All That You Can't Leave Behind is terrible because it's so poppy.

Not really. It definitely leans more towards pop than, say, The Joshua Tree or War, but I don't think the band was setting out to make a pop album. The album is not about proving a point or making a statement, and it's also not about experimenting, like some of the band's previous records. All That You Can't Leave Behind is based solely on the songs- the lyrics, the melodies, and the soul behind them. Therefore, it may sound a bit poppy to some, but that's not a very valid complaint.

Myth #2: Bono's lyrics aren't very poetic on this album.

Also not true. While it's true that the lyrics are not as romantic as they were on The Joshua Tree, Bono is still the most deep and profound poet in rock 'n' roll, and though these lyrics may not be poetry in the traditional sense of the word, they're just as moving as anything he's written in the past. And I don't mean moving as in they'll make you cry. I mean moving as in they'll change your life.

Myth #3: Larry Mullen's drumming is awful on All That You Can't Leave Behind!

I've read that one in numerous places, actually, and though it is a matter of opinion, I don't think it makes much sense. Larry's percussion work doesn't get a chance to take the spotlight much, but then, that could be said of almost any rock drummers. He's not as impressive on ATYCLB as he was on War, but he can still rock with the best of 'em. Drumming highlights of the record include "Walk On" and "New York."

Now that we've cleared a few things up, let me also inform you that I am rather biased in this review. For one thing, U2 is my favorite band. Their music both encourages me and makes me think at the same time, a feat that few artists can handle. This album, in particular, has been very uplifting to me. "Walk On" has helped me to get through tough times on more than one occasion, and "Beautiful Day" has basically been my own personal theme song ever since I bought the album. With the exception of The Joshua Tree, this is quite possibly my second favorite record of all time.

Musically, All That You Can't Leave Behind is one of the band's least innovative to date. At the same time, though, the album has its own unique sound, and I honestly don't know of any other CD's that sound like it. ATYCLB is the result of U2 throwing out all of the excesses and experimentation of their 90's albums and sticking to the bare essentials. The songs combine the stripped down rock of 80's U2 albums with some of their infamous electronic/pop tinkering. The result may sound a bit too "retro" to some fans, but it really is new ground for U2.

Take "Elevation," for example. This track is a basic U2 rocker at its core, complete with vintage Edge guitar riffs. On top of that, though, the band threw on a few cool sound effects and guitar effects to create something unlike anything they've done before.

On the sonic level, this album really is some of U2's best work. It may not be their most innovative, but the band plays better here than they have since The Joshua Tree, at least. Larry Mullen's drumming adds a whole new level of energy to "Beautiful Day," Adam Clayton's bass nicely accents "Grace" and "When I Look at the World," and the acoustic "Wild Honey" is all about The Edge. The band effortlessly slides from some of their most energetic songs to date ("Walk On") to some of their most mellow ("Grace"), further proof of their musical mastery.

Lyrically, the record is probably Bono's most optimistic to date. Don't get me wrong, he still addresses some heavy subject matter. It's just that there is always an underlying sense of hope. "Kite," for example is a very serious, frank look at death and the loss of loved ones. Bono remains optimistic, though, saying "I know that this is not goodbye."

Similar optimism can be found on "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of," which is allegedly addressed to a man contemplating suicide, "Walk On," which is about a Burmese freedom fighter who was persecuted by her government, and "Beautiful Day," which finds Bono singing that "the sky falls," yet he still declares it to be a beautiful day, despite the fact that "you've been all over, and it's been all over you." In fact, this optimistic wisdom permeates just about every song, besides the dark "New York" and "Peace on Earth," which finds Bono demanding answers from God, much like he did on "Wake Up Dead Man" a few years ago. In the end, though, Bono comes to the wonderful conclusion that "grace finds goodness in everything."

The final word is that, contrary to what a few disgruntled fans seem to think, All That You Can't Leave Behind is some of U2's best work of all time. The record is full of both lyrical and musical joy, which can be found in very few albums these days. And U2 is playing better these days than they have in over a decade. The future remains bright for U2 and U2 fans alike. It's a beautiful day, indeed.

Josh's Score: 5/5