A joshua tree is a real tree that thrives despite the dry environment it lives in. The image - the icon - of life amidst its seeming absence, embodied in the joshua tree, is one that is fully appropriate to U2 - particularly at the end of their first decade. U2, like the joshua tree, stood in stark contrast to its environment: ascetic, prophetic and disarmingly (some would say "naively", but let the tension stand) sincere. (Their foray into the realm of post-modern sampling, irony and sarcasm was an identity crisis fully in line with where they stood in the 80s: cynicism is frustrated optimism.)

"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", the second song, really expresses the kernel of The Joshua Tree; every other song fleshes it out in some way or another. The album is, in the end, about distance: "I have run, I have crawled, I have scaled these city walls only to be with you: But I still haven't found what I'm looking for." While one may take this to be an admission of defeat - and distance whispers of despair as much as consummation - doing so is incorrect: "I'm still running," Bono sings. The song is an expression of hope more than anything.

Faith is a raw and disarmingly rough beauty; it looks within and it looks without. "Bullet the Blue Sky" and "Mothers of the Disappeared" give full expression to U2's long-time political engagement, while "With or Without You" gives a glimpse into U2's more tender side. "With or Without You" may very well be the best love song of the 80s. "One Tree Hill", a deeply personal song about the death of a friend, moves with passion and rugged grace - and, again, with hope: "I'll see you again when the stars fall from the sky and the moon has turned red over one tree hill."

I look forward to the day when my children ask me, "Dad, did you ever listen to U2?" Not only will I have stories to tell about live concerts, but I will be able to relive with them the goosebumps that certain songs will inevitably bring. If rock is dead, U2 was its apex. And U2 has yet to be eclipsed.


The Classic Album of a Generation   November 12, 1999
36 out of 39 found this review helpful

This is the only album I ever owned in which I wore out the vinyl copy AND the cassette and so had to get it on CD. I was always a U2 fan going back to "War" and "The Unforgettable Fire", but I know that a lot of people see this as their watershed album which, of course, it was. However, I also think the more recent U2 albums have been unfairly compared to this one, which if you think about it is silly since we should appreciate bands that don't stick with a successful formula just because it works and this album is as much of a departure from U2's early work as "Pop" is from this one. All that aside, this is why you should own this CD:

1) The production of Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno - listen to "Where The Streets Have No Name" and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" with headphones and you'll hear what sonic layering can be in the hands of masters. 2) An uncanny match of lyrics and music - in the liner notes it says that "One Tree Hill" was written upon a friend's death. I would like to think that if I were ever in a similar situation I could come up with something that would evoke half the emotion that song does. 3) No bad spots - when was the last time you bought an album that was completely listenable all the way through?

I do think it's a shame that U2 has not been able to recapture the overall karma of this album in their subsequent years (not that they haven't tried) but I think the biggest testament to this album is that I have bought it for friends and relatives ranging in age from 45 to 17 and they all love it. That's one awesome album.


An Enduring Classic   November 20, 1999
33 out of 36 found this review helpful

U2 is a band for the ages and "The Joshua Tree" stands as their most brilliant accomplishment. I don't think I've ever heard an album that combines uniqueness of sound, lyrical mastery, overall quality, and pure soul as "The Joshua Tree" does. The first four songs make the album commercially viable, but what I was surprised to find was just how good the songs were that followed. Every song that on the album is distinct and memorable. The subject of the songs range from the struggles of a heroin addict, the loss of a close friend, and even the promise of America to those who yearn for freedom.

The highlights of the album are obviously "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and the absolutely beautiful "With or Without You," two songs that I still hear very frequently on the radio today. But with songs like "Red Hill Mining Town," "In God's Country," and "One Tree Hill," among others you'll find that it's very hard to keep this album out of your CD player.

