October is one of those select albums that I've now owned on vinyl, cassette, and now compact disc. This album has been an indispensable part of my music collection for 20 years. On this album, you clearly hear a band full of passion with the nascent ability to create timeless rock anthems. All the underpinnings of the legendary U2 are here, perceptible but unrefined. Through subsequent releases, you can trace the band's growth and evolution into one of the greatest bands in the history of rock music.

Though not as musically accomplished or commercially successful as U2's later albums, October stands independently as a great work. U2's raw energy pervades the album, and when coupled with the band's adroit songwriting, October compares favorably to many of the best rock albums of the last 30 years. There's an obvious post-punk melodic feel to the songs here, elevated by overtly sociopolitical lyrics. I love October's unapologetic religiosity; for me this makes the album infinitely more stirring and meaningful. U2 also experiments with a variety of musical textures, honing in on what is to become the band's enormous signature sound. Truthfully, there isn't a dispensable track on this album; every song contributes uniquely to October's forceful appeal.

And that brings me back to my opening statement. If you've read this much of my review, then there's no doubt you should get yourself a copy of October. You'll be rewarded with not only a collection of great songs but also a better understanding of the estimable foundations of one of the greatest bands in the history of rock music.


U2's most spiritual album   March 23, 2000
John Downing (Sherman, TX USA)
22 out of 26 found this review helpful

Most people when they think of U2 usually don't think of spirituality, but if you've read any of their biographies or really paid attention to their lyrics then you would know different.

Anyway, I've followed U2 since their beginning in 1979, and I must say that I believe in my opinion that this is their best album. For the emotion, because Bono's mother had passed away before its release and for its spirituality because I believe Bono's "walk" was stronger then than it is now, but that is another discussion.

However, October opens with "Gloria" giving thanks to God in latin during its chorus which so many people get confused thinking that Bono is talking to a girl but he's not. "I Threw a Brick Through a Window" is amazing. Bono is talking about being trapped in sin but being able to find forgiveness through his "brother" and through Christ. "Rejoice" is so obvious. "Tomorrow" is probably my favorite in that Bono is crying out to two people: his mother and to Jesus. The rest of the album deals with him dealing with his emotions of his mom passing and incorporating it with the love of his faith. And the music as always is amazing. What else could you expect from U2! (Other albums by U2 that are similar to October in lyrical content would be Unforgettable Fire, War, and The Joshua Tree.)


One of the best....   November 30, 2006
Robert D. Loeffler Jr. (Orange County, CA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

This is one of the most satisfying U2 albums. Very underrated. Upon a first listen, I think alot of people will find this album bland, but it is incredibly complex for a sophmoric album, particularly since Bono's lyrics had been stolen immediately prior to recording this album. It's incredible that they were still able to complete this album. It really shows a maturity from Boy and points to the direction that would happen with War, Joshua Tree, etc.. Highlights include Gloria, Rejoice, I Threw a Brick Through a Window. My favorite U2 song of all time is Tomorrow. The texture of this song is incredible. I can't find any info on any session musicians that may have played on this album but I am sure that Tomorrow starts with Uillian Pipes. Awesome. This album is definitely in my top 4 or 5 from U2 (1. Joshua Tree, 2. Achtung Baby, 3. War, 4. October, 5. All That You Can't..). Enjoy!!!
BaB


An overlooked gem   July 18, 2005
Axver
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Many people first exploring U2's back catalogue hear that October is U2's worst album, a mish-mash of poorly written, overly religious songs that have completely failed the test of time. Newcomers are told to look elsewhere because this album is just not very good.

That's simply not true.

Until the release of Achtung Baby some ten years later, this was bassist Adam Clayton's favourite U2 album. Why? Because it's GOOD. It shows off the band's growing talents and adds elements of diversity to U2's music that weren't present in their debut, Boy. True, the band were under pressure to quickly come up with a second album in the midst of rigorous touring and Bono losing his notebook of ideas, and it's also true to say that they admirably rose to the challenge.

The album opens with a song criminally omitted from the Best Of 1980-1990, Gloria. This is a soaring, brilliant U2 classic, hinting at their anthemic glories to come. The chorus is in Latin and the themes are religious, though not overly so, and it features what may be the sole bass solo on a U2 album. Next comes I Fall Down, the first U2 song to prominently feature Edge's keyboard talents while Bono takes on the guitar duties. And now that Edge and Adam have had the chance to show off, Larry takes centre stage in the next two songs - I Threw A Brick Through A Window is a song about the stifling social conditions in Dublin at the time and is driven by powerful drumming, and Edge's ringing guitar on Rejoice soon gives way to a stellar drum solo.

The fifth song on the album was also the first single, and Fire is a song that is lyrically rich in Apocalyptic imagery. It also features Adam on backing vocals (at least live; they aren't readily apparent in the studio to me), though I personally find Edge's guitar to be the most enjoyable part of this song. Sixth comes the other highest point of the album, a song many fans consider a classic: the haunting, mournful, beautiful Tomorrow. It mixes religious feelings with Bono's longing for his mother, who unfortunately passed away when he was fourteen, and is the most emotional part of the album. It is followed by a song that is also haunting as well as spare: the title track, October, with Edge again on piano. This is the only song from October to make the Best Of 1980-1990, and in hidden form too - if you let All I Want Is You continue to play, you will hear this song.

Some fans consider the final four tracks to be the weakest point of October and overlook them, but I think that's very unfair. With A Shout is driven by the religious passion of the band at the time, and even if you don't appreciate that, it's still an enlightening insight into the mind of the band (or at least Bono, Edge, and Larry) at that stage in their history. Stranger In A Strange Land articulates thoughts prompted by touring, and Is That All? (which uses the guitar riff from The Cry, an unreleased song played in tandem with The Electric Co. live) articulates thoughts prompted by the struggles to record October.

I've deliberately mentioned Scarlet out of track order, as I think it deserves special attention. This is a subtle track, almost an instrumental, with Bono soothing "rejoice" over the top. One would speculate this is inspired by his faith at the time, but you don't need to share it to enjoy this track. This song is terribly overlooked, which is a huge shame considering how beautiful it is. My only quibble with October is that this isn't the concluding number: Is That All? feels a little harsh afterwards and probably should've been a b-side instead, as the album could easily cope with Scarlet as the concluding song.

I would highly recommend October to you. Not only does it contain some fantastic songs, it's also U2 without any masks: it vividly portrays exactly where the band were mentally, emotionally, and spiritually at the time of the recording. If you listen to October, you get to know the band much better.