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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Having followed the band with a passion since 1981, it still irks me that October was and still is to some extent continually slated by reviewers,music mags, authors and even some fans of the band. Recorded during a turbulent period for the band(Bono had his lyrics stolen in the US,pressure was being applied by the Shalom group that Bono, Edge and Larry were part of to disband and concentrate on more Christian based activities thus causing moral dilemas for the three and problems with Adam too,together with other disruptive issues)the emotional uncertainty of these issues seeps through beautifully in the songs and in particular Bono's lyrics. Sure, given the chance to revisit, the band would have tackled a few songs differently(eg Tommorrow was superbly re-recorded by Bono and Adam for the Common Ground compilation)but overall what you get is U2 at their most vunerable with their backs firmly up against wall and in many respects this is when they are at their most powerful. Tracks such as Gloria, I fall down, Rejoice, Tomorrow, October and Stranger in a strange land are really great tracks. At the age of 15 in 1981, the album was never off my turntable(it was pre CD's folks!) and the ease in which I could relate to the lyrics and 'feel' of the songs still stays with me 23 years on. If you've never delved into their back catalogue, I can assure you that you too will rejoice in the wonderfully uplifting and passionate sounds of October.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I bought this mainly because it was cheap and I've recently been getting into U2's 80's stuff, so my expectations for this early effort were not huge. However, I was hugely impressed. It hasn't dated nearly as badly as some of the singles from the so-called, "Best of '80 to 90" (which, I'm pretty sure doesn't feature any of these tracks) and would go as far as saying that this is better than the more acclaimed and well-known 'Joshua Tree'.
My personal favourites here are the majestic 'Gloria', and the melancholic 'Tomorrow' and 'October'. The latter introduced by the Edge's solitary piano, and culminating with Bono's uncharacteristically down-beat vocals.
Bono's lyrics are probably less political than usual for an 80's U2 album, tending to focus more inwardly, as on 'Gloria' an interesting insight into what seems a rare thing in his line of work, a meaningful faith.
The Edge probably at his best guitar-wise as well on this album, in both the single 'Fire' and the aptly-named final flourish 'is that all?'
My conclusions? If you're a fan of U2's more guitar-based stuff, then you'd do very well to invest in a copy of this, an overlooked classic.
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Most artists start off energetically and tend to slow down later on. This is quite the opposite --- these are four young men in 1981 with real gravitas penning songs any 40 year old would be proud of. October is a particularly beautiful month and this album conveys all the doleful colours it posesses. It is hard to imagine how such young people could show the depth of emotion around such issues as loneliness, lost love, distance etc. However, the songs on this album are timeless classics of yearning and separation which makes you wonder exactly what anguish engendered them. Perhaps it was the story of growing up in an ex-colonial situation and speaks of marginalisation and bitterness, the experience of an out of town estate perhaps, but four people on the outside looking in. The tunes themselves are often plaintive, folkie efforts, fading in and fading out, with no strident statement making, simply impressionistic and sad, leading into sharply defined rock songs with the brilliant black guitar sound of the Edge beneath Bono's wailing vocal. I personally hope that the band members found some happiness later on......but this work speaks of decay and defeat and is a haunting epitaph for an unhappy period in Ireland's history. October is a work of prescient brilliance with sad songs which will last forever in time....listen to this album and see how the genius of U2 started out and wonder how it was connected with later work by the band.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Is That All? U2 flounder on their second album...
Rating: 4.5/10
Best tracks: `I Fall Down', `Gloria', `Rejoice', `Fire'
U2's second album is not a fan or critic favourite, and it's a definite step down from... Read more
Best tracks: `I Fall Down', `Gloria', `Rejoice', `Fire'
U2's second album is not a fan or critic favourite, and it's a definite step down from... Read more
Published 19 months ago by New Gold Dreamer
U2 October Remastered
This is a much clearer and sharper sound than the original audio. Great value for money and quick delivery. Although no major hits on this album, a must for any U2 fan.
Published on 30 May 2010 by Becca
Fantastic
Revisited this album after many years. You forget how raw and talented they were, superb.
Published on 18 Dec 2009 by Colin Gibbard
An innovative, underated gem
In a recent BBC4 documentary celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Island Records, U2 made a point of thanking the label for not dropping them after their second album October. Read more
Published on 16 July 2009 by Greg Farefield-Rose
Weaker than Boy but still great
One thing I've never understood about this album is why it seemed to be hated so much. Sure this isn't one of U2's strongest releases but it's still a great album. Read more
Published on 6 May 2008 by Shorty11857
A brillant album
A young U2 powerful & exciting album with the band experimenting on slower tunes October More soulful/punk & less technical than their later stadium sound. Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2008 by K. Archer
4 stars is fair.
This is a fantastic and under-rated album (although not on this website!). October has a good mixture of spiritual contemplative songs and the anthemic tunes they became synonymous... Read more
Published on 26 July 2007 by Mr. L. A. Stevenson
Disappointed at the time
When October was released most people bought it because of U2's excellent debut Boy. I remember being disappointed at the time and now almost 25 years on the album hasn't improved... Read more
Published on 11 April 2006
Quality 80's rock. Bloc Party paid attention, have you?
I remember buying this record on vinyl, complete with inside picture sleeve. Some rather lovely photographs, if I remember rightly; and certainly better than the front cover. Read more
Published on 22 Sep 2005 by Paul
Rejoice!
October is the sound of a young U2 finding their feet and sound.Its not perfect, but that kinda adds to its charm. Read more
Published on 18 Dec 2004 by S. J. Royle
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