How the band members view their own albums

I've always wished I could get inside the band member's head to discover how they would pit their own albums against each other - if they had to put the time into ranking the 14 albums in order best to worst, what would it look like?

I think we have a fair idea of how the band views most of their albums, which one's their consider failures and which one's they are most proud of. Based on my cumulative memory of the band member's statements on their albums from over the years of watching U2 interviews, articles and listening to radio interviews this is my rough estimation of how I think the band rates their 14 albums:

1)The Joshua Tree
2)Achtung Baby
3)War/UF/Boy
4)SOI/SOE
5)ATYCLB
6)HTDAAB
7)Rattle And Hum
8)Zooropa
9)October
10)Pop
11)NLOTH

I'm just making a bold guess based on statements I've heard members of the band say in various interviews and from what I've read in U2 books,

I'm really interested to know does anyone have any quotes or statements from articles, has any of the band members at any point actually highlighted specifically which albums they think are their greatest work?

The band (bono especially) always promote their albums with great enthusiasm after the release, and after each release they seem to exaggerate and try to sell it as if it's better than it really is, in order to generate hype, like Bono will say something like "this is our best album in years" 

There's a quote where after the release of Zooropa where Bono claimed it was their "Sargent Peppers" and one of their greatest pieces of work to date

I think at one point after the release of Pop (and even though the band lamented over the whole rushed situation) the Edge made a bold statement that Pop was their best album and that over time people will see that.. big if true.. imagine reading that quote back to him in 2018! Haha, he'd probably just tell you that it was a heat in the moment thing and that he was just trying to promote the new album and paint it in a more positive view..

I think unfortunately they consider ATYCLB even higher on the list than you have them.

Consider the amounts of cash generated and the influence it has had on their lives. The revenues generated album+tour probably influences the feeling towards each of them a lot.

Bono’s job is to sell the albums and tours, so of course he needs to say that every new one is their best, or up there.

Now if you could really get a list of their personal likes, that would be interesting. But they seem to say their biggest hits are their best songs in interviews.

I don't know if the Podcast of Bono's conversation with Jann Wenner (2006?) is still available but that offered a good insight as I think they covered each album in turn. Bono would certainly put TUF above everything that came before it and I'm fairly sure the rest of the band agree. I do remember Bono calling Boy one of the greatest debuts of all time spoilt by unfinished lyrics. Wish they could record an updated conversation.

About ATYCLB, well critics rated it very highly. Even now that album makes it in the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die alongside TJT, AB and War. Although how it and War makes it and not TUF is beyond me. War is their most overrated IMO because all the love, nostalgia and cultural importance attached to it only really come from 2 or 3 songs.

I don't think Bono views his performance on TJT very highly - he's said such in interviews. At the same time, it's probably hard to hate something that brings you riches.

They always say "this is the best album we've done in years"...it's a safe move because they often take years between albums, so it can be technically true and at the same time it's a good way to try and sell records, for whatever it's worth these days...

I don't think Bono views his performance on TJT very highly - he's said such in interviews.

Yeah he was droning on before the JT 2.0 tour about how as a vocalist he finally feels like he can sing those songs properly. LMAO. I was there at the Seattle show, he didn't sing anything properly that night (or on any other night of that tour). He either spoke the lyrics or shouted them in something remotely resembling the right key.

U2's pattern of self-misdiagnosis deserves a doctoral dissertation.

They seem to hate their best albums.

Consider the amounts of cash generated and the influence it has had on their lives. The revenues generated album+tour probably influences the feeling towards each of them a lot.

Bono’s job is to sell the albums and tours, so of course he needs to say that every new one is their best, or up there.

Now if you could really get a list of their personal likes, that would be interesting. But they seem to say their biggest hits are their best songs in interviews.

Adam's views are quite different to the other band members, can't remember the source but I read somewhere that he thinks October is one of their best albums.

Quote from: Neil Young on December 21, 2018, 08:59:02 AM

Consider the amounts of cash generated and the influence it has had on their lives. The revenues generated album+tour probably influences the feeling towards each of them a lot.

Bono’s job is to sell the albums and tours, so of course he needs to say that every new one is their best, or up there.

Now if you could really get a list of their personal likes, that would be interesting. But they seem to say their biggest hits are their best songs in interviews.

Adam's views are quite different to the other band members, can't remember the source but I read somewhere that he thinks October is one of their best albums.

I remember him saying his favourite song of theirs was Lemon. That made me happy.

I don't know if the Podcast of Bono's conversation with Jann Wenner (2006?) is still available but that offered a good insight as I think they covered each album in turn.

Found it: http://www.jannswenner.com/archives/bono.aspx

Main bono takeaways 1) Stay is the best U2 song of all time 2) Pop isn't a good album - but Mofo is amazing.

That was incredible insightful.

According to the rolling stone interview that I just listened to: (http://www.jannswenner.com/archives/bono.aspx) this seems to be how Bono views the albums (interview from 2005 so only 10 albums are discussed)

1)The Joshua Tree
2)Achtung Baby
3)ATYCLB
4)HTDAAB
5)The Unforgettable Fire
6)Zooropa
7)War
8)Boy
9)October
10)Pop

They've said nice things about Pop at shows on the most recent tour.  Also Bono said at some point he thought Zooropa was their Sgt. Pepper.

They've said nice things about Pop at shows on the most recent tour.  Also Bono said at some point he thought Zooropa was their Sgt. Pepper.

yes at the time he talked up Zooropa as their Sgt Pepper, then backpedaled on it later on saying it was too self-indulgent or something, what rubbish eh..

If it weren't for 90's u2,  i wouldn't be here.  They'd be just another band to me. 

i am guessing that they would place AB as their favorite.  they had fun on those songs.  think they were sick of the seriousness of JT and al the black and white photo shoots.