U2 is undeniably an incredible band. They are lead musically by one of the most innovative and unique guitarists of all time, The Edge. His sound is backed by an equally unique rhythm section of Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen, Jr. And, in front of all that is Bono, a frontman who combines passion, lyrics, intelligence, and beauty of his voice more so than anyone I've ever heard. What more can I say, U2 is my favorite band and "The Joshua Tree" is their finest album. And, unless you're one of the people who dismiss the album because it was successful commercially, you'll probably find yourself admiring this album and this band as I do.


everything great about U2   August 22, 2002
knottedcordsuntying (Michigan)
30 out of 33 found this review helpful

Having just listened to this CD for the bizillionth time last night, I am once against struck by the enduring beauty and meaning of the songs on "The Joshua Tree." This is, without a doubt, one of the best and most important pop recordings to come out of the 80's.

Perhaps more than any of their other albums, "The Joshua Tree" captures the great themes of U2's music. Politically forward, spiritually searching and earthily honest--these eleven songs all still speak as loudly today as they did in 1987.

The first three songs (Where the Streets Have No Name; I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For; With or Without You) are deservedly the most famous. Yet all of the songs are worthy in their own way of recognition.

It has always mystified me why "Running to Stand Still" is not more widely played. It is the lyrical gem of the CD. Likewise, I always thought "In God's Country" deserved and could easily find a larger audience.

U2 got to work with a dream team in Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois, and Steve Lillywhite. It shows in the absolutely great yet transparent sound of this recording.

I can honestly say that I wholeheartedly recommend this album. Get it today.


Tops on my desert island disc list   November 21, 2004
Dr. Emil Shuffhausen (aka Tom Bombadil) (Central Gulf Coast)
14 out of 15 found this review helpful

Not counting compilations or greatest hits collections, this is perhaps the greatest single studio album ever recorded. It is utterly indespensible; a masterwork that continues to thrill, amaze, move, anger, soothe, comfort, and motivate listeners more than 17 years after its initial release. THE JOSHUA TREE has remained the standard by which all U2 albums are measured, and as such, remains a standard for musicians everywhere, in every genre. Its disarming honesty is at times raw and at times almost innocent. Bono, Edge, Larry, and Adam sing and play with passion and intensity, tempered with grace and dexterity. Each track is a revelation, a riveting story filled with hope and heartache. Here is my song-by-song commentary:

"Where the Streets Have No Name" - My favorite single rock and roll song, period. Driving, anthemic, longing...the spiritual music and lyrics propel the listener into a place of transcendence

"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" - A gospel-tinged heartcry; a quest for meaning backed with a nice ringing shuffle. It connected with listeners so much that it hit #1 on the pop singles chart in the USA.

"With or Without You" - A pretty, brooding, bluesy love song filled with pain and hunger. This lovely lament also hit #1 on the pop singles chart in the USA.

"Bullet the Blue Sky" - This is to U2 what "When the Levee Breaks" is to Led Zeppelin...a searing passage of hurt, fear, anger, and helplessness pealing through the heavens like heavy metal thunder

"Running to Stand Still" - A heart-rending indictment of addiction, sung as a heroin-esque reverie

"Red Hill Mining Town" - A huge, grand, dramatic testimony of solidarity with those who live and labor in spirit-crushing surroundings...the sweeping chorus is sung with incredible pathos and power by Bono

"In God's Country" - A strong, propulsive, insightful mid-tempo rocker that re-visits some of the same themes of "Where the Streets Have No Name" both lyrically and musically

"Trip Through Your Wires" - A very bluesy/countryfied take on desire and infatuation

"One Tree Hill" - A contender for my favorite U2 song, this rhythmic tour de force was composed in honor of a young man, a friend of the band, who passed away tragically...its a powerhouse song about hope and eternal values wrapped in a beautiful, unforgettable melody, and performed perfectly by the band

"Exit" - Extremely dark and intense and scary; reminds me to some degree of Pearl Jam...Bono gets inside the head of someone going down the wrong path

"Mothers of the Disappeared" - One of the saddest and most beautiful, heartfelt songs U2 has ever performed...the emotion, the sense of loss, and the achingly gorgeous melody stick in your gut long after the song is over

There's not a weak moment here. This is the sound of artists reaching for the stars, and succeeding. U2 has had many peaks and successes since THE JOSHUA TREE, but it remains a titanic acheivement artistically and commercially. With the impending release of their latest CD, entitled, HOW TO DISMANTLE AN ATOMIC BOMB, it's worth revisiting this earlier highlight from their career.