Achtung Baby Review: U2 Reinvent Themselves
9/10 — U2 - Achtung Baby (1991)
Pros
- 'One' and 'Mysterious Ways'
- Fresh, experimental sound
- The Edge's varied guitar
Cons
- Forced irony
- A few filler tracks
Recorded in Berlin with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, Achtung Baby sees U2 abandon their sincere stadium image for a darker, more playful sound. It was a major success.
What works
‘One’, ‘Mysterious Ways’ and ‘Even Better Than the Real Thing’ are strong, and ‘The Fly’ crackles with distorted fury. The Edge’s guitar tones are varied, and Bono’s vocals shift between falsetto and growl.
Where it falters
The album’s irony sometimes feels forced, and a few songs are filler.
Verdict
A bold, successful reinvention.
